ENCHANTMENT
A HIGH-PITCHED ringing sound blared in his ears as he struggled to his feet – the Salamander groaning as he looked around and squinted. Four centipede creatures surrounded him, forcing him to back into a tree. Scoping the area, he grinned as he held his fists at his sides – fires rising around him as he remembered what'd happened.
"I'm fired up now!" His fists went ablaze.
The creatures charged at him and he engaged them – punching out two that came from his left and right and back flipped away from the tree. He ran up to another and gave it a thunderous left hook, hurling it into the air and grabbed its tail – smacking it onto another beast and tossing it away.
He shot up into the air and dove at a beast with a blazing right hook, failing to see another lunge at him from behind. Diving in for a quick save, Erza slashed the creature, landing behind him and donning her Flight Armour as she stared down more creatures that flanked them. Sizing up her opponents, she dashed up to them, moving at blurring speeds as she cut them down one by one.
A creature smacked her aside as she zoomed near it, flinging her toward another that bit her arm and thrashed about on the ground, hurling her onto a patch of grass. Struggling to her feet, she winced as she saw blood seep from her forearm and quickly ripped a piece of cloth from her leg, wrapping it around the wound. Natsu shot through the air and crashed onto the oncoming horde with a punch – sending them flying.
He rose to his feet slowly and turned to her – giving her a wide cocky smirk when a beast tackled him from his side. Soaring into the air with the creature, he grabbed its head and tossed it above him – letting it fall along with the others that rained back down to the ground. Balling his fists before him, he breathed deeply and formed a magic circle in front of his mouth.
"Fire Dragon Roar!" He spat out a stream of fire.
Spraying flame around, he set the plummeting beasts – lighting the sky in a fiery rainstorm as they fell to the ground below. Manoeuvring through the downpour, Erza ran up a rock and stabbed a creature, dislodging the blade and cutting down a tree to her right. Letting it crush a monster to her left, she jumped to her right and pierced another centipede's neck – tossing it up onto a burning carcass that fell toward her.
Natsu shot down to the ground and looked around, caught off guard as a creature lunged onto him and bit his arm, driving him into the dirt. Erza turned to him, concern etching on her face when a beast snapped its jaw at her, forcing her to jump back as another charged at her. Holding a sword over her back, she blocked the monster from behind and stepped on the oncoming one's mouth – jamming her in between the beasts.
Feeling herself being crushed, she stabbed the centipede in front of her and launched herself into the air – slashing both beasts in her ascent as several others jumped at her. Kicking three creatures and slashing two others, she rose to the sky and donned her Heaven's Wheel armour – summoning several swords around her. Natsu shot up above her and scanned the area below as the monsters littered around.
"Heaven Fiery Rainstorm Attack!"
He sprayed fire around Erza, setting her swords ablaze and shot his arms down – raining the flaming swords down onto the ground. Skewering the monsters below, he gave a sigh of relief and landed slowly, past Erza who donned her default armour and landed beside him. Looking around at the burning area, she disintegrated her swords and turned to him as he panted near a tree.
"Have you always had that attack?" She sheathed her sword on her back.
"Nah, just made that up." He stretched then frowned as he turned to her. "Your arm."
She looked at her arm, seeing it bleed freely as the cloth she'd wrapped around it disappeared along with her Flight Armour. "Oh, it's nothing." She winced.
"No, it's not." He walked up to her.
"What about yours?"
He looked at his own wound. "Meh, I can handle it." He grimaced as he saw gashes along his arm.
"Well, we'd better patch ourselves up before we get attacked again." She looked around.
"Yeah." He removed his bag.
Placing his bag on the ground, Natsu sat on a tree stump and fished out gauze and bandages – cleaning and wrapping his wound as Erza sat across from him and did the same. Sharing a glance with her, he looked at her arm and frowned – packing his stuff and shouldering his backpack as he looked around.
"Okay, let's get moving." He walked on.
"Yeah." Her brows stitched as she followed him.
