Hi guys Azza here!
So it's time to get this out of the way I have an idea of when this series will end now don't take this as the 100% factual ending chapter but I'm currently looking at around chapter 109 – 111 depending on how I handle Larcade for reasons you'll see soon as well as an idea I have for the Natsu vs Zeref fight that will see a version of Natsu appear and no its not time travel to fix shit so you can rest easy haha but that may also be a chapter in of itself.
Point being we are starting to get towards the end there is still a fair bit to do but I'm sure you'll all enjoy every minute of it and I figured giving you all an idea would be a good idea since I'm gonna start working on more chapters for the Elise spinoff prequel and edit the opening five chapters of the sequel so they fall in line with this stuff.
Anyway now onto the usual stuff!
Shadow465 – Yeah I can do that Shadow the requests thing carries over into the sequels so there is heaps of time to add characters in, and yes I've seen RWBY I think most people have at least seen the first few seasons haha but Salem yeah I can do that but she probably won't make an appearance until the sequel since things are starting to get towards the end here what with the arc nearly reaching its climax and all but keep an eye out when the sequel starts I've got Salem written down in my notes and to anyone else who wants someone in now would be a really good time to come up with suggestions since it improves the chances of how early they can appear!
Guest – glad to hear you enjoy the story all your points are basically why I started the fic because of salt purposes haha but really thanks!
Anyway with all that out of the way on with the story!
I do not own Fairy Tail Hiro Mashima does.
The Ultimate Mortal
/Eliza (Fusion) POV/
"You call yourself Eliza; even your very names have fused then?"
"A fervent wish to the Gods to grant us new being, through our prayer our magics, body and mind became one for as long as we must endure this senseless conflict. However we are not satisfied with just you Harkon Avery for there are other scores that must be settled, the debt must first be paid."
"Debt?"
Walking over to where Gildarts cracked the air earlier Eliza closed her eyes opening them to reveal the God's Aura an unfathomable more potent version than the one Elise could use alone as she covered her hand with it and began to tap the air.
"You would free Serena after all he has done to you," Harkon asked with a raised eyebrow as Eliza found the exact spot she was looking for.
"This will not be mercy for him we promise you that, God Serena must experience what the power of God truly feels like before we smite him for what he has done to Wendy."
Using the God's Aura Eliza punched the air as the crack returned and God Serena fell through it with the crack fading away moments later, looking around he didn't see Eliza behind him as he looked up to see Harkon looking right at him.
"Oh Harkon I didn't know you had such an ability but either way I thank you for getting me out of there!"
"I didn't get you out," Harkon said simply as Serena cocked his head confused.
"But if you didn't then who did, was it Lord Zeref?"
Motioning behind him Serena turned around and jumped back in shock before pointing at Eliza with the stubs that were his ripped off fingers.
"Y-you aren't you supposed to be dead!"
"We did not perish in the fire as you had hoped Serena, we brought you back to the mortal realm to face judgement! Gildarts might believe you deserve to suffer for eternity but to us it does not sit right knowing you still live whilst young Wendy lives scarred by your cowardly attack!"
"You actually believe you can beat me you have no magic, no aura you stand no chance!"
"Surely you aren't foolish enough to believe this is Elise Faulkner," Harkon scoffed as God Serena looked at him initially angry before quickly turning back around and letting his jaw drop to the floor.
"What the hell are you!"
"We are the combined mind, body, soul and magic of Elise Faulkner and Erza Dragneel, Eliza. You shall bend the knee before one who has a higher claim to the title God before you are destroyed."
"You think a fusion between those two is enough to stop me the Great Eight Dragon God Serena!"
"The Great Eight But Kind Of Late Coward Serena Missing Four Fingers Because He Got Cocky, yes we can beat someone as stupid as you."
Serena was beyond pissed as he began to unleash his magic power but Eliza didn't even bat an eye which only angered him further as he began to summon the Eight Dragons.
"Truly you must be the one trick pony yes we believe that was the word you used earlier, one trick pony with unsubstantiated hype behind her and that you were unable to believe we were considered a credible threat to Zeref. How does it feel to be on the opposite end of such ridicule because we think it is quite funny yes I believe we do."
"I'm far from a one trick pony scum and you shall soon see, I am the Great Eight Dragon-!"
"Perhaps you intend to kill us with your title you repeat it so much, it was not very effective no it was not not at all."
"DIE, Dragon Slayer's Secret Art: Wrath Of The Ancient Eight!"
Eliza looked up at the eight massive Dragons bearing down on her and sighed shaking her head.
