Tower of Heaven, Top Floor
The ritual chamber continued to tremble as cracks spread across the floor in jagged lines, and chunks of stone broke loose from the ceiling with every surge of magic that ran through the room after every clash. Erza felt each tremor through her boots as she stepped back, switching armor mid-motion and a new blade forming in her grip as she intercepted another spell.
Jellal stood across from her, calm and composed despite the destruction. His darkness pooled around his feet, his expression focused, but entertained.
'He keeps destroying his own tower. Does he not care?' Erza thought as her eyes flicked briefly to the fractured pillars and the widening cracks in the floor. She then parried a burst of wind with a reinforced shield and snapped her gaze back to him. "Why?" She demanded, her breath sharp. "Why are you damaging the tower you forced our friends to construct so carelessly?"
Jellal didn't even glance at the crumbling structure. "It has served its purpose," He replied with a bit of mirth, his tone light.
Erza's jaw tightened so hard it hurt. 'Simon, Sho, Wally and Millianna had suffered for this place for ten years of forced labor, blood and pain. And he doesn't even care.' Rage surged through her chest as she lunged with her sword cutting the air as Jellal raised one hand and darkness surged upward and formed into a cage around her, thick bars snapping into place from the floor and ceiling at once.
Erza's eyes widened as the cage tightened and pressure slammed inward as if it was trying to crush her.
Jellal smiled faintly. "You're too persistent, Erza."
Erza's teeth clenched. She felt the bars digging into her armor. Her muscles strained, but she didn't give ground. "Don't you dare think this is over!" She snarled as her magic flared violently and a burst of power erupted outward from her body causing the dark cage to shatter into fragments of shadow, scattering across the chamber.
Erza shot forward through the opening, summoning twin katanas and drove a heavy strike into Jellal's guard, forcing him back. The second blow followed immediately, with the third coming fast enough that his footing slipped and her last strike landed clean, cutting his chest with Jellal crashing into the floor, skidding across cracked stone.
Erza stood over him, breathing hard, blades raised, and her eyes burning. "You still don't have enough magic power," She said, voice steady despite the anger shaking through her. "You completed the construction, but you can't perform the ritual yet."
Jellal's gaze lifted to her, expression unreadable.
Erza pressed on, forcing herself to think past her fury. "This kind of spell needs an amount of magic so large that a continent full of mages wouldn't be enough. That means you're missing something." Her grip tightened. "What are you after? What is the R-System really feeding on?"
Jellal rose smoothly, brushing dust from his cloak as if he hadn't just been knocked down and cut, his eyes narrowed slightly. "You shouldn't worry further as everything is coming together perfectly. Plus in a few minutes," he said coolly, "Etherion will be fired. "
Erza's blood ran cold. "Do you plan to die?" She snapped with anger.
Jellal's lips curled faintly. "My death is irrelevant for the revival of Zeref."
Erza's heart pounded harder. "What are you even saying?"
Jellal took one slow step forward, darkness thickening around his feet. "My body is already possessed," he said. "Zeref has claimed it. I am nothing more than a doll acting out his will."
Erza froze and her throat tightened. His tone was cold, but the words felt practiced. A line he had repeated to himself until it sounded like truth.
"It was over before it even began," Jellal continued, eyes fixed on her. "No one can save me. No one can stop this."
Erza's blade lowered slightly without her realizing. She then stared at him, searching his face for any sign of the friend she remembered. Her voice then dropped dejected. "That's not true… I won't kill you, I can't."
Jellal's brow twitched and Erza took a step closer.
"To me, you are still my ideal and a treasured friend so please stop saying that," She said, voice trembling but firm. "It isn't too late. You can still change." Her eyes burned. "I still consider you my closest friend."
For a moment, something shifted behind Jellal's eyes. A flicker of regret and a flash of sorrow as his jaw tightened as if he was fighting something inside himself. "Erza, it's too late for me." Jellal finally said with resignation.
And Erza saw it as hope hit her too fast as she stepped closer again and her guard loosened. "That's not true. Let's stop all of this and come with me. You don't have to hurt others and yourself." She then showed an open hand waiting for Jellal to take it.
