Chapter 381: Farwell Markov
"Don't give up everyone! Keep fighting and remember you are not alone" shouted Dante before he delivered another powerful punch to an enemy solider, sending him flying backwards. Turning his attention towards another group of soldiers, Dante channeled his magical power as he continued to speak.
"If you guys keep lining up, I'll just keep knocking you down! Heaven's fist" yelled Dante channeling holy power into his fist and crashing it into the new group of soldiers.
Dante continued to fight alongside his guild members, battling against a seemingly endless horde of enemies. After the scare with Mira, Dante rejoined the fighting and soon found himself battling against the main army of the Alvarez Empire alongside the majority of the Fairy Tail guild. While Dante felt reassured that he had his Fairy Tail family fighting alongside him, the enemies numbers were huge and already he could see the exhaustion set in for some. Looking around as Dante defeated another enemy solider, Dante could see his little brother fighting.
"This is how a real man fights" shouted Elfman in his beast soul form as he smashed another enemy solider into the ground. Seeing that an enemy solider was about to attack Elfman's blind spot, Dante shouted at his little brother.
"Elfman duck" shouted Dante as he channeled his magical power. Moving on instinct, Elfman didn't question Dante's words as he ducked just as Dante fired a beam of holy energy. The beam of holy energy crashed into the enemy solider, causing him to fall to the ground. Smiling at his big brother, Elfman started to speak.
"Thanks Dante" stated Elfman with a grateful smile. Smiling back at his little brother, Dante started to speak.
"No problem now let's show these losers the strength of the Strauss Family" responded Dante with a confidant smile. Nodding his head in agreement, Elfman started to speak.
"Yah! Let's show them what a real man is" shouted Elfman before he turned his attention towards another solider and crashed his fist into him. Dante and Elfman fought against the enemy soldiers for some time, lending each other their support as they did so. With how numerous the enemy was, Dante lost track of time while he defeated countless enemies. Crashing a fist charged with holy energy into another enemy solider, Dante looked around to see that they were still easily outnumbered a thousand to one.
"Man, how many fighters do they have" asked Dante in a frustrated tone. While Dante had plenty of energy to keep fighting, he could tell that wasn't the case for his comrades. Glancing towards Elfman who was breathing heavily, Dante continued to speak.
"You still good Elfman" asked Dante with concern in his voice. While Elfman was still breathing heavily he smiled at his big brother and started to speak.
"Yah I'm fine. A real man would be able to keep fighting for his guild" responded Elfman in a confidant tone despite his clear exhaustion. Just as Dante was about to respond, he heard a pained yell from Levy. Turning towards the source of the yell, Dante spread his wings and flew towards Levy.
"GET AWAY FROM HER" yelled Dante as he attacked the solider that Levy was battling against. The enemy solider flew backwards before he crashed painfully into the ground. Landing next to Levy, Dante gave her a warm smile as he started to speak.
"You alright Levy" asked Dante with a friendly smile. Breathing heavily, Levy gave Dante a grateful smile as she started to speak.
"Yah I'm fine, thanks master" responded Levy in a grateful tone. Despite having just saved Levy, Dante could tell that she was barely holding it together. Levy looked exhausted and that exhaustion was making her slip up and start to struggle against the cannon fodder soldiers. Looking at Levy, Dante cursed that there was still so many enemy soldiers. At this rate things were just going to get worse as more and more of his allies exhausted themselves. As Dante was thinking about this situation, he suddenly heard Levy yell at him.
"Master watch out" shouted Levy in a concerned tone. Turning around Dante saw an enemy solider about to strike him. Just as Dante was about to counterattack, the enemy solider fell to the ground with Erza standing in his place. Smiling at her master, Erza started to speak.
"You looked like you needed some help master" stated Erza with a flirty smile. Smiling back at Erza, Dante started to speak.
"I sure did, thanks Erza. You are a beautiful sight even in the middle of a battlefield" responded Dante in a flirty tone, relieved that Erza seemed fine. Thinking about it, Dante supposed that he shouldn't be surprised that Erza was fine since she was one of the strongest women he knew. Erza blushed at Dante's words as she started to speak.
"I'm just glad that you weren't hurt master. Stick close to me and I'll watch over you" responded Erza in a flirty tone. Smiling back at Erza, Dante started to speak.
