Tower of Heaven, Lower Middle Floors
The white light started to recede and sound returned to everyone as they all heard the crackle of unstable magic and the faint drip of water. Vision finally cleared as the entire group's eyes readjusted to their new surroundings.
Lucy slowly lowered her arms from over her head. "We're… alive?" As she looked around, she found that the entire tower's structure was changed as the entire floor beneath them gleamed with smooth, luminous crystals from wall to wall.
Yashima looked around as she tightened her grip on her hammer. "What just happened?" She said as her voice carried tension.
"We had just survived something meant to erase a nation." Simon said as he stepped forward with his expression dark.
Gray pushed himself upright, wincing as his ribs protested.His reflection stared back at him from the flawless crystal beneath his boots. "What happened to the tower?"
The tower no longer looked the same as it pulsed faintly under their feet, light traveled through its structure in slow, rhythmic waves, as though the entire tower had become a conduit.
Juvia's eyes were wide as she knelt and pressed her palm cautiously to the floor. "I believe Etherion was fired and was then absorbed into the tower itself."
Yuuka scanned the floor with sharp eyes, guns raised and steady. "So what, did this thing use it as a battery?"
Behind them, Uzume slowly released her grip on her veil as she looked around it while Tamamo lowered her hands as the layered barrier she had erected dissolved into drifting fragments of light. Her ears twitched once as she surveyed their surroundings. 'The density of magic has increased dramatically.'
Lucy swallowed hard. "If Tamamo hadn't reacted fast enough, we would be…"
"Aye… that was way too bright." Happy muttered, fluttering down beside her.
But then the air shifted as a familiar pressure coiled through the floor. Everyone turned as the Kraken stood several meters away, turquoise eyes blazing brighter than before. The spherical water barrier around it collapsed outward in a crashing wave that splattered across the gleaming surface. It then released a horrendous screech, a sound that echoed sharply against the smooth walls.
"It's still here?!" Lucy cried as she flinched with fear.
Gray clenched his jaw and got ready for another fight. "Of course it is."
The Kraken stepped forward slowly, tentacles uncoiling behind its back. The crystal beneath its feet refracted the light around it, making its silhouette sharper and more defined.
Yuuka narrowed her eyes as she noted the new depth of power released by its aura. "Did it get stronger?"
Tamamo nodded once with a sweatdrop. "The tower's transformation has increased the ambient magic. It must be drawing from it."
Simon's fist tightened. "Then we end this now."
The Kraken moved first as without warning it vanished in a burst of displaced water and reappeared behind them.
"Split up!" Yuuka shouted as she jumped back and pointed her revolvers at the monster.
Unfortunately it was too late as a tentacle lashed outward and smashed into the crystal floor, sending razor-sharp shards flying in every direction.
Uzume lunged forward, veil igniting as she wrapped it around one of the tentacles mid-swing. "You're not touching them!"
The limb strained against her hold. The strength behind it forced her boots to slide across the smooth surface as she was dragged back inches at a time.
Gray formed ice instantly under his feet to stabilize himself. "Ice Make: Lance!" A spear formed in his palm and he hurled it point-blank toward the Kraken's torso. The impact struck cleanly but the creature twisted, allowing the weapon to glance off its shoulder instead of piercing deep.
Juvia stepped beside him, eyes locked on the monster. "Water Lock!" A torrent surged from beneath the crystal floor, wrapping around the Kraken's lower body in spiraling restraints.
The creature responded instantly as its own magic surged outward. The water twisted violently, ripping from Juvia's control and dispersing into mist.
Juvia staggered. "It overpowered Juvia's magic…"
Lucy gritted her teeth and gave orders to her personal maid behind her. "Virgo!" Virgo quickly dropped directly onto the Kraken's back, both fists slamming down with crushing force causing the crystal floor to crack beneath the impact.
The Kraken roared and swung a tentacle backward, striking Virgo across the side and launching her across the corridor.
Simon raised his hand surrounded by darkness. "Shadow Bind!" Darkness shot forward in thick bands, wrapping around the Kraken's arms and torso.
