Salamander's right hand rose slowly, his other struggling to stem the flow of blood. Erza couldn't shake the feeling that she should have inflicted more damage than was evident. His arm continued its steady ascent until it reached shoulder level, palm open and facing the night sky. A sense of foreboding gripped her as she noticed his middle finger touching his thumb. His inscrutable gaze revealed nothing.
"He's making a run for it!" exclaimed Titania, shocked by his sudden escape attempt. His body language mirrored the one seen on the lacrima feed, maintaining the same stoic attitude.
"Not on my watch!" Mira countered kicking off the ground with her tail and claws, soaring towards the injured roque. Even though she felt a little slow, the distance closed within seconds. Demon Bl-
*Snap*
The pressure vanished, but Salamander stood unbothered at the oncoming attack. With the weight lifted, Mira overextended -ast!
Her attack grazed his shoulder, the same arm extended past it in a way where her face nearly collided with his. Salamander gazed at her with a thoughtful expression. Mira scowled intending to drive her elbow into his jaw, but Salamander backflipped out of the way. With the extra distance he gave her a cheeky grin pissing her off all the more. "Why you smug little-!" She started gathering magic in between both of her of her palms creating a black orb.
"Mira don't!" Erza insisted.
"Too late." Gray flinched. Ice-Make: Wall!
Evil Stream! The command erupted from her palms, painting the night sky with a jagged black-purple beam. The magic ripped through the air, lighting up the silhouettes of towering trees before exploding into a shattering brilliance — an eruption of energy that sent shards of ice and splintered wood skittering away. As snow blanketed the devastation, she steeled herself for what would come next swiping away the dust, eyeing the area for the rogue. He was no where to be seen.
"Where are you!" Mira scanned the area sensing something to her left. She readied herself. Suddenly a fast moving shadow flew to her. With a great shock, the pink-haired assassin slammed into her full force. She couldn't make a sound and could only let out a whimper as the power behind the attack sends them crashing together through a massive rock. Mira felt her body scream in pain as they came to a stop buried under the rubble. She coughed trying to get up but she found she couldn't move an inch.
The pink-haired assassin stood up looking no further harmed.
Erza joined the fray, kicking away their opponent. Salamander flew back smashing into a tree which snapped upon impact. Erza took the chance to help Mira to her feet. "Hey, you alright?"
"Yeah I'm fine." Mira dusted herself off wobbling only slightly. She turned to the assassin who was getting back up on his feet with ease.
Salamander huffed loudly, the sound echoing through the tense air as he cracked his fists, the sharp pops contrasting with the quiet anticipation of the battle that lay ahead. His posture was defiant, radiating an unwavering confidence that seemed to challenge even the most daunting odds. Here he stood, surrounded by a formidable eight opponents, yet he showed no signs of intimidation.
As he prepared himself for the inevitable clash, Salamander spat out a mouthful of blood, the metallic taste a stark reminder of the stakes involved in this confrontation. He fought through the pain, each uneven breath he took a testament to his resilience, determination burning bright within him. The Fairy Tail mages, known for their formidable skills and fierce loyalty to one another, took their stances around him, their expressions a mix of focus and readiness.
"Stay sharp!" Erza shouted, her voice an unwavering steel amidst the chaos. Salamander, stood before them, staggering yet defiant, his once calm demeanor dulled by wounds and the relentless assault of Fairy Tail's eight mages. Mirajane's piercing glare fixed on him, the glimmer of determination in her sapphire eyes revealing her unyielding spirit. Waiting for the moment to pay him back. She is itching at a chance to fight.
'It's like kicking a damn wall!' Erza thought, frustration bubbling beneath her calm facade. How could he still be standing after everything they had thrown at him? The weight of their failing strategy lurked in the back of her mind; he had survived too long. No normal person should be able to. With each strike, she could sense the stakes rising. If they didn't finish this soon, someone would get hurt—or worse.
