Meanwhile, back at the Hyoudou Lakeside Mansion…
The afternoon air was so calm that the lake looked like a sheet of glass, reflecting the mansion in gentle ripples. The peaceful atmosphere lasted exactly three seconds, right up until the front doors swung open and the returning group stepped inside.
"Matsu, Misuki and Miya are back!" Gorou yelled as he opened the door for the ladies to step through, grinning as if he'd been waiting all day for the group to return.
Miki rushed forward right after him, hands already on her hips, motherly radar locked on. "Are you three okay?! Did you have fun? You didn't get yourselves cursed, kidnapped, stabbed, or joined a cult, did you?!"
Misuki blinked. "...That's a weirdly specific list."
Kuromaru, who was resting inside his personal barn quickly left and stood near the doorway, eyes sharp and calm as he scanned them for its master but was disappointed to not notice him.
Karasuba leaned against the wall with her usual posture, rubbing her head as the hangover was luckily gone though the slight twitch of her brow showed her annoyance. Totomaru gave a lazy wave from behind her.
And then a small, familiar figure shoved past the adults as Sakura ran to them. Her feet pattered across the floor as she skidded to a stop in front of Misuki, looking up with wide eyes and a face that screamed pure excitement. "Where's Mama?" she asked, voice small. "Where's Papa?"
The room shifted.
Even Gorou's grin faltered as he also wondered the same. Miki's smile froze halfway into place.
Misuki scratched her head automatically, an unconscious motion she'd picked up from Issei and let out a long sigh. "…Okay, so," She began, and right away the way she said it made everyone brace. "Our vacation got derailed."
Sakura's lower lip trembled. "Der—what?"
Miya crouched down gently beside Sakura, her expression steady and careful. "It means something unexpected happened, sweetie."
Misuki nodded, still rubbing her head like the explanation physically pained her. "Yeah, unexpected. Like a bunch of kidnappers causing trouble."
"Kidnappers?" Gorou repeated, voice going dangerously calm.
Miki's eyes narrowed so sharply it looked like she could cut steel with them. "What happened?"
Misuki held up both hands quickly. "Okay—okay—so. We were taking a nice normal vacation at the beach resort, right? Like normal people."
Karasuba made a sound of disgust. "Normal."
Misuki ignored her. "And then, turns out Natsu's team had the same idea. Like, we literally ran into them. And you know what happens when Issei and Natsu are in the same place."
Miya sighed, as this is going to become a repeated problem in the future.
Gorou muttered, "Property damage."
Miki muttered, "Trouble."
Misuki nodded firmly. "Exactly. Trouble follows them like a curse."
Sakura tugged on Misuki's sleeve. "But… Mama and Papa…?"
Misuki's expression softened. She crouched so she was at Sakura's level. "They're okay," Misuki promised, voice more serious than usual. "They just… stayed behind to help. Some guys attacked, and they took Happy and Erza."
Totomaru raised his eyebrow. "Happy… the blue cat?"
Misuki nodded. "Yeah. And Erza."
Miki stared blankly. "So… you're telling me our son and girlfriends went on a vacation… and somehow got involved in a kidnapping."
Misuki hesitated. "…Yeah."
The room went silent.
Then Gorou placed a hand over his face like he was holding back a headache with sheer willpower. "That's our boy…"
Miya lifted a finger calmly. "Issei and the rest of the group went after them, of course."
Misuki nodded quickly. "They went by boat and we came back because… uh…" She trailed off.
Karasuba scoffed. "Because they needed someone to deliver the update."
Misuki pointed at her. "Okay yes. Also because we were carrying the money."
Gorou blinked. "Money?"
Misuki's face lit up immediately, the serious mood evaporating like it had never existed. "SO! GOOD NEWS! We're richer."
Miki stared confused. "Why are we richer?"
Misuki rubbed her head again and grinned awkwardly. "Because we forced Tamamo to do a little bit of gambling."
The room reacted in perfect unison with Gorou and Miki released a sweatdrop and Karasuba let out a short laugh, because of course she would.
Gorou coughed into his fist. "...Somewhere in the distance, Tamamo is definitely plotting revenge."
Miki clasped her hands together like she was praying. "Tamamo-chan, we are so sorry."
"It was worth it." Misuki says beaming proudly.
