"Erza!" Natsu shouted, trying to warn the shocked Titania. However, his effort was in bane as Erza seemed to be on the world of her own.
Natsu watched with wide eyes as the bolts was about to hit Erza. Fortunately, to his relief, strong gusts of winds pushed Erza away at the right moment.
"Winds of Watoomb."
Natsu glanced at him, realizing that Kael was the source of the sudden gusts of winds.
"Take Erza out, Natsu." Kael spoke as he walked pass Natsu and Erza. He then did intricate motions with his hands causing 2 magic circle to appear on his fists.
"No shot!" Natsu fired back immediately. "I've already missed the first event! No way I'm missing this one too!"
Kael clicked his tongue in frustration at Natsu's stubbornness. "Always reckless…" he muttered under his breath.
Laxus, watching this scene unfold, growled from across the cathedral. "Don't ignore me!" He unleashed another bolt of lightning. The thunderous crack shook the very foundations of the cathedral as the searing energy hurtled toward them.
Kael, unfazed, brought his hands together, then pushed them apart. A glowing orange magic circle formed between his palms, expanding outward until it grew wide enough to block the entire blast.
The lightning slammed into the circle with explosive force. Natsu looked at the shield that didn't give out. Sparks were seen on its surface, but none passed through. Natsu and Erza, who braced for impact, realized with wide eyes that they were completely unharmed.
"Take her out, Natsu," Kael repeated. "Get Erza to safety."
Natsu clenched his fists, flames licking around his arms. "Not happening! I told you I'm not backing down this time!"
Beside him, Erza seemed to have finally regained herself as she snapped back from her stupor. She rose to her feet, brushing away the dust from her armor. "I'm fine now," she said in her usual composed tone.
As the Titania rose, the shield that's protecting them trembled under another strike from Laxus, arcs of electricity sparking against its surface. Hearing the 2 voices behind him while he maintained the constructed shield, Kael exhaled slowly, his patience wavering.
"You don't understand... You need to deactivate the Thunder Palace... There's only 2 minutes left."
The weight of his words sank in, silencing even Natsu.
"I'll deal with Laxus. You two rally the guild and destroy those lacrimas. That's the only way to protect Magnolia."
The shield sparked again as Laxus howled with laughter, hurling another wave of lightning but Stephen didn't flinch.
"Go."
"NO!" Natsu spoke again as it seems that all previous words were wasted. "I'll stay and you take down the lacrimas! And besides, the 3 off us can beat Laxus!" He continued as he tried flames covered his fists.
Surprisingly, Kael didn't speak further, however, a visible tick mark appeared on his forehead.
Erza seeing this, placed a firm hand on Natsu's shoulder. "Natsu, come. We have no time to waste." She gave Stephen a brief nod of trust before turning toward the exit as unlike Natsu, she understood that 2 minutes is not enough to defeat Laxus.
As Erza then moved, Natsu still didn't budge. His feet dug stubbornly into the floor, flames sparking hotter around him. "No way! I'm not leaving while Laxus is standing right there!"
Kael closed his eyes for a moment, exhaling as though the fire dragon slayer's stubbornness was heavier than the lightning hammering against his shield. When he opened them again, his expression seemed to soften
"Natsu," he spoke "If you want some action, then leave. Defeat Bickslow or Freed. After that, deal with the thunder palace."
Surprisingly, this time, Natsu didn't outright reject the idea.
Seeing this, Kael's lips curved faintly as he added, "Do that for me, and when this is over, I'll let you choose any one item from my Sanctum."
Natsu's eyes widened. The defiance melted into wide-eyed excitement. "Wait... any item?! Even the Fire breathing wand? Or that sword that grows? Or maybe that boots that lets you flaot!"
Kael gave the faintest shrug, keeping his hands firm against the glowing shield. "If you can accomplish it, they're yours to pick."
That was all it took. With a shout of renewed determination, Natsu bolted for the exit, yelling over his shoulder, "I'll crush them and take the best thing you've got! Just wait!"
