Greetings, everyone, One Half's on-line! So, here's another update to my story!
This is the final chapter of Nirvana's arc. Well, it doesn't include 'social' part (there will be a lot of talking), but final battle will be concluded here. However, the explanations given here are mandatory for the story, so there were no ways to forfeit them. I've made quite a number of changes to original FT world's mechanics, so I mast explain how it works now, right?
Answers for the reviewers:
erasenpai946, eralmeida8: Do you people have an "anti-MiraxGray" sect out there? You really care too much for side pairings, which were included only to make non-protagonist characters to feel more social and active. You can relax, seriously – aside from NatsuxErza – nothing been decided yet.
Rajo: Thanks a lot man. You're right – it's time for Mirajane to stop thrashing about between self-pity and desire to bring back old times – I think she learned at least that during this adventure. As for swords name – I don't think it should be 'over-the-top', it should be short and sonorous.
RKingQway, AdstrumXIV, Guest, Meazm, thedragonlord5000: Thanks a lot for reading my story guys, your comments are really appreciated.
Guest: Thanks, and, to be honest, even I don't know how the Tartarus war will play out yet =)
Now, let's proceed with the story – this is the most epic battle I've wrote to date, and most difficult one since battles are much more difficult to write than social interactions. Here we go…
Chapter XXXII – The Lord of Ruin
…
December 11, X784, 22:15, Remains of Nirvana
A huge, glowing, ufo-like metallic disk was steadily climbing into the night sky. Inside, in a large, round room, located in the very middle of that disk, Natsu was facing the real mastermind, who stood behind him being captured and all that commotion, caused by Nirvana, in general (she rescued and released the Oración Seis, after all).
"You do understand that, at this point, your efforts are in vain no matter what any of you will do?" An eerie female's voice asked as two eyes flashed in darkness with pale golden light.
"I'm perfectly aware of that," Natsu replied with his signature emotionless voice. "Because of some ignorant imbecile, who decided that a mere mortal can control the Tower's guardian, you took control over your prison. As such, regardless of this battle's outcome – we'll be the ones who failed. However, considering the amount of harm you did to my comrades, and to my reputation – I'll really become a laughingstock if I won't crush you here and now…"
"Hmm? I wonder if you're really qualified to do so…" She definitely sneered, though Natsu couldn't see her face.
Actually, that question wasn't just mocking, the voice's owner had a reason to doubt Natsu's capabilities to put up a good fight. She had no idea what exactly happened with the god slayer while he was imprisoned, but now she felt a great change in Natsu's magical aura, compared to him just before he was imprisoned… No, to hell with her, *anyone* acquainted with magic could feel changes in Natsu's magical aura.
And that will require a separate explanation.
The teacher, from whom Natsu learned his magic, was his own mother, the Supreme Goddess of War from Réimsedia an Iarthair [Western Pantheon], also known as Seisō no Kami. As such, it is completely legal to say that Natsu inherited his magic from his mother, Morrigan. However, there's a fundamental difference between that and how, for example, Erza acquired her inheritance from Andromeda.
Dragon Queen died, and her powers and teachings were sealed in dragon crystal and grimoire, which were later consumed by Erza. To put it simply, her bloodline and powers were transferred from Andromeda to Erza, and as soon as Erza will complete its refining, she'll be able to do whatever she wants with it, even allow someone else to inherit those powers if she'll meet her end one day…
Natsu's parents, on the other hand, are still alive, and their powers are still theirs. He inherited their bloodline, but it is not possible to inherit a god's domain, it is something that a member of gods' tribe must develop himself. But, most importantly – Natsu cannot and don't need to inherit anyone's power – he's a god by his birthright – he must develop his own strength.
Long ago, when Morrigan herself just gained enough power and experience to unlock her first, primal domain, she also got the ability to develop her own, unique magic, which she and she alone will be able to use with full capabilities, because that magic, to be used with 100% efficiency, will require both conditions – the bloodline and a specific domain. This is how things work for every member of gods' tribe, excluding those extremely rare individuals, which inherited their powers from dead gods.
Natsu partly inherited Morrigan's blood, but nothing more; as such, he would've never been able to use his mother's magic at 100%, simply because he is not God of War, not to mention that their attributes only half match. Really, there wouldn't have been much difference if he'd simply learned that magic from a book… well, a bit better due to his bloodline, but still – that magic was just a copy, which can never match the original, let alone surpassing it. As such, Natsu would've never became a real top-tier expert if he'd continued to use his mother's magic.
However, everything has changed today. Despite it actually had extremely ill intentions, Gladius Terminus, in fact, helped Natsu quite a lot.
As Natsu mentioned before, when he was very young, his tiny body couldn't handle his mother's and his father's magic at the same time. To help her baby, Morrigan put a seal on Natsu, temporary sealing away his father's magic. That is a proven, standard practice for such cases, actually. That seal had to dissipate at Natsu's fifteenth birthday. However…
Yeah, everything went awry when Natsu found the Chamber of the Damned, one of many places inside of Tower of Din. In the moment of carelessness, he actually dared to touch the 8th guardian's sarcophagus, thus awakening him, but at the same time contracting his curse.
Luckily, despite the horrible curse that was devouring his flesh, Natsu didn't succumb to panic and despair. And, luckily again, the 8th guardian appeared to be quite reasonable, and quite dissatisfied with his current status, at the same time. They struck a deal, and as a part of it, Sin explained to Natsu all the important details about the curse. Using that knowledge and his own brilliant mind, Natsu found a way to subdue the curse, using that very seal, which his mother used to lock away his father's magic. Natsu lost half of his left arm to the curse, but successfully subdued it, and even gained the ability to use it. However, that seal turned into a cursed seal, and became much, much stronger than before.
But four years later, the wheels of destiny were again set in motion. When Procellion suddenly appeared on remains of Tower of Paradise, Natsu used remnants of Etherion's power to let Sin regain his true form, but that put a huge strain on his cursed arm. A few weeks later, during his battle against Laxus, when Natsu tried to consume Laxus' power, his cursed bones were oversaturated. Cursed arm couldn't take it anymore and Natsu's left hand exploded. It severely wounded Natsu, but also weakened the cursed seal significantly. And today, when Gladius Terminus pierced Natsu's chest to drag him into the World of Will, it also pierced the cursed seal, breaking it completely.
And then, when he gathered together his father's magic, which was locked inside of him for more than 18 years, his mother's magic which he used for many years, and remnants of Gladius Terminus and Jellal's souls – he finally got enough power to call the heavens and proclaim himself as the owner of domain, and the owner of corresponding power, which will be his and his alone!
But that's not all. Yes, Natsu gained a new power, but to unlock it he, in particular, had to sacrifice his mother's magic – Sensō no Metsujin Mahō [War God Slayer Magic], and he also lost access to his curse – Shisō no Jahō [Deathfrost Wicked Weave], due to destruction of his cursed seal. Of course, he got his domain and associated power. And yes, Natsu's a genius, capable of creating new spells almost on the fly, and magic deconstructor, who can adapt almost any spell for himself after seeing it just once. But still, even for him it is quite a challenge to properly use powers that he never used before, especially when the enemy is right in front of him, powerful and immensely cunning enemy. But still, he had no intentions to show any weakness.