But Jellal's expression quickly twisted into a cruel smile. "Erza, you are still so naive." His hand snapped forward and black lightning erupted from his palm, striking Erza's body instantly as pain ripped through her muscles.
Erza gasped, eyes wide, breath caught in her throat as her limbs locked up. Her teeth clenched hard enough to ache. Electricity tore through her nerves and forced her to remain upright while her body refused to obey her.
Jellal stepped close, watching her convulse. "Don't worry," He said softly, voice almost gentle. "I won't kill you yet." His smile then sharpened cruelly. "But I will make this painful. I will make sure you can no longer move."
Erza's vision blurred. Her hands trembled around her sword. Her legs threatened to give out. 'Move…' But her body refused. 'Move.'
Jellal raised his hand again and the black lightning surged brighter. But then a red gauntleted fist smashed into Jellal's face. The sound cracked through the chamber as Jellal's head snapped sideways. His body flew across the floor and slammed into a broken pillar hard enough to split it.
The lightning vanished as Erza's muscles released at once and she collapsed. But before she could fall to the ground a strong arm caught her, making her feel safe and secure.
Erza blinked, struggling to focus as she realized she was being held against a solid chest. One arm supported her back, steady and controlled. Her eyes quickly widened when noticed whose arm this belonged to, Issei. His face was serious, eyes narrowed, his breathing calm despite the violence around them.
Erza's voice came out hoarse. "Issei…?"
Issei glanced down at her, then gave a wide smile. "Luckily I got here, right on time," He said, relief clear beneath the confidence. "I heard the last part. That guy really loves hearing himself talk."
Erza tried to push herself upright, stubborn even through the pain. "Issei wait. This is my fight and I–"
Issei tightened his hold just enough to keep her steady. Not restraining but showing his support. "I know," He said, voice firm. "But you almost got paralyzed and are very hurt. Plus you're too emotional to fight him. I think it's about time for me to step in."
Across the chamber, Jellal rose slowly as magic erupted from his body in a violent burst. Darkness rolled outward in thick waves, tearing up loose debris as it spread. His eyes burned with anger. "You," Jellal snarled. "You interrupted my time with Erza."
Issei set Erza carefully behind him, placing himself between her and Jellal without hesitation. "Stay back," Issei said, tone leaving no room for argument. "I've got this."
Erza gritted her teeth, trying to stand straight. "Issei, stop—"
He didn't turn his head, but his voice softened slightly. "I'm not here to steal your closure." He said as his eyes narrowed on his blue haired opponent. "I'm here to make sure we can all go home."
Erza's eyes widened. Issei then took a step forward, his red fist tightening as power gathered beneath the surface. "I heard most of what you two said," He continued, gaze locked on Jellal. "So I won't kill him."
Jellal's eyes narrowed as he took note of the intruder.
Issei's smile returned, sharper now. "But I will beat him so badly he won't be able to move." He raised his gauntleted hand slightly, palm flexing. "Then you can talk some sense into him all you want." Issei glanced back just enough to meet her eyes for a moment. "So dry those tears," he said, voice lighter, familiar. "A beautiful girl like you looks better smiling without worry."
Erza's face flushed despite the situation, anger and embarrassment mixing with relief. "You—"
Issei faced forward again before she could finish and Jellal stepped toward him, darkness pooling around his hands. Issei shifted into a fighter's stance, feet planted, shoulders relaxed, eyes sharp.
Two men stood across from one another as the tower continued to tremble.
—----------------------------------------
Tower of Heaven, Lower Middle Floors
The Kraken reappeared in the middle of the group with absolutely no warning.
Akitsu's eyes narrowed as she was able to react quickly. "Ice Make!" Cold erupted from her palms and raced across the fractured corridor. Frost swallowed stone and metal, spreading under the Kraken's feet and climbing its legs in thick layers. Ice locked its lower body in place, freezing it to the floor, its movement halted for half a breath.
