Chapter 121: Welcoming
"We're in such a tight spot." Selene said with worry in her voice. "The Council is lurking. They still have four members despite their Captain being defeated, and a victory over Erza, Reve, Sting, Esme or Kagura would catapult them into first."
"Tch." Jaxon watched on. "Out of all the action going on, there's still so many points left to grab. Not including Reve, Selene just named forty. I don't think Cris was named captain for her strength either, because Xavi really is giving Zalen and Reve a run. That Exene woman is manhandling Erza, I can't find Esme, and…we got a runner headed towards Kagura and Skye!"
Just as Jaxon called out, Correll was headed towards the action, looking to be one of the unsung heroes for the council team by stealing the victory between Skye and Kagura. As he closed in on their location, he found himself in an unusual predicament. Everything seemed to look the same, no matter how far he ran. Was he going in circles? That he was, and he just now realized it, coming to a halt to look around and noticed that every building he was surrounded by at this moment…they all looked the same. "What's going on?" He asked aloud, though speaking to himself. As he walked over to the left, Correll slowly placed his hand against the wall of the house, only for his hand to go right through, destroying the mirage. "Huh? An illusion?"
"Not an illusion, but simply a memory." That voice caused him to go on guard, but when he turned around, Correll came to the realization that he was completely outnumbered five to one as Sabertooth stepped out of another mirage created by Rufus Lore.
"Bastards!" Correll cursed them, slowly becoming surrounded by all five members of the former champs. "Don't be a hypocrite." Minerva hummed. "We just figured that this wasn't our year, so why not have a little fun this time around instead, right?" Minerva, Orga, Sting, Rogue and Rufus completely surrounded Correll now, all with wicked looks on their faces as Sting lurched forward with the final say. "Sabertooth. Today, we hunt in a pack. Starting with this council dog."
"Ah, so this explains why I couldn't find anyone." Their heads turn to the third party. They were unaware that they already had someone trapped in Rufus's memories of the area, and that bothered them, Minerva the most. She stepped forward and outstretched her arms. "The plan remains the same." She said, highlighting both her and Esme's body with her territory magic. "But give me this pleasure."
Just as she spoke, Minerva and Esmerelda disappeared, leaving no trace of each other as the rest of Sabertooth surrounded Correll.
"That buys Skye some time I guess." Jaxon said, still not understanding Sabertooth's motives from the stands. "She needs to finish that fight soon though, because they could turn their attention to her any second." He clenched his fists tightly as he turned back to Skye and Kagura. "I want to help. I did all this training…I went on that SS class mission..and for what!? To be sidelined?!"
He was letting emotion get the best of him until he felt a hand placed on his shoulder. He looked over to see who that hand belonged to. Waiston now stood next to him, watching with a small smile. "Don't undermine Cygnus and the others." He said, never taking his eyes off the battlefield. "You being out there doesn't better nor worsen our chances of winning this thing, because it was always written in stone… we're not losing this year. This is our time, and you're doing everything you're supposed to do to make that happen by standing here and rooting for everyone. Look around you, Jaxon."
He did just that, looking around and noticing how everyone was so focused on the final battles, yet no one was showing the regretful emotions he was. "Let go of that feeling of responsibility, and exert some positive energy into the atmosphere, Weather God. Lets win together… as White Eclipse, yeah?"
Jaxon looked back at Waiston, blinking once before turning his visage to a smiling nod. That's when the two turned back to the arena with cupped hands, a full inhale, and finally they yelled at the top of their lungs.
"LETS GO SKYE!"
"Hm?" Her ears perked, causing her to turn to her peripherals to the echoing voices.
"Distracted again!?" Kagura yelled as she lunged at the assassin at full speed. "No…" Skye murmured as Kagura swung. In that instant, the brunette seemingly disappeared, but as Kagura looked back, she spotted Skye standing on the tip of her weapon with her own blade stretched forward. "Tch!" The Mermaid turned, swinging for Skye once again, and again, and again, coming up empty on each swing as her opponent remained elusive throughout the combination of swordplay. As the Ace of Mermaid Heel swung once more, Skye again dodged it by vanishing in midst of the swing. Kagura had a look of annoyance, and as she straightened her stance, she took in a deep breath as she stood back to back with her opponent.
"It seems like you're ready to end this between the two of us." She observed, slowly but forcefully pushing out her blade, gradually causing the bandages that kept it sheathed to rip piece by piece. Skye hummed, slowly raising her blade to the air. As she held it upwards, black markings began to not only wrap around the sword, but appear around her eyes and cheek bones as well. They were the same markings from when she stabbed her sword into the rejuvenation tank at Tartarus. "I am. I didn't want to use this form, but I'm running out of time, and my guild mates need my help, so I'll be moving onward to help them. But first, Kagura Mikazuchi, I'll defeat you. It should only take ten seconds, but don't let that hinder your growth as a swordsman. You're absolutely amazing. Maybe even better than Erza if you placed your feelings for her to the side."
Kagura curled her lip. "Ten seconds? What a ridiculous thing to say."
