Thank you for reading the last chapter. I hope you enjoy this chapter.

Chapter 72

Oracion Seis' Midnight

Lyon

We found Gray, Natsu, and Juvia with three members of Oracion Seis. Richard identified them as Sorano, Erik, and most likely the Celestial Spirit Gemini. Erik was unconscious, and Sorano appeared to be just about ready to collapse as well. Gemini didn't look much better, but were eager to learn that Gemini, who was transformed into Erik, had the capability of removing poison from one's body. The celestial spirit sucked the poison out of Richard, who was already looking much better.

"So that just leaves Midnight and Brain?" Sorano asked as we filled them in on our own doings.

"It would appear so, yes." Richard replied.

The whole city began to shake once more. I cursed that it was happening again, and like the first time, Jura reinforced our area with his magic. A blinding light began to emit from in front of the walking city and took the form of a magic circle. An insane amount of magic began to draw to the circle before it fired off into the distance, obliterating a mountain side.

We were all left speechless and paralyzed. While there was very little, if anything we could have done, it was still amazing what kind of destructive power Nirvana was capable of. It reminded me of Deliora.

Jura was the first of us to regain his voice, "So…that's what you were after?"

Neither Sorano nor Richard replied to the Wizard Saint. A look of terror was plastered on their faces.

"W-we have to stop him…" Sorano muttered.

"Such evil can't be allowed to roam free…yes."

"Then we had better get going. The sooner we can shut down Nirvana, the better off we'll be."

It took me a moment, but I was finally able to move. There was nothing more to be said about what just happened. All we could do was push forward and hope that we can put a stop to this. I grabbed Gray and helped support him, while Jura did the same for Natsu. Both of them had taken quite the beating from Cobra. Sherry and Juvia supported each other, while Gemini was able to assist Sorano. It didn't bode well that half our team was heavily injured. Jura and I were probably in the best condition out of all of us. Even then, I could feel myself reaching my limit.

The darkness around us made it difficult to traverse the area. To think all of this happened in the span of a single day. It was no wonder we were exhausted. With any luck, our other allies were here and able to help us. Unfortunately, they were not the ones we ran into.

Stepping out from behind the rubble was an effeminate young man. Accompanying him was a large pale man. The effeminate man looked bored as he looked us over.

"He's Grimoire Heart." I heard Juvia warn Sherry.

"Hoteye and Angel…" the effeminate man began, "I can't say I'm that surprised that you turned on us. I don't blame you though. Father said it was a risk we had to take."

"Midnight," Sorano began to plead, "You know this isn't right. This kind of destruction…nobody deserves it!"

"That isn't for us to decide." Midnight continued, "If Father desires it, we should concede."

"Macbeth!" Richard shouted.

"Stick to the codenames, Hoteye, we have them for a reason."

"H-hey Midnight?" the fat man asked, "Wh-what about Cobra? Isn't he like…a super strong Dragon Slayer?"

Midnight rolled his eyes, "I highly doubt that's actually Cobra. Cobra doesn't smile like that. It's probably Gemini."

I looked at Gemini and noticed that he did indeed have a very goofy smile.

"O-oh."

"Gemini can't pull out the full power of Cobra anyways. They can't utilize power that is greater than their summoner."

The fat man let out a sigh of relief, "Iamsogladthatwouldhavebeenverybad!"

I stared at this fat man in wonder. He didn't seem intimidating in the least bit. Yet from what I had heard, Grimoire Heart was incredibly dangerous. They weren't the top guild of the Balam Alliance for nothing. I had my doubts that this man was a high-ranking member, but I was still going to keep my guard up.

"Well, let's get this over with." Midnight said, "The faster I deal with you, the faster Father will let me go back to sleep."

With a flick of his arm, Midnight unleashed upon us a devastating torrent of wind. I was quickly thrown from my feet and felt the wind cut at my skin. I screamed out in pain as similar reaction came from my allies. When the spell dispersed, I found that the only people left standing were Jura, Midnight, and the fat man. Jura was cut up pretty well too, though.

"W-wizard Saint's sure are scary!"

"Then finish off the others. It's almost midnight, so I'll handle the Wizard Saint."

The fat man nodded at Midnight and thrusted his palm forward at us. I quickly put my hands together.

"Ice Make: Gorilla!"

Materialized an ice gorilla to counter the oncoming palm strike. A magic, ethereal palm shot at my gorilla and put a sizeable crack in it.

"Water Slicer!"

Behind me, Juvia let loose blades of water on the Grimoire Heart agent. I spied a look at Jura and found that he was completely unable to get any hits on Midnight at all. Every time he used his magic against the Oracion Seis agent, the attacks seemed to bend away from him. Some even bent back at Jura.

"Doll Attack: Stone Doll!"

A stone doll jumped at the Grimoire Heart agent and brought its fist down on him. With that kind of force, I expected the man to be crushed beneath its weight, but the man successfully caught the attack and was pushing back! I sent my gorilla in to put some more pressure on him. Finally, the added strength was enough to overcoming him, and we blasted him into the ground.