"As we said you truly are the one trick pony Serena, the title of God is wasted upon one such as you. If you intend to impress then this is how you do so."
Summoning a two handed bastard sword made from Ebony Eliza covered it in God's Aura as she placed the sword over her shoulder and waited for the attack to get close.
"God's Aura: War God's Lame Batting Practice Because The Great Eight God Serena Is A Little Bitch!"
"THAT ISN'T EVEN A LEGIT ATTACK YOU JUST SAID THAT TO PISS ME OFF!"
Regardless of the naming of her attack Eliza easily swatted the eight Dragons away as they veered off smashing into the nearby mountain as Eliza cheered somewhat gloomily.
"Yay home run …"
"You think this is a joke," Serena roared as Eliza scoffed.
"No we think you are a joke."
"Walked right into that one," Harkon said as Serena went red from anger and embarrassment.
"You, I'll teach you to screw with me!"
"Oh by all means try it will get you nowhere if it would Harkon would have helped you by now but then again maybe not since unlike you the World's Greatest Swordsman can't afford to be a one trick pony."
"You'll pay for this I swear it I'll make you pay for this humiliation!"
"I wonder if we use an attack does it count as a Unison Raid since we are two people," Eliza said aloud ignoring Serena completely as he made a break for the unconscious Wendy.
"You think you can get away with this I'll have the last laugh yet," Serena roared as he jumped into the air with his fist alight and was just about to hit Wendy when he suddenly found himself failing to fall any lower.
Looking above him his eyes nearly shot out of their sockets as Eliza stood in the air holding him by the shirt shaking her head.
"That isn't going to work on us Serena you'll have to do a lot better than that, also attacking the wounded and unconscious only helps you create more space between you and that God title you so love to puff your name up with. You know we just realized why do you call yourself God Serena and not include your last name, ah of course you were abandoned as a child weren't you because your family couldn't deal with an entitled brat like you yes we believe that is the reason."
"W-what you know nothing about me and my last name isn't important!"
"Then why aren't you the great God Serena enter last name here sama instead of the Eight above average yet not quite getting there Great Dragons the next part is debatable God Serena my last name means jack?"
"As I said my last name doesn't matter!"
"Does it remind you of the time your Uncle used to come into your room late at night so you repress the family name to block the shame from-."
"Shut your damn mouth bitch I don't say my last name because I don't have one!"
"Why though everyone has one even Zeref your exalted leader has one hell even we have one, hmm that's an interesting thought are we Eliza Faulkner Dragneel or Eliza Dragneel Faulkner? Or perhaps like our first names it is a merging of the two, Dragner or Faulkneel I wonder we should go with Faulkneel that sounds much more fitting yes from now on we are Eliza Faulkneel!"
"What is even going on right now," Harkon said as he slipped his Shodaime Durendal back into its sheath and sat down unsure of when the fighting was going to begin in earnest since this Eliza person seemed more interested in pissing God Serena off to the point that he offs himself.
"Now then Serena my last name is still up for debate have you decided to kneel yet?"
"I'll never kneel before scum like you," Serena spat as Eliza sighed.
"We didn't want to resort to this but you've left us no choice," Eliza said as she closed the distance between the two and cut off one of Serena's legs and appeared back in her original position as if nothing even happened.
Harkon who had seen what happened was now more excited for the fight that was to come, since he had not done anything to them he was no doubt going to get the fight he'd been searching for even if the woman was as mad as a bat.
Serena meanwhile was now kneeling on the ground clutching the stump that was his leg with Eliza towering over him amused.
"Ah see he kneels before us how amusing yes how amusing indeed, maybe we should stitch his leg back on and make him run before we kill him? Oh no far too sadistic we should simply drain him of his magic power until nothing remains but a husk yes that is a good idea, no no that is sadistic our idea is far better make him run!"
"Is this what it would be like if two people shared a body for real like the second head scenario," Harkon mused as the two finally agreed to drain him of his magic.
Activating her God's Aura and placing her hand on Serena's forehead he began to scream as his magic power was transferred to her with his body losing its colour and going grey as his screams slowly died leaving nothing but a withered husk behind.
"We should gift this to Wendy yes that is what we shall do!"
Walking over to the girl Eliza placed her hand on her forehead as the magic she just took was placed into her as her one eye fluttered open.
"Wha-what happened, where am I and why can I only see out of one eye? Oh wait that's right …"
"Hello Wendy nice to see you up," Eliza said as Wendy looked confused.
"Eliza but I thought the Gods were banned from fighting in this war?"