Manoeuvring through the broken branches and burning corpses of the creatures, the two entered a clear patch of rock leading up to a chasm rising up to a cliff up above. Stepping into the darkening expanse, Natsu stopped as he heard something – his eyes roaming apprehensively as he pushed Erza back and clenched his fist.
"What is it?"
"I heard something." He sniffed around.
A girl stood atop the cliff, looking down upon them out of their peripheral and moved back quickly as she saw Lucy approach them. Moving past a large rock, the blonde raised her brow as she saw Natsu and Erza look around apprehensively – turning to Levy who shrugged in confusion.
"Uh, Natsu, what're you doing?" Lucy walked up to them.
"Thought I heard something." He turned to her. "Hey, what're you doing here anyway?"
"We were following the artefact. Figured that if it glowed when it was near the book, then it'd be the same if it was near another one." She gestured to Levy who walked up to them. "Didn't think it'd be here though."
"Well, if it is – where is it?" Natsu looked around.
"I'm not sure exactly, but we should know when we find it." Levy looked at the artefact. "The artefacts merged on their own back at camp, so it should do the same when we find the others."
"So, it'd be far better than the trackers?" Erza moved up to them.
"In theory, yeah." Lucy smiled hopefully.
"In that case, let's get moving!" Natsu grinned and walked on. "We should find the rest before the others find out."
"Ah, so you have the artefacts, huh?" A man's voice came, echoing off the chasm walls before them.
Natsu stopped and frowned – listening to the voice closely. "Sting?"
"The one and only." The blonde entered from the opposite opening, followed by Rogue and Yukino who stood at the back of the trio.
"Yeah, we have an artefact." Natsu moved up to him. "What's it to ya?"
"Well, Sabertooth hasn't had any luck in the hunt, so we thought you could help us out." Sting smirked.
"By giving you the artefact?" Lucy frowned.
"Or we can take it; it is a competition after all and there aren't any rules from what I recall." He shrugged.
"Well, sorry, pal, but I'm not gonna let that happen." Natsu folded his arms.
"And we're not asking." Sting's face hardened. "C'mon, Natsu, we're not here to fight you."
"Kinda seems like you were planning on it." Erza reached for her sword.
"We weren't planning to, but we knew it'd come to that." Rogue turned to Sting. "Sting, I still don't think this's a good idea."
"Ah, c'mon, Rogue; we can take 'em." Sting turned to him and gestured to Natsu and the girls. "I mean look at 'em, Lucy and Levy won't be a challenge, Erza's injured and we can take Natsu on. Besides, we're not gonna hurt 'em, just fight them till we can get the artefact and bolt."
"Is it just me, or did you forget that I defeated you both in the Grand Magic Games?" Natsu crossed his arms. "What makes you think it'd be any different this time?"
"We've got numbers on our side and we've been training since then." Sting turned to him. "Besides, the only other person who'd be a challenge is Erza and she's injured."
"Watch it, pal." Natsu growled.
"Again, why is everyone being so serious?" Sting backed up. "It's not like we're here to fight ya."
Frosh and Lector popped out of the grass behind Natsu and Erza, looking around apprehensively. Yukino glanced at them uneasily as they stepped closer – receiving a gesture to keep quiet from the purple feline.
Natsu frowned and walked up to Sting. "If you're not trying to start a fight – get outta our way."
Yukino leaned into Sting, whispering: "Come on, Sting, let's just get outta –,"
Sting held up his hand and stared Natsu down. "We're not leaving here without that artefact."
"Well, we're not handing over." Natsu growled.
Natsu and Sting stared down, the air thickening with tension as uneasy looks spread. Lector gestured for Frosh to stay back and snuck up to Levy – making sure to be as quiet as possible. He glanced at the others, inching his hand to Levy's and grabbed the artefact.
He ran off. "Got it, Sting!"
Levy looked around in confusion. "Wha – hey!"
Natsu chased after Lector. "What're you doing!?"
Sting grabbed Natsu, holding him back. "Go on, Lector – we'll hold him off!"
He struggled to break free. "Let go of me."
