A/N: Hey Guys Chapter 9 is here. Sorry but it's a bit long. And it took somehow many days to finish these because of school but finished nonetheless. I'll try to keep my schedules in updating this story on the right track. I can't guarantee 100% but I'll try my best. Happy Reading and Have Fun :)))
- The Sky Dragon -
Kiro charged towards Gray and Erza as he used his vortex to swallow the two into the world of Void. Gray jumped away while Erza zoomed high in the air and summoned multiple blades to Kiro.
Tenrin Sākuru Sōdo (Heaven's Circle Sword) Erza briefly shouted as the swords moved in circular formation around Erza then shoots down to Kiro at high speed. Kiro moved out of the way as the swords came pouring down on him like deadly rain. One managed get a slice on his wrist. He gritted as the swords continue to rain down on him.
Norowareta senku-sha! (Cursed Vanguard) He summoned a shield of his own to block the rest of the swords coming towards him. The swords clashed with the shield in an intense force that somehow blew Kiro slowly to ground. Dust began to obscure Kiro as the deadly rain of swords had come to an end. Erza stay high above the air to wait for Kiro to counterattack. The dust settles as the shield became visible to her. Kiro puts down his shield and makes it disappear as he looked to Erza in respect.
"I must say your attacks are very strong. Even in my abilities you managed to wound me. Looks like I'm getting more serious now Titania." Kiro smirked.
"Don't underestimate your enemies Kiro. 'Cause if you do, it would be your downfall." Erza warned her opponent.
Without a moment to spare, Erza changed in to her Black Wing Armor. Her armor is black with silver trimming that has silver crosses is several places. It has a revealing silver-edged breastplate and plates flanking her hips that reach down to her waist-guard with her hair tied in a ponytail. She has large plates guarding her legs. She has two wings that have black metal "arms" acting as the wings' leading structure, but the parts used to fly are composed of a membrane-like material.
She flew above Kiro before descending down at him at amazing speed.
Kureha: Gessen! (Black Wing Moon Flash) She rushes down as she begins to slice Kiro in an X cross pattern. But Kiro easily blocked this as he simply caught the sword bare-handed surprising Erza.
"How did he block my attack just like that?" She thought in disbelief as Kiro chuckled as they were close to each other.
"This is great Titania. Not only the Salamander but also Titania too. Please give me a little more fun."
"Don't screw with me!" Erza shouted as she tried to force down her swords unto Kiro.
"It's useless Titania. I'm more powerful than you now." He smiled as he was winning the battle.
"Gray! Now!"
Aisu Meiku: Furoa! (Ice-Make: Floor) Gray shouted as he put his hands down on the ground and freezes the floor with Erza and Kiro.
"What the?" He gasped as the floor around freezes thus making it slippery to lose his balance. The frozen floor made Kiro lose his footing and slipped as Erza managed to get her sword again and flew away momentarily to gain more speed to increase her power as she flew down once again at Kiro to preapre another Moon Flash. Kiro couldn't block the attack as the Erza sliced him in a X cross pattern that dug through his chest injuring him in the process.
"Gaaaaaahh!" He screamed in pain and knelt down with his hair shadowing his face.
Erza flew beside Gray who was behind them earlier to see what happens to Kiro. They saw him stumbled as he looked through his injuries and are shocked to see his injuries are regenerating faster. The cut from Erza's blade almost instantly healed as there were no wound marks left at his body.
"That's some regenerating abilities." Gray spoke as he continue to face Kiro.
Kiro felt refreshed as the wounds he took were gone. He stood up felt like the attacks earlier were nothing to him.
"Ahh. I feel like my body is going to split but thanks to the staff's abilities, I'm unstoppable. But to be wounded in that cheap tactic makes me even more angry than usual." He growled at Erza and Gray again as the two tried to examine Kiro's capabilities.
"Seems that guy is somehow near immortal now does he?" Gray asked Erza for confirmation.
"He's not. Look closely." Erza denied his interpretation. She led Gray to examine more about Kiro.
"My slash wasn't powerful enough to cut him."
"What do you mean 'not powerful' enough?"
"I slash him two times which his body can easily mend or repair by the staff but if we attack countless times on him. So much that his body could not repair all of them then he would be defeated once and for all." Erza finished her theory with Gray who somehow frowned in confusion.
"So it's like butchering him to death. I thought we're here to capture him."
"I know and I won't jump into that conclusion yet. There's something more we could do aside from that."
"The staff fused together with him already. We can't separated it from him." He reminded her.
"How about freezing him so that he would be taken care of easily." Erza suggested. Gray thought about it for a moment before turning back at her.
"Nothing good will do unless we try." Gray answered.
"Good. I create a distraction while you find a way to freeze his body completely when he's not on guard."
"Got it Erza."
They dashed again towards Kiro without hesitation as Erza quickly requipped into her Lightning Empress Armor and pointed the tip of her spear to him and shoots out a blue beam of lightning in the process. Kiro immediately dodge the incoming lightning and moved to safer distance between Erza. He locked his eyes only to Erza as he rise up in anger.