Kael shook his head with a sigh, though a small smile tugged at his lips. 'If bribery is what it takes… so be it.'
As Natsu's footsteps faded from the cathedral and Erza followed in pursuit, Stephen's focus narrowed back to the storm in front of him.
"Now that you're done talking, lets start!"
Laxus was already moving, his body a blur, lightning bursting across his arm until his fist glowed like a thunderbolt forged into flesh. "Sending them away?" Laxus snarled, his grin sharp and cruel as he lunged. "You just doomed Fairy Tail. They'll never stop the Thunder Palace! And you? You'll never beat me."
With the upcoming attack, Kael's eyes sharpened and he dismissed his shield before he propelled himself upward, his cloak flaring wide. As he flew, Laxus' fist slammed into his previous location.
As Laxus' electrified fists hit nothing but air, Kael floated while his hands moved, conjuring another attack. Energy crackled as something formed between his palms. It glowed orange as it was pushed forward with both hands, sending it to Laxus who was still in the air.
And it hit it target.
The orb collided against Laxus' lightning covered body. Creating an explosion and smoke.
When it cleared, however, it revealed Laxus standing on the floor of the cathedral with noting but scratches as lightning danced in his body. Then, the blonde guy laughed. A low chuckle that rose into roaring laughter, echoing through the broken chamber.
"You're alone. There is no chance in hell that you're gonna defeat me in a minute. And the Thunder Palace? One minute left before it explodes and wipes out Magnolia. It's only a matter of time before the old man retires and surrenders..."
Kael stayed quiet as Laxus spoke. He stayed still in the air floating, looking down at Laxus.
"You're right" Kael answered.
Laxus blinked, momentarily thrown.
"I can't defeat you in one minute," Kael admitted, eyes never leaving Laxus. "And if Erza and Natsu had stayed, neither could they. We would just fail... That's why I sent them away. Not because I doubt them, but because I trust them."
Laxus' smile faltered, twisting into a scowl. "Trust? In those weaklings? That's your grand plan?" His voice cracked with ridicule. "You should've finished this yourself instead of leaving Magnolia in their hands!"
Hearing this, Kael paused as he looked at his guild mate.
"That trust, Laxus," he finally spoke, "is what makes Fairy Tail what it is. We are strong because we believe in each other. And you..." his eyes narrowed,"...you'll never be the guild master until you learn that."
The words hung heavy in the air, only accompanied by the sound of electricity. But it changed as Laxus' body crackled with lightning before he launched himself to Stephen, faster than before with his fist charged with more lightning.
Seeing this, Kael's hands moved instinctively, conjuring another orange shield in front of him.
However...
CRASH!
The moment Laxus' fist connected, the shield shattered like glass under a hammer. Laxus' electrified fist went through, slamming into Kael's gut with brutal impact.
THUD!
Kael was hurled backwards, crashing into the stone floor. Dust and debris exploded outward from the impact as he lay there.
Laxus soon followed as he landed with a thunderous crackle, sneering and staring down at him.
"This is all you've got? Erza would have done better!" His voice dripped with malice as sparks of electricity flared across his body.
Kael coughed once, pushing himself up. He then spoke with a voice that was steady, almost too calm.
"…Is this what you wanted, Laxus?"
The blonde lightning mage's lips curled into a cruel smile. "I always wanted to defeat you... But it seems that I've been overestimating you..."
"…Very well." Kael spoke again. This time his voice was as cold as eyes as he stared straight into Laxus' eyes. "I'll show you… a scale of magic you've never seen before."
Laxus scoffed, throwing his arms wide as electricity surged like a storm around him. "Hah! Mystogan said the same thing before he ran off with his tail between his legs. You're gonna be no different!"
As the words left Laxus' mouth, Kael's figure on the ground flickered, then vanished like smoke in the wind.
Laxus' eyes widened. 'An illusion?!' His instincts screamed at him. Without hesitation, he flooded his fists with lightning and spun around, hurling a punch into the air.
