Ren and the others stepped through the portal and arrived in Edolas. The air felt different — thinner, distorted, as if magic itself flowed unnaturally. They stood in the castle's basement, directly in front of the massive Anima lacrima that had devoured Magnolia.
Without hesitation, Ren swallowed the pill Mystigen had given him.
The others followed.
Natsu flexed his fingers as faint flames flickered. "Heh… so this is Edolas? Feels weird."
Gajeel tapped the stone wall, frowning. "Tch. Magic's thin here. Good thing we got these pills."
Wendy looked around nervously. "It feels… empty. Like the world itself is missing something."
Laxus crossed his arms, lightning crackling faintly. "Focus. We're inside the enemy's castle."
Ren stepped forward, eyes glowing faintly.
"Great Sage, scan for Erza and the others' magic signatures."
{Affirmative.}
{Scanning…}
{Scanning…}
{Scanning…}
{Scanning…}
{Scanning…}
{Location — Sky above the castle.}
Ren nodded once.
"Also scan Anima. Its interdimensional portal is fascinating. Try creating a way to form a permanent portal connection between this world and Earth Land."
{Affirmative. Beginning analysis.}
Natsu blinked. "Permanent portal? You planning vacations here or something?"
Ren smirked faintly. "Strategic advantage."
He turned serious.
"Alright, you guys. Erza and everyone are in the sky above the castle. You four go and save them. We'll keep the guards busy."
Natsu, Wendy, Gajeel, and Laxus nodded.
Laxus stepped forward, his tone firm. "We move stealthily. No one knows what might happen to our friends if someone interferes while we're saving them. So Natsu… listen. Or our friends might lose their lives."
Natsu clenched his fists, flames rising higher before he forced them down.
"Yeah… I get it. This ain't about fighting. It's about bringing them back."
Wendy nodded, determination shining in her eyes. "I'll support everyone. I won't let anyone get hurt."
Gajeel smirked. "Heh. Quiet mission, huh? Not my style… but fine."
Ren watched them go, then turned toward Juvia and Lucy.
"So… let's cause some chaos."
Juvia and Lucy smiled devilishly.
"They dared touch our friends," Lucy said, gripping her keys tightly. "Let's pay them back."
Lucy raised her key high.
"Gate of the Water Maiden — Open, Aquarius!"
A swirl of water formed and Aquarius emerged, already irritated.
"Ding dong. Hey, how many times have I—"
"Aquarius, please," Lucy interrupted urgently. "This time it's serious. We need your help. Everyone's lives are in danger."
Ren stepped forward calmly. "No banter today."
Aquarius narrowed her eyes, then nodded once.
"So what do you want?"
Juvia smiled softly, though her eyes gleamed dangerously.
"Water. Enough to drown the castle."
Aquarius smirked. "I like that."
A massive torrent of water erupted from Aquarius' golden jar. Juvia melted seamlessly into it, merging her magic with the tidal surge.
The castle trembled.
Water flooded through corridors, staircases, chambers. Soldiers screamed as they were swept off their feet. Ministers and nobles were dragged into swirling currents, their elegant composure shattered.
The King of Edolas shouted in panic as guards tried desperately to maintain order.
Outside, the water gathered.
It rose higher and higher, forming a colossal sphere surrounding the castle. Its sheer size rivaled the structure itself, shimmering under the sky like a floating ocean.
Inside the water prison, everyone was trapped.
Juvia shaped the currents carefully, ensuring none drowned. She allowed them to breathe — but not escape.
Lucy and Ren ran forward as a water platform lifted them upward. Aquarius floated nearby, observing her masterpiece with satisfaction before disappearing in a shimmer of light.
Water began to shift, forming the massive image of Juvia's face in the sphere.
Below, panic spread.
Ren stepped to the edge of the platform, his cloak fluttering in the rising heat. His voice amplified through magic, echoing across the entire capital.
"WE ARE MAGES FROM EARTH LAND. YOU DARE TOUCH OUR FRIENDS, OUR FAMILY, AND TURN THEM INTO MAGIC LACRIMA. NOW YOU SHALL PAY THE PRICE. TELL US WHERE OUR FRIENDS ARE OR THIS KINGDOM WILL BE BURNED TO ASHES!"
Lucy blinked.
He's… really good at acting.
As Ren slowly drew his sword slightly from its sheath, the temperature across the capital began to rise dramatically. Stone cracked. Windows shattered. Air distorted in waves.
Importantly, the heat did not affect Juvia's water.
It was precise. Controlled.
Citizens screamed.
Soldiers trembled.
The King's face turned pale.
A minister shouted, "Monsters! They're monsters!"
Lucy raised her keys again. "We don't want unnecessary casualties. Cooperate, and no one gets hurt!"
Juvia's voice echoed through the water sphere. "Return Juvia's friends… or the ocean will not be so kind next time."
Far above, Natsu's voice echoed faintly through the sky.
"We found them!"
Wendy's anxious voice followed. "They're inside the lacrima! It's huge!"
Gajeel's growl carried through the air. "Tch. This thing's solid."
Laxus shouted down, "Buy us time!"
Ren didn't move his gaze from the trembling kingdom below.
"You have one chance."
The capital's temperature rose further.
Suddenly—
A shadow streaked across the sky.
A massive flying lizard descended toward them at incredible speed. Standing atop it was a red-haired warrior clad in armor.
Edolas Erza.
Erza Knightwalker.
Ren's expression hardened instantly.
"Juvia. Lucy. Take care of the others. I'll deal with Erza Knightwalker."
Lucy nodded. "Be careful."
Juvia's voice echoed with confidence. "Ren will win."
Ren flicked his blade fully free.
With a single motion, he sent a flying slash through the air.
The lizard was cut cleanly in half.
Knightwalker leapt into the air at the last second, landing gracefully on a nearby tower.
She smirked.
"So you're the invader causing this disturbance."
Ren stepped forward, launching himself skyward to meet her.
"I'm the one ending it."
Lightning cracked above.
Water roared below.
And the Kingdom of Edolas trembled.