Chapter-21: Dragon Slayers
"Etherious Flame Demon's Rage!"
A beam of green fire erupted from Raze, slicing through a mountain with ease, leaving molten rock in its wake. The infernal blast continued, melting through eight more mountains before arching upward toward Gray, who floated high above the devastation.
Gray reacted instantly, raising his spear with a determined glare.
"Devil Slayer Secret Art: Absolute Zero – Frost Storm!"
A massive wall of ice materialized in front of him, blocking the fire. As the flames dissipated, the wall began to morph, shrinking and solidifying into a city-sized snowflake, intricate and glistening with chilling magic. From the heart of the snowflake, an enormous beam of pure cold and Ice Magic shot downward, snuffing out every flame in its path. The air itself seemed to freeze as the attack neared.
Raze's eyes widened in disbelief as he attempted to move. His body refused to obey. Panic flared within him as he staggered back, only to find his movements sluggish, his magic faltering.
"What?! My body—it feels frozen?! But there's no ice on me. No…even my magic…" His thoughts raced as he realized the horrifying truth. "Impossible! This kid…he's using Conceptual Ice Magic? Conceptual Freezing?"
The beam descended with terrifying speed. Raze screamed internally, his demonic flames rising in a futile attempt to shield himself.
"MOVE! MOVE!" he roared within, but his base fire couldn't even clash with the overwhelming might of Conceptual Magic.
"MOV—"
The beam struck. The world around them changed instantly. For a hundred miles, everything transformed into ice—forests turned into crystalline sculptures, rivers became frozen veins, and even the skies above seemed locked in an eternal, frozen stillness.
Gray landed on the ground, his breath ragged, his chest heaving. He steadied himself, shaking his head as frost clung to his hair and clothes.
"Not done yet," he muttered under his breath.
Gray glanced around the frozen wasteland, his lips curling into a smirk. "How long have we been fighting?" He chuckled bitterly, leaning on his spear for a moment. "Twelve hours? A day? More? By the gods, I've never fought this long… Heh, I think I just broke Natsu's record."
Raising his voice, Gray shouted, "C'mon, you filthy faker! Show me your 'real' form!"
For a moment, silence reigned. Then the ground trembled violently, cracks forming beneath Gray's feet as an immense pillar of green energy shot into the sky, darkening the heavens above.
"There it is," Gray muttered, his grip tightening on his weapon.
The roar that followed was deafening. Gray narrowly dodged a light-fast strike, leaning just enough to avoid the blow. The being before him had transformed, towering at twelve feet tall, its heavily muscled frame radiating a pulsing, green aura. Black-green tentacles writhed grotesquely from its hunched back, its wolf-like legs digging into the frozen ground. Its lizard-like head sported one glowing green eye, while a jagged horn jutted from the empty socket where the other should have been.
"K-kill…devour…defile!" the creature snarled, its voice distorted and primal.
Gray clicked his tongue, tilting his head with mock disappointment. "Oh, so now you're ugly and stupid?" He snorted. "Gods, you've really fallen off, dude. At first, you at least looked like a Flame Demon inspired by Natsu. But now? Now you're just a big, ugly idiot with a tentacle problem. Seriously, this is embarrassing."
Raze roared, his demonic energy swelling to an overwhelming crescendo. His towering form radiated raw, destructive power as he charged forward like a juggernaut.
Raze – (Etherious Demon + True Form + Full Power) – 356.5 Billion MPL
Before the massive demon could connect, Gray's aura exploded outward, a shockwave of freezing energy throwing Raze off balance.
"My turn!" Gray announced, his voice calm but brimming with intensity.
Black markings spread across Gray's arms and face, curling over his right cheek and up to his temple, crossing his right eye. His magic spiked dramatically as the air around him turned frigid, frost spreading across the battlefield.
Gray Fullbuster – (Devil Slayer + Demon Mark One + Frost King's Arsenal + Full Power) – 311.87 Billion MPL
Gray exhaled a cold mist, his expression hard as ice. "Even with Demon Mark One and the King's Arsenal…I'm still under him," he thought, gauging the immense power difference. "My other forms aren't ready yet… Should I use the Mask? No, not yet."
Shifting his weight between his feet, Gray grinned confidently. "C'mon!" he taunted.
Raze bellowed in rage and leaped at him again, claws outstretched.
"Ice Devil's Rage!" Gray roared, unleashing a devastating point-blank breath attack of freezing energy right into Raze's face. The demon staggered, growling in fury as ice crackled across its hide.
Gray dashed forward, his long sword poised to slash. "RAA!" Raze roared, meeting Gray's blade with his massive claws. Sparks and shards of ice erupted as the two forces collided.
In the clash, Gray swiftly released his spear from his other hand, leaning into the fight. Their roars echoed as they pushed against one another, raw force meeting unrelenting determination.
Suddenly, Gray shifted, releasing his sword and ducking under Raze's claws.
"Ice Devil's Zeroth Destruction Fist!"
Gray's left hook connected with Raze's ribcage, an explosion of frost erupting from the impact. The freezing energy left a jagged patch of frostbite on the demon's skin. Raze snarled, swiping at Gray, but the Ice Devil Slayer dodged with nimble precision.
Planting his hands on the ground, Gray delivered a powerful double kick to Raze's stomach, sending the demon staggering back.
Raze roared, stomping on the ground as a massive pillar of green fire erupted around him. Gray flipped away from the inferno, landing a safe distance away.
"Is that all you got?!" Gray taunted, pointing his sword at the towering demon. "You ugly piece of sh—"
Before Gray could finish, Raze surged forward with blistering speed. "Fuck—" Gray grunted as Raze's massive fist slammed into his stomach, launching him into the air.
Raze caught him by the leg and slammed him into the ground with earth-shattering force.
"BHAA—!" Gray coughed, blood dripping from his mouth. But his hands smacked the ground, summoning an explosion of ice that surged outward in all directions. The freezing blast knocked Raze back, forcing the massive demon to skid across the battlefield.
Gray stood, breathing heavily but grinning, frost and determination radiating from his body. "You're gonna need more than brute strength, ugly. Let's go!"
Raze snarled, his green energy flaring around him like a storm. The heat from his flames melted the frost spreading across the battlefield, but it couldn't match the freezing chill emanating from Gray's Devil Slayer magic. The ground beneath them cracked, caught between the warring elements of fire and ice.
"RAAAAGH!" Raze lunged, his clawed arm swinging down like a wrecking ball.
Gray sidestepped with ease, sliding across the icy surface he created beneath his feet. "Too slow!" he taunted, raising his palm. "Ice Devil's Frozen Lance!"
A massive, spear-like shard of ice materialized in Gray's hand and shot forward with blinding speed, piercing through Raze's shoulder. The demon howled in pain, the frost creeping along his body, slowing his movements.
"You're strong, I'll give you that," Gray said, smirking as he advanced, his icy aura growing denser with every step.
"But strength alone won't save you," Gray continued, his breath visible as the temperature plummeted around him. His aura pulsed with Devil Slayer magic, radiating an icy pressure that made the air itself feel suffocating.
Raze roared in defiance, yanking the icy lance from his shoulder and crushing it in his clawed hand. "You talk too much, mortal!" he bellowed, the green flames around him roaring to life again. "I'll burn you to ash!"
