The three of them fought as they made their way into the cave where Deliora was kept.
Deep in the cave, the frozen Deliora still stood there, the ice surface covered in dense cracks as if it could shatter at any moment.
Purple light poured down from the crack overhead, arriving as scheduled and shining upon Deliora.
One could only say Bruce (Toby) did a good job; woof-woof, he is truly man's most faithful friend.
Although that kobold had been beaten black and blue, he still faithfully carried out Lyon's orders, conducting the ritual all by himself.
Natsu scratched his head, looking very confused, making his pink spiky hair even more disheveled: "We already damaged the ruins until they tilted, so why is it still shining in?"
Zalty composed herself and pulled out a crystal ball from her sleeve, slowly rotating it between her fingertips as purple light flowed within the sphere. She looked up, her lips curling into a determined arc, her tone arrogant:
"My Arc of Time has restored the ruins, so of course it can shine in. Moon Drip, the demon that ravaged the northern continent, Deliora is about to awaken!"
Riyao clapped his hands, looking enlightened: "Then if I capture you and take you back to the village, can I restore my village too!"
Zalty's eye twitched; this damn Klass managed to irritate her every single time.
Lyon and Gray also arrived at the scene.
Both were covered in wounds. Blood stained the corner of Gray's mouth, and Lyon's silver hair was stuck messily to his forehead, but both their gazes were exceptionally firm.
Riyao felt it was a bit of a pity that he didn't finish watching the senior and junior brothers' love-hate struggle.
Deliora's unsealing was imminent.
The cracks on the ice grew more numerous and deeper. The sound of cracking echoed through the cave, as if something was waking up from a long slumber.
Seeing the ice about to shatter, Lyon looked fanatical, a mad fire burning in his ice-blue eyes.
"I finally see you again, Deliora! This time, I will definitely surpass Ur! I will be the one to seal you!"
His voice echoed in the cave, carrying a near-obsessive fixation.
Riyao sighed inwardly. Were people in this world so easy to brainwash? One after another, they were all tricked into being villains. Brain was definitely a pyramid scheme leader; the early villains were more or less related to him.
The ice shattered completely.
Huge chunks of ice exploded from the center, fragments flying like shrapnel as a cold chill instantly swept through the cave. A massive figure rose from the ice—distorted muscles, a hideous face, protruding fangs—Deliora let out a long roar toward the sky.
Roar~
That roar seemed to come from the depths of hell, carrying endless resentment and tyranny.
The entire Karna Island felt this terrifying magic power. The earth trembled slightly, the sea churned, and birds scattered in fear.
In the village, the villagers huddled together in terror.
Only Mirajane had a hint of excitement flashing in her azure eyes, her lips curling slightly. She stepped toward the ruins, her long silver hair fluttering in the wind.
Experience points~
Gray stood in front of the group, his hands joined as ice-blue magic power condensed in his palms.
He once again—for the umpteenth time—assumed the stance for Absolute Freeze, a look of resolve on his face.
"I will seal Deliora!"
Natsu blocked Gray's path, like a nesting doll. With his back to Gray, flames danced on his fists, and his white checkered scarf fluttered slightly in the heat waves.
"No, I've already decided to challenge this guy. If you want to continue casting that magic, then go ahead."
Deliora threw a punch at Natsu. The massive fist carried world-destroying power, compressing the air into a shockwave. Natsu met it head-on, his right fist wrapped in flames; the Fire Dragons Iron Fist collided with Deliora's fist.
"I won't give up until the very end!"
Flames and dark purple magic power exploded at the point of impact, the shockwave making the cave tremble.
Unexpectedly, the moment Deliora touched Natsu, its entire body fell apart!
Like a statue weathered for a thousand years, it collapsed under the impact of the flames, shattering into countless ice blocks and fragments that scattered across the ground with a clatter.
Ice water gushed out, flowing between the rubble and ice chunks.
At the bottom of the water lay a crystal ball, emitting a faint glow as if it were absorbing something.
That was the crystal ball Riyao had secretly placed next to Deliora earlier.
Erza, Mirajane, Lucy, and Happy rushed over.
