"Well now, looks like you've got nowhere left to run. How about surrendering? I might even spare your life."
On the wind-swept beach, Lucy stared at the rolling waves ahead, deep in thought. Behind her loomed a massive rock puppet—and Sherry, who controlled it.
"Heh, you really think you've already won?"
Lucy had come up with a plan… though it would drag her into the danger as well. Still, she had no other choice. All she could do now was trust that it would work.
"What do you mean? Planning a last desperate struggle?" Sherry sneered, unconvinced that Lucy could turn things around.
"Let's find out. Open—Gate of the Water Bearer: Aquarius!"
Lucy plunged the Aquarius key into the sea. Magic surged, forming a blue magic circle—and in the next moment, a tall, beautiful mermaid with long flowing hair appeared above the water.
"Aquarius… the Water Bearer?" Sherry's eyes widened slightly. "So you've got a spirit like that."
"Of course. She's my strongest Celestial Spirit," Lucy said confidently.
Aquarius glanced at Lucy with her usual annoyed expression—but there was a faint softness hidden in her eyes.
"Doesn't matter. Puppet Strike—Control!"
Sherry activated her magic again, seizing control of Aquarius.
"Aquarius, attack her!"
"Don't tell me what to do. I was going to anyway."
Aquarius snapped coldly.
With a wave of her hand, a massive water vortex formed, instantly swallowing Lucy—
But in the next second, the towering wave surged outward, dragging Sherry into it as well.
"What—?!"
Sherry's smug expression vanished as she was swept away alongside Lucy.
Aquarius smirked faintly. Her body gradually faded, and as her magic dissipated, the vortex collapsed.
Both Lucy and Sherry were left sprawled on the beach, soaked and disheveled. After a moment, they staggered to their feet—
And immediately clashed in close combat.
In the end, Lucy came out on top.
With one solid punch, she knocked Sherry to the ground.
"H-how… could I lose to you…?" Sherry muttered unwillingly before collapsing unconscious.
"Hah… I told you not to underestimate me," Lucy said with a tired smile, dropping onto the sand and gazing up at the blue sky. "I'm a Fairy Tail wizard too, you know."
From the initial clashes to the full-scale battles, Fairy Tail had now secured three victories.
Only one fight remained—
Erza Scarlet vs. Kazami, one of the Four Gods.
The scene shifted.
Erza and Kazami were locked in a high-speed, high-risk exchange.
Kazami brought his hands together, then pulled them apart—forming an arrow made entirely of compressed hurricane winds.
Violent magic surged around him. He raised his arm, drew back, and hurled the wind arrow forward.
"Storm Arrow—shatter your enemy!"
Facing the incoming attack, Erza remained calm, her gaze steady and unshaken. Magic flared around her, her scarlet hair rising as a crimson magic circle enveloped her.
"Requip—Adamantine Armor!"
Her strongest defensive armor materialized. Erza crossed her arms, the twin shields locking together as a green magic barrier expanded before her—
Boom!
The Storm Arrow slammed into her guard, pushing her back several steps before dissipating.
Kazami frowned deeply.
That was one of his top three spells—and she blocked it head-on.
The Fairy Queen… truly lives up to her name.
"Requip—Giant Armor!"
Erza didn't pause. She immediately switched armor, donning one specialized for throwing power.
"Pierce all evil—Heaven's Lance!"
She hurled the spear with all her strength. The weapon tore through the air, producing explosive shockwaves.
"Storm Magic—Storm Arrow!"
Kazami gritted his teeth and launched another arrow to counter it directly.
The two attacks collided—
Boom!
An explosion erupted—
But suddenly, a sharp whistling sound cut through the smoke.
The spear had pierced straight through the Storm Arrow and shot toward Kazami, who had momentarily relaxed.
"Damn it! Storm Magic—Storm Wall!"
Kazami hastily erected his strongest defense.
The impact thundered across the battlefield. The Storm Wall barely held, deflecting the spear away.
But before he could catch his breath—
A barrage of attacks rained down from above.
Erza had already switched to her Heaven's Wheel Armor, launching a relentless assault.
"Seriously… does it ever end?" Kazami muttered, frustrated.
He could tell now—
He was slightly outmatched.
Erza's strength exceeded his, if only by a margin—but enough to decide the battle.
"I didn't want to use this… but it's time to finish this and get answers."
"Requip—Flame Empress Armor."
Flames erupted skyward.
From within them, Erza emerged clad in crimson armor, wielding a blazing spear—like a war goddess descended.
"One move to decide it," she said calmly.
"…Fine." Kazami nodded. His magic was nearly depleted—and the pressure Erza exuded now rivaled even White Night… perhaps surpassing him.
"Flame Empress—Heavenfall!"
Erza poured seventy percent of her magic into the spear. Flames coiled around it, forming a roaring fire dragon.
"Storm Magic—Storm Wall!"
Kazami gathered all remaining magic into his defense.
"Let's end this!"
Erza surged forward like a streak of fire, slamming into the Storm Wall head-on.
The fire dragon roared—
And shattered everything.
Kazami was blasted into the air, blood spraying as he crashed heavily to the ground.
Coughing violently, he struggled to breathe.
Erza reverted to her standard armor, placing her sword at his throat.
"Talk. What are you planning? Who are you? How do we lift the curse on the villagers?"
"Heh… cough… as expected of the Fairy Queen…" Kazami smirked weakly. "You win. Kill me if you want—but I won't tell you anything."
With that, he lost consciousness.
Erza grabbed his tattered collar and slapped him a few times—but he didn't wake.
Clicking her tongue in irritation, she tied him up, planning to regroup with the others.
Meanwhile, at the Moon Temple—
Yalian and Ultear stood surrounded.
At the front of the group was Agor.
Behind him stood three figures dressed similarly to Kazami.
The air was heavy.
Tension hung like a drawn blade, ready to fall at any moment.
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