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A Holy War

~The End to It All?~


Hello everyone! Sorry it took me forever to update. T^T But I'm so busy with the stupid schoolwork... *sigh* Back in middle school it was homework for five minutes, and I'm done for the day. Now it's like...5 hours? Anyway, here's the new update. Now I must again thank all you lovely supporters; so thank you, Bluebananajel,Dawnie'B, Ezikio, Kaileychicago, and Lolita-chi, MusicMyEscape, SatsorikuAnkoku, SmartCatCuzI'mAWESOME, romance123lover, as well as imahappyperson,sabermordred21913, tangledcharm, mysteryAphrodite, EtiSalat, KnightingaleProduction, and finally, to Mezuri and TheGrammarQueen. I also presents my thanks to the others that faved, followed, reviewed and read, and these wonderful persons will be Hiru to Yoru, sereneskydragonslayer,ArmoredHeart 3, BlackCatNeko999and GuregetaStrober, Sovereign64,tangledcharm, Scarlet Fernandes, romance123lover along with Guest, Burning Souls, KayGe08. OMG, this list just gets longer and longer, doesn't it? -.-; (takes a deep breath) No, it's not that I'm complaining. In fact, I feel very honored and happy that this story is being read by more and more fabulous readers! :D

The special thanks of the day goes to CrimsonNight41 and GunnerPuppy for motivating me enough to update and for helping me with the writings for this chapter. Arigato to you both! Also, thanks to all who's been waiting so patiently for it! To those that aren't so patient...feel free to egg me. I mean, it's 10.31.13! Happy Halloween, everybody! :D Now...without further ado, please read on!


Her lips were shaking, and her eyes were warm with tears that were threatening to spill all over her heated cheeks. A sharp pang of hollowness and sadness was erupting from her heart, which must be broken, like a wildfire as the world around her seems to spin with a powerful yet invisible tornado. But despite all these vivid, soul piercing pain, she knew she was free at last, from him and those haunting memories she shared with him.

Jellal had been silent and hadn't moved a step since she had turned her back on him and since those words that are intended to be cruel left her tongue. Her amber eyes, warm with the bubbling lava of her liquid pain, sealed closed and allowed the fluid to rain all over her cheeks once again. But despite this pure evidence of weakness on her face, she knew she made the right decision.

She had cut away the last strings that tied her love to that bluenette she met many years ago. He will learn that she will never be the young, innocent girl to which he can manipulate and play with as if a chess piece anymore. She is free from his betrayal and lies, and will now finally move on with her life painlessly. Yes, finally… Then why, why does her heart feel so broken?

As if he'd care how I'd ever feel... To him…I'm simply just a toy he can play and then throw away, remorselessly.

Erza's eyes opened with a glaze of sorrow, glowing somberly in the red sun. As soon as her bloodshot orbs located her worried men, however, she immediately felt the need to recollect herself. Hastily, she rubbed the last of her tears away before roaring hoarsely at Captain Erigor, "What are you waiting for, Captain? Have you forgotten our mission to capture the member of Sacred Akuma? Arrest him immediately!"

The Captain blinked with shock, before hastily nodding. "O-of course, my General." He then turned away from her tear drawn face to bark defiantly at the others. "Well, what the hell are you waiting for? Come on, you heard her, put him under arrest already!"

"A-aye, sire!" Under her demonic eyes, her compatriots swarmed towards the bluenette behind her despite the anxiety and the fear glinting in their eyes. She then hatefully eyed the blue haired man behind her, and concluded that despite his dangerous and untouchable appearance and dark aura, her reputation was enough to exceed his in order to get her men moving. It was no secret that they knew that when it's an angry Erza, even the King knew better than to try her temper.

Erza's eyes then closed once more with great pain as memories of the past surged in. Jellal…I'm sorry, but from now on I'll live a good life and you…shall never be able to hurt me once more. I've grown strong, and will never be that innocent girl who blindly worships your ideals and believes your lies…

Her eyes narrowed as she turned around slightly just to cast another glance on him, but then immediately she erupted into more tears upon the familiar sight of her previous love. His eyes were hidden by a curtain of shadows and blue strands of hair, his lips were hardened into a dangerous curve as the army swarmed towards him, with Erigor in the lead and already grabbing one of his gloved hands to put on the Supreme Magic Suppressing Cuffs.

Despite her trembling body, she managed to retain her cold composure. Because, now I'm stronger than you…

Or was she?

All of a sudden he vanished from her sight. And before her eyes can even widen with the intense shock, locks of blue hair flashed into existence just mere inches away from her own scarlet waves. Despite the dark shadows shading the upper portions of his face, she can still with great fright find two dark and dangerously unfamiliar orbs glowering against her own in a shade of bloody red.

The next fraction of a second, a black gloved hand suddenly snaked forward and dug painfully into her arm. Then there was a sharp pain as his claw like fingers somehow buried themselves even deeper, accompanied by the sound of something cracking. Her eyes involuntarily narrowed into slits as her mouth parted slightly from an urge to gasp from the sharp agony; her eyes then drifted down to identify the source…before her eyes grew to the size of sun.

