Fairy Tail: The Last Saiyan

by Kaz-35

Trained under immense pressure from his potential to be the legendary Super Saiyan, Jin's life is shattered when a dragon destroyed his home and people. Haunted by guilt, he spends eight years honing his skills in isolation. Now seeking connection rather than vengeance, he joins Fairy Tail in Magnolia, hoping for a new beginning.

9. Perfect Gambit

9: Perfect Gambit

---

The sun hadn't yet fully risen, but the sky was already tinged with the soft light of dawn. Jin's room was dim as the faint breeze from the open balcony stirred the air. Shirtless and covered in a light sheen of sweat, he was focused on his workout.

Jin's body moved rhythmically, doing one-handed pushups on the floor of his room, his chest brushing just above the ground with each rep. Sweat dripped from his forehead and his muscles tensed, but his mind was miles away, tangled in thoughts that refused to quiet.

"Three-hundred thirty-six… three-hundred thirty-seven… three-hundred thirty-eight…"

This was nothing compared to his usual training. The early morning exercise wasn't meant to push his limits—it was a chance to center himself, to focus, to think.

He had been no more than an outsider—a wanderer who came to Magnolia to find a second chance at life; a simple fresh start, no more. In just a few short days, Fairy Tail had gone from being a distant idea to a living, breathing part of his life.

Jin's hand trembled slightly as he held his weight at the bottom of a push-up. For a brief moment, he paused there, the tension gnawing at his mind.

They were getting closer. Every day, more of them were seeing the cracks in his story, the pieces that didn't quite fit. He had been careful, but even that wasn't enough anymore. His difference was no longer just a feeling, but a fact. Jin wasn't like them, and now, there was no hiding it anymore. Pushing himself back up, he let out a breath.

His mind wandered back to the trial, the Magic Council, and the chilling way Siegrain had looked at him like he was some sort of enigma; a secret waiting to be unraveled. That gaze had unnerved him, not just because of the blatant curiosity but because it felt like Siegrain had seen through him—had gotten far too close to understanding what Jin really was.

"That bastard… the hell does he want with us?"

Siegrain had acted like he was in complete control, like everything was playing out according to his plan. Worse still, he had something over Erza; something Jin couldn't yet understand, but it had gnawed at him since that day. The way her expression had shifted, the tension in her body—Jin could sense it.

He dropped down again, his body barely hovering above the floor. "I should have done more... I should've—"

He stopped himself. There was no point in replaying it now. He switched arms, shaking his head as if trying to physically dislodge the lingering thoughts of Siegrain. But as soon as he let go of one nagging thought, another crept in.

Mystogan. He was a mystery even now, even after the brief explanations Makarov and Erza had given him yesterday. A strange, powerful mage, constantly shrouded in secrecy. Jin wasn't sure what to make of him, but there was something… unsettling. What kind of person casts a spell to put an entire guild to sleep without a second thought? What kind of power did that? And why didn't Mystogan want anyone to see his face?

"If Makarov trusts him, then… I should too, right?" he muttered, though the question hung in the air unanswered. There had been no malice in Mystogan's presence, at least none that he could sense. He let out a grunt as he pushed harder, faster.

Then there was Laxus.

Jin's jaw clenched as the man's name entered his mind, his push-ups becoming sharper, more forceful. Laxus was another problem altogether—arrogant, condescending, power-hungry. He was everything Jin despised, a walking embodiment of everything wrong with the Saiyans. And worse still, Laxus wasn't just some distant threat. He was part of the guild, someone Jin would have to deal with sooner or later, but not now.

Jin exhaled again, forcing his mind away from Laxus. He had more important things to worry about. Like the fact that everyone knew now—everyone in the guild had seen it.

He finished the final set of push-ups, flipping onto his back to stare at the ceiling. His chest rose and fell with each breath, but his thoughts didn't stop.

"I can't keep thinking about this," he whispered, frustration leaking into his tone. "They've… already accepted me, right? They've shown me more kindness than I deserve."

The truth was bound to come out. He couldn't hide forever. And when it did… What then? Would they still look at him the same way? Would they still call him a friend?

They all knew he was different, and they accepted it even when he couldn't explain everything. He still had no idea how they would react when they finally learned the truth about him, but a small part of him believed that it wouldn't matter.

But even then… would they? What would they say when they learned he wasn't from some far-off land, but a warrior from a long-lost clan that was unlike anyone in the magical world? He had tried so hard to be different, to carve his own path, but those same memories were still there, lurking beneath the surface. The weight of his heritage was something he couldn't escape. He had known that from the beginning, but now... it felt so much closer.

Jin sat up, resting his arms on his knees as he stared out the open balcony, with Magnolia stretching out before him. He thought about Natsu, Gray, Lucy, Erza, the new friends he had made in the guild.

Each of them had accepted him, had seen him as one of them whether or not they knew he was different. They wouldn't care about the Saiyans or his past. If anything, his uniqueness would be another strength. Another reason to fight for them.

"Makarov thinks so," he said quietly, recalling the old man's words from last night. His uniqueness—his strength, his ki—it wasn't something to hide. It was part of him. And if they could accept that, then maybe... maybe he didn't need to be so afraid of the truth anymore.

He moved back to the center of the room. His muscles ached, but it felt good. He began a set of hand standing push ups, this time with renewed determination. Jin's muscles burned as he pushed through, a brief wave of peace washing over him as he focused on the rhythmic movement.

There was no more running, no more hiding. He wasn't just a Saiyan—not anymore. He was a member of Fairy Tail, and that truth—that identity—was something he could hold onto. The truth was going to come out eventually. He couldn't stop it, but he could prepare for it.

Knock knock.

Jin froze mid-pushup, holding himself a few inches above the ground, and his brow furrowed as his gaze landed on the door. Who would be knocking on his door this early?

Grabbing a towel, Jin wiped the sweat from his face and draped it over his shoulders as he walked over to the door. His hand hovered over the doorknob for a moment before he opened it, revealing a familiar shade of red in front of him.

"Good morning, Jin," Erza said with a warm smile.

Jin blinked, instinctively stepping back as if the mere sight of her had knocked the wind out of him. His heart jumped, not from surprise but from the sudden awkwardness of being caught mid-workout. Without thinking, he shifted behind the door, his upper body hidden from view.

"E-Erza?" Jin stammered, his hand gripping the edge of the door tightly. "What... uh, what are you doing here so early?"

Erza raised an eyebrow, her gaze piercing right through him. "Why are you hiding? This isn't the first time I've seen you shirtless."

Jin's face reddened as memories of the guild's locker room flooded back—the time Erza had casually strolled in, completely unfazed by the fact that it was the men's side.

"Y-Yeah, but that was—" He stopped himself and sighed, realizing there was no winning this argument. Sheepishly, he stepped out from behind the door, the cool air brushing against his damp skin as he fiddled with his towel absentmindedly. "Fair point."

"Much better." Erza's eyes softened for a moment before she straightened. "I came here because I wanted to invite you on a job with me."

Jin blinked again, his mind racing to catch up. "A job? This early?"

"I figured you'd be awake by now," she said simply, her eyes scanning his still-warm frame. "You're always training."

Jin's shoulders sagged slightly as he shrugged. "Okay, so… what kind of job?"

"Something that should prove formidable for someone like you." Erza paused, her lips curling into a small smile. "S-Class."

Jin nearly dropped the towel. "What?! An S-Class job?!" His voice shot up an octave, surprise written all over his face. "Erza, I'm not even close to that level!"

"You don't have to be. Regular members are allowed as long as they're led by an S-Class mage. You have my permission, and I know you're more than capable of handling yourself."

Jin stared at her for a moment, the flicker of excitement building into something more tangible. Something almost... familiar. It reminded him of the missions his father would go on—elite, dangerous, rewarding. The kind of challenge a Saiyan would thrive on. A grin tugged at the corner of his lips.

"Yeah... I could use that." His eyes shifted to the towel draped over his shoulder. "But... uh, let me take a quick shower first. I'm kind of a mess."

Erza nodded, folding her arms. "Make it quick. I'll wait here."

Jin nodded, grabbing his bath towel and a change of clothes. "Okay. Be right back."

As he disappeared into the bathroom, Erza stood outside Jin's door, arms crossed and her gaze focused, though her expression was more relaxed than usual. She could hear the faint sound of running water from the bathroom and surprisingly, found herself feeling… patient. Jin had changed. In the time they'd known each other, he'd started to shed some of the walls he'd built around himself, no longer as tense or withdrawn. It was subtle, but the signs were there, and it put her at ease.

As she waited, The creak of a door broke her from her thoughts, and she turned to see Aldrik stepping out from the apartment next door, rubbing his eyes groggily. He blinked in surprise, not expecting a guest, especially her.

"Ahh, well ain't this a pleasant surprise! Good mornin' to ye, Miss Erza!" Aldrik lowered his voice, mindful of the still-sleeping neighbors and his young son. "Didn't expect to see ye here. What brings ya to me humble buildin' so early, if I may ask?"

