Chapter-14: 7 Years

The flying ship glided silently over the ocean, its crew peering intently at the endless expanse of water below. A tense silence hung in the air, broken only by the occasional creak of the ship's hull and the hum of its magical engines.

"We're wasting time, aren't we?" Hibiki asked, his voice tinged with impatience.

"Keep quiet," Ultear snapped, her tone sharp but focused, her eyes shut in deep concentration. "I'm trying to concentrate."

"But—"

"Hibiki," interrupted a calm yet firm voice. A young woman with flowing green hair and piercing emerald eyes stepped forward, her regal bearing unmistakable despite her simple attire. "Let Ultear work."

Hibiki sighed but nodded. "All right, Your Highness. I was just... worried we might get caught."

She turned to him, her expression softening slightly, though her voice remained steady. "I am not a princess anymore. I've told you countless times—call me Hisui."

Hibiki muttered an apology, turning his gaze back to the ocean. Hisui's attention shifted to Ultear, whose closed eyes and furrowed brow betrayed her intense focus. Time had not been kind to Ultear. Though she remained as striking as ever, there was a weariness about her, a heavy burden etched into her every movement. It was a weight they all carried.

Suddenly, Ultear's eyes snapped open, a spark of alarm flashing in them. "Something... something is there!" She pointed toward the horizon, her voice urgent.

Hibiki squinted. "I see nothing."

"There's an immense amount of Space and Time Magic emanating from that spot," Ultear insisted, her voice rising. "It's breaking—something is about to appear!"

All eyes turned to the location she indicated. For a moment, the ocean remained calm, the waves lapping gently at the surface. Then, in an instant, the water churned violently, and from the depths of the sea, an entire island began to rise. Encased in a shimmering golden bubble, the island emerged as if pulled from another world.

Gasps echoed across the ship's deck as the golden barrier cracked, then shattered, its fragments dissipating into the air like dust. The island stood before them, whole and untouched, as if it had never disappeared.

"Unbelievable," Ultear whispered, awe and confusion mingling in her voice. "Such advanced Space-Time Magic... Could it be from Silver-Eye?"

Hisui's eyes were locked on the island, her expression a mix of shock and determination. "Let's land," she said, her voice steady despite the whirlwind of emotions around her.

The ship descended slowly, its crew bracing themselves for whatever secrets the island might hold. Seven years ago, Tenrou Island had vanished without a trace. Now it had returned, and with it, the answers they had been seeking—or perhaps, even more questions.

With Erza

Erza groaned as she pushed herself up, her body aching and her mind still reeling from the chaotic battle. Her vision blurred for a moment before clearing, revealing the shattered remnants of the forest around her.

"N-Natsu? Amaris? Lucy?" she called out, her voice hoarse and uncertain.

No response came. She stumbled forward, her crimson hair tangled and dirtied, until her eyes caught a glimmer of gold among the wreckage. Her heart skipped a beat as she recognized the unmistakable blond hair of her friend, Lucy, peeking out from beneath a pile of broken branches.

"Lucy!" Erza cried, rushing toward her. She grabbed the branches, tossing them aside with ease. Her strength felt unnatural, as if her body had been reinvigorated—though she didn't stop to question it.

Dropping to her knees beside Lucy, Erza shook her gently. "Lucy! Wake up!"

Lucy stirred, groaning softly. Her eyelids fluttered open, revealing dazed brown eyes. "E-Erza? What... happened?" she murmured weakly.

Erza let out a relieved sigh, gripping Lucy's hand tightly. "You're alive. That's all that matters right now."

Lucy blinked, struggling to sit up with Erza's help. She looked around, confusion etched across her face as she took in the scene. The forest was in ruins, the once-lush greenery replaced by scorched earth and shattered trees. "Where are we? Is everyone else okay?"

"I don't know," Erza admitted, her tone heavy. "I just woke up too. We need to find the others."

Lucy's heart sank at Erza's panicked shouts. Her hand gripped her keys tighter as the reality of the situation sank in—they were all alive, but scattered and shaken. The sound of trees crashing and an unmistakable voice cursing broke the tense silence.