Erza chased after Lector and Rogue appeared before her – standing in Lucy and Levy's way as well. "You're not going anywhere."
"Rogue, I don't wanna do this." Erza drew her sword.
Natsu broke out of Sting's grasp and stared him down – clenching his fists and setting them on fire. Lucy stepped back from Rogue, fear enveloping her as she looked into his dark eyes. She bumped into Yukino and stepped back in confusion.
"Yukino?"
"We don't wanna fight you, Lucy." Yukino's voice filled with concern.
Erza looked at Sting, Rogue and Yukino. "Please, you have to understand – we need those artefacts."
A white aura burst out of Sting and he smirked. "Yeah, we could use the money."
Natsu frowned. "I'm not afraid to fight these guys."
"Natsu, if we fight them here, we'll lose the artefact." Lucy pleaded.
"But they're in our way." Natsu cracked his knuckles.
Lucy turned to Yukino. "Yukino, please."
Natsu glanced behind him, seeing Lector run off. "Fire Dragon Roar!"
He spat fire at Sting who rolled out of the way as he sprayed the flames around the area. Sting lunged at Natsu, punching him into the ground. Erza slashed at Rogue who phased through the attack – turning into darkness and kicked her away. Lucy ran after the felines and Yukino stepped in her way.
"Yukino, please – if we don't get the artefacts, people will be in danger."
"What do you mean?" Yukino frowned.
"They're linked to the awakening of a god and if we're right and they end up in the wrong hands – we're screwed."
"Why didn't you say that earlier?!" Yukino's eyes dilated.
"You were in the way!"
"Talk to Rogue and Sting – we need those artefacts." Levy walked up to Yukino.
"Even if I did, Lector and Frosh have gone by now."
"Natsu!" Lucy turned to Natsu.
Sting kicked Natsu in the gut and Natsu punched him out – stalking him as he fell. Rogue punched Erza down and she fell on her arm, wincing as she landed on her injured arm.
Natsu growled, fire exploding from him as he shot up to Rogue and punched him – hurling him through a tree. Sting got to his feet and chucked a ball of light at Natsu who swerved out of the way and lunged onto him – punching him down.
Natsu tossed Sting aside and Rogue kicked him in the back, knocking him down. The Salamander spat fire at him and he phased out of the way. Sting punched at Natsu and he grabbed his fist, throwing him on the ground. Rogue gave Natsu a roundhouse and he rolled to his feet – catching a right hook from Sting.
"Natsu, stop this – Frosh and Lector are getting away." Lucy stepped up to him, keeping her distance.
Natsu punched Sting, flinging him through a tree and sidestepped as Rogue spat a strip of shadow energy at him. He shot a fireball at Rogue and he phased out of the way. He looked around, sizing up Rogue and Sting as they got to their feet.
"Natsu! You're the only one that can fly here! Go get the artefact!" Lucy frowned.
Erza wrapped her arm in more bandages, wincing as pain radiated through her and turned to the fight as Natsu fought off Sting and Rogue. "Natsu, stop this! Go get the artefact!"
Natsu stopped and turned to her – breathing heavily as he looked at Sting and Rogue struggle to their feet. "Fine." His voice quietened.
"Oh, you're not going anywhere." Lyon's voice came.
Ice spread around them, encircling and creating icicles that entrapped them. Natsu looked around and frowned as Lyon, Sherria, Toby and Yuka approached them. Lyon smirked as he stepped up to them, seeing Lector and Frosh flying off in the distance.
"We're taking that artefact."
"You don't understand, if we don't get the –," Lucy tried to plead.
"Toby!"
He released his claws. "I'm on it."
Toby ran toward the burnt forest, deadset on catching Lector and Frosh when Natsu stood in his way and pushed him, knocking him aside effortlessly as he turned to Lyon. Lyon took his magic stance, a fist on a palm, and Natsu set his hands ablaze.
"Ice Make: Eagle!"
Lyon sent a volley of ice eagles raining on Natsu and the others who ran out of the way, evading the onslaught. Erza donned her Lightning Empress Armour and sent lightning at Lyon, Yuka and Sherria who dispersed, dodging the attack and letting it set the ground on fire.