"Now!" Yashima shouted as she moved forward and raised her hammer high. Gray forced his body to move despite the sharp pain stabbing through his ribs. Ice gathered in his palm and condensed into a heavy war hammer. The strain shot up his injured shoulder, but he ignored it and charged beside Yashima.
They quickly brought their weapons down at the same time with the impacts thundered through the corridor. Unfortunately the impact was stopped by two tentacles shot from the Kraken's back and intercepted both weapons mid-swing. The limbs coiled around the hammerheads, absorbing the force.
Gray clenched his teeth as he felt the resistance instantly as he tried to push the hammer further. 'So Strong.'
The tentacles then flexed and a second later, the Kraken's fists blurred as both Gray and Yashima were punched cleanly in the chest and launched backwards, slamming into opposite walls, as stone and metal cracked on impact.
Juvia's eyes widened. "Gray-sama!" She yelled looking at where the man laid.
The Kraken then tore its legs free from the ice in a violent motion, shattering it into fragments and then moved without pause as a tentacle lashed toward Lucy.
"Aye!" But Happy quickly dove and shoved Lucy sideways mid-air, the tentacle slicing through the space where she had been standing a moment before.
Lucy hit the ground hard but rolled up immediately, breath shaking. "Thanks, Happy!"
The Kraken's attention then shifted again instantly as Yuuka raised her revolvers and gunfire erupted as bullets infused with magic tore toward the creature from multiple angles.
Simon then stepped forward, ignoring the pain in his side as darkness gathered in his palm. "Shadow Burst!" A blast of condensed darkness shot toward the Kraken's torso.
Juvia followed immediately. "Water Shot!" Pressurized blasts of water slammed into the creature from the side and the attacks struck. But the Kraken didn't even flinch or turn its head as one tentacle snapped outward in a wide arc.
Yuuka's eyes widened as the limb came down with crushing force. But before it could connect, Uzume lunged forward, veil igniting with flames as she wrapped it around the tentacle and braced herself. "Not happening!"
The impact drove her backward across the frozen stone, shoes scraping hard as she fought to hold it down.
Lucy's fingers then flew to her keys as she raised a golden key up. "Open, Gate of the Maiden! Virgo!"
Light flared and the pink haired maid, Virgo appeared instantly, already mid-motion. "You called, Princess?"
"Please attack it!" Lucy quickly commanded.
Virgo nodded once and charged straight in. Her fist drove into the Kraken's abdomen with brutal force. The force of the blow bent the creature's body slightly with cracks formed along the stone beneath its feet.
The Kraken's head snapped toward her.
Juvia seized the opening. "Water Slicer!" A geyser erupted from and slammed the creature, blasting it upward and launching it into the air.
But then the water twisted and the geyser bent unnaturally mid-ascent as the Kraken's tentacles moved within the torrent, controlling it. The redirected column of water crashed sideways and slammed into Virgo, sending her skidding across the floor.
Lucy's eyes widened. "It can control water too?!"
The Kraken landed lightly as its hands moved in a sharp motion.
Blades of compressed water formed around it in an instant.
"Move!" Gray shouted.
The blades fired outward in every direction as the floor was filled with slicing arcs.
Everyone tried to find some way to escape and dodge as Simon dragged Lucy down. Happy yanked Ruby lower by the back of her collar. Yuuka rolled behind a broken pillar. Yashima raised her hammer to deflect one strike, the impact sending vibrations up her arms. Juvia dissolved into water for a split second to avoid a direct hit.
The Kraken then stepped forward again, but Tamamo's tails flared. "I have had enough."
Cursed flames ignited around her hands, dark and unstable as she later thrust them forward. Fire streaked toward the Kraken but the monster reacted just as fast as water surged to meet it.
Steam exploded outward as the two forces collided and canceled each other out.
Tamamo's eyes narrowed. 'It is adapting too quickly.'
Simon forced himself upright. "Shadow Veil!" Darkness expanded outward, attempting to swallow the Kraken's vision but the creature's tentacles spun in a rapid circular motion, generating a violent burst of air pressure that tore through the shadows and dispersed it.
Ruby's voice trembled but she didn't stop casting. "Enhancement!"