"Am I qualified?" Natsu repeated her question. "Sure, if you'd been the *complete* you, the 6th guardian of Tower of Din, She-demon of Madness, Amentiana, I'd had no chances against you even if I would've been at my peak, let alone as I am now. However, right now you're only one tenth of you…"
Gold-colored eyes flashed in darkness as Natsu seemingly hit a rather sore spot. Amentiana made several steps forth, coming out of shadows as now she was beneath some glowing panel, which allowed to discern her appearance. She looked like a very tall (almost 6 ft) woman, with gold-colored, shoulder-long hair, large, same-colored eyes and soft facial features. In addition to human's ears, she also had a pair of foxlike ears, of the same color as her hair. And despite that she became a terrible demon, one still could see distinct traces of bewitching beauty, which every female member of nine-tailed foxes tribe possesses, as she definitely was a nine-tailed fox, long, long ago. Though, her appearance was gravely corrupted with ugly-looking, gold-colored, lighting-like lines, which were covering her body all over. Those lines were like alive, writhing and twisting on her skin. However, most of all, her image was ruined by her tails. For every member of nine-tailed foxes' tribe their tails are their special pride, as number of tails reflects their strength, and according status among tribesmen. Amentiana possessed nine tails, which means that she could be a top-tier expert from her clan, but her tails weren't soft and fluffy, instead they were like drive chains made of bones. Disgusting sight. Most likely – she disposed of her own tails and got these when she became a tower's guardian.
"You really know quite a lot…" Lady of madness said menacingly. No, she wasn't surprised at all that Natsu actually knows who exactly she is – when she freed the Oración Seis, she of course recognized those collars, which Natsu used to suppress their magic. Though technology seemed slightly modified, the basic principle (Wicked Weave) was still the same, so obviously those collars originated from Tower of Din, she couldn't not recognize them. As such, there's no wonder Natsu also knows about tower's guardians.
"Don't you worry, I won't disappoint you," Natsu said, tilting his head. "I lost my spells, yes, but what a sorry mage I would've been if I'd became helpless without spells? I still have this," Natsu raised his new sword – he still has access to all of his Sure-kill Shots, which require just a raw magical power. "Besides, I never told that it will be a one-on-one fight…" Natsu smiled eerily.
*CLLAAANNGG!* With horrible rumbling, the ufo-like disc heavily jolted. At the same time, it stopped climbing altitude.
"This feeling…" Amentiana hissed, narrowing her eyes as she looked somewhere up, at some point on the ceiling.
*CLRASH!* Another blow, and this time, four huge talons, covered with dark blue flame, broke through the ceiling. A moment later, that clawhand clenched, and large part of metallic ceiling had been torn off as if it was just a paper. Through the hole that just appeared, a huge skeletal creature, whose bones were burning with dark blue flame, could be seen. Large, empty eyehole, with a sphere, made of blue flames, which was floating inside, 'looked' inside the hole. "It's been a while, Amentiana…" Creepy iron voice said.
Few moments earlier, outside.
All members of the alliance team, excluding Erza, were looking at ascending disk as bewitched. She-dragon sight, on the other hand, was chained to a small glowing dot, into which Sin turned, following the Nirvana. She couldn't understand – what exactly Sin's going to do, he said that he and Natsu will handle things by themselves, but how? But her pupils slightly shrunk when skies suddenly were lit up with bright flash of dark blue light. At that moment, a small blue 'dot' turned into huge (about 650 feet from tail to head) dragon-like skeleton, covered with dark-blue flame.
Skeletal dragon landed on ascending disk, and a few moments later all spectators have heard a loud clanking sound. At the same time, disk's climb slowed down drastically, seemingly, despite Sinalledion looked relatively small compared to the disk (its diameter was about 1.5 miles), he managed to stop its climb. Looks like Sin's presence alone disrupted something important, as such, disk almost froze about 1500 feet above the ground as skeletal dragon-like creature smashed its right claw into disk's surface.
Erza seemed awestruck. She already saw Sin's true form, but last time Natsu had to convert Etherion's power into cursed flames and then give them to Sin. But now it seemed as if Sin turned into Sinalledion without any external help. "What is going on?" She mumbled in confusion.
"Yeah, we all would like to know that…" A girl's voice noted with sarcastic tone, seemingly, even such a shocking event couldn't keep Mirajane's insolence at bay. She and other members of alliance's team now were looking at Erza, assuming that she definitely knows a lot more than them. But she-dragon just shook her head slightly, as her sight was glued to the disk in the skies, meaning that until the battle above is over – she's not going to talk to anyone, no matter how rude it may seem.
December 11, X784, 22:20, Nirvana's core.
"So, it is you, after all…" Nine-tailed demoness hissed angrily as she saw Sin in his true form through the hole in Nirvana's casing that a huge skeletal creature made with his claw. Of course, since she was observing the alliance's team since the very moment when they've entered the Worth Woodsea, she noticed Sin as well. However, despite he seemed somehow familiar, since neither he nor Natsu have used Deathfrost powers, she decided that this small and unremarkable creature is just some trinket made by Natsu, using some knowledge he acquired in Tower of Din, just like those collars. But now, when she learned that actually that creature is no one else but Sinalledion, 8th guardian of Tower of Din himself, she was very displeased, to put it mildly. Amentiana was well aware that 8th guardian was special, as he didn't become the guardian willingly, but to think that he's going to openly oppose his fellow guardian…
On the other hand – it really doesn't matter what Natsu and Sin are going to do – just as Natsu admitted at the very moment when he met Amentiana in person. Natsu, Sin, Erza, the entire alliance team – they've failed.
Tower guardian's soul is nearly impossible to destroy. As such, when she's been defeated in the ancient war, Amentiana's body was split into ten parts – each tail was separated from all other, and from main body, and each part was sealed inside of a hidden container, making it ten containers in total. So, ultimately, those separated tails and body, sealed within containers, became prisons for her indestructible soul.
Within last several thousands of years, those separated parts regained their vitality, however, sealing containers literally assimilated her flesh, blood and bones, effectively sealing all ways out for shards of her soul and preventing her madness to interact with anything outside of those prisons. In such a way – her divided soul should have stayed sealed forever. Or rather, they would've stayed sealed, but…
Someone found one of ten prisons. Someone foolish enough to think that he or she can actually use that prison somehow. Someone stupid enough to think that will of the tower's guardian can be subdued.
Obviously, someone used that prison to build this City of Nirvana. Natsu knew no details, but he could easily guess what happened next. Of course, containment properties of that prison were violated during the process of city's construction, and Amentiana's madness began to spread. Of course, all of Nirvana's citizens eventually have gone mad. Of course, Nirvana fell. Seemingly, the remnants of Nirvana's citizens have tried to re-seal the prison together with their city, but of course, they failed. Amentiana's corruption continued to spread, besides, she has been greatly invigorated when insane Nirvana's citizens massacred each other.
From that moment, she only needed a few hundred years to drain enough energy from her surroundings and break Nirvana's seal. Even if she wouldn't have captured Natsu today, she'd been free in the next 150 – 200 years. Her resurrection became inevitable at the moment when someone tampered with her prison, when Nirvana was founded. All that happened today was just a fortunate (for Amentiana) turn of events.
