One second.
Two seconds.
Three seconds passed.
A charred hand emerged from the rubble.
"I'm not afraid of death…" Gajeel's strained voice echoed weakly. "I will save Levy."
*SPLASH*
Suddenly, someone grabbed his hand and yanked him upward with surprising strength.
"Fire Dragon," Gajeel muttered as he leaned heavily on Natsu for support.
"Levy's one of us too," Gray said, slicing off a piece of iron rebar with an ice blade and handing it to Gajeel.
*CRUNCH CRUNCH*
Gajeel devoured the metal hungrily, his magic rapidly replenishing itself. With some strength restored and his injuries suppressed, he plopped down onto the ground, tearing at nearby scraps of iron like a starved beast.
"Laxus."
Natsu and Gray advanced toward the cathedral in perfect sync. With every step, their magical energy surged violently—half flame, half frost.
*SHRRRIIIING*
Golden lightning crackled around Laxus, emitting a piercing, ear-splitting sound akin to a thousand birds shrieking—a clear sign of his power erupting.
"Natsu, Gray… After all these years, how much have you two really improved?!"
*KABOOM*
Laxus charged straight at Natsu.
"At least we won't lose to you!" Natsu roared back, throwing a fierce punch.
Laxus moved with blinding speed and immense strength, catching Natsu's fist effortlessly before hurling him into the air.
*SNAP SNAP*
But almost instantly, Gray's ice encased Laxus entirely.
With a single punch, Laxus shattered the icy prison.
"Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!" Natsu launched himself off the ceiling, diving downward like a meteor.
"Lightning Dragon's Breakdown Fist!" Laxus countered with a thunderous uppercut.
*KABOOM*
Natsu was sent flying again, while the force of the impact cratered the floor beneath Laxus—but he didn't kneel or falter; he simply absorbed the blow.
"Ice-Make: Lance Trooper!" Gray seized the opening, unleashing his attack—but only managed to pierce through a bolt of lightning that dissipated harmlessly, revealing it as an illusion.
Laxus had already circled behind Gray, inhaling deeply.
"Lightning Dragon's Roar!"
*BZZT*
A golden column of electricity engulfed Gray completely.
When the light faded, Gray's body shattered—but it was merely an ice clone.
"Fire Dragon's Horn!" Natsu spun toward Laxus like a fiery drill.
"Lightning Dragon Jaw!" Laxus unleashed a devastating double-fisted strike.
*KABOOM*
Once again, Natsu was blasted backward.
It seemed as though Natsu hadn't touched the ground since the battle began.
"Ice-Make: Ice Geyser!"
The seemingly unstoppable Ice Geyser failed to connect.
Laxus transformed into pure lightning, weaving a sharp "Z"-shaped path through the air before returning to deliver another Lightning Dragon's Roar directly at Gray's face.
Gray hastily conjured an ice shield, but even so, the attack overwhelmed him, sending him crashing away—though thankfully, the shield mitigated some of the damage.
"Iron Dragon's Club!"
*WHOOSH*
An elongated iron rod shot out from behind, aimed squarely at Laxus.
Laxus sidestepped effortlessly, then traced the weapon's trajectory back toward its source in a flash of lightning.
Gajeel's eyes widened in alarm as he realized there was no time to dodge.
In an instant, Laxus appeared before him, delivering a crushing blow.
*KABOOM*
The very earth trembled under the sheer force of the impact!
Gray sighed deeply.
Dealing with Jehfrit's antics was frustrating enough—but facing Laxus' overwhelming power left them feeling utterly powerless.
---
Park Plaza
"I never expected you, Mystogan, to join this game," Erza said, her expression conflicted.
"Everyone here has their reasons for participating, Erza—including me," Mystogan replied calmly.
Behind Mystogan lay a magical array containing Bisca and Cana. Scattered across the plaza were numerous guild members, including Bisca's boyfriend Alzack, who lay unconscious.
"Erza…" Alzack forced himself awake despite his exhaustion, though he couldn't stand. He locked pleading eyes onto Erza.
"Bisca… I leave her to you."
With those words, Alzack succumbed to sleep once more.
"Requip!" Erza donned her signature Heaven's Wheel Armor—a masterpiece balancing offense, defense, and versatility. Its gleaming silver plating and four steel wings made it both functional and visually stunning.
"You rarely fight, Mystogan. But now that we're face-to-face, I won't hold back," Erza declared firmly.
Mystogan's gaze softened slightly, tinged with nostalgia.
So similar…
No, they were practically the same person.
You'll protect everyone, Erza—no matter which world you're in.
"Skyscraper!" Mystogan struck first.
His magic revolved around five magical staves, utilizing sleep-inducing spells alongside illusions and offensive techniques. The move resembled Jehfrit's Deception Magic—crafting visual illusions and manipulating emotions.
The ground beneath Erza collapsed suddenly, replaced by writhing tentacles from hell. Above, a colossal blood-red eye opened amidst the murky sky, radiating terror.
A wave of fear washed over her—but she remained unfazed.
"This cheap trick doesn't even come close to what Jehfrit can do. Do you really think something like this will work against me?"
Erza's magic surged fiercely. Her indomitable willpower rendered such tricks useless—especially after enduring Jehfrit's relentless "training sessions."
"I won't hold back either!"
She charged toward Mystogan.
He raised one of his staves, firing a spell—but Erza sliced through it effortlessly with her sword.
"Heaven's Wheel: Circle Sword!"
Multiple blades spun rapidly, forming a lethal circle that cut through the air toward Mystogan. Erza followed closely behind.
"Triple Magic Array: Mirror Water!"
Three overlapping arrays appeared, deflecting the spinning swords back toward Erza.
Undeterred, she cleaved through the returning projectiles, closing the distance between them.
"Sleep Magic—"
An overwhelming wave of drowsiness assaulted her mind, threatening to overwhelm her consciousness.
"Dreamscape!"
The intensity of the sleep-inducing spell rivaled Jehfrit's own abilities. For a fleeting moment, Erza's focus wavered, her eyelids drooping as she succumbed to slumber.
Yet Mystogan hesitated instead of pressing the advantage, retreating quickly.
*SWISH*
A sword sliced cleanly through the space where he'd been standing moments ago.
Erza groggily opened her eyes.
Impressive willpower indeed!
Even Mystogan, who'd braced himself for resistance, couldn't help but feel startled.
Jehfrit would approve: Erza was among the hardest individuals to influence—her mental fortitude bordering on terrifying.
"Five Layered Magic Circle: Sacred Song—" Mystogan prepared an even stronger spell.
Five interlocking arrays formed a towering pillar of light, sealing Erza within its confines!