Karasuba clicked her tongue, irritation bubbling up. "I don't care about the money."
Everyone turned toward her.
She scowled, looking personally betrayed by the universe. "Something interesting is happening, and I'm here. Not there."
Totomaru just gave her a deadpan stare. "What a tragedy." He said sarcastically.
Miya's lips twitched like she wanted to laugh but refused to give Karasuba the satisfaction. "I'm sure nothing of interest is happening."
Karasuba grumbled, "I don't care, I want action."
Before Misuki could respond, Matsu had already slipped away. She had greeted everyone with a quick wave and a bright "I'm home!" Then she vanished down the hall like a woman possessed straight to her lab.
—-----------------------------------------
Inside the mansion's lab, the lights were dim except for the glow of monitors and the soft hum of machinery. Matsu slid into her chair, fingers already flying over a laptop keyboard.
"Okay, okay… no more delays," She muttered to herself, eyes sharp behind her glasses. "Time to show my newest invention. I really need to finish setting up my personal computer… and if I don't do it now, I'll never be able to, mostly because Issei is going to come back with another disaster"
Her fingers tapped faster. Commands flashed and systems awoken. A faint vibration hummed through the floor.
Matsu's mouth curved into a mischievous grin. "Perfect." She hit enter.
—-----------------------------
As the group continued to talk a speaker suddenly echoed throughout the entire mansion: "NOTICE: DO NOT PANIC. THIS IS NOT AN ATTACK."
The living room froze as they wondered what was going on.
Gorou's head snapped up. "...That sounded like an attack."
Miki looked around and wondered what Matsu was doing. Kuromaru turned toward the yard as his ears picked up the sound of gears moving.
Misuki blinked. "Uh… should we panic a little?"
Miya simply sighed and Sakura clutched Miya's sleeve. "Mama Miya?"
Miya glanced down, softened. "It's okay. It's just Matsu wanting to show a surprise"
Then the ground shook and the mansion lights flickered. Outside, from the direction of the front yard, there came a deep cracking sound. It is then that the front yard split open and from the widening gap, something rose.
A levitating carriage emerged from the ground. Its body was made of golden, polished metal shaped into flowing, vine-like patterns. Oval windows lined the cabin, glowing warmly from within, promising a surprisingly cozy interior. Bright blue crystals were embedded along the top and sides, pulsing softly, each beat sending veins of blue light crawling through the metal like living circuitry. Instead of wheels, it had wing-like extensions, angled and poised like stabilizers. And beneath it blue thrusters ignited, releasing glowing streams of energy that left sparkling trails in the air.
Everyone stared.
Misuki's jaw dropped. "...What."
Gorou looked impressed at the cool mix of technology and magic. "That's… actually kind of cool."
Miki pointed at the scene, deeply displeased. "Matsu, what did you do to my yard?!"
Karasuba's eyes gleamed for the first time in minutes. "Now that is interesting."
Luckily the yard started to cover up the opening as the split land settled firmly down and then the carriage lowered to the ground and the door opened with a smooth hiss and Matsu stepped out, her reddish orange hair slightly windblown, cheeks flushed with excitement.
She spread her arms wide and beamed. "HELLO EVERYONE!"
Misuki squinted. "Why do you sound like a commercial?"
Matsu ignored her completely. She walked along the side of the floating carriage, patting the metal like it was a beloved pet, then turned back to face them with sparkling eyes. "May I present—" She announced, voice rising with pride, "—my newest invention!" She pointed dramatically at the glowing crystals. "The Aether Skiff Carriage! Fully flight-capable, magically stabilized, with long-distance travel optimized, comfortable interior, emergency shielding—"
Miki's eye twitched. "Matsu."
Matsu kept going. "—and, most importantly, it is designed to handle rough environments with minimal—"
"Matsu," Miki repeated, louder.
Matsu finally blinked and looked at her. "…Yes, Mother-in-law?"
Miki pointed at the cracked yard. "Why did it come out of a hole in my lawn? Why did you make a hole in my lawn?!"
Matsu smiled brightly. "…Because it's cooler that way?"
Gorou laughed so hard he nearly choked. Karasuba was actually smirking at her friend's attitude.
Miya simply sighed, but there was warmth in it. "At least it wasn't an explosion."