Erza's eyes trailed Lyon, Sherria and Yuka as they moved around them. "Look, we shouldn't be fighting. We need the artefact to –,"
Natsu lunged into the air. "Fire Dragon Iron Fist!"
HAPPY SOARED through the air, panicked and anxious as he scanned the area below him, only seeing a thick forest and clear patches of rock. Descending to the ground, he disintegrated his wings and continued his search, muttering to himself as he called out.
"Carla?! Carla, where are you?" His eyes darted around. "Why'd that fish look so tasty?"
He trod down the path, the tall trees creating a pattern around him and increasing his anxiety as tall leaves cluttered as far as he could see. Low whispers met his ears, coming from behind him and drawing closer. He jumped into a bush and hid in it, awaiting those who approached as he heard footsteps. Lector and Frosh ran past him, each looking around warily as the red feline eyed the artefact he held in hand.
"Should we be doing this, Lector? Aren't we stealing?" Frosh grew uneasy.
"Well, yeah, but it's a contest, so it doesn't matter." Lector grinned.
"But, Fairy Tail are our friends; they wouldn't steal from us."
"Don't worry, Frosh, we'll share some of the money with them."
"Really?" Frosh's face lit up.
"Yeah." Lector smiled uneasily then chuckled. "Those Fairy Tail guys never saw us coming. We're sure to win now."
"What the …?" Happy frowned as he watched them.
"Hold it right there, kitties." Sir Ichiya's voice echoed.
Frosh and Lector stopped in their tracks, stepping back as Sir Ichiya stepped out of the bushes and struck a pose – pointing at the sky with his arms crossed. Ren, Hibiki and Eve entered the pathway as well, striking fear in the cats as they were surrounded by them.
"Don't worry, we mean you no harm." Sir Ichiya moved up to them. "All we want is the artefact."
Lector backed up. "Well, hell no, we stole it first!"
"While that is true, this is a contest, and as such, whoever delivers the artefact is the victor!" Sir Ichiya struck another pose. "So hand it over."
"That's not gonna happen." Lector frowned.
"Exactly." Kagura's voice came.
A brown rope wrapped around Lector, yanking him away from Frosh and into the arms of Milliana who held him fondly. Frosh whimpered in intimidation as Kagura, Risley, Araña and Beth approached from the other end of the footpath – putting him between them and Blue Pegasus.
"Oh, man, this is bad." Happy sunk into the bushes.
Hibiki smirked as he stepped up to the women, eyeing each one of them. "Mermaid Heel, it's quite the honour."
"Well, the honour will be ours when we win the contest." Kagura's brows stitched.
"Kitty!" Milliana cuddled Lector.
"Let go of me!"
"You know we're not gonna just let you take that, right?" Ren's face hardened.
"Oh, you will." Kagura turned to Milliana. "Milliana, get out of here; I'll hold them off."
"Not quite. Blizzard!" Eve frowned.
Eve held his arm out, creating a magic circle and summoning snow that covered the women and the cats, immobilizing them. He wove the ice around the artefact, bringing it to his side. Lector scrambled out of the snow, running toward him.
"Hey!"
Risley shifted into her slim form, speeding past Eve at blurring speeds and snatching the artefact. Ren elbowed her in the face, knocking her down and grabbing the item – darting off with it. Kagura flanked him and struck him with her sword sheath, grabbing the artefact and making a break for it.
Ichiya intercepted her, fishing out a vial. "Take a whiff of this! Pain Parfum!"
Milliana ran toward Kagura. "Get out of the way!"
Milliana pushed Kagura out of the way as Ichiya popped it open, moving her away from the gas and knocking the artefact out of her hands. The gas permeated the air, entering Milliana's nose and causing her to fall over in pain – writhing on the ground. Risley, Araña and Beth felt the effects as well, becoming incapacitated.
Ichiya grabbed the artefact and pocketed it. Kagura chased after him when a ninja appeared before her and kicked her in the face. The ninja eyed each of them, studying them as they recuperated.