For half a second it held but then the creature flexed and the shadows restraints shattered.
Simon's breath caught in his throat. 'It's adapting too fast.'
Yuuka fired as elemental rounds streaked across the floor, ricocheting off crystal walls before converging from multiple angles.
The Kraken shielded its face with crossed forearms, absorbing the hits as sparks of magic burst across its skin.
Tamamo stepped forward, tails fanning behind her. "You have become more troublesome." Cursed flames ignited in both of her palms. The fire was darker now, denser. She thrust both hands forward and the flames shot across the floor in a concentrated stream aimed at the Kraken's body.
The creature responded with a violent surge of water from beneath its feet. The two forces collided and exploded into steam.
Fire and water collided and exploded into blinding steam. The corridor vanished into white.
Lucy coughed. "I can't see!"
"Don't stand still!" Gray barked.
Through the steam, a shape moved and Uzume felt it first. "Above—!"
A tentacle burst downward from the ceiling, aiming straight for Lucy.
Happy reacted instantly, grabbing Lucy by the collar and yanking her backward just as the limb smashed into the crystal where she had stood.
The impact sent fractures racing across the floor.
Yashima roared and charged straight through the thinning steam, hammer raised high. "You're not getting another chance!" She brought it down with everything she had.
This time the blow connected with the Kraken's shoulder and the sound cracked through the corridor as the creature staggered half a step.
Everyone saw it.
Gray's eyes sharpened. "We're finally hurting it!"
The Kraken's head snapped toward Yashima and brought its tentacles flared outward in a wide arc.
"Brace yourselves!" Simon shouted as water blades formed again, sharper and faster than before.
They quickly fired and the crystal floor became a killing field of slicing arcs as everyone tried their best to dodge and escape the attacks.
Juvia dissolved into water to avoid dismemberment. Gray and Akitsu erected an ice barrier and felt the impacts rattle through bone. Yuuka and Yashima dove behind a crystal outcropping as shards detonated around them. Uzume intercepted two blades with her flaming veil, arms trembling under the strain. Lucy stumbled, one blade grazing her shoulder, tearing fabric and drawing blood before Virgo shielded her. Simon dragged Ruby and Happy clear of a near-fatal arc.
Tamamo meanwhile countered with bursts of flame, intercepting several projectiles mid-flight, her eyes then narrowed as the air around her thickened. "Everyone, I have a way to end this." She told her allies. "But I just need some time." She then brought out her mirror andMagic began to spiral inward toward the glass, the reflective surface darkening as power condensed.
One by one, the others nodded. They shifted formation and prepared themselves to give her the time she needed.
The Kraken screeched again and stepped forward, turquoise eyes blazing like twin stars against the radiant crystal floor.
—------------------------------------------------
Tower of Heaven, Top Floor
As sight and sound return in fragments. They felt the crack of the shifting structure and the low vibration beneath their feet.
Issei slowly loosened his wings as Erza was still pressed against his armored chest, one hand gripping his shoulder tightly. Her breathing was uneven, but steady. She became aware of how close they were and slowly looked up at him.
"…We're alive," she said quietly.
Issei exhaled once. "Yeah." He released her and straightened up.
The ritual chamber was gone, the stone floor. the fractured pillars and the engraved runes. All of it had changed.
The entire room now gleamed with crystalline brilliance. Walls, ceiling, floor, everything had become polished Lacrima, glowing faintly as light pulsed from within. Veins of captured Etherion pulsed through the structure in slow, rhythmic waves.
Erza stared at the ground beneath her boots. "The tower… it transformed."
Jellal stood at the center of the ritual circle, untouched. The glow of the lacrima reflected in his eyes. "Yes," He said calmly. "This is the tower's true form."
Issei's gaze sharpened.
"A giant lacrima," Jellal continued. "And with Etherion, the Tower of Heaven, the R-system, is finally complete."
Erza's fists tightened. "How? How did you use the Council?"
Jellal's lips curved faintly. "Thanks to their desperation, Etherion was delivered exactly where I needed it." The crystal beneath their feet pulsed brighter. "The power required to resurrect Zeref has finally been gathered."
