Business and response to reviews:
More so than before, sincerest apologies for how long this took. This was meant to be finished and updated two months previously. Also, this may appear as just another filler chapter, but it is necessary to cover before moving on the Lucy once more. Thank you for the reviews politely asking for me to hurry up, they served as a great reminders. Attempted trys at devoting more time to this fanfiction shall be made, and it should be easier now that I have finished watching a complete playthrough of Tales of Vesperia. Any questions or suggestions about the story, feel free to leave a message or PM, I have already received some awesome ones during this time I have been inactive.
Disclaimer: Fairy Tail belongs to Hiro Mashima.
Chapter 38: Nourishing Growth
"Titania, you have my word that if you are able to beat me, then I will return the tree back to its original state. This will also revive your friends." Azuma deliberately put emphasis on the word if. Whether it was the challenge or the mention of her comrades that caused Erza to tighten her grip on the hilt of her sword, he did not care. As long as it had the desired effect: motivation for Erza Scarlet to fight earnestly while not holding anything back.
With the promise from Azuma acting as her incentive, Erza thought it best to reequip into her Heaven's Wheel Armor. Knowing what it was Azuma desired from her, Erza boldly assured him with, "If it is the lives on my comrades on the line, then I will win!" That declaration sealed her vow of committing herself to whatever was needed to be done to release her comrades from the agony Azuma thrust them into. Seeing how neither of them would hold back, Azuma could not remember a time he was so expectant of what was to come.
With her Heaven's Wheel Armor equipped, Erza released her power unsparingly with Blumenblatt. Multitudes of swords appeared in the air, but did not hover in the place they were summoned for long. All directed at Azuma, they swords cut through the air, only to connect with the branches Azuma summoned to guard him, and there they stayed. Already Erza was retaliated against without having the time to prepare to execute another one of her strategies, as Azuma cast Folium Sica, where massive funnels of bladed leaves shot towards Erza in arcing patterns, granting no respite. Erza did what she could with her skill with her swords to stop them in their path before they could inflict any damage. Indeed, she did not allow a single leaf to cut her or damage her armor.
Not wanting to drag out the same attack for too long, Azuma decided to increase the assault by switching his magic into using Ramus Sica. Sharp branches succeeded as where leaves failed, for the magical branches homed onto Erza and their assault left Erza with no choice but to raise her arms in front of her face, tattering her armor and body. Instead of continuing on with Ramus Sica, Azuma swiftly alternated into concocting Tree Fist, which appeared and gained momentum at such a speed that it wasn't until after it harshly contacted with Erza that she was able to reequip into a different, less worn armor. Sent skidding down the thick, gnarly vines, Erza managed to stay on her feet and reequipped into Heart Kreuz in the meanwhile.
With the familiarity in this specific armor, Erza was easily able to dodge the robust tree branches that Azuma was maneuvering as if they were vines in order to crush her. Taking advantage of one specific branch under Azuma's control, Erza bounded off it with much strength so that she promptly sped towards Azuma and moments after leaping off the branch, her armor was reequipped into that of her Flight Armor, increasing her speed by multiple times-fold. With the aid of her enhanced speed, Erza approached Azuma in such a manner that she was allowed the opportunity of slashing him numerous times before he could make his limbs function in a way that allowed him to react by summoning branches to intercept the next blow Erza had intended for him as the branches strikes her downwards, to the point where she was targeted by a foot formed out of thick branches and vines as it stomped on her.
However, Erza was barely affected seeing as how at a moment's notice she pulled off reequipping into her Adamantine Armor, contributing towards a near impenetrable defense. Not being able to breach her fortification through brute force, Azuma once again sent a barrage of leaves which had great capabilities of slicing through many dense materials. Surviving that buffeting, Erza deemed it wiser to reequip into her Lightening Empress Armor in order to return to being on the offensive. With her staff, Erza summons the electrifying powers of lightening; all the while wielding the staff as a blunt weapon itself.
Having suffered all her endeavors missing their mark, Azuma takes his chance of being able to land a blow on Erza through a surreptitious punch, which contained enough power to send her crashing through many roots and such, enhanced in capabilities through the control Azuma had over them.
Regaining her footing, Erza focuses her sights upon Azuma, who in turn is staring at her from where he punched her. Having had drawn out the battle this long, Erza felt the urge in her heart to acknowledge, "Your skills are more advanced most others I have fought. I would not find it unbelievable to think of this match as the most difficult one I may have ever had to partake in."