"FUCK!" Gajeel's groggy shout echoed, and moments later, he stumbled into view, brushing dirt from his iron-scaled arms.

"Erza? Lucy?" came Mira's voice, weak but steady. The Take-Over Mage emerged from the wreckage, her disheveled hair clinging to her face. Behind her was Laxus, moving sluggishly as though every step was a monumental effort. His usually sharp eyes were dull, as if he'd just woken from a years-long coma.

The group slowly converged, mages appearing one by one, battered but alive. Relief was palpable, but incomplete.

"Where's Natsu?" Erza demanded, her voice sharp with worry. "Natsu! Amaris!" Her calls cut through the air, but no response came. She tried again, louder this time.

Erza froze as a faint whisper filled her mind. "Erza..." It was Amaris, her voice faint and strained. "To your left... under... the tr-tree..." Even the goddess seemed barely able to form words.

Erza turned sharply and rushed in the direction Amaris indicated. Her breath hitched as she saw him—Natsu, unconscious, slumped beneath a splintered tree, the Yamato still gripped tightly in his hand as though even unconscious, he refused to let it go.

"Natsu…" Erza whispered, dropping to her knees beside him. She gently cradled his head in her lap, her fingers brushing the dirt from his face.

The others quickly gathered around, their faces filled with concern.

"What's wrong with him?" Mira asked, her voice trembling.

Erza closed her eyes, reaching inward for the presence of Amaris. "What happened to him? Why won't he wake up?"

The goddess's voice came again, weak but calmer. "The spells... the one used to shield you all from Acnologia, combined with the aftereffects of the space-time magic Natsu unleashed to wound him... it has left your magic in chaos. Even I am struggling to stabilize it. But do not worry—it will pass in a few days."

Erza let out a slow breath of relief. "Good. Good," she murmured, her hand gently stroking Natsu's hair. She looked around at the others, all of them silent and visibly shaken. "But what the hell just happened?" she asked, her voice cracking under the weight of the question.

The revelation landed like a thunderclap. The mages of Fairy Tail stood stunned, their battered forms seemingly weighed down further by the weight of Ultear's words.

"Unbelievable, they still live," came a voice from the edge of the clearing. All eyes turned sharply toward the newcomers. A group emerged from the shadows—a striking woman with dark eyes and an aura of exhaustion, followed closely by a green-haired woman radiating regal poise, and a nervous young man trailing behind them.

"Who are you?!" barked Makarov, his small frame pulsing with magic ready to strike.

"Wait!" Gray interjected, his gaze locked on the woman at the front. Recognition dawned in his eyes. "Ultear?"

The woman offered a faint, bitter smile. "Yes, Gray. It's me. Been a while."

Gray's confusion deepened. "What… what do you mean? I just saw you leave the island—not even 15 minutes ago! But you look… older?"

Ultear let out a quiet, mirthless laugh. "It's a long story. One I'll gladly explain, but first, you all need to understand something. You… you've been missing for seven years."

"Seven years?" Lisanna echoed, her voice shaking. "You're joking."

Ultear's expression didn't waver. "I wish I were. To the outside world, Tenrou Island vanished without a trace. For seven long years, we thought you were all gone."

Makarov's shoulders sagged under the weight of her words. His voice was soft but steady. "Fairy Sphere… it sealed us, didn't it?"

"Precisely," Amaris's voice resonated in their minds, her tone calm but firm. "The spell encased us within a pocket dimension where time ceased to flow. For us, it was instantaneous, but for the world outside… seven years passed."

The silence that followed was suffocating. The enormity of what they had lost—and what awaited them outside the safety of the island—was overwhelming.

"Seven years…" Erza whispered, her hand tightening over Natsu's unconscious form. Her gaze turned to Ultear. "Why are you here? How did you find us?"

Ultear exchanged a glance with the green-haired woman beside her, who stepped forward. "I am Hisui," she began, her voice calm but carrying an undeniable air of authority. "Former Princess of Fiore. Ultear detected a powerful surge of space-time magic, which led us here. It's no coincidence. The world has changed... and so has Fiore."

