Ultear had not sacrificed herself.
Nor had Mavis borne the curse alone.
In the end, Lu Chongwei stood before Zeref.
"Your era is over."
Zanka no Tachi pierced through endless magic power.
The death Zeref had pursued for four hundred years truly arrived in that moment.
There was no fear before he fell.
Only relief.
"Mavis..."
"This time, I can finally go see you."
The Black Mage's body turned into motes of light.
Mavis stood in the distance, tears streaming down her face.
She did not vanish with him.
She returned to Fairy Tail.
As the First Master, she witnessed the guild continue toward the future with her own eyes.
But the true war was not yet over.
Acnologia tore open space-time and descended upon the battlefield.
Black wings blotted out the sky.
A dragon's roar rang across the entire continent.
Every Mage was unable to raise their head beneath that power.
It had destroyed the dragons.
It had also destroyed the future.
The monster that Future Rogue had exhausted everything to defeat, only to fail, now appeared before them all.
Acnologia looked down upon the earth.
"The dragons are gone."
"Humans are next."
No one could answer.
The dragon's might pressed down until the ground constantly cracked apart.
Mages from every guild struggled even to remain standing.
Yet Lu Chongwei walked forward alone.
One step.
Two steps.
Three steps.
With every step he took, the dragon's might weighing down on everyone weakened a little.
Natsu pushed himself upright against his knees.
"Zhongwei!"
"Don't think you can steal the opponent all for yourself!"
Laxus stepped to his side.
Gajeel, Wendy, Sting, and Rogue rose right after him.
The six Dragon Slayers walked behind Lu Chongwei.
Everyone from Fairy Tail stood up as well.
Then came Sabertooth.
Lamia Scale.
Blue Pegasus.