Suppressing a pleased grin, Azuma in return readily acknowledged, "Indeed, it is not only you exerting you efforts, for your skills certainly live up to your title and reputation. This match is certainly the most demanding one I have fought, and this thrills me greatly." Once having admitted their thoughts on the matter, Erza reequipped into her Heart Kreuz Armor yet again in order to engage with Azuma in hand to hand combat. Within the flurry of successful marks being met by kicks and fists on both sides, Azuma decides to break the violent stalemate they were at by instructing a branch to coil as close as it dared before exploding.
Concealed by the explosion, Erza was able to take the time that it bequeathed her in order to hastily recover before pitching a spear directly at Azuma. As alert as he tried to remain, Azuma was caught off guard by the spear thrust at him, resulting in him being hit rendering him unable to prevent Erza from reequipping into her Giant's Armor and grabbing his ankle. Erza did not keep Azuma in her grip for long, as she almost immediately threw him downwards, but by that time Azuma had recovered most of his wits. Even while accelerating downwards, he was able to command the trees, and after colliding with one under his own magic influence, he abruptly struck back with a large root.
Being hit directly, Erza grunted as she slammed into a large root that was behind her. Splintered particles clouded the air, obscuring vision on both sides who had just received harm. In this lapse, Erza changed into what most enemies knew to be her most powerful armor, her Purgatory Armor. With it equipped, Erza fearlessly leapt down, pursuing Azuma from where he was at a distance below. Sensing the destructive ability of the armor she now bore, Azuma concentrated his magic power into reinforcing a thick root into making it exceptionally hard. It proved to be a fruitful effort, for even while equipped in her Purgatory Armor, Erza was unable to break through.
Stunned at the fact that even the capabilities of her Purgatory Armor was unable to end their struggle, Erza herself was left near defenseless after Azuma claimed hold of her foot, leaving her incapable of escaping before he cast Tower Burst. The flames appeared in the vicinity within the draw of a breath, and their power was nothing to face unprepared. Such force pressed back the Erza who was still struggling to advance. Alas, against the flames, Erza had no choice but to allow herself to be caught in and endure the assault.
Roughly regaining her footing once again, Erza grimaced as she realized that all her strategies were failing one at a tie, with success not seeming to be getting any nearer. Reverting back into her Heart Kreuz Armor, she began contemplating on what options were left to her, her thoughts drifted to the armor she most recently bought. Immediately upon imagining herself flaunting her Seduction Armor, with an emboldening message engraved on the sword itself and a lack of defensive pieces, or any articles of clothing at all… To say the least, Erza immediately blushed so that her entire face resembled a red carnation. Frantic, she shook her head trying with all her might to get the idea and the image that came along with it out of her head.
Azuma watched her, puzzled at her action and simply inept at figuring it out. He could not conjure any reasonable strategy that seemed to have his opponent distracted in such a manner. Gathering her wits quickly, it wasn't difficult for Erza to conclude that she would need to collect all of her magic into a single offensive attack, sparing none on defense of any sort. Coming to this deduction, nothing would be suitable for such than bearing that with no magical power, just simply cloth and bandages. A single sword would have to be able to withstand the gathering and storage of the magical power, and be able to have it applied to it so that its own strength during a swing would prove unmatched.
With these being the requirements that Erza deemed necessary, there was only one specific selection of armor and weapon that could fulfill her needs. Activating her Reequip Magic, a white glow enveloped Erza and even before it fully faded, crimson color could be seen through it. With the dying glow, it was revealed that Erza wore nothing but baggy red pants, which Azuma immediately assumed to be the crimson he saw, and bandages that bound her chest. There was nothing to be sensed of the pants, nothing magic at all. In her hand Erza held a sheening katana that seemed to have no blemish. Rather than it being just well cared for, it seemed that it was rarely used. With a final whip of her ponytail as the last of her re-equipment ended, Erza opened her eyes. With nothing evident but conviction, she stated, "I have no need for armor, only my sword."
That said, Erza charged forward in a rush. All her power, her strength, she collected into her sword, Demon Blade Crimson Sakura. This vow one she wished to print into her heart and his, Erza swore, "I cannot lose for my guild's sake."
With a smile, Azuma urged, "Come!" When within a close enough range, she commenced her strike. However, branches weaved around her, trapping her in place. In those conditions Erza could not do anything but strain herself in useless struggle to bring her arms down and her sword along with them.
