Chapter 265: Abyss Break
"What's coming?" Gray asked, puzzled.
Noah waved his hand, not answering.
BOOM!
The Magic Giant lifted its mechanical leg and took a massive step toward Fairy Tail.
"It's coming...!"
"Are they planning to trample the guild?!"
"How do we even fight that thing?!"
As the giant loomed closer, many guild members broke out in cold sweat. The older members instinctively looked at Noah, and seeing his calm expression, they calmed down as well.
For a creature of that size, the distance was covered in just a few steps. The giant stopped right in front of them, its oppressive presence suffocating at this range.
It raised its right hand, hovering it in mid-air. Magic power gathered at its fingertips, and it began to trace glowing lines in the sky.
"What is that...?"
No one knew what the giant was doing, but they knew it wasn't anything good. They began to attack, but ordinary magic barely scratched the giant's armor.
Ultear and the others prepared to use high-level spells, but Noah stopped them with Telepathy. "Don't rush. Let's see what that magic circle does first."
Suddenly, a swarm of black figures poured out of the giant's body. They wore cloaks but had no legs, just wisps of black smoke, and they carried weapons.
"What are those things?!"
"There's so many of them!"
The number of figures quickly exceeded the number of guild members, making everyone nervous.
"Those are Jose's Shades," Ultear said aloud. "They aren't human. They're soldiers created by his magic. Be careful, don't let them touch you. They are curses."
The Shades drifted toward the guild, and the members engaged them.
Clang! Bang! Boom!
Spells flew, weapons clashed.
"That's right," Jose's voice echoed, filled with smug satisfaction. "They drain the life force of anyone they touch."
"Then we just don't let them touch us!"
"Guns Magic!"
"The Gunner!"
Alzack and Bisca unleashed a storm of bullets, shredding a large group of Shades instantly.
"No way!"
"Are you kidding me?!"
But the dispersed black mist simply reformed into new Shades and continued the attack.
"Enchant: Full-Body Attribute Boost!"
Wendy, having gathered enough magic, cast an enchantment on the entire guild. Everyone felt their strength increase, their attacks hitting harder. Unfortunately, her reserves were low, and after boosting everyone, her legs gave out, and she sat down heavily.
"You don't have enough magic yet. Don't push yourself," Kagura said, slicing a Shade that had gotten too close to Wendy.
"I just want to help everyone," Wendy said, wiping sweat from her forehead with a smile.
"Me too," Meredy said. She clasped her hands together. "Light Magic: Purify!"
A gentle light enveloped every guild member. Suddenly, their attacks became far more effective. Where before the Shades would disperse into mist and reform, now they vanished completely upon being hit.
"Meredy! That's amazing! This makes things so much easier!" the guild members cheered.
"I'm glad I could help," Meredy said, collapsing next to Wendy with a smile. "But my magic is limited. It won't last long."
"That's more than enough," Kagura reassured her. Being able to permanently destroy the enemy changed the entire battle.
With Wendy and Meredy's help, the guild stabilized their line and even began to push back.
But then, even more Shades poured from the giant. Jose had seen the tide turning and increased the pressure. The battle fell into a stalemate.
Ultear and the other S-Class wizards held back, using low-level spells to conserve their strength for the real threats later.
Makarov started to move forward but stopped when he saw his children holding their own. This was just Jose's opening move. Since the guild was handling it, he would watch over them. He trusted Noah's plan. But he stayed ready to intervene at a moment's notice.
While the battle raged below, the Magic Giant continued its work. The lines in the sky grew more complex, forming a massive magic circle.
"Wait... are those runes?!"
"Is that...?"
"A magic circle!! The giant itself is casting a spell!!"
"What—?!"
As the circle neared completion, Makarov's anger spiked. "Jose, you bastard! Do you want to die?!"
His magic power flared uncontrollably, crushing the ground beneath him. Several Shades that rushed him were instantly vaporized by his aura alone.
