Chapter 61: Return of the Phantom Wizard, The Unbroken Bond (2)
While everyone else was out fighting, Levy stayed behind at the guild to care for Master Makarov and the unconscious Bisca, praying desperately that the others could succeed in stopping Laxus.
She wanted to fight too, but someone had to remain behind to watch over Makarov and Bisca. So Levy had no choice but to devote herself to deciphering Freed's rune barrier and sending out Natsu and Gajeel in her place.
She longed to be of more help in defeating Laxus, but she knew it was better to provide support from here rather than recklessly throwing herself into battle when she wasn't strong enough.
That's what Levy told herself as she waited anxiously for news.
"Thunder Palace... lacrima filled with lightning covering the city... Judgment of the Thunder God... Only five minutes left until it activates... Is Laxus really going through with this...?"
To Levy, who had known Laxus since childhood, he was always a bit rough around the edges—harsh, even—but deep down he was someone who looked out for everyone.
Things began to change after Shiel's death, but even so, Levy couldn't believe he had fallen this far.
Yet the truth was undeniable. The die had been cast.
She could no longer defend him.
By holding the townspeople hostage to his ambition, Laxus had crossed a line. He had to be stopped.
"Still... we'll be fine. We have Erza and Natsu, and Gajeel too... oh, and Mystogan—and that other person, whoever he was..."
It was the worst-case scenario, but even so, they still had Erza and Mystogan, both S-Class, and Natsu and Gajeel, who were strong enough to fight on par with them. There was also that mysterious fifth participant...
Levy pressed her hands together in prayer, hoping those four would be the hope that stopped Laxus.
It was then, as she prayed, that the guild's doors opened.
A short old woman with flowing pink hair stepped inside, accompanied by a man.
"Who's here... at a time like this?"
"Where's Makarov?"
"Porlyusica?! And that man beside you—what?!"
Levy's eyes widened. The one who entered was none other than Porlyusica, Makarov's personal physician and old acquaintance. But what shocked Levy even more was the man walking at her side.
"This has to be a lie... how... how is this possible...?!"
"I asked you—where is Makarov?"
"Th-the infirmary... in the back..."
"Hmph."
"W-wait, you can't just—!!"
"Levy, we already know the Master's condition. That's why we came here. Lead the way."
"You're... talking...? I'm not hallucinating, am I? This isn't some puppet someone made like before...?"
"I stand before you as I am."
Levy clutched the man's hand tightly.
Warmth.
A steady pulse.
Her eyes went wide, her jaw falling slack in utter disbelief.
....
Meanwhile, at a dried-up stream in southeastern Magnolia—
Mirajane supported Elfman as they slowly made their way back to the guild.
"Sis... you don't have to... that's enough..."
"I told you, I can walk by myself..."
"No... I couldn't do anything back there... At the very least, let me do this much for you..."
Elfman was ashamed. Ashamed that he couldn't protect his sister, ashamed that he was the one being supported.
But Mirajane felt the same way.
She, too, had been powerless. She had been taken hostage, unable to protect her brother—and now, she was making him suffer.
At the very least, Mirajane wanted to shoulder her brother's burden in this small way.
The siblings, both carrying guilt for one another, kept walking forward together—until suddenly, the stone bridge above them collapsed, and a bloodied Cana came tumbling down.
Standing on the shattered remains of the bridge, sword in hand, was Freed, glaring down coldly at her.
"Freed! Damn it... of all times...!"
"Take it back...! Take back what you said to Juvia! Take back calling her the Phantom Lord woman! Ugh... hhhk!!"
"Cana!"
"What's going on?!"
Those were her last words before she coughed up blood and collapsed unconscious at their feet.
Unable to bear it, Elfman turned toward Freed, fury blazing in his eyes, and charged.
But Freed looked at him with the same disdainful, insect-crushing gaze he had given Cana.
"So, you're next, Elfman? ... But you already lost to Evergreen. You don't have the right to return to this game."
"Shut up!!"
"Stop this, Freed! We're comrades!" Mirajane screamed.
Freed closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them again, his voice chillingly calm.
"We once were. But in this game, meant to reshape the guild, that concept has already been shattered. Laxus's enemy is my enemy."
With that, Freed's blade slashed across Elfman's chest, inscribing runes into his flesh.
One of Freed's eyes had already turned pitch-black, gleaming like that of a demon.
"No defeated player may reenter the game. Those who break this rule will suffer fates worse than death. Dark Écriture: Pain."
"Ghhk...!! W-what is this?! My whole body's... cracking...!!"
The runes carved into him seared reality itself, and Elfman's body writhed in agony. Each step forward only twisted his limbs further, crushing his fighting spirit under unbearable torment.