BOOM!
His fist collided with a swirling blast of energy, detonating in a blinding flash. Sparks and shards of light scattered, the shockwave tearing through the cathedral walls.
"Tch…" Laxus clicked his tongue in irritation, his eyes darting upward.
There, floating calmly in the air, cloak flowing in the wind was Kael.
"Don't think you can hide from me!" Laxus growled as he crouched low, lightning surging across his body, preparing to launch up to the air again.
But the moment he tried to leap, his body jerked to a halt. His boots refused to move. He looked down in surprise to see his feet were planted, rooted into stone floor of the cathedral.
'He's manipulating the building now...'
As thoughts entered Laxus' mind, the hairs on the back of his neck suddenly stood up. A bad premonition crept into his chest.
Immediately, Laxus raised his head and his breath caught.
The cathedral's roof… was moving.
And Kael, was the one responsible. He was swaying his hands and and he did, the roof was being pulled apart and then reshaped into projectiles. Some with sharp edges, other blunt. Now, the previous roof was reformed and suspended in the air like spears as they hovered around the floating Kael.
However, as Laxus saw the countless projectiles looming above, he did not falter. Instead, his grin widened into something feral.
"Hah! That's more like it!"
With a surge of power, lightning exploded around his legs. The ground beneath him cracked and shattered as the bindings that held him were blown apart. He then straightened as arcs of lightning danced wildly across his body.
Up above, Kael's hands moved in a smooth, deliberate motion. He moved his hands forward.
As he did, the countless fragments suspended around him moved , then descended all at once. Like an unrelenting storm, they rained down on Laxus, each one infused with magical force, each strike aimed to crush him where he stood.
"COME!" Laxus roared, electricity exploding from his frame. His entire body became a blinding silhouette of thunder.
Bolts of lightning shot from his hands, striking several of the oncoming shards and reducing them to dust in midair. But the others closed in fast.
But he met them head-on.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
His fists, wrapped in lightning, smashed through the stone projectiles one by one. Sparks and Debris erupted with each strike.
Still, the rain of debris was endless. Each time he struck one down, two more came crashing toward him. But soon, the barrage ended as the last of the projectiles shattered against Laxus' lightning fists.
Silence briefly returned to the cathedral while smoke and dust covered the air, and Laxus stood with a few scratches on his arms, his grin still sharp and unyielding.
He was about to speak. However, from the now open roof, multiple explosions were seen and heard.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Countless explosions echoed from outside Magnolia. Both Kael and Laxus froze for a second, their eyes narrowing.
Then the runes appeared before them, glowing in the air:
"Thunder Palace: Suspended."
Laxus' eyes widened.
Meanwhile, Kael spoke. "My bet was right." His eyes locked with Laxus. "So tell me, Laxus… how do you expect to become Fairy Tail's master now? Magnolia in not in danger. There is now no way to force master to hand over the title."
Hearing those words, Laxus' expression hardened, as the previous cockiness was replaced with fury.
"No way to force the old man to hand over the title?" Laxus asked a rhetorical question. "Then I'll just take control of the guild with my own hands!"
"From the start I should have just thrown away the tactics and hostages... The only thing that matters is strength!
Electricity surged down his arms, the air around him vibrating with his fury.
"All I need to do now is beat you!" His voice boomed across the cathedral. "The rest of them are already weakened from The organic link magic when they destroyed my Thunder Palace." His eyes glowed dangerously as his grin widened. "They're nothing but scraps now. Once I take you down, no one else will be left to stand in my way..."
"As for the old man... He's next..."
Laxus' grin sharpened, his fists sparking violently as his magic power surged to its peak.
"…It's my turn now."
In the next instant, his entire body erupted into blinding arcs of lightning. His form blurred and vanished, transforming into a spear of electricity.
CRACK–BOOM!
The bolt shot upward, ripping through the air like a thunderclap as it streaked straight toward Kael, who hovered calmly above.