Magic flowed from her into Gray, Yashima, Uzume and Virgo. Their movements sharpened and their strength surged.
"Go!" Ruby cried.
Uzume launched forward first, veil blazing as she swung it toward the Kraken's neck. Gray followed, ice reforming around his fists this time to form blades. Yashima charged again, hammer raised. And Virgo moved from the opposite side, fists clenched. They attacked in coordinated angles.
But the Kraken pivoted as one leg swept low, catching Gray mid-stride and sending him tumbling across the ice. A tentacle wrapped around Yashima's hammer and yanked her off balance. Its fist drove into Virgo's shoulder, forcing her back several steps. Uzume's flaming veil managed to connect, burning across its side. The creature reacted instantly, a second tentacle snapping down and smashing her into the floor. The coordination collapsed under the creature's speed.
"It's too slippery!" Yuuka growled.
Akitsu raised both hands toward the ceiling. Ice formed above the Kraken in jagged spears. Juvia stepped to the side, palms raised as water condensed into dozens of compressed bullets at the creature's right. Yuuka adjusted her aim and unleashed a barrage of elemental shots from the left. Tamamo's tails fanned out wide as cursed flaming spears materialized in front of her, dark fire crackling violently.
"Now!" Akitsu shouted as all attacks fired at once.
Ice lances dropped from above, water bullets screamed from the right, elemental shots tore in from the left and cursed spears shot forward from the front.
The Kraken's eyes sharpened as it felt the danger and then its arms drew inward and slammed both fists together as water erupted outward in a spiraling shield around its body, dense and compressed.
The combined assault struck from every side but the ice and bullets shattered, the water was absorbed and the flames hissed and died against the barrier.
Smoke and steam filled the corridor and when the haze thinned, the Kraken still stood at the center unmoved with its turquoise eyes glowing brighter.
Lucy's heart pounded hard in her chest. 'We are attacking it from every direction… and it's still fine.'
Tamamo's expression hardened. Her sixth tail twitched once behind her. "This will require more than simple coordination," she said quietly.
The Kraken stepped forward again and its killing intent intensified.
—---------------------------------
Tower of Heaven, Top Floor
The ritual chamber trembled under the strain of colliding magic, cracks spread across the floor beneath their feet as blue lacrima pulsed violently through the walls, their glow shifting between steady light and unstable flashes. The air felt heavy, saturated with power and intent.
Issei and Jellal stood facing each other across the fractured floor as neither moved or blinked.
Erza remained several steps behind Issei, one hand pressed lightly against her side where the black lightning had struck. Her breathing was uneven, muscles still trembling from forced paralysis, but her eyes never left Jellal.
Issei studied the man in front of him from the Dark aura surrounding him, the controlled posture and the madness in his eyes that stared straight at him. Before either of them attacked, Issei spoke. "Before we begin I have a question."
Jellal said nothing, but he didn't interrupt as he continued to glare at the boy.
"Why?" Issei asked. His voice wasn't loud, but it carried through the floor. "Why all of this? Wasn't Erza your friend? She's only trying to help you. So why are you making her suffer? Why are you hurting everyone around her?"
For a moment, only the hum of the tower answered but then Jellal laughed, hysterically. "I never asked her to care," Jellal said. "I never asked to be saved." His gaze then sharpened. "I am one of Zeref's chosen. Nothing else matters but the will of my master." He took a slow step forward, darkness gathering faintly around his shoulders. "Why should I care about the pointless drivel of that pathetic woman?"
The words echoed through the floor as Erza flinched, her fingers curled tightly into fists, nails biting into her palms. Her chest tightened. The words cut deeper and caused more pain than the lightning had.
Issei's expression changed instantly as the air and temperature around him burned but he quickly exhaled slowly through his nose, steadying himself. "Then you're an idiot who really doesn't deserve her," He said quietly.
Jellal's brow twitched in irritation at his opponent's tone.
"She's strong," Issei continued, voice steady but edged with heat. "She's kind. She's loyal. She's a sexy girl with big boobs and beautiful hair."