Before we could celebrate though, a gigantic ethereal palm shot up from the ground. The magic palm destroyed my gorilla and Sherry's doll.

Suddenly, what little light illuminated these streets began to disappear. I felt the magical power growing in the direction of Jura and Midnight, and it wasn't Jura whose magical power was growing. What I found was a demonic beast taking form before the Wizard Saint.

"Nightmare!" the beast shouted.

The monster lifted its clawed hands up and brought them down on Jura. He erected an iron rock wall to block the incoming attack, but the attack of the demon broke through and narrowly struck Jura. Fortunately, Richard stepped in just in time to sink him into the ground, safely out of the way of the attack. The rest of the attack though, went on to shatter through some buildings.

"It's only an illusion, yes!"

The demon, who seemed to be Midnight, turned his attention to Richard, "Dark Rondo!"

A massive beam of darkness shot from his palm and struck Richard. A sizeable crater was formed by the attacks impact, making escape impossible for the earth mage.

Midnight then turned his attention to Angel, Gemini, Natsu, and Gray. Those four weren't looking to good themselves.

He made a swipe at them with his magic.

"Ice Make: Shield!" Gray and I constructed large ice shields to protect them.

"Iron Rock Wall!"

The attack tore through our ice, but this time Jura's wall proved durable enough for the attack. Gray and the others were spared from Midnight's attack.

Sherry and Juvia moved in with attacks of their own, but it was no use. Maybe because it really was just an illusion, or maybe it was that durable, but the attacks didn't seem to do anything. He slashed at the two girls, once more causing a massive explosion. When the dust settled though, another of Jura's Iron Rock Walls were in place.

"This isn't any ordinary illusion." Jura noted.

"The whole thing smells like Midnight." Natsu added.

"That whole thing is Midnight," Sorano explained, "It's his magic, reflector, bending the light in such a way as to make himself look larger."

"And more terrifying!" Gemini gleefully exclaimed.

Midnight reared back for another strike at Sherry and Juvia. Jura quickly moved in to try and halt the monster's attack. His rock magic shot from the ground at Midnight's arm and locked it in place. Midnight struggled against the rock-hard restraint.

"Get out of the way!" He shouted at the two girls.

Without a moment to spare, Juvia and Sherry leapt out of the way as Midnight's arm broke through Jura's magic and swiped at the spot where the girls once were. The attack tore through the earth leaving a crater in its wake.

"Sorano, I don't suppose you have the magic to cast Urano Metria?" Richard asked.

Sorano shook her head no, "I don't suppose you have the strength to take him down either?"

"No…"

"Then everyone, get back." Jura warned us.

Jura took a step forward. The dust and pebbles on the ground began to rise as he took his stand against the giant beast. I grabbed Natsu, who tried and failed to stop me, and Happy to take cover. Sorano was supported by Gemini while Juvia got Gray. I had to admit, they looked cute together. Finally, I glared at Richard who was assisted by Sherry in taking cover.

Back with Jura, his magical power was steadily rising the earth around him began to tremble. Midnight raised both his claws into the sky in preparation to strike Jura down. The earth began to quake as more and more power exuded from Jura. I watched as Midnight began to shake as Jura's raw magical power washed over all of us. A magic circle appeared beneath Midnight. At this point even I was shaking. This was the strength of a Ten Wizard Saint. I've never really had the displeasure of feeling this kind of power myself. Ur wasn't kidding, it was the kind of power that makes you fear for your life, even if it is protecting you.

Jura called out his spell's name, "Rumbling Mt. Zonia!"

A blinding light erupted from the ground and engulfed a paralyzed Midnight entirely. The force of the attack knocked debris everywhere. I wanted to cast a spell to protect myself, but I could move my hands, let alone summon my magic. Judging by the look on Natsu and Happy's face, they were in a similar predicament.

The explosion was loud and destructive. It was fitting for a Wizard Saint. When the dust finally settled, the magic had dispersed just enough for us to regain control of our bodies. We came out of our hiding to find the Jura alone in a clearing. There was dust all around him, but no sign of any heavy debris. Where Midnight once stood, was a massive, deep crater. We all crept in closer to take a look down the hole. I couldn't see the bottom.

"H-he isn't dead…is he?"

"I-I don't think so…" Natsu replied, "I can…still smell him."

"Yup, his body's definitely down there!" Gemini replied enthusiastically.

Jura slammed his hand on the ground and a moment latter, the ground at the bottom of the hole shot up. On it was Midnight. His clothes were shred to pieces and he was unconscious. Jura calmly walked over to him and checked his vitals.

"Well, the good news is I didn't go overboard." Jura replied.

"The bad news?" Richard asked as he cautiously approached the body.

"He's unconscious."

Richard knelt down and inspected his partner, "It seems he gave up his prayer."

"At least now he gets to sleep." Sorano replied.

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