Erza inclined her head in greeting. "Good morning. Jin and I are heading out for a job today."

Aldrik raised an eyebrow. "A job, ya say? Can't be just any job if ya came all the way out here."

"Indeed. It's an S-Class job," Erza replied casually, as if the weight of that statement meant little to her.

"S-Class?" The landlord echoed, letting out a low whistle and leaning in slightly. "And yer takin' the lad with ya? Thought he was still gettin' his feet wet with you lot. Ya sure he's ready for somethin' like that?"

Erza's expression softened, something almost fond flickering in her eyes. "Jin is more than capable. He has strength that even he doesn't fully realize yet, and he's dependable." Her voice lowered slightly, almost as if speaking to herself. "Besides, I believe this will do him good, and I'll be there to make sure he's fine."

Aldrik chuckled, rubbing his chin. "Aye, I'll bet ya will. He's a good lad, that one. Keeps to himself a lot, but polite as can be. Take care of 'im, will ya?"

Erza gave a rare chuckle. "I will. He's in good hands."

Just then, the bathroom door clicked open and Jin stepped out, fully dressed in his suit and armor, his hair still damp from the quick shower. His eyes widened in mild surprise when he saw Aldrik there too.

"Oh, uh… good morning, Mr. Kane," Jin said, lowering the towel awkwardly.

"Mornin', lad," Aldrik replied with a grin. "Seems ye've got quite the adventure ahead of ya."

Jin chuckled sheepishly, still adjusting to the idea. "Yeah, Erza just told me. Feels like I should be more… I don't know, nervous."

Erza raised an eyebrow, her arms crossed again. "You were surprisingly quick in the shower for someone who claims not to be nervous."

"Maybe I'm a bit more excited than I thought." Jin scratched the back of his head, grinning a little. "And, well… no reason to keep you waiting, right?"

Aldrik let out a hearty laugh. "Nothin' wrong with that, lad. Best be quick when yer headin' out on somethin' this big, aye?"

Jin nodded. "Yeah, I… guess so."

"Well, good luck to ya both," Aldrik said with a wink, turning to head back inside. "Bring back some stories for my son, ya hear?"

Jin chuckled softly. "Will do. See you, Mr. Kane."

Erza gave a small nod of acknowledgment as Aldrik quietly closed his door behind him. Jin shifted, still feeling a little awkward but more relaxed than before.

"It's good to see that you're quick to be ready," Erza remarked. "Now, let's go. Time is of the essence."

They made their way down the apartment stairs, with Erza leading the way. As they stepped outside into the morning light, Jin stopped dead in his tracks when he spotted what could only be described as a small mountain of luggage stacked neatly in the middle of the street. His mouth hung open for a second before he found his voice.

"Is… is this…?"

"Preparation is key," Erza replied. "You never know if we'll be gone for a while, so it's important to be ready for any situation."

Jin's brow furrowed, still scrutinizing the mound of luggage. "All of it? This is all yours?"

Erza gave him a curious look, as if the question itself was strange. "Yes. Do you find something wrong with that?"

Jin stood there, still dumbfounded by what he was seeing. He wasn't sure how she managed to carry all of that, or why she even needed so much in the first place, but he knew better than to question Erza. Everyone in Fairy Tail had their quirks, and this was another one of hers.

"Uh… no. Of course not," he muttered, shaking his head with a small smile.

"Good," Erza said, pulling the wagon along with ease as she gestured for him to follow. "Let's get moving then."

---

Jin and Erza sat across from each other in a train cabin, the soft rumble of the freshly repaired railway accompanying the early morning light filtering through the windows. Jin glanced out the window, watching the landscape rush by.

"They fixed this pretty fast," he remarked, resting his chin on his palm. "Didn't think the trains would be up again so soon after everything with Eisenwald."

Erza, who was quietly reading over the job request, glanced up. "Trains are essential here. Without them, trade and transportation would come to a standstill. They're not just convenient. They're lifelines."

Jin nodded thoughtfully, realizing the importance of keeping things running, especially for places like Magnolia, where everyone relied on trains to travel and transport goods across the continent. A comfortable silence settled between them for a moment.

He glanced over at Erza, who had been uncharacteristically quiet since they boarded the train, her usual calm demeanor tinged with something that felt like urgency.

"So, what's this job really about?" he finally asked, breaking the silence. "You didn't say much earlier."

Erza looked up, her expression sharpening as if she had been waiting for him to ask. "According to the client, a creature has been terrorizing Talonia. It's a small settlement between Clover and Mt. Hakobe, which is why we'll be stopping at Oshibana first. From there, we'll cut our way by land."

Jin nodded slightly, crossing his arms. Clover had been undergoing repairs after recent battles, so it made sense they'd have to reroute. "Right, so… what kind of creature are we talking about?"

"According to the client, it's the result of a dark guild experimenting with magic on various insects—combining them, enhancing their abilities. The result is a mutated insect or lifeform that they either lost control over or let loose deliberately. I suspect it's the former."

"Mutated… insects?" Jin's brows furrowed as he leaned back, absorbing the information. "What does that even mean? Is it some kind of spell?"

Erza shook her head, a hint of frustration creeping in. "It's more complex than that. Dark guilds are notorious for using forbidden spells and curses to achieve this sort of thing. They likely used magic to alter the natural order, but we can worry about how it was created later."

Jin nodded, still unsure of what to make of the idea. "Okay… I get the danger and forbidden part, but what makes it worse than any other creature? What makes this… well, S-Class?"

Erza's eyes darkened. "It… absorbs people."

Jin blinked, taken aback by the bluntness of her response. "What? Absorbs?"

"Yes. It absorbs people's magic and life force. The more it consumes, the stronger it gets." Her voice lowered, a shadow crossing her features. "If we don't stop it soon, it'll move on to other towns—possibly even Magnolia."

The weight of the situation finally settled over Jin. He hadn't realized just how urgent the mission was, but now it made sense why Erza had been urging him to hurry this morning.

"I see… so that's why…" He glanced out the window, his tail flicking with unease. "Look, if it's absorbing people, we need to get there fast. I could fly ahead and—" He cut himself off, shaking his head. "No, I don't want to leave you behind."

"You won't have to," Erza replied. "We can get to Oshibana, drop off my things somewhere, and then you can fly us both to Talonia from there. It'll save us time."

Jin blinked, slightly taken aback by her suggestion. "Wait, you want me to… carry you?"

"Yes," she replied, completely unfazed by the idea. "We don't have time for second thoughts. That creature is growing more powerful with every second, and the faster we get to Talonia, the better."

Jin hesitated, rubbing the back of his neck. It was one thing to do it himself, but having someone else along was… different. Flying was second nature to him, but the idea of carrying someone—especially someone as formidable as Erza—felt a little strange. He could handle the weight, that wasn't the problem. But would it feel… awkward?

"Alright," Jin agreed, nodding firmly. "We'll drop off your things at Oshibana and fly to Talonia from there."

Erza smiled faintly. "Good. I trust you, Jin."

---

The train screeched to a stop at Oshibana Station, jolting slightly as it settled into place. Jin and Erza stepped off the platform and into the bustling midday crowd. Repair crews were scattered about, mending damage from Fairy Tail's clash with Eisenwald only days before. Scaffolding lined the station walls, and the faint sound of hammering filled the air.

"It feels different being here without having to worry about dark guilds," Jin remarked, his eyes scanning the station with a faint smile. "Nice, even."

Erza gave a brief nod as she dragged her luggage wagon. "It is." Her expression softened for a moment, recalling that day. "But we're not here to sightsee. We need to find an inn to leave my things before we waste any more time." She didn't slow her pace, even as the heavy wagon rattled loudly behind her, drawing more than a few stares from passersby.

Jin gave her a quick nod. "Right, right. I know."

They wove through the crowded streets of Oshibana, their eyes darting around for any signs of an inn. The noise of the bustling town, mixed with the clamor of ongoing repairs, made it difficult to focus. Erza's impatience only grew as time passed.

"This is where it all started, huh?" He said, trying to ease the tension. "Last time we were here, you were stuck in that tornado, and I couldn't even—"

"Jin," Erza cut him off with a sharp glance, her grip tightening on the wagon's handle. "We don't have time to reminisce."

He immediately fell silent, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly as they continued their search. Minutes ticked by, but no inn came into view, and Jin could feel Erza's frustration building with each step. They were losing precious daylight, and with every second, that creature in Talonia was likely growing stronger.

Without warning, Erza halted. "We're wasting time."

Jin blinked. "Huh? We haven't even—"

"We'll leave my things here." She scanned the street and spotted an alley just ahead. Without waiting for Jin's response, she marched towards it, hauling the wagon behind her.

Jin hurried after her. "Wait—what? Leave it here? Are you sure?"

"There's no time to keep searching for an inn," she replied briskly, parking the wagon. "We'll retrieve it later. Right now, our priority is Talonia." She then sharply turned to face him. "You can carry me. We're flying the rest of the way."