"Whoa, who're you?" Ren frowned.
Ichiya studied the ninja and backed up – his eyes dilating in fear. "Take this! Poison Parfum!" He fished out a vial.
He tossed it at the ninja who teleported out of the way. He looked around and studied the area, sensing for his energy. With no sign of the assailant, he grabbed another vial, smashing it on the ground and releasing a gas.
"Hold your breaths and run, men!"
The Ninja appeared and teleported around – kicking Ren in the gut, uppercutting Eve, elbowing Hibiki and dropkicking Ichiya. Ichiya scrambled to his feet and fished out two vials – waving the artefact with his freehand before the ninja who teleported toward him.
"Time to make a valiant escape!" He jammed the vials in his nose. "Swiftness Parfum! Point-Blank Absorption style!"
Ichiya ran off at great speed, evading the ninja who teleported in front of him and tried to grab him – missing as the dwarf swerved around him. The mage sped past Happy and lured the assailant away, letting the feline step out of his hiding place. Looking around, he flew off.
"I'd better warn the others."
TOBY CLAWED at Natsu who blocked his attack and punched him aside. Yuka lunged at him and he elbowed him in the nape – connecting with a knee to chest. Lyon sent ice darts at him and he dodged them, running up to him and punching him onto a wall.
"Sky god Roar!" Sherria breathed in heavily.
She spat a gale of tube of black wind at Erza who donned her Flight Armour and manoeuvred around it, punching her in the gut and knocking her aside. Lyon summoned snow and Natsu intercepted him, punching him into a wall of the chasm.
Natsu watched him as he grovelled. "Are we done here?"
"Okay, I give." Lyon winced.
Erza helped Sherria up and donned her default armour. "Y'know, there was no need to fight us."
"Yeah, learned that the hard way." Sherria chuckled with strain.
Toby struggled to his feet and turned to Natsu. "You know, you could've held back a little."
"Yeah, that really hurt." Yuka moved up to Natsu.
"Well, sorry, I got a little too into it." Natsu laughed uneasily.
"Listen, you guys, those artefacts are potentially dangerous and it's important that we get them." Lucy looked at Lyon and the others.
"Well, who has them?" Lyon raised his brow.
"Frosh and Lector."
"Oh, crap." Natsu facepalmed. "Bet they're long gone by now!"
Ichiya dashed into the area, panting heavily as he looked back to see if he was followed. He tripped on a rock and rolled over on the ground, dropping the artefact as he fell and quickly scrambled to his feet. He crawled toward it quickly and Natsu stepped on it.
"Oh no, you don't." Natsu picked up the artefact. "Heh, talk about good luck, huh?" He tossed it to Erza. "Now we can finish the search."
"What're you running from?" Sting walked up to Ichiya.
"A Mark of the Moon member." Ichiya dusted himself.
"What?" Erza's eyes dilated.
"They're on this island too?" Lucy raised her brow.
"The artefact must be really important to them." Levy frowned.
"And that's not all. They've brought their top members with them, the blood magic users." Ichiya's face hardened.
"This isn't good." Erza frowned.
"Natsu!" Happy flew into the area. "Natsu, we're in trouble!"
"What happened? Are Carla and Wendy okay?" Natsu moved up to him.
"I lost 'em, but that's not what I'm talking about." Happy landed before him.. "Those scary ninja guys are back and they're closing in on us!"
"We need to get out of here now!" Erza ordered the others.
GRAY LOOKED at a tracker he held in hand – seeing a bogey a few kilometres from where they were. Juvia looked around, taking in her surroundings as trees littered the area sparsely and moved up to a thick forest up ahead.
"Where is the damn thing!? It's been on the same spot this whole time." Gray frowned.
"Maybe it's far from here."
"Well, that's just our luck, huh? Man, I wish Erza didn't screw us over and make us compete for the artefacts." He pocketed the tracker.
"At least we're alone here." She smiled.
"Look out!" Gray pushed her back, jumping away as a kunai dagger flew past him.
"What the …?" She scrambled to her feet.
