"The Descent of the Etherion"
The Tower of Heaven functioned as a single, integrated system, allowing Drake to directly observe the battles unfolding within its confines.
Three screens before him displayed the three separate battlefields.
Erza's teammates provided a prime example of how "redemption weakens" their fighting prowess.
Despite having inflicted considerable damage upon Natsu and Gray during their previous ambush at the inn, they proved utterly ineffective against the Trinity Raven.
Wally, the cube-shaped man, and Millianna, the cat-eared girl, were swiftly defeated.
Following suit, Shô, employing his card magic, made the foolish decision to engage Ikaruga, the strongest of the Trinity Raven, in a one-on-one duel, only to fall victim to her blade in a single blow.
Drake, however, remained unperturbed by these setbacks, as he had never truly relied on his teammates to resolve this situation from the outset.
As the battles progressed, everything unfolded precisely as Drake had foreseen.
Natsu's opponent was Fukuro, the elderly mage with an owl-like head. Fukuro, equipped with a jetpack-like magical tool, possessed exceptional mobility.
His magic was a unique form of absorption magic, enabling him to swallow his opponents and subsequently acquire mastery over their magical abilities.
Furthermore, this cunning opponent cleverly exploited Natsu's well-known aversion to all forms of transportation. Using the magical tool strapped to his back, Fukuro effortlessly lifted Natsu into the air, rendering him virtually defenseless and subsequently swallowing him whole.
Drake could only respond with a speechless sigh; regardless of the circumstances, Natsu's performance had been utterly humiliating.
Fortunately, Gajeel stepped up to redeem the situation, proving that his earlier defeat at Natsu's hands had not been due to the inherent inferiority of Iron Dragon Slayer Magic compared to Fire Dragon Slayer Magic.
With a decisive display of skill, Gajeel swiftly defeated Fukuro, who was now wielding Natsu's Fire Dragon magic, ensuring Natsu's successful escape.
On another battlefield, the long-haired Vidaldus utilized his Rock of Succubus, a spell capable of forcibly controlling the actions of a single opponent.
His initial intention had been to control Juvia and use her against Gray, but Juvia, demonstrating her unwavering devotion, chose to inflict harm upon herself rather than attack Gray, thereby breaking free from Vidaldus's control.
Ultimately, Gray and Juvia combined their magical abilities in a devastating joint attack, securing a decisive victory.
The most crucial battle, however, was the one involving Erza, whose opponent was none other than Ikaruga, the captain of the Trinity Raven, a master swordsman who seamlessly integrated magic into her deadly swordsmanship.
Regardless of whether Erza donned the Heaven Wheel Armor, the Flame Empress Armor, or even her most formidable armor, Purgatory Armor, Ikaruga effortlessly sliced through each and every one with her blade.
Despite facing such overwhelming odds, Erza resolutely refused Lucy's offer of assistance.
Subsequently, Erza changed into the Clear Heart Clothing, an attire completely devoid of any magical properties.
Erza's Change magic was known as "Knight," granting her the ability to equip armor imbued with diverse magical capabilities.
The Clear Heart Clothing was a singular exception, possessing not only a complete absence of magical enhancements but also a total lack of any magical energy whatsoever.
Even when compared to ordinary armor, the Clear Heart Clothing, consisting of merely a few pieces of cloth, provided no defensive capabilities whatsoever.
However, simultaneously, donning the Clear Heart Clothing signified that Erza was unleashing her most potent strength—her inherent, raw power.
Having cast aside the armor that had masked her uncertainty and vulnerability, Erza confronted her own strength head-on. The outcome was, as expected, a resounding victory over Ikaruga.
All three battles concluded with Fairy Tail emerging victorious.
But at the very moment the battles ended, Fal, who had been perched on Drake's shoulder, lifted his head and let out a sharp cry, his gaze directed towards the ceiling.
Drake gently stroked Fal's head; he had already sensed the immense surge of magical energy emanating from above.
High above the Tower of Heaven, complex magic circles unfolded, one nested within another, obscuring the entire sky with their radiant magical light.
Despite the complete defeat of Jellal's subordinates, Jellal himself stood up excitedly. Fifteen minutes remained before the descent of the Etherion.