The demon lunged forward with explosive speed, the ground shattering beneath him as he closed the distance in an instant. Gray barely had time to brace himself as Raze's clawed fist collided with his Frostforged Aegis. The impact sent Gray skidding backward, his boots carving twin trenches into the frost-covered ground.
"Not bad," Gray said, shaking his shield arm to dispel the sting of the blow. "But you're going to have to hit a lot harder than that."
"I'll obliterate you!" Raze roared. "Etherious Flame Demon's Infernal Cataclysm!"
A massive orb of green fire hurtled toward Gray, radiating destructive energy.
Gray's eyes narrowed, and he slammed his hands together. A towering wall of translucent ice erupted from the ground, meeting the fiery orb head-on. The collision created a deafening explosion, sending shockwaves rippling across the battlefield and kicking up a cloud of steam and debris.
The ice in front of Gray cracked. "Shit—" was all he managed to say before Raze smashed through the barrier, his right arm pulled back in a devastating strike.
Gray tried to dodge, but the demon was too fast. "Gr—!" The blow sent him crashing through the shattered mountains behind him.
Gray groaned as he tumbled through the remains of the shattered peaks, each impact jarring his body. Dust and debris filled the air, and the freezing aura surrounding him flickered momentarily as he came to a stop, buried in a crumbling heap of rock and ice.
From the distance, Raze's triumphant laughter echoed across the battlefield. The demon stepped forward, his towering form wreathed in green flames that surged with chaotic power. "You talk big for someone so fragile, mortal! Is that all the Frost King's heir can manage?"
Gray's hand shot out of the rubble, gripping a nearby chunk of ice as he forced himself to stand. Blood dripped from a cut above his brow, staining the frost beneath him. His breath came in ragged puffs, each exhale visible in the freezing air. Despite the damage, his signature smirk spread across his face. "You really think... that's enough to put me down?"
The temperature around him plummeted as he clenched his fists, the black markings on his body glowing faintly with an ominous light. "Guess... I'll have to use it..." he muttered under his breath.
Raze snarled, his flames flaring even higher. "You're nothing but a speck beneath my power! Die already!" The demon charged again, closing the distance with terrifying speed.
Gray called the Frostbite Reaver back to his right hand while his left hand rose toward his face, glowing with a blue light.
"YOU DIE!" shouted Raze, his fist aimed straight for Gray.
Gray opened his eyes, Raze mere inches away, their gazes locking. "You first." He swiped his hand down his face.
In an instant, Raze felt his entire existence freeze.
A dark mask, forged from reflective obsidian-like material, formed on Gray's face. Runes slithered across its edges, pulsating with eerie power. The mask concealed Gray's entire face, save for his glowing eyes. At the top, the mask extended into two jagged, horn-like protrusions.
Gray's power skyrocketed, his power now amplified by both the Harbinger Mask and the Frost King's Arsenal.
Gray Fullbuster – (Devil Slayer + Demon Mark One + Frost King's Arsenal + Harbinger Mask 2X + Full Power) – 623.7 Billion MPL
The sheer force of Gray's aura pressed down on Raze, forcing the demon to the ground. The overwhelming weight of Gray's power caused Raze's entire body to tremble, as though crushed by an invisible hand. His green flames flickered weakly, struggling to stay alive against the ice-cold presence that dominated the air.
"W-what is this?" Raze stammered, his voice shaking as his body refused to move. Every inch of his skin screamed in agony under the intense cold.
Gray's gaze pierced through the mask, his glowing eyes burning with power. His breaths were heavy and visible, the chill in the air intensifying. "Fear," he said coldly, his voice laced with dark authority.
Without warning, Gray's boot shot forward, connecting with Raze's chin. The impact was so powerful that his boot passed clean through the demon's skull, sending the creature flying back with devastating force. Raze's body crumpled like a ragdoll, but his demonic regeneration kept him alive—though his head had been obliterated, it was already beginning to reform.
"Impossible! Impossible! Impossible! Impossible!" The demon screamed in its mind, its consciousness reeling in disbelief. "It can't be! This isn't possible!"
Before Raze could react, Gray appeared above him like a shadow falling from the heavens. His legs coiled like springs, with a single, devastating strike, Gray slammed into the demon, shooting him back to the ground.
The impact was catastrophic. The earth itself folded like a book at Raze's point of landing, a massive crater spreading outward from the force of Gray's blow.
But Gray wasn't done.
Not just yet.
P.O.P.C
Yukino walked the cold, stone halls of Ravenholt, her hands clenched tightly into fists. Each step felt heavier, each breath a little colder. The weight of Sting's decision weighed on her shoulders, the feeling of uselessness settling deep within. He had sent her here without a second thought when Natsu and Gajeel had launched their attack. She could admit it—she stood no chance against the likes of Silver-Eye or Black Steel. But she could have been useful. She should have been.
She sighed, the bitter thought lingering in her mind. The battle outside was far more than just a skirmish. It was a clash that could tip the balance in their war, yet here she was, stranded and relegated to the shadows, an afterthought.
"What's with the look?" A voice broke through her troubled thoughts.
SSS Class Mage of Alvarez
Member of the Asgard Division
Former Member of Oracion Seis
Sorano
Yukino turned to see Sorano, her older sister. Sorano's expression was a mix of amusement and concern, a look Yukino knew all too well. Sorano resembled her heavily, though her demeanor was far more casual, more carefree. The way she carried herself felt like she was always in control, never letting anything rattle her.
"I'm worried, Sorano," Yukino admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Ah, so what, they're fighting some– whoever they're fighting? Big deal." Sorano waved it off, her tone dismissive as if the situation were of little consequence.
"They're fighting Silver-Eye and Black Steel. They made the Second Generation Slayers look like jokes. And you know who Silver-Eye really is."
Sorano's playful expression faltered for a moment, the mention of Silver-Eye's true identity sobering her. She sighed, leaning against the stone wall with a relaxed posture. "Yeah, yeah, E.N.D. and all that... saw him myself eight years ago. Didn't seem like much. Well, like a really fuckable plushie, but not too dangerous."
Yukino's heart sank at her sister's casual words. She knew Sorano wasn't taking things seriously, and that's what made her worry even more. She could feel the weight of the situation pressing against her chest. "Well, back then he was sealed. Now, he goes around tearing our Empire apart with a literal bloody smile."
Sorano smirked, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Cute, ain't he? Wanna switch Sting for him?"
Yukino couldn't help but feel a wave of irritation wash over her at her sister's flippant response. "Sorano."
The tension between them hung thick in the air, but Yukino could tell Sorano wasn't entirely unaffected by the gravity of the situation. Though she often masked her true emotions with sarcasm and humor, deep down, they both knew how dire things were.
It was just the way their world worked—either you embraced it with a smile or you crumbled beneath it. And Yukino... she wasn't sure which path she was on yet.
"No one here told me anything," Yukino muttered, her frustration slipping into her voice.
"Lord Cain has... interest in the battle," Sorano said, her tone shifting to something more serious. "Specifically in Sting. He's always been curious about him, but these past days... it's like he's been watching him more than ever."
Yukino's eyes narrowed. "Is he going to send reinforcements then? Raiden at least?"
"Not from what I know," Sorano replied with a shrug. She turned to look out the window, her gaze distant as if trying to spot something in the stormy skies. "Supposedly, Dracula has been sniffing around."
The name sent a chill down Yukino's spine. "Alucard of the Tenebrae Susuri? Are they sending someone after him?"