"I'm gonna pay you for slicing me that viciously." He growled.
Erza didn't reply as she proceeded to attack him again to divert his attention only to her. Gray moved at the corner of the battlefield hiding into rock debris as he watched Erza hold Kiro. He moved again to moved at a better position to use his spell unto Kiro and freeze him completely to finish the battle.
Kiro first made his counterattack as he spun around and let out the vortex in his hand to banish Erza but she quickly dodged it easily as she jumped high in the air and reequipped back to her Heaven's Wheel Armor and launched another barrage of swords at Kiro.
"I'm getting tired of that thing Titania." He shouted but Erza didn't talk back and kept silent. He noticed and began to be enraged by her as he was being ignored.
"Don't look down on me Titania!" He shouted in pure rage and called forth his wings to charged towards Titania. He used his claws to bring down Titania. Erza swiftly dodged as every claw missed their marked making Kiro more pissed at her. He descended down to the ground and clawed his hands to the ground and black energy begin to gather around him.
Kurai yōsai! (Dark Citadel) He whispered briefly as the ground below Erza begins to shake and instantly, an enormous obnoxious dark structure with spikes on its roof rose up and went upwards towards Erza who alertly moved out of the way as it continues to rise and slams to the ceiling of the cave sending rock debris from above falling to the ground. Erza looked at the strange structure as it stayed still and then turned back to Kiro. Gray also had to stop as he saw a dark structure that Kiro summoned. 'What is that thing?'
"What is that?" Erza demanded to know but Kiro grinned evilly at her.
"See for yourself Titania." He simply replied as the structure give off an tremendous aura of black magic shocking Erza and Gray in its intense power. Then suddenly ghouls like Jose Porle's began to come out from the structure as more of them come out, surprising Erza. The ghouls began to chase Erza as she flew away and sends multiple swords to the ghouls. The swords simply flew past them as Erza thought.
"They were the same as Jose." She inwardly spoke as she dodged them. Some of them sensed Gray and went to where he is. He had to moved away and avoid these ghouls.
Aisu Meiku: Hiso (Ice Make: Grappling Hook) Gray created two four-pointed grappling hooks with chains connected with the Ice-Make aura around his hands and launched it to the higher level of the cave as he swings around them. He swung to places as the ghouls give chase. He saw a formation of rock sliding back to the battlefield. He let go of his grappling hook and jumped down.
Aisu Meiku: Furoa! (Ice Make: Floor) Gray froze the rock and slid down back to battlefield leaving the ghouls behind. Once he reached end of the frozen floor, he jumped high to met up with Kiro who was still keeping the spell going. He used this opportunity to cancel out the spell.
Aisu Meiku: Aisu Inpakuto! (Ice Make: Ice Impact) Gray created an intricately-designed hammer made of ice and proceeds down to Kiro as he swung his hammer down to Kiro. The hammer created a huge impact of ice as it hits on its mark at Kiro. Gray thought about successfully hitting Kiro but he mistook it as he took a hit from his stomach as Kiro appeared before him in a flash and delivered a powerful right hook at him and watched him tumbled across a distance.
"Gray!" Erza called out in worry as she saw what happened. She tried to fly over to him but the ghouls are a problem. They continue to chase her. She needed to lose them and aid Gray. She reequipped to her Flight Empress Armor and flew past at the ghouls at blinding speed as she lured them away from Gray and Kiro. Meanwhile, Gray convulsed in pain as he reached his hand to his stomach. He coughed roughly as he tried to stand up. Now he knew why also Natsu had a hard time with him. He had to be careful here from now on. Erza's occupied and the dark structure is making it worse.
"You think you succeeded in defeating me? Think again." Kiro mocked as he glance around momentarily at Erza avoiding the ghouls.
"I think my ghouls will have to accompany Titania a bit longer. I think I'm gonna play with you for a bit." Kiro turned back his attention to Gray.
"Don't think you've won. I'm just getting started." He ignored his pain and moved back to his stance again as the cold aura emanates from his hands while Kiro stood there expecting something from the Ice mage.
"Show me what you got!" He declared as he also envelop himself in black aura.
Natsu glanced back as he witnessed the battle getting more intense from before. He had to find Wendy and go back to help his two friends. He sprinted as fast as he could to make sure Wendy's safe. He also wanted Wendy's power to support them when they get back to the battlefield. He smiled as he recalled how he was much powerful and lighter when he was under her support spell. He had to thank her for that later but he needed her again to defeat Kiro once and for all.
He kept looking back as he also shown worry from them. Then he caught the scent of Wendy and the others. He grinned upon picking it. He could see them in a distance and frowned upon seeing Wendy resting on the ground with Charle and Happy looking after her. He frowned and ran swiftly and made it to them.
"Natsu!" Happy cried as he saw his partner alright.
"Happy! What's going on with Wendy?" Natsu asked in worry as he knelt down and tried to help Wendy.
"Wendy suddenly glowed when you're fighting then she became unconscious after the glow disappeared." Charle explained as she tend to her friend who was lying with a cloth she found in one of the crates to cushion her head from the hard ground.