"It seems that losing the game hasn't dampened your spirits in the slightest," Drake remarked dryly.
"Losing?" Jellal let out a chuckle, his tone laced with a strange mixture of amusement and malice. "Have you perhaps forgotten the true conditions for victory in this game? The game is Far from over!"
"Then allow me to bring an end to your tedious game," a voice boomed from beyond the doorway.
The heavy door was instantly reduced to splinters by a swift, precise slash of a blade. Erza, clad in the Clear Heart Clothing, stepped through the debris, her every step measured and deliberate.
Without exchanging a single word, Erza swiftly closed the distance between herself and Jellal, her katana, Crimson Red, descending mercilessly towards him.
As if anticipating this precise maneuver, Jellal had already initiated his retreat.
The table bearing the chessboard and the chair Jellal had previously occupied before Drake were both cleaved cleanly in two by Erza's attack.
Jellal touched the wound on his cheek, a smirk spreading across his face. "After such a long absence, our reunion begins with a blade aimed at my throat. How utterly merciless!"
Erza's voice was cold and devoid of emotion, "We did meet previously at the Council meeting, did we not? Jellal, or should I say, Keyes?"
"So you've discovered my subterfuge," Jellal remarked, a hint of surprise in his tone. "However, that is now a matter of complete irrelevance. Keyes has already served his purpose."
Erza gritted her teeth, her voice low and menacing, "Just how many people have you manipulated and exploited for your own selfish ends?"
Jellal's expression was one of supreme disdain, "As long as my ideals are realized…!"
Before he could complete his sentence, Erza, impatient with his justifications, launched her attack.
Her speed was such that even Drake was unable to immediately track her movements. All he could perceive was her sudden appearance before Jellal, a flurry of deadly slashes instantly sealing off all possible avenues of escape.
Jellal, however, proved to be equally adept at evasive maneuvers. His body was enveloped in a radiant aura of magical energy, allowing him to effortlessly evade Erza's relentless assault.
Jellal's magic was Celestial Spirit Magic, granting him the ability to magically mimic various celestial bodies.
At this moment, he resembled a shooting star traversing the night sky, his movements too swift for Erza's blade to intercept.
Magical energy coalesced in Jellal's hands, then dispersed into numerous beams of light, resembling a shower of meteors, hurtling towards Erza.
The speed of these beams far exceeded Erza's reaction time, striking her repeatedly.
This magic actually possessed a secondary effect, capable of sealing the opponent's movements.
But to Jellal's utter astonishment, Erza effortlessly sliced through this magical barrage. In Jellal's memory, Erza was still the girl who could only express her pain and anguish when confronted with him.
He had never, in his wildest imagination, anticipated that Erza would be able to so decisively and effortlessly cut through his magic.
This momentary lapse in concentration, this brief flicker of astonishment, inadvertently created an opening in Jellal's defenses, allowing Erza's relentless pursuit to break through his guard and send him crashing to the ground.
Erza swiftly pinned Jellal's body beneath her own, her katana, Crimson Red, held menacingly across his throat.
Gazing down at Jellal, Erza's hand trembled uncontrollably.
"What is it? Why don't you just kill me?" Jellal asked, his tone devoid of any hint of fear or apprehension.
The Tower of Heaven shuddered slightly, accompanied by a resonant humming sound.
"Judging by that sound, the satellite magic array has already been deployed, and the Etherion are about to descend upon us. Do you intend to simply perish alongside me?"
"No! I intend to live, to live alongside my comrades. That much will never change! But Jellal, even though you may be beyond redemption, I still yearn to save you.
I am also ashamed of my own weakness. I had already resolved to bring an end to everything, yet I still hesitate until this very moment," Erza confessed, her voice thick with emotion.
"But that, too, is a testament to your kindness," Drake said, approaching Erza and gently placing a hand on her shoulder.
Jellal erupted into laughter, "Indeed, Erza, you haven't changed one bit! Now, everything is finally over!"
A blinding flash of light pierced through the window, causing even Drake's vision to be momentarily overwhelmed by a stark white expanse.
The Etherion… had arrived!
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