Issei stepped forward slightly, red armor humming. "So this was your endgame."
Before Jellal could answer, space distorted behind him, a magic circle ignited and a figure materialized.
Erza's eyes widened as she took note of the familiar face and blue hair. "Siegrain?!"
Issei glanced between them. 'Another one? How many of this guy are there?'
(Don't look at me, partner. I'm as lost as you are.) Ddraig muttered inside his mind.
The blue-haired man, Siegrain adjusted his white clothes calmly, robes flowing around him as if nothing extraordinary had occurred. "Good evening, Erza." He said smoothly with a smile.
Erza stared at him in disbelief. "But you're a Council member and you should be in Era. How and why are you here?"
Siegrain's smile remained steady. "Do you remember our first meeting?"
Erza's breath caught as a memory surfaced, when she was personally summoned to the Magic Council headquarters in Era. She remembered seeing his face for the first time and being shocked, as she couldn't believe how much he resembled Jellal with the same face and the same eyes.
He had calmly stopped her before she could do anything and told her he was Jellal's twin brother. She had believed him as she couldn't believe that Jellal would be able to become a council member considering that he was constructing the Tower of Heaven. "You…" Her jaw tightened. "You infiltrated the Council to fire Etherion."
Siegrain chuckled softly. "You always were perceptive, Erza. Just slightly behind the conclusion."
Erza's eyes hardened as she glared at the two. "I should have realized you would help your brother from the beginning."
"Helping my brother?" Siegrain tilted his head, then laughed lightly. "Oh, but that is where you are mistaken." His expression then shifted. "For there is no brother."
Issei's eyes blinked as he wondered what was going on. 'Okay, now I am so lost.'
(Don't worry, partner. I also am confused and ignorant of what is happening.) Ddraig assured his partner that he wasn't alone.
'What do you think of this, Sherri?' Issei asked the AI.
'I believe he's a clone.' The AI answered.
Siegrain's body began to shimmer. "I am not Jellal's twin," He said calmly. "I am simply his Thought Projection."
Erza froze. "You… are…"
"The one and the same," Siegrain finished.
"Hey What's a Thought Projection?" Issei finally asked out loud as he looked behind Erza.
But before Erza could explain, magic surged violently as Siegrain's form dissolved into streams of light and shot forward, merging directly into Jellal's body.
The chamber then shook as the process was over and Jellal's head lowered, then he inhaled and magic power exploded outward causing Erza to be forced back a step. Even Issei's wings braced instinctively as pressure crashed through the room.
Jellal then lifted his head slowly as his magic had changed. It was deeper and denser than before. "My full power has returned." He said proudly as light gathered around him in clusters, orbiting his body. Energy shimmered across his skin in patterns that resembled constellations.
"Heavenly Body Magic." Jellal said, then raised his hand and the air above him darkened, stars forming in miniature clusters. "With this magic, I can manipulate the energy of celestial bodies," he stated. "Stars. Meteors. The forces that shape the heavens." He gloated as confidence radiated from him, believing he had won.
But then the temperature in the chamber rose from Issei's armor as dragon fire bled outward, rolling across the crystal floor. Issei then calmly stepped fully in front of Jellal. "It doesn't matter," He said with full confidence.
Jellal's eyes then locked onto him with a glare as he felt the Red Dragon Slayer match his power.
"You got your power back? Good for you." Issei's voice hardened. "But nothing's changed." Flames roared brighter around his armored body. "I'm still going to beat you until you're barely breathing." His wings spread wide. "And then you're going to sit down and listen to Erza."
Erza's eyes widened slightly behind him.
Jellal's gaze sharpened. "Very well." He said as more magic ignited around him. "Meteor." Light wrapped around his body like a cloak then he vanished as a sonic burst cracked the crystal floor where he had stood.
Issei reacted instantly as the thrusters on his back flared to life and his wings snapped downward, launching him upward just as Jellal reappeared above him.
They collided mid-air as a fist met forearm with the impact detonating a shockwave that fractured the surrounding crystal walls.
