Chapter-19: First Blood
Yukino's irritation was palpable as she stood in the private booth of the Dragon Division, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. Her sharp glare fell on Sting, who was engrossed in the screen displaying Gajeel and Sylvia's ongoing battle.
The metallic clangs and roars of their clash echoed from the screen, but Yukino's focus was elsewhere. She couldn't understand how two men—Natsu and Gajeel—could so easily command Sting's attention, shifting his priorities as if nothing else mattered.
"Here," Yukino said curtly, her voice slicing through the tension in the room.
No response.
"Sting," she repeated, her tone growing sharper.
Still nothing. Sting's eyes were glued to the screen, his expression alight with the same passion that had infuriated her for days.
"Sting!" she finally shouted, her patience snapping.
Sting turned around with an irritated scowl, clearly annoyed at being interrupted. "What?"
Yukino's lip curled as she tossed the tablet onto the table beside him, the screen lighting up to display the data she'd painstakingly gathered. "I brought the information," she sneered, her frustration boiling over.
Sting barely glanced at the tablet, his focus drifting back to the battle. "Thanks," he muttered dismissively, his tone devoid of the gratitude she thought she deserved.
Yukino's fists clenched. "That's it? Just 'thanks'?"
Sting sighed, finally tearing his gaze away from the fight to face her fully. "What do you want, Yukino? A parade for delivering intel? You've done your job. Good work."
"Don't patronize me, Sting!" Yukino snapped, her voice laced with anger. "You've been acting like a child ever since Natsu and Gajeel showed up. It's like nothing else matters to you anymore—not me, not this division, not anything!"
Sting's expression softened slightly, but there was still a flicker of irritation in his eyes. "This isn't about ignoring you, Yukino. This is about the future of this war. Natsu and Gajeel are—"
"Are what?" Yukino interrupted, her voice rising. "Your idols? Your rivals? Or are they just an excuse for you to live out some long-forgotten fantasy of being a hero?"
The room fell silent, the tension thick enough to cut with a blade. Even Rogue, who had been quietly observing the fight, shifted uncomfortably.
Sting's jaw tightened as he stood, his towering frame casting a shadow over Yukino. "This isn't a fantasy," he said quietly, his tone dangerously calm. "This is about survival. If we don't take them seriously, they'll tear through everything we've built. You might not like it, but Natsu and Gajeel are forces of nature. Ignoring them would be the real mistake."
Yukino's anger faltered, replaced by a simmering frustration she couldn't entirely articulate. She wanted to argue, but deep down, she knew Sting was right. That didn't make it any easier to swallow.
"Fine," she said coldly, turning on her heel. "But don't come crying to me when your obsession with them costs you everything else."
She stormed out, her footsteps echoing down the hallway as the tension in the room lingered like a storm cloud.
Rogue sighed, casting Sting a sidelong glance. "You should talk to her."
Sting shook his head, his focus already drifting back to the screen. "Later. Right now, I need to figure out how to beat him."
On the screen, Gajeel unleashed a devastating metallic wave, forcing Sylvia onto the defensive. The sheer power on display sent a chill through the room, a grim reminder of the battle to come.
Arena
Gajeel gritted his teeth, not in pain, but in irritation as Sylvia emerged from her crystalized form once more.
"Enough of this crap!" he growled, slamming his fist into the ground.
"Metallic Dragon's Tempest!"
A swirling vortex of razor-sharp metal shards exploded outward at blinding speed. The projectiles tore through Sylvia's Domain Spell like paper, dismantling her meticulously crafted magic in mere seconds.
Sylvia's eyes widened in shock, her composure faltering. "W-what?!" she stammered, baffled at how effortlessly Gajeel had obliterated her spell.
Gajeel scoffed, crossing his arms briefly before his power surged. "I'm bored with this fight. I'm bored with you."
A powerful green aura enveloped him, crackling with raw energy as his strength escalated to an overwhelming level.
Gajeel Redfox – (Dragon Slayer + Base + Less Suppressed) – 20.97 Billion MPL
With a sharp kick to the ground, Gajeel vanished from sight, reappearing in front of Sylvia in an instant.
His arm transformed, gleaming with a titanium sheen.
"Metallic Dragon's Hard Fist!"
His punch connected squarely with her face, the force of the blow reverberating through the arena. But Gajeel wasn't done.
With a fluid motion, he leapt slightly, grabbed Sylvia's head with his left hand, and drove his knee into her face, the impact doubling as he pushed her head into his rising knee.
The crowd gasped as Sylvia's body went limp. Gajeel landed effortlessly, straightening up and brushing dust from his coat as he walked away without looking back.
Behind him, Sylvia lay unconscious on the arena floor, unmoving.
The arena erupted into deafening cheers, the crowd surging to its feet as Gajeel's decisive victory sent shockwaves through the spectators. The announcer's voice boomed over the chaos, carrying the excitement across the massive coliseum.
"Unbelievable! Black Steel Gajeel has defeated Sylvia Garnet with ease!" the announcer roared, his words drowned momentarily by the enthusiastic roar of the crowd.
Gajeel, standing tall amidst the dust and debris of the destroyed arena floor, spared a disinterested glance over his shoulder at Sylvia's unconscious form. His titanium-coated fists shimmered faintly as the green aura of his power began to dissipate.
"Feh," he muttered under his breath, shaking his head as if the fight had been nothing more than a minor inconvenience. He cracked his neck, his metallic studs glinting under the arena lights.
The medics rushed onto the battlefield, carefully tending to Sylvia as they carried her away on a stretcher. Gajeel didn't even bother to watch them go, his focus already elsewhere.