Therefore, as it was said – it really doesn't matter what Natsu and Sin are going to do – they've already lost. If she'll win this battle – she'll escape with her prison to properly separate her body from it, and then she'll depart to find other shards of her soul to free them. If she'll lose and her prison will be destroyed – her soul shard will be free. Then she'll escape this continent to drive insane several rural towns somewhere far away, then she'll regain her physical form… and depart to find other shards of her soul to free them. Second option will require more time – a dozen or so years, maybe even two dozen, but for someone like her it's just a blink of an eye…
But for Natsu and Sin the outcome of this battle is quite meaningful. Even though they have no means to prevent her soul from escaping – if they'll be able to destroy her body – they'll delay her resurrection for dozen or so years. Is it enough to prepare or not? Time will show. But it is definitely better than nothing. There are no intermediate solutions – no way to capture her and seal again, not in current circumstances. That body of her is just an avatar, made of wicked weave – the prison is the real body. As such – only two outcomes – let her go or destroy, and for Natsu and Sin – only the latter is acceptable. Time for battle…
"Good… very good…" Nine-tailed demoness growled, not even trying to hide her fury. She looked at her enemies one more time. Natsu already raised his sword, preparing for attack, Sin threw away that part of disk's casing that he just tore off, and raised his claw again, seemingly to tear off another one. Since Natsu lost his old magic – he can't use spells right now, he only has his sword. Even though in the right hands a sword can be used to execute ranged attacks, with sword only, without his spells, Natsu's capabilities in ranged battle will be greatly restricted. On the other hands, even though Sinalledion regained his true form – his current strength is just a small portion of his true power, Amentiana could tell that from his cursed aura. As such, even though she's currently just a 10% of her real self in terms of strength, she still has a good chance to get rid of these two and save a couple of years that she otherwise will have to spend to regain her physical form.
Demoness raised her arms, "Kōga: Renkō!" [Yellow River: Lotus Descent] At that moment, streams of yellow-colored wicked power began to gather above Sin (as a tower's guardian, Amentiana of course uses wicked weave instead of magic). Streams of wicked power quickly gathered above Sin, forming a huge (almost 300 ft radius) golden lotus in the air. However, that lotus didn't seem beautiful… that one seemed sick and rotten, just its appearance could make others feel nausea. Just the pressure from that sick lotus caused the tongues of cursed flame on Sin's bones to change direction.
Sin didn't back down – the cursed flames on his tail suddenly intensified, burning much brighter, and gathering around his tail's end. He actually also pronounced some spell, it's just no one could understand which one, due to his current form, for any spectator it just sounded as a loud roar. With dense sphere of cursed flames, gathered at his tail's end, Sin performed a tail swipe, as end of his tail hit the bottom of golden, rotten lotus, which was falling on him.
*BOOOOM!* As two spells clashed, they produced a blinding flash and powerful blast, which caused a shockwave that shook the entire disk, which once was Amentiana's prison. Also, that shockwave forcefully pushed Sin away from the disk's center, for about 400 feet. Where his claws were sliding over the disk's casing, his huge talons left deep marks.
"Senmei Saikō: Saryōhinyōbu!" [Sure-kill Shot: Airy Mystic Dance] Natsu charged his huge sword with his power and attacked the demoness, while she was distracted dealing with Sin. Sword produced about a hundred of afterimages, hiding the real blade among them. However, Amentiana didn't even turned to him – instead, all of her chain-like tails shot forth, and she parried all incoming blades – a hundred of false images and only one real blade. Still, the energy of Natsu's attack pushed her a few feet away. Though, Natsu also made three steps back.
Demoness' eyes flashed with golden light as she furiously looked at Natsu. Right now, it is much easier to deal with Natsu, while they're still inside – here it is quite difficult for Sin to interfere. However, among two of them, Sinalledion is definitely much more dangerous. It is unlikely that she can neutralize Natsu within one minute, and using that time Sin can cause an irreparable harm to Nirvana's core (that ufo-like disk). That disc is her real body, she needs to protect it.
Natsu also knew about it, as such he pressed the attack, to buy Sin some time. "Senmei Saikō: Komuranken!" [Sure-kill Shot: Indigo Arc Sword] He swung his sword, creating an indigo-colored ark made of sword's energy, which shot at Amentiana.
*BAAAM!* At the same time, entire Nirvana's core jolted, and very loud sound could be heard. That's definitely Sin's doing. Even though he got his curse back just about ten minutes ago, and he probably will need more than a decade to recover his full strength, his size and physical power shouldn't be underestimated. His claws alone can tear apart that disc within several minutes. "Curse you!" Demoness swore, and instead of parrying the incoming arc-like attack, her body turned into golden dust, which was completely blown away by Natsu's kill shot.
"What a bitch…" Natsu narrowed his eyes. He still needs a few minutes to get accustomed to his new power, as such – he can't use his strongest kill shots yet. Without them, he can't do enough damage to Nirvana's core within acceptable time. Amentiana definitely went to stop Sin – that body of hers that just crumbled was an avatar, which she can re-create anywhere inside of Nirvana's core and on its surface. Natsu's eyes focused on the hole that Sin made with his claw, few moments earlier. Obviously – the best course of actions for him now is to help Sin.
Natsu jumped up, right through the hole in ceiling, and appeared on the outer casing just in time to see new Amentiana avatar's forming… or rather avatars, since now there were two of them. Seemingly, since her real body is Nirvana's core, she can create as many avatars as her mental capability allows to control. Though, in her current state she probably can't handle more than three, besides, she'll need to distribute her power between them.
"Kōga: Zengun!" [Yellow River: Locust Swarm] One of avatars, which appeared about 300 feet behind Sin, created a huge insect swarm made of golden wicked power. "Kōga: Sankon!" [Yellow River: Wretched Soul] Second avatar, which was about 400 feet on Sin's right, made a golden apparition, which looked like some bird, which was first hit by a truck, and then it was left to rot in such state for three weeks… quite a disgusting sight. Both spells formed almost instantly, and both were simultaneously sent at Sin.
As he saw the incoming attacks, Sinalledion gathered his cursed flame in his skeletal 'mouth', and breathed out a stream of deathfrost energy, targeting the golden locust swarm. At the same time, he used his tail to attack the rotten bird with a tail lash. Sin's breath attack wiped out the entire locust swarm, but he couldn't destroy the golden bird with his tail. He destroyed one of rotten bird's wings, but wretched being continued its flight and collided with Sin's body. It is unlikely that Sin can feel pain in the same way as living beings do, but still, when the energy bird collided with him, producing a shockwave, powerful enough to throw him away for almost 150 feet, the former 8th guardian roared in fury.
"Ignoring me?…" Natsu's eyes narrowed. Seems that she split her avatar not to fight both him and Sin, but to attack the latter from several directions simultaneously. Honestly, the fact that he's being treated as a sidekick, hurt Natsu's pride a little. "Very well then…" He snorted, raising his sword, "Senmei Saikō: Senkōsōshiran!" [Sure-kill Shot: Piercing Twin Lash] Natsu quickly swung his sword two times, creating two afterimages of his sword, which began to grow, turning into 300-feet long whips, made of sword's blades. Two bright, 300-feet long whips lashed at one of Amentiana's avatars.