"Former?" Gildarts asked, his tone sharp and laden with concern. "What happened?"

Ultear's gaze dropped briefly, her expression filled with regret. "Not just Fiore," she said softly. "The entire continent of Ishgar has been conquered—by Alvarez, by… Zeref."

"Fiore... conquered?" Makarov echoed, his voice trembling with disbelief.

Ultear nodded gravely. "A few weeks after you were sealed, Zeref himself came to Fiore. He brought with him some of the most powerful mages in existence—the Spriggan Twelve. They didn't come quietly or unannounced. Their first stop was Magnolia."

"Magnolia?" Makarov's voice rose, alarmed. "What happened to my guild? What happened to Fairy Tail?"

"Back then, nothing. Zeref spared your guild—for the moment. He only took one thing: something he called Fairy Heart."

The color drained from Makarov's face. "Fairy Heart? He... took it?"

Ultear gave a somber nod. "Yes. We didn't know what it was at the time, but it seemed important to him. Do you know what it is?"

Makarov swallowed hard, his expression grave. "I know little, but I always suspected it was something far beyond mortal comprehension. Mavis Vermilion took it from Zeref over a century ago. I suspected it might have been a Devil Arm or something tied to the Higher Beings. The magic it generated was so immense, so limitless, that even I couldn't understand its boundaries. I knew Alvarez sought it but never realized their emperor was Zeref himself."

"How was Ishgar taken over?" Erza asked, her voice steady but her eyes blazing with anger.

"Bosco fell first," Hisui answered, her tone flat but heavy with emotion. "Not a single soul was spared. Then Seven, Iceberg, Stella, and Isvan followed in quick succession. Their forces were overwhelmed in days. Fiore resisted, but only because Zeref found our struggle amusing."

Hisui's voice faltered momentarily before she continued. "The Magic Council was annihilated. The royal family… eradicated. I survived only through sheer luck and joined the resistance. After that, the guilds were targeted, one by one. Whether dark or light, they were all given the same ultimatum: join Alvarez and prove their loyalty, or face annihilation."

"I take it the resistance didn't go well," Gildarts interjected grimly.

Hibiki shook his head, his face clouded with sorrow. "No. Many died trying to fight back. Many more betrayed us, swearing allegiance to Alvarez out of fear. Fairy Tail held out the longest, though, much to Zeref's amusement."

Ultear added, her voice heavy with regret, "Fairy Tail even managed a significant victory once. But that only sealed their fate. Afterward, Zeref himself called for the guild's destruction. The members scattered. Some stayed in Fiore; others fled. We don't know who survived… or if anyone did."

Makarov's fists clenched as he processed the devastating news. The silence among the group was deafening, each mage lost in their own tumultuous thoughts, the weight of the revelation settling like a storm over them.

A sudden sound broke through—the raspy, labored breaths of someone stirring. All eyes turned to Natsu, who, though visibly battered and bruised, was struggling to rise to his feet.

"Natsu, take it slow," Erza said firmly, moving to his side to steady him. "You're still injured. You need to rest."

But Natsu shook her off, his movements fueled by sheer willpower rather than strength. His eyes burned with an intensity that made the air around him feel charged. "Zeref…" he growled, his voice low and filled with unrelenting fury. "That coward… he's gonna pay for this… for all of this."

"Natsu, calm down," Gray interjected, though his own hands were clenched into fists. "We need a plan. Charging in blindly won't change anything."

Natsu growled, his frustration evident. "I know, Gray… I know. I'll find a way… I'll tear him apart, limb from limb… that… that is no brother of mine, not that coward, not him."

Gray placed a hand on Natsu's shoulder, his grip firm. "I know, Natsu. You will get your chance. But we must first recover."

Natsu reluctantly nodded, then took Gray's outstretched hand, allowing him to pull him to his feet, though Erza still steadied him, her grip strong as she made sure he remained upright.

"Do you… have a base?" Natsu asked, his voice steady despite the rage bubbling beneath the surface.