Dragon Division Stands
"Did you see that?" Rogue asked, his voice low and tense. "He didn't even use his full power. That wasn't a fight to him–it was entertainment."
Sting nodded, his jaw clenched as he leaned forward, his eyes locked on Gajeel. "Yeah."
In the stands, the audience continued to chant Gajeel's name, their awe evident in every syllable.
Gajeel, however, ignored the adulation. He strode toward the exit, his long coat billowing behind him as he muttered to himself, "Waste of time. Bring me someone worth fighting next time."
The arena lights dimmed slightly as the announcer hyped up the next match, but the atmosphere remained electrified, the sheer dominance of Gajeel's performance leaving an indelible mark on everyone who had witnessed it.
With Natsu
In the VIP booth, Natsu leaned back casually on the plush couch, his silver eyes glinting with mischief. A chilled drink rested in his hand, while Ebony and Ivory, gleamed on the table beside him, freshly polished.
When Gajeel entered, his sharp red eyes scanned the luxurious surroundings before narrowing suspiciously at Natsu. "What's this?"
Natsu grinned, tilting his drink slightly in a mock toast. "Got us a VIP spot."
"How?" Gajeel asked, folding his arms as he stepped closer.
Natsu's grin widened, a devilish spark in his expression. "Persuasion."
Gajeel's brow shot up. "Ah. Demon Mind Control?"
Natsu chuckled, shrugging nonchalantly. "Something like that. I might have... convinced someone to politely fuck off and hand it over. Don't worry, it wasn't anyone important."
Gajeel smirked, plopping down on the couch beside him. "Nice."
Natsu handed him a drink without missing a beat. Gajeel took it, eyeing the glass for a moment before taking a swig. "Not bad."
"Damn right it's not," Natsu replied, raising his glass again.
As they sat in comfortable silence, the cheers of the arena outside provided a background symphony. The energy was palpable, the thrill of combat still lingering in the air.
"Guess Sylvia wasn't much of a challenge," Natsu remarked, smirking at Gajeel.
"She was tough," Gajeel admitted, leaning back with a shrug. "But not tough enough."
"Good," Natsu said, his voice low but full of meaning.
The next fight began almost as soon as the announcement ended. The arena was charged with excitement, but the enthusiasm quickly turned to shock.
Jiemma, the hulking and ruthless mage, ended the match in an instant. His opponent didn't even have time to cast a spell before being obliterated in a devastating show of power. The crowd erupted into a mix of cheers and stunned silence.
Natsu leaned back, unimpressed, swirling his drink as he watched Jiemma bask in the fleeting glory of his easy victory. "You're on to fight him," Natsu said, his silver eyes flicking toward Gajeel.
Gajeel nodded, stretching his shoulders. "Yeah… but he's weaker than Sylvia."
"I can see that," Natsu replied, smirking. "Full of arrogance, though—more than me."
Gajeel snorted, cracking his knuckles. "That's saying something."
"Hey," Natsu shot back, feigning offense. "I earned my arrogance. He's just puffed up on borrowed confidence."
Gajeel stood, rolling his neck as the announcer began hyping up the next match. "Guess I'll knock him down a peg."
"Do it quick," Natsu said, his grin turning sharp. He rose from his seat, cracking his knuckles. "Now, I believe I myself have a Dragon Slayer to 'knock down a peg.' Thankfully, I've got plenty of experience with that."
"Fuck off," Gajeel shot back, rolling his eyes.
"Love you too, buddy," Natsu replied, smirking. "You're like a little brother to me. Or maybe a son—"
"I will stab you," Gajeel growled, cutting him off.
"You know I'm immortal," Natsu teased, his voice full of mock innocence.
"That's why I will," Gajeel said with a dark grin, cracking his knuckles for emphasis.
Natsu barked out a laugh, waving him off. "Yeah, yeah." he took a few steps and vanished.
Arena
Lumin was already in the arena, his impatience getting the better of him as he ran there the moment his fight was announced. His excitement was palpable, his body buzzing with energy as he prepared to face the legendary Silver-Eyed Demon.
Suddenly, a silver bolt of energy struck the ground, and Natsu stepped out of the dissipating light, his cane in hand, walking leisurely with a wide, demonic smirk. His silver eyes glinted with a chilling mix of amusement and malice.
"Hello there," Natsu greeted, his tone dripping with mock friendliness.
"Ready to lose?" Lumin shot back, his own grin full of determination.
Natsu tilted his head, chuckling softly. "I'm ready for some entertainment. Think you can provide it?"
Lumin gave a humorless smile, his pride refusing to let him back down. "We'll see."
Natsu leaned on his cane, feigning disinterest. "I'll take that as a no."
Lumin's grin faltered, a growl escaping his throat. "Start the match!"
The announcer, clearly nervous, raised his trembling hand. "Three… two… one—GO!"
Lumin wasted no time, disappearing in a flash of light. "Flash Dragon's Speed Fist!"
In an instant, he was in front of Natsu, his fist aimed directly at the Dragon Slayer's face. His speed was blinding, far faster than it had been during the battle royale.
But Natsu was ready.
With terrifying precision, Natsu raised his cane and swatted Lumin's fist away effortlessly, the force of the block sending Lumin flying across the arena. He crashed into the far wall with a resounding boom.
Dust settled as Natsu stood in the center of the arena, utterly unfazed. He tilted his head, his smirk growing wider. "Is that all you've got?"
Lumin pushed himself out of the rubble, his eyes blazing with fury.
Natsu continued, his voice cold and mocking. "So, so slow. If I tried that against Gajeel, he'd have ripped my head off before I could even raise my cane."