Erza's face flushed bright red despite everything. "Issei!"
But Issei didn't look back. "She should be out there laughing with her friends. She should be enjoying life. Not wasting her time trying to save someone who talks about her like that."
Jellal's eyes darkened.
"And somehow," Issei added, locking eyes with him, "you still found a way to make her care." His voice then hardened with resolve. "So as her friend, I'm ending this. Right here. And if I have to beat it into you so you'll finally listen, I will."
Jellal's jaw clenched. "Are you here to fight," he snapped, "or to flirt and praise her appearance?"
Issei grinned faintly. "Nothing says I can't do both. I'd have to be blind not to notice."
Erza covered part of her face with one hand, half embarrassed, half furious. "Focus!"
Issei's grin faded as he studied Jellal more carefully. "There's something else," He said, voice lowering. "Something in you that doesn't match the words you're saying."
Jellal's expression flickered.
"You do care," Issei continued. "You're just trying to bury it."
"Enough," Jellal cut him off sharply as dark magic exploded outward. Blasts of darkness shot toward Issei from multiple angles.
But Issei moved instantly as he sidestepped the first wave, twisted past a second, and raised his gauntleted arm to block a third. The impact cracked against the red metal but failed to push him back. Wind blades formed and tore toward him but Issei ducked and surged forward attempting to punch Jellal.
But Jellal's hand flared with fire and Issei countered with dragon slayer flames of his own. Red fire met golden flames and consumed it.
Water surged next as Issei leapt through it, heat evaporating part of the torrent as he closed distance. Earth spikes erupted beneath his feet but he quickly flipped mid-air and kicked off a broken pillar, and closed the distance further.
Jellal's eyes narrowed as his attacks became faster as darkness coiled with elemental bursts, trying to box Issei in.
But Issei's movements sharpened further.
(Boost!)
As power surged through his body, he dashed through a gap between spells that shouldn't have existed. His fist shattered a dark construct mid-formation and a roundhouse kick followed, slamming into Jellal's side and sending him skidding across the cracked ritual floor.
Jellal recovered instantly and quickly responded with another spell. "Paradise of Sins!" Dark spheres materialized around Issei, expanding rapidly as tendril-like extensions reached to engulf him.
(Boost!)
But Issei quickly pushed them all away with widespread flames that erupted outward from Issei in a wide burst causing the dark spheres to destabilize and detonate before they could close in.
Jellal was then forced back again as Issei rushed him with the two colliding in close quarters as fists met forearms, magic-enhanced strikes cracked the air.
Jellal countered with precise bursts of darkness at point-blank range but Issei absorbed or deflected them and returned heavier blows.
Soon several of Issei's strikes connected cleanly striking Jellal's body and causing Jellal's breath to be lost as his footing faltered slightly.
As the exchange continued, Issei's brows furrowed slightly. 'This is it?'
(Truly disappointing. For the mastermind of this farce I expected him to be more of a threat.) Ddraig said mentally as even he expected better and more of a challenge.
Issei agreed as he expected more resistance and pressure. With several boosts active, nothing Jellal threw at him felt overwhelming as he was able to quickly dodged, blocked, and countered. Jellal's magic was powerful but it wasn't enough as already a few blows landed and Jellal looked to be suffering from Issei punches that landed on his body.
"Master, please remember that we are on a timer." Sherri reminded Issei of the incoming threat.
'Thank you for reminding me, Sherri.' Issei then shook his head and realized that he was wasting time and exhaled slowly. "Alright, I'm bored.Time to end this."
Issei quickly brought the boosted gear in front of him and then raised it up high as red light flared violently around him. "Balance Breaker."
Power erupted outward as the chamber then trembled as draconic armor erupted and formed across his body. The Scale Mail encased him in red and wings unfolded from his back with power surged through every limb.
Jellal's eyes widened. "What… is that?"
Issei flexed his armored hand once, feeling the raw strength humming through him. "My armor." He replied simply as he slowly began to walk towards Jellal.
Jellal sensing the danger, attacked immediately as darkness lashed out in concentrated blasts and struck Issei head-on.
