Zeref really, really doesn't want his hand to be forced. But if, say, Natsu (or maybe Lucy) were harmed by United Earth, he might just have to take action. For those who don't know, Zeref, despite being quite the Woobie, Destroyer of Worlds, was considered the most powerful and evil mage in the history of the Fairy Tail universe, though you wouldn't think so by meeting him (he's more of a self-hating wreck who regrets learning the magic he's infamous for).

Though as of this thread, he's begun Living Magic rituals that he hopes he never has to actually finish. Living Magic is a Black Art that involves creating sentient life out of inanimate objects, and imbuing them with magical properties and usually changing their very shapes. Unlike smaller creatures, two of Zeref's creations were outright Eldritch Abominations. Now, he's not going to create anything quite that scary, but...

Any ideas?