The murmurs of the crowd grew louder as Lumin darted around the arena, his movements a blur of light. His sheer speed left streaks of energy in his wake, painting the battlefield with glowing trails.
"Flash Dragon's Speed Blitz!" Lumin roared, determination blazing in his eyes. He began running faster and faster, circling the arena with incredible velocity. The air itself seemed to warp from his speed, and the ground trembled slightly under the strain of his repeated laps.
Within seconds, he had made over 10,000 laps around the arena, his speed becoming a vortex of power and momentum. The crowd gasped in awe as he suddenly kicked off the ground, using all the built-up speed to zoom directly toward Natsu.
With a deafening crash, Lumin's strike connected, driving Natsu back into the arena wall. Dust and debris flew everywhere, the impact shaking the ground.
But as the dust cleared, Natsu's smirk remained intact.
Natsu leaned casually against the wall, his arms raised in a simple block. The faintest shimmer of silver energy flickered around him. "Huh," he mused, his voice dripping with disdain. "Even with all that speed, you still lack the punching strength."
Lumin's face twisted in shock and frustration. He had poured everything into that attack—his unmatched speed, his momentum, his Dragon Slayer magic—and yet, Natsu had barely moved.
Natsu straightened, brushing some dust off his coat with exaggerated slowness. "How absolutely disappointing," he said, his tone sharp enough to cut. "Speed's impressive, sure, but if you can't hit hard enough to back it up, what's the point?"
Lumin's hands clenched into fists, his frustration mounting with every passing second. The arena fell into a tense silence, the only sound being the faint crackle of energy swirling around the two fighters. The contrast between their demeanors was stark—Lumin, struggling to contain his anger, while Natsu stood relaxed, exuding an unshakable confidence.
Lumin took a step back, retreating to the far side of the arena, his chest rising and falling with each breath as he tried to compose himself. Natsu, unfazed, calmly switched his cane from his right hand to his left, planting it firmly on the ground. His right arm raised, slightly bent, palm facing the sky. His thumb, index, and middle fingers pointed directly at Lumin, while the remaining fingers curled inward, forming a focused, almost casual gesture.
He held that stance for a moment, his eyes locking onto Lumin's with an intensity that felt almost predatory.
Lumin, baffled by the sudden change in posture, sneered, "What's the purpose of th-?"
Before he could finish his sentence, blood spurted from his mouth as Natsu vanished from his previous position, reappearing directly in front of him. The moment Natsu struck, the blow to Lumin's stomach was so powerful it rattled his insides, leaving him gasping for air.
With a fluid motion, Natsu followed up with an inch-perfect punch to Lumin's face, the impact so brutal that it sent Lumin crashing into the far wall of the arena. The force of the blow left a crater in the stone as Lumin's body crumpled, blood dripping from his split lip.
The crowd gasped in unison, their shock palpable as Lumin's body flew through the air, crashing into the wall with a deafening thud. Dust and debris fell from the impact, clouding the arena for a moment.
Lumin lay motionless for a moment, his body crumpled in the crater he had made in the stone. Blood dripped from his lip, his chest heaving as he gasped for breath. The audience was stunned into silence, the full power of Natsu's attack settling over the battlefield like a heavy weight.
Natsu stood at the center of the arena, still relaxed, his posture barely shifting as though he hadn't even broken a sweat. His eyes locked onto the crumpled form of Lumin, his expression cold and emotionless.
"Too weak," Natsu said coldly, his voice final as he wiped the dust from his hand. "Speed means nothing if you can't land a hit that matters."
Lumin staggered, his body aching from the two brutal blows Natsu had dealt him. He had never experienced such crushing power—two hits, and the fight had been effectively over. He hadn't even seen Natsu move; just flashes of motion, and then the pain.
"His speed... I couldn't even see it… No… it was teleportation?" Lumin thought, horror creeping into his chest. His mind raced, the realization dawning on him. "If he gets close to me again…" His body trembled, a surge of fear pooling in his gut. "He could tear me apart."
His legs shook beneath him as he fought to regain his balance. Pride screamed at him to keep fighting, to stand his ground, but a primal terror gnawed at him. This wasn't about a fight anymore—it was about survival.
The whispers in the crowd grew louder, the spectators sensing the shift in Lumin's posture, his mind unraveling as the reality of his situation hit him.
Natsu, however, remained utterly unfazed. His posture was relaxed, but his eyes glinted with a cold amusement, as if he were savoring the moment. Slowly, he raised his hand, fingers splayed as he stretched his arm, his expression growing colder.
"I don't think you get it," Natsu said, his voice low, almost a growl. "You can run. You can hide. But against me? There's no escaping. You're just delaying the inevitable."
Lumin's breath came in ragged gasps. Fear, mingled with the remnants of pride, struggled to hold him together. He couldn't let Natsu see the fear in his eyes. He had to fight. He had to turn this around, but every instinct screamed at him to run.
With a roar, Lumin charged at Natsu, gathering his magic in a desperate attempt to strike.
"Flash Dragon's—"
Before Lumin could finish his incantation, Natsu snapped his fingers, and without any warning, space itself seemed to twist. The distance between him and Lumin folded like paper, dragging Lumin violently toward Natsu.
In the blink of an eye, Natsu's hand was around Lumin's throat. He lifted him off the ground effortlessly, squeezing with an almost casual brutality.
"Tell me," Natsu said, his voice cold and predatory, "Do you have any idea what just happened?"
Lumin's eyes widened in terror, his mind struggling to comprehend the madness of it all. No incantation. No magic circle. Just... space bending to Natsu's will. His heart raced, and his chest tightened, suffocating under Natsu's grip.