No, no, no! That can't be real! It's impossible for anyone just to crack my Black Winged Armor with their mere fingertips… Erza's eyes, shrouded with disbelief and shock, flashed up to meet his merciless dark eyes that seem to be something near taunting. Although she tried to resist, she cannot help but feel the cold hands of fear crawling up her spine, reaching for her neck hauntingly, as if wanting to strangle her until her last gasp for life fades. It made her even more terrified, just how powerful is he now?

The Jellal she had known was always smiling, gentle and brotherly protective, his eyes was always warm and affectionate…speaking out to her that she can always trust him and that he'd never harm her. But these same eyes now held an unimaginably malicious, suppressing gaze, and seem to be radiating an animalistic glow of death, as if he wanted nothing more than to send her to her doom. And all of a sudden Erza saw him as anything but human as those eyes of Death met hers.

"Scared now, are we, my great General Scarlet?" Her trembling did not go unnoticed by him, as his lips curved into a sinister grin. Another surge of tears nearly welled up to her bloodshot eyes upon that disgusting smile, and Erza doubted she's ever felt so violated and degraded. But his eyes are as efficient as a freeze spell, and Erza found herself void of the strength to stop him.

Yet just before her dignity is to be crushed by her swelling tears, his grin twisted into a frown and his eyes narrowed into something resembling concern. "That wouldn't do, Er-chan, you know how I hate seeing you cry… "

T-that voice! It was the familiar, worried tone that belonged solely to the younger Jellal that she loved so much, not this monster before her! No, he has no right to use it, as the boy she once loved was dead, replaced by this evil creature! Anger pumped blood into her mind, granting heated strength and suddenly she was freed of the fear that had bound her so close to his mercy.

The next second her voice swiftly returned with a poisonous roar as she again tried to roughly jerk her arm away from his disgusting, steely grip. "Let go of me, fucktard! How long do you plan on grabbing me? Besides, what is it with your mentally retarded brain to have you think that you can actually repeatedly play with my life and those that I love-"

"Someone you love, this Natsu?" Upon the last sentence, Erza suddenly found his eyes shifting into sleeks of rubies as his lips curved down dangerously. If ever possible, his grip grew even more painful, and immediately Erza's eyes again involuntarily fluttered from the agony.

But she will not have him think of her as weak, never again! So with forced authority she hissed back ferociously, "Yes, he is someone that I love with all my heart…it was once you, no doubt, but you've gone and betrayed me… so now what right do you bear in interfering with my new life and decisions? Why, I must ask, do you even care?"

"I…" His rage faded by a few percent and it seems to her that he flinched slightly as he desperately searched for a way to answer her. But even with the anger that erupted from within her, she did not miss the glimmer of pain and sorrow that was presented in his dark, chocolate eyes. Sadness suddenly overwhelmed his angered features as he turned away with a barely audible whisper, "I…I don't know why."

"I'll tell you why, then!" She hissed maliciously before she finally succeeded in jerking her hand away from Jellal's softening grip. "To you, I was simply a toy that you can play and mess with for all these years. And now, I've gone and gotten stronger…thus I no longer have to depend on you. You're mad, and afraid that this little doll of yours will be able to leave you and quit her role as your plaything!"

Jellal's eyes turned back and surprisingly to her, there seemed to be fragile liquids clinging at the corners of his languished eyes... although she can't be exactly sure. He looked as if he had never heard anything more hurtful. Yet she only turned away, she will not have him playing the trick of charm and getting the better of her.

She then stalked away with whatever control and dignity she can muster, as her eyes finally released their hidden tears. "Now, if you will, Squad Two, arrest this fiend once and for all!"

But her heart still skipped a leap when a soft voice sounded behind her. "Erza…"

Turning back just slightly, her defiant and deadly amber pools met his wounded greens gleaming with…tears? Sorrow pulsed through her body as he whimpered with a voice marked by devastation, "Is there…really no way for us…to return to the times of the past? When we were actually able to open our hearts to one another in the midst of constellation making and strawberry imagining?"

For a moment Erza thought her heart will vaporize from the sadness within his voice. But then she clenched her jaw before forcing herself to turn away just as tears again splashed over her burning features.

"No."

She did not even turn to look at him one last time as she sauntered away. For a moment, the entire world was quiet, and then…

A scream loud enough to shatter the sky exploded behind her.

Then a chorus of screeches and screams that utterly chilled her bones with its dreadful, melancholy cries thundered behind her. With haste and surprise, Erza immediately flashed around with wide eyes, not even bother to wipe her remaining tears away. And there, before her, was truly the bloodiest demon she had ever seen…

Crazed rage had painted his once chocolate eyes bloody red as his blue hairs danced in the heavily blood scented wind. His face was drenched in shadows from facing away the scarlet sky's lights, but somehow those crimson eyes were still more than visible, and seem to be painting a scent of horror and death. A golden light wrapped around his dark silhouette as he battled against her men. Erza was certain that he was faster than light from the way her soldiers can never reach or inflict even a scratch on him. But somehow in her eyes, everything was playing out in ultra slow motion.