Sorano chuckled, though there was no humor in it. "He's currently a bigger threat than E.N.D. His power is so overwhelming that only Lord Zeref, Lord Cain, Lord August, and Lady Irene are deemed fit to face him directly."
"So the rumors are true," Yukino whispered, her voice tinged with awe and fear. "He is the Dracula."
Sorano nodded, her expression dark. "Yes. The most powerful vampire in existence. A living legend, or perhaps more fittingly, a living nightmare." She turned back to Yukino, her face unusually grave. "But Lord Cain has a plan for him, just as he has a plan for E.N.D. and... for Sting."
"For Sting?" Yukino's voice cracked slightly, the weight of the revelation pulling at her heart. "What does that mean?"
Sorano's lips curved into a cryptic smile, through her eyes betrayed no answers. "It means the wheels are already turning, sister. Whatever happens next... we're just going to have to brace ourselves for it."
P.O.P.C
Elsewhere, a man walked through the bloodied streets, his long red coat flapping in the cold wind, mirroring the movement of his flowing black hair. He had an unnervingly serene smile on his face, his blood-red eyes gleaming as he whistled a haunting tune. Each step he took echoed eerily in the otherwise silent, death-soaked streets as he approached a distant hangar.
"S-stop r-r-right there!" a shaky voice called out.
A man, barely holding himself together, stood in Alucard's path, a trembling hand clutching a gun pointed directly at him.
Alucard paused mid-step, tilting his head slightly, his crimson eyes burning holes into the man's resolve. Without breaking stride, he began walking toward the terrified individual.
"Stay!" the man shouted desperately.
Alucard chuckled softly, his tone both amused and chilling. "If I do reach you," he said, his voice as smooth as velvet but laced with menace, "it's going to be a hell of a lot worse than just—"
A sudden gunshot shattered the tension, the sound reverberating through the night sky.
Alucard stopped, raising an eyebrow as he glanced down at the lifeless body in front of him. His smile widened. "Oh... he killed himself. Hmph." He gave an exaggerated shrug. "Anyway."
Without a second glance, Alucard turned on his heel and continued toward the hangar. "Now," he mused, his voice light but dangerous, "let's see what Cain and Zeref have been fucking with."
A bolt of lightning suddenly struck the ground nearby, illuminating the carnage in harsh, flickering light. From the dissipating energy stepped Veyra, her imposing figure joining Alucard's side.
"Many of them were vampires," Veyra observed coolly, her eyes scanning the lifeless bodies littering the street. "Not Etherious type."
Alucard smirked, not breaking stride. "Are you here to spoil my fun, boss?"
"No," Veyra replied, her tone sharp, "I'm here to keep you in line."
Alucard stopped, pretending to consider her words. "Then buy me a gift."
Veyra sighed heavily. "Against my better judgment, I'll ask—what do you want for a gift?"
Alucard's smile widened, revealing his sharp fangs as he held up a handwritten list. "A cannon for Thayra—bitches love cannons—a 70-inch plasma widescreen TV Lacrima, and a new-generation Lacrima-powered flying ship in orange and pink." He paused dramatically before grinning even wider. "With three Jupiter Cannons."
Veyra stared at him, her face utterly blank, struggling to process the sheer absurdity of his demands. "...Three Jupiter Cannons?" she repeated, her voice flat.
"And a mini-fridge," Alucard added brightly, his smile wide and unapologetic.
"Fuck off," Veyra snapped, turning away from him.
Alucard let out a loud, dramatic gasp, clutching his chest as though she'd mortally wounded him. "How cruel! How heartless! Here I am, pouring my little black heart out, and this is the thanks I get?"
"Black indeed," Veyra muttered under her breath, pinching the bridge of her nose.
"Come on," Alucard continued, ignoring her exasperation. "Think of how fabulous the ship would look in orange and pink. It would strike terror into the hearts of all who saw it!"
"It would look like a gaudy disaster," Veyra retorted, glaring at him over her shoulder.
"Exactly!" Alucard exclaimed, throwing his arms wide. "The disaster aesthetic is underappreciated these days!"
Veyra shook her head and resumed walking, muttering curses under her breath. Alucard fell into step beside her, his grin unwavering, as though he had every intention of testing her patience to its absolute limit.
"These vampires don't belong to Earthland," Alucard remarked casually, his tone laced with smugness.
"So Zeref and Cain have been world-hopping?" Veyra asked, her expression hardening.
"Appears so," he replied with an infuriatingly cheerful grin.
"Do you know which world they came from?"
"Yes~," Alucard sang, dragging out the word with a mischievous lilt.
"Alucard, speak," Veyra demanded sharply.
"Oh, you're going to love this," he teased, his grin widening.
"Alucard," she warned, her patience hanging by a thread. "Don't keep me waiting."
Alucard's crimson eyes gleamed with amusement. "Remember my last vacation?"
"The one that ended with you starting a massive war in that world?"
"Wasn't my fault—technically—but yes, that one."
"...You can't possibly be suggesting it's them."
"It could be."
"No, it's not them."
"It could be."
"No."
"...It could be."
"Shut up. Why would Zeref and Cain even care about them?"
"Not all of them. Just one. One particularly crafty asshole."
"I refuse to believe this."
Veyra let out a long, exasperated sigh, her steps growing heavier with every word Alucard said. "You're insufferable," she muttered, shooting him a side-eye that would have frozen a lesser man—or vampire—in place.
"Only for you, my dear," Alucard replied with a wink, clearly reveling in her irritation.
She pinched the bridge of her nose, muttering under her breath, "Why am I stuck with this idiot..."
"Because I'm charming, witty, and devastatingly handsome," Alucard answered, practically reading her mind. "Oh, and don't forget—indispensable."
"You're a pain in the ass, that's what you are," Veyra growled, her patience nearing its end.
"Aw, but you love me," Alucard teased, his tone dripping with mock affection.
"Keep telling yourself that, bloodsucker," Veyra snapped, her hand twitching as though she was resisting the urge to smack him.
Alucard grinned, undeterred. "So, back to our little topic of interest. You know I'm right. Zeref and Cain wouldn't bother unless it was someone interesting. And that crafty bastard from my vacation? He fits the bill."
"Or it's just another one of your delusions," Veyra countered. "You're probably just bored and stirring up nonsense."
"Bored? Me? Never!" Alucard declared dramatically, throwing his arms wide. "But fine, let's bet on it. If I'm right—"
"You're not."
"—if I'm right, you owe me a new ship. With three Jupiter Cannons."
"Shut up about the cannons!"
"Fine, two cannons and a mini-fridge," Alucard compromised, grinning like a child bargaining for candy.
Veyra glared at him, her lips pressing into a thin line. "How about this—you shut your mouth before I make you regret living forever."
"Bold of you to assume I regret anything," Alucard shot back, flashing his fangs in a playful smirk.
"Bold of you to assume I won't kick your ass," Veyra muttered, picking up her pace as Alucard chuckled and fell into step behind her.
The two of them continued walking through the carnage, the tension between them somehow both aggravating and strangely familiar. It was just another day dealing with Alucard—and somehow, Veyra suspected it wasn't going to get any easier.
P.O.P.C
Two golden eyes stared intently at the Lacrima Projection of the battle raging in New Crocus, a small, amused smile curling the corners of his lips.