Staggering toward Freed, his screams tearing through the air, the response he got was merciless:
"The runes become your reality. Your senses are bound to my words."
"Ughhh!! Ghhhahhhhhh!!!"
"Elfman!!"
"Dark Écriture: Fear!"
"GYAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!"
Helpless under the onslaught, Elfman's will to fight was stripped away as Freed continued to carve spell after spell into him.
"Stop it, Freed! He can't fight anymore!" Mirajane cried, her voice breaking.
"Dark Écriture: Anguish!"
"Please, Freed! I'll do anything you want, just stop!!"
"Dark Écriture... Pain! Pain! Pain! Pain! Pain! Pain! PAIN!"
"Ghhkkk—AAAGGHHHHHHHHH!!"
"PAIN! PAIN! PAIN! PAIN!"
"GGHHHAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!"
"NO!!"
Mirajane's anguished screams mixed with Elfman's tortured cries and Freed's relentless chanting, echoing through the ruins like a nightmare that would not end.
For a long time, Freed had continued his onslaught, until at last he steadied his stance again, preparing to carve a new rune into the staggering Elfman.
"Dark Écriture... Extinction."
At that word, Mirajane's eyes went wide, her focus snapping.
Extinction.
If that rune were carved into Elfman's body, his life would end instantly.
The word alone triggered a flood of memories rushing like a revolving lantern through Mirajane's mind.
Lisanna, lost when she couldn't stop Elfman's rampage.
Ciel, who had returned only briefly, only to vanish again before her eyes.
And now, the vision of three gravestones clearly etched into her thoughts.
Mirajane realized, deep in her heart, that she could no longer simply stand by and watch her family die.
And with that, her heart reached its breaking point—becoming the spark for yet another awakening.
"Wh-what... what is this magic power?!"
"A-ahhh... aaahhhh..."
"Mirajane?!"
The moment Freed was about to deliver his final strike to Elfman, he froze, feeling the overwhelming surge of magical power, and turned toward its source.
With a piercing cry, the ground shattered—and there stood Mirajane, her body transforming, releasing her true strength.
"AAAAAAAAGHHHHHHHHHH!!!"
"Kh—?!"
Her body was cloaked in demonic scales and markings, sigils of darkness burned across her face and thighs, her attire shifting into something otherworldly.
A woman who now embodied the very essence of a demon.
The former S-Class wizard of Fairy Tail, The Demon, Mirajane Strauss, had awakened her full Satan Soul.
Freed recoiled at the sight. He spread the wings of his runes to escape.
"Dark Écriture: Wings—GAH?!"
"...I'll kill you."
Before he could flee, Mirajane closed the distance with terrifying speed, striking him down from the sky.
The impact slammed Freed into the ground with brutal force. Coughing blood, he dragged his body back upright, shaken.
This was power of a completely different league.
A hidden powerhouse of Fairy Tail, whom he had thought he would never face again.
Freed clenched his teeth.
"As expected... The Demon Mirajane—on par with Erza... you're nothing like the others. There's no choice but to use the forbidden means. Demon against demon... Dark Écriture: Darkness!"
With that, Freed inscribed runes into his own flesh, transforming his body into a demonic form to match Mirajane, and the two collided with fists that shook the air.
After several thunderous blows, Freed managed to hurl Mirajane into the river.
But Mirajane rose again, one hand seizing the waters themselves, twisting them into a massive vortex that surged upward.
The spiraling blades of water engulfed Freed mid-flight, binding him. And within that storm, Mirajane unleashed a sphere of condensed magic, hurling it directly into his chest.
A massive explosion of light erupted across the eastern district of Magnolia, the blast illuminating everything as Freed's body was hurled back to the ground.
Crashing down, Freed's body trembled with terror.
There was no way he could win.
This was the true power of The Demon Mirajane.
Pinned beneath her, staring up at her raised fist, Freed felt death itself looming as she prepared to deliver the final blow.
"...."
"...Huh?"
But what came next was not what he expected.
Mirajane did not strike.
Instead, she released her Satan Soul, her demonic form dissolving away, leaving only her gentle face.
She looked down at Freed—not with hatred—but with the gaze of someone who saw a broken comrade.
As though to say she could never bring herself to truly destroy him.
"This fight... it's so meaningless."
"Is that the arrogance of the victor, Mirajane...? Finish it already..."
"We're comrades... guildmates. We laugh together, talk together... walk together..."
"Sh-shut up! My only comrade is Laxus!"
"Relying on just one person isn't wrong. I used to live leaning on Ciel... maybe I still do. He's still the one who keeps me going... But..."
Freed didn't want to hear her words.
He had sworn his loyalty to Laxus. His comrades were Laxus and the Thunder God Tribe alone.