"Glowed?" Natsu asked in confusion as he reached his hand into Wendy's forehead. She was breathing heavily and her body looks like she's very exhausted. Natsu gritted his teeth. He blamed himself for letting Wendy use her power too much.
"Happy, Charle. Could you fly Wendy outta here and back to Herthia? I want Wendy to recover safely so please do me a favor by making sure Wendy gets out safe." He pleaded. Happy was suddenly shocked at his suggestion.
"W-What about you Natsu?" Happy panicked. He was starting worry more to his dragonslayer partner.
"I'll go back and aid Gray and Erza to beat that Kiro guy." He answered plainly.
"You're too injured to fight Nats-" He was interrupted as they were cut by the sound of ground shaking. Natsu held his ground and turned his gaze back to battlefield as he widened in shock upon seeing a black tower slammed into the cave's ceiling and saw some ghouls coming out of it. He knew the danger is beginning to worsen. He turned back to the Exceeds.
"What is that?" Charle asked she witnessed the battle.
"You two need to hurry. Get away from here as possible with Wendy. Those things aren't good news." Natsu said as he could tell that Erza and Gray are also in danger.
Wendy's subconscious mind
Wendy slowly open her eyes as she tried to scan her surroundings but only to see a white plain seemingly endless.
"Where am I?" She inwardly thought as she looked from the white plain but she sees no one only herself. She walked a few steps and tried to recall what happened. She thought deeply and began to reminisce the events happened. She gasped as she remembered what happened. 'Natsu went to take Kiro alone to keep me safe.'
She began to tear up as she could do nothing but watch as Natsu disappeared from her at that moment. Remembering how she was so weak and useless to Natsu. She wasn't able to do anything.
'I wanted to become like Natsu and make him acknowledge me but why I can't seem to do it' She sobbed as she thought about her state. She knew dragonslayers are powerful but she was still weak. She doesn't want to stay like that and wanted to help others rather than to be helped. Her eyes are full of tears as she sat and hugged her knees and buried her face as her tears finally overflowed and went down to her cheeks, dropping to the white ground.
She continued to cry silently, feeling useless and fragile. Unaware for a giant shadow began to shadow her wholly and she slowly looked up. She couldn't see clearly as the shadow is too blackened to recognize with but then it spoke.
"You're not weak my child." A familiar voice sounded as the figure drew closer to her until she widen in surprise to see her foster mother, Grandine here with her.
"G-Grandine!" She cried and ran over to her mother and hugged her giant feet. Grandine let her hug her for a moment as she too wanted to see her daughter growing and happy. She slowly bent her head down to Wendy seeing her letting her tears flow from her daughter's beautiful face.
"I'm sorry I left you without saying anything. Wendy." Grandine calmly said asking for an apology.
"It's alright. As long as you're here, it's alright."
"Wendy, why are you blaming yourself that your weak. It was I that have failed you to become a proper Dragonslayer. I should have taught you earlier."
"D-Don't blame yourself mother."
"Remember Wendy, nobody is weak as long as they have their own people they care, love and trust beside them. You were never alone in your life even when your former guild left you because you have gained friends to cry with." She spoke in a motherly tone. Wendy was shocked upon seeing Grandine knew about her past but didn't raise the question and listened to her further.
"You're strong Wendy. You helped people multiple times and I was very happy when I always see you smile especially when you're with Igneel's son."
"You knew about Natsu-san?" Wendy asked as she stopped crying. The gigantic dragon nodded to answer her.
"Always remember my dear, it's not bad to be helped by people. Because you need them by your side so that whenever you fall into despair, they're the ones that will help you get back on track." Wendy nodded as she listened to her mother's words.
"But I can't stay here for long Wendy." The dragon slightly frowned as her eyes slowly turned towards the endless white plain.
"W-Why? Where are you going? What's going on?" Wendy asked as she felt her vision is starting to get blurry.
"Don't worry my dear. Wherever you may go, I'll be always right beside you."
~ I'll be always right beside you ~
The last part of Grandine's spoken words echoed through Wendy's mind reminding her that her dragon will be always watching her as the white plain world begins to darken as Wendy comes back to the world of reality.
Back to the cave
Wendy weakly opened her eyes to see that she's back to reality. She remembered her mother's words and slightly felt better that she already been motivated to get back once again. She noticed she was lying safely at the ground with a piece of cloth to cushion her head. She begin to tilt her head as she tried to scan her surroundings only to see her two Exceeds staring at something that also caught her eye. A dark structure reaching at the ceiling of the cave. She could see some black ethereal beings coming out of it.
She was grateful to see Natsu in front of the Exceeds. She thought he was swallowed by the magic of Kiro after he ran off to face him alone but relieved nonetheless.
"You two need to hurry. Get away from here as possible with Wendy. Those things aren't good news." She heard Natsu spoke as she knew he was going out into battle again. She slowly regains her composure as the three noticed and was tackled harmlessly by her two Exceed friends.
"Wendy!" Charle and Happy said in unison as they hugged the petite dragonslayer with their little cat paws. Wendy only patted their heads and smiled.