The soft red glow of a smaller communication lacrima illuminated his ashen features, casting sharp shadows across his face. His weathered skin bore faint crimson veins just beneath the surface, and a jagged scar stretched from his right cheek to his left temple. Long, black hair streaked with gray framed his face, and a faint beard added to his weathered but commanding presence.
He sat draped in a toga-like gray coat, its simplicity offset by pitch-black metal pauldrons and greaves. Resting his chin on his knuckles, he looked at the glowing lacrima beside him, waiting for it to come alive.
"What do you think of the battle so far, Zeref?" the man asked, his voice calm but laced with curiosity.
The lacrima pulsed briefly, and Zeref's voice emerged, cold and composed.
"Sting's strategy was as good as it could be, given the opponent. He should have used Duel Mode at the very beginning of the fight to maximize his chances, though it wouldn't have changed the outcome in the end."
"You think he has no chance of victory?"
"Natsu is holding back," Zeref stated matter-of-factly. "Even without the immense power boost he gains during the night—which I'm certain he and Amaris can artificially trigger—Natsu still hasn't touched his true power. His Sin Devil Trigger form, as I call it, hasn't even surfaced yet."
The man leaned forward slightly, his golden eyes narrowing with interest. "You're certain Natsu has been holding back this entire time?"
Zeref grunted softly. "Sin Devil Trigger grants a fifteenfold boost to his base power level. However, it's notoriously difficult to control. Even I struggled to master it in my time, and maintaining it for long periods remains a challenge."
"You believe Natsu lacks control over it?"
"It would be foolish to rely on that assumption," Zeref replied, his tone heavy with certainty. "Natsu's adaptability and capacity for growth are nothing short of—"
"Primordial," the man finished, his lips curling into a smirk.
"Precisely," Zeref agreed. "Underestimating him again would be catastrophic. None of them can be underestimated anymore."
The man chuckled, the sound deep and rumbling. "Good, good. How goes our... 'gift'?"
"I've done my part," Zeref replied. "It's already on its way to you."
The man's smirk widened as he leaned back in his chair, his golden eyes gleaming with amusement. "The creation of a being that could rival your greatest masterpiece to date... Tell me, Zeref, how does that feel?"
Zeref's response came without hesitation. "The fact that it took the combined intellect of both of us to even conceive of something like this speaks volumes. And yet, Natsu remains my true masterpiece. He has already far exceeded the level where I can confidently predict whether anything could surpass him. This new creation… will either meet or fail our expectations. Time will tell."
The man's expression remained thoughtful as he stroked his chin. "So, even the great Zeref has his uncertainties," he mused with a low chuckle. "How very intriguing."
"It's not uncertainty," Zeref corrected, his tone sharp but calm. "It's caution. Natsu has a way of defying expectations—even my own. Predicting his limits is an exercise in futility."
"An ever-growing storm," the man murmured, his voice low and contemplative. He ran a finger along the edge of the glowing lacrima, his gaze returning to the battle projection. "And yet, you went along with this 'gift.' Why, I wonder? Is it a desire to surpass yourself? Or perhaps… a need to test your so-called masterpiece?"
Zeref's silence lingered for a moment before he finally replied. "Perhaps both. Or perhaps... it's simply curiosity. To see what happens."
The man chuckled again, his laughter resonating like a rumble of distant thunder. "Curiosity. That, I can respect." He turned his attention fully to the projection of the battle, his expression darkening. "But let's not pretend this is all just for curiosity's sake. You need him gone, and you don't want to do it yourself."
"Neither do you," Zeref countered coolly.
"Touche," the man replied, the amusement in his tone evident. His golden eyes glinted as he stared at the image of Natsu, who dominated the battlefield like an unyielding force of nature. "Oh, Natsu... If we call you a 'Lucifer,' then I suppose only a 'Michael' could rise to challenge you."
P.O.P.C
"Magma Dragon's Volcanic Fist!"
Kaden roared as his fist erupted with molten lava, swinging it directly at Gajeel. But the Metallic Dragon Slayer only grinned, his sharp teeth gleaming. With a swift motion, Gajeel ducked beneath the fiery blow and grabbed Kaden by the leg.
Using Kaden's momentum against him, Gajeel lifted him effortlessly and hurled him toward the Forest of Crystal and Diamonds, a jagged battlefield created moments earlier by Darius and Sylvia.
"HAHAHAHA!" Gajeel's laughter boomed across the battlefield. "C'mon! Show me somethin' better!"
A streak of light shot across the horizon, closing the distance in an instant. Gajeel's sharp eyes caught the movement, and his body hardened, transforming his skin into gleaming metal just in time.
"Flash Dragon's Blitz Fist!"
Lumin's fist, crackling with all the kinetic energy he could summon, slammed into Gajeel's face. The impact sent sparks flying, but Gajeel barely flinched. He smirked, the strike doing little more than adding to his excitement.
"Is that all ya got?" Gajeel taunted, his metallic claw surging forward in a deadly counterattack, aimed straight for Lumin's ribs.
The blow was interrupted as a wave of darkness engulfed Lumin, pulling him away just before Gajeel's attack could pierce through his ribcage.
Lumin staggered to the ground, clutching at the bleeding cuts across his chest. "K-Kara?" he gasped, recognizing the shadowy magic that had saved him.
Kara materialized beside him, her expression sharp and tense. "Don't attack him head-on! He's too fast in close range—he'll counter before you even realize it!"
Their conversation was cut short by a deafening metallic roar. Miles away, Gajeel's imposing figure stood with his hands raised, conjuring a blade of impossible size.
"Metallic Dragon's Steel Sword!"
A massive, three-mile-long blade of gleaming steel materialized in the air above him. Gajeel's hands formed its base, his raw power coursing through the weapon. With a ferocious cry, he swung the enormous blade down toward the battlefield.
The massive steel blade slammed into the earth with cataclysmic force, sending a shockwave rippling for miles. The ground cracked and groaned, a massive ravine splitting the battlefield in two as debris rained from the sky.
"HAHAHAHA! WHAT? ARE YOU SCARED?" Gajeel's voice thundered as he stood atop a jagged piece of metal jutting from the ground, his metallic wings spreading menacingly behind him.
"Diamond Dragon's Roar!"
Darius unleashed a blinding torrent of diamond shards aimed directly at Gajeel.
With a scoff, Gajeel swung his arm, effortlessly smashing through the spell, the shards shattering into harmless fragments mid-air.
Darius – (Dragon Slayer + Drive + Lacrima Feed + Full Power) – 39.6 Billion MPL
Sylvia dashed toward Gajeel, her movements sharp and calculated, wielding two crystal-forged blades that shimmered like starlight.
Gajeel sidestepped her attack with ease, pivoting to deliver a powerful kick that sent her flying back. "Boring!" he growled, his grin widening.
Sylvia Garnet – (Dragon Slayer +Drive + Lacrima Feed + Full Power) – 36.1 Billion MPL
Meanwhile, Kara, Lumin, and Kaden regrouped, bloodied and battered from the battle. Lumin clutched his broken left arm, Kaden limped on a twisted ankle with broken ribs, and Kara's breathing was labored, her expression grim.
