"Su Yan…"
Seeing the red flare in the sky, Cana bit her lip. "Why did it have to be now…?"
Lucy had just deduced where the first master's grave was likely hidden; they were so close to finishing the second test. One more trial after that, and Cana could become an S-Class mage. She'd vowed that if she failed again, she would leave Fairy Tail for good.
Cana clenched her fists. "This is the last time I'm taking this exam! I've already decided—if I fail, I'm quitting the guild!"
"C-Cana…" Lucy murmured, uncertain what to say.
"I'm serious! Don't anyone dare get in my way, or they'll regret it!"
Just then, Gray emerged from among the trees with Loke by his side. "Cana, calm down."
Loke nodded solemnly. "We get how you feel; we all do."
"Gray, Loke!" Lucy exclaimed. "What are you two doing here?"
Gray shrugged, covering up the fact that he and Loke had been trailing them. "Just a coincidence. Don't sweat the details."
He cast a grim glance at the sky where the flare had risen. "Anyway, if that signal's what I think it is, there's no time for the exam now."
Loke added, "We should head to the emergency assembly point. Something's going down for sure."
Lucy shivered slightly. It seemed that danger followed her everywhere these days.
---
**Near Gajeel's Position**
Erza stood over the battered Yomazu, arms crossed. "Tell us—why have you come here?"
Yomazu sneered despite his bloodied state. "As if we'd tell you…hhk."
Without hesitation, Erza pummeled him again—Yomazu was too wounded to resist.
"Zeref!! We came for Zeref!! The legendary Black Mage. He's here, on this island!" Yomazu finally spat out.
Erza, Juvia, and Levy (helping Gajeel) all showed shock, except for Su Yan, who remained calm.
"What do you mean, Zeref is here?!" Erza's voice rose. "He existed hundreds of years ago—"
"Four hundred, to be exact," Yomazu corrected, coughing. "He's lived all this time, though he's still 'sleeping.' Once he awakens, the world will be plunged into darkness."
Su Yan interjected, "Well, he's not exactly asleep, but yes—he is still alive."
Erza turned to him. "Su Yan, you knew?"
He pointed to where Zeref lay unconscious beneath a thick tree root. "Yeah. He's right over there."
"What?!"
Everyone spun around, gawking at the prone figure, one of the most infamous names in magical history.
"Su Yan…are you saying that's the Black Mage, Zeref?" Erza repeated, unable to believe it.
Su Yan nodded. "He's the same Zeref who was behind so many tragedies. I knocked him out a while ago. Honestly, he's been a pain. I was going to ask the Master if there was some way to seal him up for a few centuries."
The others gaped at the limp form of Zeref, the man whose name struck terror across the land. He looked more like a stray cat that had been kicked.
"N-no!" Yomazu protested. "Zeref's the most powerful mage in history—he can't lose to anyone! He…he must still be in deep sleep… That's the only reason you could beat him!"
Su Yan rolled his eyes. "Call it whatever you want."
Yomazu bared his teeth in a sickly grin. "We've found him at last! You're finished now—our Master Hades will arrive soon with the main force of Grimoire Heart, and your Fairy Tail will be destroyed."
Erza let out a furious scoff. "Don't be ridiculous! This is Fairy Tail's holy ground. The capital of the fairies. You can't hope to sow chaos here!"
Yomazu sneered, "You haven't seen the Seven Kin of Purgatory in action… Ultear, Rustyrose, Capricorn, Kain Hikaru, Zancrow, Meredy, and one more is already on this island—"
"Su Yan, what do we do?" Erza asked quietly, forcing herself to stay composed. This was serious. Grimoire Heart was the most formidable Dark Guild in Ishgar. They needed to rally everyone at once. If Warren were here, he could telepathically alert the entire island, but they didn't have that luxury.
"I'll bring Zeref to Master. We'll set up a defense," Su Yan replied firmly. "You get the others in the guild together."
"Right!"
---
**Elsewhere on Tenrou Island – Mest and Wendy**
Having failed the first round, Mest had been aimlessly wandering the island with Wendy. They spotted the red flare in the sky.
"Mister Mest, what does that color flare mean?" Wendy asked, confused. She was new to Fairy Tail and had never learned the signal codes.
Mest paused. In truth, he had no clue. Flustered, he turned away and started muttering at a boulder nearby. "I really wish I knew, too! Tch…"
Suddenly, a shout rang out, "Wendy—!"
Wendy looked up and saw Carla and Pantherlily flying toward them.
"Carla, Lily!"
They landed between Wendy and Mest, facing Mest.
"Mest…who exactly are you?" Carla demanded, eyes narrowed.
"Huh? I'm Mystogan's disciple, obviously—"
Pantherlily's arm bulged, smashing the rock behind Mest in a punch. "The Prince wouldn't take any disciples in this world. You used someone who left this world as your excuse—smart, but you messed up the details. So come on, Mest, or whatever your name is—who are you really?"
Wendy just stood there, stunned. "H-huh? Carla, Lily, what's going on?!"
"Shush, Wendy," Carla said firmly. "Let us handle this."
Pantherlily glared at Mest. "You better start talking. Who exactly are you?"