A ninja dashed up to them, teleporting about and kicked her in the face, knocking her down. Gray threw a punch and the ninja dodged, giving him a roundhouse while stabbing a dagger into his shoulder. He staggered and ripped the weapon out of his flesh. A ninja dashed up to them, teleporting around and kicked Gray in the face.
"Water Slicer!" Juvia sent water blades at the ninja.
The assailant threw his arms apart, dispersing the water and raised his hand up. Her body stiffened and she rose up into the air, suspended as he looked at Gray who got to his feet. Gray sent icicles at the ninja who waved them away dismissively and hurled Juvia onto a tree.
"Juvia!" Gray yelled.
LAXUS PUSHED a large leaf aside, moving up to the edge of a cliff overlooking a large portion of the island. Lisanna followed him, enjoying the view as he looked at the tracker.
"You Know, for a place that's called Devil's Gorge, it's pretty nice." She turned to him.
"C'mon, we don't have time to waste. Let's move on the next artefact." He walked onward.
"Okay, fine, Mr Grumpy pants." She teased as she followed, gaining a chuckle from him. She grinned. "Man, do you know how lucky we are to find the third artefact for Fairy Tail? That's half of the whole load!"
"Yeah, if we continue searching, we could find the others."
"You think they'll give us more money for finding the most on the hunt?"
"Doubt there're be any money." He pocketed the artefact. "Knowing Erza from the missions Team Natsu took, she'd probably turn it down."
"Why do you have to be so negative?"
"Well, you know I'm right. Besides, even if we did, you'd probably forfeit it to Natsu if he whines enough."
"That's not true." She pouted.
Laxus heard the tracker peep and he fished it out. "Looks like we've got another one."
"Whoa, really!"
"Yeah and it's coming straight for … us?" He raised his brow.
An artefact flew out of the bushes, shooting towards them and another moved out of Lisanna's bag. The two objects joined and plopped on the ground before them, exciting her when Bacchus stumbled out of the bushes, chuckling as he saw the artefact before him.
"Whoa, that was wild! Damn thing just flew outta my pocket!" He moved to pick the artefact and Laxus stood in his way. "Uh, I believe you've stepped on somethin' a' mine."
"Well, no – we found it first." Laxus folded his arms.
Bacchus frowned then saw Lisanna. "Hey, if it isn't one of the sexy Strauss sisters! Nice outfit."
"Look, I suggest you back off before this gets ugly. I remember the sick bet you made at the tournament." Laxus growled.
"Oh, c'mon! I was only playing. Bet you've thought about that when you're in bed with one of 'em. Which one is it, huh? Mirajane or –," Laxus punched him, causing him to stagger. "Heh, cheap shot. Probably hit a nerve. That's still my artefact."
"Not anymore." Laxus picked up the artefact and tossed it to Lisanna.
"Oh, so you wanna challenge Drunken Hawk Bacchus to a throw down, huh?! Well, bring it on! 'Bout time this contest got exciting!"
Laxus tossed his jacket aside. "Step back, Liz; this won't take long."
"Okay." She backed up, concern etching on her face.
NATSU YAWNED and pocked his ear, Lucy shaking her head in disapproval as she turned to Levy who studied the artefact. It glowed dimly, the words on it shifting slightly as they proceeded down a footpath in a forest.
"Okay, lemme get this straight." Natsu turned to the horde. "All you guys are helping us?"
"Yeah, it's kinda getting crowded around here." Sting looked around.
"That includes you, Sting! I don't remember Fairy Tail inviting more members." Natsu frowned.
"Trust me, Natsu, it's no picnic for any of us, but we need to work together in order to prevent a disaster on our hands." Lyon crossed his arms.
"Fine." Natsu groaned.
Levy shook her head, turning to the artefact and seeing it glow brightly. "Hey, I think we're closing in on an artefact!"
Sounds of laughter came up ahead and the group turned, seeing Max running toward them, cackling as Droy followed him. The obese man tried his best to run and stopped, breathing heavily.
"C'mon, you can do better than that!" Max stopped.