And yet... Mirajane's words were making cracks in that resolve.
If he kept listening, his true feelings buried deep inside would spill out.
"But look around you—you're surrounded by people. People are always connected to one another."
"...."
He tried to shut his ears and close his heart, but Mirajane's gentle voice and her warm hand reached through to him. His eyes burned red with tears.
"See? If you reach out your hand, they're right here... When you realize being alone is painful, you learn to be kind. And you already know that."
"Ughh... hic... I didn't... I never wanted to do this..."
"Mm. I know."
He never wanted this.
He admired and followed Laxus, but he didn't want to see his guildmates hurt.
The burden of his choice weighed heavier than he could bear. He had made his comrades fight, injured those who had welcomed him as family.
Wracked with guilt, Freed broke down, sobbing like a child seeking his mother's embrace.
Mirajane smiled softly, stroking his head.
"Next year, let's all enjoy the Harvest Festival together."
"Hic... uuuuhhh... aaahhhh...."
"...."
"You really are impossible."
Cana and Elfman, who had followed after their clash, let out weary, relieved smiles at the sight of Freed collapsing into Mirajane's arms.
And with that, all of Laxus's Thunder God Tribe had been defeated.
....
Kardia Cathedral.
With only four minutes left before Fairy Law's Judgment was set to activate, the place was on the brink of becoming hell itself—thanks to the arrival of Hepsiel.
"W-what... what the hell is that thing?!"
"Uweeehhk! I... I can't stop puking!!"
"Natsu! Pull yourself together!"
"Mystogan! You're telling me that thing is who we have to fight?!"
"A-ahh... n-nooo..."
As everyone recoiled in horror, Hepsiel descended gracefully from the coffin, every motion exaggerated with elegance.
"My my~♥ Such cute little boys and darling girls~♥"
"...."
"How could you all be soooo cute~ ANG~♥"
With a moan mixed with excitement, Hepsiel stepped closer to Mystogan.
Overcome by the strange, uncanny aura pouring off the celestial spirit, Mystogan panicked and unleashed every spell at his disposal.
All his fury—being tricked by Ciel, the humiliation of dragging that coffin all the way here, and now this bizarre spirit closing in—was poured into a storm of magic.
The blast shattered every tile of the cathedral floor, filling the air with thick clouds of dust.
Watching, Erza trembled in awe at Mystogan's true strength.
Spirits don't die... she thought. But with an attack that devastating, he should've been forced back to the Spirit World.
"Wh-what...?!"
"Ahh~ Aaahhh♥ I think I'm addicted....♥ More... m-more, it's so good~ Aahhh!♥"
"You're... you're fine?!"
The one they thought obliterated posed in a seductive gravure stance, cheeks flushed, eyes fixed on Mystogan.
"What an intense approach~♥ Oooh, I nearly went light~♥"
"S-stay away from me...!!"
"Kyahhh~♥ You're so cute~♥"
Hepsiel kept advancing, and Mystogan stumbled backward, tripping over his own cloak and falling.
Seizing the moment, Hepsiel's massive, muscular frame loomed over him. His hand clamped Mystogan's face, pressing it against his sweat-drenched chest as Mystogan screamed in horror.
But to Hepsiel, this was nothing less than a hymn of love.
"Let me grant you happiness~♥ Oooohhh~"
"GGghhHHhhRRaaAAhhHHhHHhHHh!!!!"
With a final cry, Mystogan's lips were caught, smothered by Hepsiel's black-rose lips in a deep, suffocating kiss.
Mystogan thrashed for a few seconds... then his strength drained away. Limp and helpless, he collapsed to the floor.
The sight left Laxus, Erza, and Natsu drenched in cold sweat.
"M-my god... he's terrifying..."
"I've never met an opponent this strong... or this horrifying to even fight..."
"Hepsiel... what a monstrous spirit..."
Turning his sights next toward Laxus, Hepsiel licked his lips and strode forward.
Laxus stiffened, his face grim, as every bolt of lightning he hurled vanished against an unseen barrier.
Each surge of electricity only drew moans of ecstasy from the spirit.
"Ahhh~♥ So soft, so good... ooohhh..."
"Die! I said DIE!!"
"Aaahhh~♥ No, young master... if you keep giving me such shocking gifts... I won't be able to hold back any longer~♡♥♡♥♡♥"
"W-what the hell is this?!"
Despair seized Laxus as every attack failed, and the looming terror stepped right up to his face.
Am I... going to end up like Mystogan?
Who would dare summon such a monster into this world?!
Laxus swallowed hard, throat dry, unable to tear his eyes from the abomination's smile.
