Chapter 25
The forest air was thick with the remnants of battle—magic still crackled in the atmosphere like static before a storm. Cana stood firm, her breath steady despite the chaos that had just unfolded. Before her, Gildarts lay pinned beneath the crushing weight of his own magic, his body trembling, his breathing ragged. The modified training wristband, a gift from Naruto and her ultimate trump card, had done its job. The mighty mage, known for his unparalleled destructive power, had finally met a force he could not simply crush with sheer strength.
But Cana was done. This wasn't about proving strength anymore. It was never just about winning.
With a slow inhale, she stepped forward. The ground beneath her feet still vibrated from the lingering magic, but her mind was calm. Every part of her being screamed at her to keep going, to make him feel every ounce of pain he had caused her with his absence, his neglect. But Cana had never been the type to hold onto vengeance.
She raised her arm, reaching for the pulsating band strapped onto Gildarts' wrist. It was still draining him, still pressing his body down with an intensity that mirrored the weight of years of unresolved emotions.
Then, with a single flick of her fingers, she deactivated it.
A shockwave pulsed outward as the gravitational force suddenly lifted. The oppressive magic dissipated into the air, fading like the remnants of a shattered spell. Gildarts gasped, his body sagging with the sudden release. His muscles screamed in protest, and for the first time in years—perhaps even in his entire life—outside his recent encounter with a sininster dragon of calamity—he felt powerless.
Cana didn't flinch. She pulled the wristband off him, its once-blinding energy now nothing more than a dull glow in her hands. Without hesitation, she slipped it back onto her own wrist, securing it like a badge of honor.
Lucy, standing at a distance, had watched the entire exchange unfold with wide eyes. This wasn't just a fight. This was a reckoning.
And then, in the silence that followed, Gildarts' broken voice cut through the tension like a blade.
"Y-you're… Cornelia's… weren't you?"
The words hung in the air, heavy with realization, with pain, with something that had been left unsaid for far too long.
Cana's fingers twitched slightly at the name. Cornelia. The woman who had raised her alone, the mother who had carried the weight of abandonment with quiet dignity, the person who had been left behind when Gildarts disappeared on his endless quests.
Her lips parted, but no words came out. What was she supposed to say? That yes, she was Cornelia's daughter? That she had spent her entire life wondering if she would ever be enough to be acknowledged by the man who was supposed to be her father? That she had trained, fought, struggled—not just to become strong, but to be seen?
A bitter chuckle almost escaped her lips. "You're only realizing this now?"
But instead of anger, there was only exhaustion. A deep, soul-crushing exhaustion that came from carrying something for far too long.
She met his gaze, and for the first time, Gildarts truly saw her—not as an opponent, not as some promising mage, but as his daughter.
And in that moment, Cana knew—no matter what happened next, nothing would ever be the same again.
In a ways she did not expect.
She had finally reached her old man.
Grimoire Heart's Airship - Skies above Tenroujima
High above the vast expanse of the ocean, the formidable airship of Grimoire Heart sailed through the skies, its dark silhouette casting an ominous shadow over the waters below. Within the grandiose confines of the ship, Master Hades sat upon his imposing throne, the dim light reflecting off his stern visage.
Ultear Milkovich, one of the Seven Kin of Purgatory, stood before him, her expression a blend of anticipation and determination.
"Master Hades," she began, her voice steady, "our search has borne fruit. The dark wizard Zeref has been located on Tenrou Island."
A glint of interest sparked in Hades' eyes. For years, Grimoire Heart had scoured the world for Zeref, believing his resurrection would usher in a new era of magic. The revelation of his presence on Tenrou Island was the culmination of their relentless pursuit.
"Prepare our forces," Hades commanded, his voice resonating with authority. "We set course for Tenrou Island immediately. The time to awaken Zeref and realize our vision is at hand."
As Ultear bowed and turned to relay the orders, the airship adjusted its trajectory, cutting through the clouds with renewed purpose. The looming confrontation on Tenrou Island would not only determine the fate of Grimoire Heart but also set the stage for a pivotal chapter in the annals of magical history.
Tenroujima - Fairy Tail S-Class Trials Camp Site
Makarov sat on an old wooden crate, his small frame hunched forward, hands clasped tightly together. His thoughts drifted to Naruto—his safety, his strength, and the trials ahead. As Guild Master, he had long since learned to trust his children, yet something gnawed at him, a quiet unease creeping into his bones.
The first arrival finally appeared from the dense foliage—Levy McGarden. At first, relief washed over Makarov, but that feeling quickly twisted into dread. She was limping, her body battered and bruised, her clothes torn in several places. Her usual cheerful expression was replaced with one of desperation and fear.
