Ultear was pushing her magic to the limit, forcing time itself to flow around Laxus so he could fight. He understood instantly—if she was straining herself this hard, then he needed to finish the battle quickly.
Dimaria's face twisted with fury.
"This is my world! Don't you dare interfere! Do you want to know why I can control time? Then I'll show you the true power of the Spriggan Twelve!"
CRACK!
Her shoulder blade shattered, black markings with white streaks spreading across her body as her hair spiked upward. Terrifying magic power flooded the air.
"Accept it—the Soul of God!!"
Ultear's eyes widened. "The power of a god?! Impossible…"
She knew of God Slayers—like Zancrow, once in Grimoire Heart—but this was different. This wasn't just a Slayer's imitation. Dimaria was channeling the essence of an actual god. Gods, older even than dragons, were said to have vanished long ago, leaving behind only myths and ruins.
Dimaria smirked. "I am the vessel of Cronos, the God of Time. And you insects dared to trespass in my domain. Your corpses will atone for your sins."
Laxus' lips curved into a feral grin. "A god, huh? Then let me see just how strong your so-called divinity really is."
With a roar, Dimaria lunged, her blows carrying the weight of her divine possession. The battlefield shook. Yet when the smoke cleared, Laxus still stood tall before Ultear, lightning sparking across his torn clothes, unyielding.
"Bow your head at my feet," Dimaria declared, her voice echoing unnaturally. "I am Cronos, God of Time."
Ultear's face tightened. "The God of Time…! So she really inherited that power…"
Dimaria raised her blade, her divine aura flaring. "Kneel—or die!"
She struck, unleashing her technique.
"Scars of Time!!"
Agony ripped through Laxus' body as every wound he had ever endured was forced open again, pain flooding back all at once. He screamed—then suddenly stopped, his lips twisting into a savage grin.
"Heh… not bad. I'd almost forgotten what pain felt like. This is… exciting."
Dimaria froze. "…What?!"
"Now it's my turn. Thunder Dragon's Collapsing Fist!!"
Lightning erupted around Laxus' fist as he smashed it into Dimaria. She screamed, blasted backward, cracks spreading through the god-markings on her body.
"N-No way… I accepted the soul of a god… how can I be overpowered?!"
Laxus' answer was merciless. He became lightning itself, striking Dimaria again and again. Despite her divine possession, she was forced on the defensive, battered under his relentless blows.
Finally, she collapsed to the ground, panting. The markings flickered and broke apart—her magic drained dry.
"Thunder Dragon's Roar!!"
A torrent of golden lightning erupted from Laxus' mouth, engulfing Dimaria completely. She screamed one last time as the divine aura was burned away, leaving her defeated.
Laxus loomed over her, sparks crackling from his body.
"Nothing's impossible. The strong stand, the weak fall. You fought Fairy Tail—so even the soul of a god won't save you. Even if you were a true god… I'd still crush you."
Dimaria's eyes went wide with shock. Then the Seal of Time shattered.
The battlefield lurched back into motion.
"…That's… Dimaria-sama?!"
"She was defeated?!"
Soldiers of Alvarez gasped. To them, only a second had passed since Dimaria appeared. They had believed her arrival meant victory was certain. Yet now she lay broken on the ground.
Confusion spread through their ranks. Morale plummeted, while the Ishgar forces, seeing one of the feared Twelve Shields fall, rallied with renewed vigor.
Kagura stared, astonished. The battlefield showed the scars of a brutal clash, yet she had seen nothing.
"…What… just happened?"
Laxus, shirt torn and body bruised, stood proud, lightning still humming around him.
"Dimaria… has been defeated!!" the cry rang out.
On the rooftops of Hargeon City, Wall crouched, watching with a twisted smile.
"Heh… so Dimaria's down, huh? Impressive. But I've seen your weakness now, lightning brat. If we let them keep this up, the name of the Spriggan Twelve will be dragged through the mud."
He raised his hands, mechanical magic circles whirring to life.
"Lock on the targets. Blow them all to pieces!!"
A barrage of refined magic missiles shot forth, streaking toward Laxus, Ultear, and Kagura.