Without even looking at attack's outcome, Natsu dashed to another avatar with immense speed. Since the moment he made his first step towards becoming a full-fledged god by acquiring his domain, Natsu no longer needed to cast his Sentō Chūkaku [Combat Core] spell (by the way, he lost access to it). Now that spell (or rather, his new, corresponding 'core' spell) is and will be always active, without requiring any mana or mental concentration for support, now it will be as natural for Natsu as breathing. That spell also became 100% efficient, so Natsu's speed now could only be described as 'amazing'. "Senmei Saikō: Jūrokuya: Jinbu!" [Sure-kill Shot: Sixteen Nights: Blade Dance] He began to spin around, holding his sword with both hands, and now, from aside, Natsu seemed like a circular saw's blade.
To that moment, Natsu's Piercing Twin Lash already reached its target. That A-ranked attack pierced Amentiana's defense and her avatar was knocked down. Other avatar blocked Natsu's flurry of blows with her tails, but Blade Dance was also an A-ranked killshot, so it forced nine-tailed demoness back for several tens of feet. At that moment, both avatars have simultaneously crumbled to dust. Apparently, Amentiana wanted to create new ones out of Natsu's reach, and attack Sin again. However, this was exactly what Natsu has expected. He noticed that, despite she can dispose of her existing avatars almost instantly, she still needs about two seconds to make new ones, besides, she still needs some more time to cast spells at Sin. As such, Natsu actually got means to counter her actions no matter where she's going to appear.
"You're still underestimating me," Natsu noted as he noticed a condensation of ethernano – a clear sign of new avatar forming. "It is a bit ironic, but despite I was using my mother's magic almost since birth, now, when I've got my domain and my own power, it resembles my father's magic much more than mother's. But that doesn't mean that you should underestimate how quickly I can adapt to new power…" He said, and, surprisingly, lowered his sword, as, this time, he seemingly was not planning to attack with it. "I am Natsu Bloodfallen, the God of Ruin. Son of Morrigan, the Supreme Goddess of War and Fallen Watcher Ramiel, the Divine Thunder. Today, you will be the first one to learn that my brand-new, modern power, the Mantra of Ruin, is not inferior in any way to the most unfathomable and profound schools of the Lost Magic," Natsu announced.
While he was still talking, dark blue, lighting-like beams of energy began to gather around a relatively large (about 200 pounds) fragment of Nirvana's core, which was torn off earlier. "I've already adapted a few of my spells to my new magic, but first, I'll show you an alternative way of using thunder-derived magic. I've borrowed that idea from a girl from a faraway realm…" At that moment, multiple dark blue lightnings took shape of a spiral, and that metallic fragment suddenly accelerated, literally tearing away the space in front of itself, and shot at Amentiana's newly formed avatar at immense speed, about 2000 miles per hour "…it's called Railgun."
Honestly, with high-enough reaction speed and perception, it is not impossible to avoid such projectile, since you can predict the attack's direction by observing the spiral made of lightning-like energy beams (which serves as an accelerator). Especially it was quite possible now, since it was actually Natsu's first time using that technique. However, since Amentiana had no idea what's going to happen – she only tried to dodge when metallic fragment has been launched, but due to projectile's speed – it's too late to dodge at that stage. 200 pounds of metal scored a direct hit, causing a shockwave, and almost tearing the demoness' avatar apart, energy of the blow was about 70 megajoules.
Entire metallic disk jolted and several big cracks appeared on its surface as Amentiana's newly formed avatar turned to dust. Seemingly, if one of her avatars is forcefully destroyed – her main body suffers some damage. That attack definitely took her by surprise due to unusual method, though that trick probably won't work again. What is more, though Natsu, during this short battle, actually adapted some of his spells to his new power – those spells are basic ones, by themselves they are not really useful against such a powerful enemy, only in certain situations, in combination with killshots.
Natsu felt another disturbance nearby – there was another spot with ethernano density increasing. However, just as blue energy began to gather around another metallic fragment – ethernano density abruptly returned to normal – avatar's forming was canceled. As Natsu expected – his railgun won't work again as it did for the first time.
God of ruin looked around, but he didn't notice any other spots with increased ethernano density. But he still could feel another avatar's presence nearby. That was Amentiana's advantage – she could create her avatars anywhere inside Nirvana's core or on its outer surface – a lot of places outside of Natsu's reach. However, there was also a downside – while she was distracted by Natsu and, after that, forming new avatars outside of Natsu's field of view, Sin made several big holes in that floating disk. Two more minutes like that and disk's structural integrity will be compromised.
In the next moment, three of Amentiana's avatars appeared from the hole that Sinalledion made during his initial assault. However, despite there were three avatars – they all had only one target – Natsu. Seemingly, she decided to tolerate some damage to Nirvana's core and get rid of him, and then focus on Sin. "So, you're finally recognized who's your opponent…" Natsu said as peals of thunder rang out with his words.
A chilling intent erupted from all six sinister eyes of three avatars. Natsu's true combat capability had truly exceeded what Amentiana has expected. However, wanting to rely on smoke and mirrors to defeat her would've truly been too naïve.
"Kōga: Kōsuiru!" [Yellow River: Yellow Water Stream] All three avatars were acting in perfect sync (which wasn't surprising since they all are controlled by single mind). All three shot towards Natsu. With a clap of their palms, a golden light that blotted the skies converged over, before transforming into a churning yellow river. As the stream of golden, water-like energy snaked around all three of them, it appeared akin to a golden python, while an astonishing aura of madness and decay radiated from it. "Be gone!" "Vanish!" "Disappear!" Three avatars of nine-tailed demoness hissed furiously, sending their spell to attack Natsu. Carrying along an extremely obscene and disgusting power, the churning yellow river, condensed from the sickening, gold-colored wicked power, pressed straight towards Natsu.
The God of Ruin looked carefully at incoming spell. Attack of such magnitude wasn't something that he could dodge. Besides, even if he could, that stream will hit Sin, who's just behind Natsu, busy with Nirvana's core. Still, Natsu wasn't someone who can be cornered that easily. "Senmei Saikō: Raikō Chiretsusan!" [Sure-kill Shot: Thunderglow Ground Deathblow] Natsu roared, as he swung his sword and thunder resounded majestically with that swing. That move sent forth a shockwave, which made a 10 feet broad, deep scar, covered with melting metal, on disk's surface, and scattering thousands of metallic shards all-around of it.
As the two forces smashed head-on, the yellow river instantly erupted with a golden mist that filled the skies. Unexpectedly, the stream of golden, water-like energy that was condensed from Amentiana's wicked weave was being dispelled at an astonishing rate.
At this moment, the expression on all three avatars' faces changed. That yellow river was created from wicked weave. Even if it would've been blocked with a stone wall, nothing would happen to it. However, before their eyes, it was actually being disrupted and repelled by an opponent's attack, which doesn't even seem to be magical in nature. The weapon that made it was charged with huge amount of magical power, yes, but shockwave itself was a result of sword's interaction with its environment. Only a top-class sacred artifact is capable of performing such a feat, anything else would've been destroyed by huge magical charge.
