Special Character From Fairy Tail: Zeref

"I had no reason to come to this age. I'm not an ally to anyone. I'm not an enemy to anyone. But still, if an age is about to end right now... I might awaken once again"
— Zeref in "Acnologia"

Zeref was once the strongest and most evil wizard in history who possessed a very dangerous and powerful Magic. He currently appears as a self-hating, reclusive youth who cannot control his power.

Name Zeref
Kanji ゼレフ
Rōmaji Zerefu
Characteristics
Race Human
Age 400+
Gender Male.png Male
Eyes Dark Brown
Hair Black
Unusual Features Sharp canines
Looks young despite being centuries old
Professional Status
Previous Occupation Dark Mage
Team None
Partner None
Base of Operations Tenrou Island
Personal Status
Magic
Magic Black Arts
Death Magic
Living Magic
Alias The Black Wizard
The Most Powerful Dark Wizard
The Killing Mage
First Appearance
Manga Debut Chapter 200
Anime Debut Episode 96
Voices
Japanese Voice Akira Ishida.

Appereance.
Zeref takes the appearance of a young man despite his old age. He wears red (black in the anime) and tan robes, along with a large, white, flowing toga draped around his main body and across his chest. He has black hair, dark eyes and an unusual set of sharp canines. His hair has some sticking out toward the center of his forehead. He also wears a circle- shaped necklace.

Personality.
Zeref was said to have been the darkest, most evil Mage in the history of the Magic World. He lived up to this reputation by mastering the Black Arts of Magic and creating demons which continue to wreak havoc.

At this moment he is alone and has a quiet, gentler personality. He is often seen behaving calmly in extreme situations. He apparently wishes to die to atone for all the sins he has committed and may commit in the future, and when he realizes that Natsu isn't ready to kill him yet, he breaks down in tears. He commits incidents without his own knowledge or out of his own control, as seen when he kills Zancrow.

However, he is still shown to be extremely intimidating when angered, and will not hesitate to punish those he believes to be evil, such as Grimoire Heart.

History.
At some point Zeref witnessed many people dying in war. He also became cursed and helplessly started to take the souls of others without his own intention.

He is known to be from ancient times and presumably wields nearly unimaginable power, as even the strongest Mages shiver upon hearing his name. Ultear mentions that he alighted on an ancient land, mastered black Magic, gave birth to tens of thousands of demons, and threw the world into chaos.

Because of this, Zeref was sealed away for centuries. However, one day he apparently managed to set himself free despite the fact that Grimoire Heart did not collect all the keys to his prison, though the darkness inside him is still sealed.Apparently, the slumber made him a very kind person as he cares for others' safety now and wishes to die for his sins. At some time in the past, he apparently learned about Natsu and realized he could kill him someday. It can be presumed that he later wandered by himself, eventually finding Tenrou Island, and wanting seclusion, decided to have it as his foster home, completely unaware that the island falls under the jurisdiction of the Fairy Tail Guild (and that no one else was allowed to set foot on it), locking himself away from the rest of the world.

Ultear used Zeref to manipulate a young Jellal Fernandes, making him believe he was possessed by the Dark Mage.

Synopsis.
Tenrou Island arc.
Zeref was initially seen lying in a forest.[3] At nighttime, he was attacked by wild wolves. Their efforts proved futile, as Zeref's Death Magic instantly killed them all, along with many plants, trees and birds around him. Zeref then apologizes and wallows in misery, wishing that he can meet Natsu soon.[8] Later, Charle receives a vision that he is somehow going to be involved in the S-class promotion trial.[9]
Zeref's tears after he sees Natsu

During the trial, he runs into Elfman and Evergreen and warns them to stay away from him as his Magic starts to activate involuntarily, but Natsu saves the two of them.[10] Zeref was happy to see Natsu and says that he has "really grown", but Natsu didn't recognize him. When he tells the Fairy Tail wizards that he has been expecting Natsu's arrival, Natsu misinterprets this as a form of challenge and rushes towards him, landing a fierce blow to Zeref's face. Although Natsu punched him, Zeref is unaffected and just stares at him, somewhat disappointed. Just then his Magic activates again but no one is killed, due to Natsu's scarf absorbing it. After this Zeref escapes somewhere.[11] However, due to using his powers, Grimoire Heart is now able to locate him. He is next seen leaning against a tree, claiming that the world continues to reject him, and begins to cry.[12] Later, it is revealed that Zeref is still in a "slumbering state". As fighting begins on Tenrou Island between Fairy Tail and Grimoire Heart, Zeref states, "another war is going to begin", indicating that he may have fought in a war at some point.[13]
Zeref shows his rage at Grimoire Heart

He then crosses paths with Ultear, and comments how sad it is for Grimoire Heart to have managed to anger him. His normally black eyes become noticeably similar to Zancrow's, except his pupils are filled in. After Zeref asks Ultear if it is power they want, Ultear claims that she wants his entire existence, but Zeref states that he has no intention of assisting them or doing anything during this period, and that he doesn't want to see any wars or people dying. Zeref then tells Ultear to stop the attack and leave the island at once, repeating that he is angry, a statement which shocks Ultear.[14] Rustyrose states to Elfman and Evergreen that when they acquire Zeref the current Magic world will end and a new one will begin, an ultimate world of Magic where those that don't posses Magic will suffer and die; the other Grimoire Heart members say similar things.[15] Zeref is then shown to have been beaten by Ultear who states that Zeref is powerless in his sleeping state and that he should not underestimate her as the eldest of the Seven Kin. Ultear then says that they have the key which will awaken Zeref; Zeref tries to tell Ultear to stop, to which she shouts "I GOT ZEREF!".[16] As Zeref lies unconscious, Ultear holds onto him tightly, stating that he now belongs to her and that he will become the king of the world for the sake of the Ultimate Magic World.[17][18]
Zeref meets Zancrow's gaze
While he is still unconscious, he is seen being dragged around by Ultear, and later by Meredy, who ends up heading to the "escape point". While on their way there, they are chased by a persistent Juvia, who received orders from Gray to keep track upon the two of them.[19] The trio are later confronted by Zancrow, who invokes a spell that knocks both girls out, and proceeds to try and take Zeref from them. But at that point, Zeref wakes up. Catching Zancrow's eye, he speaks one word, Acnologia, and releases a wave of Death Magic at point-blank range, killing Zancrow instantly.
Zeref announcing the end of the world.