Jin hesitated, feeling the tension of the moment tighten in his chest. "Look, I've never really... carried anyone before while flying." He glanced at the alley, half-expecting someone to swipe the wagon in the short time they'd be gone. "Are you sure about this?"

Erza crossed her arms impatiently. "We've already discussed this. Do not make me repeat myself."

He stared at her for a beat, knowing she was right. He'd already agreed to the plan earlier, but now that it was happening, the thought of carrying her felt intimidating. Still, there was no other option.

"Alright." He took a deep breath, looking her over. "So, uh... how should we... do this?"

Erza nodded, seemingly unfazed by his awkwardness. "I'll ride on your back. It'll be easier to fly that way."

Jin blinked, processing the idea. "Okay... on my back." He wasn't sure why the idea made him flustered, but he pushed it aside. "Right. I… I can do that."

She walked up behind him, arms ready to wrap around his shoulders. "Just bend down a little so I can hop on."

Feeling his face heat up just a bit, Jin crouched slightly, letting Erza position herself behind him. She climbed onto his back with practiced ease, her armored arms looping over his shoulders and her legs wrapping around his waist. The added weight wasn't much of a problem—he'd carried far heavier things before—but the situation itself felt... surreal.

"Uh… you alright back there?" Jin asked, his voice slightly strained with the effort to keep the situation light.

Erza's voice came right near his ear. "Perfectly fine. Now, let's go."

Jin nodded, swallowing his nerves. He took a steadying breath, crouched slightly, and with a powerful burst of ki, they shot into the sky.

The sudden rush of wind hit them as they soared upward, the landscape quickly shrinking beneath them. For a moment, Jin struggled to adjust to the added weight, but soon found his rhythm, his ki steadying them as they sailed through the air. He glanced back, catching a glimpse of Erza's focused expression as she surveyed the land below, her eyes narrowing as they passed over the forests and roads.

"So this is how it feels," Erza said over the roar of the wind. "It makes sense now why you've been completing so many missions in record time."

Jin chuckled, keeping his eyes on the horizon. "It sure helps when you can fly and don't have to worry about trains or walking, doesn't it?" He grinned, feeling more at ease now. "Don't tell me you're getting jealous like everyone else in the guild?"

"Hardly," she replied with a faint smile. "If anything, it's a blessing. It means you can reach more people faster."

"My thoughts exactly," Jin said, his grin fading into a more serious expression as the gravity of their mission settled in. "Now, let's just hope we can stop that thing before it does any more damage."

Erza nodded, leaning forward slightly. "Straight ahead. We'll be at Talonia in no time."

---

The landscape below passed in a blur as Jin and Erza soared through the sky. Talonia lay ahead, but something about the town felt off long before they arrived.

The breeze blew softly, but there was no sign of life—no distant chatter, no market sounds, not even the occasional bird. From above, the place looked eerily calm, far too calm. Jin flew at a steady pace with Erza secured on his back, her eyes scanning the town below with growing concern.

"This doesn't feel right," Jin murmured, squinting slightly.

"I agree," Erza said, her grip tightening slightly. "Get us down. See if you can sense anyone."

They landed softly at the edge of town. As soon as Jin's feet touched the ground, he set Erza down then closed his eyes to focus. His brow furrowed as he reached out, searching for even the faintest trace of ki signatures—anything that might signal life in the vicinity.

"There's… nothing," he said softly. "No ki signatures. No movement. The whole place feels… deserted."

Erza's expression darkened. "I can only hope that at least some of the people managed to escape in time. Let's investigate."

They walked through the entrance of Talonia and began making their way through the desolate streets, the sound of their boots against the cobblestone the only noise that echoed in the emptiness. Storefronts stood with doors wide open, and market stalls remained abandoned, their goods left to rot. It was as if everyone had simply vanished. As they ventured deeper, Jin's eyes caught sight of something on the ground.

A set of clothes lay sprawled across the ground in front of him—completely intact as though the person who wore them had been lifted right out of them. He squatted down to examine the fabric, picking up a jacket with two fingers.

"What the...?" Jin murmured, scrutinizing the conspicuously placed clothing. "Why would there be clothes just... lying here?"

"Jin," Erza said, her expression turning grim as she pointed forward. "Look."

Jin stood up and followed her gaze, and what he saw made his blood run cold.

Scattered throughout the street were more piles of clothing—shirts, dresses, even children's shoes. Dozens if not hundreds of clothes scattered about. They were everywhere, laid out in a pattern so haunting it sent a shiver down his spine.

"This… this can't be right," Jin whispered, taking a step back as he felt his stomach sink. "What the hell is this?"

"These innocent people... they didn't run." Erza stepped forward, her jaw clenched. "That creature… it must have consumed them entirely. That's why there's no trace of life here. This… this is all that's left of them."

Jin's heart hammered in his chest as he scanned the street, overwhelmed by the sight of so many discarded garments. He knew in his gut that something terrible had occurred here, but this… this was far worse than he could have imagined.

"What… What kind of monster could do something like this?"

"I… I don't know," Erza replied. "But whatever it is, it's more dangerous than we initially thought. We must stay alert."

Jin nodded, and they continued their search through the desolate town, passing more and more sets of abandoned clothes. The deeper they went, the more suffocating the atmosphere became, as if the town itself had absorbed the fear of its lost inhabitants. Every corner they turned revealed more evidence of what had happened—more people gone, consumed by something beyond their comprehension.

Eventually, they reached the guild hall of the ones responsible for the creature's creation. The building was decrepit, the emblem of a twisted insect carved into the stone above the entrance. Jin's eyes darkened as they approached it, the emblem stirring a bitter memory of his encounter with Eisenwald, and he let out a frustrated breath.

"Why?" Jin muttered, his eyes narrowing as memories of their clash with the dark guild resurfaced. "Why can't people just live their lives without dragging others down with them?"

Erza glanced at him softly. "I'm afraid dark guilds just don't see it that way. They believe rules hold them back from a guild's 'true potential.' But this…" she gestured to the empty town around them, "...this is exactly why those rules exist."

They entered the guild hall, and the destruction continued inside. The same eerie silence filled the space, and more piles of clothes littered the floor—this time, remnants of the dark guild members themselves. The walls were lined with books and research materials, twisted remnants of whatever dark magic had created the monstrosity they now hunted.

As they explored deeper into the guild hall, they found themselves in a dimly lit room—a laboratory of sorts, filled with strange equipment and twisted magical devices. There were notes scattered across a desk, half-written documents and diagrams of something horrific. Jin scanned the papers, one in particular catching his eye.

"Erza, look at this," Jin called out.

She stepped beside him, glancing at the page that Jin held up in front of them. It was all centered around one creature, likely the same one responsible for the devastation in Talonia. Erza's eyes narrowed as she read the name aloud.

"Cell..."

The sketch on the paper showed a grotesque figure—a green humanoid creature with wings, horns, and a long tail ending in a stinger. Beside the sketch were notes detailing its creation: a fusion of dark magic and the strongest traits of various insects, molded into a single being. Cell was the guild's masterpiece, their perfect weapon—and now, it had turned on them.

"It looks like some kind of magical experiment gone horribly wrong," Erza said, her fingers grazing the page. "They thought they could control it, but now it's stronger than any of them had anticipated."

"And they paid for it," Jin said coldly, his gaze flicking outside as he tossed the paper back onto the desk with frustration. "Great. We know its name, we know how it looks... but we still don't know where it is or how to stop it."

"It's a start. We know what to look for now, and the sooner we find Cell, the fewer people will suffer the same fate." She then turned toward the door. "We should split up to cover more ground. You search from the sky, and I'll take the streets. We need to know if it's still lurking around somewhere."

Jin hesitated, glancing at her. "Are you sure? What if it is close by?"

"Then we'll deal with it together," she replied. "Still… we need to be very careful."

Jin nodded, though a part of him hesitated. He didn't like the idea of them being separated, but he knew it was the most efficient way to track down Cell.

"Alright. I'll search the town from above," Jin said, stepping back toward the entrance. "Be careful."

"You too," Erza responded, summoning a magic circle and brandishing a sword.

---

Erza moved carefully through the streets of Talonia, her eyes sweeping the silent, eerie town. Her grip tightened at the sight of abandoned clothes scattered on the cobblestone, remnants of lives that had been swallowed by the town's invisible predator. Children's shoes and small, delicate dresses brought a lump to her throat. It was unsettling how empty the town felt, as though life itself had been stolen away.

She stole a glance up at Jin, who soared above and searched for any sign of the creature that had done this. It was a quiet reminder that she wasn't alone in this twisted place, but still, every step felt like it led closer to something dark, something sinister. The emptiness weighed on her, twisting her stomach, but she pressed on, determined to find their target.

As she passed an alley, something caught her eye—a glint of pale light reflecting off something... organic. Erza slowed her pace as she backtracked, and her breath hitched when she saw it—a massive, insect-like husk.