"Just don't get too distracted watching over me Erza" responded Dante in a flirty tone. While Dante and Erza smiled at each other, Levy started to speak.
"Is this really the best time to be flirting with each other" asked Levy while standing beside Dante and Erza. Turing his attention towards Levy, Dante started to speak.
"You're right Levy. I'll focus on the fighting for now instead of the two beautiful woman standing beside me" responded Dante with a flirty smile, making Levy blush at his words. After saying these words, Dante continued to fight alongside Erza and Levy. Fighting for a long while, Dante started to feel the affects of the prolonged fighting as he started to speak.
"Damn this just won't end" stated Dante in a tired tone. Looking to his side Dante saw that even Erza appeared tired, a clear indication that things were not going well. If Erza and him were starting to get tired that meant the others were only fighting on sheer willpower alone. Breathing heavily as she turned her attention towards her master, Levy started to speak.
"We need to do something, we can't keep fighting like this" responded Levy in a tired tone, breathing heavily as she struggled to remain standing. Smiling at Levy's words, Dante started to speak.
"You're right Levy. I think it's time to pull out one of my secret weapons" responded Dante with a smile as he pulled out a medallion. Channeling his magical power through the medallion, Dante's attention was turned towards Erza as she started to speak.
"What are you talking about master? What are you doing" asked Erza in a curious tone as she watched Dante channel his magical power into a trinket. Smiling at Erza, Dante started to speak.
"Just calling in a few friends" responded Dante with a smile before he activated the medallion in his hand. A beam of magical power shot out of the medallion, a flash of light enveloping the area. Closing her eyes from the bright light, Erza was about to ask Dante what he meant before she opened her eyes and immediately understood what he meant.
"Glad you guys could make it" stated Dante with a smile, glad that they now had significant backup. Smiling at Dante's words, Mystogan started to speak.
"Glad you let us join in on the fun" responded Mystogan, standing among his gathered army before he continued to speak.
"FOR FAIRY TAIL" yelled Mystogan to his army, a chorus of war cries sounding through the area as the army of Edolas charged. Smiling at her former guildmate, Erza started to speak.
"It's good to see you again Mystogan" stated Erza with a smile. Smiling at Erza, Mystogan started to speak.
"It's good to see you too Erza" responded Mystogan before he turned his attention towards the battle and started to lead his army. While the fighting continued, Erza was grateful to come face to face with a familiar and welcome person.
"I hope you haven't been slacking in your training. It would be embarrassing if the person sharing my face couldn't hold her own in battle" stated Nightwalker in an amused tone as she felled another enemy solider. Smiling back at her counterpart, Erza started to speak.
"I'll be glad to show you how much stronger I've become" responded Erza, grateful to see Nightwalker again after so long. After saying these words, the two Erza's fought alongside each other, both of them proving to be a deadly duo. Soaring through the sky Dante channeled his magical power as he shouted his next attack.
"Storm of Heaven" yelled Dante, multiple beams of holy energy shooting out of his body, crashing into serval soldiers. Landing back on the ground, Dante cursed the fact his attack did next to nothing thinning out the countless number of enemy soldiers. While Dante was struggling to maintain his angel soul form, he was determined to keep fighting for as long as he could. After a long while Dante was breathing heavily as he found himself fighting alongside Markov.
"KEEP FIGHTING MY CHILDREN" yelled Markov as he defeated another group of enemy soldiers. Channeling more of his magical power, Dante shot multiple beams of holy energy towards a group of soldiers as he started to speak.
"FIGHT TOGETHER! WE ARE STRONG AS ONE" yelled Dante, pushing himself to fight despite his tired muscles screaming in protest. Continuing to fight along side Markov, Dante hoped that there would be an end to the fighting soon. Soon after Dante said these words he watched as a flash of magical power coursed through the enemy soldiers as they began to change. Dante watched as the enemy soldiers changed forms, he could feel the increase in their magical power.
"You got to be kidding me?! Will this ever end" asked Dante as he punched an enemy solider. Unlike the previous soldiers, this one was able to tank Dante's attack and attempted to counterattack. Jumping backwards Dante avoided the attack as he continued to speak.
"These guys are way stronger than before, this is bad" stated Dante as he tried to think of a solution to their situation. Looking around Dante saw that his fellow guildmates were struggling against the strengthened soldiers. Standing beside Markov, Dante continued to speak.