"Eliza … oh right you mean the other one no we are Eliza too only … do we count as mortal I think we do?"
"Hold on I'm confused …?"
"That woman is the fusion of Erza Dragneel and Elise Faulkner, from that you get Eliza," Harkon said now with his Shodaime Durendal drawn and ready for battle.
"Fusion, so you two did the Unison Pact?"
"Indeed however we need to ask you to vacate the area Wendy because we need to fight this man here with a very big sword … or ten."
"Um ok but where should I go?"
"I can sense a presence nearby and my mind tells me she should be called Police Girl, go to her and tell her you are Natsu's cute adopted daughter and that you want to stick with her and you should be fine."
"Um if you don't mind me asking why are you acting like that?"
"Acting like what we do not understand the question?"
"Don't bother she won't get what you mean I just watched her troll God Serena before brutally executing him she isn't exactly all there," Harkon said as Eliza huffed.
"I'll have you know we are all here we have two legs, two arms, two feet, ten fingers and toes, a rather large and impressive pair of breasts we cannot forget those! Two eyes, a nose-!"
"Yes we know I was just-!"
"Wendy you should really get going dear the fighting is about to begin and you are injured pretty bad and despite our power we cannot heal that."
"Alright but be careful El- um whoever you are!"
As Wendy ran off into the forest Eliza began crying as she blew into a tissue that she pulled from nowhere.
"Such a darling young girl you know we practically raised her, bless her kind soul!"
"Can we get this fight started I waited for you to kill Serena?"
"Oh of course yes we believe that is more than fair," Eliza said as she drew the bastard sword and the two took their respective stances.
"Do not disappoint me I can feel the potential in this fight, perhaps you will be the one to show me true power …"
Eliza's playful personality disappeared with her demeanour becoming the same as the Goddess' own, serious yet giddy with excitement for the coming fight.
The two tightened their grip on their respective swords before vanishing as the ear piercing clang of the two blades resonated throughout the area, the power generated from the strike pushed the two back from each other as they adjusted their blades rushing each other once more.
The two began to trade powerful strikes with Harkon slowly gaining a small smile onto his face with the fight he had been searching for finally within his grasp, Eliza was also excited mainly because she was wielding power they had never thought possible and it was positively intoxicating.
Blocking a downward strike from Harkon Elise pushed him back and went on the offensive as she chained together a combo aiming for his gut with a powerful kick, blocking the kick Harkon was still sent flying backward however he remained composed as he raised his sword in a guard position just in time to block an aerial strike as it was sliced in two veering off both sides creating fissures.
"Indeed you are powerful however you lack the battle experience necessary to truly understand how outmatched you truly are, I do not boast like Serena because I understand that there is a good chance you could in fact win however you are still on my first sword and that alone speaks for itself."
"We suppose that statement does hold some value however the Shodaime Durendal is a sword that cannot break therefore the only true way to make you move on to the next one would be to defeat you in combat by maiming or disarming you, simply having you willingly draw a different sword or the impossible option that we manage to break the unbreakable. We wonder which will end up being the most likely scenario to occur, from experience the impossible often becomes reality and the way this war is going impossible seems like the norm."
"If you truly wish to surpass me and my blades then here is a little friendly advice from one master of the sword to another, throw out all notions of possible and impossible and focus on one single fact that in this world there are no rules."
"No rules … but surely there would have to be at least some?"
"No in fights nothing is true and the world is your enemy in that moment, you don't rise to the top without the utmost caution and skill this is the undeniable truth. Be wary of all and afraid of none; strike down all those who stand before you with a blade that is true this is my nindo, my creed!"
"Strong words to live by we can respect that, let us see if we can grant you the fight you seek," Eliza said as the two clashed once more.
/Natsu's POV/
Natsu was currently dodging a volley of powerful lightning attacks coming from August's staff that was currently raining down upon the battlefield like torrential rain, Natsu was fast enough to move in between the strikes however the poor soldiers and mages who simply didn't have the ability to perceive them were helpless before the onslaught.
"Damn that one almost got me!"
Natsu could feel his power steadily rising as he continued to fight as if his body was made to evolve through combat, of course it had already been this way for as long as he could remember of that there was little debate it was how he had gained his strength up until recently. But now it was like this unique ability had been set to overdrive as his limits seemed to no longer have an end, were the Council behind this perhaps?
Of course deep down he knew Zeref was behind it in some way the Council despite facing the potential of their destruction should he lose were adamant on the whole non interference policy that really was a load of shit in his opinion but at the end of the day they were the ones in charge not him and if they were to bet reality on him then he had little choice but to accept it.
