The battle between the two Kings had reached an intensity that defied imagination.
Every swing of their weapons split the heavens. Every clash of light and power tore the earth asunder. Blades of starlight and waves of energy swept across the mountains like tidal storms, shattering ridges, ripping open valleys, and scarring the landscape beyond recognition.
Mountains were cleaved in half. Craters the size of towns were gouged into the ground. Even the air screamed as their magic clashed.
First, Phatret was struck down. His colossal form slammed into the base of a mountain, the impact carving out a massive crater that quickly filled with water, a brand-new artificial lake born from destruction.
Moments later, the Celestial Spirit King was blasted backward in turn, his body crashing through a tall peak and sending boulders tumbling like meteors.
When the Celestial Spirit King rose again, fury burned in his eyes."Phatret, Brandenburg Throne! You actually erased the Spirit from the Brandenburg Scepter, turning it into nothing more than a lifeless weapon!"
Phatret's lifted the scepter, the black-and-gold shaft gleaming ominously. "If a weapon has a spirit, it demands cooperation. But I am King. I cooperate with no one."
"And the Star Spirits who once followed you? How can you face them after this betrayal?!"
Phatret's sneered. "Better freedom under my rule than eternal imprisonment in the Star Spirit Realm. At least in my hands, this scepter will become a symbol of the King's glory. The entire world shall remember its name forever!"
He smirked at the Celestial Spirit King's anger. "If this small detail enrages you so much… then why not guess where the crown upon my head and the belt at my waist came from?"
The Celestial Spirit King's expression changed. His senses flared, and then, recognition struck him like a thunderbolt.
"Salzburg Crown… and the Little Triangle Belt! You… YOU MONSTER!!!"
Phatret laughed, a booming sound that echoed across the heavens."You still don't understand! A true King controls everything! Their spirits, their strength, their very existence! To be ruled by a King is their greatest honor, that is their purpose!"
He spread his arms wide, exultant. "This is what it means to be a King! And I shall use all that I command to annihilate you completely!"
Behind him, over two hundred silver keys appeared in midair, each one pulsing with a different light, each representing a fallen Celestial Spirit.
They hovered for a heartbeat, then streaked forward as beams of silver light, merging into Phatret's scepter, crown, belt, and body.
The Celestial Spirit King's eyes widened. He recognized every single symbol etched on those keys, recognized the names and souls of the spirits once bound to them.
The weight of what had been done hit him like a curse. As Phatret's power swelled to impossible levels, the Celestial Spirit King felt his own connection to those spirits weaken.
Below them, the battlefield began to shift. The official Star Spirits faltered mid-battle, their strength fading as if the stars themselves had dimmed. The rebels pressed their advantage, their roars echoing through the mountains.
The Celestial Spirit King gritted his teeth.
'He must be stopped, now.'
He raised his greatsword in front of him, its blade blazing with white-gold brilliance.
"Eighty-eight stars of the heavens, illuminate the night sky as my witness, Judgment Sword!"
Phatret mirrored him, leveling his scepter forward.
"All the stars of the firmament, heed my command, King's Judgment!"
The starlight on their weapons grew blinding, one silver-white, the other blood-red. The energy pouring from them was enough to erase mountains.
When they clashed, it was as though a second sun had been born above Saint Topia.
The explosion of light swallowed the world. Wind roared like a hurricane. The mountains groaned and collapsed. What was once a highland became a vast valley, the earth reshaped under divine wrath.
Even those far below, who had fled the epicenter, were thrown back by the sheer shockwave. Countless Star Spirits were hurled through the air like leaves in a storm.
When the light finally faded, Phatret stood tall and proud, his crimson cloak whipping behind him in the tempest. The Celestial Spirit King had been driven back more than a hundred meters, his mighty form trembling, his breathing uneven.
For the first time, the King of Spirits looked strained.
Down below, Antinous turned to Aquarius with a self-satisfied smirk."Do you see now? The Emperor's might is absolute. This war will end as it should, with the rule of Emperor Phatret."
He never finished his next sentence.
"Blah blah blah--too noisy!" Natsu grumbled. Flames flared around him as he launched himself forward, fists blazing.