"I'm alright guys. I'm not injured okay." She reassured them as they finally let go. Happy was crying like mad like someone took his fish away from him. Charle was at least mature and wiped a tear in her right eye seeing her friend was alright. Wendy both smiled at the two showing that she was okay and back to the way she was. The shy, innocent girl she was. She then took a gaze upon Natsu who also grinned, happy to know that she's fine with no serious injury.
Natsu walked over to her and knelt and grinned widely showing his canine teeth like any dragonslayer would have.
"It's a relief to see you alright Wendy." Natsu finally spoke as his face inched closer to Wendy's face. She still cannot handle Natsu's habit of leaning his face close to others. Charle noticed Wendy is flustered and tried separate him.
"Hey! You're making Wendy look bad. Give her some space." Charle raised her voice. Natsu apologized and stood up to look briefly at the scene of the battle before turning back to Wendy. Wendy somehow hates Charle breaking up the atmosphere but on the other side, she thanked her for that. She was heating up everytime Natsu's near.
'Teh, What am I thinking? Why did think of something like that? So shameful!' She cursed herself trying to shake off her previous thought.
"I better go back. Gray and Erza might be in trouble." Natsu spoke as he returned into seriousness.
"Gray-san and Erza-san are here?" Wendy asked.
"Yeah, just a moment earlier." He explained. They went silent for a moment as the battle raged on within the vicinity. They could see explosion and bursts of ice reaching in mid-air visible from them. Smoke covered the other places in the battlefield as another explosion occurred.
"I need to go back. I cannot leave them behind."
"I want to go too." Wendy also spoke. Charle was surprised at what she said.
"You're not going Wendy. We don't know what happened to you when you went unconscious."
"It's alright Charle. I can still fight." Wendy said as she stood up and went to Natsu who grinned when she wants to join the fight.
"Don't worry Charle. I'll keep her safe. Plus, she's stronger than you think." Natsu reminded the white Exceed who sighed in defeat but grinned afterwards. She couldn't argue with anyone especially with the idiotic dragonslayer.
"Okay then let's go. Let's go tomcat."
"Aye!" Both Exceeds sprouted their wings and carried their respective dragonslayers as they flew back to the intensifying battle.
"Ready for this Wendy?" Natsu asked he was beside Wendy while being carried by Happy.
"Yes. Grandine told me so." Wendy smiled.
"W-What?! Grandine talke-" He was cut short as Charle signaled their approach.
"Let's go Natsu-san!" Wendy briefly shouted as Natsu nodded in response and went towards to the battlefield to defeat Kiro.
Gray jumped back to the other side of the crater left by Natsu with Kiro with the dark structure still standing in the center as ghouls give chase to Erza who was in her Flight Armor easily losing them. Gray was holding his right hand with his left after being hit by a Dark Revelation spell that broke the bones in his right in the process. He had scratches and gashes from his body and his pants are quite torn from recieving such spells from him. His body wasn't as durable as the dragonslayer. He can't even summon his Ice make spells having his other hand useless now. If he moved it, it will cause him pain. He had no choice but to stall Kiro while avoiding him cautiously.
"What wrong Ice mage? You were confident earlier and now you're running scared." Kiro mocked as he extends his claws to chase the Ice mage who dodged them while skipping farther from him. Gray had to wait for Erza to come down.
"What? Too scared to speak?" Kiro mocked Gray further as he walked closer to him. Gray had to kick a boulder beside him sending it towards Kiro that took the boulder head-on. Rock and dust settled revealing an unfazed Kiro who was grinning as he saw his opponent not able to attack him.
"You gotta be kidding me." Kiro sighed as he dashed forward so fast that Gray didn't have the perception to dodge away as he took a deadly kick to the gut and sent flying away. He managed to regain his composure and skid to stop. He grimaced after getting another hit from the bastard.
Meanwhile Erza took brief looks from Gray and tried to swoop down and save him but the ghouls keep blocking her from getting to Gray. Kiro noticed this and remarked.
"You have to wait in line Titania. Once I'm done with this mage, I'll be your opponent."
"YOU BASTARD!" She shouted in rage as she re-quipped back to her Heaven's Wheel Armor and summon another barrage of swords in her arsenal. She glowed red as her magic comes at full power which further increased her number of swords summoned reaching over 250 much numerous than what she did in the Thunder Palace. She shown no quick breathes as she continue to summon another 250 resulting a number of 500 swords all pointing at Kiro. She was now starting pant as she put too much magic to summon swords.
Kiro widen in shock at the vast number of swords that is ready to rain down on him.
Tenrin: Shi no senkai burēdodansu (Circling Blade Dance of Death) She shouted as the swords began circling rapidly around Erza and one by one they shot themselves towards Kiro who had to move out the away as the swords tear the ground mercilessly. Then the swords simultaneously rained down on Kiro. The rain of swords covered the whole area where Kiro cannot dodge he had to use a spell to completely guard him. Gray retreated to a safer area as he witness the barrage of swords coming down.