Erza slowly walked over to it and knelt, inspecting the husk. It was rough, almost slimy, and unmistakably insectoid, with jagged edges and a gaping fissure down the middle where something had crawled out. This had to be Cell's discarded form—its larval stage, left behind like a skin that was shed after its gruesome metamorphosis.

"This… this is Cell's old body," she muttered to herself.

Suddenly, a faint sound—a shift in the air. A soft thud echoed behind her, a cold presence enveloping her senses. The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end, and her heart raced. She spun, slashing her sword instinctively, but the blade cut only air.

"Wha—?"

In one swift motion, a tail lashed out, disarming Erza before she could recover, and a low, menacing chuckle escaped from behind her. She glimpsed the grotesque green body looming over her, insectoid and monstrous—Cell.

She tried to turn, but Cell's grip was already on her. His long arms wrapped around her like a vice, and with one swift jab, his tail pierced the skin of her exposed upper arm.

Erza's strangled cries echoed down the alley. Her strength waned rapidly, her body becoming numb. A cold, sickening sensation coursed through her veins as her magic was siphoned from her. She tried to struggle, tried to fight, but her strength drained faster than she could breathe.

"A delicious surprise." Cell had a raspy voice that slithered through the air behind her, smug and dripping with malice. "Such potent magic you have. I'll gladly take it all."

Erza's vision blurred as her magic was sucked away, the power within her being leeched in a torrent. She gritted her teeth, her arms trembling as she fought to stay conscious.

"Let... me... go!" she growled through clenched teeth.

"Oh, I don't think I will," Cell replied. "Your magic is far too good to pass up—"

Suddenly, a force slammed into Cell from above.

Jin's boot collided with Cell's skull in a thunderous crack. The creature hissed, stumbling forward as his grip loosened on Erza. The stinger tore free from her arm, and she fell to the ground, clutching her injured limb as she gasped for air.

Jin wasted no time. With a primal roar, he launched himself at Cell again, his fists flew in a flurry of strikes, each one wild and full of fury. Cell barely had time to raise his arms, blocking some of the attacks but clearly unprepared for the Saiyan's raw speed and ferocity. Jin's eyes gleamed with a dangerous light as he unleashed a relentless assault, driving Cell back with every hit. Each blow reverberated through the empty streets, but despite the force of Jin's attacks, Cell managed to parry just enough to avoid being overwhelmed.

Erza, clutching her side, tried to stand but failed. Her magic had been drained so quickly she could barely stay upright. She watched Jin tear into Cell, his movements raw, animalistic, almost savage in his attack. A calculated grin spread across Cell's face, but there was a flicker of something else in his eyes—surprise. The creature hadn't expected such resistance.

Finally, with one last crushing blow, Jin sent Cell skidding backward. The creature tumbled across the ground, stopping several meters away. Panting, Jin's eyes snapped back to Erza, who was barely managing to stand.

"Erza, are you alright?" he asked, rushing to her side, the fury in his voice softening with concern as he helped her steady herself.

"I'll… live," Erza muttered through gritted teeth, using Jin's arm to pull herself back up. She leaned against Jin for a moment, allowing him to steady her as her strength slowly returned. Her arm throbbed where Cell had pierced her, and her magic felt hollow, drained almost completely. She forced herself to stand straight, though her legs trembled from the effort.

Finally, they got a good look at their adversary. Cell was exactly as they had seen in the lab sketches—his slender body an unnatural fusion of insect and humanoid features. His green, armored skin was marred with black spots, but his wings seemed to be artificial. The long tail, still dripping with Erza's blood, swayed lazily behind him, and his piercing, slitted eyes gleamed with arrogant amusement.

"Ah, yes. I suppose you're admiring my form," Cell's voice dripped with arrogance, his posture almost regal despite the grotesque nature of his appearance. "I must admit, I've become quite the masterpiece, haven't I?"

"So… you're Cell." Jin's fists clenched, his knuckles turning white. "You're the one who absorbed all these people. You killed them!"

"Oh, that is such a short-sighted perspective," Cell replied with a smug tilt of his head. "I prefer to call them donors… They're the ones I have to thank for my power, after all." His gaze shifted to Erza, a cruel glint in his eyes. "I must thank you in particular. Your magic is… exquisite."

"You… you're nothing but a monster!" Erza growled, glaring at the creature. "What could you possibly gain from all this?!"

"Monster? Such a limiting word. I am perfection in progress." Cell chuckled softly, brushing off the insult as if it were meaningless. "They served their purpose as you will in due time, but alas, there is nothing left for me here. My next meal awaits."

With a growl, Jin launched himself forward. But just as he closed the gap, Cell brought his hands to his head.

"Solar Flare!"

A blinding light exploded from his body, engulfing the entire alley. Jin and Erza both cried out, covering their eyes as the intense flash seared their vision. Jin swung wildly, trying to reach out, but he hit nothing. Erza stumbled back, her sword clattering to the ground as her eyes burned from the sudden flash.

As the light faded, Jin blinked rapidly as his vision slowly returned, but the alley was now empty. Cell was gone.

Jin's heart pounded as he rushed back over to Erza. She was kneeling, clutching her arm, the remnants of her magic still slipping away.

"Erza!" His eyes darted to her arm, the place where Cell's tail had pierced her skin and absorbed her magic. "What… what happened?"

Erza grimaced, clutching her wounded arm. "I… I was looking for any clues, and then... he got me." She gestured toward the grotesque husk behind them, the remnants of Cell's larval form. "He must have planned this, waited for wizards to come here and investigate. He ambushed me, absorbed part of my magic." Her voice held a tinge of frustration, more directed at herself than anyone else.

"Damn it," Jin cursed under his breath. "I knew we shouldn't have separated. I should have stayed closer."

"I know." Erza replied. "I just thought we could cover more ground. We didn't know what we were dealing with." She tried to stand, only to falter. Jin immediately reached out, steadying her with a firm hand on her shoulder.

"You meant well, but you could've—" He stopped himself, knowing Erza already felt the weight of her decision. His hand lingered on her arm for a second longer before letting go. "You shouldn't have risked yourself like that. We can't afford to make another mistake like this."

Erza straightened herself, though her strength had clearly dwindled. "I'll be fine after some rest, but... I can't fight him like this, not now. You'll have to finish this, Jin. You have to stop him."

Jin hesitated, glancing over his shoulder where Cell had disappeared. Cell had moved with a deadly precision, and despite Jin's strength and surprise attack, the creature had managed to keep up with him. His eyes fell back to Erza, who had never looked so vulnerable.

"I don't know, Erza," he admitted, the self-doubt creeping in. "If he's already this strong after taking your magic, what if I just make him stronger? What if I—"

"Jin, listen to me." She grabbed his wrist firmly despite her weakening state. "Don't you dare doubt yourself. You're stronger than you think. You can beat him—use your instincts, your power. Find a way. I know you can."

Jin's eyes widened slightly at her words. There was no hesitation in her voice, no hint of doubt. She was hurting, barely able to stand, and still she believed in him. He swallowed hard and nodded, his expression hardening with renewed determination.

"Alright," he said softly. "But… how do I stop something that gets stronger with every fight? With every person he absorbs?"

Erza thought for a moment, her brow creasing in pain and concentration. "If I were you, I'd look for a weakness in his absorption. There has to be a limit, a flaw in his design." Her eyes flickered back to him with concern. "Just be careful. Don't let him—"

"Absorb magic," he finished. Jin's eyes lit up, his mind suddenly sparking with a new idea. "That's it."

Erza's brow furrowed. "What is?"

"Cell absorbs magic, right? But what if… what if he tries to absorb something… different?"

Erza's eyes widened slightly as she caught onto what he was implying. "Ki."

Jin nodded, his eyes lighting up with determination. "He can absorb magic... but he definitely hasn't absorbed ki before. I can use that. If I let him take my ki, just enough to throw him off—"

"Jin, wait." Erza's hand shot out, gripping his arm. "That sounds dangerous. Are you sure about this?"

"It's a risk, but it might be the only way. If I can overwhelm him with the wrong kind of energy, I might be able to stop him. Or at least weaken him enough for us to finish the job."

Erza hesitated, her grip tightening slightly before she released him, nodding slowly. "Okay. Just… be careful. I can't afford to lose you to that creature too."

Jin smiled faintly, his confidence returning. "Then I guess we'll just have to see what happens. Come on."

Erza's eyes widened slightly as Jin leaned in. "Jin, wait. What are you—"

Before she could continue, Jin knelt down and slipped his arms beneath her. She gasped softly as she instinctively wrapped her arms around Jin's neck, having lifted her up and held against his chest in a protective grip.

Jin adjusted his grip to steady her, but eventually, their eyes met. For a second, neither of them spoke as their faces were inches apart. The sudden closeness made the air between them thick and awkward, prompting Jin to clear his throat and glance away.

"Uh… you alright?" he asked, almost shy.

Erza shifted slightly in his arms, looking everywhere but at him. "I'm fine. Let's... just go."

