"Erza!" Natsu blinked, startled to see her land on Ajeel's ship.
Wendy tugged at Carla's paw. "A couple ships already crashed to the ground… let's go there too."
"Yeah," Happy nodded, "leave the boat to Erza. She's not seasick like us."
Makarov frowned. "Even for Erza, defeating one of the Twelve Shields won't be easy…"
Mavis only smiled knowingly. "Don't worry. I've arranged another to support her."
BOOM BOOM BOOM!
High above Magnolia, every Alvarez cruiser—save the flagship—erupted in flames.
"What?!" Ajeel spun in shock.
Natsu and Happy exchanged wide-eyed looks.
"This magic… it feels so familiar!"
Wendy gasped, recognition flashing. "That's…!"
From the sky, a figure descended—tail, ears, half-demonic features.
"Mira…"
It was Mirajane, her body cloaked in her Take Over: Jackal form. The power of Tartaros' demons radiated from her, every explosive step a reminder that she now wielded their strength as her own.
"Mira, you're here too? The guild—" Natsu began.
"With the Guildmaster there, Fairy Tail's safe," Mira cut him off with a grin. "Let's deal with this one first."
Erza nodded firmly. "Agreed."
Fairy Tail couldn't afford to waste strength on ordinary soldiers. To break Alvarez's might, they needed to crush the Shields. Su Yan had already slain Serena—eleven remained. Every one they toppled would weaken the empire's morale.
Ajeel sneered. "Two women against me? Don't joke! Even Ishgar's strongest mage was nothing more than one of us Twelve. Do you really think you can kill me?!"
"Heaven's Wheel—Circle Sword!"
A storm of blades swirled around Erza and tore toward Ajeel.
"Sand Armor!!"
Ajeel swept his hand. The blades crumbled into grains, scattering harmlessly.
"Tch—!" Erza's eyes narrowed.
Mira flashed behind him, her fist wreathed in cursed flames. She slammed it into his back.
CRACK!
Ajeel blocked at the last instant, teeth bared. "Strong… for a woman. Shame you'll never find a man who can handle you. Such a beautiful face, wasted."
Mira smirked. "Don't worry. I already have one—the man who blew up your palace."
Ajeel's eyes flared. "What?!"
"Black Feather—Moonlight!" Erza's blade cleaved downward, forcing Ajeel back.
"How many in your guild are stronger than me?!" he snarled, lashing out with a kick.
BOOM! Sand engulfed his leg, blasting Erza back across the deck.
"Hahaha! Is this all? Pathetic!"
Then he froze. On his arm—runes glowed.
"An… explosion curse?!" His face darkened.
Mira's grin widened. "Recognize it? Then you know what happens next."
BOOM—!!!
Flames engulfed Ajeel in a violent blast.
Smoke cleared… and he stood, smoldering but unscathed.
"Hmph. Don't underestimate a Shield of Alvarez!"
His hands rose, sand roaring into a storm.
"You've angered me enough! I'll bury you both alive!"
The sand coiled tight, binding Erza and Mira in its suffocating grip.
"Tch—can't… re-equip…!" Erza grimaced.
Meanwhile, west of the guild, Alvarez ships crashed into the hills, pouring out troops.
"Hahaha! Forward!! To Magnolia!!" barked Captain Bakr, his soldiers charging.
"Captain, what about their barrier?!" one asked.
Bakr sneered. "The Lord himself is here. A barrier like that is nothing before him."
Vice-captain Karim laughed. "If that monster of Fairy Tail were still around, maybe we'd worry. But he's gone. Against these weaklings, our numbers are overkill!"
"Gahahaha!!"
But their laughter ended in fire.
"Fire Dragon's Claw!!"
Natsu landed amidst them, his leg blazing as he spun. Flames erupted outward, knocking soldiers flying like kindling.
The war had begun.