Kūdō tate! (Void Shield) He summoned another type of shield with a unusual features. The shield encased Kiro inside as it transform into a complete defense shield that covered him completely even at the back as it was shaped like an oblong. The swords hit the shield with intense force continuously pummelling Kiro to the ground. Gray watched in awe as the sword keep on barraging Kiro. The ghouls tried to chase but the swords rained down on them flying past them as Erza cautiously evade them as she let the blades focused only at Kiro. Dust and smoke build up and rocks turned into smaller ones. Eventually the rain of swords subsided revealing a field filled with swords stabbed down to the ground. Erza frowned as she saw her attacks didn't damage Kiro at all as she could see the black oblong on the center of the area where the swords flew down.
The shield vanished revealing an unharmed Kiro again smiling.
"I gotta say, that was one hell of a weather." He jokingly chuckled as he looked around and marveled at the display of Titania's power. Erza lost a lot of magic from that attack and cannot summon another one. She had to reserve some. Erza eventually descends to the ground while having quick breathes to regain her power. She saw Gray coming over to her in a distance to aid.
"Remind me not to get on your bad side." Gray joked earning a jab to the sides.
"I like your killing intent Titania." They were interrupted as Kiro called out remarking her gaze earlier at him before raining him a barrage of swords.
"I'm still not the same as you who can easily murder people without any conscience to weigh you down."
"Having conscience is just for children."
"Then that makes you a monster then!" A pissed-off voice caught their attention as Kiro turned to see the same two figures making their way unto him.
"Natsu!" Erza and Gray shouted in relief but soon were confused as Happy flew past them and Kiro and dropped him facing the black structure.
"I'm right here Salamander." He reminded.
"I'm not aiming for you dumbass." He lit himself ablaze and began drilling himself towards the dark structure.
Metsuryū Ōgi: Guren Kaensō o kaiten! (Dragon Slayer's Secret Art: Crimson Lotus Rotating Flame Spear )
Natsu spun around continuously and headbutts the dark tower. The flames around him rages on until they formed a spear where the tip of it is where his head would be. Natsu slammed to the tower as he tried to push more. The clash of the spell shook the tower generating shockwaves as Wendy and Charle together with Happy flew away as the force of fire and dark collide. The walls of the tower begin to crack as Natsu drilled further until it completely gave up and was pierced by Natsu spell. The tower crumbled as ghouls instantly vanished leaving only Kiro against them. Natsu jumped out of the way and met up with Gray and Erza who were relieved to see their friend okay.
Wendy and the two Exceeds soon followed as they watch the tower go down to the ground in ruins. Kiro widen in surprise as his tower was easily brought down by some mage. The tower he summoned as supposed to be sturdy and can withstand any spells but he was mistaken. He gritted his teeth as he faced Natsu and the others.
Natsu smiled as he saw his friends alive and well. He did slightly frowned and stared at Gray's injured hand.
"What?" Gray asked.
"Look at you Ice Queen. All high and mighty now you're look like you never seen better days."
"Shut it Flame-shit. I don't need your mocking crap ri-" He wasn't gotten the time to finish as he was smacked by his rival in the head as Natsu proceeded on covering Wendy's ears avoiding her to hear something inappropriate. Wendy gasp as she saw Natsu being considerate for her. She slightly blushed and continued to watch their banter again. Gray immediately stood up and glared at him.
"What did I do to you?"
"Watch your words Ice Cube. Wendy is here." He growled
"Since when did you get so thoughtful of her." Gray retorted in response.
"Well, duh. She doesn't need to learn those wicked words that come out from your cold mouth." He retorted.
"Why you!" Gray growled and attempted to tackle Natsu but was stopped by Erza as he and Natsu felt a chilling aura emanating from her body.
"Since when did you have the audacity to fight in front of me? Natsu... Gray..." She hissed as her attention was clearly on the two.
"Eeek! Gomenasai! (We're sorry)" They knelt again in fear of the Titania. She took a brief look at Wendy and asked.
"Wendy." Erza commanded not in a harsh tone but it made the sky dragonslayer to yelp in fear. Yup, she doesn't want to be scolded by Titania. Erza sweatdropped.
"Can you heal Gray's arm? It's serious." She told her. Wendy looked and saw this.
"I can do it Erza-san." Wendy spoke. She went beside Gray and put her hands to his right arm and performed her healing magic. Gray slightly felt his arm healed as the pain goes away little by little. Charle was shocked as she saw Wendy is not having a hard time healing. She was sure that she can heal only people with minor injuries but she never thought that she could heal a broken bone injury. The spell was done and Gray tried to move his arm freely and smiled in delight as he recovered. He gave Wendy a quick 'thank you' before standing up.
"So what's the situation?" Natsu asked.
"He's getting stronger. The staff is providing him power and he's not showing signs of having a strain. He was freely using his powers like it was nothing." Erza explained
"But we found something though." She continued.
"What is it?" Charle asked.
"It seems like his body isn't that durable as it seems. He relies too much on regeneration. If we attacked him with multiple attacks so much that the regeneration abilities cannot do then he'll receive that damage." Gray resumed.