Kaden Blackthorn – (Dragon Slayer + Drive + Lacrima Feed +Full Power) – 41.9 Billion MPL
Lumin – (Dragon Slayer + Drive + Lacrima Feed + Full Power) – 31.2 Billion MPL
Kara Nightfall – (Dragon Slayer + Drive + Lacrima Feed + Full Power) – 34.1 Billion MPL
Gajeel's laughter echoed across the battlefield, a harsh, metallic sound that sent chills through the group. He stood tall, the very image of dominance, looking down at the battered Second Generation Dragon Slayers.
"Ghi, guess… at the very least, you fuckers are enough for me to try this one!"
Kara's sharp eyes narrowed as she glared at Gajeel. "What are you talking about?"
Gajeel smirked, stepping forward with deliberate menace. "Something new. Something I didn't even tell Natsu about." He chuckled, a low, menacing sound as his power began to rise, the air around him crackling with energy. His arms spread wide as he let the magic surge through him.
"Wasn't fair, was it? Natsu has a power-up beyond his True Form. Titania has one beyond her Dovahkiin Form. Laxus has one beyond Dragon Force. So, naturally... I had to get my own! Took some help, but it was worth it."
The air erupted with energy as Gajeel's power exploded, his eyes glowing an ominous red. A light green aura enveloped his body, swirling like a violent storm. The ground trembled beneath him as his base power doubled in an instant.
"I call this… Iron Will."
Gajeel Redfox – (Dragon Slayer + Base + Iron Will Active 2X + Full Power) – 84.2 Billion MPL
The sheer force of his transformation caused the battlefield to quake, and the energy radiating from him pressed down on the others like a suffocating weight.
"W-what?! He has one too?!" Kara stammered, her voice trembling as she stared at Gajeel in disbelief.
Gajeel's laughter grew louder, his grin widening as his crimson eyes burned with a predatory gleam. "You thought I'd let them outshine me? C'mon, don't make me laugh! Now... let's see if you can handle this!"
Before any of them could react, Gajeel surged forward in a blur, his speed shocking even Lumin, whose heightened reflexes faltered for a split second.
"He's—fast!" Lumin managed to gasp, but by then, Gajeel was already upon them.
With a thunderous roar, Gajeel slammed his fist into the ground. The impact was cataclysmic. The earth beneath them seemed to vanish as if devoured by some unseen force. A massive crater yawned open in an instant, swallowing everything in its path.
The sheer force of the blow sent shockwaves rippling through the battlefield. Chunks of earth and rock shot into the air like cannon fire, and the ground buckled as if the planet itself groaned under Gajeel's might.
Kaden stumbled back, barely keeping his balance as he shielded his face from the debris. "What the hell was that?! It's like the ground just—disappeared!"
Kara's sharp eyes darted between the gaping hole and Gajeel, her mind racing. "That wasn't just raw strength... it's like his power disintegrated the earth entirely!"
Gajeel stood at the edge of the crater, his aura flaring wildly, casting a light green hue over the battlefield. He raised his fists, now gleaming with a metallic sheen, his smirk unshaken. "What's wrong? You wanted a fight, didn't you? Don't tell me you're scared already."
Lumin gritted his teeth, his broken arm hanging uselessly at his side. "Scared? Not a chance." He planted his feet firmly, summoning what little strength he had left. "You're not the only one who can push past limits!"
Sylvia landed beside him, her crystal blades reforming in her hands. "There's no way we're taking him down one-on-one."
Kaden nodded, his golden eyes narrowing with determination. "Then let's do this. No holding back."
Gajeel chuckled, the sound deep and reverberating. "Good! Come at me with everything you've got. Let's see if it's enough to scratch me!"
Kaden smashed his hands on the ground, pushing his magic into the earth below.
"Dragon Slayer Secret Art – Volcanic Eruption!"
The land for miles and miles turned to a volcanic wasteland, with geysers of fire and lava shooting into the sky.
"Ha ha ha!" Gajeel laughed while he dodged both the geysers and the orbs of Darkness Kara sent his way. Lumin ran around the field, jumping in from time to time to kick Gajeel or punch him in the back, but most hits failed to do anything but push him in a direction.
Darius jumped at Gajeel, covering himself in Diamond. "Come at me, Redfox! Nothing can shatter my Diamonds now!"
"Natsu literally broke them with his bare hands like three hours ago? Dude, every time you open your mouth, you get dumber and dumber," Gajeel shook his head. But his head snapped back at Darius with a wicked grin. "Oh well. I'll do it anyway!"
Gajeel kicked the ground. "Guess what metal can cut Diamonds!"
Gajeel laughed. "Metallic Dragon's Titanium Piercing Claw!" His right claw pierced through the air towards Darius. His claw met Darius's forearms and did, in fact, cut the Diamond scales, much to Darius's horror.
Gajeel kicked Darius away with a grin. "Not yet! I won't kill you yet!"
He flipped, large crystal spears trying to impale him, courtesy of Sylvia.
"Sup, bitch." He said, appearing right behind her.
Sylvia gritted her teeth and blocked the coming blow as best she could. She flipped on the ground and stomped her foot.
"Dragon Slayer Secret Art – Crystal Dragon's Wrath!"
A massive dragon made of crystal manifested, roaring at Gajeel before dashing toward him.
Gajeel smirked as the massive crystalline dragon lunged at him, its jagged body shimmering with deadly intent. The roar of the crystalline beast echoed across the battlefield, the sheer magical pressure causing cracks to form in the already devastated ground.
"Now that's more like it!" Gajeel roared, his metallic wings erupting from his back with a resounding clang. His aura surged, the light green energy around him intensifying as he braced for the attack.
The Crystal Dragon's jaws snapped shut, aiming to devour him whole. Gajeel, undeterred, flew straight into its maw, his fists glowing with power.
"Metallic Dragon's Shattering Fangs!" Gajeel bellowed, driving both of his fists forward. His strike collided with the crystal beast's head, sending shockwaves of energy rippling outward. Cracks spread like spiderwebs through the dragon's crystalline form before it exploded into a shower of sparkling shards.
Sylvia stumbled back, her breath heavy and her face pale. "He... shattered it?! That was my strongest spell!"
Gajeel landed in front of her, brushing shards of crystal off his shoulders as if they were nothing. "Was that it, Garnet? That little light show was supposed to scare me? Tch, you've gotta do better than that!"
Sylvia growled, summoning another pair of crystal blades to her hands. "Don't underestimate me!" She dashed forward, her blades flashing with precision as she aimed for Gajeel's vital points.
But Gajeel was ready. With one hand, he blocked her strike, the force of her blow barely budging him. "Too slow!" He slammed his free hand into her side, sending her skidding across the volcanic wasteland.
Before Gajeel could capitalize, Kara appeared behind him, shadows coiling around her like serpents. "Darkness Dragon's Shadow Bind!" she shouted, launching tendrils of darkness that wrapped around Gajeel's arms and legs, rooting him to the spot.
"Gotcha!" Kara smirked, her eyes glinting with determination.
"Oh, you've got me?" Gajeel mocked, flexing his arms against the bindings. The dark tendrils strained, cracks forming along their length as his raw power began to overwhelm them.
"Now, Kaden!" Kara yelled, pouring more magic into her spell to buy time.
Kaden, standing atop a platform of molten rock, unleashed his attack. "Dragon Slayer Secret Art – Volcanic Blitz Barrage!" Fiery projectiles of molten rock and lava shot toward Gajeel in rapid succession, each one carrying enough force to level a mountain.