Jellal then shot past him in a streak of light and Issei twisted in mid-air, thrusters roaring as he gave chase. Their movements blurred across the chamber, streaks of red and gold colliding repeatedly in violent bursts.
Jellal struck first this time as a kick aimed at Issei's ribs landed.
But Issei blocked it with his gauntlet and countered with a punch that grazed Jellal's jaw, forcing him back.
'He's got a lot faster,' Issei noted. 'But not to the point of being untouchable.'
Jellal rose higher into the air. "Grand Chariot." Seven massive Magic Seals materialized behind him in a precise formation. They aligned instantly, connecting in a radiant constellation.
Erza's eyes widened. "Issei, move!"
The seals then fired as seven beams of concentrated light crashed downward in synchronized formation.
(BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST!)
"Dragon Shot!" Issei fired multiple compressed spheres of draconic energy directly into the descending beams.
The multiple red energy beams tore upward through the blasts with each collision exploding violently, canceling the celestial blasts in mid-air and causing crystals to rained down from above.
Jellal narrowed his eyes. "Pleiades." Six rays of concentrated starlight formed above Issei and descended one after another in rapid succession.
Issei clenched his fist. (BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! TRANSFER!) Power surged through him as he redirected the energy into reinforcement, pushing it into his armor and muscles.
The first ray struck but his armor groaned but held. The second and third followed instantly. But he then drove forward through them, flames erupting outward as he forced his body upward against the assault.
By the time the sixth ray struck, he had already broken through the barrage.
Jellal's eyes widened slightly.
Issei raised both arms. (BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST!) He then compressed the accumulated power inward as Dragon Slayer flames spiraled around him violently. "Hellfire Emperor Burst!" He thrust both hands upward as the fire detonated. A massive fiery shockwave exploded outward, engulfing the chamber in red-gold inferno causing the crystal walls to crack under the pressure.
Unfortunately Jellal vanished at the last second using Meteor, but not fast enough as the edge of the explosion caught him and he was blasted across the floor, slamming hard into a crystalline pillar that shattered on impact.
Smoke filled the air as Jellal fell and dropped to one knee, cloak burned and skin scorched along his arm and side. He exhaled slowly through clenched teeth.
Above him, Issei hovered, wings extended, armor glowing intensely.
Erza stood below, staring upward as her heart pounded as she took note that Issei was meeting Jellal head-on, matching and overpowering him. 'He's… incredible.'
Jellal slowly rose again, eyes burning with renewed focus. The battle was far from finished and the tower pulsed brighter with every passing second.
—----------------------------------------------------
Tower of Heaven, Upper Middle Floors
Natsu groaned as he rolled onto his back. "…Ow." His head throbbed and his body felt heavy as a piece of Lacrima fell and hit him while he rested from his fight.
Dust drifted through the air around him as fragments of crystal continued to fall from the damaged corridor. The hole he had blasted through the tower during his earlier fight still stretched downward through several levels.
As Natsu finally woke up, he blinked as he took in his new surroundings. "…Huh?"
The floor beneath him no longer looked like stone. The walls had changed as well. Everything gleamed with a faint blue glow.
He pushed himself up from where he had been resting and looked around, nose twitching. The stone corridors were gone, replaced with smooth blue crystals that pulsed faintly with flowing yellow light beneath its surface.
"What happened to the tower?" Natsu questioned as this place didn't look like this a few minutes ago.
(I can't believe you fell asleep in enemy territory.) Igneel's voice rumbled inside him, edged with irritation.
"I wasn't sleeping!" Natsu snapped back. "I was resting! Plus I was so tired after beating that sand monster!"
(A warrior rests after victory. Not in the middle of a cursed structure.) Igneel nagged at his son.
Natsu scowled but then his expression shifted as he felt it, magic. And not just any magic. A massive buildup of pressure swelling from below and above him, flowing through the tower like blood through veins.
His eyes then widened. "There's a lot of magic in here now…"
(Yes. I can feel it.) Igneel's voice grew more serious and then went silent for a moment. (Hmph. From above… the young prince is fighting someone insignificant.)