"M-Master..." Levy gasped, struggling to keep herself upright as she stumbled closer. "An… invasion… G-Gajeel—!"
She couldn't finish. Her legs gave out, and before she hit the ground, Makarov was already there, catching her frail frame. His heart pounded in his chest as he examined her wounds—deep gashes, burns, bruises—who could have done this? He placed his palm over her, his magic immediately working to stabilize her condition.
"Invasion?" he muttered under his breath. His unease solidified into raw fear.
Meanwhile, deeper within Tenrou Island, Gajeel Redfox stood alone against three formidable members of Grimoire Heart—Rustyrose, Zancrow, and Kain Hikaru. Despite his wounds, he stood tall, his stance unwavering, eyes burning with defiance.
"You think sending the shrimp to run for help is gonna change anything?" Zancrow sneered, licking his lips like a predator toying with its prey. "She won't even make it back in time."
"Che," Gajeel scoffed, cracking his knuckles. "She already did. That's all that matters."
Rustyrose chuckled, fingers twitching as golden constructs swirled into existence. Kain Hikaru grinned, his strange doll-like magic already at play.
"Tch… Three-on-one, huh?" Gajeel muttered, stretching his neck. "Sounds fair to me."
With a savage grin, he clenched his fists, iron scales forming along his arms as he prepared for the battle ahead. No matter the odds, he would hold the line. Levy had made it to Makarov—now, it was his job to keep these bastards right where they were.
Hades strode through the untouched sands of Tenrou Island, his steps deliberate, unhurried. The ancient master of Grimoire Heart carried himself with the composure of a man who had already foreseen the outcome of this battle. His piercing gaze swept across the dense forestry, the sacred land of Fairy Tail's first master—now the stage for his masterpiece.
An ambush.
Not just any ambush, but a perfectly orchestrated one.
His forces had waited for the precise moment, striking when Fairy Tail's strongest were scattered and vulnerable. The S-Class Trials had divided them across the island, partners forced to rely on one another in unfamiliar terrain. Exhaustion, attrition, and isolation—Grimoire Heart's silent weapons—had already done half the work before a single spell was cast.
Hades could hear the distant echoes of battle—clashes of steel, explosions of magic, cries of defiance. His subordinates were executing their roles well, keeping Fairy Tail's most troublesome fighters occupied while he advanced unhindered.
His goal was simple.
Zeref.
The source of darkness. The forbidden key to true power.
His lips curled into a knowing smile. The young mages of Fairy Tail were courageous, determined, foolish. They would resist, as expected, but it was nothing more than a delay. The outcome had already been decided from the moment they stepped foot on this island.
Fairy Tail was at its weakest.
And he would be the one to watch it crumble.
With Gildarts, Cana and Lucy
Cana, still catching her breath, stood beside her father, Gildarts, the weight of their earlier battle still heavy on their bodies. Their reunion had been brief—emotional but cut short by the looming threat before them. Blue Note, the man who wielded gravity as though it were an extension of his very will, loomed over them with an air of dominance. Beside him, the eerie presence of Zolder-Capricorn only made the situation even more dire.
Despite their exhaustion, neither Cana nor Gildarts backed down. The battlefield, however, had no sympathy for the weary. The air around them thickened, pressure mounting as Blue Note flexed his magic. The ground beneath them cracked, trees groaned under the force.
Just as Cana grit her teeth, trying to will her exhausted body into action, a determined voice rang out.
"I won't let you ruin this moment!"
Lucy stepped forward, her celestial key already shining in her grasp. With a swift motion, she thrust it forward.
"Open, Gate of the Ram! Aries!"
A soft glow enveloped the battlefield as Aries materialized, her woolly form standing as an unexpected yet resolute shield between the tired father and daughter duo and their looming enemies.
Blue Note scoffed, unimpressed. Zoldeo-Capricorn merely tilted his head, analyzing the new arrival.
But Lucy didn't waver. She knew she wasn't the strongest. She knew she wasn't the best fighter.
But she was Fairy Tail.
With Wendy, Carla, Laki and Mest
Wendy and Carla, their senses sharpened by the chaos of the battle, dashed through the dense foliage of Tenroujima's wild terrain. The air was thick with tension, their movements frantic as they maneuvered around unseen threats. The illusions cast by Mystogan's traps had completely disoriented them, making them perceive one another as terrifying monsters lurking in the shadows.
Wendy unleashed bursts of wind, aiming to push back what she thought was a monstrous figure lunging at her. Carla, relying on her speed and agility, countered with swift aerial strikes, trying to fend off the "creature" attacking her from below. The battle between them was a whirlwind of confusion—each believing they were fighting for survival.