Totomaru stared at the carriage, then at Matsu, and spoke the only logical question. "Does it have weapons?"
Matsu's smile grew. "…It does and it has a lot." Matsu then clapped her hands together, eyes sparkling behind her glasses. "Alright! Everyone inside, there is still much to show you." Matsu opened the carriage door and smoothly slid it open.
Misuki poked her head inside first. "…Okay, wow," she muttered. "This is way bigger on the inside." And she wasn't exaggerating.
The interior opened into a wide, polished cabin lined with cushioned seating arranged along the sides and center, enough space that even a full group could move without bumping shoulders. Soft blue light glowed faintly from crystal inlays in the walls, pulsing in a steady, calming rhythm. Storage compartments were neatly embedded into the structure, and the floor was reinforced with faintly glowing runic lines.
Sakura's eyes lit up immediately. "It's so pretty…!" She said, toddling in and touching the glowing wall with careful fingers.
Miya followed her, posture relaxing despite herself. 'I'm impressed she really built this. It's nothing compared to the Sekirei mothership but sooner or later she may be able to build it herself.'
Karasuba crossed her arms, scanning the interior critically. "It doesn't feel uncomfortable," she admitted, clearly annoyed that she was impressed.
Totomaru leaned in, peering at the ceiling. "So it's not just for show."
Matsu grinned, chest puffing with pride. "Comfortably seats over twenty people, with shock absorption, temperature regulation, and emergency anchoring."
Misuki flopped down onto one of the seats and bounced once. "This is very comfortable. I could take a nap here."
Matsu pointed toward the front. "Manual controls are here. I didn't want to rely entirely on a self-driving vehicle, as there are too many variables. But it does." She tapped a side panel, "have an assisted navigation system and an auto-stabilization." She glanced at Kuromaru. "Also, as it is designed to be a carriage it is meant to be pulled Kuromaru." Matsu tapped another panel. "Speed-wise, it's slower than Kuromaru at full flight, but faster than any modern aircraft. Especially once altitude's involved."
Gorou's jaw dropped. "That thing beats a plane?"
Miki folded her arms. "I don't like how casually you said that."
Matsu waved her off. "Power source is a hybrid electronic Lacrima array. Courtesy the Phantom Lord as I salvaged the usable ones." She paused, then smiled sheepishly. "I may have over-engineered it."
Miya sighed softly. 'Of course you did.'
Matsu then reached the control console and pressed a button and the carriage hummed to life. Blue light surged through the crystal veins along the walls, the floor vibrating gently and it was quickly off the ground levitating. Then Matsu pressed another button and the panels on either side of the carriage slid open with a mechanical hiss, revealing two fully articulated gatling turrets, with its barrels gleaming faintly as they rotated and locked into place.
"So these are the weapons," Totomaru said flatly.
Karasuba's lips curled into a slow, delighted smile. "Now you're speaking my language."
Miki stared. "…Matsu."
Gorou leaned forward. "Do they fire?"
Matsu nodded proudly. "Yup! Reverse engineering the magic guns of this world. I created these babies to be able to pierce even Kuromaru's tough armor."
"Matsu," Miya interrupted calmly, "why does a carriage need gatling guns?"
Matsu blinked. "For enemies?" She then immediately pressed a button and the turrets folded back into the carriage, panels sealing smoothly until the interior looked harmless again. "There! Normal mode," She said brightly.
Misuki squinted at her. "You worry me."
Gorou, meanwhile, looked like a kid staring at his first toy car. "Can I drive it?"
"No," Miki said instantly.
"Aww, please?"
"No." Miki repeated.
Matsu slid into the driver's seat and adjusted her glasses. "Alright! Everyone buckle up."
"…Buckle up?" Misuki echoed.
Miya's eyes narrowed. "Matsu."
Karasuba tilted her head. "You have tested this, right?"
Matsu hesitated. "…Define 'tested.'"
Everyone groaned at once.
"You didn't test it?!" Gorou shouted.
"IS THIS A MAIDEN VOYAGE?!" Misuki yelled.
Miki grabbed the nearest handhold. "I knew this was a bad idea!"
Matsu waved them off cheerfully. "Relax! I made sure it floats!"
"That is the bare minimum!" Miya snapped.