"Also there can be a tendency that the staff would separate after he is defeated."
"Why do you say that?" Happy asked.
"He keeps bluffing about him being fused with the staff. Don't you guys find it strange that he keeps rejecting of having separating him with the staff? There is a way and that's to bring him down until he wears off." Erza added.
"But I wouldn't come into that conclusion. The guy is full of surprises. He maybe even on par with those guys in Oracion Seis. It's hard to make create an opening with so many tricks up his sleeves."
"Did you guys tried it before?"
"We're about to but the tower got in the way."
Wendy pondered in thought as she recalled her encounter with Grandine in her mind earlier and some memories her slight training with the sky dragon.
"Guys can you create a distraction fro me?" Wendy asked earning both their attention to her.
"Why do you need a distraction?"
"I have a way to separate him with the staff without beating him down countless times."
All of them gave a surprised look on Wendy. Everyone took a thought of it until Erza spoke.
"Ok we'll give it a try. How much time do you need?"
"Just a few minutes. Just get him to divert his attention towards you guys." Wendy replied. She knows what to do now. Everyone nodded as they got their plan ready and face with Kiro.
"Happy stay with Wendy and assist Charle on the way. Okay?" Natsu requested a favor to his partner.
"Aye sir!"
"Give your best Wendy!" Natsu grinned wide.
"Yes!"
Natsu, Gray and Erza went ahead and confront Kiro with all their got.
"I'm getting tired of of you all. I'll send you all to the Void!" He screamed in rage as he summoned a enormous vortex at the three rushing towards them. They skipped into different directions. Natsu was first to charge on as he lit himself ablaze and went towards Kiro with Gray and Erza from behind.
Charle and Happy took Wendy and flew at a safe distance as their friends continued their clash with Kiro.
"So how are you going to do it Wendy?" Charle asked her dragonslayer. She was surprised earlier when Wendy took the task. She known her for a long time and she rarely sees her doing this kind of thing. She would immediately back down and depend on others but ever since they came into Fairy Tail, they've changed so much.
"I'm just gonna create a spell that Grandine taught me in my early years before she disappeared. She taught me things aside from healing." Wendy explained.
"That's great but we need to hurry. Natsu and the others are giving their best keeping the guy occupied." Happy reminded.
"That's why I will give my best too. I will not let my friends hurt anymore. I decided to become stronger."
"STRONGER LIKE HIM!" She raised her voice with determination as her body was beginning to glow an aura of sky blue similar to her magic as the two Exceeds held her. They somehow both heard of her becoming like someone but pushed it out of their thoughts as they concentrated to their task too but Charle smiled happily.
"Give it your best Wendy!." Wendy could remember his words. And those words gave her hope and strength to protect her family.
"Here I go Natsu-san!"
Karyu no Kenkaku! (Fire Dragon's Sword Horn) Natsu charged as he tries to headbutt him again. Kiro smirked at his stupidity. Thinking that attacking him head-on would change anything.
"What a stupid choice Salamander. This time you're not gonna escape through this." Kiro finished as he pointed the enormous vortex at Natsu. As the vortex drew closer to Natsu, he instantly dashed out of the way as he propelled himself again with flames in his body to skip him aside to avoid the attack and proceeded running towards Kiro.
"Gray!" Natsu signalled the ice mage who was trailing behind him to make a surprise attack.
"Leave it to me." He briefly spoke as he stanced his hands to perform another Ice make spell. He was slightly surprised as he can easily move his right hand after the healing. Before it hurt like hell but it seems like the pain was never there. He grinned in satisfaction and looked with determined eyes at Kiro as ice mist flew out of the ice mage's hands and created an replica of a scythe and jumped overhead at Natsu and positioned the scythe's sharp tip at Kiro.
Aisu Meiku: Desu Saizu! (Ice-Make: Death Scythe)
Kiro moved aside as the scythe hit the ground generating a great force followed with a cold mist blowing small rocks and dust creating a smokescreen of dust and mist. Kiro grinned amusingly before gasping in shock as Natsu bursts out of the mist with a flaming fist aiming to punch him.
Karyu no Tekken! (Fire Dragon's Iron Fist)
Kiro immediately summoned the shield to protect him from the incoming deadly punch. Natsu's fist came into contact with his shield as Natsu tries to overpower Kiro by pushing him back with the force of his punch while Kiro tries to hold off the Salamander's attack.
"Damn you.." Natsu growled in frustration as he continues to pour out every bit of his power to the punch to pushed back. Eventually Kiro's footing wasn't strong enough to hold back the tremendous force of the flaming punch. He widen in surprise as he was finally pushed back a few metres while still left unscathed.
"Tsk, they're so persistent." He hinted and lifted his right hand to prepare another spell but was alarmed to look at his left to see Erza in her Purgatory Armor moving closer to him.
"Take this Kiro!" Erza screamed as she also put all of her remaining magic reserves into her armor.