"I'm trying!" Droy wiped sweat off his brow. "Aren't we supposed to be working together?"
"No, it's a contest to see who find the most artefacts!"
"Hey, Max, get over here!" Natsu waved at them.
"Well, what do ya know?" Max grinned then turned to Droy. "C'mon, big guy, don't fall over and die before we reach the others."
"Fine." Droy recuperated.
"Let's go!" Max ran toward the others.
Kunai daggers rained upon them, stabbing into the ground and some of the mages. Three blades flung into Max's chest, drawing blood from him as he spat out and fell over.
"Max!" Droy screamed.
"Yukino! Rogue!" Sting turned to them.
Yukino and Rogue winced and fell over, both impaled by daggers that went into their shoulders. Levy writhed as a blade stuck into her thigh and another lodged into Lyon's arm.
"Levy!" Lucy came to her side.
A ninja appeared before Natsu and stabbed him in the gut, digging the blade into him and ripping it out, letting him fall over. Sting growled and shot an energy ball at him, missing as the assailant sidestepped.
"Natsu!" Lucy turned to him.
The ninja raised his arm and Sting's body stiffened, slowly rising into the air. He screamed as his limbs contorted – veins pulsating as he was twisted about. Erza stepped back – fear washing over as the ninja turned to her.
"Take a whiff of my Pain Parfum!" Ichiya fished out three vials.
He tossed the vials at the ninja and he teleported away, letting Sting fall to the ground and cough badly. Erza ran to Natsu side and turned him over, seeing him groan in pain as blood drenched his shirt.
"Natsu." Her lip quivered.
Natsu pried his eyes open, straining to turn to her. "Go … go check on Max."
"But you're injured."
"No, check on him; he's in worse shape than I am."
Droy shook Max repeatedly, his panic increasing as his friend didn't respond. Looking at his motionless face, he gritted his teeth as he looked into his eyes – seeing their lifeless gaze as they looked straight up.
He shut his eyes angrily, feeling anger welling up. "He's dead."
Erza's breathing quickened as she looked around, seeing the chaos as the mages were injured. Lucy tended to Levy, pulling the dagger out of her and drawing a bloodcurdling scream. Sting came to Rogue and Yukino's aid, unsure of what to do as the blades dug deep into them.
Erza turned to Natsu, seeing him grit his teeth as he bled out on the ground. She reached to touch him, unsure of what to do as the blood flowed profusely. She looked around in a panic when the ninja reappeared behind Droy.
"Droy!" Levy screamed.
"Heaven's Wheel!" Erza donned her armour.
Erza summoned several swords and rained them on the assailant, impaling him repeatedly. Droy jerked back in shock, seeing the mutilated corpse fall over behind him.
Erza panted and donned her default armour, helping Natsu up and moving him over to Ichiya who drew out several vials and walked up to Yukino and Rogue, seeing the daggers digging into their backs.
"You think you can help them?" Toby turned to him.
"Take a whiff of this Pain Relieving Parfum." Ichiya opened a vial, sending the fumes up to Yukino and Rogue, moving over to Levy and doing the same. He turned to Lucy. "Pull out your medical kits. Their wounds need to be closed for the healing to work."
"Yeah." Lucy nods.
Sting moved up to Yukino, looking at her worriedly. "Well, brace yourself; this's gonna sting." He grabbed the dagger and yanked it out, shocked that she didn't react. "Whoa, that stuff really works."
Rogue pulled the dagger from his back and tossed it aside, turning to Erza who gave Natsu one of Ichiya's vials. Droy stood over Max's corpse, clenching his fists in anger as he looked at the ninja lying across from him.
Erza turned to him and came to his side, placing a hand on his shoulder. "I'm sorry, Droy; I could've done something had I seen the ninja in time."
"I know. It's not your fault." He sighed shakily. "I just didn't think he'd end up dead. It happened so fast."
"We don't expect such things to happen."
"It's my fault – I'm the one who insisted that we come to this island."
"It's not your fault." She cut herself off and turned to the others. "We have to get off the island. We don't want anyone else to fall at the hands of the Mark of the Moon."