"There's no way I can win," Lumin thought, his body going limp in Natsu's grasp. He had no escape. No counter.
"I-I give up!" Lumin gasped, his feet still dangling in the air, the words barely escaping his lips.
Natsu's gaze hardened, and without a second thought, he dropped Lumin to the ground.
"Disappointing," Natsu muttered, turning away as the crowd erupted into a mix of awe and disbelief.
Lumin lay on the ground, his body bruised and broken, defeated not just physically, but mentally as well.
Dragon Division Boot
Sting rubbed his temples, trying to quell the headache forming from the stress of the match. Rogue had already gone to the arena to collect Lumin, who was likely still reeling from his defeat, while Kaden sat in silence, his expression unreadable. Darius, on the other hand, was growling under his breath, clearly frustrated with the outcome.
"Told you, told you Lumin would lose," Darius muttered, his voice dripping with annoyance.
"Shut up, Darius," Sting snapped, not even sparing him a glance.
"Lumin's too weak, letting him fight just embarrassed—"
"QUIET!" Sting shouted, his eyes blazing with fury. The intensity of his gaze silenced Darius instantly.
There was a heavy silence in the room. The tension between the Dragon Division members crackled in the air, but it was clear that Sting's irritation had taken over. He didn't need to hear any more of Darius's criticisms.
After a few moments, Sting leaned back in his chair, pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration. "Lumin's failure doesn't change anything," he muttered, more to himself than to anyone else. "We still have a war to win."
Darius glared at the floor, but remained silent, choosing not to press further. He had learned to tread carefully when Sting's temper flared like this.
Kaden remained quiet, his usual calm demeanor unshaken, though there was a flicker of something in his eyes—something unreadable. He knew the real battle was yet to come, and their division would have to be at its peak for what lay ahead.
With Gray,
Fire and ice clashed in a furious battle. Blades rang against each other as demonic forces surged with each strike. The battlefield shifted with the tides of magic, constantly switching between scorching flames and freezing cold.
Gray and Raze had moved away from the chaos of the main battle, the ground beneath them shifting each step.
"Ice Devil's Hell Chains!" Gray shouted.
Seven magic circles appeared behind him, and giant chains with hooks shot toward Raze, aiming to ensnare him.
"Etherious Flame Demon's Corrupt Wave!" Raze responded, swinging his sword with a fierce slash. A wave of green fire surged toward the chains, and the spells collided in a burst of hot mist.
Gray Fullbuster – (Devil Slayer + Base + Full Power) – 49.9 Billion MPL
Raze, not wasting a moment, flew through the mist, roaring as he charged toward Gray.
Gray planted his massive longsword into the earth, and demonic energy surged around his arms and legs. A pair of gauntlets and greaves manifested, glowing with dark power.
"Frostforged Aegis," Gray whispered, his eyes focused on the demon charging at him.
The gauntlets were forged from a dark, shimmering, durable material, and large, jagged ice formations extended from his forearms. These frozen claws were sharp and menacing, reinforcing his strike. The gauntlets were adorned with glowing runes at the knuckles, giving them an ethereal, yet brutal appearance.
The greaves, equally imposing, extended from just below the knee to his ankles, matching the jagged ice design of the gauntlets. The ice formations seemed to grow outward, sharp and angular, while crescent moon-shaped designs were etched around the knees, embedded with blue crystals.
Gray punched forward, his gauntlets crackling with energy as he met Raze's blade. The demon flipped over Gray, but Gray immediately reacted with a spinning kick aimed at Raze's head.
Raze raised his sword to block, but the force of Gray's kick knocked him off his feet, sending him sprawling.
Gray didn't hesitate. He blitzed forward, his right fist glowing with energy. "Ice Devil's Zeroth Destruction Fist!"
Gray's fist struck Raze squarely in the face, sending him skating across the ground, his head tilted upward from the powerful blow.
Gray quickly followed, making a grabbing motion. A spear materialized in his hand.
"Cryoithril," Gray spoke the weapon's name.
The spear's shaft was crafted from dark, obsidian-like material with a frosted sheen, resembling cracked ice. It was about eight feet long, perfectly balanced for thrusting and throwing. Glowing runes pulsed faintly along its length. The spearhead was made from crystalline ice, shimmering with cold energy. The edges were jagged, resembling frozen shards, and the core held immense magical power.
Gray pointed the spear toward Raze, his voice calm but resolute. "Ice Devil's Zeroth Frost Piercer!"
A beam of raw frost energy shot from the tip of the spear, cutting through the air at immense speed. Raze dodged just in time, but the blast sliced through the distant trees before exploding in a massive wave of raw ice magic, freezing the mountain behind it.
Gray raised his left arm, palm open, and his longsword, Frostbite Reaver, flew to his hand from where it had been stabbed earlier.
Gray held the spear in his right hand, its tip pointed toward the ground, while the Frostbite Reaver rested casually on his left shoulder. He cracked his neck, glaring at Raze with renewed intensity.
Gray Fullbuster – (Devil Slayer + Base + Frost King's Arsenal + Full Power) – 62.4 Billion MPL
Raze growled in response. "So those weapons enhance your power… by a quarter of your total strength, correct?"
Gray locked eyes with him, a confident smirk on his lips. "Yeah… but it won't make a difference to you."
Raze sneered. "Of course not. It's still not enough to kill me."
Gray chuckled darkly. "No worries… I've got more."
Raze dashed forward, his sword poised to strike. Gray reacted with the speed of a seasoned warrior, dashing forward as well, using his longsword to lock Raze's blade down. Without wasting a beat, he thrust the spear toward Raze's chest.
