They were unlike any thieves she had ever seen. In fact, now that she had a closer look, Juvia cannot help but feel that she has been in this place before. It's not possible, she knows this. Still, as she blasts the wizards closest to the entrance, the vague sense of familiarity stays with her.

Juvia does not bother to block their first attacks, she doesn't even feel them for the rain has replenished her. A splash comes from a hit intended to knock the air out of her. She does lose her middle, just for it to reform a few seconds later.

She begins bubbling them, one by one, then two and three at a time, drawing water from her rain, slowing those reliant on brute force. They could not have been expecting the exchange to go smoothly, she realises, for the faces she is searching for are nowhere to be seen.

After losing a limb for the fifth time, she wonders if she should have at least tried to grab the case from Gajeel, distracted them with the ransom before she started to fight – if the hostages were out of harm's way, she could flood the place and be done with it.

The next enemy comes at her too quickly for her to wonder when she became so comfortable with her control that she would try such a thing. It was not the time for such musings, not when facing another elemental mage.

This one is solid, but he seems to draw power from Juvia's rain too and bursts free from her water lock with practiced flair. He rises to meet her, flanked by the wizards she has failed to bubble.