Titania charged forward, a force of nature ready to unleash her fury. Soaring Fire Blade! she proclaimed, the flames engulfing her sword as she swung it toward Salamander's chest. But instead of evading, the rogue flared a collar of fire around his hand, intercepting the magical flames. In a shocking display of audacity, he simply caught the edge of her blade.
Erza's eyes widened in disbelief, a moment frozen in time as Salamander consumed the flames, absorbing the power that should have hurt any other fire mage. With renewed vigor, he coated his fist. Before she could react, he drove his fist into her ribs. Pain shot through her body, but she braced herself. This fight was far from over.
Gajeel, watching from the side, jerked forward, realization dawning upon him like a bolt of lightning. "Wait! He's a dragon slayer?!" he yelled, hot anger surging through his veins. The revelation sent shockwaves through the gathered guild members nearby, their expressions morphing from confusion to surprise, then concern.
"Are you kidding me?" Gray murmured incredulously, glancing at the fire mage, some vigor returning to his tired bones. Others stirred, concern for Erza etched upon their faces, conflicting emotions igniting in the pit of their stomachs. There was not a single instance where dealing with a dragon slayer ever turned out to be easy.
Salamander jumped backwards putting some distance between them. Glaring at them in the process.
"What's wrong? Not coming?" Erza mocked him as she and Mira circled around him. Salamander didn't answer as he took in the situation. He sighed as his eyes darted from person to exceed to person. He charged. Erza blocked his punch while Mira landed a kick to his side. He grunted as Erza punched him sending him flying into the air. With a smirk she flew after him. Mira ran towards them prepared to help. Heaven's Wheel Armor! Blumenblatt! Erza roared. Mira watched as Erza send a flurry of swords towards Salamander.
However he ignited his feet and dodged the onslaught, only receiving a few knicks. He darted towards her, she gasped as he reappeared above her and kicked her with full force. She felt the metal of her armor creak and bend under his strike. Mira caught her and slowed her descent as they both crashed into the snowy ground. Salamander landed with a thud and a small cloud of dirt surrounded him. He wobbled a bit.
Erza and Mira stood their ground, faces set with determination. The air crackled with an ominous energy as Salamander, faced them with a frown.
Erza, her crimson hair whipping against the biting cold, brandished her sword, its edge gleaming dangerously. "Why isn't he running?" she murmured, watching Salamander's relaxed posture with suspicion. This was not the behavior of a cornered foe.
Mira, her white hair blending into the snow, pushed aside her own doubts. "Maybe he thinks he has a chance," she replied, her senses heightened. The wind picked up, sending a cascade of snow tumbling down the mountainside. Suddenly, Salamander erupted into action, flames swirling around him, contrasting starkly with the frozen surroundings. He unleashed a fiery torrent, melting the snow and creating a steam cloud that enveloped them. The moment hung in the air—a stark reminder of the power they faced.
With a fierce battle cry, Erza charged forward, cutting through the obscuring mist. "We can't let him dictate this fight!"
Mira followed, summoning bolts of dark magic that danced across her fingertips. But Salamander proved elusive, dodging their attacks with uncanny speed. The fearlessness in his eyes made it clear: he didn't see them as threats, but mere nuisances.
The two warriors pressed on, the realization dawning upon them. Salamander was not fleeing; he was waiting for something. His gaze shifted towards Cana and Lucy, and it shifted into one of desperation, the familiar spark of an opening before unleashing chaos.
With a cry that could melt stone, Salamander unleashed a torrent of fire toward the two girls, flames spiraling and licking the ground as it surged forward like a living beast. But before it could engulf them, Erza Scarlet jumped in front, her Flame Empress armor gleaming ominously in the harsh light, a beacon of protection. With a swift motion, she raised her sword, and the air shimmered as she redirected the inferno into the skies, dispersing it like embers in the wind.
"Stay behind me!" Erza commanded, unwavering and fierce, as she prepared to counter any further assault. Her hand went to her ribs feeling a bruise form. Something about the hit just now just didn't compare.
Mira, seemingly unfazed by the display, flickered with ethereal energy as she shifted magic into her fists. Grinning wickedly, she charged at Salamander, her power surging like a tidal wave. The atmosphere was electric, saturated with danger and the thrill of confrontation.