Too late, Matsu pushed the lever forward and the carriage lurched.
Sakura squeaked. "Mama Miya!"
Miya immediately pulled her close as the carriage shot forward, lifting off the ground with a surge of blue light and a burst of wind that rattled the trees outside.
"WAAAAH!" Misuki yelled, gripping her seat.
Gorou laughed like a maniac. "THIS IS AMAZING!"
Miki screamed. "GOROU SIT DOWN!"
The carriage tore through the forest canopy, weaving between massive trees as branches whipped past the windows. The stabilization enchantments kicked in, preventing whiplash.
Karasuba braced herself against the wall, eyes gleaming. "Okay… I take it back. This is fun."
Totomaru clung to his seat, deadpan even as his hair stood on end. "I am going to die in a flying wagon."
The carriage banked sharply.
Matsu whooped. "OH, the turning's smoother than I thought!"
"Matsu!" Miya shouted.
Sakura peeked out from Miya's arms, eyes wide with awe despite herself. "…It's flying…"
The carriage burst out over the lake, skimming the surface and leaving rippling trails of light behind it.
Outside Kuromaru watched the machine zip past, tail flicking once.
—----------------------------------------
A few hours later, the forest was quieter now, recovering from the earlier chaos of Matsu's "test drive." Where the Aether Skiff had torn through the forest, and left a faint scent of mana that lingered in the air like ozone after lightning.
The carriage rested in the front yard once more, gleaming proudly as if it hadn't just nearly turned half the household into screaming passengers.
Matsu stood in front of Kuromaru, tightening the last clasp of a reinforced harness. A thick chain of dark metal ran from the carriage's anchor points to the harness wrapped around the wyvern's broad chest. Kuromaru stood tall, wings slightly flexed, tail twitching in restrained irritation.
Matsu didn't even look up from her work. "There, there, it may feel uncomfortable at first but I'm
Kuromaru's golden eyes narrowed but he didn't fight it.
Behind them, Miya moved with quiet efficiency. She stood at a long outdoor table, carefully packing layered bento boxes into insulated containers. Rice, grilled fish, skewers, fruit slices, everything neatly portioned.
She paused briefly, looking at the sky. 'I'm sure they've been fighting for hours now… ' She thought. 'If Issei is involved, he's probably burned through half his energy by now.' Her fingers tightened slightly around a cloth as she wrapped the final container. "They must be starving," She murmured softly.
Misuki leaned against the table, watching her with an amused expression. "You're acting like they're going on a picnic."
Miya didn't look up. "Even warriors need to eat."
Misuki grinned faintly. "You're too nice."
A little ways off, Sakura stood near the carriage, arms folded, lower lip stuck out in unmistakable frustration. "It's not fair," she muttered. "I wanna go."
Karasuba, already halfway inside the carriage, smirked. "You'd slow us down."
Sakura glared at her. "I would not!"
Miya stepped over and gently placed a hand on Sakura's head. "Sweetheart," she said softly. "Someone needs to stay and guard the house."
Sakura looked up at her. "…With you?"
"Yes. With me."
Sakura hesitated. Then she nodded reluctantly. "…Okay." Her gaze drifted toward Kuromaru, who was stretching his wings. "Bring Papa back fast," She whispered under her breath.
Kuromaru's ear flickered and he quickly nodded to his young princess.
Matsu finally clapped her hands together. "Alright! Everything's calibrated! Harness is stable, the mana flow was optimized, the engine primed." She hopped into the driver's seat, flipping switches with eager precision. The Aether Skiff hummed awake, blue crystals pulsing brighter as energy flowed through the hull.
Karasuba dropped into a seat near the side window, crossing her legs casually as if she were boarding a pleasure cruise rather than heading toward an active battlefield. "Whatever is going on, it better not be over by the time we get there," She muttered, eyes sharp with anticipation. "If I miss the good part again, I'm cutting something up."
Totomaru slid into a seat across from her without enthusiasm. "…I hope it is over," He said flatly. "Less work."
Karasuba scoffed. "You're so boring."
"I value not endangering my life." Totomaru replied.
Gorou walked up to the side of the carriage, giving Kuromaru a firm pat on the flank. "Bring my boy back in one piece," He said, voice steady despite the tension behind it.