"We do," Hisui answered, stepping forward. "But we must move quickly. The Asgard Division will be sure to find this location soon. You… are our only hope now. Only a Dragneel can defeat another Dragneel, right?"

Natsu's jaw tightened at the mention of his name, and a bitter chuckle escaped him. "So Zeref made it public? His last name? Has he said anything about me?"

Hisui nodded, her expression serious. "Rumors have spread that Silver-Eye was actually E.N.D., Zeref's biological brother. Is that right?"

Natsu clenched his fists at the sound of the name. "Yeah… I'm guessing he was sure I was dead, if he so openly let that slip out."

Ultear's gaze softened, her voice quieter now. "He's said it a few times… that 'the only one who could even stand against me, is dead already, at the claws of the Black Dragon,' or something similar."

A cold fire lit in Natsu's eyes at the mention of Zeref's words. "He's wrong," Natsu said, his voice low but filled with conviction. "I'm not dead. And I'm coming for him. This ends… when I say it ends."

Makarov stepped forward, his presence commanding attention. "We'll support you, Natsu. But for now, we must get to safety. The world has changed, and we must too."

Natsu nodded, his resolve unwavering, despite the weight of the journey ahead. "Then let's move."

The mages boarded the magic ship, the weight of the situation settling over them like a heavy cloud. Silence enveloped the group, each mage lost in their thoughts, their hearts heavy with the uncertainty of the world they now faced. Erza and Lucy stood closely by Natsu, who, though still injured, was determined to push forward. Wendy, the young dragon slayer, had insisted on healing Natsu, her small hands glowing with healing magic. Natsu, not wanting to dampen her spirits, let out a small lie, pretending to feel better than he truly did just to avoid making her sad.

Meanwhile, Gray and Juvia stood off to the side, conversing with Ultear.

"Who else is with the rebels?" Gray asked, his tone serious as he listened to the details of the situation.

Ultear took a deep breath before answering. "From Lamia Scale, a young girl, Sherria Blendy. From Blue Pegasus, Hibiki, Eve, Ren, and Jenny are still with us. The rest... are gone." She paused, her expression solemn. "There are a few mages from Mermaid Heel as well, and a handful of mages who weren't affiliated with any guild, but... it's mostly Meredy."

Juvia nodded, her face grim. "And who joined the Empire?"

Ultear's gaze darkened. "The Empire controls Ishgar through the 'Asgard Division,' which is split into three parts. There's the Dragon Division, responsible for regional control. All of them are Dragon Slayers or are Dragon-related in some way. It's led by Sting Eucliffe, a White Dragon Slayer, with his second-in-command being Rogue Cheney, a Shadow Dragon Slayer."

Ultear paused for a moment, glancing at Erza before continuing. "Then, there's the Demon Division. All of them are Demons of Zeref.. It's led by a demon known as Raze, with Mard Geer, the former guild master of Tartarus, as his second-in-command." She exhaled deeply before finishing, "Finally, there's the Hunter Division. They hunt mages, working alongside the Demon Division. Their commander is… Jellal Fernandes."

Erza's eyes widened at the name. "He—he joined Zeref?" Her voice was filled with disbelief and hurt, the anger and disappointment clear in her eyes. After a moment of silence, she clenched her fists, her teeth gritting. "A coward, to the end. I should have let Natsu tear his heart out…"

She looked at Natsu, squeezing his hand in silent support. Her mind wandered back to the time with the Oración Seis when Natsu had first encountered Jellal. Natsu's first instinct had been to attack, but Erza had convinced him to hold back, to trust that Jellal was safe and had changed. Natsu had warned her that she might be putting her faith in a lost cause.

Natsu breathed out slowly, his voice low but firm. "I broke that mutt once... I'll do it again if I have to."

Ultear's gaze became steely. "One more thing," she added, her voice heavy with the weight of what was to come. "All of them, all of those divisions… they possess more power than you've shown against Grimoire. The only one they do not surpass is Natsu."

At these words, Laxus and Gajeel clenched their fists, their determination palpable. Natsu looked around at his comrades, his eyes glowing silver..