The moment they lunged at each other, the world around them blurred into a whirl of colors. Fists flew like meteors streaking across an evening sky, each connection echoing like thunder. Natsu's flames illuminated the shadows, turning dark into light, but Mira, with her graceful movements, danced through his attacks with a fluidity that was mesmerizing. She parried and countered, demonstrating her mastery of combat, each strike laden with the weight of her dark power.
Titania suddenly realized it, he needed her out of the way. His roar was weak, but loaded just like a small dogs bark. Any chance of helping the her white haired rival just went down the drain. They'd only be a burden if they hopped in. Erza scowled. 'He's smarter than he looks.'
But the rogue was relentless. His fiery spirit ignited the very air, plunging him deeper into the fight. Mira smirked, her expression almost teasing. "I got you now!" she shouted, and with a flick of her wrist, a wave of dark energy surged forth, striking Natsu and sending him crashing into the stony ground. The impact cracked the earth beneath him, but he was quick to rise, enveloped by a fiery aura.
The two exchanged blows so rapidly that onlookers could barely track the motions. Salamander's wild attacks, began to look desperate, while Mira's movements were like poetry in combat—graceful yet deadly. Yet, as the battle progressed, they began to see that he started to get worn down. Mira's Satan Soul mode provided her with incredible power, and slowly but surely, she began to push him back.
"She's doing it!" Gray shouted.
With a devastating kick, she sent him sprawling, the air leaving his lungs in a rough gasp. His limbs felt heavy as he pushed himself up, sweat trickling down his brow. But as he looked up, what he saw ignited a spark within him. Mira, poised and ready, looked fierce and unyielding. Erza couldn't shake the feeling in the pit of her stomach. Something was very wrong.
With renewed strength, he charged at her, the world around him igniting with his fervor, but this time was different. Erza watched as he read the first kick like a well-versed tome. Then he easily, too easily, sidestepped a vicious punch that aimed to send him sprawling.
"Come on, Salamander!" she taunted, her voice low and sultry, laced with an aura of predatory delight. A smirk tugged at the corners of her mouth, confident in her abilities.
With renewed ferocity, she surged forward once more, unleashing a flurry of strikes, wild and calculated in equal measure. Each punch, a deadly rhythm, a question demanding an answer. But Salamander was ready—he dodged and weaved through the tempest of her fists pissing of the transformation mage. Yet an ember of unpredictability crackled in the air; each near miss only decorated the fight with the thrill of risk. She would pivot, switching her approach, but Salamander remained vigilant, reading her movements, weaving in and out of her range like a leaf in the wind. This was scores above his last bout.
As the battle reached its boiling point, Mirajane unleashed a powerful punch aimed squarely at Natsu's midsection. He saw it coming—an entire arc of energy trailing her fist, threatening to engulf him. With a heavy grunt, he twisted under her punch in a way that resembled an acrobat dodging the blow just in time. She was fast, she was furious, but so was he.
Everything shifted as Salamander found his footing. His body now balancing precariously under her channeled magic into his mouth. Fire Dragon's... Roar! The air popped around him as he unleashed a torrent of flames, a grand wave of energy roaring forth with the force of a raging inferno. Time seemed to slow as the flames surged towards Mirajane. Caught off guard, her eyes widened, swiftly realizing the gravity of what he had summoned. The wave crashed into her, an explosion of fire against demonic energy, and she was sent flying. The clash came to an abrupt halt as she landed a distance away, skidding across the ground like a fallen star. Gritting her teeth, she raised her head, but couldn't get her limbs to move anymore. With no more energy she transformed back.
The pinkette stood tall amidst the lingering flames, his chest heaving.
"Mira!" Lucy screamed trying to get to her.
Panting, Salamander took a moment to catch his breath, his scarf trailing behind him.