Raze, with swift reflexes, caught the spear with his claw just in time, halting its momentum. But the moment the spear made contact, Gray's Ice Magic exploded outwards, its shockwave rippling across the battlefield.
The terrain froze instantly, stretching out for 30 miles, as if the very earth had succumbed to Gray's will. A massive pillar of ice shot up from the point of impact, towering high into the sky where Gray and Raze had clashed. The pillar was a testament to the sheer power of the blow, its jagged spikes cutting into the sky like frozen spears.
Raze, though mostly unscathed by the blast, had lost his blade in the process. His right hand now clutched nothing but air as the sword had been sent flying. Gray, on the other hand, remained uninjured, still holding all of his weapons with an unwavering confidence. His Frostbite Reaver and Cryoithril spear gleamed with cold energy as he took a step back, eyes never leaving Raze.
Gray's grin was feral. "You were saying something about it not being enough to kill you?"
Raze, disoriented but angry, steadied himself. He was no stranger to pain, but this was different. The power Gray wielded, the sheer scope of his magic, had taken him off guard.
But the fight wasn't over yet. Raze bared his fangs, his claws flexing. "It's not over, Fullbuster... not by a long shot."
Gray remained unfazed, his posture still relaxed but alert. "We'll see about that, demon."
"Etherious Flame Demon's Hellish Emergence!"
Raze roared as he summoned massive pillars of green fire that erupted all around the battlefield, the intense heat melting the ice around him. But despite the blaze, Gray's gaze remained fixed solely on Raze.
With a swift motion, Gray pointed his Cryoithril spear toward Raze.
"Ice Devil's Zeroth Frozen Lances!"
A magic circle appeared at the tip of the spear, and from it, hundreds of enormous, curved ice lances shot out, each one the size of entire city blocks. The lances streaked across the battlefield like a frozen storm.
Raze retaliated by unleashing a barrage of fireballs toward the incoming lances, each explosion sending shockwaves through the air. However, the sheer number and size of the ice lances overwhelmed Raze's assault. The flames were consumed by the cold as many of the lances crashed into the fiery pillars, extinguishing the flames with brute force.
But Gray was relentless.
"Ice Devil's Zeroth Frozen Fang Slash!" he shouted from behind Raze, slashing the air with his Frostbite Reaver. A massive wave of frost energy erupted toward Raze, freezing the valley below as it made contact.
Gray's glowing blue demonic eyes scanned the area as he landed gracefully on the ground. His focus never left Raze.
"Etherious Flame Demon's Hell Fist!"
Raze lunged at Gray, his flaming fist aimed to crush him. Gray flipped and leaped away, narrowly avoiding the blow. However, Raze's immense speed allowed him to follow, relentless in his pursuit.
With his left arm, Gray slashed at Raze, but the demon ducked under the swing with ease. As Gray attempted to stab him with the spear, Raze vanished from sight, reappearing behind Gray in an instant.
Before Gray could react, he was sent crashing down the hill they were fighting on. His momentum wreaked havoc on the forest below, splintering trees and tearing up the ground. The impact left Gray tumbling uncontrollably, but despite the devastating force, he quickly regained his footing, though his sliding still caused destruction to the surroundings.
"Grr… Ice Devil's Zeroth Chaotic Rampage!" Gray shouted, his voice filled with fury.
He began unleashing flying slashes with both his sword and spear, each slash cutting through the air with blinding speed. Mountains crumbled, ravines opened up beneath the force of his strikes, and even lightning strikes from the sky were frozen mid-air by the power of his attacks.
Raze dodged as best as he could, weaving through the storm of icy slashes. The slashes came at an overwhelming speed and number, but the demon's agility allowed him to narrowly avoid the lethal strikes. One massive slash missed Raze by inches, cutting the mountain behind him and freezing its remains solid.
Raze, now facing the aftermath of the devastation, chuckled darkly. "Fine then, looks like I get to have some fun."
Raze – (Etherious Demon + Base + Full Power) – 71.3 Billion MPL
With a roar, Raze soared into the air, his body becoming a blur as he descended like a comet toward Gray. The force of his descent tore through the atmosphere.
Gray gritted his teeth, feeling the ground beneath him crack as he stomped his foot, preparing for the impact. He shouted, his voice filled with resolve, and turned to face the descending demon head-on.
"Come at me, Raze," Gray growled, his demonic eyes glowing brighter with the promise of a final, earth-shattering clash.
The battle was far from over.
Clover Town,
Bolts of black lightning struck the ground, tearing through the landscape as two figures raged at each other.
"RAAAA!"
"RAAAA!"
Elfman and Orga charged, their roars echoing across the battlefield. Orga unleashed a powerful hook to Elfman's head, the impact landing with a sharp crack. But Elfman barely flinched, the spot where the blow connected glowing faintly.
Elfman retaliated immediately with a devastating left hook to Orga's ribs, followed by a brutal headbutt. Orga crashed to the ground, gritting his teeth in frustration.
"Lightning God's Bellow!"
Black lightning erupted from Orga's mouth, the crackling energy striking Elfman directly. But Elfman powered through the magical onslaught, walking forward as if the attack was nothing.
"TAKE THIS!" Elfman roared, breaking through the lingering remains of the spell. He drove his fist into Orga's chest with unrelenting force, sending him flying out of the town.
Orga smashed through hundreds of trees before finally slamming into a massive rock, which stopped his flight. He coughed and struggled to his feet, his body battered.
"H-how is this possible? Nobody's ever tanked my magic!" he muttered to himself.
Staggering, Orga glared at Elfman, who landed in front of him with a loud thud. A confident grin spread across Elfman's face.