After Zeref casts his attack, he then reverts back to his mild state and apologizes to Zancrow, shutting his eyes for him. He expresses his relief that both Meredy and Juvia survived and then walks away. As he walks he states that he had no reason to come to this age, and that he is neither an ally nor an enemy to anyone. He then says that if an age is about to end he may awaken again; he then wishes to be broken by Natsu before that time.[20]

At the end of the war, an enraged Zeref sneaks aboard the Grimore Heart ship and speaks to the remainder of the Seven Kin Of Purgatory and Hades about the apocalypse they have brought forth upon the world.[21] He confronts the three Grimoire Heart Mages and reveals that he is already awoken, nor was he ever in a sleeping state in the first place. He reveals the truth about his Magic, that when he understands the weight of human life, his cursed body will randomly kill his surroundings; but when he forgets about it, he is able to fully control his Death Magic. He blames Grimoire Heart for the summoning of Acnologia, claiming it will now end the current era. He then tells the group to repent for their unforgivable sins and casts a spell on Hades.[22] The power of the spell causes huge damage to the airship and kills Hades, who plummets to the ground. Zeref then senses something and wonders if it's Acnologia.[23] While looking down at Tenrou Island, he ponders if it is time for the island's destruction as an enormous winged beast flies towards it.[24]

After Acnologia, "The Black Dragon of the Apocalypse", starts destroying Tenrou Island, and the Fairy Tail members on it, Zeref is somehow able to know Wendy was considering communicating with Acnologia. Zeref then says that Acnologia doesn't know words because it sees humans as insects, and no dominate creature would bother taking insects seriously. Zeref then realizes mankind will be "embarking on a long journey again", and says farewell to Natsu.[25] Zeref watches Tenrou Island's demise. After Acnologia finally destroys Tenrou Island, and all of the Fairy Tail members on it, Zeref shuts his eyes, and comes to realize that it was finally over for Natsu, as the damaged airship keeps flying along.[26]

Magic and Abilities.
Black Arts (黒い芸術 Kuroi Geijutsu): He was able to master all forms of Dark Magic at a very early age, and brought countless demons to life. His Magical strength is so enormous, in fact, that he cannot consciously control his own Magic, though whether this was always the case is unknown.[4]

Death Magic (死の魔法 Shi no Mahō): Zeref has the ability to cause any living thing around him to die when he uses Magic. The name of said Magic is unknown. This Magic seems to burst at random times but he can tell when it is going to happen, so this gives people a chance to escape.[27] Certain things can protect people from the wizard's blast such as Natsu's scarf saving himself, Evergreen, and Elfman.[28] It is implied that the Magic activates whenever he is agitated, scared, or surprised. Zeref involuntarily releases a wave of Death Magic and anything hit by it dies. He later reveals that his body is cursed by this Magic, as when he understands the weight of a human life, his body will at random times bring death to his surroundings. When Zeref doesn't care about lives, he is fully able to control his Death Magic.

Death Wave: Spell used twice when Zeref met Natsu, Elfman and Evergreen. It creates a dark wave that kills everything in the vicinity. Natsu was able to escape this effect due to having Igneel's scarf on, but it turned black instead.[29] (Unnamed)

Death Pillar: Zeref swipes both of his arms in a circular motion until the bottom of his hands meet. The hand on top has the index and middle fingers pointing upwards, while the other hand has the little and index fingers pointing downwards. While doing this, he is surrounded by a dark aura.[30] This spell created a huge vertical explosion, and it's blast radius is seemingly controllable. It was used to kill Hades.[31] (Unnamed)

Living Magic (生活魔法 Seikatsu Mahō): Apparently a very ancient, long-forgotten form of Magic that brings things to life under the master's control. Some creations of Zeref have minds of their own and continue his unknown evil quest. Most of his creations are giant demons.

Deliora (デリオラ Deriora): Deliora was a monstrous demon that attacked the icy villages in the North. According to Erza, Zeref created it. Deliora was imprisoned in a block of ice by Ur. Lyon Bastia tried to unfreeze him so he could kill the demon, however, after years of being imprisoned in Ur's ice, the demon's life force was drained so much that it died before Lyon could attack it.[4]

Lullaby (ララバイ Rarabai): A flute that can transform into a giant demon. Whoever hears Lullaby's song (aside from the caster) will die. Erigor hoped to use this to kill the Guild Masters at their meeting. As Kageyama failed to carry out the mission due to being changed, Lullaby transformed into its demon form to feast on souls. However, Natsu, Gray Fullbuster, and Erza Scarlet were able to defeat the demon flute. It currently is in the Council's hands.(Its Magic Seal is what we assume Zeref's is, however this is likely not the case as even though it was controlled by Zeref, the Lullaby still had its own thoughts and will so it probably also has its own seal.)[32]

Natsu hits Zeref, to no effect

Enhanced Durability: Zeref seems to be physically powerful as well. When Natsu Dragneel punched him in the face, Zeref just took the hit and somersaulted back onto his feet in midair. The punch seemed to have no effect on him, leaving no marks on his face afterwards.[33]