With her mouth agape and tear stained eyes, she watched, unmoving as he sent one of her soldiers behind him, with a roundhouse kick at the neck, to the other side of the world with hot blood gushing out. Another lunged at him from the side, but he flashed around and immediately grabbed him in a chokehold.

Her feet seemed glued to the floor as he swiftly twirled the choked soldier around to greet a spear that was coming from behind… and the next second… hot blood sprayed at the metallic smelling air accompanied by a scream. But the melancholy cry did died quickly and was then replaced only by a gurgling noise as fresh blood poured out.

The other soldier, with awestruck eyes and mouth agape in horror, was shocked senseless as he stared at the spear embedded within his dying companion's heart, looking as lost as a ghost from the sudden turn of events. The young General could see the shock and fear radiating from the young soldier as he too realized he had just killed his own comrade.

At the same moment, Jellal released his hold on the dead man he used as a shield and disappeared. But Erza didn't even try to follow his movements this time; she can only stare unblinkingly at the dying man like the bloody weapon's owner.

He…he's not even using Magic… Just how powerful is he?

But her sluggish trance was instantly shattered as she suddenly saw Jellal reappearing from the side of the soldier who had accidentally killed his own compatriot.

The realization hit her like a bolt of lightning as she glued her eyes to her ill fated companion; a dead waking shriek immediately erupting from her lungs, "Run!"

But it was too late as the blue haired monster delivered a ferocious uppercut to her soldier…she could only stand there as her follower sank to the ground, white eyed, crimson tongue lolling bloodily at her in farewell.

Enraged howls continued to pierce through the air as the remaining army continued to try to capture Death itself despite their vain efforts. Even though soldier after soldier was falling dead, the army was not stopping, as if anger had blinded their very eyes enough to challenge this mad chance.

Erza knew they stood not a chance, in fact, no one could when facing this living demon…but as her blank eyes traveled from body to body…she knew she cannot abandon her brave men. And that is when she can't take it anymore. The horror in her eyes vanished as rage and adrenaline suddenly exploded in her blood vessels, thawing her out of her fright at the terrifying scene before her.

As she recollected herself, the monster again disappeared before one of her charging soldier only to appear behind him with a slamming elbow to his nape. Even though agonized shouts and screams were spilling into the air, her ears seemingly ignored it all just to capture the sound of the soldier's neck cracking. The next moment, he was sent flying away as the bluenette literary threw him off his feet.

Damn it, enough! White lights flashed around her as she Requipped into her strongest armor, Armadura Fairy, and summoned two intricate swords to her hands. Her eyes grew slender with dark rage as she surveyed the scene before her. Despite our power gap, I shall fight till the end! I will not tolerate anyone taking the lives of my men before my eyes, even if it were to be Death itself!

With a courageous roar, she hurled herself at the demon at breakneck speed…she will stop him!

As she neared the demonic being, Jellal bended his legs with his eyes locked towards the flying soldier, and instantly she understood. Determination and anger burned within her eyes as she rushed at him even faster, roaring with desperation. "Damn it, bitch. Don't try to escape! Face me or surrender like the cur you are!"

A pair of unfamiliar and dark red eyes swiveled around to face her and triumph flared in her heart as he did not set off to finish her soldier. And upon contact with her wild and infuriated amber orbs, the hostility and sadistic nature presented in his eyes faded away into indescribable sadness.

But this time she did not waver as she dashed towards him as fast as she can with her sword lunging for his throat. The rage burning within her was too much to be doused away by mere sorrow. Her eyes narrowed with enmity as she howled distortedly, "Jellal!"

For a moment, the sadness in his eyes nearly burned her soul alive with pain, but then he closed his eyes and looked suddenly so tired and worn out that she almost believed he'd crash down anytime before….

"Aaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!"

Suddenly Erza's ears felt as if they were axed off by the earsplitting, unearthly animalistic roar. Her ears burned as if they'd been set ablaze and hastily she abandoned her sword in order to cover them. But before she can do so, a powerful energy field of blinding light exploded from Jellal, scorching her eyes with its blinding rays.

Opening her eyes just slightly to process what is going on, Erza found Jellal in the midst of a white spear of Magic. Her men are flying through the air as she is, screaming and howling with fright as the white explosion blurred them from her sight. The world began to spin as gravity suddenly lurched her backwards, as if desperately trying to protect her from the advancing white sphere of Magic.

Her eyes struggled open as confusion painted over them, just as the white energy engulfed over everything. Is…this the end?


I'm overjoyed to see that everyone once again broke my goal (and record) with 18 heavenly reviews. ^.^ Thank you. Now the goal is 235, if you can break that, I probably will stop whining at my mother for not getting me a costume in time for Halloween. It'd be the best treat I've ever got for Halloween; I bet it'd be sweeter than all the candies I've ever gotten! Thanks to all! :D Have a safe day...or night as you haunt and terrorize your neighborhood!

Updated on October 31, 2013.