The ever increasing power was the best part about this whole affair however since with each major increase he felt more and more confident with regards to his inevitable showdown with Zeref and Achnologia, not more than 30% but it was enough to where he figured he'd stand a decent chance.
Darting around the lightning strikes Natsu returned his thoughts to the task at hand, breaking into August's mind to free the Devil trapped within would be no easy task even once he finally established the connection but unfortunately Natsu wasn't one to simply let someone die when he could help it which meant outright fighting August was out of the question.
"Damn don't you know any other magic than this shit!"
Seemingly reacting to Natsu's statement a black magic circle appeared around the tip of the spear as Natsu grit his teeth in frustration.
"Me and my big mouth Black Magic of all things!"
"Arch Devil's Aura: Black Arts – Xyts Revir Eht Fo Setagdoolf :Tca Tsrif!"
From behind August a thin black tear appeared as a sea screaming souls and a strange black liquid began to pour forth with a white magic circle appearing around Natsu's body.
"Hybrid's Aura: White Arts – May The Light Of The Divine Shine Down And Shield Me Through This Sacred Prayer, I Evoke The Efficacy Of Divine Preservation!"
A shining light surrounded Natsu as the sea of the damned flowed on around him until there was nothing left; inwardly Natsu cursed knowing that if the Black Arts were being pulled out that August was nearly gone entirely.
"I have to stop him before he slips into complete madness and starts tossing around attacks that could destroy everything," Natsu growled as he shot off towards August putting all his magic in his speed as he expertly avoided the rain of lightning that was being directed his way as well as any stray souls left behind by the last attack as he appeared in front of August.
Throwing several punches as a distraction Natsu head butted August violently forcing a link between them as his vision went black momentarily before reappearing in his mindscape.
"This is August's mind," Natsu said in surprise as he stood before a large statue of Ahnkseram that simply read 'You are the Harbinger of Sin' on it. "The Harbinger of sin must be the Devil he's keeping prisoner in here?"
"A foreign voice … was the message heard," a voice asked weakly as Natsu quickly responded.
"I received your request for aid I've come to shatter the chains!"
"The throne … within the statue … destroy the statue to find me …"
Simply imagining he was channelling Crash Magic Natsu shattered the statue as a throne with a young man with long black hair and scraggly beard sat with a child resting his head on his lap, chains were wrapped around the man as his hand rested on the boy's shoulder.
The man looked up at Natsu as their eyes locked, Natsu felt absolute power behind those eyes like few he'd ever felt as the man beckoned him over.
"There is but one way to shatter the chains now … only one and at a high price."
"To kill August but I don't see him anywhere," Natsu said looking around as the Devil shook his head. "Wait you don't mean-!"
"The child before you is the very same August Dragneel, the true August Dragneel. What you conversed with earlier was a third personality I created with his help to throw off Ahnkseram for so very long, a personality capable of accessing a portion of my power just large enough to keep eyes elsewhere."
"Or else he would have Ahnkseram breaking his mind over and over trying to get this to work, why did August agree to this?"
"The truth is quite sad really for the boy had never been shown kindness by anyone save one a Scarlet Haired woman with the scent of Dragon all others beat him trying to force his latent power to awaken unaware that he was like the woman he was half created from. A kind and gentle soul the moment we spoke he offered to help me in any way he could to protect me from Ahnkseram so a plan was devised."
Looking down at the child August Natsu noticed that his eyes were open but unfocused and unblinking as the Devil sighed.
"To create a personality so realistic that Ahnkseram would be fooled I had to put the boy in a sort of suspended state, there is nothing within him except the bare minimum to keep him alive as the rest of his being fuels the other personality that is being consumed as we speak. Break the chains and free the boy from his suffering I beg of you I have watched this for over a century I desire no more!"
Natsu nodded slowly as he knelt down to the boy's level and raised his right hand towards his neck freezing when the eyes suddenly came into focus.
"Did I do a good job Uncle Natsu?"
"Y-yeah August you- you did an amazing job, now I'm just gonna put you to sleep alright this will … only hurt for a moment."
"Before I have to go Uncle Natsu can you tell me something?"
"Sure what is it," Natsu asked with his voice cracking slightly as the boy looked into his eyes.
"Why did Father not love me in life, was he ashamed of me?"
"No your Dad he- there are things I can't really explain but your Dad isn't well August but don't worry because Uncle Natsu is gonna fix it ok?"
"Will he be a Dad once you fix him Uncle Natsu?"