"That's because you understand the art of swordplay, but you're ignorant to the ability of an assassin. Now, you've unsheathed your blade, and I have mine at the ready. Shall we begin these last ten seconds?"
"Make it five!" Kagura shouted, and the two clashed blades. The impact caused a slicing aura from both directions, creating enormous fissures that traveled through the ground before finally dispersing into nothing. That was the first second of the exchange. The second and third were occupied by the two women creating speed, just to dive back into the fray. At second four and five, Kagura swung her powerful blade at a horizontal manner, only for second six to take place with Skye Ravenwood leaping upward with her blackened blade held behind her head. Second number seven followed. "I see it!" Kagura yelled, retracting and then swinging her blade upwards to slice Skye in half. Second number nine was realization. Kagura didn't blink at all in the passing seconds, but somehow she still fell for the feint that was Skye's image before her, because the vertical slice she created just a second ago showed that the assassin before her was no assassin at all. She felt a presence behind her, but as she turned, the tenth and final second struck as Skye appeared exactly where she had been the entire time — in front of her where she removed her focus to turn. "Claymore: Demon Mode. Anti-Valkyrie!"
Ten seconds. The overhead swing cleaved right through Kagura so swiftly; without blood, without agony. Kagura stalled, and then fell to her side unconscious, making it clear who was the victory between the two. "Ladies and Gentlemen! Kagura is unable to continue! Skye Ravenwood has gained ten points for White Eclipse, giving them a total of ninety three points! They're now in second place!"
"She did iiiiiiit!" Lance shouted, and the rookies all hugged each other, jumping up and down as if it was all over.
"No way!" Millianna shouted in disbelief. "How could Kagura lose a sword fight to someone not Erza!?"
Waiston simply looked over to Jaxon, who grinned in return. White Eclipse was finding new life in this last stretch of the free for all. Ninety three points. Third place, and only thirteen away from tying for first, the guild's visage and focus started to clear. They could see the finish line!
"We're one KO away from taking that back..!" Rylo thought to himself as he remained side by side with Flynn. "There's three of us left..but we may have picked the short straw with Natsu and Takeru. That e on, Kairi.."
Kairi and Mirajane could be seen off in the distance. It was a literally deadlock, the Angel and the Demon Takeover trading blows perfectly as if their entire fight was choreographed. The spectacle indeed left the audience in awe, and her former guild mates would even look her way to watch their friend perform against the Demon of Fairy Tail, but all good things would eventually come to an end as suddenly — as the two flew around each other at threatening heights, their takeovers magically vanished in a weird staticky aura. "What?" Kairi and Mirajane mimicked as they both began plummeting to the ground. As they neared the earth, they could see the ground beneath them breaking as a rumbling could be felt beneath. That's when two giant snakes with rocks around their eyes surfaced through the ground, threatening to swallow the women whole.
"Ah, that snake kid from Empyrean Dawn is around." Mirajane said aloud.
"The coward?" That's how Kairi remembered him, flipping to the side to avoid the giant serpent's mouth. She scaled down the reptile, leaping away and to the ground as it turned around to give pursuit. "It looks like he saved you, Mirajane! My guild needs me more than I need this one on one, so I'm going to find the chicken boy! Even without magic, he's too scared to fight."
Mirajane spun around the snake that chased her, but as she landed to give pursuit to Kairi's good idea, she was halted by not just one, but both snakes now turned to her. "Huh?" She looked on, puzzled. "Why did that one turn away from Kairi?" Unfortunately she couldn't get an answer and instead had to run in the opposite direction. "Me, Erza and Natsu… wait…" She realized while still running. "Only Laxus has been eliminated…. So where is..—"
Skye was running full speed towards Reve and Zalen, leaping from building wall to building wall whenever she could to pick up speed. "With me there, that Xavi guy will fall easily. Hang on, Zalen, big brother! I'm coming!"
Or so she thought. Suddenly, a large wall of ice erected just before her, causing Skye to skid to a halt. Panting slightly and holding her side, she looked over to her right to see the culprit and it wasn't who she wanted to run into. She sighed heavily, turning completely as the not so mysterious figure walked forward. "Sorry, but surely you know that our main objective is to make sure you guys don't hoist the trophy over our heads." Said Gray, launching his shirt off his body and into the air.
"Your other options at this point is either the council, or a team of criminals." Skye rebuttals. She drew her blade, gripping it tightly with both hands as she pointed it his way. "Don't bother answering with some witty comeback. White Eclipse is winning regardless; with or without me."
"Heh, I almost feel like the bad guy here." An icy aura overcame him as Gray dropped to his patented stance. "But with the way you chumps have made a living dragging our name through the mud, I don't have a problem being the villain for a little while. This is your last stop today, assassin."