Jin felt the heat rising to his face but quickly pushed it aside. There wasn't time to dwell on anything else now.

Erza held tightly as Jin launched them into the air, and Talonia shrank beneath them.

"What's the nearest town?" Jin asked, eyes scanning the horizon. "Cell's bound to be heading somewhere with a lot of people."

"Oshibana, actually. It's closer to here than Clover," Erza replied. "If Cell's heading anywhere next, I'd wager it'll be there."

Jin nodded, angling toward the path they had come from. "Then we'll just have to get there before Cell does. No more surprises."

---

Oshibana had fallen into chaos. Screams filled the air, echoing down the smoke-filled streets as civilians scrambled to escape. The once-bustling town was now a hunting ground, with its predator striding calmly in the midst of the destruction.

Cell had evolved.

He no longer had wings, but his body was more muscular, sleek, and humanoid. Black and orange skin stretched over his limbs, and his face was now disturbingly more humanlike yet grotesque. A sneer played across his comically large mouth as his pale blue eyes scanned the fleeing citizens—his soon-to-be next meals.

Behind him, clothes littered the streets—empty shells of the lives he had absorbed. He strode casually down the street, savoring the chaos, until he spotted his next prey: a man crawling desperately away from him. Cell paid no heed, stepping forward with deliberate grace, his tail rising to strike like a serpent.

"Now, now," Cell said, his voice now deeper, haughty, and more guttural. "No need to make this difficult. I promise it won't hurt… for long."

The tail shot forward, but a blur of movement sent it spiraling off course, and the next instant, Cell was blasted backward, his feet skidding along the street. Regaining his footing, Cell's eyes narrowed as he focused on the figure now standing between him and his intended victim.

"Get out of here!" Jin commanded, not sparing a glance at the civilian as he fixed his eyes on Cell. The man scrambled to his feet and ran as fast as he could, disappearing into the alleys.

Jin's fists clenched at the sight of him. This wasn't the same being he had briefly fought before. He was stronger—much stronger. From the corner of his eye, he caught sight of Erza, still recovering on a nearby rooftop, watching the scene unfold from afar. Their eyes met for a brief second before she nodded at him. She trusted him.

Cell chuckled as he straightened himself, a slow grin spreading across his wide, lipless mouth. "Well, well, well. I was wondering when you'd show up."

"You've… changed," Jin muttered, sizing up the creature in front of him. "How?"

Cell's grin widened as he saw the flicker of recognition in Jin's eyes. "You seem surprised. Surely you haven't forgotten how I've been… improving myself? Your friend—" he emphasized the word, clearly reveling in the weight it carried, "—was most accommodating. Thanks to her, I've ascended."

Jin's eyes widened slightly. "No... You—"

"That's right," Cell cut him off with a haughty laugh. "It was just enough to push me into this glorious new state of being. You should thank her too! Without her, I wouldn't be nearly this... perfect."

Jin felt a surge of anger at the mention of Erza. Cell had absorbed part of her magic. That's why he looked different. The thought of it—of Cell using Erza's strength to evolve into this monstrosity—made Jin's blood boil. Gritting his teeth, Jin forced his emotions down.

"Why?" Jin demanded. "Why are you doing this?!"

Cell paused, seemingly enjoying Jin's frustration. "Why?" he repeated, as if amused by the simplicity of the question. "I don't need a reason. I'm doing exactly what I was created for. To become…perfect."

Jin glared, demanding more with his silence.

Cell sighed, pretending to be bored. "But if you insist. Let's just say... I was made for this. My creators had a vision: to create the ultimate, perfect being, and those fools who tried to control me… they were beneath me. Weak. Imperfect. I was stronger than any of them ever realized, so I did what came naturally—I consumed them."

Jin's jaw tightened, but Cell continued, now circling Jin like a predator.

"I absorbed them—just like I'll absorb everyone here. Perfection demands strength, and coming here was no accident; just another step on my way to the top."

Jin's eyes darkened, his fists clenching harder. "You… used these people as bait… just to get to us?"

Cell shrugged, a casual gesture that only infuriated Jin further.

"Bait, fodder, call it what you will. It worked, didn't it?" Cell said, arrogance dripping from his voice. "I realized... there are those with true power. Power beyond the pitiful magic of common wizards. I needed more. I needed to absorb those who are worthy. People like you… and… Erza." Cell glanced toward the rooftop where she rested, his expression twisted with cruel glee.

Jin felt a wave of anger crash over him. He knew what Cell was implying. He was toying with him, throwing Erza's name around like it was bait.

Cell's smile widened, his tail flicking playfully. "Yes, Erza. Thanks to her magic, I've come this far. Imagine what I could do if I absorbed her completely. Or better yet…" Cell's pale blue eyes gleamed as he looked Jin over. "Imagine what I'll become when I absorb you."

Something inside Jin snapped. The thought of Erza being absorbed, of Cell stealing her magic, her life—twisted something deep inside him. His eyes briefly flickered yellow as he took a step forward, trembling with barely contained fury.

"You've done enough. You're not taking another life."

"Not taking another life?" Cell scoffed, the sound almost manic. "I've already taken dozens, hundreds, maybe more. What makes you think you can stop me now? You've seen what I've become. I'm beyond anything you could ever dream of."

"I'll kill you," Jin snarled. He shifted into his, or rather, Prince Vegeta's, fighting stance. "I'll kill you… and this will finally end."

Cell's laughter cut through the tension like a blade, and he looked Jin up and down with disdain. "By all means, try. But let me assure you, it's already over. I'm evolving, becoming stronger with every passing moment. You, on the other hand, are just delaying the inevitable."

Erza watched the standoff from the rooftop, her hand clutching her injured arm, her eyes locked on Jin. Her strength slowly returned, though not fast enough for her liking. She could feel his fury from where she stood, though she couldn't help but worry—this wasn't the same Cell Jin had fought before. He was stronger, more dangerous, and worse, arrogant beyond reason.

"You've got two choices," Cell continued, his face twisting in amusement as he watched Jin's hesitation. "Stand there and fight me like the fool you are, or be smart and give me what I want willingly. Either way, I'll be perfect whether you like it or not."

"You want this power?" Jin snarled, a new fire burning in his eyes as he locked onto Cell. "If you want it… then you'll have to take it."

Cell chuckled, a guttural sound that sent chills down Jin's spine. "Oh, I fully intend to. Once I'm done with you, I'll be sure to finish the job with your precious Erza. After all, she helped me evolve into what I am now."

Jin's expression remained calm, but beneath that facade, his blood was boiling. Cell had done more than terrorize Oshibana—he had hurt Erza, absorbed her magic, and used innocent lives to fuel his twisted ambition. He couldn't afford to lose. Not here. Not to this monster.

For a moment, neither moved, tension building in the standoff. Jin's brow furrowed, his body coiled as he took the stance he inherited from Prince Vegeta. He had a plan, but whether or not it would work… that was another matter.

Then, in the blink of an eye, Jin charged.

Cell's lips curled into a smirk. He didn't move until the last second, his tail whipping forward like a viper. But Jin anticipated it, twisting his body at the last second. He narrowly dodged the pointed tip of the tail and delivered a crushing elbow to Cell's jaw. The impact echoed through the air, sending Cell staggering back, but the creature quickly regained his footing. Cell lunged forward, faster than before, trading blows with Jin in rapid succession.

It was a rapid-fire assault of fists and kicks that neither could fully land. Erza's heart pounded as she watched, her stomach twisting into knots. The sheer speed at which they fought—it was almost too much to follow. Yet, despite Jin's relentless assault, she noticed something Jin hadn't yet realized.

Cell was edging him out, bit by bit. Every punch Jin landed was met with two in return. Every dodge was getting tighter, every hit a little too close for comfort. Every time he dodged a punch, a kick, or that cursed tail, it felt as if Cell was adapting, getting closer to pinning him down.

Erza's grip tightened on the edge of the rooftop. Jin was keeping up, but the exchanges were growing more intense, more vicious. A grunt of frustration escaped Jin's throat as Cell narrowly dodged a roundhouse kick, using the momentum to slam his knee into Jin's ribs. Jin staggered, the impact forcing him to catch his breath.

Erza's heart pounded as she saw Jin falter, and she cursed under her breath. She wanted to be down there, fighting by his side, but her body hadn't fully recovered from Cell's attack earlier.

"Damn it, Jin… don't you dare lose," she whispered.

Jin grunted as one of Cell's fists grazed his jaw, sending him skidding back. He barely had time to recover before Cell was upon him again. They exchanged a few more blows, and Jin quickly realized he was being pushed back, step by step. He crossed his arms, bracing himself as Cell's tail whipped toward him again.

"You're not getting me that easily!"

With a roar, he unleashed an Explosive Wave, sending Cell flying backward in a blast of energy that exploded from Jin. Cell was sent skidding backward, dust and debris flying in every direction. It bought Jin a few seconds of breathing room, but as the dust settled, Cell stood up unharmed, brushing off the attack as though it were nothing more than an annoyance.