"Yeah … you'll see I'll have him back to his old self in no time you'll see him soon I promise," Natsu said as August sighed with a smile on his face as Natsu felt a tear roll down his cheek as he wrapped a hand around the his small throat and began to apply pressure with the boy not even offering any resistance as his neck made a loud snapping sound signalling his demise.
The entire mindscape cracked as Natsu just stared at the lifeless body of the child he had just killed contemplating if there was any other way he could have potentially saved him only for a hand to rest on his shoulder.
"The boy knew this was coming Natsu now we must leave this place is collapsing," the Devil said as the two vanished with Natsu coming back to reality and seeing his hands around the real August's neck with an absolutely shell shocked battlefield around him indicating that the moment in there was actually a massive battle he had no idea about out there.
As August's body fell a red magic circle appeared on the ground as it began to move upward with the Devil that was sealed inside August appearing before him now looking much different than before.
He wore a black business suit with a red undershirt and black tie with short slicked back hair and a red cane, his eyes were the darkest shade of Crimson he'd seen on anyone even the Archon's didn't have eyes as red as his. His beard was now trimmed right back to be a form fitting one making him look like quite the ladies man as he swung his cane a few times around his finger before looking at Natsu.
"You must have questions I assume?"
"Who are you, obviously you are a Devil but the power you hold is something much more than even the Archon's I don't understand?"
"Hn, it seems my reputation has all but vanished at least wherever you came from for you see Natsu I'm not just A Devil I'm THE Devil as in the first one to ever exist, my name isn't Devil though the whole thing wasn't named after me I'm not that terribly vain. My real name is Lucifer and I no longer use my last name because it is a reminder of my foolish past."
"I'd heard the name Lucifer a few times but to think you were actually real … so if you still exist then doesn't that mean God also exists somewhere?"
"Yes though he too has a name that I know all too well for you see God is my younger brother who goes by the name Micheal, yes it sounds bland for the name of someone who has spawned countless religions but you see neither of us chose to have these religions spawn around us it just kind of happened. But to answer your question yes my brother is indeed very much alive in fact he's somewhere close by the looks of it."
"WHAT!"
Before Lucifer had a chance to reply Natsu felt a tight grip on his leg and looked down to see the arm of August however his whole body was beginning to heat up as Natsu felt his magic power all but disappear.
"Uncle … you must listen to me …"
"August how are you still alive!"
"This must be the dying alternate personality that grew up in the real August's place," Lucifer mused before noticing August's body beginning to break down. "You must be quick I need to get his body away from here or else all magic on in this modified country will be destroyed!"
"August what do you want me to hear," Natsu asked softly as he knelt down to the old man's level.
"I-I cannot see but I hear your voice Uncle … Ahnkseram he has plans … he is going to break the rule of realms …"
"The rule of realms?"
"Lucifer will explain … you have half his soul … you must find Larcade he holds the soul of God … unlike me he fully embraced the darkness … show him no quarter …"
"Is there anything else you can tell me?"
"Yes … one other thing … Achnologia's approach was all part of the plan … he will arrive soon you must hurry," August wheezed as his eyes rolled into the back of his head as the last scraps of life left him.
"I must take him quickly but before I go I shall establish a mental link with you," Lucifer said as he snapped his fingers as an aura of red surrounded Natsu's head for a moment. "I'll explain what the rule of realms is in a moment but I must take August from here for Ahnkseram planned to use him as a bioweapon should he ever fall in battle so that none could claim me from his body. Within him lies a spell of his own design known as Ars Magia a spell that uses all the remaining Devil's Aura and Magic to set off a chain reaction with the core of nature's magic effectively blowing up everything and everyone with magic!"
Placing a hand on August Lucifer vanished as Natsu turned to look in the direction Lucifer pointed to earlier when the Devil's voice began to pop up in his mind.
"Now then the rule of realms is quite simple really it is a rule designed for those who travel to different realms back in the old times before the wars, basically let's say we were fighting on a foreign world from this one and using our respective powers and abilities we have learned that do not affect the world around us we are in line with the rule of realms. To break this rule would be to use our power to draw upon a power we did not learn naturally or are not supposed to have access to that will leave everlasting consequences on a world creating events and timelines that should never have been. If Ahnkseram plans to break the rule then things are far worse than anyone could have predicted, I got the gist of what is going on from your mind so after I am done here I shall head to this Council but you need to stop Ahnkseram however you can!"
"I see that could cause all sorts of problems making Gods like Lady Felicity who would be forced to try and weave the timelines into the main ones, alright I'm moving out now and thanks for taking August from here but are you alright?"