"I wouldn't be so sure about that," Natsu said, his voice calm but filled with quiet confidence. "It seems like… Fairy Sphere allowed us to grow further."

"Everyone's raw power has been doubled, and Gray's… well, his is actually getting close to mine from before the E.N.D. incident." Natsu paused, turning his gaze to Gray, an eyebrow raised in acknowledgment. "I'm guessing you got more of Blitzgor's raw power and energy?"

Gray nodded slowly, his eyes narrowing as he thought about the implications of Natsu's observation. "It's possible," he admitted, flexing his fingers as if testing the magic in his veins. "I felt something change, but I wasn't sure what. This power… it's different. Stronger. More intense."

"Amaris is also now back at her full strength," Natsu added, his voice thoughtful. "When her power and mine finish calming down, she wants to call her old dimension here. We'll need a base, and hers is out of Zeref's reach."

Erza nodded, processing the information. "That's good. Amaris said her abilities were still drastically suppressed. Now, with her full power and her realm? And with your E.N.D. power? Speaking of, what would those be?"

Natsu paused, his eyes glinting with a mix of excitement and contemplation. "Hmm, well, raw power is first. I still find myself exponentially improving. I can feel new abilities, new spells... The Black Arts? I already had a few, but they were minor. And a new aspect of my demon power? My innate power is Space-Time, but... the Yamato also embodies... a God of Death," he said with a smirk.

Gray raised an eyebrow. "So, some sort of Death Magic?"

Natsu nodded. "Superior to Zeref's, from what I can remember. I think… I can now also grant Demon Power? And I can—OH! Oh, this is good, HA HA! I have a great plan." Natsu's laughter filled the air as his mind raced.

"Natsu?" Erza asked, her voice both curious and cautious.

He turned to her, still grinning. "I'll tell you later, but it's good. Very good."

Unknown

The man's voice was low, almost a whisper, as he stood in the shadows, observing the distant figures of the mages on the ship. His cloak fluttered slightly in the breeze, his presence almost imperceptible. His eyes, though hidden beneath the hood, seemed to gleam with cold calculation.

"Interesting," he muttered, his tone barely audible. "It seems the Rebels have gathered some powerful mages from somewhere?"

A figure beside him, barely visible, nodded. "Yes, Hisui and Ultear are with them. They'll be a problem."

The man's lips curled into something akin to a smile, though it was more of a dark sneer. "Follow them. We will strike when the time is right. They may have grown stronger, but they still don't understand the forces they're dealing with."

The figure nodded and disappeared into the shadows, leaving the man alone once again, his attention fixed on the ship in the distance.

"They won't be ready for what's coming," he whispered to himself, as the wind carried his words away into the night.

Later with the Mages

The mages disembarked from the ship, the cool mountain air wrapping around them as they looked at the large, dark cave that served as their temporary resting point. The walls of the cave stretched high above them, and the distant echo of dripping water added to the eerie silence. The ground was rough and uneven, but it provided shelter and security—something they needed desperately after everything they had endured.

"This is one of our bases," Hibiki explained, his voice echoing slightly in the cavern. "We'll charge the ship for a few hours, then continue to our main base."

Natsu glanced around, his gaze sharp as always, but he knew this was just a brief respite. The journey was far from over, and Zeref's forces were undoubtedly closing in.

"Right," Natsu said, his voice laced with determination. "We rest, regroup, and then we move again. Zeref won't stop. And neither will we."

Erza stood nearby, eyes scanning their surroundings. "We don't have much time," she said, voice calm but firm. "The longer we wait, the more likely they'll catch up to us. We need to be ready."

"I agree," said Ultear, her tone still carrying the weight of her recent revelations. "We can't afford to let our guard down."

The group moved deeper into the cave, settling into what little space they could find. Some took to meditating, while others set up makeshift camps, each mage absorbed in their thoughts.

Wendy, who had been unusually quiet since they left the ship, approached Natsu and Erza, her usual enthusiasm dimmed. "Do you think... we can actually stop Zeref?" she asked quietly, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

Natsu placed a hand on her shoulder, giving her a reassuring smile despite the storm brewing in his chest. "I will," he said firmly. "I swear on Igneel's name. I will end Zeref with my own hands."