"Is that all?" Cell mocked. "How disappointing."

Jin gritted his teeth, preparing himself for the next assault. He rushed forward, but something caught his eye—Cell's hands were moving up to his head, his fingers splayed apart.

"Solar Flare!"

Jin quickly closed his eyes.

"Fool!"

Cell lunged forward, grabbing Jin in a crushing bear hug. Jin's eyes shot wide in realization too late as Cell's arms clamped down like steel bands, pinning him in place. He struggled, but Cell's grip was unbreakable.

"Jin!" Erza's voice cracked as she screamed his name, forcing herself to her feet, but pain shot through her body, and she stumbled, clutching her arm. She could only watch helplessly as Cell lifted Jin off his feet.

"No!" Jin grimaced, feeling Cell's tail snake its way toward him. "Stay back!"

Cell chuckled darkly. "How touching. Don't worry. Once I'm done with you, I'll make sure she's next. After all, I can't have one without the other, now can I?"

The tail stabbed forward, puncturing Jin's collarbone. He winced, his breath hitching, but he remained still.

Cell's lips pulled back in a sinister grin as he began to drain Jin's energy. "Yes, that's it. Your power… it's exquisite. I'll enjoy every moment of this."

The sting of the tail dug deeper into Jin's flesh, and with it, the unmistakable pull of energy as Cell began to absorb him. Jin felt his strength drain, felt the weight of exhaustion creeping in, but through the haze, he let out a weak chuckle.

"Is there something you find funny, worm?" Cell growled, tightening his grip.

Jin's eyes locked onto Cell's, and through the haze of pain, he forced a smile. "Gotcha."

With a sudden roar, Jin raised his ki in a massive surge. His ki exploded around him in a brilliant aura, shaking the very ground beneath them. Cell's smirk vanished, his body jerking violently as Jin's ki forcefully entered his system.

"What—what is this?!" Cell demanded, his voice rising in panic as his grip loosened.

Jin grinned through the pain, clenching his fists. "You wanted my power? Well, here it is!"

Jin let out a yell, pouring everything he had into his ki. His energy surged, pushing back against Cell's absorption. He unleashed another Explosive Wave that blasted Cell backward, wrenching the tail out of Jin's body.

Cell stumbled, a snarl on his lips, but his expression quickly twisted into confusion—and then agony. Cell's face contorted as his body began to spasm uncontrollably.

"You… How dare you!" He stumbled as his limbs twitched erratically, as if rejecting what it had just absorbed. "What… what did you do to me?!"

Jin was on one knee, clutching his wound. "You're not absorbing magic, Cell. I don't use magic." Jin stood up, rolling his shoulders with a smirk. "I… use ki. Something you and your creators obviously know nothing about."

Cell's body twitched violently as he tried to steady himself, but his muscles spasmed uncontrollably. "Ki?! You… you planned this!"

Jin nodded, cracking his knuckles as he stepped forward. "You were so obsessed with absorbing me, you didn't even stop to wonder what would happen if you did. Now you get to see the results firsthand."

Cell's body contorted, spasms wracking him as the ki he had absorbed tore through him. His form became unstable, green fluid oozing from cracks in his skin.

"You—! I'll kill you!"

"Funny," Jin growled as he stepped forward, energy crackling around him. "That's what I was about to say."

Cell roared in fury, but it was too late. Jin rushed forward, his fists blurring as he unleashed a relentless onslaught of blows, each one driving Cell further into the ground. The street cracked and cratered beneath them as Jin's attacks intensified, his anger fueling every strike.

Blow after blow, each punch resonated with the fury of a thousand grievances—the lives lost, the towns destroyed, the people hurt. And Erza. Most of all, forErza.

She had made her way down to street level, her heart pounding as she watched Jin turn the tide of the battle. Relief flooded her system, but it was tempered by the lingering fear of what might happen next. Jin's plan had worked, but Cell was still there.

Cell, once so arrogant, now looked at Jin with wide eyes. Fear.

"Not so perfect now, are you?" Jin taunted, his fist slamming into Cell's gut, driving him deeper into the ground. Cell coughed up blood as his body convulsed harder, the ki inside him wreaking havoc. Cell whimpered as his arrogance shattered, reduced to a crumpled mess on the ground.

"N-no…" he croaked, raising a trembling hand. "You—you can't… I'm… perfect…!"

"No." Jin raised his hand to charge up a ki blast. The finishing blow. "You're a mistake."

Cell's body began to convulse more violently than before. Jin hesitated, his eyes narrowing as he stepped back. Something was wrong.

Cell screamed as his body mutated and grew grotesquely. His limbs stretched, and his form twisted into something far more monstrous. He ballooned grotesquely and grew to a gigantic size, sprouting massive spider-like legs, and his tail transformed into a giant, bee-like abdomen. His wings burst out from his back, and his horns grew jagged and twisted.

Jin stepped back, his stomach churning at the abomination before him. "What… the hell…?"

The monster let out a deafening roar, shaking the entire town. Cell had transformed once again—into something far more terrifying.

Erza rolled her injured arm as she strode up to Jin, his eyes locked on the mutated Cell thrashing wildly before them. The creature's enormous frame twisted and spasmed, its body grotesquely warped from absorbing Jin's ki. The monster they were facing now was beyond anything they had anticipated.

As Erza reached Jin's side, she could feel her heart sinking at the sight, a deep sense of dread twisting in her gut. This monstrosity was their doing—herdoing too.

"I... I think I just made things worse," Jin muttered, not even turning to face her. His voice was low, almost like he was speaking to himself, but Erza heard the weight of guilt behind it. "How… how did it get like this?"

Erza's eyes narrowed, her mind racing. "It's your ki. His body's rejecting it—he wasn't meant to absorb something like that," she explained, still clutching her arm. The pain had dulled, but the tension in her muscles hadn't. "This monster… its very being is unnatural."

"I thought... I thought if I made him absorb ki, it would weaken him. But now… look at him." His voice was tight, heavy with self-blame. "It's my fault he's like this. Now he's gonna—"

"Stop," she said firmly, placing a hand on his shoulder. "We both had a hand in this. He absorbed my magic too, and that's what got us here in the first place."

Jin turned to meet her gaze, his expression pained but searching. "I know, but—"

"Enough, Jin," Erza cut him off sharply, her grip on his shoulder tightening. "What matters now is stopping him before he takes any more lives. Blame won't help us here."

Jin's eyes flickered with uncertainty before he nodded, her words sinking in. Turning back to Cell, now mindlessly smashing through debris in its mutated form, he exhaled deeply.

"You're right… So what do we do?"

Erza glanced around, studying the area. "We keep him here, away from the rest of Oshibana. This town's already been hit hard after Eisenwald… we can't let him reach anyone else."

Jin frowned. "Keep him contained… I can work with that." He glanced sideways at her, his brows knitting in concern. "But what about you? Are you okay to fight? He absorbed your magic—"

"I'm fine," Erza quickly reassured him, giving a small nod. "I've rested enough. I can fight again." She paused, her gaze flicking to the wound from where Cell had punctured him earlier. "What about you? He took some of your energy too, didn't he?"

Jin exhaled slowly, his hands balling into fists once more. "I'm good. A little drained, but I'm still standing. Let's finish this."

Before they could say more, Cell let out a deafening roar that shook the earth beneath them. The creature's mutated body lurched forward, four massive spider-like legs crashing into the ground as it began its slow, terrifying approach toward them. Its eyes were wild, devoid of reason, consumed by raw, destructive power.

With a flash of light, Erza's armor shifted. She Requipped into her Black Wing Armor, the dark metallic wings unfurling behind her as she drew her sword. Jin straightened beside her, his ki flaring around him in a white-hot aura.

"You ready?" Erza asked, her eyes never leaving the monstrous form of Cell.

Jin nodded, taking Prince Vegeta's fighting stance once more. "Yeah."

With a roar, Cell lunged forward, its bloated body thrashing wildly, its spider-like legs skittering and swiping at everything in its path. Jin and Erza shot into the air the moment Cell swung at them, narrowly dodging the massive monster's claws.

Erza slashed at Cell with quick, precise strikes, flying with agility that kept her just out of his reach. Jin, darting around like a blur, struck Cell with sharp, powerful bursts of ki, working in tandem with Erza to contain the creature within the rubble-strewn streets.

Cell roared again, its mindless rage turning its attacks into wild, sloppy swings. Jin flew beneath one of the monster's flailing arms, driving a ki-empowered uppercut straight into its jaw. The force of the blow staggered the creature, and before it could recover, Erza Requipped into her Heaven's Wheel Armor, summoning dozens of swords in the blink of an eye.

"Blumenblatt!"

Erza sliced past Cell with the swords in her hand, and the blades rained down, piercing through Cell's thick hide and forcing him to stagger backward.

For a moment, they had the upper hand. The massive creature, though dangerous, was too slow to land a hit, and without any conscious thought behind its movements, Cell was struggling to defend itself.

