The towering gates of the Water Village creaked open, revealing a mystic realm drowned in a constant, gentle mist. Cascading waterfalls hummed like lullabies, and the ponds shimmered with a purity untouched by war or corruption.
"It's beautiful," Mitsuya murmured, his purple Sphere Eyes flickering with premonition. "But something about this place feels... ancient."
"That's because it is," Jafar replied, eyes also glowing. "This village doesn't just worship Poseidon. It's protected by a man chosen by the god himself."
Before them stood the heart of the village — a wide lake, perfectly still despite the flowing waters around it. At its center, atop the water as if it were glass, stood a man cloaked in ocean blue. Hair like dark rivers framed a face that hadn't aged a day in centuries.
"That must be him," Mitsuya whispered."Zeref Wonder. The Eternal Guardian."
The man opened his glowing sea-green eyes. His presence alone bent the air — not with hostility, but with absolute authority.
"Fortress Clan," he said, voice like an underwater echo. "You bring the scent of time and inevitability. Speak."
The two knelt respectfully.
"We come bearing a message from Kenshin Sato, leader of the Fortress Clan," Jafar said. "The world is under siege. Demons beyond imagining are rising. We need your help."
Zeref's gaze deepened.
"Demons rise and fall. The tides shift. Why should this concern me?"
"Because these demons can tear the world apart," Mitsuya said, stepping forward. "Even you may not be able to stand alone. Kenshin seeks your aid in this war."
Zeref was silent. The lake around him rippled, mirroring his thoughts.
"If you wish for me to fight… then prove your worth. Land a single hit on me."
Jafar and Mitsuya exchanged glances.
"He's serious," Jafar muttered.
"Five seconds," Mitsuya said, activating his Sphere Eyes. "That's all the time we'll have to predict."
Both their Sphere Eyes, glowing a royal violet, shimmered with swirling glyphs. Every member of the Fortress Clan was born with the ability to see five seconds into the future — but each pair also possessed a unique skill.
Mitsuya's eyes allowed him to manipulate friction — creating slingshot-like momentum with each step.
Jafar's granted him phase stepping, allowing him to temporarily dematerialize through objects and attacks.
"Let's do this," Jafar said.
"On your mark."
Jafar blinked out of sight.
Zeref didn't move. As if he could already see them both. And maybe… he could.
From his point of view, they were water droplets — swift, momentary, but inevitable in their fall.
Mitsuya zigzagged around the water's surface at blinding speed, his movements accelerating with each step as he reduced friction to nearly zero. He hurled a spear of condensed energy at Zeref's back.
Simultaneously, Jafar appeared behind Zeref and phased in, attempting to slash with a short dagger of fortified energy.
Zeref exhaled slowly. The entire lake erupted.
Pillars of water exploded into the air, curving like serpents, intercepting both attacks with perfect timing. Jafar phased midair, reappearing twenty feet away — soaked and wide-eyed.
"He predicted our moves."
"No," Mitsuya said. "He didn't just see five seconds into the future..."
Zeref spoke.
"I see the flow of all things. Every ripple in the tide tells me where the next will crash. Your Sphere Eyes are impressive… but they are droplets. I am the ocean."
The lake settled. Zeref stood unchanged. Unbothered.
"Still… you are not without skill."
The two warriors dropped to a knee. Not in defeat — but out of respect.
"You were the first in over a century to make me lift a finger."
He looked skyward.
"If Kenshin Sato believes this threat is worth calling on me... then I will answer."
Zeref turned back to them.
"Tell him the sea will rise at his command. I, Zeref Wonder, will join this war."
Jafar cracked a smirk.
"Now that's the kind of response I like."
"Let's return," Mitsuya said. "The storm's only beginning."
End of Chapter 12Written by Fainted & Whipslash