Gajeel grinned wickedly as the first projectiles hit him, exploding in fiery bursts. "You think this'll stop me?! You idiots just don't get it!" He flexed once more, completely shattering Kara's abyssal bindings. The force created another shockwave that sent Kara tumbling back.
"W-what?" Kara gasped, her body struggling to regain its footing.
Gajeel roared, his power surging once again.
Gajeel Redfox – (Dragon Slayer + Base + Iron Will Active 3X + Full Power) – 126.3 Billion MPL
"HAHAHAHA!"
The sheer intensity of Gajeel's roar sent a ripple through the air, vibrating the very ground beneath them. His power had skyrocketed once again, and the atmosphere crackled with the sheer force of his aura.
"This is it!" Gajeel laughed, his body now pulsing with overwhelming energy. The air around him distorted, glowing with the intensity of his raw magic as his muscles bulged with power. His eyes, now glowing like embers, scanned the battlefield with a cruel gleam.
Kara, still reeling from the shockwave, shakily rose to her feet. "How… how is he this strong?!" she gasped, her heart pounding in her chest. The others regrouped, realizing the gravity of the situation.
"He's tripled his strength. We need to find a way to stop him!" Lumin shouted, sweat trickling down his face from the sheer power radiating off of Gajeel.
"You won't."
The presence vanished for a moment, and Lumin began to shake uncontrollably. Gajeel's breath hit his neck, and his chuckle echoed in his ears.
"K-"
Before Lumin could react, Gajeel backhanded him with such force that Lumin's body vanished in an instant. The only evidence he hadn't been erased entirely was the trail of destruction to Gajeel's left— a path of wreckage left by Lumin's unconscious body, which had been sent tumbling through the battlefield, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake.
The battlefield fell eerily silent for a moment, the air thick with tension as everyone took in the aftermath. Gajeel stood there, his massive frame towering over the devastation he had wrought, a cruel grin plastered across his face. The silence was broken only by the crackling of fire from the volcanic wasteland and the heavy breathing of those still standing.
P.O.P.C
Shadows slithered across the ground, rising to lift chunks of earth the size of entire city blocks and hurling them toward the grinning demon.
Natsu ducked under a light-speed jab from Sting, the sheer force of the punch grazing past him. Using the sheath of the Yamato, he aimed for Sting's ribs, but the White Dragon Slayer was quick, dodging at the last moment. With Sting momentarily out of his immediate path, Natsu turned his focus to the massive chunks of earth barreling toward him.
"Dark Slayer: Shattered Fate - Judgment Cut!"
In one smooth motion, Natsu sheathed and unsheathed the Yamato, delivering countless slashes faster than the eye could follow. The sheer intensity of his strikes reduced the colossal rocks to rubble, the fragments scattering like ash from the power of his technique, akin to Crash Magic.
From the other side of the battlefield, Rogue inhaled deeply, his chest expanding as shadows and crimson vapor coiled around him.
"Poisoned Shadow Dragon's Roar!"
He unleashed a powerful tornado of swirling shadows mixed with a venomous red mist, hurtling toward Natsu with destructive intent.
"Space Magic – Portal Tear!"
Natsu slashed at the air in front of him, a rift appearing in the wake of his blade. The swirling vortex consumed Rogue's attack entirely.
"Gonna keep that one for later," Natsu said with a smirk.
Before he could revel in his maneuver, Sting reappeared in front of him.
"White Dragon's Iron Fist!"
Natsu raised his right hand to block the punch, but the sheer force sent both of them skidding across the ground for nearly half a mile before coming to a stop.
Breathing heavily, Natsu let out a chuckle. "For all the whining you two did about me having more elements than just fire, you sure love playing with elemental magic. Shadow and Poison? I bet Jacob's losing his mind every time Rogue's in the room."
Sting scowled and headbutted Natsu with a grin on his face. "Yeah, dude's paranoid Rogue will take his job and title as Alvarez's best assassin."
"How cute."
Natsu retaliated by kicking Sting's left leg, grabbing his arm mid-motion, and using Sting's chest as leverage to vault away. Twisting in midair, Natsu turned to face Sting, his mouth opening wide.
A blast of concentrated darkness shot from his mouth, slamming into Sting's face with brutal force and launching him backward.
As he hit the ground, Sting's thoughts raced. "Did he get his Slayer Magic back already?" He quickly realized the answer. "No, that wasn't Slayer Magic… That was pure Darkness Magic."
Natsu chuckled from above, landing lightly on his feet. "Your enchantment said 'no Slayer Magic,' not 'no breath attacks, no elemental magic.' You might've taken my best variation of elemental magic, but I've got plenty left to play with."
He took a deep breath, the air around him growing hotter as flames began to flicker.
"Demon Magic – Majestic Destroyer Flame!"
A torrent of fire erupted from his mouth, the flames so hot they burned blue. The massive wave of fire surged forward, threatening to engulf Sting in an inferno.
Sting clapped his hands together.
"White Dragon's Light Spear!"
A thin beam of concentrated white light shot from his hands, cutting through the wave of flames. With a swift upward motion, Sting directed the beam, slicing the fiery wave in half and sending the two halves roaring past him.
The battlefield trembled as light and flame clashed violently, creating shockwaves that rippled across the scorched earth. The ground cracked beneath the overwhelming power of their magic, the air thick with heat and energy.
A small explosion of purple mist suddenly appeared in front of Sting, catching him off guard. Before he could react, Natsu's hand shot through the mist and clamped down on his face with unrelenting force.
With a booming laugh, Natsu arched his arm back and hurled Sting with monstrous strength. The White Dragon Slayer crashed through countless rocks, the trail of destruction marking his path as debris filled the air.
Natsu didn't pause, his predatory grin widening as he dragged his foot along the ground, sparks of magic crackling in his wake. His movements were deliberate, calculated.
A moment later, Rogue appeared, materializing right where Natsu's leg had swiped.
The ground beneath Rogue exploded in a series of small detonations, staggering him just enough for Natsu to capitalize on the moment. He surged forward with relentless aggression, unleashing a devastating combo.
A sharp kick to Rogue's right ribs sent him reeling, followed by a powerful left hook to his left ribs. Before Rogue could catch his breath, Natsu drove a knee into his stomach, forcing the air from his lungs. An elbow to the head came next, dazing Rogue, and a final jab to the cheek sent him tumbling violently across the ground.
As Rogue skidded to a halt, groaning from the brutal assault, Natsu straightened up, his laughter echoing across the battlefield.
"Ha ha ha!" he laughed, his fiery aura glowing brighter. His sharp teeth glinted as he grinned down at his opponents, eyes burning with uncontained excitement.
"Having fun yet?" Natsu's words echoed across the battlefield, filled with a twisted kind of joy that only battle could bring.
Rogue and Sting roared and charged at Natsu, their combined magic shaking the ground with every step. The air crackled with power as light and shadow surged around them.
Natsu didn't move. His grin widened as his Silver Aura flared, matching their intensity.
The moment their fists met, the battlefield erupted in chaos. Rogue's shadows lashed out like blades, and Sting's light exploded with precision strikes. Each hit came at light speed, their attacks coordinated to overwhelm Natsu.
But Natsu wasn't fazed. His movements were sharp and calculated, blocking Sting's punches with his forearms while sidestepping Rogue's shadow slashes. Every block and dodge created shockwaves that shattered the ground beneath them.