Natsu scratched his cheek, confused. "Prince? …Oh, you mean Issei." Natsu then grinned. "Bet he's punching someone really hard."
(Below,) Igneel continued, ignoring him. (Are the prince's wives… your companions… and your mate… are fighting another insignificant creature.)
Natsu froze. "…Lucy's below me?" The answer was obvious from the pull in his chest. He didn't hesitate as he made his decision of where to go. "I'm going to help."
But before he pivoted toward the corridor leading down, the tower shook, hard.
The entire structure vibrated as a deep pulse of magic surged upward from below and then the crystalline walls flared red for half a second.
And then Natsu felt it and his expression changed.. "…No way."
(You idiot.) Igneel growled—a deep, rumbling sound filled with restrained anger. (I told you to destroy the monster's core.)
Natsu's jaw tightened. "I destroyed it! You saw what happened! The Black Sand Knight was gone!"
(Clearly not!) Igneel snapped. (If you had destroyed the core, we would not be feeling this. And worse…) The pressure intensified as if the magic was growing. (It's somehow becoming stronger.)
Natsu clenched his fists. "Then that's fine," He said, flames flickering faintly around his knuckles. "I'll just beat him again."
There was a pause.
For once, Igneel didn't immediately respond. (You are exhausted.) The dragon finally said, voice low with concern. (And this presence is far denser than before.)
But Natsu didn't care as he was already moving. He leapt and jumped down toward the massive hole he had blasted open during his earlier battle. As wind rushed past him as he fell through the tower's interior and several floors blurred past him.
As he descended, something caught his attention. "…Huh?"
The blue glow of the Lacrima walls had begun to change, red that spread upward through it like infection through glass. The blue glow was being devoured from within.
"…You've gotta be kidding me." He said as he continued to fall as the red wasn't stopping and was spreading, trying to claim the entire structure. Natsu then narrowed his eyes as he continued falling. "…That can't be good."
Floor after floor passed as Natsu dropped deeper toward the base of the tower until he twisted midair and slammed into the ground in a crouch, crystal shattering beneath his sandals.
Natsu straightened and looked forward. "…Whoa."
The chamber was enormous and in front of him stood a colossal pillar of glowing red Lacrima, stretching upward beyond sight. It pulsed violently, as if it had a heartbeat. And embedded within the center of that pillar was a deeper red jewel.
Natsu's eyes sharpened. "That's it." Flames quickly ignited around him as he didn't wait. "Fire Dragon—" He was about to launch himself forward in a burst of fire, fist cocked back, aiming straight for the jewel. But before he could throw the punch, the entire tower convulsed and the red jewel pulsed. Once. Twice. Then it opened like a burning eye and a shockwave exploded outward as the pillar flared brighter and something inside the jewel moved.
Igneel's voice dropped into a dangerous growl. (Guess it has woken up as well.)
The red light intensified and the monster's core came alive.
—----------------------------
Tower of Heaven, Lower Middle Floors
The crystalline floor shook with the sounds of battle as water crashed against ice. Metal struck flesh and magic detonated in rapid bursts that illuminated the glowing lacrima walls.
The humanoid Kraken stood in the center of the shattered floor, towering over the scattered group. Tentacles writhed from its back while water swirled around its limbs. Its turquoise eyes burned with intelligence and hostility.
Around it, the combined forces of Fairy Tail and Issei's companions struggled to hold the line as Gray slid across the crystal floor and slammed his hands down. "Ice Make: Greatsword!" A massive ice greatsword formed above his head and was swung down.
At the same time Yashima roared and swung her own weapon as it pulsed with magic empowering the hammer. "Gravity Press!"
Both weapons struck at once but two tentacles shot forward and blocked the strikes. The tentacles then flexed as it this time released water magic at point-blank.
Gray's eyes widened. "Seriously?!"
The Kraken's water blast was then slammed forward as it exploded on contact and sent Gray across the room and smashed into the wall.
"Gray!" Lucy shouted.
Another tentacle lashed sideways toward Yashima. But Akistu quickly created a wall of ice that stopped the impact.