Erza stepped forward, her voice steady but carrying the weight of their shared history. "We'll be with you, Natsu. We've always fought together, and we always will. You're not alone in this."

Natsu gave her a small nod, his resolve strengthening as his gaze shifted to his guildmates. They were all standing by him, every one of them united by a common cause.

"I know," he said, his voice unwavering. "And together, we'll make sure Zeref pays for everything he's done."

Ultear approached them, "We need to regroup with the others, plan, gather more power, we first have to deal with the Asgard Division, then with Alvarez itself."

"Yeah," said Natsu.

Wendy looked at Erza and Natsu with a small blush, "i-i'm hungry."

Erza looked at Wendy, "Let's talk with Hisui and see if there's any food here," Erza took Wendy's hand in hers and walked away.

Natsu watched Erza and Wendy leave to find food, a small grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. Even in the midst of everything, there was always time for the simple things.

Ultear, still standing with the group, turned her attention to Natsu. "We can't afford to waste time, Natsu. Every moment we delay gives Zeref more power. We need to prepare for what's coming."

Natsu nodded, his expression serious once again. "I know. But we can't rush in without a plan. We'll hit them hard, but we need to know what we're dealing with first. We'll destroy the Asgard Division, and then we'll take down Alvarez."

"Any news on the demons and the Demon Realm itself?" Natsu asked, his voice steady but laced with urgency.

Ultear nodded. "Naturally, with Zeref, demons have become a common threat. But if you're asking about the demons of Hell, well, they've started appearing more frequently. The Order of Tenebrae Susuri has been handling them as best as they can."

"Tenebrae Susuri? They're involved in this?" Natsu raised an eyebrow in surprise.

Ultear's gaze hardened. "Yes. They've been fighting against Zeref's forces all over the planet, but there's also another threat they're dealing with. I don't have all the details yet, but we've directly encountered two members of their order. They're actively working against the Asgard Division. We'll arrange a meeting with them soon."

"Good. Until then—" Natsu was cut off by the sudden shaking of the mountain beneath them.

"What the—?" he grunted, steadying himself.

"They're here! The Demon Division is here!" Hibiki shouted urgently. "We need to leave! Now!"

Natsu took a few steps toward the source of the demonic presence, but suddenly, his knees buckled, and he dropped to the ground, his heart racing erratically.

Gray rushed to him, grabbing him by the shoulder. "We can't fight now. None of us are at full strength, least of all you."

Natsu gritted his teeth, pushing against the floor. "I don't like this… Not one bit."

"I don't either," Gray said, his voice steady but filled with concern. He helped Natsu to his feet.

Erza appeared then, running toward them, her eyes wide with concern. "Natsu! Gray!"

"We're coming!" Natsu called back.

Ultear stood by their side, her orb glowing with magic. "Go! We'll hold them off!"

"No," came a deep voice, and the sound of heavy footsteps approached. Gildarts strode toward the entrance, Makarov following closely behind.

"You are needed, missy," Gildarts said with a grin. "Let these geysers hold them off."

"Are you insane?!" Ultear shouted. "You'll die! These two are stronger than Blue Note was!"

Gildarts only smirked, unbothered. "I know. But our job is to protect the next generation. All those brats... they'll be more powerful than I ever will be."

Makarov smiled warmly at the group, his hand lifting as if to make a final gesture. "I love you brats!" he said, his voice full of affection.

"Wait—we can help!" Natsu shouted, trying to break free from Gray's grip.

At that moment, Gildarts struck Natsu in the stomach with a firm but controlled blow, sending him stumbling back.

"Sorry, kid," Gildarts said with a rueful grin. "Looks like there's still something I can do for you."

He turned to Gray, his expression more serious now. "Gray, Natsu, you two are currently the strongest here. You're more valuable than we geysers will ever be in this mess. Live, survive, grow... and pay these bastards back a thousand fold."