Miki folded her arms but couldn't hide the worry in her eyes. "Tell him his mother is very upset with him and that he better not come back with more holes in his clothes."
Misuki laughed. "That's asking for a miracle."
Matsu leaned out of the window, grin wide. "Relax! We'll swoop in, pick them up, and be back before dinner."
Miya gave her a look as she really doubts things will be that simple. "Matsu."
"…Before late dinner." Matsu corrected.
Miya sighed. She then handed the packed containers up to Karasuba. "Make sure they eat."
Karasuba caught them easily. "No promises."
"Karasuba."
"…Fine."
Sakura stepped forward one last time. "Be careful," she said quietly.
For once, Karasuba's expression softened slightly. "Don't worry," she replied. "We'll drag your parents back if we have to."
Totomaru gave Sakura a small nod. "We'll return them."
Matsu gripped the controls. "Alright, Kuromaru," she said brightly. "We're using your nose. Lock onto Issei's scent through the familiar bond and lead us in."
Kuromaru closed his eyes for a brief moment and the connection pulsed. A thread of sensation, faint but unbreakable, stretched somewhere far beyond the forest, beyond the lake… toward the sea. 'He felt it, his master.' His wings snapped open.
The Aether Skiff lifted smoothly off the ground, hovering just behind him.
Blue thrusters ignited, humming in harmony with the wind gathering beneath Kuromaru's wings.
Gorou raised a fist. "Bring him home!"
Miki called out, "Be careful!"
Misuki waved enthusiastically. "Don't blow anything up!"
Miya stood quietly beside Sakura, watching with calm eyes that hid deep concern. "Come back safe," She whispered.
The carriage rose higher as Kuromaru leapt into the sky. Wind exploded outward as he took flight, the chain pulling taut for half a second before stabilizing. The Aether Skiff adjusted instantly, wings angling to match his trajectory.
Blue light streaked across the darkening sky.
Inside the carriage, Karasuba leaned forward eagerly. "Now this," She murmured, eyes gleaming as the forest blurred beneath them, "is more like it."
Totomaru braced himself against the wall. "…This is going to be a pain." He muttered.
—------------------------------------------
Back at the Tower of Heaven
The tower shook again as the Kraken's tentacles slammed into the stone exterior, the impact vibrating through every floor like a heartbeat of destruction. Cracks crept along the walls, dust drifting down in a constant gray haze.
Issei didn't slow down as he blasted away an incoming tentacle. "Keep moving!" He barked, sprinting up the spiral stairs, flames licking faintly around his fists as he swatted away incoming debris.
Behind him, Yuuka fired a shot at a tentacle that smashed through a window. The bullet sparked uselessly off the armored flesh. "…I hate this monster!" She shouted, rolling out of the way as the tentacle crushed the spot she'd been standing.
Akitsu raised her hands. "Ice-Make—!" Frost surged up the stairwell, coating a tentacle in thick ice. Again it froze solid completely for half a second but then the Kraken flexed and the ice shattered violently, shards spraying everywhere. Akitsu grimaced. "That barely slows it down!"
Uzume's veil snapped forward, redirecting another incoming limb away from Yashima and Ruby. "It keeps targeting us!"
Yashima slammed her hammer into a tentacle that came too close with Ruby enhancing the strike. The impact forced it back slightly, but not enough.
Issei glanced up through a broken archway. The Kraken's massive turquoise eye was visible through the open sky and it was staring directly at him. "…You've gotta be kidding me," Issei muttered.
No matter how many floors they climbed, no matter how many turns they took, the creature followed them every single step. Soon another tentacle burst through the wall which they had to dodge. Then another water projectile screamed past them causing them to duck. The Kraken was relentless.
Issei felt irritation rising in his chest, hotter than his flames. 'We're not even fighting it. We're just running.' His fingers curled and the Boosted Gear flared faintly. He could end this if he just used Balance Breaker. If he released it here and if he forced the fight this will all be over. "I'm done with this thing," Issei growled, skidding to a stop on a newly reached floor. "I'll just—"
But before he could finish, Tamamo stepped forward. Her golden eyes gleamed. "Alright,Enough playing," She said softly as a fourth tail unfurled behind her and the air changed instantly.
The temperature spiked with pressure, suffocating the floor.