Meanwhile, not too far away, Mest and Laki were caught in a similar predicament. Mest, ever the cautious schemer, believed he was fending off a terrifying beast, while Laki, her determination unwavering, lashed out with her wood-based magic against what she assumed was another creature from the island's depths. Blows were exchanged, neither realizing they were battling an ally.
The illusion held strong, warping their perception, trapping them in an endless struggle. That was until Wendy, in a desperate attempt to gain clarity, unleashed a powerful Sky Dragon's Roar. The force of her magic surged through the area, sending a shockwave that inadvertently struck one of the illusion lacrimas hidden among the trees. The crystalline structures cracked, and then—like a house of cards—every illusion shattered in an instant.
The mist of deception lifted. Wendy and Carla froze mid-attack, their eyes widening as they recognized each other. Mest and Laki halted, their confusion turning into disbelief as the reality of their situation settled in.
However, their relief was short-lived.
A sudden, ominous presence washed over them like a chilling tide. The rustling of leaves and the snapping of twigs signaled an approach—one that carried no friendly intentions.
Emerging from the shadows of the jungle, three figures stepped into view.
A young woman with magenta hair and piercing eyes, clad in Grimoire Heart's signature dark attire—Meredy. Her sharp gaze scanned them with an unsettling smirk, her magic thrumming in the air.
Beside her, two warriors loomed.
One, a long-haired swordsman donned in eastern-style armor, his twin blades glistening under the faint light—Yomazu. His movements were measured, deadly precision evident in his stance.
The other, a beastly-looking man with sharp, frog-like features and an unnerving grin—Kowazu. His laughter echoed through the jungle as he cracked his knuckles, clearly eager for a fight.
Wendy, Carla, Mest, and Laki exchanged quick glances. Their exhaustion from the previous battle still lingered, but there was no time to recover.
Another fight was about to begin.
With Mystogan, Gray and Loke
Gray gritted his teeth, his breath heavy as he and Loke stood amidst the ruins of their fierce battle with Mystogan. Their clash had been intense—blow for blow, spell for spell. The moment Mystogan finally outmaneuvered them, Gray knew there was no shame in accepting defeat against a man of such caliber. The fake mustache-wearing enigma barely looked winded, standing firm with that same self-assured smirk, the golden crescent moon of his staff glinting under the island's dim light.
But just as Gray prepared to exchange words, a sound rippled through the dense jungle. A deep, rhythmic tremor—boots marching in unison, armor shifting, whispers carried by the wind. It wasn't the rustling of stray leaves or the scampering of wild animals. This was something far worse.
Then, they emerged.
Figures cloaked in black, their emblems unmistakable—the mark of Grimoire Heart burned into their uniforms like a badge of impending doom. They didn't come in small numbers. There weren't just a few stray elites scattered in the dark. No—this was an army. Dozens? No. Hundreds.
Gray's body tensed, ice instinctively forming around his fingertips as he took a half step back, his sharp eyes darting from shadow to shadow. They were completely surrounded.
Loke clicked his tongue, rolling his shoulders. "Damn… it's never just one problem at a time, is it?" he muttered, his celestial energy thrumming like a heartbeat in the air. He adjusted his stance, fingers coiling into fists, ready to summon every ounce of his strength.
Mystogan, despite standing against them moments ago, now shared the same battlefield. He flicked his staff, causing an eerie hum to vibrate through the wind. His expression remained unreadable though what lies beyond his composure was unease, but one thing was clear—he wasn't about to let this army simply run through them unchecked.
Gray exhaled sharply, lowering his stance. He wasn't at full strength, but that never stopped him before. "Tch. Looks like we don't have time to be picky about allies." His ice magic surged, frost creeping along the ground at his feet.
The Grimoire Heart soldiers stepped forward in unison, the glint of steel and magic shining like the eyes of a beast hunting in the dark.
With Erza, Natsu and Happy
Natsu's fist clashed against Erza's armored gauntlet, sending a shockwave through the clearing. The force of their blows cracked the ground beneath them, sweat dripping from their brows, breaths ragged from exhaustion—but neither backed down.
Happy hovered nearby, his little paws clutched together as he watched in awe. "You guys are crazy…" he muttered, but deep down, he knew this was just how they were. Stubborn. Prideful. Always pushing past their limits.
Natsu wiped a trail of blood from his lip and grinned, fire still dancing at his knuckles. "C'mon, Erza! I ain't done yet!"
Erza adjusted her stance, switching her sword in hand. "Neither am I," she shot back, her voice steady despite the fatigue weighing on her limbs.
Just as they prepared to clash once more—
Happy's ears perked up. His fur bristled. Something was wrong.
"GUYS!" he shouted, flapping his wings in panic. "We're not alone!"
Natsu and Erza halted, their instincts immediately sharpening. Then they felt it.