She moved over to them and bumped into the artefact Max dropped. It came alight and sped toward Levy, drawing another out of Droy's pocket and joining with hers. The object plopped on the floor, now forming a disc with one triangle remaining. Levy rose and picked up the object, studying it as the others converged.
"What's happening?" Yukino turned to her.
"It glows when it's near other artefacts or the book."
"So, there's an artefact nearby?" Sherria raised her brow.
"I don't know. If it is, where is it?"
LAXUS SHOT lightning at Bacchus who dodged and ran up to him, swiping his palm at his chin. He sidestepped and threw a punch, missing as Bacchus swerved out of the way and elbowed him in his gut. Laxus threw a left hook and Bacchus jumped back, thrusting his palm at his chin and knocking him back.
Laxus threw three punches at Bacchus who swerved away from each strike swiftly and jumped back. Bacchus elbowed him in the chin, jabbed him in the gut, gave him an uppercut and landed a double-handed palm strike at his midsection, sending him flying back.
"Laxus!" Worry etched on Lisanna's face.
"Don't worry. I can take this guy." Laxus struggled to his feet.
"C'mon, lemme help you."
"Help? Ha! Don't make me laugh." Bacchus turned to her. "Besides, I wouldn't hit the girl who's comin' home with me. Might not be as hot as your sister, but you'll do just –,"
Laxus punched him in the gut, charging lightning into his fist and hurling him through three trees. Bacchus struggled to his feet and jerked back in surprise – seeing lightning surge brightly round Laxus. He chuckled and took his fighting stance.
"Now this just got interesting."
Laxus turned into lightning and darted behind Bacchus, punching him in the back – creating a lightning charged shockwave that flung him several feet forward. The wave spread out, making Lisanna yelp as it gave her a shock, pushing her back and causing her to drop the artefact off the cliff.
"The artefact!" She gasped.
"What?" Bacchus scrambled to his feet.
The artefact tumbled down the cliff, bouncing off rocks and landing on a tree. It glowed brightly and shot through the air at high speeds.
NATSU WINCED as Erza wrapped a bandaged around his wound. She glanced at him and looked away, frowning as the cloth began to redden. Adding another bandage, she stood back and helped him up, relieved to see it remain dry.
"That should hold so long as you don't move too much." She stepped back.
"Can't promise that with what's going on." Natsu huffed. "Thanks." She smiled at him slightly.
"You should consider yourself lucky; you should be dead from that stab wound." Lucy walked up to him.
Natsu chuckled. "Yeah, well –,"
The artefact flew past him and connected with the disc Levy held, sending out a shockwave that knocked everyone off their feet. It fell on the ground and glowed brightly – cracks spreading around radiating heat in a red aura.
Sting got to his feet. "Where'd that come from?"
"The parfum of plot convenience is prevalent. It's quite nauseating." Ichiya stood up.
Lucy grabbed the disc quickly and looked at it – seeing the hieroglyphics shift about and words appear on its trim. The writing transformed and changed positions, stopping in place and emitting a bright light.
"The artefact's complete."
"Are you able to decipher it now?" Erza moved up to her.
"No, it's kinda confusing."
"Lemme have a look." Levy took the artefact, pacing around as she studied it. "Oh no."
"What is it?" Lyon raised his brow.
""The language changed to Ancient Chinese." She turned to the others. "It reads: 'Here lies the fallen one, the red of the moon, the bleeding sun, the purge of mankind. Buried in the earth, in the land of the devil, he will rise, the great beast, Sethos'."
"Land of the devil?" Natsu crossed his arms.
"Devil's Gorge." Erza's eyes dilated.
"Oh my God." Yukino frowned.
"Wait a minute, you mean we're standing in the exact same place as some demon god?" Sting turned to Levy.
"Who was behind this contest?" Rogue frowned.
"That is none of your concern." A man's voice came. Midnight, Minerva and Rusty Rock walked up to the group, drawing their attention as Midnight stood before them. "Now hand it over."
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