Sting came in fast with a glowing fist aimed at Natsu's head, but Natsu deflected it with his left hand and drove his right knee into Sting's ribs, launching him backward. Rogue closed the gap immediately, aiming for Natsu's side with a shadow-covered kick, but Natsu spun and countered with a hard elbow to Rogue's face, sending him staggering.
"Come on!" Natsu shouted, his grin never fading. "You can hit harder than that!"
He stepped forward, closing the gap between him and Rogue in an instant, delivering a brutal combo—two quick punches to the ribs, a kick to the knee, and a hammer fist to the back that dropped Rogue to one knee.
Sting recovered, his light magic surging as he rushed back into the fight. Natsu caught his punch mid-air, his grip crushing Sting's fist, cracking the ground beneath them.
"What's wrong?" Natsu asked, amused, tightening his hold on Sting's fist. "BLAST OFF!"
A massive explosion of raw Demon Energy erupted from Natsu's fist, enveloping Sting completely.
"RAAAAAAA!" Sting screamed in pain.
"Sting!" Rogue ran toward him, catching Sting's flying body. "Sting!"
"I'm... I'm good… fuck, that hurt..."
"That's a shame. There's more to come!"
"What—" Sting managed to say before Natsu roughly kicked him away, then punched Rogue.
Natsu began to walk towards Rogue slowly.
Rogue quickly stood up, his eyes narrowing as he prepared to react. Natsu's expression was cold, but his grin remained. He wasn't about to let up.
"Don't get up too quickly, Rogue," Natsu said, cracking his knuckles. "The fun's just getting started."
Before Rogue could make a move, Natsu closed the distance between them, his steps fast and purposeful. Rogue swung his fist, trying to catch Natsu off guard, but Natsu was faster.
He ducked under the blow, pivoting on his heel and landing a brutal hook to Rogue's jaw, sending him stumbling back.
"Gonna need more than that, kid."
Rogue's eyes glinted, and shadows swirled around his arms, forming into a mass of dark energy.
He raised his hands, gathering the shadows into a spear. "Shadow Dragon's Black Fang!" he yelled, launching the spear directly at Natsu.
With a quick sidestep, Natsu avoided the spear, the shadow energy whizzing past him. Before Rogue could follow up, Natsu was already on him, his fist aimed at Rogue's stomach. The punch landed with a sickening thud, causing Rogue to gasp as the wind was knocked from his lungs.
Natsu didn't give Rogue a second to recover. Before he could catch his breath, Natsu was already on top of him, slamming his knee into Rogue's chest with bone-crushing force. Rogue gasped, the air knocked out of him again, but he wasn't out of the fight yet.
Rogue's shadows flared around him, trying to push Natsu away. He gritted his teeth, attempting to summon more power.
"Shadow Dragon's Darkness Grasp!" he shouted, sending tendrils of shadow from the ground, aiming to entangle Natsu's legs.
Natsu smirked, his body already twisting with agility. He spun to the side, dodging the shadows as they whipped around him. With a quick movement, he grabbed Rogue by the wrist and jerked him off balance, throwing him to the ground.
"Is that all you've got, Rogue?" Natsu taunted, his voice dripping with mockery.
Before Rogue could even attempt to rise, Natsu was already stepping over him, grabbing him by the collar and lifting him off the ground with one hand.
"Get up," Natsu growled. "And try to put up a fight."
Rogue's eyes flashed with anger, but he could barely muster the strength to fight back. His shadows, normally his greatest weapon, seemed sluggish, unable to keep up with Natsu's relentless assault.
With a low growl, Natsu swung his free fist back and threw a devastating punch right to Rogue's face, sending him crashing into the earth. The impact was so hard that the ground cracked beneath him.
"Stay down, kid," Natsu said, his tone harsh but carrying a hint of amusement. He stepped back, his eyes flicking to Sting, who was still recovering from the explosion. "I'm getting bored now."
"N-no, I'm not done yet!" Rogue said, struggling to get up.
"Is that so?" Natsu asked, casting him a sidelong glance. He sighed, closed his eyes, and opened them again. "Well, I say you are."
His power skyrocketed and compressed for a moment, and the Stigmata that chained his Slayer Magic appeared in the air, cracking and burning away.
With a loud roar, Natsu completely shattered it.
He raised his right hand, looking down at his palm, a small sun manifesting in it, while light and lightning particles flicked across his body. Darkness rose from around his legs.
Natsu turned around and looked at Rogue, cracking his neck.
"You are not worthy as my opponent." He took a step forward, appearing right in front of Rogue. He leaned down to Rogue's ear. "Your nightmare begins now."
Before Rogue could react, an impossibly fast and powerful blow to his face sent him flying miles away.
"Rogue!" shouted Sting, attempting to dash toward him.
"I don't think so." Natsu appeared in front of Sting, palm opened toward his face.
"Portal Tear." Natsu said simply, and from the small portal, came the breath attack of Poison and Shadow that Rogue had sent at Natsu earlier.
It hit Sting right in the face, throwing him away.
Natsu scoffed and teleported away.
P.O.P.C.
Rogue coughed but managed to get back on his feet. His body was aching, but he was still in the fight—for now.
Suddenly, Natsu's foot slammed into his chest, throwing him high into the air. Natsu stood below, watching with a chuckle.
"Congrats, kid."
Before Rogue could react, Natsu vanished and reappeared above him. In an instant, Natsu slammed him back into the ground with crushing force.
Natsu grinned, his eyes cold. "I haven't used one of these in a long time."
Natsu's hand shot down, gripping Rogue's throat. "Black Arts—" he growled, "—Chaos Blast!"
A cataclysmic explosion of chaotic energy detonated, swirling into a massive orb. Six dark pillars shot out from the orb's sides before disappearing. Then, a gigantic pillar of energy shot into the sky, splitting the clouds and shaking the entire continent.
The blast rumbled through the battlefield, the shockwaves tearing through the land and creating deep fissures in the earth. The very air crackled with energy as the dust settled, leaving a deafening silence in its wake.
Rogue lay motionless beneath the debris, barely conscious, his body scorched and battered. His vision blurred, struggling to focus on Natsu, who stood above him, still unfazed by the devastation he'd caused.
"You're still standing, huh?" Natsu said with a smirk, looking down at Rogue, his voice dripping with mockery. "I've got to hand it to you, kid. That's more than most would manage."
Rogue forced himself to his knees, gritting his teeth as he tried to summon enough strength to rise. "I'm not done yet..."
Natsu chuckled, but it wasn't a laugh of amusement—it was the kind of laugh you give when you know your opponent is already outmatched. "Well, I think you are. You've been fun, but it's time to end this."
Rogue's eyes flared with determination, shadows flickering weakly around him. He struggled to summon any more power, but his magic was drained, and his body refused to cooperate. Every muscle screamed in protest, but he wouldn't give in. Not yet.
"Rogue!" Sting shouted, kneeling beside him, his voice filled with worry.
"It's okay, you boys can have your last words before death. I don't mind," Natsu mocked, shaking his head as he turned away, his casual tone laced with arrogance.
Sting shot Natsu a glare, his hands gripping Rogue's weakened form as the younger Dragon Slayer crumbled in his arms.
"I'm— I'm…" Rogue's voice trailed off, his strength fading fast.