"We need to figure out something master, the others won't last long like this" stated Dante in a worried tone. Markov was silent for a moment; he was clearly thinking about something. After being silent for a moment, Markov started to speak.
"You are right Dante; something must be done. To me the answer is clear" responded Markov in a determined tone as he channeled the majority of his magical power. After Markov said these words, Markov assumed a familiar stance that made Dante smile as he started to speak.
"Of course! Fairy Law is just what we need" responded Dante with a smile. After Dante said these words he heard Marvis start to shout as she ran towards them.
"YOU CAN'T USE THAT SPELL" shouted Marvis in a panicked tone as she ran towards Dante and Markov. Not breaking his concentration while he charged the Fairy Law spell, Markov started to speak.
"I can and I will. If it means defending my children I will do anything" responded Markov in a determined tone. Confused, Dante started to speak.
"What are you two talking about? Why shouldn't Master Markov use Fairy Law, it's a guaranteed win" asked Dante in a confused tone. With a panicked look on her face, Marvis started to speak.
"Fairy Law is a powerful spell, but it drains the life force of the user for each target it affects" responded Marvis, her words making Dante's heart stop as he was filled with worry while Mavis continued to speak.
"If Markov uses Fairy Law here, he's going to die" stated Mavis in a worried tone. Turning his attention towards Markov, Dante started to speak.
"Master if this is true you can't do it" stated Dante in a worried tone. Continuing to channel his magical power, Markov started to speak.
"Yes I can my boy. This is for my children. I will gladly give my life if it means my children can live" shouted Markov, his words carrying through the area which was overheard by serval members of Fairy Tail. Still not accepting what was happening, Dante shouted back.
"I won't let you do this master" shouted Dante determined to find another way that didn't require Markov to give his life. As a ball of light formed between his hands, Markov started to speak.
"You know as well as I do that as the guild master it is our responsibility to keep the guild safe. I will do this for my children" shouted Markov, showing that he fully intended to throw down his life for his children. While Dante didn't want to see Markov go, as guild master he understood where Markov was coming from. As serval guild members watched the tense exchange, Dante swallowed his sorrow as he started to speak.
"Fine, if this is what you intend to do then I won't stop you" responded Dante, barely able to hold in his tears as he spoke. Taking a moment to steady himself, Dante continued to speak.
"But if you are leaving the guild then as the current guild master it is my duty to remind you of the three rules you must abide by" stated Dante, his eyes filled with tears as he started to shout.
"Everyone! Master Markov is leaving the guild, let's give him a proper Fairy Tail send off" shouted Dante, tears falling from his face as serval guild members cried as well.
"Rule number one" stated Dante in a tearful expression while Markov continued to channel his magical power.
"You must never share sensitive information about Fairy Tail with anyone for as long as you live" responded Erza, remembering how lost and afraid she was after escaping the tower of heaven before Markov gave her a new home and family.
"Rule number two" responded Dante, his body shaking as he tried to hold himself together.
"You must never contact past clients you may have worked for while in the guild for your own personal gain" responded Mira, remembering how Markov saved her siblings from a life on the run.
"And rule number three" cried Marvis, tears falling from her face as she watched Markov charge up the Fairy Law spell. Watching as Markov charged up Fairy Law, Mavis remembered the birth of Markov and was proud of the man he had grown into.
"Although our paths must stray, promise to live the rest of your life to the fullest. Treat everyday like it was your last day in this world. Never forget your Fairy Tail friends, you must treasure them for as long as you live" responded Dante, tears freely falling from his face as he remembered all the things that Markov did for him over the years. With tears falling from his face, Markov started to speak.
"You have all been the best children I could have asked for. Please live my children, that is this old man's final request" responded Markov sad to say goodbye to his children but determined to defend Fairy Tail. After Markov said these words he clapped his hands together as he continued to speak.
"Fairy Law" stated Markov, knowing that these words would be his last. As the light of Fairy Law enveloped the battlefield, Dante started to speak.
"Farwell Master Markov, thank you for everything. I promise to keep Fairy Tail safe as the seventh guild master" responded Dante, unable to control the tears freely falling from his eyes as he said goodbye to his father figure. The entire Fairy Tail guild cried as they said farewell to Markov, vowing to make sure his sacrifice wasn't for nothing.
End of Chapter 381