"Come on Erza!" Exene shouted, backing her into a corner with her overpowering strikes with her weapon. Titania found herself reeling. No matter what she through at the council member, Exene was welcoming to the clash, and moved forward through each of Erza's attacks. "What's wrong? The thirteen gates of hell got your tongue!?" She laughed, basically mocking Erza at this point. Once again she got close, slamming a knee into Erza's stomach, and following with a slash from her current weapon requip of the thirteen — Limbo. This form of the sword was hardened blood of an unknown source, formed to create a long, sharp edge. Each swing brought destructive force, and that showed to be true as Erza let out an agonizing scream before hitting the ground. She gripped her shoulder, grimacing in pain as she struggled to her feet. "You sure are a fighter!" Exene yelled as she lunged towards her prey. She swung the long blade downwards, but Erza was able to dodge with a simply roll to the left. Quickly she used that to counter, finally landing a heel kick to Ex's chin. Her head snapped backwards from the potent kick, but as a second passed, chuckling escaped her lips as she slowly turned her head back to Erza; wiping her chin from the kick she just received. "There you go, Titania. Dig deep. You've been fighting like a coward this entire time, but I know that animal is inside you. What's it gonna take to drag that animal out?"
Exene began stalking towards Erza as she scrambled to her feet, but as the two squared off again, it suddenly began to rain heavily. "Rain?" Exene questioned. "It was just clear skies a second ago."
Erza also looked around, but that was a mistake because as she turned back to Ex, the rain had become so heavy that she could no longer see right in front of her. She took a step back to ready herself, which caused even more confusion as she looked down to see that her shins have been swallowed by water. "…A flood?" She correctly guessed, but it was too late for any action as suddenly, her face met a random foot with potent force, knocking her off her feet and into the now knee deep water. A second passed before she re-emerged, looking around through the thick downpour. "What was that?!" She asked aloud. "That wasn't Exene.. so someone else is here with some sort of flooding magic."
"GAH!" Exene shouted, capturing Erza's attention as she went tumbling into the water just as she did before. Ex quickly hopped back up, looking around before just barely spotting Erza. "Titania! We're not alone anymore."
Erza nodded, but kept guard up on Exene as well as this random person who was lurking in the rising waters. Exene however couldn't help but grin once she regained her poise. "It's someone who didn't get to show their stuff until now, because I don't remember anyone besides that Jaxon guy who can control the weather like this."
"It isn't just weather." Her voice rang from all over, causing the two women to look around frantically. "My magic is much more than weather."
"Who's voice is that?" The council member asked. Before she knew it, she and Erza were in waist deep water as the rain showed no signs of picking up. That's when she walked in between them both, clasping her hands together to cause a concentrated, seismic rumbling within the area. "My magic, is Natural Disasters! Now be swept away! Tsunami!"
That rumbling picked up exponentially, and as Erza and Exene both looked at Chiara Taranto of Black Phoenix who just showed her face, they didn't have time to react to her appearance as a titanic sized shadow overcasted. The two of them turned, and all they had time to do was brace themselves as the tsunami created by the downpour and the shaking seconds ago crashed down on top of them mercilessly. At that moment, both Exene and Erza were swept away violently, and Chiara simply watched before walking on to pick up the bodies lost to the enormous wave.
"And Correll is unable to fight any longer!" Chapati shouted. He was unconscious, surrounded by Sabertooth as they gained their single point for their victory. It was a mauling with Correll only lasting five minutes at best. "That gives Sabertooth forty five points! Maybe this strategy can at least help them save face from either place!"
"Easy. Now, let's catch up to Mi'lady!" Sting shouted with everyone in agreement.
Not far from their location, but far enough, was Minerva and Esmerelda of Black Phoenix. Both women were panting and slightly bruised from their exchanges. "This woman.." Minerva said to herself. "She's strong…! And she's so resilient. She reminds me of.." As she stared at Esme, all she could see was red hair and brow eyes. She felt as if she was fighting Erza all over again on that faithful day. A fight that gave her excitement — it's levels were being duplicated before her once again, but that would be halted as yet another fighter crawled out of the corners.
"Ah, finally. I was getting bored just walking around." A chill went down Esme's spine as Minerva watched the man appear from behind. He was digging in his ear as he walked up to his last opponent, now standing next to her as if they were comrades. Esme was frozen still, slowly reliving her previous fight with Marshall Izumi of Empyrean Dawn as he so casually stood next to her. Minerva on the other hand simply grinned. "An empyrean? Not the one I was looking for, but I'll just maim you for my revenge until I can get my hands on that blonde girl.
An uninterested game came from Marshall, turning to Esme with a shrug. "What's her deal?" He asked her. Instead of answering, Esme's anger boiled over. "You…"
"Me?" He questioned, pointing to himself. Esme then swung her blade, only for Marshall to block it by grabbing her wrist. "You! You tried to take away everything from me! My pride and dignity!"
"Oh yeah.." Marshall smirked, raising Esme off her feet as she struggle in his grasp. As he looked into her eyes, they began turning purple, a familiar sight to Esme as Marshall licked his lips. "If it wasn't for your comrades, you would have lost more than just your dignity. How about we pick up where we left off, yeah? This time, you can bring your friend over there too…
What do ya say…
Ladies!?"