*BOOM!* As the last drops of Yellow River were evaporated, a shockwave of Natsu's killshot hit the demonesses. Though its energy was mostly spent to overcome the Yellow Water Stream, the shockwave produced a quite powerful explosion when it hit the target, eliciting a large smoke cloud. In the next moment, when smoke cloud began to dissipate, Natsu saw a single figure that was wrapped within a golden armor. Like a goddess of demons, it slowly appeared from the cloud of smoke. At this moment, the aura of madness within this stretch of the world seemed to become increasingly thick. Seemingly, Amentiana combined all three of her avatars into one, and used a pretty powerful spell. She finally decided to go all out.
For Amentiana – the more energy she'll spent in this battle – the longer it will take to separate her essence from that accursed prison. If she'll spend too much – it won't be of much difference compared to the prison's destruction – she'll need years to get rid of this disk-like junkyard. However, she finally realized that if she won't get serious – her only option will be to escape as a fleshless spirit.
As the aura reeked in madness pervaded out across the sky, a figure clad in a gold-colored armor appeared standing on disk's metallic surface. This gold-colored armor appeared extremely malevolent and sinister, making it appear as though it was condensed from pure madness. The surface of the armor was covered with pointy spikes that were incomparably sharp. With a single look, one could tell that they contained astonishing wicked power. There were also many groups of mysterious runes glowing and sparkling, and permeating with traces of malevolence. This armor was completely like an outstanding weapon for killing people. Besides, that figure no longer seemed like a puppet-like avatar, she seemed as if she's real. No doubt – she infused this avatar with her own essence.
"Being able to force me to summon this Kōga no Yoroi [Yellow River Armor] out, you're really a troublesome pest…" Nine-tailed demoness' eyes flashed with yellow light as she sent her cold and sinister gaze at Natsu. As her high and loud voice rang out, a stench that reeked of pure insanity pervaded out.
Sinalledion also turned his huge, dragon skull-like head towards her. Until now, he was tirelessly crushing and tearing that metallic disc, however, when Amentiana actually summoned her essence into that avatar, he stopped, as he felt immediate danger. He knew that now he and Natsu have to join forces to deal with her.
"I am wondering," Natsu suddenly asked as he looked at his opponent. "What exactly the Master of the Tower has offered to you, a woman of nine-tailed foxes' tribe, that you agreed to betray your people and sacrifice your charm, your beauty, your legacy, and your very essence to become this?"
Actually, Natsu didn't expect an answer, however, Amentiana actually showed some reaction to his question. She tilted her head as malevolence in her eyes became even denser, and her lips moved slightly: "The only son, raised by a caring mother; a genius, nurtured by a supreme goddess; you will never understand…" When Natsu was captured, even though he's been taken by complete surprise, he managed to shield his mind within seconds (because of this the 'dreams' that Amentiana tried to use to subdue Natsu's will were so unconvincing). Still, she learned a few things about Natsu's past, it seems. She continued to speak "…You won't understand what it is like to be just someone from an unremarkable branch family…"
She didn't say anything else but Natsu already got the gist of it. In large clans, with their politics, internal struggles and intrigues, even for an amazingly talented member of a branch family it is almost impossible to reveal his or her potential, because main family members will get much more attention, and because main family members' bloodline is usually more pure, and bloodline is especially valued in magical beast tribes. Most likely, long time ago, Amentiana was one of those unlucky ones. Since she was offered a chance to became a Tower's guardian, she definitely was immensely talented, but due to clan's policy she had no chances to reach the pinnacle of this world. So, very talented individual with deep grudges against her own clan – she probably was the perfect candidate, huh?
"Is that really so…?" Natsu whispered, but it was impossible to say what he actually thinks about what he just heard. No one knew why he even asked… But that doesn't matter anyway, time for the final clash has come.
Just as Natsu's last word rang out, a chilling light erupted abruptly from within the eyes of his opponent. As she took a step forward, a tearing sound rang out from her body as he shattered through space. In a flash, she appeared before God of Ruin as all nine of her tails lashed out. Gold-colored runes seemed to wriggle and squirm on her tails, while a frightening energy fluctuation rippled around her.
However, in the instant when Amentiana's tails lashed out, a peal of thunder resounded in the sky, while the dark blue lightning enshrouded Natsu's body. As a thunder resounded, a remnant light had already appeared at his original position.
*Crash!* As nine-tailed demoness tails descended, a yellow light gushed out, tearing the remnant light directly into bits. The space behind it had also collapsed, causing several shockwaves to rapidly spread out.
At this moment, Natsu's figure appeared about two hundred feet away. Looking at the aftermath of demoness' attack, his eyes blinked with blue light. After summoning that Yellow River Armor, demoness' power had truly risen by a notch.
"What's the matter? Now you wish to run away!?" As Amentiana's tails destroyed Natsu's afterimage, an insane smile flashed on her face. As she now was wearing her Yellow River Armor, not only did it increase her strength, her speed had similarly increased. A golden light blossomed from her body again. In the next instant, Amentiana's figure disappeared from where she was at. Like a ghost, she again reappeared right in front of Natsu. Bringing along a reek of madness, she again unleashed an incomparably vicious attack with her tails.
But a peal of thunder resounded again and Natsu disappeared, however, this time Amentiana's tail didn't simply pass through the air, instead they clashed with Sin's tail, as he attacked her with tail swipe. *BAAM!* Two tail attacks clashed, and both guardians were thrown away from one another. However, despite their difference in size, the outcome was the opposite. While Amentiana has been thrown back for about 60 feet, Sinalledion was pushed back for more than 100 feet. "Ahahaha!" Demoness laughed. "Even though I'm just a shard and you are a complete being, you only began your recovery a few moments ago while I was preparing for 400 years, you are no match for me!" She announced, as demoness guessed Sin's current condition quite accurately.
"Between the cup and the lip a morsel may slip," Natsu noted from aside as he appeared about 300 feet away from his previous position. "I've already told you that no one promised that it will be a 1vs1 battle," He added as Natsu suddenly threw his sword up and clapped his palms. God of Ruin elicited a powerful magical shockwave as his whole body was engulfed with dark blue light as peals of thunder filled the skies.
In a blink of an eye his appearance changed slightly. For instance, his hair became longer and darker, as his hair's color has slightly shifted towards dark blue. His body became bigger (as if it was just scaled up for about 20%). On sides of his neck, his shoulders, elbows, wrists, shins and ankles, his skin became silvery-gray and now was glowing with metallic luster, as if those areas were made of titanium instead of normal skin. A dual, one foot long, excurved, blade-like spikes of the same silvery-gray color were growing from his elbows. And his eyes could no longer be seen, from aside it seemed as if dark blue lightnings are swirling in his empty eyesockets. That isn't the Avatar mode that the advanced god slayers can use – that is the Incarnation – the true body of a god that embodies power of his domain.