"Your concern is touching but the moment I was freed the damage done was removed such is the right for an Arch Devil like myself, but thanks for asking it proves you aren't the undesirable sort."
"Right well I'll get to work on freeing your brother now," Natsu said as he took off towards the location Lucifer pointed to feeling the presence of another God level being on the field he skidded to a stop. "Eliza, but the non interference policy?"
Shaking his head he continued on his way unaware of what was truly going on in the other direction.
/Eliza (Fusion) POV/
"Indeed more strikes just like that!"
Eliza was finding herself evenly matched with Harkon as the two danced around the battlefield slicing up the soldiers and mages that were in the way unawares as they were far too focused on each other as their swords moved faster than the eye could see.
"Truly an impressive display however let us see how you perform with added pressure," Harkon said as he made a hand sign with his free hand. "Fishman Blood Arts: Mists Of The Deep Dark Blue!"
All around the battlefield a thick mist began to set in as Harkon faded into it leaving Eliza on guard with her sword set firmly in a defensive stance; her eyes surveyed the mist as she focused them on finding the man's magic signature.
"We fishmen are all born with the ability to use the arts of the aquatic, the only one that ever appealed to me being a swordsman was the Mist Magic and so I have trained to conceal everything including my magic by flooding each and every particle with my own magic."
Swinging her sword it clashed with Harkon's however he was gone moments later attacking from a different location as she stood on the spot defending from an assault that didn't seem to be ending anytime soon with the ground around her gaining slash marks of all sizes without either blade appearing to even touch the area.
'Such mastery in Mist Magic but we have an idea …'
As she deflected the attack Eliza used the time in between attacks to swing her blade as hard as she could, Harkon thought she was simply swinging wildly however when the mist suddenly dispersed Eliza was in his face in a heartbeat.
"God's Aura: War God's Calamity Strike!"
Bringing her blade in an upwards sweeping motion Harkon was forced to change hands with his Shodaime Durendal but that was his mistake; the attack was aimed for the small gap in between his two hands as she knocked the blade into the air forcing Harkon to launch himself back having been shockingly disarmed in an unorthodox manner.
"How interesting so it seems you actually knew I would switch hands and predicted that before you even planned on striking, I wonder how you managed to foresee such a move unless you possess some form of precognition," Harkon said as the Shodaime Durendal landed at Eliza's feet with her drawing it from the ground.
"As much as we wish we were we do not possess the ability of precognition rather we studied the habit of you changing hands when the mist wasn't present, by watching you change hands whenever we came too close to your hands you inadvertently gave us an opening."
"Only a true master could find a loophole that small I commend you and you have pried the indestructible sword Shodaime Durendal from my grasp and into your own but I ask of you how will it fare against my next blade."
"The Yamato Archfiend Demise?"
"That sword is not made for human flesh so no I am not referring to that one," Harkon said as he placed his hand on his third sword making Eliza tense up at the touch. "So you know of the Zanamato hmm?"
"The first sword in existence said to grant the user unparalleled power but only if they are pure of heart, it can only strike down those who are not pure of heart otherwise the user is killed and the sword will revive the one who was slain and be bound to them until they meet their fate."
"Fate … indeed now we truly do play with fate because the question is are you pure of heart Eliza, would you take the risk of being cut down by my blade or will you overcome it through your own means? If you are pure of heart then you have already won this fight however should you fail to be pure then my victory is all but assured, no offense but there is no one who could overcome this blade."
"We shall see about that Harkon as you preached earlier the impossible is the true norm."
"True I did say that, very well if you believe you stand a chance against this blade then by all means try," Harkon said as he slowly drew the sword as the magic pressure in the area became so dense Eliza actually had trouble breathing.
'What is this foreboding presence that chokes us, it's as if magic itself is telling us to run!'
The blade had a black handle with red weaved stripes and a small cross attached to the end of it, the blade was a blood red colour with runes etched into it that even with her eyes Eliza couldn't read.
"You did not flee so you passed the first test of the blade, upon unsheathing the blade it stands in judgement of all those who follow the way of the sword testing the will and resolve and judging their purity in the process. Now then let us see if you can pass the next test?"
"And that would be," Eliza asked as she gripped both the Shodaime Durendal and her Ebony bastard sword tightly in anticipation.
"To survive of course," Harkon said with a grin as he made a lazy slashing motion in the air releasing one of the biggest aerial attacks Eliza had ever seen.
'From just a lazy swing of his sword, so this is what the legend meant by unparalleled power!'