At first, it was a blur—a flurry of motion amidst the stark white of the snow. Salamander had just enough awareness to recognize the threat before it descended upon him. Suddenly, from the shadows of the towering pines, Gray Fullbuster erupted, ice glinting ominously on his fingertips, with hatred in his eyes. Ice Make: Lance!
Iron Dragon's Club! Gajeel erupted, his arm slicing through the air just as the ice shards met an exhausted Salamander. He ducked below the ice, but the club landed directly against his jaw knocking his head wide to the side. Too wide.
They could tell he was running on fumes.
Salamander's frown grew, a bruise forming. He is barely standing. There was no chance to think, no interval to recover. The moment caught up to him, Gray launched forward with the grace of a predator, unleashing another barrage of ice shards.
"Take this!" Gray shouted, his voice booming above the howling winds.
Salamander's instincts kicked in, and he dodged, flaring his magic as flames ignited around him, warming the frigid air. He responded with a burst of fire, intending to engulf Gray's icy projectiles.
Water Slicer! she called, as discs of water surged toward him. With a flick of his wrist and fire spiraling up his arm, he tried to conjure a counter. But Gajeel met him first, his iron fists ready to strike. The water hit him square in the back.
With a swift side step, he dodged Gajeel's massive fist but not without consequence; the wind from it grazed his cheek like ice. Clicking his tongue, Fire Dragon's Roar! It drove towards Gajeel. Iron Dragon's Roar! The two magics collided, erupting in a blinding light that sent sparks flying in all directions. "Not this time!" he bellowed, transforming his body to steel that glimmered dangerously. Demon Logs! He narrowly avoiding Gajeel's onslaught of steel, then slid further down the mountain to avoid more of Juvia's magic.
As he landed he pivoted, fatigue swirling around him. However, as he spun, Gray met him. A critical moment emerged as Gajeel charged him head-on, fists propelling toward him with thunderous might. Phoenix met the attack with a fervent shout, Fire Dragon's Wing Attack! unleashing a wave of flame that blazed at Gajeel's iron frame. The mighty strike staggered Gajeel back, but it gave Juvia just the opportunity he needed.
She summoned torrents of water, transforming the ice-covered ground into an ever-shifting hazard. She grasped for control, hopelessly drawn to the chaos of battle. Though the rogue met her charge with a volley of flames, igniting the air, transforming her water into steam. Yet, even as her watery tendrils writhed towards him, Salamander maneuvered around her, not fully focusing on her power.
A sharp disk of water formed and shot through the air, slicing through the steam, connecting, and Natsu staggered, feeling the slick bite of pain as the sharp end embedded itself into his wrist. He gritted his teeth, the world narrowing to a tunnel of anger and focus. The air crackled with tension as Gray and Gajeel turned their focus toward one another, their competitive spirits amplifying the conflict. They exchanged glances, silently deciding to flank their target together.
Blood seeped from the wound, staining the snow. He couldn't afford to falter now. The air was charged as he erupted into action. Gray and Juvia were by his side, each taking turns attacking in concert.
In a fierce clash of wills, he caught Juvia's attack with one hand, flames licking around him as he thrust the other toward her, countering with a fiery surge that illuminated the dim morning. She staggered.
In the midst of the chaos, Gajeel saw the opening and charged again, but this time he was ready. With adrenaline surging through him and smoke trailing behind him, Phoenix dodged, anticipating the angle of Gajeel's strike. Fire Dragon's Crushing Fang! With one powerful swipe of his arm, he unleashed a torrent of fire that propelled Gajeel backward, slamming him into a snowbanks.
But as Natsu staggered to his feet, he felt Juvia's water encircle him, pooling dangerously close. She hurled a stream of watery projectiles, leaving him little direction to evade. But he punched the ground knocking her off balance.
Ice Make: Arrows! Gray roared, one of the shards sank deep into his bicep, sending a jolt of pain coursing through him. He hissed, gripping his arm, feeling the warm blood trickling free. Drawing himself up, he knew he needed to finish this. Flipping backward, he summoned his flames once more, whipping his body around as he utilized his momentum Fire Dragon's Claw, landing a blow squarely against Gajeel's midsection. They both tumbled, the icy ground receiving them with unforgiving frost.