Unfortunately for him the armor didn't crack or even suffer a single dent as Issei stepped forward through the barrage as fire, wind, darkness, compressed elemental bursts slammed into him.
Jellal's expression shifted from anger to disbelief as then Issei vanished from sight and reappeared in front of Jellal in an instant and drove his fist forward. The punch connected squarely with Jellal's stomach as the impact folded him and air left his lungs in a violent burst.
The floor cracked beneath his knees as he dropped down, one hand catching himself from collapsing entirely.
Issei stood over him, wings spread slightly, as his armor radiated heat and power. "Just give up," Issei said, voice calm now. "This fight's over."
Jellal coughed once then he laughed unstably. "You are stronger than I anticipated," he admitted, forcing himself upright slightly despite the pain. "In this state… I am no match for you."
Issei's eyes narrowed. 'In this state?' He didn't lower his guard but wondered what he was planning.
Jellal's eyes lifted, sharp and confident despite kneeling. "But I have already won. Etherion has been fired." The tower trembled again as something descended from the sky.
—-----------------------------------------------------
Era, Magic Council Headquarters
Deep beneath the capital of Era, the Etherion chamber shook under the weight of its own power.
The massive crystalline core suspended at the center blazed brighter with each passing second. Runes rotated in layered formations around it, each ring accelerating as energy surged through engraved channels carved into the walls and floor. The air vibrated violently. Loose parchment lifted from nearby desks and disintegrated in the current of magic.
The hum had grown into a deafening roar. On the upper platform, the Council members stood in rigid formation despite the tremors beneath their feet. Robes snapped against their legs as raw power pressed upward.
Org stepped forward first as he bowed his head. One by one, the others followed as they clasped their hands and closed their eyes.
"May we be forgiven," Belno whispered, her voice trembling despite her attempt at composure.
"For the lives that will be lost," Leiji added, sorrow cutting through his tone.
Org's jaw tightened hard enough to ache as his hands trembled slightly within his sleeves. "It is necessary," He said firmly, though doubt churned beneath his words. "If Zeref is resurrected, countless more will die. We cannot allow that."
'Let hope this end it,' He prayed silently. 'Let this truly end it.'
The final seal flared to life as a surge of power detonated from the crystalline core. A pillar of blinding light erupted upward, punching through containment barriers and piercing straight into the sky. The chamber shook violently as Etherion was fired.
—---------------------------------------
Outside the Tower of Heaven
Far above the ocean, the heavens split apart as a colossal beam of light descended, vast and merciless, aimed directly at the Tower of Heaven.
Clouds were vaporized in its path, the sea below churned violently, waves rising and crashing against each other under the pressure of descending magic.
The tower stood tall beneath the incoming judgment and then the beam struck, swallowing it whole.
—-------------------------------------------------
Tower of Heaven, Lower Middle Floors
The battle with the Kraken halted instantly as every mage felt it.
The air grew heavy, magic pressure crashed down from above without warning.
Lucy staggered, her heart pounding violently. "What is that?!" She cried, shielding her eyes.
Akitsu froze mid-step, her instincts screaming at her. "That power… It's overwhelming."
Tamamo's ears twitched sharply as she looked upward. 'So this is Etherion.' There was no time to hesitate as Tamamo thrust her hands forward and multiple layered barriers expanded outward, forming a protective dome around the group. Runes flickered rapidly across their surface as they strained against the incoming force. "Everyone huddle together!" She ordered sharply.
The others rushed inward without argument.
Even the Kraken reacted as its turquoise eyes widened as it sensed the descending annihilation. Water surged around its massive body, forming a dense spherical barrier.
Then finally the beam hit and the floor vanished in white and sound disappeared. The impact shook the entire structure. For a moment, there was no up or down. No air. No sensation beyond blinding light and crushing pressure.
—------------------------------------------------------
Tower of Heaven, Top Floor
Issei felt it before the light reached him. A crushing force descended from above, pressing against his armor and bones alike.
Erza's eyes widened as the ritual chamber was consumed in white. "Etherion…" she breathed, disbelief and dread mixing in her voice.