Not even attempting to block the attack Eliza just barely managed to dodge only to find herself on the receiving end of a second shockwave that sliced her from her right shoulder all the way down her torso as she used the Shodaime Durendal to remain upright stabbing it into the ground keeping her in place.
"Well you aren't dead yet but the display was disappointing, either way that wasn't even the opening act so you had best prepare for much more than that."
As her wound healed albeit at an alarmingly slower rate than it should be Eliza ripped the Shodaime Durendal out of the ground placing it in a reverse grip in her left hand and holding the Ebony bastard sword over her shoulder with her right hunching over slightly preparing for the next attack.
"Ah this is good let us see what becomes of such courage, will you overcome the insurmountable?"
The moment Harkon launched the next attack Eliza was off as she blitzed past the first two attacks with ease now using her aura to increase her speed to its limits, Harkon gained a small smile as he began making gradually more and more powerful slashes in the air sending even stronger attacks towards her as Eliza darted around them not eager to receive a wound from the sword.
"Impressive, your speed has increased nearly twenty times what it was earlier but the sacrifice is sure to be large in return. Take care that you don't exhaust yourself before we get to the main portion …"
Raising the Shodaime Durendal Eliza was barely able to defend against a strike from Harkon who had actually managed to match her speed nearly surpassing it in the process, because she had placed all her aura into speed however the attack sent her flying backwards a great distance as she was knocked through the nearby trees coming to a stop at the foot of the mountain.
"How interesting you were able to block my strike and only sustain minor wounds, I wonder if you can perform any other tricks of note?"
"Tricks of note … ok that pisses us off just a little bit," Eliza said through grit teeth as she rose to her feet. "Fine you want a trick then let's see how you go against us using our full power!"
Eliza began to release all her magic power tossing the bastard sword to the side and two handing the Shodaime Durendal, charging towards Harkon the two crossed blades as the sound of the metal screeching in discomfort could be heard with both swordsmen vying for dominance."
"Impressive however you have forgotten one crucial detail in your attack … this is the Zanamato, the Shodaime Durendal is famed for being indestructible however such a legend falls flat against the Zanamato."
Eliza looked at the two blades and saw that the Zanamato was slowly slicing through the Shodaime Durendal, the Durendal wasn't going down without a fight but it wouldn't last against such pressure.
'How do we win against such a powerful artefact any other blade will be useless if the Shodaime Durendal is destroyed, we must try and save the- wait would that work?'
"You look like you have a plan, a plan this late in the game I wonder what you plan to do?"
"It's not so much of a plan than a last ditch effort," Eliza replied as her body began to glow with Harkon disengaging from the lock. "Requip: Nakagami Goddess Armor!"
"The what!"
Eliza emerged clad in the Nakagami Armor however this one sported Ebony in place of its steel counterparts and the symbols on it had been altered to represent both the Goddess' of Time and War with a tiara appearing on her forehead holding both an amber and sapphire crystal each releasing a monstrous amount of magic power.
But what Harkon was focused on was not the beautiful armor before him but rather the blade that had appeared in place of the Shodaime Durendal, it was an exceptionally long black blade that had runes etched onto the flat on both sides with chunks of obsidian stuck to the blade as it began to push back the magic pressure of the Zanamato.
"What type of magic is this!"
"You aren't the only one to have a blade from long ago, you possess the first blade on Earthland that is true but this blade is the blade of the War Titan the one who preceded even the Gods themselves! Natsu defeated this Titan and had claimed its blade gifting it to us and today we could not be more thankful, combined with the dual magics of Time and War we should possess enough of an edge to defeat you! Interesting though how the blade changed to suit our desires we wonder why …?"
"So the real master swordsman finally emerges," Harkon chuckled after getting over the shock of the moment as he raised the Zanamato with Eliza following suit. "This will be the final phase to determine who is truly worthy of the title of the worlds strongest!"
Eliza nodded as the two rushed each other with the runes on both blades lighting up as they met cracking the ground and uprooting all the trees and rocks sending them flying from the sheer force behind both attacks, Eliza was the first to break off jumping backward blocking several strikes before doing a full spin swinging her sword with all her strength as Harkon ducked under the slash attack.
The mountain behind Harkon however had no luxury of dodging as the unbelievably powerful slash cut it with enough force at the base to send the entire thing flying upward with Harkon jumping onto it and Eliza following suit.
"I see the Time allows you to keep up with the increase in speed I am granted thanks to the Zanamato, the War aspect grants you monstrous magic power and the blade of the Titan grants overwhelming strength … truly fascinating!"