Orga growled. "How are you doing this?"
Elfman's grin widened. "Because I'm a man!"
Orga clenched his fists, electricity surging around him. "Fine. I'll hit you with more power than you can handle!"
"120mm Black Lightning Cannon!"
A condensed beam of black lightning shot toward Elfman, tearing through the forest as it roared forward. Elfman braced himself, crossing his arms in front of his body as the lightning engulfed him. The devastating spell destroyed a massive section of the forest, leaving smoldering ruins in its wake.
Orga Nanagear - (Fake God Slayer Magic + Full Power) - 782.3 Million MPL
Orga stood panting, staring at the smoke and debris. "So, that's all, huh?"
"NOT ON YOUR LIFE!"
Elfman burst from the smoke with incredible speed, his right arm pulled back, glowing with immense power. His punch connected with Orga's face, sending him flying deeper into the forest. Orga tumbled to the ground, coughing and struggling to stand.
"I'll kill you!" Orga screamed. "Lightning God's Charged Particle Cannon!"
A more powerful version of his previous attack hurtled toward Elfman. This time, Elfman pushed against the beam with both hands, his muscles straining as sparks flew around him.
Elfman gritted his teeth, his arms glowing faintly with golden energy. "It's time," he muttered.
Magic exploded from Elfman's body, shattering Orga's concentration and breaking the beam.
"Take Over: Full Energy Release – Power Beast!"
Elfman's body began to transform. He grew larger, his hair turning into a thick, flowing mane. His face and body morphed into that of a dark-armored lion, with razor-sharp claws, a long tail, and imposing horns. A golden glow flowed from his eyes, cascading down his arms and back.
He let out a deafening roar, sending a shockwave toward Orga.
Elfman Strauss – (Kinetic Energy Absorbed + Power Beast + Full Power) – 1.3 Billion MPL
This new magic, a culmination of Elfman's training, allowed him to absorb the kinetic energy of any attack—whether physical or magical—and convert it into raw power. He could use this energy instantly or store it until he reached his limit, enabling him to activate his "Power Beast Mode." This variation of his Take Over Magic was far superior to any of his previous forms and reached its peak when fueled by absorbed energy.
Orga stumbled backward, his eyes wide with terror. "W-what is that?"
Elfman's grin stretched into a lion's snarl. "Oh, I'll show you."
In a blur of motion, Elfman dashed toward Orga at speeds the mage couldn't comprehend.
"Beast Claw!"
The strike hit Orga squarely, sending him crashing through an entire mountain. As the dust settled, Orga was left kneeling, struggling to even lift his head.
Elfman descended from above, landing with a heavy thud beside him.
"N-no!" Orga stammered, fear evident in his voice.
Elfman opened his mouth, a glowing orb of magic forming inside.
"Beast Roar!"
A point-blank blast of devastating magic obliterated Orga in an instant, leaving no trace of Orga.
After a few moments, Elfman reverted to his normal form, exhaling heavily.
"Huh… looks like I can hold it for 16 seconds now. Good," he muttered, a small, satisfied grin on his face as he surveyed the destruction.
With Ultear,
Ultear's blade clashed against Minerva's magic-coated fists with a resounding clang. Sparks flew as Minerva spun, attempting to kick Ultear away, but the Time Mage vanished in a flash of light.
"Have you put on some weight recently, Minerva?" Ultear teased, her voice laced with mockery.
Minerva growled, her patience wearing thin. With a swipe of her arm, the building Ultear stood on crumbled, its foundation transported elsewhere by her Territory Magic.
"Today you die, Ultear," Minerva spat venomously.
"You've told me that the last six times you tried to catch me, Minerva," Ultear replied, her tone infuriatingly calm.
"Today will not be the same," Minerva snapped.
"You said that too," Ultear countered with a chuckle.
Minerva's fury erupted as orbs of Explosion Magic hurtled toward Ultear.
"Ice-Make: Shield!"
A crystalline barrier of ice materialized in front of Ultear, absorbing most of the blasts. She teleported again, avoiding the remaining explosions.
"You think hiding will save you from my Territory Magic?" Minerva shouted, her voice echoing through the ruined city.
From her hiding spot behind a crumbling pillar, Ultear chuckled. "Oh, I've already figured out how to nullify your magic's effect on me. A bit of my own Time Magic—since, you know, Space and Time go hand in hand."
Minerva roared in frustration, leveling the surrounding buildings with waves of destructive force.
Minerva – (Territory Magic + Full Power) – 860.1 Million MPL
Despite her relentless attacks, Minerva's magic couldn't 'grab' Ultear. The Arc of Time was actively countering her Territory Magic, rendering it ineffective.
Ultear's voice taunted her from the shadows. "So, has the Empire married you off yet? Or did they just throw you to Jellal to be his little plaything?"
Minerva's eyes burned with fury. "You've got some nerve talking about Jellal, Ultear! You've been his bitch for years!"
Ultear's laugh rang out mockingly. "Is that what he thinks? That he was in charge? Oh, Minerva, that fool would have gotten himself killed ages ago if it weren't for me. Letting him live this long might be one of my greatest mistakes. Fortunately, Erza is about to fix it."
"You think Titania can kill Jellal?" Minerva sneered.
"You think she can't?" Ultear retorted coolly.
As she spoke, seven beams of light descended from the sky, cutting through the clouds—only to be intercepted and overpowered by a single massive wave of crimson fire.
"See?" Ultear gestured toward the sky with a smirk. "Erza is far more than he can handle."
Minerva swore furiously in a language Ultear didn't understand, though she didn't need to understand the words to grasp the meaning.
