"This… this voice…"
Natsu's entire body trembled as he heard the familiar tone.
His heartbeat suddenly quickened—thump, thump, thump—growing louder until his body glowed with a blinding light.
"UAAAAHHHHHHH!!!"
A massive figure erupted from within him, surging upward into the sky.
When Natsu saw the familiar silhouette, his eyes instantly filled with tears. They spilled down his cheeks as he choked out a single word:
"Dad…"
For years he had searched restlessly, never giving up. All along, the father he sought had been right inside his own body.
"That… that's the Fire Dragon King Igneel…!"
Happy's eyes sparkled. He had been with Natsu from the very beginning, and while many in the guild doubted the existence of dragons, Happy had never once wavered. He knew Natsu had been raised by one. Together, they had chased Igneel's trail for so long.
"Another dragon?!"
"Impossible! Another one appeared!!"
Panic spread like wildfire among the Alvarez soldiers. Two dragons were already terrifying enough—but now, a third had shown itself? Was Ishgar returning to the age of dragons? This land they thought barren of magic was suddenly overflowing with monsters beyond imagination.
Even General Invel's composure cracked. "What… is going on here?" His carefully constructed war plans had not accounted for this.
Zeref, however, was calm. "Long time no see, Igneel."
Igneel's massive head turned toward him, eyes filled with a complicated mix of familiarity and disdain. Though not true friends, the two had known each other in the past. To meet again after four centuries… it was almost surreal.
"Igneel," Zeref said quietly, "why have you become like this? What exactly are you after?"
The dragon's gaze was heavy. "The same question could be asked of you, Zeref. What is it that you seek? Why have you twisted yourself into this?"
Zeref was silent for a moment, then answered, "Four hundred years… is too long. Time changes everything."
"Dad!" Natsu shouted, tears still streaming. "You know Zeref?! Why were you inside me all this time?! Do you know how long I've been looking for you?! Why didn't you come out?!"
The mighty Fire Dragon King actually sighed, looking almost troubled. "Slow down, Natsu. Ask one question at a time."
"Fine! Is what Zeref said true?!"
Igneel's deep voice rumbled. "…It's true."
Natsu's eyes widened. Deep down he had already felt it when Zeref struck the Book, but only now—hearing Igneel confirm it—did the truth truly sink in.
"Zeref is your brother. He entrusted you to me. And yes, you are the demon born of his book."
The words stunned Natsu, his mind reeling. Zeref's brother. A demon. END.
Igneel's gaze softened. "So tell me, Natsu… what will you choose to be? Zeref's younger brother? The demon END? Or…"
"There's nothing to choose!!" Natsu roared, fists blazing. "I'm Natsu of Fairy Tail!! That's all that matters!!"
A smile curled on Igneel's massive maw. "Good answer."
Then the Fire Dragon King turned back to Zeref, his tone grim. "You already know what it means that I've appeared here."
Zeref nodded. "I do. Even if I hadn't summoned you, you would have come eventually. Better to release you now than have you disrupt me later."
Natsu's fists shook. "Dad, what are you and Zeref even talking about?!"
Igneel's voice boomed like thunder.
"Long ago, dragons made a pact with humanity—we would never interfere in human affairs. That is why, no matter what wars rage, we do not act. Even against the Alvarez Empire. Our only exception… is Acnologia."
His fiery eyes turned toward the west, where Su Yan clashed with the Black Dragon.
"The only thing I can do for you… is face Acnologia myself. That way, Su Yan will be free to deal with Zeref and the Empire."
Igneel declared it boldly in front of Zeref, making his allegiance clear. He would not fight for humanity directly—but in helping Fairy Tail, he had already chosen a side.
"I still have so many things I want to ask you!" Natsu cried.
"Then ask me later," Igneel replied, his tone softening. "When this battle is done, I'll answer everything."
Southern Battlefield
The battle for Hargeon raged once more. The port city had become a sea of chaos, blades and magic clashing endlessly.
"Gray!!"
"Got it!!"
Gray and Leon unleashed waves of ice together, freezing soldiers in place and blasting others back.
"Water Slice!!"
Juvia's water magic surged, sweeping away enemies by the dozens.
But behind her, two Alvarez soldiers leapt high with blades drawn.
"Juvia, behind you!!" Gray shouted.
"—Whoa!!"
Suddenly, arcs of pink energy slashed through the air, striking the soldiers down before they could reach her.
Juvia turned, surprised. "…You?!"
Kagura stood amidst the battlefield, her blade already dripping with light. Rage burned in her eyes as she cut through soldier after soldier, as if exorcising her humiliation from earlier.
Then, a mocking voice cut across the din:
"Oh? You dare show your face again? Didn't you learn enough last time? Should I tear your clothes once more… so everyone can admire your body?"
"You… you witch!!!" Kagura's face twisted in fury.
The woman approaching, with cruel eyes and mocking lips, was none other than the War Princess of Alvarez—Dimaria.
"Lady Dimaria!!" the soldiers cried in unison.
Dimaria waved her hand dismissively. "Leave the rest to me. This woman is mine."
"Yes, Lady Dimaria!!"