The two locked blades once more as they began assaulting each other with a series of lightning fast strikes that quickly began to slice off entire chunks of the mountain they were fighting on, Eliza was using all of her focus to make sure this opportunity wasn't wasted as she put Harkon on the defensive kicking him off the now falling mountain as he held the flat of the blade out in front of him.
"This is it, the final climax!"
"God's Aura: War God's Secret Art – Cleave Across The Battlefield Of Time!"
Coming down on Harkon the two crossed blades landing across from each other neither one moving, the second the debris began hitting the ground Harkon's head rolled off from his shoulders as he fell to the ground dead and Eliza panted having used quite a lot of power to not only overpower his defence but to land a blow powerful enough that the Zanamato could not save him.
"We won … we beat the world's strongest …"
Looking at Harkon's body the Zanamato began to glow as the sheath appeared around the blade once more and the sword hovered in the air above his corpse just waiting to be touched.
"Should we risk it …?"
Eliza walked over to the blade and was about to place a hand on it when she paused momentarily before taking her hand away shaking her head.
"No it's best not to take it, the sword is a blessing and a curse and I think in the end Harkon knew that why else would he be so open about it in combat against an enemy?"
"A wise choice miss, Harkon was a fool to tempt fate when he touched the sword and any who follow in his steps would also be foolish and find themselves at the end of a blade regardless."
"Who are you?"
"Commander of the Leichart 12 Sentomaru and Harkon's superior, don't tense up so much I have no plans to fight any longer in this war. By the feel of it Natsu Dragneel defeated August and freed the Devil sealed within."
"And how would your exalted leader feel about that?"
"To be honest I don't think it matters any longer young lady, the odds of victory have shifted in Fiore's favour as of this moment but in case you haven't noticed I'll give you an update on how many have already fallen. Currently from the Leichart 12 six have fallen in battle and I have chosen to no longer participate with several more remaining behind along with several Spriggan in the Empire to maintain order. The Leichart and Spriggan top three are all out of the game leaving only Larcade Dragneel and Phyrra Ashar as the true powerhouses left."
"But what about the rest of the Spriggan or Leichart below them?"
"Do you want the truth miss, some of the Spriggan aren't as powerful as you believe take the 12th Shield Wahl Eehto he talks a big game but is probably the fourth weakest of all the Swords and Shields."
"And that means what exactly?"
"What it means young miss is if you cut off the head the body crumbles," Sentomaru replied. "Take out Zeref or Ahnkseram whichever you prefer and this war ends, most of us are only here because we have little choice so remove the one keeping us here and it ends just like that."
"But as you just said there is that small percentage that do serve him willingly so wouldn't taking them out be a good idea?"
"You would think so but think back to my earlier statement; the majority that are left are far weaker than the higher ups such as myself, Irene Belserion and Brandish Myu. With even just a few of us we can easily bring the others into line you see, but the idea of unfinished business bothers you doesn't it? The greatest war that you've been hyped up to believe in ended before all the key players including myself have been eliminated, a child of war you truly must be."
"Why do you believe that honestly we're growing tired of this conflict we've lost a lot of good friends and others have been injured, take our friend for example she lost her eye to Serena but we ended him for his transgression. But now we find our power beginning to wane how could we possibly fight a war that would take so long to conclude if we were to go after every last one of you?"
"So you would seek to end this conflict the fast way?"
"If at all possible yes we would but we know that only Natsu has that power now, to challenge Zeref as we are would be suicide."
"So you place everything on one being then?"
"Not by choice but by destiny, the Gods and Devils both see him as the one to defeat both Zeref and Achnologia and have done so since before we even met, to even believe we hold a candle to such a mantle is utter foolishness."
"I suppose that is true even August and I together wouldn't hold a candle to him and Natsu continues to evolve using a form of evolution not even I could emulate, anyway enough from this old man what do you plan to do with the sword?"
"Nothing because we don't seek such power for our own, the only desire was to use strength to defend and that blade is not designed for such a feat."
"So you would leave it here?"
"We don't see why not after all only the pure may touch it with the rest being consumed, let someone else gain the blade and if they dare use it for evil then we shall be there."
"I see … I suppose that is a fair way to look at it, anyway I'm heading off you might want to do the same the final battle is drawing closer and closer and I don't know about you but I want a front row seat."
"We'd be thankful to survive it," Eliza said as Sentomaru chuckled walking off into the destroyed remains of the mountain as Eliza began to look around for Wendy's magic signature. "Suppose we should go find her in case she's in trouble, the final battle begins he said … hopefully you are ready Natsu you are the final hope."
Hopefully you all enjoyed it and I'll see you in the next one!