With a surge of bravado, Phoenix drew on his fire magic, raising both arms Fire Dragon's Brilliant Flame! Releasing a titanic burst of incandescent flame, illuminating the snowy surroundings in brilliant oranges and yellows. It created an explosive wave, engulfing Gajeel and Gray as they desperately shielded themselves. However, Juvia was quick, using her magic to encase herself in a barrier of water that absorbed the worst of the heat.
Salamander stood, reaching for the bruises that were beginning to paint his skin, and there, amidst the shadows and flickering flames, he felt the battle shift. Gajeel recovered enough, but he didn't notice as he gasped for air.
Iron Dragon's Lance.
A sudden pain jolted through his left knee. An unexpected blow from Gajeel had rendered him off-balance, the fiery mage collapsing to the ground, flames sputtering and dimming in the wake of his injury. Confusion darted across Gajeel's face—he hadn't expected his opponent to fall, to falter. He smiled, but caught himself in a coughing fit, no longer able to stand. His chest burned, bruised, and definitely some cracked ribs.
Gray couldn't move as Juvia rushed over to him still mostly okay. He had a massive burn against his leg and side while she did her best to try to sooth him. His fire was too hot for ice.
Salamander's breaths came in ragged gasps, each exhale sending a ripple of pain through his bruised body. Blood oozed from the wounds on his wrist, knee, bicep, and side forming dark stains on the ground beneath him.
As he attempted to rise, the specter of exhaustion clawed at him, a relentless foe that whispered surrender in his ear.
With a fierce determination that burned brighter than the agony in his limbs, Salamander gritted his teeth. He could feel the weight of the world pressing down on him, but he refused to be crushed. This was not the end; Erza, Cana, Lucy and Wendy watched as he did not fall down.
With a slow, agonizing effort, he pushed himself up from the ground. Each movement sent jolts of pain through him, but he pulled strength from the very core of his being. As he staggered to stand, blood dripped from his wounds, painting the stones around him. The night air crackled with a tension that matched the tempest brewing inside him.
Finally, with a fierce roar he struggled to his feet, swaying like a wounded beast. His eyes roaming the area for what's next. His eyes land on Wendy Marvell.
Erza and Cana noticed taking a charge and hopefully finishing it before he could do anything else. Happy, lifting Cana to give her an extra boost. As they neared, Salamander swayed heavily, threatening to crash onto his back. The scarlet haired caught up to him just as his back made contact with the snow.
A fiery torrent overtook him, but Erza slashed the blaze away. He vanished.
"I'm sorry Wendy." Salamander whispered softly as he reappeared next to her like a wisp. Laying flat on his back, he coughed and tried to sit up. Wendy let out a surprised gasp and closed her eyes. This close, she could see how his body was barely holding it together. The surviving mages froze, their imagination running rampant.
Before him stood Wendy Marvell, fear etched on her youthful face. She shivered, both from the blistering cold and the tension that crackled in the air. Next to her, Carla floated down to the ground and tried to catalog his injuries, her expression a mixture of awe and disgust.
Salamander's heavy eyes flickered up to Wendy, searching desperately for a some answer to a question no one could fathom. Time stretched weirdly, as if the air itself were thickening, wrapping them in a moment outside their reality. His throat tightened, preventing more than a whisper from escaping. "Stay back," he managed, a warning directed toward the others, an entreaty wrapped in the frail echoes of his power.
And then, as if rising from a molten core, he pushed himself up onto his knees, the weight of his injuries making each movement a Herculean task. The onlookers flinched. Hands instinctively reached for their weapons, prepared for the inevitable explosion they anticipated. They feared the fire that could scorch even the purest heart.
"Wendy, look out!" someone shouted, but everything around them seem to drown out. They assumed he was charging to attack, certain that the fiery mage would unleash destruction upon the young girl at any moment. A collective hush fell over the gathering, each soul holding their breath, anticipating the shattering devastation.