Brynthilde no norowareta ha! (Brynthilde's Cursed Blade) Kiro summoned a ominous, dark blade as big as Erza's cleaver and met up with its blade creating shockwaves blasting in every directions. Sparks flew as both mages struggled to overpower one another. The ground beneath them shook as it created a mini crater that clearly shows how devastating both attack were. Erza gritted in frustration as she was being overwhelmed by the immense power of the unknown blade.
"Away with you Titania!" Kiro shouted in rage as he successfully slashed Erza diagonally to her chest and pushed back several meters away.
"Erza!" Natsu and Gray shouted in worry as they witness Erza sent back with a slash. Erza managed to regain composure after taking that hit. Fortunately, the armor saved her but part of the armor where the slash hit gave a crack and shattered. She could feel the pain where the slash hit despite being fully protected by it. She returned back to her heart kruez armor, showing that she ran out of magic.
"Damn it. Is this as far as we can get?" Gray gritted his teeth knowing that they have less time to defeat him.
Natsu struggled to stand up as he was also at his limit. He can also notice that Kiro is getting stronger minute by minute with the staff giving him power. Then he noticed the sudden change of wind direction and felt an amazing power. He stopped for a second before turning his attention to where it is coming from and grinned.
"Nice Wendy." Natsu smirked as she saw Wendy with the two Exceeds carrying her as she held up both her hands with a light ball looming above her. The light shone bright with a mix of sky blue that caught the attention of all mages including Kiro.
"What is that?" Gray questioned.
Meanwhile, Kiro smirked as he saw the sky blue ball from a distance. He got to admit. These mages were interesting. Enough to entertain him also. But he had enough.
"Still got an ace up your sleeve eh? No matter I'll just sent you too also to the world of the Void!" He shouted as he begins his own attack towards Wendy. Natsu saw this and immediately ran towards Kiro to prevent him leaving Gray behind. Kiro begins to initiate his strongest spell aimed at Wendy. He lifted his hands up above similar to Wendy and begins to gather dark energy around him forming a demonic spear with different, odd faces laid just below the tip of the spear resembling that of a demon. The tip of the spear emanates a disturbing aura that Gray and everyone felt as it appeared right before them.
"This will be your final moment to see your comrades girl." He warned mockingly, seeing his already mad-driven face at Wendy.
Jigoku wa yari unmei! (Hell Doom Spear) He throws the demon spear fast as it heads straight to Wendy. On the other hand, Wendy gasped in shock as he spear headed straight at her but surprised even more as she saw Natsu in front at her knowing that he will do something reckless again.
"Natsu-san!" Wendy called out in worry.
"Focus Wendy. Don't worry about me. Didn't I tell you? I'll look after you after this job. Isn't it the same as protecting you at all cost?" Natsu calmly reminded her before slowly turning to her showing off his signature grin that gives her always that warmth feeling whenever he shows that to her.
"But I will change that task. From now on, I'll protect you no matter what. I won't let a single person hurt you or your feelings again. I'll do just that until we find our parents."
"I SWEAR TO PROTECT YOU NO MATTER WHAT!"
Natsu revealed his feelings. He wanted to protect his family especially her. He didn't know what it meant but it gave him another purpose aside from finding his father. But right now, he must put it aside and protect her at all cost. He begins to gather courage and determination and prepares to give Kiro the best that he has. It's time to show how powerful dragonslayers are.
Metsuryū Ōgi: Guren Bakuenjin! ( Dragonslayer's Secret Art: Exploding Flame Blade) Pouring a very large amount in his body, he lit his hands in flames and swipes his arms in a circular fashion and finally creates an immense, powerful, and destructive torrent flames before him aiming to meet up with Kiro's strongest spell. Both highly destructive spells clashed with one another giving an enormous power of force pushing everything out in its vicinity. Even Erza and Gray had to grip at durable rocks from the progressing attacks.
"It's futile Salamander. My spell is the strongest. You can't possibly-" He was cut in mid-sentence as he noticed his demon spear is beginning to be overwhelmed by the power of flames.
"Don't underestimate the power of dragons!" Natsu shouted in full rage as he finally pushed the demon spear back making lose its target as the barrage of flames vanished instantly and let the spell flew to the wrong direction.
"Go! Wendy!" He briefly signalled the sky dragonslayer before crashing to the ground as she was also finished in her spell.
"Receive the judgement from the heavens." Tenryu no Ten no kōkyū (Sky Dragon's Heavenly Light Ball) Wendy swiped her hands down as the ball of light is sent towards Kiro.
Kiro didn't had the chance to evade as the ball hit him directly giving shots of pain all over his body that made him scream in frustration. The ball shone brighter enough to obscure their vision on Kiro. A few seconds past, the light eventually fades revealing a very injured Kiro kneeling as he felt pain and agony from the attack. He didn't know that attack could really hurt him this badly. He shown signs of heavy breathing and some multiple wounds he earned from the ball of light. Happy and Charle also descend to the ground beside Natsu who was standing witnessing the aftermath, letting a tired Wendy who was still catching breaths from the last magic attack.
Wendy finally recovered and took a glance at Natsu who smiled proudly.
"You're cool Wendy." He complimented catching her off-guard again.
"T-Thanks Natsu-san." She replied quietly showing how embarrassed she is again.