Issei quickly hugged Erza and held her close, pressing her body to his armored self hoping to absorb most of the attack as his wings surrounded them both.
The beam struck as the force tore downward through stone and steel. Engraved runes across the chamber flared violently as if responding. The massive lacrima tower ignited all at once.
Jellal did not move as he stood in the center of the ritual circle, eyes lifted upward, a twisted smile forming.
The beam engulfed them completely as stone cracked, magic howled.
For a single heartbeat there was nothing, only the blinding white light.
—----------------------------------------
Era, Magic Council Headquarters
The Etherion chamber trembled as the discharge sequence completed. The roar that had filled the underground complex faded into a hollow ringing silence. Residual sparks crawled across the massive crystalline core before finally dimming. The rotating runes slowed, then stopped.
Silence settled over the platform.
Org slowly lifted his head, his shoulders felt heavier than before.
"It is done," Michello whispered, staring at the fading light beneath them.
A projection lacrima flared to life at the center of the chamber, displaying the area where the Tower of Heaven should be from a distant vantage point.
Council members leaned forward, then the confusion began as the tower still stood and changed completely. The spiraling metal structure was gone as the outer framework dissolved into brilliant crystalline matter. The entire tower transformed before their eyes into a massive construct of shining lacrima, radiant and pulsing with absorbed energy.
"What…?" Leiji muttered, stepping closer to the projection.
"That's impossible!" Belno said, disbelief cracking her composure.
Org felt his blood run cold. "Did it absorb it?" he asked hoarsely.
"No structure could withstand Etherion!" Michello shouted.
The chamber erupted instantly as voices rose and accusations flew with all eyes turned toward Siegrain.
Yajima stepped forward, his cane striking the stone floor with sharp force. "What did we just do?" He demanded, fury shaking through his voice. "You swore this would end it!"
Siegrain stood at the edge of the platform, calm amid the chaos. Then he smiled visciously. "You did exactly what I needed you to do."
Org's eyes widened. "What?"
Before anyone could react, magic flared around Siegrain's body. A teleportation circle ignited beneath his feet.
"You—!" Yajima shouted, raising his cane as if he could physically stop him.
Siegrain vanished and the chamber exploded into panic.
"Seal the exits!"
"Find him immediately!"
"Deploy the Rune Knights!"
Council guards rushed toward the corridors.
But before any formation could be organized an explosion thundered through the headquarters as the entire structure shook violently. One of the massive outer pillars cracked down the center and shattered, debris raining through the upper levels.
Yajima spun toward the source. "What now—?"
At the far end of the chamber stood Ultear. She had not been there a moment ago as her expression was calm and cold. Time magic spiraled around her hands in layered rings, distorting the air around her hand.
"You…" Yajima whispered, dread settling into his chest. "What are you doing?"
Ultear's eyes remained steady. "Jellal's dream has finally been realized," she said softly. "And this place is no longer needed."
Org felt his stomach drop. 'So this was all planned' he thought. 'From the beginning…'
The magic around Ultear intensified as the air warped, cracks began to spread across the walls from decay as stone aged visibly, polished marble dulled and engraved runes eroded and flaked away.
Org stumbled backward as part of the ceiling above him fractured and collapsed. "You've betrayed the Council!" he shouted.
Ultear raised her hand. "Arc of Time."
The spell activated fully and the headquarters unraveled as support beams aged centuries in seconds, weakening and collapsing under their own weight. Floors crumbled as foundational enchantments decayed beyond repair. Pillars shrank and fractured into brittle remnants before disintegrating entirely.
Council members scrambled to escape falling debris.
Yajima gripped his cane tightly, planting it into the cracking floor to steady himself. "So this… was the plan…" He muttered, realization settling in with bitter clarity. "Use Etherion… empower the tower… then erase us."
Ultear offered no denial. She simply watched as the institution that had ruled magic for generations collapsed around her.
Outside, the grand structure of the Magic Council headquarters began to cave inward as walls folded and the towers fractured. The magic authority was reduced to ruin within moments as dust and debris rose into the sky over Era.