"WHEN THEY SAID GIVE A DOG A BONE THIS ISN'T WHAT THEY MEANT ON!" Toby snarled while slashing at Keith's skeletal soldiers. Unfortunately, his claws weren't doing too much because these skeletons had no nerves to paralyze.
"This situation is steadily beginning to grow grim…your shouting isn't helping." Yuka grumbled while firing off constant waves of anti-magic towards several skeletons. Unfortunately for them, the numbers were rising while theirs were steadily decreasing due to the amount of mages being pinned down and no one could get to Juvia and Keith to subdue the Demon Gate.
"Do you see this?" Keith still had Juvia ensnared within his grip. No matter how she struggled she could not escape him. "This is the beginning of the end for you humans. By the time this day has ended, I'll have a multitude of corpse soldiers at my disposal."
"Juvia…will not let you…." Juvia grumbled. "Juvia will defeat you…!"
"That's quite amusing…" Keith chuckled. "Because if you were to defeat me…then your beloved's father will also cease to exist. Do you really wish to bring your beloved such pain? No matter what you do…you all lose." Slowly, the black tendrils around Ketih began to grow, wrapping around Juvia even tighter. "Enjoy the last seconds of your life, human; a pity that you were held back by such feeble emotions…those emotions is what separates the humans from demons."
"Shit…!" Lyon turned, watching as Juvia started to become consumed by Keith.
"Do you see this, humans?" Torafusa couldn't help but grin as the inevitably of the situation slowly began to set it. "This is why you'll always remain inferior to humans."
"W…We have to do something…! Juvia…!" Chelia tried to move, but she was still pinned down by a skeleton right on top of her. There wasn't anything anyone could do about the situation!
"We'll…!" Kagura started to move forward, but Torafusa stood in her way before she could move too far. She was forced on the defensive, bringing her blade up to avoid being cut in half by the Demon Gate's razor sharp fin. "Tch…!"
"You shall not interfere." Torafusa spoke with a menacing grin. "I am still your opponent, human."
It wasn't much longer before Juvia's body was completely swallowed by Keith's body. Juvia wasn't to be seen after the orb dispersed, leaving everyone in horrific shock. Keith remained still with a wide grin on his stitched lips. "I will add her body to my number of soldiers. Torafusa. I believe it's time we ended this charade, don't you think?" Before Keith could say anything else…his body began to…swell…? "..,?!"
"Juvia…will not allow herself to fall like this. There is far too much she has to do! Even if it hurts Gray-sama…Juvia cannot allow a demon like you to continue living!" Juvia's voice came from within Keith himself. The Necromancer's body continued to swell up before it exploded with Juvia right at the center! Keith's head fell on the ground, his last expression akin to life ending shock.
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"You don't want to do this, Fullbuster." Kuro's gaze narrowed at Gray. Their blades were crossed, yet pointing at the other's neck. Any sudden movement could've spelled the end for either mage.
"Don't make me." Gray replied.
Silver only let out a dry chuckle at this situation. He never thought he would've seen the day where his son would stand up for him like this…it only made his time left that much more enjoyable. "You've grown up into a fine young man, Gray. I'm certain that you will shine in your future…I entrust the mission of destroying E.N.D to you…" With Keith's defeat, Silver's time quickly came to an end, and his body slowly started to vanish.
"Wait…!" Completely ignoring Kuro, who also dropped his guard from watching Silver disappear, Gray knelt down at his father's side. "I…I'll do it…I'll defeat E.N.D. That I promise…"
"That's my boy…" With one final smile, Silver's body slowly disappeared. Leaving Gray alone with Kuro, quite possibly the last person he wanted around.
"…" Kuro didn't say a thing. Instead he turned and began to leave. His job was done here, even if it wasn't by his hand. Plus he also knew Gray wanted some time alone after losing his father in front of his eyes. Gray was left alone to grieve for the father he hardly got to know…
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"Keith…was defeated?!" Torafusa's eyes widened at Keith's defeat. Juvia fell onto the ground, nearly passing out since Keith's body was composed of Magic Barrier Particles. At the very least those corpse soldiers Keith had assaulting everyone dissipated.