Natsu, who now was more than 7 feet tall, raised his left arm and grabbed the sword that he threw in the air earlier. "I am, Natsu bloodfallen, the God of Ruin, shall grant you a name. We must not relent, Magna Ruina [The Great Ruin]," Natsu said with low voice, seemingly addressing the sword, and thunder resounded within his words. The sword elicited a bright metallic flash, confirming that it accepted its new name (that is very important for a sacred artifact). Then Natsu looked at his familiar and nodded. At this point – words were needless.
"Let's see if two of you are enough!" With a low and sinister laugh, nine-tailed demoness charged at Natsu. As the yellow light that's covered her body extended out, a golden seal could be faintly discerned as it formed, while a torrential aura of madness permeated from it, "Kōga no Yoroi: Kōhai no Kinfūin!" [Yellow River Armor: Golden Seal of Desolation]
"Senmei Saikō: Sharyōranken!" [Sure-kill Shot: Indigo Sandstorm Sword] Natsu swung his sword, creating an arc-like shockwave, which quickly grew larger, turning into a large cloud of dark blue sand, which flew forth at supersonic speed, eliciting loud noise. That was an S-rang killshot, one of the strongest in Natsu's arsenal. The energy contained within that cloud of blue sand was enough to annihilate a Magnolia-sized town.
At the same time, Sin gathered a large amount of his cursed flame within his ribcage (where normal dragon would have lungs), preparing for breath attack.
A huge cloud of dark-blue sand already transformed into a dark tornado, where dark-blue particles were rotating at supersonic speed, with dark lightnings flashing within. Within a moment, it engulfed Amentiana completely. Simultaneously, Sin released his breath attack, adding a blast of his cursed flames into this whirlwind. If any common enemy would've attacked with such a force, he'd been evaporated in an instant, however…
A golden light flashed from within of that raging storm of dark blue sand, lightning and cursed flames. Then, a beam of yellow light, that looked akin to a pillar made of wicked energy, broke out of that storm and shattered through the air. At astonishing speed, it violently rumbled down towards Natsu. The only thing he could do in this situation was to raise his sword and block the incoming attack. This time, demoness didn't use her tails but swung her foot, clad with armored boot.
*CLAAANG!* Deafening sound of metal hitting metal resounded through the air, as Natsu's body shot backward at astonishing speed. Within just two seconds he flew for more than 600 yards as his entire body became numb with pain. In fact, he's been thrown out of Nirvana's core perimeter. However, he didn't fall down as just when he was about to, blue lightning-like energy gathered around Magna Ruina's blade. Holding to his sword with both arms, ignoring pain, Natsu pushed himself up, and jumped on his sword's blade. "Cough! Cough!" God of ruin coughed a few times and several drops of blood flew out of his mouth. Even with his god's body, he suffered significantly from demoness' attack, it took a few moments to calm down his boiling blood. Too bad, but he actually didn't have those few moments as Amentiana already dashed towards Sinalledion.
Skeletal dragon swung his wings and soared into the air and again gathered his cursed flames in his ribcage. Then he breathed those flames out, it didn't look like a stream of flames as before, this time it was like a fireball, which looked like a dragon's head.
"Kōga no Yoroi: Kinshisō!" [Yellow River Armor: Golden Piercing Spear] Nine-tailed demoness clapped her palms, creating a spear-like, 30 feet long object, which looked more akin to some monster's bone than an actual spear, and hurled it at skeletal creature.
Two spells collided, eliciting a bright flash, and bone-like yellow spear pierced through the blue fireball. In the next moment, it hit the floating skeletal dragon, causing powerful blast of wicked energy. Though the spear was weakened when it collided with Sin's spell, explosion in the skies was powerful enough to throw a huge skeletal creature away, rotating head over heels in the air. When Sin finally stabilized himself, he roared furiously as several cracks appeared on his ribs – he definitely took some damage as cursed flame on his bones died down a little.
At the same, blue fireball also hit its target, creating a whirlwind made of blue flames. It burned through a hole in Nirvana's core surface, and Amentiana fell into it, still being covered in cursed flames. A few moments later, when she got out of that hole, some of the flame's remnants were still burning on her armor's surface.
Natsu, who already got back on disk's surface, noticed that several of her armor's plates fell off and turned to yellow dust, which was scattered by the wind. Also, some areas of the armor were cowered with cracks. That is a battle of endurance – Amentiana really put all of her power and her own essence into this avatar and its armor. If Natsu and Sinalledion will be able to destroy this avatar – that, most certainly, will be their victory. If they both will be rendered unable to fight until avatar is destroyed – then Amentiana can be considered a victor. All three knew that very well…
"Senmei Saikō: Raikō Metsuranken!" [Sure-kill Shot: Thunderglow Rending Indigo Sword] Natsu swung his sword vertically, performing another S-rang attack, sending forth a vertical arc-like shockwave, that shot at Amentiana at astounding speed.
Sin flew closer, at the same time gathering his cursed flames on his wings. Then, as he got close enough, he swung his wings down, sending gathered cursed flames at nine-tailed demoness, in form of two dark blue fireballs.
"Kōga no Yoroi: Kin no Kirakuin!" [Yellow River Armor: Golden Demonic Brand] Amentiana responded immediately as malevolent and vicious golden energy gathered around her and she charged at Natsu.
December 11, X784, 22:20, Northwestern mountain ridge.
Down below, about half a mile away, all members of alliance team were looking at sky-shattering battle in the skies as bewitched, trying to blink as rarely as possible.
"Just how powerful that woman is?..." Nelliel mumbled, looking at nine-tailed demoness, who was fighting against Natsu and Sin. With her dragon eyes, she managed to see quite a lot of details, including that creepy nine-tailed lady's appearance. Of course, she had a thousand questions in her head now, just like everyone else here, but definitely there will be more appropriate time to ask them. Even down here, she could feel ripples, which were coming down from that disk that froze at an altitude of about 1500 feet. Those ripples were caused by spells, which were used in battle above, and those spells weren't weaker than her Crescendo that she used to finish off Midnight. And of course she knew that, with her current level of mental exhaustion, she can't summon her Ryū no Chikara [Dragon Force] again, and without that she can't be of any help in battle of that level.
Nelliel sighed, and then 'risked' to take her eyes away from the battle above and snuck a glance at Erza. And, to her surprise, she saw that Erza also doesn't looking at the battle above, despite that there's actually her own husband is fighting. And not just 'not looking', her eyes actually were closed. Her palms were cupped on her chest and her lips were moving slightly… Nelliel couldn't do a lipreading as Natsu can, but when she focused her hearing, she actually managed to discern a barely noticeable whisper…
As Erza stood with her eyes closed shut and her palms cupped on her chest, her lips were moving as she whispered:
Fire in the skies, the time for fight is now,
Stars will be my allies against the darkness that has come.
Destiny and luck are at my side tonight,
Enemy, your evil horde will burn in my light...
And despite Erza's pose, the song itself didn't sound like a prayer, in contrary – the motive was quite fast and full of life.