The air cracked from the sudden burst of heat as he rocketed straight at Antinous.
Aquarius's usual teasing was nowhere to be found. Her face was solemn as she pointed forward.
"That's Antinous, Hercules, and Holy Joseph, the one they call the Guardian of Heaven. And also..."
She didn't get to finish.
Before she could even utter the last name, Rhodes had already blurred from sight.
In the next instant, a man clutching a coiled serpent screamed as he was knocked clean off his feet.
Rhodes caught the snake midair, hurled it down, and three Shadow Wolves immediately lunged forward, tearing the summoned Cobra apart before it could strike.
With his hands free, Rhodes turned smoothly, intercepting a staff aimed at Erza. His counterstrike was simple, brutal, and efficient, one hit to the gut, one to the jaw, and the enemy crumpled like a broken puppet.
Erza glanced at him, half-grateful and half-irritated. She knew exactly what he'd done.
He knew she had a habit of testing opponents before finishing them. But right now wasn't the time for formal duels.
This was a battlefield.
Understanding flickered between them. They split immediately, Erza charging to reinforce Natsu and Gray, while Rhodes darted toward the next cluster of enemies.
Natsu and Gray both groaned in unison when they realized their teammates had "stolen" their fights.
"Oi! At least leave one strong guy for us!" Natsu yelled.
Erza and Rhodes ignored them.
"You're too slow!" Erza shot back, already spinning her blades.
The two battle maniacs could only grumble while redirecting their flames and ice toward Yukino and Wendy's opponents.
Meanwhile, not far off...
A burst of dazzling light heralded Loke's arrival. He appeared beside Lucy with his usual flair, golden hair glinting, eyes filled with mock confidence.
"Princess, don't worry! I will absolutely protect you!"
Before he could even strike a pose, a radiant explosion flared behind him.
Rhodes stood at its center, brushing dust from his sleeve as a tall, handsome man, apparently another of Phatret's guards, was sent flying through three layers of rock.
Loke froze mid-gesture, awkwardly lowering his arm. "That guy was more handsome than me anyway," he muttered under his breath.
Quickly regaining composure, he turned serious. "Lucy, distribute your keys to your companions. Keep only mine and Aquarius's."
"Huh? Why?" Lucy asked, confused but obediently pulling out her key ring.
Loke's tone softened. "It's the best way for us Zodiac to join this battle together. And if possible, ask Miss Yukino to do the same."
Lucy nodded and began passing out the keys.
Erza, Natsu, Gray, and Wendy each received two golden keys, their hands briefly shining with Celestial light as they took them.
Yukino, still unsure but trusting Loke's resolve, also stepped forward. She handed the Ophiuchus key to Rhodes, while Ursa Minor and Cygnus went to Happy and Carla respectively.
Loke looked at the group, his voice calm but weighty.
"In the Human World, we Star Spirits can't fight freely without forming a contract. But if the burden of magic is borne entirely by you humans..."
He didn't finish the sentence, but Lucy and Yukino both understood. The cost would be high, for both sides.
Loke continued, "So, we'll establish temporary contracts. It's a special procedure, but with our full cooperation, it will work, even if you don't know Celestial Magic."
Rhodes examined the Ophiuchus key in his palm, its surface faintly pulsing with golden light.
He exhaled. "Honestly, if you all just withdrew, and let me handle this alone, it'd be cleaner."
Loke gave a weary smile. "Perhaps so. But... please understand us too. We have our own pride, and our own bonds to protect."
It wasn't as simple as retreating. Not for Lucy. Not for any of them.
Every one of these Magicians had chosen to stand and fight beside their Star Spirits, even knowing the risks.
Rhodes sighed softly. "Fine. As long as the situation doesn't completely collapse, I'll follow your plan."
Loki nodded with gratitude, then turned to Yukino. "Miss Yukino."
Yukino stepped forward, her expression calm but resolute. She raised her Libra key, the golden zodiac sigil gleaming in her hand.
"Everyone, repeat after me."
She drew a deep breath and spoke in the clear, solemn cadence of a ritual:
"I am the one who connects the path to the Star Spirit Realm..."
Everyone followed suit, learning word for word: "I am the one who connects the path to the Star Spirit Realm.."