Zeref Dragneel

Zeref was once the strongest and most evil wizard in history who possessed a very dangerous and powerful magic.He is in a "slumbering state" and is a self-hating, seemingly young man with uncontrollable power.

Appearance
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 across his chest. He has black hair and an unusual set of sharp canines. 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 giving life to thousands of Demons, which continue to wreak havoc upon the world.

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

History
Zeref is known to be from ancient times and presumably wields nearly unimaginable power. Ultear mentions that he alighted an ancient land, mastered black Magic, gave birth to tens of thousands of demons, and threw the world into chaos.

At some point, Zeref was sealed away for centuries. However, one day he apparently managed to set himself free despite the fact that Grimoire Heart is still collecting 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. At some point in the past it can be assumed, he apparently learnt 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 no one else were allowed to step foot in it), and locking himself away from the rest of the world.

It can be assumed Zeref is very powerful considering that even the strongest wizards in the world shiver hearing his name. Ultear used Zeref's name to manipulate a young Jellal Fernandes. Somehow, Zeref may have achieved immortality, as he is stated to still be alive, just trapped in his prison. He is later shown to be The Killing Mage in the S-class promotion arc.

S-Class Trial arc
Zeref was intially seen laying in a forest. At nighttime, he was attacked by wild wolves. Their efforts in killing him proved feudal, as Zeref's Death Magic instantly killed them, along with many plants and trees around him. Zeref then apologizes and wallows in misery. Later, Charle receives a vision that he is somehow going to be involved with the S-class promotion trial.

During the trial, he runs into Elfman and Evergreen and warns them to stay away from him as his Magic starts to involuntarily activate but Natsu saves the two. Zeref was happy to see Natsu 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 rushed 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. This is likely due to Natsu's scarf protecting the Fairy Tail wizards. After this Zeref escapes somewhere. However, after using his powers, Grimoire Heart seems to have found him. He is next seen leaning against a tree, sobbing because that Natsu is not yet powerful enough to kill him. 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.

He then crosses paths with Ultear, and comments how sad it was for Grimoire Heart to have managed to anger him. Instead of his normal fully filled black eyes, his eyes gain an extra ring compared to normal eyes; similar to Zancrow's eyes, except his pupils are filled in. After Zeref asks Ultear if it is power they want Ultear states that she wants his entire existence but Zeref states that he has no intention of assisting them or doing anything in this period and doesn't want to see any wars or people dying. Zeref then tells Ultear to stop the attack and leave the island at once and repeated that he is angry his statement shocks Ultear. 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 either die or suffer, other Grimoire Heart members say similar statements.Zeref then is beaten by Ultear who states that Zeref is powerless in his sleeping state to which Ultear tells Zeref not to underestimate her the eldest of the Seven Kin then Ultear tells Zeref that they have the key which will wake him up Zeref tries to tell Ultear to stop to which Ultear shouts "I GOT ZEREF". 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.

As he was unconscious, he was being dragged around Ultear, and later by Meredy, who ended up heading to the "escape point". While on their way there, they were being chased by a persistent Juvia, who received orders from Gray to keep track upon the two of them. The trio were later confronted by Zancrow, who invoked a spell that knocked both girls out, and proceeded to extract Zeref from them. But at that point, Zeref has already awakened. Catching Zancrow's eye, he activated the spell Acnologia at point-blank range against the Grimoire Heart Mage and appears to kill him. After Zeref casts his spell, he then reverts back to his mild state and apologizes to Zancrow and shuts his eyes for him. He expresses his relief that both Meredy and Juvia survived his spell 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 that he might awaken again; he then wishes to be broken by Natsu before then.

At the end of the war, Zeref sneaks aboard the Grimore Heart ship and speaks to the remainder of the Seven Kin Of Purgatory and Hades about their doom and the apocalypse he will bring forth to world.

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.


 * Death Magic: 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. Certain things can protect people from the wizard's blast such as Natsu's scarf saving himself, Evergreen, and Elfman. 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. Like the rest of his Death Magic, he has no control over it.


 * Death Wave: Spell used twice when Zeref met Natsu, Elfman and Evergreen. Spell causes to release a dark wave that can kill victims nearby. Natsu was enable to escape this effect due to having Igneel's scarf on but it turned black instead.


 * Acnologia (アクノロヂア, Akunorojia): Spell used on Zancrow, that releases a black wave of magic that instantly kills anyone who makes eye contact with the caster.


 * Living Magic: 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.


 * 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.)

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 on his feet in mid air. The punch seemed to have no effect on him and he had no bruise or marking on his face. He also took a blast from Zancrow's God Slayer magic while unconscious with no harm being done to him at all.

Major Battles

 * Natsu Dragneel vs. Zeref
 * Zeref vs. Ultear Milkovich

Trivia

 * Charle had a vision of him at the S-Class Wizard Promotion Trial. In it, he was apparently standing over a body with angered eyes.