'The Song!?' Nelliel's eyes widened as she realized what Erza is doing. Of course, she knew what it is – every female member of a dragon tribe has her song (also valid for female members of any other divine beasts' tribe). A song unique for her and only for her, which cannot be inherited or learnt by any other way. And there's the one and only possible way for a dragoness to acquire her song – she must get someone for whom she can sing it. Only female dragons with strongest ties with their beloved ones can sing their magical songs… And as she fully comprehended what's going on – dream dragon slayer felt something quite inappropriate for current situation – envy. 'Damn it, I also want someone to whom I could sing to…' She couldn't suppress her untimely thoughts.
Of course, Erza had no idea about what's going on in Nelliel's head – she just continued to quietly sing her magical song…
On the surface of Nirvana's core, battle was still raging. Within that minute-long exchange of blows, Natsu and Sin managed to shatter Amentiana's armor in several areas, however, they also suffered quite a lot. Natsu was covered with bruises and cuts all over, traces of blood could be seen at both sides of his mouth. Sin got multiple bones cracked, few were completely broken, and his cursed flame died down significantly, comparing to the moment when that battle has begun.
Still, as it was said, he and Sin also did quite an amount of damage. Probably, right now, a timely placed M-rang attack will be enough to finish all this. However, M-rang spells ('M' means 'maximum') are step above S-rang spells like Fairy Law and those that Natsu used earlier in this battle. Even now, after Natsu gained his domain, he still cannot use such a spell at will. However, right now, he still has some remnants of additional power he got due to his victory in World of Will. Still, even with this it will require some time to prepare such a spell. For example, when Erza used her M-rang spell to destroy Nirvana – she chanted it for almost eleven seconds, but in current situation, he, most likely, won't get even three seconds. Alternative method – to use some external boost, but right now there is nowhere to get it. Besides, when he'll use M-rang spell, Natsu must be sure that he definitely will land a direct hit, because, as it was said – he must use remnants of Gladius Terminus power, which are one-time use boost…
Natsu got no time to think anymore – Sin was still recovering after last clash against Amentiana, and Natsu had to buy him some time. "Senmei Saikō: Jūrokuya: Saizō!" [Sure-kill Shot: Sixteen Nights: Eviscerate] Natsu executed the same attack that he used to finish off Jellal possessed by his old sword – the attack with all the power of S-rang killshot focused in one swing of the sword.
However, this time he wasn't in control of entire world… "Kōga no Yoroi: Gensui no Sōkinfūin!" [Yellow River Armor: Twin Golden Seal of Decay] As the yellow light that's covered Amentiana's arms intensified, two golden seals could be faintly discerned on fists, while a torrential aura of madness permeated from them. She charged at Natsu, holding her arms crossed.
When they were just five feet away from each other – Natsu's sword descended as thunder resounded in the skies, but Amentiana managed to catch it between her crossed arms, and both of them stuck in swords lock situation. "It seems I'm a bit too much for a newbie god and his second-grade skeleton, huh?" Nine-tailed demoness mocked Natsu.
"We'll see about that…" Natsu growled in reply. Still, despite Natsu's combat spirit was still high, this swords-lock situation seemed pretty symbolic – this entire battle was like that. And then, just as Natsu stood, straining all his power to overcome his opponent, he actually noticed something. Or rather – he felt something… aside from numbing pain all over his body, I mean. A warmth, soothing and gentle. A warmth, which only a loving heart can radiate. And its source was somewhere below Natsu's left shoulder joint. Despite his body grew in size, Natsu's coat didn't turn into rags, so that area on his arm was still covered with his half-sleeve. But of course – God of ruin had no need to look at that area to remember what's there – it was Erza's dragon mark.
When Natsu's arm was torn out of shoulder's joint and exploded, this sign disappeared together with the arm. However, dragon's mark is not something, of which you can get rid of, just by severing a limb. Its outer location is just a sign, after all – the real mark is placed within heart. If the area of the skin where it was placed initially is no longer available – that mark will reappear somewhere else when it will be needed. But since Natsu reacquired his arm today – it just reappeared when it was initially – quite convenient, actually.
And as that warmth began to spread, Natsu began to hear a song. A lively and invigorating motive, sung by so familiar and so dear voice… 'My beloved princess, even in such a situation you found a way to transmit your pure and sincere feelings…' Natsu thought as he couldn't suppress a light smile.
Amentiana frowned. As a Tower's guardian, she's been through countless battles, and in her experience – a smiling enemy is rarely a good sign, especially when they're struggling in swords lock (or sword and hands lock).
And reason for Natsu's smile wasn't just due to Erza's song – he actually got an idea. While he was thinking about Erza's dragon's mark, his sight glanced over the rest of his regained left arm – over those glowing runes, which were symbolizing his link with his familiar. And Natsu smiled, because finally decided to go all bank… He actually hates such plans, but seemingly – there are no other ways to end this battle in his favor. His plan will require to do a series of things that will work only once, since Amentiana wasn't an opponent who can be caught off guard with the same tricks twice. But Erza's song reminded him that she believes in him, so why should he doubt himself?
And as he decided on something – he no longer hesitated. Retsujin no Dogō! [Ruin God's Howl] Without any warning signs, Natsu opened his mouth and released a concentrated blast of thundering dark blue energy into Amentiana's face, almost point blank, eliciting a bright flash. Of course, even after being used like this, the C-rang spell won't cause any significant damage to an opponent of such level, but that distracted her for a moment, and allowed Natsu to break the swords lock. Natsu jumped back and made some distance between himself and demoness.
"Despicable scum!" Amentiana swore as she was infuriated with Natsu's sneak attack.
"Don't get distracted!" High iron voice sounded from behind and before Amentiana could turn around, a fireball made of blue cursed flames hit her from behind.
"You two fucking creeps!" Furious voice sounded from the flames that engulfed Amentiana, and moment later all flames were forcefully dispelled. But when she looked around, instead of Natsu she found seven large metallic shards flying at her with supersonic speed – Natsu used his railgun ability to propel more than a thousand pounds of metal from different directions. At speed of 2000 miles per hour, seven shards collided with their target, eliciting a cloud of metallic dust and encasing Amentiana within a small mound of metallic craps. At the same time, Natsu jumped high into the air.
Those attacks definitely enraged Amentiana to the limit, but they still couldn't do enough damage to destroy her avatar, who was wearing the Yellow River Armor. But they all were needed not to do damage, but to distract her for long enough time for Natsu to prepare the finishing move. "Sin!" God of ruin called for his familiar.
"Get ready!" Sinalledion replied with high iron voice, as he already gathered all of his remaining cursed flames inside of his ribcage, and then released them in form of a dense fireball. However, he wasn't targeting Amentiana – his target was Natsu.
But when fireball got close to Natsu, it didn't explode, instead it allowed Natsu to grab it with his left arm. When he did so, all six runes on his arm began to glow ten times brighter than usual. At the same time, with a quite dim flash, Sinnaledion disappeared – he returned to his compact size, again turning into a little skeletal dragon-like creature – he gave Natsu almost all of his remaining power, so there were no more reasons to stay in his true form. In the meantime, Natsu, who got that blue fireball, pressed it to his sword's blade. Within split of a second, the blade consumed all the cursed flames in its owner's hand. As it was said – to perform an M-rang attack – Natsu needed time to charge his sword with magic, or an external boost, a source of already compressed power. And when he accidentally looked at those runes on his hand – he got an idea where to get that boost. Via their mental link Natsu told his plan to his familiar, and latter had no reasons to refuse – he also knew that this struggle must end. God of ruin grabbed his sword's hilt with both arms, "Senmei Saikō: Jūrokuya: Yūjinkō!" [Sure-kill Shot: Sixteen Nights: Netherblade Descend].
