"You…!"
Kagura's face darkened. She wasn't afraid of Dimaria, but she still remembered her humiliation—the way her clothes had been torn apart without even seeing how it happened.
"Are you trembling? Don't worry," Dimaria sneered. "You've got a fine figure. I'll make sure everyone gets another good look."
"You witch!!"
CRACK—!
A golden bolt of lightning tore through the sky, striking straight at Dimaria.
The War Princess' eyes widened, and she barely raised her blade to intercept.
BOOM!!
The ground exploded, a massive crater smoking in her wake.
From the smoke stepped Laxus, sparks dancing across his body. His cold voice carried over the battlefield:
"So, you're one of the Twelve Shields of Alvarez?"
Dimaria pushed herself up from the pit, a little disheveled. Recognition flashed in her eyes. "The golden lightning… so you're the one who intercepted Wall's attack."
"Wall," Laxus growled, "the bastard who dared attack our guild. I'll deal with him later. First, I'll crush you."
Dimaria barked a laugh. "Crush me? Don't make me laugh. Do you even know who you're facing? We are the Spriggan Twelve—the Twelve Shields of His Majesty Zeref! And you're just one more backwater mage from Ishgar!"
Laxus' eyes narrowed. His body turned into pure lightning as he shot forward.
"Shut up and fight."
Dimaria cursed and slashed with her blade, but Laxus' fist connected first.
WHAM—!
She screamed as she was blasted into the air.
"What… power…?" Dimaria's expression hardened. This man was different. His magic and physical might weren't far from their own Twelve Shields. But that was impossible. How could a ruined continent like Ishgar breed such monsters?
Laxus flexed his fist, unimpressed. "So this is the Spriggan Twelve? Doesn't look like much."
Kagura's eyes widened in shock. Was this really the power of Fairy Tail's Laxus?
"You dare… underestimate me?!" Dimaria's fury boiled. "Fine then. You've seen my sword. Now witness my true magic. A man like you only needs an instant to die. That's right… an instant."
Kagura's voice cut through urgently. "Be careful! Her magic is strange—you won't even see how she attacks!"
Then—silence.
The entire battlefield froze.
Dimaria smirked. "Now this is my world. A world where time itself stands still, where only I can move. Hasn't everyone dreamed of this—if time could just stop? This is my power, the Seal of Time. In this world, you can't resist. You can't move. You can't even think. And you… you'll die right here."
She raised her blade and swung for Laxus' throat.
CRACK—!
Lightning erupted from Laxus' hand, blasting her away mid-swing.
"Aaaaghhh!!" Dimaria screamed, tumbling backward. Her eyes widened in disbelief. "Wh-why?! Why can you move in my world?!"
A calm voice answered:
"Because you're not the only one who can touch time."
Dimaria snapped her head around. A woman stood not far away, her gaze sharp, her presence undeniable.
"Who are you?!"
Laxus frowned. He didn't recognize her—until she spoke.
"I am a sinner," she said quietly. "My name… is Ultear."
Laxus' eyes widened. Her…? He'd only heard of her. Back on Tenrou, he'd arrived too late. In Tartaros, he'd been unconscious from the magic barrier particles, and when he awoke, she was already gone.
"…Why are you here?" he asked.
Ultear's eyes didn't waver. "Ishgar is on the brink. And yes—it's also about my own redemption. The Spriggan Twelve were created by Zeref himself. Against any one of them, I wouldn't stand a chance. But together with Fairy Tail's strength… there's hope."
Dimaria spat, "Did you tamper with my time seal?!"
Ultear shook her head. "No. I can't undo your magic completely. But I do have some power over time. Enough to allow some people to move freely, even within your frozen world."
Dimaria's body trembled, her fury boiling over. "This is my world! How dare you defile it?!"
She lunged at Ultear.
"Not so fast."
CRACK!!
"Lightning Dragon's Spear!!"
A jagged bolt shaped like a spear exploded into Dimaria, knocking her back once more.
Laxus stepped forward, lightning crackling around him, shielding Ultear with his broad back. His voice was low, firm, unyielding:
"Your opponent… is me."