"Wendy!" another voice shouted, but the echo slurred into a muffled haze, the world narrowing to just the two of them.
"Salamander, what happened?" Wendy found her voice, filled with a mix of fear and urgency as she squatted lower, searching his expression for some sort of an answer. The words catching in the back of her throat.
He shook his head slowly, the pain radiating through his body evident in his strained movements.
"You promised!" Wendy said, desperate. She reached out, hesitating only for a moment before her fingers brushed away some of his hair. Her instincts screamed against the danger he represented, yet how could she when it is him in front of her.
"Are you okay?" he mouthed, and although no words crossed his lips, she could see the pleading behind his cracked lips — he really hasn't changed one single bit. His hands shook as he reached over to her.
Before she could answer, before he could fully bridge the distance — or soften the terrifying reality that hung over them— Erza Scarlet, surged in between them. Her Purgatory Armor reflected the dim light of the coming dawn, fierce and unyielding, eyes ablaze with determination.
"Stay away from her, Salamander!" she barked, her voice edged with authority. With a swift motion, she kicked him away, sending him sprawling backward with an unexpected force that rattled his bones deep within.
The surviving mages, their breaths suspended in disbelief, watched as Salamander landed hard on the cracked stones. A sharp intake of breath filled the air, concern transforming into fear. What had once been a chance at reconnection now morphed into a moment fraught with misunderstanding.
Wendy's voice pierced through the heavy silence, a soft cry that quivered with emotion. "Erza! No! He's not here to hurt me!" Her hands clasped in desperation, searching for reassurance in the chaos surrounding them.
But Erza's stance remained resolute, her weapon gleaming as she pointed it in warning. "How do you know? He's a rogue mage, Wendy! He's powerful and volatile. You can't trust him!"
"He's... not how you think," she insisted, stepping forward, the warmth of her spirit pushing against Erza's harsh reality. "He's making sure... I'm alright."
"Cana!" she cried, turning to the card mage. "Take care of her! It's only a matter of time before he tries something else!"
But Canas eyes softened as she took in the sight of Salamander's physical deterioration and his adamant gaze on Wendy. "Erza, wait," she said, her voice shaky but resolute. "Look at him. He's not—"
"Enough!" Erza interjected, her stance unwavering. "Are we to put Wendy's life at risk? Especially after everything he's done to everyone else?!"
The air was charged, crackling with magical energy. A thundering beat of energy pulsed from Salamander's prone position. He cried out in pain as he forced himself onto all fours. Blood dripping constantly from his mouth and nose. Lucy, Wendy, Carla, and Cana watched in awe as he refused to stay down. Somewhere deep within them a spark of real fear sent a shiver down their spines. Only a monster would still fight.
Erza charged.
His back arched as he took a sharp breath, the air around him shivering with potential energy. The energy pulsing through his body pushing away tiny fragments of snow. He heaved, an unseen force kicked at the air, slamming into the ground with the ferocity of a tempest. He shifted onto his elbows and knees.
Then, as if responding to her nearing charge, an electric current surged from Salamander's body. It crashed and cracked against the stones, illuminating his form in a spectral glow. The air thickened around him, charged with a magic that seemed both familiar and alien, as though he was losing it.
As the energy swirled, Salamander's face contorted in a mixture of pain and determination. His fingers twitched, twining into fists against the harsh ground. Then, a firestorm erupted, engulfing him in a blinding inferno. It was a breathtaking display of might; flames crackled and roared as they spiraled around him like a ferocious dance of moons and stars colliding.
He groaned, his body nearly buckled, the raging blaze surrounding his body. Heat exploded from his being forcing Erza to stop from approaching any further. It illuminated the entire clearing with a ferocious hue, a violent explosion of light that threatened to consume them entirely.
And then came the sound. It began as a low growl, a soft tremor that escalated into a crumbling roar, culminating in a sound that might have shattered the heavens themselves. An ancient roar reverberated through him, sharp and unyielding, echoing the very nature of fire and fury. The ground beneath him cracked, scorched by the sheer intensity he radiated, and the air became a cauldron of heat that pressed against everything nearby.