"Seems like it's over now isn't it?" A familiar voice joined the conversation. The two dragonslayers turned to see and gave a reassuring smile as they saw Erza and Gray joining the group. Erzaa had her right arm rested around Gray's neck to support her. She's still out of it.
"We came here than what we bargained for eh?" Gray smirked seeing the whole group celebrate in victory.
"I-It's n-not over yet." Kiro gritted his teeth as he struggled to get back on his foot. The group immediately turned a caution on Kiro revealing to be standing up despite the attack.
"He can still stand back up?" Gray said in disbelief.
"Ha! Didn't I told you? As long as the staff gives me power I can take anyone down even the Magic Council, Hahaha-" His eyes grew wide as he received another agonising pain all over his body getting him to fall back to the ground screaming helplessly.
"W-What's happening?"
"I simply severed the magic connects between you and the staff." Wendy stated.
"W-What?"
"Grandine told me about fusion of magic essence from people and the magic embedded to objects. She taught me this spell to separate those magics with ease. Your magic just simply separate from the staff's magic." Wendy finished earning the group a surprised look on their faces same as Kiro. There were such a magic that can reverse the effect of fusing magic essence at once. The staff was supposed to be in one with him and this girl managed to undo that with just a simple spell.
"T-That's impossible! A magic like that cannot simply separate me and the staff. It was said that this staff bounds to be inside whoever fuses with it." Kiro reasoned with anger plastered on his face.
"It's the truth." Natsu reinforced Wendy's statement.
"Don't screw with me. A mere mage like you cannot undo this staff!" Kiro screamed in rage as he tried to create a spell to blast the whole group away. Gray readied himself to counter it but was interrupted as the two dragonslayers walked past by him facing Kiro giving everything he has in his spells to erase the dragonslayers with desperation.
"We're not just mages. . . . . . ." Natsu paused looking back at Wendy who blushed slightly without showing signs of embarrassment keeping her innocent smile as she reached his left hand and held it soothingly giving a warm atmosphere between the two. They held hands together as they face at Kiro giving him a reminder.
"We're Dragonslayers." Both spoke calmly before generating themselves their own element to charge their roar.
Karyu no Hoko! (Roar of the Fire Dragon)
Tenryu no Hoko! (Roar of the Sky Dragon)
Both launched their own respective roars as the torrent of fire and wind make their way towards Kiro. Both roars began to merge as one creating another powerful type roar. Erza and Gray gasped as they witness their spell became as one.
"Unison Raid?" Gray thought in confusion.
"But they didn't performed that spell as well. How did it merge halfway?" Erza also thought in confusion seeing this unnatural form of unison raid.
Kiro can only watch as the roar of fire and wind blast its way towards him. What are these people? He deeply thought before widening in surprised as he witnessed a terrifying image of two proud dragons behind the two dragonslayers smiling proudly at their children. A fire dragon and a feathered white dragon both looking at their own children showing their love and respect as a parent.
"I see. . . . . . . . . ." Kiro finally made an understanding. He closed his eyes, satisfied of his answer. He freely let the roar take him knowing that he cannot beat them with just some power.
Dragonslayers. . . . . . What a terrifying and powerful creatures
Those words are the only ones Kiro said as the roar created a powerful explosion. Fire and Wind spread into different places clearly displaying the power of the dragons. Soon that roar settled leaving only a pile of embers and smoke in its wake. Natsu and Wendy both smiled as they saw Kiro lying in the ground completely defeated with burns and scratches all over his body. Gray and the rest followed to the duo finally bringing the battle to a close. Natsu finally sits down with Wendy still not letting their hands go seeing they want to stay like this a little longer. Wendy have exhausted too much magic and grinned at him warmly before resting her head at the pink-haired dragonslayer's shoulder.
"We did it Natsu-san."
"Yeah." He replied before giving her pat to the head earning another blush from the bluenette but didn't seemed to mind.
"You're amazing out there Wendy. I didn't know you had it in you."
"Well, we are special in our own ways right?"
"W-Well, you could say that." Natsu really don't understand what she meant and she notice this. Natsu laughed sheepishly trying to look he knows but he failed he took a look at hers before breaking down to a laughter. They both laughed as the rest finally made their way at the laughing duo. Charle hugged her dragonslayer seeing the battle is finally over. Gray and Natsu shared with a brofist as a sign of victory, while Erza smiled glad to say that the fight is over. Same as their quest.
Author's Note: And there you have it. Their battle is over. The next chapter would be now focus again on the two with no interruptions. I'll give them romance this time. No more fighting but you will still see Natsu and Gray fight at the end. There is never a day when those two don't fight each other. The story is also closing to the end but don't worry I'll create more fanfics with this couple. They're cute. That's all it matters lol xD. To other NaWen shippers out there, I'll will greatly support this pairing with loyalty (Sparkle*). Please leave a review if there's any flaw in my story. I'm new so I'd like to take criticisms and opinions of others to improve my writing. Anyway, see you next chapter guys :)
- wiErD SpeCtrumz blacking out...