"Sit, Rogue…" Sting muttered, his tone grim. "That was a fucking Black Art. He has those?"
Rogue managed to place a trembling hand on Sting's shoulder. "You'll… need this," he said faintly, pulling two Lacrimas from his shadow. One he ate, the other he pressed into Sting's hand.
"You had more?" Sting raised an eyebrow in surprise, taking the Lacrima. "You crafty bastard. With this—"
"I… can't fight anymore. I'm just… giving you more power…" Rogue's words faltered, even as the Lacrima surged through him. His magic returned to nearly full strength, but his battered body couldn't keep up. His eyes fluttered shut, and before Sting could say another word, Rogue fell unconscious, his shadowy aura flickering weakly.
Sting, now alone, stood silently for a moment, then looked down at Rogue. He could feel the weight of the magic, the responsibility now resting in his hands. "Yeah…" he muttered under his breath. "I do."
He inhaled deeply, and shadows began to swirl around him, drawn toward his mouth like a vortex. With each breath, he absorbed all the power Rogue had left for him.
"Oh?" Natsu raised an eyebrow, watching with interest. "Interesting. A Duel Mode filled with the entire raw magic energy of someone? Not quite what he had with that Poison Shadow Dragon Mode."
Sting wiped his mouth, a flicker of resolve crossing his face as he stood tall. "No… not what he had," he growled, eyes narrowing as they locked onto Natsu. "What he had isn't enough for what I'm about to do."
Natsu grinned, sensing the shift in Sting's power. "What? Did I kill your boyfriend?"
Sting's jaw tightened, a low snarl rumbling in his chest as his power exploded in a dazzling display of light and shadow.
Sting Eucliffe – (Dragon Slayer + Dragon Force + Lacrima Feed + White Shadow Dragon Mode + Full Power) – 223.8 Billion MPL
The ground beneath him cracked as his aura surged, radiating raw power. He was no longer the same. He was something more—something–
"Interesting."
P.O.P.C
Erza paced in slow, deliberate circles around the room, her brow furrowed in thought. Amaris sat cross-legged on the couch, her eyes glowing faintly as her focus remained on the link she shared with Natsu. Her expression shifted subtly, a smirk tugging at her lips.
"Interesting," Amaris murmured.
Erza stopped in her tracks, turning to face her. "What is it? Did something happen?"
Amaris nodded, her gaze still distant. "For starters, Gajeel just pulled out his trump card, and it's proving extremely effective. Truly, his skill is on par with your War's Wrath, Gray's Harbinger Mask, and even Natsu's Night's Blessing."
Erza sat down in one fluid motion, her posture rigid. "So that makes Natsu the only one with a skill requiring a specific condition to activate?"
Amaris chuckled softly. "I've been working on that problem ever since our little encounter with Acnologia. Relying on a false night to activate Night's Blessing simply wasn't cutting it."
Erza tilted her head, curiosity piqued. "And how did you fix it?"
Amaris smiled, clearly pleased with herself. "The Night's Blessing worked by granting Natsu full divine power during the nighttime, effectively making him a literal god on top of being a demon with Dragon Slayer Magic. What I managed to do was infuse my own divine power into his demonic one, essentially forcing the evolution without needing the night. The result is the same, but the process is different.
"That said, nighttime still gives him an edge. He naturally draws in even more energy from my authority over the night, his resistances improve significantly, and with a few moves, he can push his power even further—an additional 2x boost, to be exact."
Erza nodded, visibly impressed. "That's good for Natsu. Sin Devil Trigger is far too taxing to use frequently. How's the fight going?"
Amaris's glowing eyes dimmed slightly as she refocused. "Rogue's down," she said bluntly. "But before falling unconscious, he transferred his magic to Sting, activating what you might call a Duel Mode."
Erza raised an eyebrow. "Duel Mode? So, he's using multiple elements now?"
Amaris shook her head. "Not quite like your Scarlet Dragon Slayer Magic or Natsu's Seraphic Dragon Slayer Magic. Sting's magic benefits from the second element coming from an external source—specifically, a fully-fledged Dragon Magic. Rogue didn't just give him access to Shadow Magic, but also a massive boost in raw power. Sting's White Dragon Magic is clashing with Rogue's Shadow Magic, amplifying his strength to incredible levels."
Erza leaned forward slightly. "Duel Mode… interesting. And since it's Light and Shadow, does that mean he's gained Twilight Magic?"
Amaris smiled faintly. "No. Sting's White Dragon Magic is sufficient for the Light element, but Rogue's Shadow Magic doesn't have the depth required for true Darkness. To gain full Twilight Magic, he'd need a far more powerful brand of Darkness Magic.
"However," she continued, "because Sting favors the Light element, some of his attacks might use small amounts of unbalanced chaotic Twilight Magic, but don't expect anything resembling true balance or mastery. It's Light-dominant, through and through."
Erza rested her chin on her hand, considering Amaris's words. "A Light-dominant Duel Mode… I wonder how that will play out. If nothing else, Natsu might actually enjoy this fight."
Amaris chuckled again, her glowing eyes gleaming. "Oh, he already is."
P.O.P.C
"These are the most advanced barriers I've ever seen the Empire deploy," Hisui said, her voice heavy as she rested a hand against the shimmering purple barrier that stretched endlessly across the horizon.
Freed nodded, his expression grim. "We've pinpointed several nodes where magic is being funneled into the barrier. They've been preparing this for days—probably since the moment Natsu and Gajeel entered Crocus."
Hisui turned back to gaze beyond the barrier, her eyes narrowing as she took in the chaos on the other side.
To the west, massive pillars of metal towered over the mountains, their bases wrapped in molten lava as volcanoes erupted in violent succession. Diamond and crystal formations shimmered briefly before being shattered by immense, unrelenting forces.
To the east, entire mountain ranges were sliced clean off and reduced to ashes. Pillars of light, each larger than the greatest cities on the planet, erupted from the ground with catastrophic intensity. Above, beams of energy streaked across the skies, detonating in colossal bursts that shook the heavens. The destruction was beyond anything the land had ever endured.
Some attacks collided with the barrier, causing ripples across its surface, but it held firm, containing the devastation within its boundaries. Yet even so, shockwaves reverberated through the land, and earthquakes rippled outward, unsettling the world beyond the barrier's confines.
At the heart of New Crocus, 600 miles of land on all sides had been engulfed by the barrier, trapping the Dragon Slayers' cataclysmic battle within.
Hisui let out a weary sigh, her shoulders sagging under the weight of it all.
"Something wrong?" Levy asked gently, her tone tinged with concern.
Hisui's lips pressed into a thin line before she answered, her voice soft but laced with sadness. "Beyond the fact that my country has been taken over by an Empire led by the legends of history? Well…" She paused, looking back at the barrier. "Natsu and Gajeel just completely destroyed my childhood home. I don't blame them—Crocus was doomed to fall in a battle like this. But still…" Her voice wavered as she continued. "It's hard knowing I'll never see the Palace Mercurius again. It's… gone."
Levy placed a comforting hand on Hisui's shoulder, her eyes filled with empathy. "I'm sorry, Hisui. I can't imagine how painful this must be for you."
Hisui managed a faint smile, though it didn't reach her eyes. "Thank you, Levy. But this isn't about me. My home is gone, but the people of Fiore still need us. We can't let the Empire win."
Freed, still scanning the barrier with a focused expression, added, "We won't."