"Keep your eyes on ME!" Blues took a step forward, slamming his water coated fist into the demon's chest. The direct hit showcased Blues' power and Torafusa was sent sliding backwards, nearly falling over from the dragon slayer's might. "Now THAT'S what I'm talking about! I'll take care of this guy, you go check on Juvia!"
"Juvia, are you okay?!" Sheri, Chelia, Kagura and Lyon rushed over to Juvia's side. "She's barely breathing…"
"WE'RE WINNING NOW RIGHT!? ON!" Toby glanced around. The only demon left in the vicinity was Torafusa, who was currently dealing with Blues. "LET'S JUST JUMP HIM!"
"It doesn't work when you're going to announce it like that…" Yuka just sighed heavily.
"Give it up, demon!" Blues stated with a proud grin. "We've got you surrounded. You don't have a chance at beating all of us now."
"…." Torafusa glanced around. Perhaps Blues' words could ring true…but instead the aquatic demon just smirked. "You humans are far too arrogant for you own good. The slightest glimpse at victory and you're full of yourselves…allow me to bring you back to the reality of the situation." At that moment, Torafusa's body transformed and beame much larger and bulker. He shifted into his Etherious form, signifying that he was no longer playing around with these wizards. "Torafusa spread his arms out and in that instant the entire town was flooded with black water. Nobody saw it coming and could prepare for such a technique. "I will drown you all within the depths of Davy Jones's Locker!"
"…!" For those unaccustomed to water, breathing was difficult. Not only that, but Torafusa's black waters were composed of something else entirely; whatever it was, it was causing the lungs of all of them to burn…and at this rate after they slipped into unconscious, they would die.
Blues…was not subject to this rule. Being the son of a water dragon, he had the ability to hold his breath under water for incredibly large amounts of time. It wasn't indefinite for he would have to come up for air at SOME point, but he could hold his breath longer than most. Perfect considering the underwater situation he was thrust into. "Shit…I can't even see anything. What's up with this water, too…?"
"So you still breathe?" Torafusa quickly swam over, slamming his fist into Blues' jaw. The impact was enough to make Blues lose a little bit of air before he regained himself. "It will only be a matter of time until you fall as well! You think you can beat me underwater? Don't be such a fool."
Was Torafusa mocking Blues? Oh no, he wasn't about to have any of this! Blues kicked off, showing his swimming prowess and swam forward while rearing his arm backwards. As he did, he activated his White Water dual mode, the light within him shining brightly enough to illuminate the area around him. Even Torafusa had to cover his eyes briefly from the light that shone in such murky, black waters. Within his palm, an abundance of water and white dragon slaying gathered in the shape of a sphere which he hurled forward with all his might. "White Water Dragon's Bomb!" The sphere rocketed towards Torafusa, who ended up getting caught in the widespread explosion. Using this as an opportunity Blues closed the distance between them and swung his leg forward. "And Talon!" Just before Blues could actually strike Torafusa the scales around the demon hardened…and the force of impact reverberated through his limb painfully. "Agh…!? What the hell are you made out of: titanium!?"
Blues' reaction to Torafusa's scales only made the fish grin wider. "Your water will never break my scales…" Rearing a razor sharp fin backwards, Torafusa then slashed across Blues' chest for a direct hit! A large gash formed across Blues' chest and proceeded to leak out.
"Ngh…!" Blues grit his teeth, swimming backwards to retreat before he took another fierce wound. He quickly glanced around at the others…they were all unconscious and he wasn't sure how much longer they'd have left in these carbonated waters. Ignoring the pain in his chest, Blues spread his arms out before twisting his body counter clockwise. "White Water Dragon's Cyclone!" His rotation in the water created a whirlpool of water and light that rocketed towards Torafusa. Even the Demon Gate had to cross his arms to endure the brunt of the hit as it blew him backwards. "How's that!?"
