Natsu always keeps an eye out for Gray, everyone is worried about him but Natsu of all has the greatest concern about his friend. He does his best to distract him from his daydreaming and bring him out of his loneliness, he even pushes Lucy, Wendy,Juvia or Cana to help him cheer Gray up but always fails.
"Fight me, ice princess!!!" Natsue yelled standing on top of the table but was ignored by the ice mage. "If you became so coward to challenge me in a fist fight then let's determine who is stronger by doing a mission!" He screamed but once again was ignored. Everyone in the guild kept a quiet watch at the two hoping that Gray could finally warm up to them again. Natsu jumped towards him and punched him on the face sending him flying towards the wall in the hopes that he'll punch back or something. Gray stood up and wiped the blood out of his lips put his hands inside his pockets and walked out quietly. He hadn't taken off his clothes since the funeral.
Natsu balled his fist and gritted his teeth in frustration as he growls. He ran towards him grabbed his shoulders and made him face his direction. "The hell is wrong with you? Do you think Erza will be happy with what you are now? She sacrificed her life for the sake of peace so everyone inuding you and me could have a happy life. Don't waste her life by ruining yours" then he hugged him patting his back lightly. Gray just kept silent and pulled away placing his hand on his shoulder. "I'll be alright, I just need time" and walked away.
After Erza's death, the guild was never the same but still they managed to move forward but not Gray who is trapped in his sorrow. He spent his day at the river bank where his feeling for her all started and spent sleepless nights in her dorm room at Fairy hills by sneaking through the window. Juvia's attempt to win his heart failed. He was blinded and lifeless. He only felt regret, he spent his whole life beside the S- class mage but never once was he able to tell her how he felt for her.
Gray's loneliness is a vice on his heart, squeezing with just enough pressure to be a constant pain. It kills him every day just a little bit more, taking what was once his inner light and replacing it with a darkness that overshadows each moment. It is the fuel of his nightmares, the reason he struggle to breathe.
He went back to Isvan and sat in front of the makeshift grave his father made which now stands a wooden cross held together by a rope on each wing names are carved. Mika and Silver and at the center carved Ur. Below it is Erza's Heart Kruz armor and one of her heaven's wheel sword. He made his own place for all the people he loved and died. He blames himself for being weak and not able to protect them.
He felt dead inside. His tongue felt dry. His throat felt as if someone thrust a handful of itching powder inside. His eyes were scruffy. He looked down at the snow covered ground, leaning back supporting his weight by his arms behind him. He had been sitting in there for twelve hours straight. He wasn't in the mood to eat nor to do anything not even to breathe.
After Erza's death peace was all over Earthland. Most of the missions and quests are to help clients with personal things or to subdue a group of bandits mostly non magic users. Remaining dragons forged an alliance with humans to protect and help them, it was a dream come true, Irene Belserion's dream that is, a place where humans and dragons live in harmony. But Gray does not have a bit of peace and harmony in his heart.
"what are you doing here all alone Fulbuster?" Said the short elderly woman with gray hair in a bun with her face having gained several wrinkles and uses a cane to walk around with.
He looked at her puzzled trying to recall any memory of her. She looked at the sky "so she's died after all. The mighty Titania body can not contain her power." She said smiling at the puzzled man. "Do you want to see her again? I still have some magic left in me"
His eyes widened at the idea, his heart racing. He stumbled standing up unsure whether to believe the old lady or be angry at her words. "I can only exist in my younger form through the distortion of time and I am living in a rift of time somehow, even after this body dies. I got old by using a forbidden spell lost magic called Last Ages. I saw all of you died so I decided to pay for my crimes and stone for my son's so I turned back time to save you all at the cost of my own time" she narrated with a smile.
"Ultear!!!" He somehow whispered. "I can bring you to where Erza is by using time Arc magic but in a limited amount of time, is that enough so you can settle your unaccomplished matters with her and move forward?" He just nodded in response unsure if it is real or not.
He suddenly wake up in Rukongai, he isn't aware. Where he is, so he started walking around when he heard a noise from a commotion behind the walked city and sneaked through it by freezing the guard of the gate and leaped over the wall when a familiar Scarlet hair caught his attention.
"Erza Belserion, vice captain of the fifth division, you're under arrest..." Is what he heard and quietly followed them. When he saw an opportunity he uses his Devil Slayer Magic to freeze everything and walked past them. He reached her cell and saw her leaning on the wall sleeping and made a key out of ice and opened the door.
"Hi there Erz" he greeted scratching the back of his head "Gray!!!" The woman he loves squealed. For the first time since her death he felt alive.
He couldn't find his voice. He felt his cheeks flushed hot, and his stomach was heavy. His heart pounded in his throat, threatening to break out. His eyes wandered around the cell. Hers stayed locked on him. How many times did he say to himself "she takes my breath away"? Now that line made a lot sense more than ever. His body numbed as she approached and he became painfully conscious of the way he looked.
He can't hold it any longer, he took a deep breath and ran towards his beloved. He stopped few inches in front of her and wrapped his arms around her tightly as if his life depends on it. "Erza" he whispered "I missed you so much" he said weakly in between sobs as his tears ran down his face.
She pulled away from him "Gray I missed you too but I have to cut this moment short, we have to go" then she grabbed the puzzled man's arm and ran, she decided to use flash steps to escape to a safe hiding place but Gray wouldn't be able to match her speed. She took Gray and carried him on her shoulders and leaped from one roof to another leaving Gray both astonished and surprised.
They reached a small clearing by the river and sat down. "This brings back memories, ain't it Gray?" She asked with a wide smile. "I guess I owe an explanation." She added "You don't have to Erz, whatever it is I trust you and I'm glad I was able to get you out of there" he answered "Yes, you did" she answered smiling at him. He missed her smile and her voice. "Erz" he called and she just hummed in response as she stared at the sky. "I came here because I need to tell you something that I wasn't able to tell you before you left" he said full of courage "it must be very important for you to come all the way here" she giggled but he held her face and looked her in the eye, "Erz, I love you, have loved you since we're kids up until now" he didn't give her a chance to respond and leaned forward to plant a heated kiss it took her a moment before she kissed back.
Ultear appeared not far from them and whispered "Time's up" Gray started to disappear as he continues to indulge himself with the warmth of her lips and hug. Erza faced Ultear and mouthed "thank you" as Ultear waved and walked away then vanished.
Erza pulled out her zanpakutō and opened Senkaimon and was welcomed by the jigokuchō and went to karakura town "I have to warn them and protect Rukia" she said as she balled her fist then sheathed her sword as she steps in the portal.