Yuuka blinked. "…Wait. You're going to use four?"
Uzume swallowed. "That's new."
Tamamo's lips curved into a gentle smile that didn't reach her eyes. "Little sea creature…" She murmured, raising one elegant hand. "You've been quite rude." Purple and pink cursed flames gathered in her palm, spiraling tighter and brighter, the power warping the air around her.
Issei felt it too. 'That's a lot heavier than before.Almost matches the time she fought Berserker.'
Tamamo then thrusted her hand forward and the curse launched like a comet as it tore through the open sky, streaking straight toward the Kraken's face.
The cursed flames exploded across its eye and its maw, spreading like a living infection. Pink and violet fire crawled over its armored flesh, burrowing into glowing patterns.
The Kraken shrieked and screamed. The sound ripped through the air so violently that the tower itself vibrated in response. The massive creature recoiled, tentacles flailing wildly as it released its grip on the tower. The eye flickered, burning as the cursed fire consumed it. And then with a violent splash that sent waves crashing outward, it dove back into the ocean.
Silence fell over the broken floor with Issei blinking at the display. "…Okay. That worked."
Tamamo lowered her hand slowly, tails swaying behind her. "It will probably return," she said calmly.
Yuuka wiped sweat from her brow. "You're kidding."
Tamamo shook her head slightly. "I doubt that was fatal."
Akitsu exhaled shakily. "Then what do we do? We can't keep running forever."
Yashima frowned. "Only you and Issei can really hurt it."
Ruby hugged Yashima's arm tighter. "It's so scary…"
Issei clenched his jaw. He hated this feeling of being forced to split focus. Not to mention that there were probably more guardians inside and Jellal at the top. He looked toward the stairwell leading higher. 'The real problem isn't that thing. It's the guy who started all this.' But he quickly focused on the most dangerous monster at the moment. "I'll deal with it," Issei said suddenly with everyone quickly turning to him. "I'll handle the Kraken," He continued. "You guys go help the others. If Gray or Lucy are struggling—"
Yuuka frowned. "You're just going to solo the mythical sea monster?"
Issei gave a tight smile. "I've fought worse."
Tamamo's voice cut in smoothly. "No."
Issei blinked. "What?"
She stepped closer, placing a hand gently on his chest. "You should probably go upward."
He stared at her. "Tamamo—"
Her eyes sharpened slightly. "Remember what Jellal announced," she said quietly. "The weapon of doom. Etherion." The word hung heavy. "You cannot waste time here," she continued. "You must stop this at the source."
Issei hesitated, the Kraken was dangerous and he didn't know if Etherion was worse.
But Tamamo's smile returned, fearless and bright. "I may have to release a little more power than usual," she said lightly. "But this is not a big deal."
Yuuka snorted softly. "That's never a comforting sentence."
Tamamo ignored her and Issei searched her face for hesitation. Of course there wasn't any, only confidence and control.
Issei finally exhaled slowly. "…Fine." He looked at the other girls. "I'm going to the top as fast as possible. That jerk's probably waiting there."
Yuuka nodded immediately. "We'll back up the others."
Akitsu gave a firm nod. "Understood."
Uzume cracked her knuckles. "Guess we're splitting up again."
Yashima adjusted her grip on her hammer. Ruby swallowed but nodded bravely.
Issei took one last look at Tamamo. "Don't overdo it."
Tamamo laughed softly. "Do you really think I would?"
"…Yes." Issei responded in a deadpan tone.
She winked. "Go."
The group quickly moved. Issei bolted up the stairwell, flames trailing faintly behind him as he climbed higher and higher toward Jellal. Yuuka and the others peeled off toward other corridors, heading to assist their allies.
Meanwhile, Tamamo remained alone. The floor she stood on was partially destroyed, with a massive opening where the Kraken had torn through the structure earlier. Through it, the ocean stretched endlessly below.
Quickly the water churned and bubbles rose. The surface split and the Kraken rose again, this time furious. Its massive eyes burned with rage, tentacles whipping the air violently as it locked onto Tamamo. She tilted her head slightly, four tails swaying gently behind her.
"Ara," she said softly. The cursed flames flickered back to life in her palm. "If you insist… let us dance."