Ultear snapped her fingers. A network of glowing runes lit up, stretching across the section of the city where they fought.
Minerva's eyes narrowed. "What is this?"
"Could it be your new grave? Care to test it out?" Ultear asked sarcastically as she stepped out from behind the pillar.
Minerva wasted no time, pointing her arm at Ultear, ready to crush her with Territory Magic. But nothing happened.
"In this Rune Barrier," Ultear said, reading aloud from the glowing symbols, "Space Magic shall not work."
Minerva growled in frustration. "I have more magic than just Territory."
"I know," Ultear replied, unbothered.
Orbs of Explosion Magic surged toward Ultear, but she calmly raised her arm. The explosions aged before they could reach her, detonating harmlessly as if they had already run their course.
Minerva's teeth clenched in frustration. Her attacks were being rendered useless, her magic utterly neutralized. Ultear's smug demeanor only fueled her rage.
"You think this will stop me?" Minerva hissed, summoning a massive surge of raw magical energy. Dark tendrils of power coiled around her, crackling with destructive force.
Ultear remained calm, brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "I didn't think it would stop you. I was hoping it would make you fight harder."
With a deafening roar, Minerva released the magic in a concentrated blast, aiming to obliterate everything in her path. The ground trembled, and the air itself seemed to warp under the force of her attack.
"Time Arc: Reverse Bind!"
Ultear's voice rang out, and with a wave of her hand, Minerva's magic froze mid-air. The pulsating energy began to dissipate, aging backward into nothingness.
"You're not the only one who can wield overwhelming power, Minerva," Ultear said, her tone cutting. She gestured toward the now-quiet battlefield. "It's time you realized that brute strength alone won't save you."
Minerva's breath came in sharp gasps, her frustration turning to desperation. Her magic reserves were dwindling faster than normal, while Ultear looked as if she hadn't broken a sweat.
"You… you've always been like this," Minerva snarled. "Always so smug, acting like you're better than everyone else."
"I don't act," Ultear said, stepping closer. Her blade shimmered with time magic, the faint glow casting an eerie light. "I am better."
Minerva roared and lunged, her fists coated with raw energy. But Ultear was faster. In a blur, she sidestepped Minerva's attack, her sword cutting a precise arc through the air.
"Time Arc: Temporal Rend!"
A shockwave of distorted time magic erupted from Ultear's blade, striking Minerva directly. The impact sent her sprawling across the ground, her body wracked with the effects of the spell. It felt as if her very essence was unraveling, aging and de-aging in rapid succession.
Minerva struggled to her feet, glaring at Ultear with defiance. "This isn't over…"
"It never is," Ultear said, her voice softer now, almost pitying. "But it's over for today."
With a flick of her wrist, Ultear summoned a sphere of concentrated magic, its glow pulsating ominously. She aimed it at Minerva, who braced herself for the final blow.
But Ultear hesitated. For a moment, the battlefield fell silent.
Then, a resounding thunder echoed through the sky, reverberating across the ruins of the battlefield.
Minerva laughed, her voice dripping with venomous delight. "Too late, Ultear. Too late."
Ultear's gaze sharpened as she studied Minerva's expression. "You think Orga is capable of turning the tide of this battle?"
Minerva smirked, her confidence unwavering. "It's not Orga."
Ultear's eyes narrowed, her instincts suddenly alert. She glanced upward, and for a brief moment, confusion flickered across her face.
The sky churned with dark clouds, illuminated by jagged bolts of lightning. But the lightning wasn't black like Orga's, the false God Slayer's trademark.
It was blue.
And in that instant, Ultear understood. A storm far more dangerous than Minerva's smug words or Orga's reckless power had arrived.
"Ultear!" Kagura called out, her sword stained with blood, Jenny's Take Over form behind her.
"What is happening? I feel an immense presence," Jenny asked, glancing around. "We just took down Racer and Midnight."
Ultear stared at the sky, frowning. "Why is he here? He's supposed to be in Crocus."
Moments earlier,
Jellal stood frozen in shock, his mind struggling to comprehend the overwhelming power Erza had unleashed. The sheer magnitude of her strength was far beyond anything he thought even Natsu could muster.
"How is this possible?" he whispered to himself, disbelief etched across his face.
Before he could gather his thoughts, Erza appeared in front of him, her form a blur of crimson fury. Her leg was already raised high.
"Scarlet Dragon's Talon!"
Her kick struck with devastating force, sending Jellal hurtling down to the ground below. The impact left a crater as he struggled to push himself upright, blood dripping from the corner of his mouth.
But Erza was relentless. She landed with terrifying precision, closing the gap before Jellal could even recover. Her next move was a powerful kick to his ribs, the force of it sending him flying toward the forest in the distance.
However, he never reached the trees.
Erza appeared in his trajectory, her speed defying logic, and delivered a brutal punch that reversed his momentum, launching him back the way he had come.
Jellal's body slammed into the ground once again, his blood mixing with the dust as he tumbled, unable to stop his momentum.
Groaning, he raised his head, his blurry vision trying to focus on her.
Big mistake.
Erza's high-heeled greave descended with unrelenting force, slamming into his head and embedding his face into the dirt.
"On the ground, bastard," she hissed, her voice cold and merciless.
She lifted her foot off his head and calmly walked to his legs. Grabbing him by the left foot, she swung him like a weapon, slamming his body into the ground with ruthless efficiency.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
Four times.
Five times.
She finally paused, tossing his limp form aside like a broken doll. "Are you dead already? How weak can you be?" she asked, her tone dripping with sarcasm.