And then—
"Oh my, this isn't the time. I'd love to share my love, but my darling master is calling me right now~♥ I must be on my way~♥"
"W-what…?"
"Which one of you is this Mystogan boy?"
"M-Mystogan? He's the one you just defeated, but…"
"Oh my, then he can't hear the message in this condition."
Hepsiel hoisted Mystogan up and, with unhurried steps, made his way toward the cathedral's exit.
"One day, when we meet again, I'll share happiness with you as well~♥"
With those words, he vanished from the cathedral, taking Mystogan with him.
Erza tilted her head, baffled, unable to comprehend what had just happened.
At that moment, a bolt of lightning crashed down at her.
"Uwaaaahhh!!"
"Erza!"
"What are you lost in thought for? That weirdo's gone. Now, face me!"
"Kh!"
Struck by the lightning, Erza collapsed. Natsu pointed at Laxus furiously.
"Laxus! I told you I'd be the one to fight you, you bastard!"
"Hm? You were still here, Natsu?"
"Fight me, Laxus!!"
Natsu charged, fists blazing, straight at him. Laxus only reached out a hand, sending him flying back with a bolt of lightning, eyes filled with disdain.
"Your brainless stubbornness is getting tiresome. Begone, small fry!"
"Ghhk!!"
"Natsu, are you okay?!"
"Erza!"
Natsu, knocked away, was caught midair by Erza, who had risen again clad in the Black Bull Armor.
Forcing herself to forget Mystogan's fate, Erza focused on the greater threat and demanded answers from Laxus.
"What's that floating in the sky, Laxus?!"
"Thunder Palace… surely you've heard of it."
"You're planning to strike the city itself?!"
"Hahaha!! A new rule! Honestly, it breaks my heart too."
"You bastard!"
"Two minutes left. You'll never destroy Thunder Palace. Each lacrima is bound with bio-link magic—if you destroy one, the damage rebounds directly onto you."
"What?! You cowardly fiend!"
Trading blows with him, Erza shifted armors—summoning the Armor of Lightning Empress, resistant against thunder.
There was no choice. Unless Laxus was defeated, there was no way forward.
As she prepared herself, Natsu stepped up in front of her with a grin.
"You're getting along pretty well with Laxus, huh? But leave this guy to me!"
"..."
"..."
"I can trust you, can't I?"
"Eh?! Where are you going… Don't tell me—you're heading for Thunder Palace?!"
"Hahaha!! What a waste of effort! Destroy even one, and it's life or death! There are 300 lacrima floating above right now! And time's almost up!"
Laxus sneered, but Erza dashed outside with grim determination.
"I'll destroy them all at once."
"Impossible! Even if you succeed, you'll die!"
"But the city will be saved! Natsu, stop Laxus!"
"You… You're going to break the rules of the game?!"
As Erza's eyes flashed with resolve, Natsu shed his childish grin. Looking at her with rare seriousness, he shouted:
"Can I trust you too, Erza?"
"...Yes."
"It's not about success or failure! What matters is that you come back alive!"
Hearing Natsu's cry, Erza nodded once and sprinted out of the cathedral.
Her life had been saved countless times by her partner and comrades. She would not throw it away so recklessly.
"Natsu… Move aside!"
"I'll be the one to take you down."
"You brat…!"
With Erza gone, the cathedral became the stage for Natsu and Laxus's battle.
....
"Haa… haa… 198… 199…"
Clad in her Heaven's Wheel Armor, Erza pushed her magic to the limit, trying to summon every weapon she had.
But despite the enormous drain of energy, only 200 blades floated at her command.
She needed 100 more to destroy them all at once.
"Kh… I can't sustain any more magic… and time is running out…"
Her knees buckled. Forcing herself upright, she focused her breath and tried to summon another blade.
But the moment one more sword appeared, her balance collapsed and she fell backward.
The summoned weapons flickered out of existence.
Only 1 minute 30 seconds remained until Thunder Palace would unleash its judgment.
And she—who had told Natsu to trust her—had achieved nothing.
How pathetic.
"Kufufufu…"
As her eyes closed and her body gave way, a gentle hand wrapped around her waist, catching her before she hit the ground.
Along with that warmth came a familiar laugh—and a sweet scent she had known all too well.
Erza's eyes shot open, lifting her gaze.
"If you collapse here, the title of Titania—the Fairy Queen—will be in tears."
"You… you're…?!"
Bathed in sunlight, hair tied back in a brilliant bluish-black sheen, stood a man with kind, gentle features and crimson eyes that glowed with mysterious strength.
The one who had saved her time and again at the brink of despair—
Her steadfast partner, whom she truly believed dead.
"C…Ciel…?!"
"Kufufufu… From here on, please leave it to me."
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