Uzume then decided to fight it up close after being enhanced by Ruby's magic as a dance of tentacles and her veil were thrown at each other and then a series of punches and kicks were exchanged were it ended with a blow to the face that sent Uzume back as her feet slid across the floor.
Yuuka used the opening as it released multiple elemental bullets. "Take this!" The blasts fired in rapid succession and struck the Kraken's torso.
Simon followed immediately. Dark energy gathered around his hands. "Darkness Burst!" Black beams shot forward and exploded against the monster's chest.
Juvia raised both arms. "Water Slicer!" A wave surged forward and slammed into the Kraken.
They weren't finished as Virgo threw a massive piece of Lacrima towards the monster and Akitsu and Gray formed an absurd amount of stalactites that were launched down and rained over where the monster was.
The corridor filled with steam and debris and for a moment, everyone watched. Then the mist cleared and the Kraken stood completely unharmed as it used it's tentacles to destroy everything that was sent its way. It then slowly turned its head and its gaze landed on them.
Lucy felt her stomach sink. "…It didn't even notice."
The Kraken's tentacle snapped forward.
"Watch out!" Happy yelled.
Yuuka barely had time to react before the tentacle slammed toward her.
But Uzume yanked it downward with a shout. "I said no!"
The impact cracked the floor beside them.
Lucy quickly commanded Virgo to join the assault again. "Virgo, go!"
"Yes my princess." Virgo says with a polite bow and then reappears directly in front of the Kraken and drove a fist to its stomach.
Juvia, Yuuka and Akistu seized the opportunity.
"Water Geyser!" A column of water exploded upward beneath the Kraken and hurled it across the corridor.
"Ice Make: Spears" Multiple spears of ice were created and were thrown as the monster was flying.
"Inferno Barrage" A sustained volley of fire-infused rounds were shot out of Yuuka's twin revolvers.
The creature crashed into the wall but then its tentacles quickly reacted and destroyed all the incoming spears and bullets.
The Kraken raised its arms and water condensed around its tentacles as the liquid compressed into razor-thin blades.
Simon's eyes widened as he recognized the attack from before. "Everyone move!"
The blades fired and the floor erupted with slicing arcs of water.
Uzume ducked under one. Yuuka rolled across the floor. Happy grabbed Lucy and yanked her backward. Gray slid under another blade while forming a shield of ice.
Even with the chaos surrounding them, one thing remained constant. Tamamo stood in the back as her mirror floated before her as magic gathered around her in slow, steady waves.
It is then that the Kraken finally noticed as its turquoise eyes shifted toward the fox woman.
Yuuka saw the change instantly. "Oh no."
The monster began pushing forward but Gray jumped in its path.
"Ice Make: Lance!" A volley of ice lances struck its chest.
Simon followed with another darkness blast. Uzume slammed her weapon into its side. Yashima charged from the opposite direction.
They forced the creature back and the Kraken roared in frustration as it smashed Gray into the ground, launched Simon into a pillar and knocked Uzume and Yashima across the corridor.
But every time it created distance they came back as Gray staggered up again, blood on his lip. "You're not getting past us."
Akitsu started to create obstacles for the monster as it smashed through them one by one. Yuuka fired another volley. Simon dragged himself upright. Uzume planted her weapon back into the floor.
Even exhausted, they continued attacking until the Kraken's patience snapped as Water began gathering around its hands and tentacles. A massive sphere of compressed water formed in front of it.
Lucy's face went pale. "That's… bad."
The sphere elongated and condensed as a devastating water laser began forming.
Gray clenched his fists. "We can't block that…"
Yuuka swallowed as she tried to shoot more bullets but came out empty. "We're out of magic…"
As the laser expanded and grew, everyone braced themselves for what was to come.
Then Tamamo spoke. "Do not worry." She said calmly. All of them quickly turned as Tamamo opened her eyes. The mirror in front of her flared with brilliant light. "I am ready."
The mirror finished charging and Tamamo raised it high as light erupted across the chamber with the mirror releasing a radiant wave that spread across the floor.