Jellal tried to mumble something in response, but a faint spark of lightning coursed through his battered body, paralyzing him completely.
She picked his beaten and bloody body by the throat. The man was conscious but unable to move.
"You're going to tell me EVERYTHING you know. Understand?"
Jellal grunted. "Damn...y-you!"
Erza broke his arm with a sharp twist. "Wrong answer," she said coldly, and Jellal screamed in pain.
"Now, you were about to tell me everything you know—"
A thunderous boom cut through the air, and the sky erupted in blue lightning.
"What the—" Erza barely managed to speak before a colossal bolt of lightning struck, instantly cutting through the moment.
Minutes before,
High above the clouds, a figure watched the town below. Raiden Volk.
He saw the seven beams of light descending on the town, only for them to be met by the roar of a dragon—a massive beam of fire—and snuffed out.
Raiden grinned widely. "Unbelievable. I never imagined this," he murmured to himself, eyes locked on Erza.
"Well, well, what a family reunion… You look just like Mother...little sister." He chuckled darkly.
A few moments later, he made a grabbing motion with his right hand, and his spear materialized into his grip.
He pointed it upward, descending just below the clouds, lightning sparking off his form.
The mages below began to take notice, but it was too late.
"Storm Dragon's Judgment Lightning Bolt," Raiden spoke calmly.
At the tip of his spear, a concentrated ball of lightning formed. He pointed the spear down toward Erza, and a colossal bolt of lightning descended.
"What the—" Erza barely uttered before the lightning struck, disintegrating Jellal instantly and sending Erza crashing into the ravine she had created earlier.
Raiden observed his handiwork with a grin, and then, another bolt of lightning struck him, and he vanished.
With Lucy and Wendy,
"What was that lightning strike?" Lucy asked, confused.
"It was… dragon magic?" Wendy replied, eyes wide. "I think Erza's in trouble. We should go—"
Another lightning strike hit the ground in front of them.
"Erza is fine. A Belserion would not fall to such a simple spell, much less the Bride of E.N.D." spoke Raiden as he walked out of the lighting strike.
"Who—who are you?" Lucy demanded, her hand resting on her keys. She instinctively tried switching to her Celestial Ascendance form.
Raiden appeared in an instant, standing in front of her. His hand gently rested on her chin, his face dangerously close to hers.
"Now, now, Lucy. No need for that," he whispered. What terrified her was that when his hand touched her, her magic completely vanished. It was suppressed by his overwhelming presence.
"Sky Dragon's Wind Fist!"
Wendy jumped and threw a punch at him, but Raiden turned around instantly, faster than Lucy or Wendy could perceive He caught her punch with ease.
His storm-gray eyes twinkled with amusement. "Ah, Wendy Marvell, Sky Dragon Slayer, child of Grandine? I think your abilities will be much more useful with us. Rejoice, little one. You get to join with Lucy as well."
"J-join?" Lucy asked, confused and wary.
Raiden smiled. "Yes, you've been chosen to join the Empire, Lucy Heartfilia. I'm told you are to be my bride, as the Emperor declared." He chuckled darkly.
"Bride? In your dreams!" Lucy snapped back.
Raiden pointed his spear toward Wendy's throat. "I said her abilities will be much more useful to us, but we don't really need her. Submit, or she dies. Everyone here dies—Ultear, Kagura, Jenny, Elfman, I believe his name is?"
He stepped away from Wendy, "I'll spare Erza for now—"
Erza appeared in mid-air, Seiryu drawn and ready. Raiden used his spear to block her strike effortlessly, still smiling.
"—because I would hate to kill my dear little sister on our reunion," he finished, his grin widening.
Erza glared at him, her voice low and dangerous. "What did you say?"
"So feisty, just like Mother. You even have her looks. But I'm told you used to look more like her before you embraced your Dragon side."
"Who are you?" she demanded, pushing against him with all her might, but he didn't budge.
Raiden chuckled again. "The name's Raiden Volk. I'm sure you can find the rest of the info with that. But you're probably wondering who I am to you."
Erza growled and punched at him. But he caught her blow easily.
"Answer me!"
"I believe it's quite clear from what I said. I'm your brother."
"What do you want with Lucy and Wendy?!"
"Switching the subject already? Cold. Very cold," Raiden said, shaking his head. In an instant, he shoved Erza away. "Lucy's useful to our Empire."
"If you think I'll let you take her, you must be insane. I'll tear you apart, here and now!"
Raiden laughed darkly as lightning roared in the sky. Around them, massive tornadoes began to form, a colossal cyclone slowly encompassing far beyond Colver Town.
He snapped his fingers, and lightning surged around Wendy, making her scream in pain.
Her sword flew at his neck, but Raiden held up one finger. "Any more, and she'll die. I need Lucy alive, not Wendy."
Erza gritted her teeth, scales slowly appearing on her face and arms as her hair flared.
"Coward!" she spat.
Raiden placed a mocking hand on his chest. "Hey, I'm just making sure I don't have to kill you now. I'd hate to kill you so soon."
Wendy punched the ground and regained her footing.
"Eh? Strong, that one. A lot of potential." He looked at Wendy, then blocked another strike from Erza.
"Now who's the coward? Attacking when my back is turned?" he said with a smirk, flaring his magic. He pushed Erza back, but didn't harm her—just tossed her away.
"If you want to fight me, come to Ravenholt. We'll settle it there," Raiden declared, and with a final flash of lightning, he, Lucy, and Wendy vanished.
Erza's fist slammed into the ground, her fury erupting in a torrent of scarlet energy. The raw power surged upward like a violent pillar, tearing through the sky and dispersing the storm in an instant.
"Damn it!"