"Pathetic! Water does not work on me! I am the embodiment of the seas' wrath! I am its curse!" Torafusa swam forward, slamming his hardened fist at Blues' chest once again. Aiming for the wound inflicted extra damage and sent Blues spiraling backwards until he hit the surface of the ground, down on a knee. "Even with the addtion of light, you have no hope. Your light will be submerged in the depths of this black ocean."
"Agh…" Blues lost a little bit of air. His chest was in agony from the open wound and carbonated waters flowing into it. At this rate he was going to bleed out before drowning…the black waters were stained red with his blood. "White Water Dragon's Wing Slash!" Swinging his arms down, several sharp crescents of water and lightflew towards Torafusa. These crescents could cut through solid steel; however Torafusa swiftly swam through the crescents and slammed his leg into Blue's side, sending him tumbling away once again."Agh…!"
"Can't you see that your efforts are futile? You cannot best me in the contest underwater…it is impossible." Torafusa said while floating above Blues, arms crossed.
"I'm not giving up yet..." Blues said while his cheeks puffed out. He took what magic he could, and launched it ahead as he opened his mouth. "Roar of the White Water Dragon!" A mighty torrent of shining water exploded ahead, colliding against Torafusa. Blues felt it connect and it pushed the Etherious demon back a fair distance. Although, he wasn't going to be able to relax for long. Despite the damage he did, Torafusa swam through his roar...! "...!"
Landing in front of Blues, Torafusa then took his huge arms and wrapped them both around Blues, beginning to squeeze the life and breath out of him. "Now I will enjoy squeezing you until you've taken your last breath under water!"
Blues let out a strangled cry of pain, now feeling the black water filling his lungs. Was this the extent of his power? Bested by some oversized fish…? No…that's not quite right. He wouldn't allow things to end like this. His brother didn't die on the Isle of the Dragons just for him to die like this! Not to mention…there were people counting on him! To die underwater would disgrace Aquaeon's name, and the last thing he would ever do was fail his father like that! Kuro was counting on him, Aquareon was rooting for him, and there was Juvia as well. He wasn't about to let her die because of his own weakness. She saved him and now it was his turn to return the favor! "I'm not…about to lose…to some oversized fish…!" Blues growled as the area began to tremble!
"W-What…!?" Torafusa could hardly keep his constricting grip on Blues with the violent shaking. "How are you doing this!? You should be dead!"
"A dragon never yields…it latches onto its prey and doesn't give up until its last breath! And I haven't reached that last breath yet!" Blue scales started to form around Blues' arms, face, chest, legs, and his back: Dragon Force! The dragon slayer let out a feral growl before brute forcing his way from Torafusa's grip! "You call yourself the wrath of the sea!? Then you haven't seen anything yet!" Blues then opened his mouth, willingly beginning to inhale the black water's that flooded the entire town! IT was a painful process but a necessary one to get his point across. After a few moments he completely drained the town of Torafusa's waters, leaving the Demon Gate with an utterly shocked expression.
"What…you actually consumed…but those waters…" Torafusa was at a loss for words.
"What's the matter…you look like a fish out of water." Blues spoke with a fangy grin. Arms were held out at his sides, channeling the raw magical and curse power now flowing through his entire being. "Allow me to show you the true wrath of the sea! It is I, the son of Aquareon! Dragon Slayer Secret Art: Blue Dragon's Ruinous Waves!" From behind Blues, a dark blue tidal wave rose up. This wave was composed of his own magical power and the curse power he absorbed from Torafusa's waters. On his command this wave rolled forward before crashing down on Torafusa powerfully, sweeping the Demon Gate away in its wake, completely dragging him under to the depths of what Blues considered to be a vast ocean.
"I-IMPOSSIBLE…!" As Torafusa was swept away, his life force started to fade instantly. To be defeated by a water mage in the water…truly the biggest shame he could have faced as a prestigious demon of Tartarus….
With the battle having been won, Blues panted heavily, holding an arm up and four fingers. "Wild…four…" Now that he drained his magic and energy, he collapsed, passing out on the spot. The battle at Lamia Scale had been won and with no cost….
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Next Time: Burning The Phoenix.