"Eightfold Blessings of Amaterasu." Golden circles formed around Tamamo, then dozens of glowing ofuda appeared and began orbiting her finally massive torii gates manifested in the air around the battlefield as divine power flooded the floor.
Tamamo stepped into the center of the formation. "On the Weight Stone under the Sunlit Watery Heavens."
Light poured down through the gates and into her body until the exhausted fighters suddenly felt warmth spreading through them.
Gray blinked. "…Huh?" He said confused as his bruises faded and his magic surged back.
Lucy gasped. "My injuries… they're gone!"
Juvia touched her arm in disbelief. "Juvia feels… refreshed."
Uzume rolled her shoulders. "My strength came back."
Simon stared at his hands and Ruby looked around in confusion. "What is happening?"
Yuuka answered calmly as she remembered what Sakura and Issei told her. "Tamamo is about to stop holding back for a bit"
The members of Fairy Tail quickly stared at her. "…What?"
Yuuka pointed toward the fox woman standing within the gates of light. "She's releasing her true power."
Lucy looked back at Tamamo. "…True power?"
Yuuka nodded. "In our world she is, I guess you can say the avatar of the sun goddess."
Gray blinked. "…You're joking."
Virgo quietly stepped beside Lucy as her eyes remained fixed on Tamamo. "No."
Everyone turned toward her.
Virgo nodded respectfully. "The divine aura is unmistakable."
The Kraken finally fired as the massive water laser erupted forward.
Lucy and Juvia screamed in fear and terror. But the beam stopped as it halted completely just meters away from the group as the attack could not pass the divine barrier surrounding Tamamo's formation.
The Kraken tried to push more power into the beam but it failed. Then the floor ignited as pink flames spread across the crystal ground.
The fire then gathered around the monster and the Kraken panicked as water surged wildly around it as it attempted to extinguish the flames. Unfortunately for it, nothing worked as the pink fire climbed its body as its tentacles burned and the monster screamed and thrashed violently.
But the flames only grew stronger as Tamamo watched calmly. "Return to silence." The fire consumed the creature entirely and the Kraken's form collapsed. Within seconds, nothing remained.
The flames then faded, the torii gates vanished, the ofuda dissolved into light and the corridor fell silent as everyone stood frozen.
Lucy stared at Tamamo. Gray rubbed the back of his head. "…Okay."
Simon blinked several times. Happy floated in the air with wide eyes. "Did we just watch a goddess burn that thing alive?"
No one answered as they simply stared at the fox woman in stunned disbelief.
—------------------------------------------
Tower of Heaven, Top Floor
The battle between Issei and Jellal continued without pause as red flames and celestial light tore through the crystal chamber as Issei and Jellal clashed again and again in the air above the shattered ritual floor. Each collision sent shockwaves rippling through the lacrima walls.
Jellal shot forward in a streak of golden light. "Meteor!"
His kick lashed toward Issei's ribs but Issei raised his gauntlet and blocked the strike with the impact cracking the air.
Before Jellal could pull back, Issei countered as his flaming fist drove forward and slammed into Jellal's shoulder causing Jellal to feel incredible pain and spin through the air before recovering with a burst of magic and rising higher.
Throughout the fight Jellal's breathing had grown heavier. His robes were burned and torn. Blood ran down the side of his face.
Across from him, Issei hovered steadily as his red armor glowed intensely and flames continued to leak from the seams of the Scale Mail.
Inside the helmet, Issei frowned. 'He's getting sloppy.'
(Indeed. Seems this fight is almost over.) Ddraig agreed, a bit bored.
Another exchange followed as Jellal fired beams of celestial energy and Issei blasted them apart with Dragon Shots.
Jellal descended with a barrage of kicks which Issei blocked two and answered with a punch that grazed his jaw.
Every exchange ended the same way with Jellal losing ground and being unable to destroy the armor surrounding Issei as his frustration continued to build.
"How…?" Jellal growled under his breath. Every spell he cast. Every technique he used. Issei countered them. And every few seconds—
(BOOST!)