Natsu used one of M-rang spells from 'Sixteen Nights in Sixteen Hells' sword arts set (the name itself is a reference to sixteen Narakas from Buddhism, and arts set contains sixteen arts, ranged from C to M). If executed by someone truly powerful (like Natsu's mother, for example) this technique can split entire continent in half. Natsu still has a long way to go to reach such a level, but still, even like he is now – this attack is more than enough to destroy Nirvana's core, which is Amentiana's true body right now, together with her avatar.
"Aaaaarrrggg!" With loud and furious growl, eliciting a magical blast, Amentiana freed herself from that mound of junk that Natsu piled over her. Metallic shards flew away in different directions as nine-tailed demoness was infuriated to the limit. However, just as she freed herself – she noticed some strange light pouring down on her, and entire disk's surface. She looked up and her pupils abruptly shrunk as she saw the light's source. That was Natsu's sword, which became several hundred times bigger than usual – now its length was about 1200 feet. The huge sword was floating in the air, right above Nirvana's core, with tip of the blade pointed down and majestic peals of thunder filling the air, while Natsu stood on the tip of the hilt. "Curse you…" Demoness hissed hatefully. However, she didn't try to do anything – at this point it was obvious – this is the end.
"GO!" Natsu shouted as he hit the tip of sword's hilt with both hands. In the next moment the gigantic sword descended, shattering the space itself on its way down.
"I will never forget this affront!" Amentiana's hysterical scream resounded, but she couldn't do anything else as gigantic sword destroyed her avatar, and pierced that flying metallic disc just as .500 S&W bullet would pierce a tin can. Nirvana's core was simply torn apart, for a dozen of pieces, and resulting shockwave scattered them in 3 miles radius. In the meantime, gigantic sword continued its way down, and hit the mountain ridge below, throwing several mountains into the air.
"Quickly, hit the deck!" Gray shouted as he saw the blastwave coming at them. Just a moment ago the entire alliance team was bewitched and awed with the majestic sight of gigantic sword, which was covered with blue flame and sparkling with dark lightnings, but now they got more pressuring matters.
Without hesitation, Luciferona grabbed Wendy and Carla, and all three disappeared in purple vortex. There was one of her arrows, that was still plunged into a tree, about two miles away from here, towards forest, and warped devil decided to play it safe.
Erza, on the other hand, didn't ran, she outstretched her arms and made a cone of plasma in front of herself to block the shockwave, while she was retreating steadily. Nelliel did about the same using her sword.
The rest of the team… well, they should manage somehow… okay, most of them… "MEEEEEHHN!" Ichia's desperate cry resounded through the air.
In the skies, since he no longer had a support beneath his feet, Natsu began to fall. However, he outstretched his left arm and his sword, Magna Ruina, which descended for almost half a mile deep into the ground, reappeared in his hand, its size also returned to normal. Natsu put the sword beneath his feet as blue lightning-like energy covered the sword's blade, and sword now was levitating while Natsu was standing on it.
"You're reading too much of eastern stories," Sin commented Natsu's way of using his sword as he landed on God's shoulder. Familiar seemed very battered, but since he still can make caustic remarks – he's probably fine, more or less.
"Have we overdone it?" Natsu wondered, looking at consequences of his last attack. Pieces of Nirvana's core became centers of ignition, causing several fires in the forest. Mountain ridge was completely messed up, and hot gases were bursting out of deep crack, made by gigantic sword. Cait Shelter guildhall and nearby buildings weren't demolished thanks to pure luck only. Besides, due to several very powerful spells used in the vicinity, including two M-rang spells (one from Erza and one from Natsu), the ethernano here turned into a raging storm, causing an abnormal weather conditions – dark clouds began to gather over here – night will be rainy.
"Well, we had no choice anyway," Sin shook his boney skull.
"True," Natsu agreed. And just as he said it, he and Sin saw a barely noticeable ray of golden light that gathered from thin air, shot into the skies, and disappeared.
"Until next time, my fellow guardian…" Sin said darkly.
"We will be ready for next time," Natsu noted as his Incarnation mode wore off and his size returned to normal, metallic luster also disappeared from his skin almost everywhere (it remained at the upper parts of his elbows). His entire body was moaning with pain, and now his sincerest wish was to take a shower, and find a good tailoring shop – to fix his coat. But this incident wasn't over yet… He turned his head and looked down, where his wife was waiting for him (and others also were waiting, as they got a million of questions). "Now to the hardest part, huh?" God of ruin sighed, "We must deal with the aftermath…"
"Yeah," Sin nodded slightly.
A/N: Erza's song by One Half
A/N: Yellow River is a reference to Chinse river Huang He, which is also called 'River of Sorrows', due to number of disasters it caused.
Spells list:
General terms:
Sensō no Metsujin Mahō – War God Slayer Magic
Shisō no Jahō – Deathfrost Wicked Weave
Sentō Chūkaku – Combat Core
Ryū no Chikara – Dragon Force
Amentiana's spells:
Kōga: Renkō – Yellow River: Lotus Descend
Kōga: Zengun – Yellow River: Locust Swarm
Kōga: Sankon – Yellow River: Wretched Soul
Kōga: Kōsuiru – Yellow River: Yellow Water Stream
Kōga no Yoroi – Yellow River Armor
Kōga no Yoroi: Kōhai no Kinfūin – Yellow River Armor: Golden Seal of Desolation
Kōga no Yoroi: Kinshisō – Yellow River Armor: Golden Piercing Spear
Kōga no Yoroi: Kin no Kirakuin – Yellow River Armor: Golden Demonic Brand
Kōga no Yoroi: Gensui no Sōkinfūin –Yellow River Armor: Twin Golden Seal of Decay
Natsu's spells:
Retsujin no Dogō – Ruin God's Howl
Senmei Saikō: Saryōhinyōbu – Sure-kill Shot: Airy Mystic Dance
Senmei Saikō: Komuranken – Sure-kill Shot: Indigo Arc Sword
Senmei Saikō: Senkōsōshiran – Sure-kill Shot: Piercing Twin Lash
Senmei Saikō: Jūrokuya: Jinbu – Sure-kill Shot: Sixteen Nights: Blade Dance
Senmei Saikō: Raikō Chiretsusan – Sure-kill Shot: Thunderglow Ground Deathblow
Senmei Saikō: Sharyōranken – Sure-kill Shot: Indigo Sandstorm Sword
Senmei Saikō: Raikō Metsuranken – Sure-kill Shot: Thunderglow Rending Indigo Sword
Senmei Saikō: Jūrokuya: Saizō – Sure-kill Shot: Sixteen Nights: Eviscerate
Senmei Saikō: Jūrokuya: Yūjinkō – Sure-kill Shot: Sixteen Nights: Netherblade Descend
And that's it for now! Thank you for reading, don't forget a review!