With a visceral roar, Salamander surged to his feet. Every heartbeat resonated with the rhythm of a heart's pulse; every breath filled his lungs with the fire of creation itself. His eyes burned with ferocious intensity as he surveyed the surrounding landscape, clear as day, they were draconic slits. Golden fire ignited in his eyes. Salamander rose, his movements fluid yet deliberate, as though each motion was a careful oath to the magic coursing through him.
The air crackled with tension, and Erza's instincts surged, urging her to prepare. But before she could take a full step back, their eyes met. His gaze was intense, the flames swirling within a tempest that raged just under the surface, a tempest that coursed with pure fury. For a split second, time stood still. She saw the killer behind those eyes of his, the monsters that threatened to engulf him, and she understood the real weight of his intentions. He was not here to play a game—no, he had come to vanquish.
Her eyes widened as the rogue wizard stepped closer, caught in a flickering torchlight that revealed something unusual about him: partial scales adorned his arms, glimmering like gemstones in the dark. Sleek and iridescent, spattered across his upper body. Bathed in hues of warm ember and cold azure, he appeared both captivating and terrifying. 'I have to be seeing things.' She tried to reassure herself, but the way it shimmered...
She felt her heart begin to race. The girl who had stood up to countless foes, who had carved her path through the blood and chaos of war, suddenly found herself frozen, rooted to the spot. Salamander, the embodiment of destruction, charged at her with unrestrained intent, each step echoing like the drum of a war cry.
"Salamander…" she whispered, recognizing not just the rogue mage she once knew but a manifestation of devastation, his every movement carrying the weight of countless battles—each scar and bruise a testament to the monsters he had bested and the ones that had bested him.
In that split second, with her heart beating loud enough to drown out all reason, Erza's mind told her to flee. But purpose anchored her feet to the ground. She couldn't run—not from him. The thought of striking him down in cold blood gnawed at her conscience, from the deep well of connections forged over time. Yet if she hesitated, if she faltered… What would that release mean for everyone else? She has to be able to protect them.
Salamander ignited his fists. It suffocated the atmosphere, twisting the very air as he summoned the ferocious might of his flames. Erza felt a surge of adrenaline, her instincts igniting along with her steel resolve. As if the world ignited with his furious charge, Salamander surged forward. There was no hesitation, no warning—just a tempest. He blurred to a vision of raw intensity, his presence leaving an imprint on the very ground beneath him. As he closed the distance, Erza's breath caught in her throat; she braced for impact, parts of her soul pleading for survival amidst the chaos.
But it was the strange disconnect between action and intention that paralyzed her. Salamander's body twisted, fueled by pure instinct, yet at the peak of his deadly arc, he stopped. With a flash, his strike that should have carved the air missing by mere inches. The ferocity of his gesture caused the wind to whip around her, an unseen force that howled with primal energy. She could almost taste the singed remnants of his magic, swirling thickly in the atmosphere.
He seemed to measure her, the tension shifting as he assessed the implications of his choice. A swirl of blue and red danced in the air between them, the imminent clash now suspended in uncertainty.
In an intense standoff punctuated by the distant sounds of war, Erza began to reconsider his motivations. She had made assumptions based on his reputation—a tale woven into fear and chaos. But now he stood before her; he fought, but he hesitated at the brink of violence, as if wrestling with an unseen force.
"Do you think I'm afraid of you?" she asked defiantly, the words tasting bitter on her tongue. She needed to exploit this moment, to unravel the mystery that was Salamander.
He continued to stare at her, the flickering embers of his power swirling around him like a vortex of destiny. There was something almost human in his eyes amidst the relentless inferno; a shadow of conflict that rendered her question moot. She narrowed her gaze.
As if starting to sense her hesitance, a flame ignited within his essence. He lunged once more, this time with a speed that seemed to transcend the very limits of sorcery. But instead of striking to kill, he swung wide, releasing bursts of fire that carved through the air and struck the ground nearby, transforming the space into an uncontainable blaze.