Erza was in her half-body armor, her long red hair fluttering behind her; Mirajane wore a leather top and skirt, her silver hair shining under the moonlight; Lucy and Happy followed behind, panting for breath.
Just as everyone was rejoicing.
Riyao stood on the platform where Deliora had been, the shattered ice and flowing water beneath his feet.
[Life Mimicry: Demon]
He lowered his head, hands hanging at his sides, his shoulders trembling slightly.
Then, the magic power in his body surged.
That magic power was like lava erupting from an abyss—hot, violent, and uncontrollable.
The aura became terrifying, no different from Deliora's just now, and perhaps even more so.
The entire cave was shrouded in this magic power. The air became heavy and oppressive, as if an invisible hand were choking everyone.
"Ah ah ah..."
Riyao threw back his head and let out a painful, distorted roar.
His body began to change drastically. At a speed visible to the naked eye, his skin was covered by pitch-black scales, spreading from his arms to his entire body.
His form became completely demonized—neither the likeness of Deliora nor the Satan Soul of Mirajane.
He was pitch black and hideous, covered in scales. Each scale looked as if it had been forged in hell, glinting with a cold metallic luster.
Purple patterns meandered between the scales like lava flowing over black rock, looking extremely sinister. His limbs also turned into hideous, terrifying claws, his nails like black scimitars reflecting a cold glint in the dim light.
Two curved horns grew from his head, and a row of bone spikes rose from his back, extending all the way to his tail.
The tail was thick and powerful, its tip like a trident, carving deep grooves into the ground.
This unexpected scene left several people in shock and horror.
"Hey! Klass! What's wrong with you?!" Natsu shouted anxiously, wanting to rush over, flames dancing on his fists.
Erza grabbed Natsu's arm, her brown eyes fixed on the demon on the platform, her voice tight.
"Don't go over there. Something is wrong."
Mirajane's gaze sharpened, her silver pupils constricting slightly. She was most sensitive to demonic auras and felt that the other's aura was somewhat familiar. At this moment, the aura she felt was more powerful and terrifying than any demon she had ever Taken Over.
"This demon is even more terrifying than Satan Soul."
Gray lay on the ground, his eyes full of shock and confusion. He had seen Deliora—the Deliora frozen for ten years—but the aura emitted by this demon before him was many times stronger than Deliora's.
"This isn't Deliora. Deliora wasn't this terrifying."
Lyon, lying next to Gray, looked as if he'd been injected with adrenaline. His silver hair stood on end, and a mad fire burned in his eyes as he struggled to get up.
"Quick, help me up! I still have a chance to surpass Ur!"
Gray turned his head, looking at him speechlessly: "Wake up."
In the shadows, Ultear (Zalty) had a solemn look, complex emotions surging in her purple eyes. She gripped the crystal ball in her hand so tightly her knuckles turned white.
"Who exactly is he? And is what he said true?"
Lucy and Happy huddled together, shivering. Lucy's blonde hair swayed gently in her trembling, and Happy's wings were tightly tucked against his sides, their round eyes full of fear.
Riyao finished his transformation and slowly turned around.
His black eyes looked at the group; his pupils were vertical, like two bottomless slits. His mouth slowly widened, revealing two rows of ivory fangs in a grin.
That smile looked exceptionally eerie on his hideous face, like a devil from hell mocking the insignificance of the human world.
Erza instantly Requipped into Heavens Wheel Armor, a longsword in each hand, with dozens of swords manifesting behind her.
Mirajane took over Satan Soul, her gaze becoming incredibly sharp, bat-like wings unfolding behind her.
Natsu assumed a fighting stance, feet spread, fists igniting with flames, his pink hair fluttering in the heat waves.
Erza gave the order in a low voice: "Lucy, Happy, take Gray and his senior brother away from here."
Lucy nodded hurriedly and began to drag Gray away with Happy.
Gray still wanted to struggle: "I can fight too!" but was grabbed by Lucy and dragged out as she and Happy carried him away.
Lyon was also dragged out along with them, still shouting: "Let go of me! I can still fight!"
Magic power raged inside the cave. Dark purple magic swirled like a storm in the space, the air becoming distorted and the light bending.
The demonized Riyao stood in the center of the platform, looking down at the three, their reflections caught in his vertical pupils.