Gildarts' words rang out with an intense, raw emotion that cut through the chaos of the moment. His gaze softened as he looked at Cana, the daughter he had just discovered.

"Cana!" he called out, his voice loud but full of emotion.

Cana froze, her eyes widening as she met his gaze. She shook her head quickly, her voice barely above a whisper. "Don't say it, please don't," she begged, her heart aching at the weight of his words.

But Gildarts, with a mixture of regret and love, ignored her plea. He stepped forward, his voice full of conviction. "I'm proud of you! I am sorry for being such a deadbeat all these years! Know that I love you with all my heart. You're stronger than you realize, Cana. You've always been."

Tears welled in Cana's eyes, but she blinked them away, struggling to hold her composure. "I— I don't need you to say that now. Just stay safe."

Gildarts nodded, his expression determined. "I'll make sure of it. But you've got to keep fighting, too. You're the future of Fairy Tail."

Cana held her breath for a moment, taking in the gravity of his words. Her father—someone who had been absent for so long—was finally here, and he was finally giving her the support she needed. But the battle wasn't over, and they all knew that time was running out.

With one last nod, Gildarts turned, his gaze locking onto the two demons who slowly advanced toward them. Makarov stood beside him, his posture unwavering despite the impending danger, the ship already soaring into the sky behind them.

"Master," Gildarts spoke with a somber respect, his voice heavy. "It's been an honor."

Makarov's eyes softened, but there was a weight in his words as he replied, "...You should have gone with them, too. I don't like the thought of one of my children dying with me."

Gildarts shook his head, his expression resolute. "I'm sorry, Master. But there's nothing that can be done about that now."

As they spoke, one of the demons began to clap slowly, the sound echoing eerily through the cavern.

"Well, well, well… how much courage," the hooded demon said with a twisted smile. "To stay behind. Shame it's not going to save you."

Gildarts clicked his tongue, eyes narrowing with fury. "Maybe not today. Maybe not tomorrow, or next week… but you will die. One of those kids will tear you apart, demon. And when that happens, you'll beg for your life—and you won't get it."

The demon chuckled darkly, his voice low and mocking. "Is that so?"

"It's that so," Gildarts replied, his voice unwavering. "You'll see."

The tension in the air grew thick as the two demons advanced, their presence oppressive. Gildarts stood firm, knowing full well the odds stacked against them. The power of the two demons before them was overwhelming.

Gildarts - (Crash Magic + Weakened by Sealing + Full Power) - 970 Million MPL

Makarov - (Wizard Saint +Weakened by Sealing + Weakened by age + Full Power) - 83.7 Million MPL

The demons chuckled in unison, as if mocking the determination in their faces. With a flick of his hand, the hooded demon threw back his cloak. His skin was a sickly shade of gray, his eyes a fiery red, and his ashen hair framed a young, yet cruel face. A scar marred his left cheek, a reminder of battles fought and won.

Demon of Etherious

Volume XVI of The Book of Demons

Commander of the Demon Division

Flame Demon

Flame of the Abyss

Raze

The second demon stepped forward, his presence as chilling as the first. Long, dark purple hair cascaded around his face, contrasting with his cold, black eyes. He wore a sharp, elegant suit, the flame pattern on his long coat flickering with an eerie energy.

Demon of Etherious

Volume XV of The Book of Demons

Second in Command of the Demon Division

Thorn Demon

The Absolute Demon

Mard Geer

Mard Geer chuckled darkly, the sound echoing in the cavern. "Oh, how amusing. They think you stand a chance?" He let out a cruel laugh, the edges of his voice laced with fury. "This makes Mard Geer… very angry."

Mard Geer - (Etherious Demon + Base + Suppressed) – 5 Billion MPL

Raze - (Etherious Demon + Base + Suppressed) – 5 Billion MPL

Raze smirked, his voice like a whisper of smoke. "What did you expect?"

The two demons were an unstoppable force, their power far surpassing anything Gildarts and Makarov could muster. Yet, even in the face of such overwhelming strength, the resolve of the two old warriors held firm. There was no turning back now.