Azuma decided to take advantage of how Erza bore armor with no feature that assisted in giving protection of any kind. Casting his next spell as if it were a battle cry, Azuma declared, "Terra Claymare!"
Following the release of Tenrou's magical power, the vines holding Erza captive loosened, no longer acting as a support that would have held her up in the state she was currently in. Slipping into the realm of unconsciousness, not having been able to take the blow with the power she herself possessed, Erza heard the voice unforgettable to her. Albeit distant, the subtle words reached her ears.
Unbeknownst how he was currently being abused, Erza received the words of the imprisoned Jellal Fernandes . Within his place in a cell, Jellal paid no heed to the cruelty being inflicted upon him in hopes of bringing about a submissive will by those he undermined while being taken advantage of by the supposed ghost of Zeref, instead he focused on the indiscernible bond in which he could sense Erza's resolve through and in the midst of her waning defeat, he whispered almost silently, "Don't lose, Erza. "
With cacophonous yet awakening coughing, Erza opened her eyes as she clutched at her sword and used it to sit up. With even more determined effort, with the support of her sword, Erza stood up. Initial shock registered in Azuma's mind, for he saw Erza fall defeated by his hands, and as she appeared at that instance it seemed she had no strength left, simply sheer resolution, yet that alone could not possibly make a victim of his Terra Claymare find the strength to once again stand face to face with him. Within Erza's mind, her resolution was built on the foundation of the desire to protect her comrades, and with that in mind she lunges towards Azuma, swiftly slicing all branches that formed his defense and nimbly avoiding all those that aimed for her in an offensive manner. Being within reasonable distance, she attempted to land a blow, only to narrowly miss his neck.
Not willing to once again descend into defeat, Erza charged forward at Azuma, whilst he instinctively dodged the rushed attack and countered with a kick that sent Erza spiraling back. Using the momentum as effectively as she could, Erza springs back towards him, only this time she targeted the branch on which Azuma stood, and her new target had no chance but to serve her purpose as she sliced it and used it as a shield against all leaf blades Azuma sent her way.
Not allowing himself to be outdone now, Azuma manipulated branches continually so that all Erza could do was slash them away. Azuma did not so much as smirk as his decoy worked, allowing roots to once more bind Erza while she was occupied. Seeing that she could not escape, Azuma informed her, "Your name is who you are, and it will be one I will never be able to forget."
"My name…" Erza thought, "…Scarlet." Her mind flashed back to a time where she stood upon the location of the Tower of Heaven. When asked, she could not tell anybody her full name, because all she could claim to be was "Erza." However, a boy with blue hair walked up and played with the end of her hair with his fingers, noting that it shone scarlet. At that moment, he called her "Erza Scarlet," and there was no objection. Jellal had given her the name "Scarlet" to go by; it was who she would be from that moment on.
Again, being the last time she saw him as he was arrested by the Magic Council, he deliberately turned around and spoke the color of her hair, "Scarlet." He remembered her last name at that time; he remembered who she was and what he gave her.
As Azuma cast Terra Claymare for what would be the final time if it went as it did when he last cast it, Erza found strength from the identity that went along with her name, but it still wasn't enough to break free.
Confronted with what would seemingly bring along a defeat she would be unable to recover from, the face of Natsu Dragneel appeared in with a voice that asked, "Are you givin' up?" Following that question, instead of allowing time for an answer, the faces of every one of her comrades that shared a bond with her through the mark of Fairy Tail appeared in her mind, all smiling with encouragement.
Seeing this, Erza chastised herself and murmured, "I'm sorry," and to herself she added, "It not that I have been protecting everyone, but rather, I'm the one that has always been protected." Still having the spirits of her comrades surround her, their strength became hers as she leapt down towards Azuma, scarlet hair streaking behind with her blade high overhead.
Watching as Erza approached him, he noticed how radiant the golden light behind her shone, and as shock settled in, so did the realization that it must be the Magic of Tenrou Island he was controlling that was protecting and reinforcing Erza. Now only a few seconds away, Azuma closed his eyes as if he were giving way to relief and commented, "The strength of Fairy Tail is not in the 'individual,' but in the 'sum.'" As Erza swung her arms down with what would be her final blow, he adds, "Their guild is one incredible guild." Azuma had a smile across his lis as the edge of Erza's blade sliced across his body, leaving him alive only so he could fulfill his promise, the one Erza made him agree to for the sake of her comrades.