—--------------------------------------
Steel sang, the corridor was a battlefield of ringing blades and scattered sparks as every clash of metal echoing off the Tower of Heaven's walls. Dust drifted in the air, stirred by every step, every pivot, and every violent burst of speed.
Erza's sword met Ikaruga's katana again and again with sparks exploding between them. She slid back half a step, boots scraping over the cracked floor. Her breath stayed steady and her posture stayed perfect.
'She's fast,' Erza admitted silently as she blocked a swing. Ikaruga moved insanely fast, her katana snapping in and out of motion so quickly it seemed to cut the air itself into pieces. Every strike had killing intent behind it. There was no hesitation or mercy. A single mistake would mean her head on the floor.
And yet Erza's eyes narrowed with a calm that didn't match the danger. 'This isn't new.' The reason was so simple it almost felt unfair, Karasuba. Erza could still remember it, being forced into "sparring" sessions that were never really sparring, because Karasuba didn't spar, she attacked. Usually out of boredom, curiosity or out of sheer chaotic impulse.
Sometimes she never announces it. Erza had learned to hear the shift in air before the blade arrived. She learned to quickly read intent. Learned to move before her conscious mind could catch up.
And then there was Miya, Erza's lips tightened just slightly at the memory and a shiver escaped her. 'The one time I asked her for pointers and to take her seriously, she had destroyed her.' Cleanly and efficiently, like Erza, wasn't only a bother. Compared to those two, Ikaruga was dangerous but nothing she couldn't handle.
Ikaruga pressed forward, eyes gleaming, katana whipping down in a vertical strike meant to split Erza in half. But Erza stepped to the side and raised her blade just enough to redirect it, then turned her wrist and a clean cut opened across Ikaruga's shoulder.
Blood splashed lightly across her white fabric. Ikaruga's eyes widened. She leapt back and swung again, faster, angrier, aiming for Erza's throat.
But Erza requipped mid-motion. Her armor shimmered and changed, plates forming, gauntlets tightening with a greatsword sword appearing in her hand as she pivoted. Her movements were smooth, practiced, fluid.
Ikaruga's blade clashed against the new weapon and bounced slightly.
Erza's eyes sharpened. 'She's adjusting and learning.' But each time Ikaruga tried to force the tempo of the fight, Erza shifted with another new armor. A new weapon and a new angle of attack.
Ikaruga's frustration began to show. Her breathing sharpened. Her grip tightened and her knuckles whitening. "No…" she muttered through clenched teeth. "This cannot be…"
In another exchange Erza parried, stepped in, and cut shallowly across Ikaruga's ribs. Erza shifted to lighter armor, dodged a killing slash by inches, then struck again, cutting across Ikaruga's thigh.
Ikaruga hissed, stumbling a half-step.
Meanwhile Erza was receiving light scratches and minor nicks. And that imbalance finally cracked Ikaruga's calm.
"HOW?!" Ikaruga snapped, eyes wide with disbelief. "My Mugetsu-Ryu is flawless! It cannot lose to—!"
Erza's voice was firm, almost weary. "Just Give up," she said, blade steady. "You're not winning."
Ikaruga's lips curled with a sneer. "Such arrogance."
Erza exhaled. 'If you knew who I trained with, you'd understand this isn't arrogance… it's simply experience.' She remembered those fights where the slightest hesitation meant pain. Those lessons carved into her reflexes.
Shaking off her distraction, she requipped again into her Heaven's Wheel Armor. The air around her shimmered as dozens of swords appeared in a halo behind her, each one pointed outward like the teeth of a steel sun.
Ikaruga's eyes widened despite herself.
Erza didn't hesitate. "Go." The countless swords launched forward as a storm of blades screaming through the corridor.
Ikaruga planted her feet. Her voice dropped into something cold and absolute. "Yasha's Empty Flash." For a heartbeat, her katana moved.
One slash. Then another. And suddenly the air itself seemed to break as every sword coming at her was cut cleanly. Steel fragments clattered to the floor in a glittering rain.
Erza's eyes narrowed. 'So that's her trump card.'
Ikaruga's expression twisted into triumph as she vanished from sight and reappeared directly in front of Erza. Her katana was already swinging upward, aimed to end the fight in a single stroke.
But Erza simply raised her sword and blocked with the sound ringing sharp but unlike the swords she sent flying this one remained intact.