A presence.
No—many presences.
From the shadows of the jungle, the silhouettes of Grimoire Heart operatives emerged like wraiths, their steps precise, their intent dripping with malice. Their insignias glowed under the moonlight, marking them as the invading force.
Erza's eyes narrowed, recognizing the emblem instantly.
"Grimoire Heart!" she declared, her voice cutting through the tense air like a blade.
The enemy soldiers didn't charge recklessly. They moved with strategy—coiling around them like a slow, inevitable tide. A sea of enemies, moving in unison, ready to strike.
And standing at the far rear, watching with calculating eyes, was a single man.
Azuma.
His towering figure remained still, his arms crossed over his chest as he observed from afar. Unlike the grunts before him, his aura was different. He wasn't just here to fight. He was here to hunt.
And his target was clear.
His gaze locked onto Titania.
Tenroujima - Fairy Tail S-Class Trials Camp Site
Makarov's expression was grim as he stared at Levy's unconscious form, her breathing shallow but stable. The makeshift bandages wrapped around her wounds were stained with dried blood, a stark reminder of the unseen battle she had barely escaped from. His old, wrinkled hands clenched into fists. An invasion… here, of all places. The sacred island of Fairy Tail had been breached.
Juvia arrived first, her usual composed expression laced with worry. Fried and Bickslow followed close behind. The latter, despite his carefree attitude, could sense the tension hanging in the air.
"Juvia has passed," Bickslow informed, his tongue rolling out slightly in his usual manner.
But Makarov barely acknowledged the report. His mind was elsewhere. Trespassers.
His silence didn't go unnoticed. Fried adjusted his glasses, his sharp eyes scanning Makarov's tense posture. "Master, what's wrong?"
Before he could answer, another group arrived—Elfman, Mirajane, and Evergreen.
Elfman was beaming with pride, puffing his chest out. "I won! That means I'm—"
"Shut up, you only won because of my genius," Evergreen scoffed, crossing her arms smugly. "If I didn't throw off Mira's timing, you wouldn't have stood a chance."
Mirajane pouted, visibly sulking. "That was a mean trick, Ever…"
But their bickering was abruptly cut off by Makarov's booming voice.
"Enough!"
The weight of his tone silenced them instantly.
"There is no time to celebrate. We have intruders on Tenroujima. We must regroup immediately."
A heavy silence followed. Then, like a ripple in still water, a presence made itself known.
A deep, chilling pressure descended upon them, creeping into their very bones.
The wind stilled. The leaves refused to rustle. Even the very air felt thick with malice.
Then, he appeared.
Hades.
The former Master of Fairy Tail stepped into the clearing, his shadow stretching unnaturally under the moonlight. His aged, weathered face remained unreadable, but the sheer dominance of his presence spoke volumes.
His piercing gaze locked onto Makarov, a slow smirk creeping onto his lips.
"I hope I'm not interrupting anything," Hades said, his voice carrying an eerie amusement. "But I felt it was only polite to introduce myself… before I tear your guild apart."
"M-Master Purehito…!" Makarov's voice wavered, disbelief gripping his throat like a vice. His old eyes widened as he took in the figure before him—a ghost from the past, a shadow that should have remained buried in the depths of Fairy Tail's history.
Hades stood tall, his ominous cloak billowing ever so slightly despite the stillness of the air. His one visible eye gleamed behind his eyepatch, a cruel glint of amusement dancing within it. The sheer pressure of his presence pressed down on the gathered Fairy Tail members like a suffocating weight.
The secluded grove was eerily silent, the thick canopy above shrouding the area in a dim, almost ethereal glow. The air was heavy, thick with something unspoken—a force beyond magic, beyond reason.
Naruto knelt, his hands pressing firmly against Zeref's unconscious form, his palms glowing faintly with an otherworldly energy. His Aokugan shimmered, those heavenly blue irises pulsating with a radiance that felt ancient—as if staring past, present and future itself. The world around him blurred, his consciousness sinking deep into something intangible.
Beneath his hands, Zeref's body lay still, yet the weight of his existence felt immeasurable. Like staring into the abyss. Naruto wasn't just touching flesh—he was grasping the essence of the Dark Wizard himself. He could feel the cursed energy coursing through Zeref's veins, the eternal suffering stitched into his very soul.
And for a moment, Naruto's mind wasn't here anymore. He had fallen somewhere else.
A space of shadows. A world of whispers. An endless wail of the dead.
Then—a presence.
Ultear.
Lurking in the distance, her figure remained motionless, her sharp, calculating gaze locked onto the scene before her. This was an opening, a perfect moment.
Naruto, the Orange Leech—distracted. Zeref—vulnerable.
If there was ever a time to strike, it was now.
Chapter End