"That magic circle... it's Abyss Break," Noah said, looking up. "A forbidden magic."
"A circle that size... the dark wave could destroy everything all the way to Kardia Cathedral!" Loke said, his face pale.
"What?!"
"Noah!"
Gray and Natsu looked to Noah.
"Mhm." Noah nodded. He pulled out his communication lacrima and contacted Laxus and Mystogan.
"Begin the operation."
"Been waiting for this."
"Understood."
Explosions echoed from inside the giant.
"What's going on?" Gray asked.
"You'll see," Noah smiled. He stood up, a magic circle flashing over him, instantly cleaning the dirt from his clothes. He stored the giant lacrima crystal, then walked toward Makarov. The Shades tried to attack him but vanished before they could even get close.
"Jose! You dare use a forbidden spell like Abyss Break? With this much power? You've lost your mind!"
"Hmm? How are you still moving? You took a direct hit from Jupiter."
"Because I'm a little bit strong," Noah said, repeating his gesture with his thumb and forefinger.
"Damn brat! Don't think you're special! I'll show you hell!"
Jose, enraged by Noah's mockery, poured more power into the Shades. A tidal wave of ghosts surged toward Fairy Tail.
"This level of power..." Makarov muttered, watching Noah move. He looked at the endless wave of Shades with concern.
"Jose's magic has improved a lot since six years ago," Noah said, standing beside Makarov. "No wonder he feels confident enough to attack us."
"But now, it's our turn. Erza, you can come out now."
Noah clapped his hands. Erza, Mirajane, and Cana materialized, holding the video cameras.
"Erza? Mirajane? Cana?" Jose was confused. "Wait... what are those machines?"
"These? They're recording evidence of your crimes," Noah smiled.
"What?!"
"You attacked our guild with Jupiter, and now you're using Abyss Break, a forbidden magic, with complete disregard for the citizens of Magnolia. That's a heavy crime. Now, we're fighting back."
Noah took the cameras and let them float beside him, continuing to record.
"DAMN BRAT!!!" Jose's hatred for Noah was palpable. Everyone shivered.
"What's the plan?" Erza asked seriously.
"First, I'll restore everyone," Noah said. He raised his hand, and a brilliant light bathed the guild. The Shades vanished on contact. The guild members felt their magic and stamina return, their fatigue washing away.
"Ultear, Sorano, Erza, Mira, Cana, Natsu, Gray, Elfman. You enter the giant. Defeat the Element 4 and the Iron Dragon. The others stay here and defend the guild."
"What about you?" Ultear asked.
"I'll stay here and watch over everyone until Jose makes his move. Can you handle the others? Defeating the Element 4 will stop Abyss Break. You have about ten minutes."
"Of course! I'm gonna smash 'em!" Natsu clenched his fists.
"Good. Go."
"Let's move!" Erza shouted, charging forward. The others followed. Happy flew after Natsu.
"I'll clear a path! Heaven's Sundering Light!"
Noah thrust his palm forward. A beam of light obliterated every Shade in its path.
BOOM!
The beam hit the giant, making it stumble back a step.
"Oops. A little too much force," Noah muttered. The giant was still drawing the circle, so it was fine.
The guild members, seeing the power of the blast and Noah's nonchalance, relaxed and focused on the Shades.
"Is this really okay?" Makarov asked.
"It's fine. We have evidence that they attacked first. We are the victims acting in self-defense. And since they dared to use Abyss Break here, endangering civilians... after today, Phantom Lord will cease to exist."
Makarov nodded. "Keep them safe."
"I am. I'm monitoring everyone. Meredy's buff wore off. I'll refresh it."
Noah raised his hand, and a brighter light enveloped the guild, restoring the insta-kill effect on the Shades.
Seeing things were stable, Noah sat down next to Yukino and the girls, casually zapping Shades out of the air with his fingers. Wendy and Meredy, fully restored, rejoined the battle. Yukino, out of magic, stayed back.
~~~
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