"This thing won't go down easily, even like this!" Jin shouted, swerving to avoid a massive arm that nearly crashed into him. His voice strained with effort as he dodged.

Erza responded through gritted teeth, "Then we keep him here! The last thing we need is him getting anywhere near the people!"

Cell roared, enraged and desperate as his misshapen form shuddered. He threw out an arm, trying to catch either of them, but Jin and Erza were faster, slipping through his clumsy attacks like shadows. Each attack from the two chipped away at the monster's defenses.

But then, a sudden glow formed in Cell's mouth—an energy blast.

"Move!" Jin shouted, grabbing Erza's arm as they barely dodged to the side.

They dodged just in time, and the blast shot past them, exploding into a distant mountain. The shockwave rumbled through the air, making Jin glance over his shoulder in horror at the smoldering crater left behind.

"Damn it!" Erza gasped, her eyes wide as she watched the aftermath. "That could've—"

"Watch out!"

Before Erza could react, Cell's massive fist collided with her, sending her flying across the town. Jin's eyes widened in panic as he saw her small form crash into a distant building, the stone crumbling under the force of impact.

"Erza!" Jin screamed, frozen for a heartbeat as dread settled in his chest.

He reached out toward her, but the next instant, Cell's massive hand wrapped around him, its grip like a vice squeezing the breath from his lungs. Jin struggled, his ki flaring as he tried to break free, but Cell's crushing grip only tightened. He was caught—again.

"Damn it… not again!" Jin strained, trying to push against the monstrous fingers holding him, but Cell's strength was overwhelming in his mutated state.

From the rubble, Erza slowly rose, wiping blood from her lip. She blinked, her vision swimming slightly, before she saw the sight that made her heart stop—Jin, once again in Cell's grip.

"No!" she screamed, her mind flashing back to the horror of him nearly being absorbed earlier. The same fear clawed at her insides, but she didn't let it consume her.

With a flash of light, Erza Requipped into a set of cheetah-printed clothing: her Flight Armor. She immediately felt incredible speed surge through her limbs, and she rocketed forward, the wind shrieking in her ears as she became a blur. Faster—she had to go faster!

Cell opened his maw, ready to consume Jin, but he didn't notice Erza until she was already on him. In one swift motion, she severed his hand, her swords slicing cleanly through the creature. Cell howled in pain as his severed hand fell, and Jin broke free, flying up to meet Erza on a nearby rooftop.

"You okay?" Erza asked, eyes still focused on Cell as it thrashed in pain, clutching its dismembered hand.

"Thanks to you," Jin said, catching his breath. "But what now? He just keeps getting stronger even like this!"

"We finish him now," Erza said, her eyes narrowing as she witnessed Cell grow back his dismembered hand. "No more stalling, no more chances. He's regenerating too fast, so we need to overwhelm him before he adapts. Hit him with something big like you did before."

Jin nodded, recalling how they'd used a similar plan against the Lullaby "Alright… I've got something that should do the job, but I might need second."

"I'll give you all the time you need," Erza said, gripping the hilts of her twin swords. "Just don't miss."

Jin smirked, though it didn't reach his eyes. "Like that's ever gonna happen."

As Jin flew higher to gather ki, Erza shot toward Cell, her speed almost too fast for the eye to track. Erza was a whirlwind, darting around the hulking creature and slicing through it with surgical precision. Cell screeched in agony, swiping helplessly at the air as he lost balance.

Erza gritted her teeth, cutting through Cell's legs with brutal efficiency. Finally, with all of its legs gone, Cell collapsed, unable to keep itself upright. She darted in close, using her Sonic Claw technique to strike from every angle, faster than Cell could react. Her blades tore through his flesh in a flurry of slashes, leaving deep, glowing wounds across his body that left him swaying and unable to stand.

"Jin!" Erza shouted, landing on a nearby rooftop, her eyes locked on him. "Now!"

Jin's eyes flashed as the energy in his hand condensed into a brilliant, glowing sphere of blue. He extended his arm, palm outstretched.

"You want some more ki?! Have a taste of this! BIG BANG ATTACK!"

He launched the ball of energy, the blue and white blast roaring through the sky toward Cell. Cell let out a desperate, guttural scream, firing another mouth blast in a futile attempt to stop it—but it was too late. Jin's attack ripped through Cell's blast, piercing into the creature's body before detonating in a massive explosion of light and energy.

The ground shook as the blast engulfed Cell, a massive shockwave tearing through the air. Erza shielded her eyes from the brilliance of the explosion, waiting for the dust to settle.

Finally, as the haze cleared, she saw it—Cell's mutated body lay motionless in a deep crater, its form dull and lifeless. The once vibrant, twisted colors were now drained, leaving the creature a shadow of what it once was.

Jin lowered his arm, his chest rising and falling with heavy breaths. It was over.

Erza's muscles finally relaxed, the tension melting away. Her eyes turned to Jin, who hovered above the crater with his arm still extended, his chest rising and falling with each exhausted breath. He looked toward her, and they shared a silent, unspoken acknowledgment.

Cell's body twitched.

Jin's eyes widened. "What the—"

Cell's corpse convulsed violently, and before either of them could react, it began to inflate. The bloated mass of flesh swelled grotesquely, expanding like a balloon ready to burst. The veins in Cell's body pulsed with a sickly purple glow, and his entire form grew more massive by the second.

Erza's heart dropped. "No... this can't be."

"What's happening?!" Jin asked as he descended beside her.

"He's… He's going to self-destruct!" Erza said, her gaze locked on the now grotesquely inflated form of Cell. "All that magic he absorbed… all that power... this explosion will engulf Oshibana!"

Jin's face paled as the weight of her words sank in. He frantically looked around, panic surging through him as he turned back to Erza. "Then how are we gonna—"

"We can't evacuate fast enough," She interrupted, clenching her fists. "Even if we did, the explosion could still reach the entire town."

For a moment, neither of them moved. The ground beneath their feet trembled as Cell's body grew more unstable, pulsing like a ticking bomb. Erza knelt, her knees hitting the cracked earth as she stared at the inflating monster. Defeat weighed on her chest, and for a fleeting moment, it felt like there was no escape.

"There is… one more option."

Erza's head whipped up, her eyes locking onto his. She could see it in his eyes—what he was about to do.

"No… Jin, you can't!"

"I'm the only one who can get him away fast enough! There's no other choice!"

"JIN!" she screamed. Her hand reached out toward him, her fingers just missing the edge of his suit as he tore through the air.

Jin bolted straight for Cell's inflating body, his mind racing as fast as his heartbeat. He grabbed one of the creature's enormous arms, gritting his teeth as he summoned every ounce of strength he had left. With a primal roar, he spun Cell's ballooning mass around, the air around them howling with the force of his motion. He hurled Cell into the sky, then rocketed after him, determined to get the creature as far from the town as possible.

Erza's breath hitched in her throat as she stood frozen, torn between horror and hope. She knew what he was trying to do—getting Cell as far from Oshibana as possible—but that didn't stop the terror from seizing her. Jin was putting himself right in harm's way to keep everyone safe. To keep her safe. Again.

"Please…" she whispered. "Please, come back."

Jin continued to push Cell up into the sky. Oshibana was now far beneath them, but it wasn't enough. With one final shout, Jin threw Cell as hard as he could, launching him upward with everything he had.

For a split second, there was silence.

And then, with a deafening roar, Cell exploded.

The explosion tore through the sky like the sun itself had erupted. A violent shockwave rippled out, turning the twilight horizon into a blinding, searing light. The force of the blast blew Jin backward, the impact slamming into him like a wall. He was sent spiraling through the air, completely at the mercy of the explosion.

From the ground, Erza shielded her eyes from the brightness that lit up the evening sky. The explosion tore through the clouds, a column of light that seemed to touch the heavens. The orange hues of the sunset vanished, swallowed by the intense white that consumed the world for a few agonizing seconds.

As the light faded and the explosion began to dissipate, Erza lowered her arm. The once-bright sky had turned into a thick cloud of smoke, and her eyes immediately scanned the sky, panic swelling in her chest.

"Jin..." she whispered, dread seeping into every fiber of her being. "JIN!"

Erza's eyes darted frantically toward the sky. She scanned the horizon, and then—

There.

Jin was falling.

"Jin!" Erza screamed. Her legs moved on their own as she rushed forward, her armor vanishing in a flash of light as she Requipped back into her standard armor. She sprinted toward the place where she saw him falling, her heart hammering painfully in her chest.

Jin's body crashed into the earth, kicking up debris as he slammed into a street not far from where the battle had begun. Erza reached him moments later, dropping to her knees beside him, her hands trembling as she reached out and gently turned him over.

His body was bruised and singed, his once-pristine Saiyan suit torn and burnt, though his father's armor—while scorched—had miraculously endured. His face was slack, his eyes closed, and for one agonizing moment, Erza feared the worst. He looked so broken.