Erza was forced to sidestep, narrowly evading the flames. "What are you trying to prove?!" she shouted, her heart racing as the battlefield erupted into chaos once more. The rogue mage did not reply, but the message was clear. There was no need to kill—at least not at that moment. Perhaps he wanted to see if she could rise, grapple with the chains of destiny that bound them both. Perhaps this was a test, a challenge that transcended mere combat.
With renewed determination, Erza pressed forward. She would not back down. "If you think I'll falter," she yelled, her voice brimming with newfound vigor, "then you've underestimated me, Salamander!"
She swung her club forcing his feints to become hits. The battle intensified, echoes of their confrontation reverberating through the landscape as the sun started to peak over the horizon, leaving them both cloaked in a soft glow of morning dew.
With every hit she absorbed, she could feel his strength pushing her back, his flames threatening to engulf her life.
Dragon Slayer Secret Art -
Then, like a flame igniting a powder keg, he charged.
The world exploded back into focus, and Erza braced herself. The infamy of Salamander was not unfounded; she could sense the killing intent radiating from him—a palpable ray of heat and destruction that drew closer. It was as if the ground beneath his feet trembled with anticipation of the chaos to come. Erza's mind raced as she calculated her next move. She had faced foes before, experienced warriors and cursed beings, but this was different. He was monster personified.
- Crimson Lotus -
With a swift motion, she drew her club, the edge gleaming menacingly as it caught the growing light of the day. She mirrored his instinct to strike, knowing that even with her unparalleled skills, survival hinged on her ability to anticipate his next move. But in that moment of intensity, as he closed the gap, she felt something peculiar—a lurch in the depths of the impending confrontation.
Shock flooded Erza's senses, and for the briefest second, she saw into his world. He is poised to end her, to snuff out the light of someone who dared to stand against him.
- Fire Dragon's Fist!
But then, in the split second before impact, she sensed it—a dragon striking to kill. It was a palpable force, a suffocating presence that bore down on her like an oppressive weight. She froze, the moment stretching like elastic as every instinct screamed at her to evade, to fight, to flee. Yet her feet remained rooted to the earth, drawn in by the enigmatic force that was Salamander.
When he was merely a breath away, his fiery momentum halted. With a single fluid motion, he swung his arm—a movement so bold and decisive that it sent a shockwave through the air. Erza prepared herself for impact, her muscles tensing to absorb the blow. The blade gleamed a hair's breadth from her neck, poised to end her existence.
And yet, it didn't find her flesh. The strike, intended to land with fatal precision, deliberately missed. The flame whistled past her, grazing her shoulder, the fiery heat of his power singeing her skin.
What was he doing?
Erza staggered back, panting, her heart racing. She stared into his eyes, searching for understanding. The wild hunger for battle darkened their surface, but beneath that tempestuous exterior lay a flicker of uncertainty—or perhaps mercy. The realization struck her like lightning: he had chosen to spare her.
Fury and incredulity swirled within her. "Why?" she demanded, shaking, her voice strained and resolute even as her body trembled from adrenaline. Why would a rogue mage known for his remorseless brutality intentionally let her live?
There was no answer; he simply stood there, the growing sunlight casting an ethereal glow around him, transforming him from a monster into something more complicated. He was both warrior and enigma, fierce yet hesitant, relentless yet considerate.
She felt it, she saw it. Her death. Just like with the Tower of Heaven. But there was no hope to latch onto that she may have lived or been rescued. There was no way around it. He let her live. Her knees gave way as she transformed into her white blouse and blue skirt.
Salamander stood tall, the fire in his eyes slowly being blown away. A soft whisper escaped his lips causing her to gulp. The rogue assassin turned and marched into the bitter cold and out of her sight. Screams and shouts echoed across the mountain side, but the heavy implication that she almost... The silence was thick, forcing each sound to filter through cotton, muffled yet vivid—the soft rustle of fabric, the distant screech of her friends, the heartbeat of adrenaline coursing through her veins.
They failed.