The power inside Issei grew stronger.
Jellal clenched his fists. 'His power keeps increasing…' Another surge of magic erupted from him as he created distance. "Fine." Four different magic circles formed around Jellal, Fire, Wind, Water, Earth. Energy from each element gathered together above his palm.
The pressure in the chamber intensified.
Erza's eyes widened from the floor below. "That spell…"
Jellal's voice rang out. "Abyss Break!" The four elements began merging into a devastating sphere of destruction.
Issei's eyes narrowed. "Oh no you don't." His wings snapped downward and the thrusters on his back roared as he vanished. "Flaming Dragon Fist!" Issei roared.
Jellal barely had time to react before a flaming dragon appeared in front of him and smashed into Jellal's face with the impact detonated in mid-air causing his spell to collapse instantly and Jellal crashing into the crystal floor below as fragments of lacrima exploded outward.
For a moment the chamber went silent.
Jellal finally slowly pushed himself up from the crater as blood dripped from his mouth and his vision blurred.
Across the room, Issei landed lightly as his wings folded slightly behind him. "Just stop and give up." Issei said calmly as Jellal glared at him. "You already lost and there's no point in this anymore. Nothing you throw at me is working."
(BOOST!) The armor pulsed again as his power increased..
"I'm stronger than you." He pointed at Jellal. "So make this easier for both of us." His voice hardened. "And surrender."
The words echoed across the chamber.
"Give up this stupid plan." Issei tilted his head toward Erza. "And sit down and talk to her."
Behind him, Erza stared at Jellal as her hands trembled slightly. "Jellal…"
For a moment something flickered in his eyes then it vanished.
"You fool!" Jellal roared as dark magic exploded around him. "I am Zeref's servant!" His aura surged violently. "I cannot lose!"
Erza flinched as her voice came out quietly. "…Why?" Her eyes were filled with pain. "What happened to you?"
But Jellal refused to look at her.
Issei sighed. "Alright." He cracked his knuckles. "If talking won't work…" Flames flared around him again. "…I'll just knock the idiot out."
Jellal's breathing steadied. Then suddenly he smiled. "Not yet." He said as he raised his wrist.
Issei's eyes shifted as he took note of the black bracelet resting there.
Jellal looked at it. "I still have one more move."
Issei frowned as something about the object felt familiar. 'Where have I seen that before?'
"Master." Sherri's voice spoke inside his mind.
'Yeah?'
"That bracelet." A memory surfaced. The Titan Fall operative. The monster horde. Ruby's hometown Sunflower. "It is the same device used by the Titan Fall member during the monster invasion."
Issei's eyes widened. 'You're serious?'
"Yes. That item must be what allowed him to control the monsters that attacked you."
Issei quickly connected the pieces. "So that's how you were controlling them…"
Jellal activated the bracelet and the device glowed dark red but then for one brief moment nothing happened.
And everyone stared at the device wondering what changed even Jellal. Then the entire tower reacted as the Lacrima walls shifted color and the blue crystal turned deep crimson as the entire structure trembled.
Jellal froze. "…What?"
The tower began to shake violently as cracks spread across the massive Lacrima walls and energy surged through the structure uncontrollably.
Jellal looked around in shock. "My tower…" The vibrations intensified as pieces of the chamber began collapsing. "This… this isn't possible!"
Issei looked up and noticed that the ceiling was splitting apart, through the widening fractures, the evening sky became visible. 'Oh crap.'
The entire tower was breaking apart.
Without hesitation, Issei launched forward as his wings flared wide. He then appeared in front of Erza and grabbed her around the waist. "Hold on!" The thrusters ignited and he pulled her into the air just as the floor beneath them collapsed.
Crystal shards rained downward. Entire sections of the tower tore away.
Erza looked around in shock as the sky opened above them. "The tower…" Her voice trembled. "…it's falling apart."
Below them, the crimson lacrima continued spreading upward through the structure.
Jellal stood alone on the crumbling floor as his eyes were wide with disbelief. "My… Tower of Heaven…" His life's work, his grand design was breaking apart before his eyes.