"No…" she whispered as she shook him gently. "Please, no… don't leave me…"

Desperately, she pressed her ear to his mouth, holding her breath as she waited for any sign of life. For a horrifying moment, there was nothing. No movement. No sound.

Then, faintly, she heard it—a weak, shallow breath.

She let out a choked sob of relief, tears welling in her eye.

"You're alive... you're alive..." She whispered the words over and over again, as if trying to convince herself. "You're such an idiot…"

Carefully, she pulled him close as her tears fell freely. "You did it... You saved everyone... You saved us all. You… saved me."

She sat there for what felt like an eternity, holding him tightly. The battle was over, but her heart still pounded with fear, her worry for Jin overwhelming every other thought. She cradled his head gently, brushing his singed hair away from his face.

Slowly, she lifted her head and saw that people had begun to emerge from their hiding places. They gathered around, some whispering in awe, others wiping tears from their faces. Their whispers filled the air, murmurs of relief and disbelief as they realized what had happened. Jin had saved them all.

But amidst the relief, there was a somber weight that hung over the crowd. Erza's eyes drifted across the faces of the townspeople—people who had lost loved ones, friends, family, to Cell's rampage.

Erza's gaze fell on a boy further down the street, barely ten years old, kneeling in the dirt. He held a woman's dress in his hands, his small body trembling as tears rolled down his face. His mother. One of the countless souls Cell had absorbed.

The scattered clothes strewn across the street told the same story. No matter how much they'd fought, no matter how hard they'd tried, there was nothing they could have done for those people. The ones who had been absorbed by Cell—mothers, fathers, children, innocent lives who had nothing to do with this—were gone. Forever.

"Damn it all," she whispered softly, as much to herself as to him. Erza closed her eyes, holding Jin tightly to her chest as tears fell silently down her cheeks.

For a long moment, Erza held Jin tighter, her fingers brushing through his soot-stained hair. No one spoke. No one cheered. This didn't even feel like a victory in the slightest.

---

Erza hadn't moved from her spot for hours, seated beside Jin with her hands resting in her lap, watching over him as he slept. His chest rose and fell slowly, a sign that he was stable, but his current state told the story of how close he had come to something far worse.

Bandages wrapped around his torso and arms, covering the burns and bruises he'd sustained from Cell's explosion. His suit and armor, torn and scorched from the battle, were neatly folded and stood respectively on a chair near the window, a painful reminder of what had just transpired.

Erza's own upper arm bore fresh bandages from where Cell had absorbed her magic. She glanced at her hand, flexing her fingers as if to remind herself that she was still here, still alive. But it was Jin that her eyes kept returning to. He was the one who had saved them all. Saved her.

It had all started with what seemed like a decently challenging job, but it had spiraled into a nightmare. She invited him along, thinking they could handle it together, but now here they were, left to pick up the pieces of a tragedy neither of them could prevent.

Erza's throat tightened as the memory of that final moment played in her mind. How he had taken off toward Cell without a second thought. How she had screamed after him, desperate to stop him, but knowing there was no other choice. Jin had saved the entire town of Oshibana from certain destruction, but it wasn't without cost.

Jin had been protective from the moment they'd met. She understood why—she knew the pain that haunted him, the losses he carried—but every time he threw himself into danger, her heart clenched. It wasn't just about Oshibana. It was about him.

Tears brimmed in her eyes as she reached out, taking Jin's hand in hers, grounding herself in his presence. She needed to reassure herself that he was still there, that he was still alive. The memory of those she'd lost long ago—people who had stood in front of her, who had shielded her from pain and death—flashed through her mind, igniting a raw fear in her chest.

And now, Jin was doing it again, fighting as though her life were more valuable than his own. Watching him now, injured and vulnerable, she couldn't shake the fear that this time, that it would end the same way. She was supposed to be strong, but the weight of helplessness bore down on her, a feeling she hated but couldn't escape.

She'd fought too hard, survived too much, but here she was, feeling powerless once again. She didn't want to lose Jin. Not him. Not after everything they'd been through. The thought of him sacrificing himself tore at her. She couldn't stop herself from wondering—what if he hadn't survived the explosion? What if that light in the sky had been the last thing she'd ever see of him?

"I... I can't lose you too."

She squeezed her eyes shut, letting a few tears slip down her cheek. Jin had become someone she wanted to protect. Someone who had fought so hard to live in a world that had taken everything from him. How much more could he endure? How many more battles before he, too, would be taken from her?

Suddenly, Jin stirred, his brow furrowing as he let out a soft groan. Erza quickly straightened, withdrawing her hand and wiping her face, not wanting him to see her so vulnerable. His eyes fluttered open, and he blinked groggily before his gaze found hers.

"Erza…?"

She exhaled in relief. "You're awake," she said softly, brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "How are you feeling?"

Jin blinked, his gaze shifting to the window where the faint glow of the town's lamps flickered through the curtains.

"Like I got hit by a mountain," he muttered, a weak attempt at humor. He started to sit up, wincing as the movement pulled at his bruises. "What happened? Where… are we?"

"Take it easy," Erza said, gently placing a hand on his shoulder to stop him. "You've been out for a while. I brought you to the hospital after the fight, got you patched up. You were pretty badly hurt, but you're going to be fine. They did what they could for your wounds, and I made sure your armor is safe too."

Jin sighed in relief, sinking back into the pillow. "I'm sorry, Erza… I didn't mean to worry you. I had to—"

"I know," Erza cut in softly. "You saved us all. You saved the entire town. What you did… was beyond anything I could have asked of you."

Jin nodded slowly, processing her words. "Is… everyone okay?"

For a moment, there was silence, the weight of those words hanging in the air. But then Erza's expression darkened. She lowered her gaze, hesitating before speaking again. Jin's eyes focused on her, the air between them thickening with the gravity of what she was about to say.

"Most of the people are fine. You saved Oshibana from the worst of it." Her voice faltered for just a second, the weight of what came next pressing down on her chest. "But… the people Cell absorbed… the ones from Talonia, and here in Oshibana…"

Jin's heart sank. He already knew what she was going to say, but hearing it confirmed sent a fresh wave of guilt crashing over him. "They're gone… aren't they?"

Erza lips pressed into a thin line, and she simply nodded. "I'm sorry."

The words hit Jin like a blow to the chest. His throat tightened, and he turned his head away, staring blankly at the ceiling. They were gone. All those people—gone in that explosion.

The imagined faces of those who were absorbed flashed in his mind, and with them, the helplessness he had felt before—the same gnawing dread that had haunted him ever since his youth. He had done everything he could, pushed himself beyond his limits… and yet, it wasn't enough.

"I… I thought I could do more…" Jin muttered, more to himself than to Erza. His hands gripped the sheets beneath him. "I thought if I just got him away, it'd be enough."

"You did everything you could. You saved the people who are still here, the ones who would have died if you hadn't acted. But… sometimes, no matter how hard we fight, we can't save everyone." Erza leaned forward, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Listen... No one could have predicted what Cell would become. Not you. Not me. But what matters is that we're here, and so are the people of Oshibana. They're alive because of you. Without you… I wouldn't be sitting here right now."

He didn't respond right away, his jaw tightening as he fought to suppress the guilt that threatened to swallow him. The faces of the people who had been lost—people he hadn't even known—flickered through his mind. But worse than that, it was the faces of those he had known, long ago. His parents. His clan. He had failed them too, hadn't he?

"Okay, but…" he trailed off, sounding like a child lost in the dark. "What do we do now?"

Erza thought for a moment, her gaze turning distant as she looked out the window, toward the quiet streets of Oshibana.

"We let them heal," she said softly. "These people have been through enough… with Eisenwald, and now with Cell. They'll rebuild and recover, but as for us… we need to rest. We've done all we can for now." She paused, glancing back at him. "I don't think asking for any sort of reward or compensation would feel right. Not after what's happened."

Jin nodded, though the hollow feeling remained in his chest. "Yeah… fair enough."

Erza reached out, her fingers brushing lightly against his hair as she gave him a small, reassuring smile. "We'll stay here for the night. Tomorrow, we'll head back to Magnolia. We both need a break, and so does this town."

Jin let the words sink in. A bitter lesson—victory wasn't always sweet. He had learned that long ago, but somehow, it never got easier. He nodded quietly.

"Alright. I'm fine with that."

Erza's expression softened as she stood up. "Rest up, Jin. I'll find something for us to do tomorrow. Something… quieter. Something that takes our minds off all this."

Jin nodded and closed his eyes, sinking back into the bed as exhaustion finally caught up to him.

"I'm sure you'll think of something," he murmured. "Good night, Erza. And thanks."

She smiled faintly, her own eyes still glistening with unshed tears. "No, Jin… thank you. You saved me. Again."

Jin didn't respond, already drifting back into sleep. Her eyes lingered on him for a moment longer before turning toward the bathroom to freshen up, Requipping into a set of pajamas. The weight of the day lingered on her shoulders, but for now, they had a moment of peace.

They were safe, and for now, that was enough.