Ikaruga's eyes widened in disbelief. ""…What? My technique should be able to cut anything—!"
Erza's sword stayed in place, still blocking the katana. She stared at her calmly, eyes hard as iron. "…Karasuba taught me something," Erza said quietly.
Ikaruga's jaw tightened. "Who?"
Erza didn't answer that. She only continued, her voice steady and certain. "The reason is simple. Your sword intent is simply weaker than mine."
Ikaruga's eyes widened.
Erza's grip tightened around the blade. "As long as I hold this sword," Erza said, "Nothing you do will cut through me."
For the first time, Ikaruga took several steps back. Her breathing changed. 'She's not just skilled… she's unshakable.' Ikaruga's lips trembled then curled into something almost delighted. "…Interesting," She whispered and then her aura changed as she raised her katana.
A pulse of heat erupted as flames coiled around the blade like a living serpent. "Garuda Flame," Ikaruga declared, voice ringing with renewed resolve. "I will end this here."
The corridor warmed instantly as the air shimmered.
But Erza didn't flinch. 'Fire…?' She had fought fire before. Karasuba does the same thing but her "fire" wasn't even normal fire, it was violence given heat and shape. Not to mention who strong Issei and Natsu became. Compared to that this was manageable.
Erza closed her eyes for a fraction of a second. Her armor vanished and she stood in her Clear Heart Clothing, light and free, her body no longer weighed down by armor. A new blade appeared in her hand, a long nodachi, elegant and deadly.
Ikaruga's eyes widened. "You abandon your armor?"
Erza's voice was quiet. "I'm not abandoning anything." Her stance lowered, her grip shifted, her feet aligned and Erza's gaze sharpened. "One strike," Erza whispered.
Ikaruga roared and lunged, flames exploding from her katana as she swung to cleave Erza in half.
Erza moved a single step forward and released a single swing. The nodachi cut through the air with a clean, terrible simplicity. And both opponents appeared on opposite sides facing the other way.
For a heartbeat nothing happened.
Then Ikaruga's katana split into two pieces. A massive diagonal cut opened across her chest, blood sprayed and Ikaruga's eyes went wide. Her body staggered once and fell to her knees. The flames on her blade died instantly, the broken halves clattering onto the stone.
Erza stood still, nodachi lowered, breathing steady. She then turned and watched Ikaruga carefully, ready in case the guardian tried something else.
But Ikaruga didn't rise. Her head bowed slightly, hair falling forward, blood dripping onto the floor.
Erza's eyes flicked to a wall behind her. Sho leaned unconsciously but was still alive. He was safe for now. Erza exhaled once, long and controlled. She turned away from Ikaruga, nodachi dissolving into light as she began to walk.
"Stay down," Erza said without looking back. "You've lost."
Ikaruga's voice came out faint—half pain, half thrill. "…What… was that…?"
Erza didn't answer. She didn't have time as it was running out. Etherion was still a threat and Jellal was still at the top. Erza's eyes hardened as she broke into a sprint. She would reach Jellal and she would make him pay.
—--------------------------------------
High above the chaos of clashing steel and crumbling stone and metal, Jellal sat upon his throne. Jellal's fingers rested lightly against the armrest of his throne, tapping once… twice… in quiet anticipation.
He felt it, a familiar sensation that caused his lips to curve upward. "…So," He murmured softly, eyes half-lidded. "She defeated Ikaruga." The sensation was unmistakable, Erza. Her magic was moving upward now straight towards him.
Jellal leaned back slowly against the throne, fingers steepling beneath his chin as his smile widened into something darker. "How nostalgic," he whispered. For a brief moment, memories flickered, two children in shakles… holding shared dreams and the promise of freedom. The image shattered instantly beneath the weight of his ambition.
The tower trembled faintly again,whether from the Kraken, the other guardians' battles, or the strain of magic itself, it didn't matter. Everything was unfolding exactly as it should.
Jellal rose slowly from his throne, his long jacket flowing behind him as he stepped forward toward the edge of the chamber. He could almost see her now in his mind, armor gleaming, blade steady, eyes burning with determination. "…Come, Erza," He said quietly, voice echoing through the hollow space. "Climb." His smile sharpened into something vicious. "I've been waiting."