Ace slowly opened his eyes.
A stream of dark purple light swirled in the depths of his pupils before gradually settling into a profound shade at the bottom of his irises.
He spread his hands.
In his left palm, the warm, golden Digital Soul flowed like liquid, tracing complex data patterns beneath his skin.
In his right palm, a dark magic as deep as the night lay quietly coiled.
Dark purple ripples occasionally surfaced on it, a sign that it had been thoroughly refined and tamed.
The golden power was like the sun, the dark magic like the moon.
They circulated through his magical circuits along a profound trajectory, and with each completed cycle, his aura grew a little more solid.
"Finally... I've completely mastered it."
Ace let out a long breath.
The exhalation condensed in the air into a faint, dual-colored mist of gold and black that lingered for a long time before dissipating.
"You have fully recovered."
A voice as gentle as a wind chime came from his side.
Sakuyamon was kneeling beside him, her long silver hair fluttering slightly in the wind.
Her hands were folded on her lap, with her Vajra Staff resting beside her, its rings glinting faintly even in stillness.
For three days and nights, she had not closed her eyes.
The purification barrier had continuously radiated from her, providing the most stable environment for Ace's seclusion.
Ace turned to look at the sacred Digimon.
A faint trace of fatigue was on her face, but her eyes remained clear and serene.
"You've worked hard, Sakuyamon," Ace said, his voice gentle and filled with sincere gratitude.
He stood up, walked over to her, and reached out to gently pat her head.
Sakuyamon lowered her head slightly, her fox ears twitching as a barely perceptible blush rose to her cheeks.
"It is my duty," she said softly.
She then stood up as well, carefully straightening the collar and cuffs of her robes.
As a holy Digimon, she paid great attention to maintaining a proper appearance, even in this deserted place.
"I wonder how things are... at the guild," Ace murmured to himself, a sliver of unease rising in his heart.
He took out a communication Lacrima from his pocket.
After a few seconds of silence, the crystal began to vibrate violently!
CresGarurumon's urgent voice came through, telling Ace exactly what had transpired.
Ace's expression instantly turned cold.
The surrounding temperature seemed to plummet.
The sea of clouds stopped flowing, and fine ice crystals began to form on the edges of the floating island.
"The Council..." he slowly spat out the two words, each syllable laced with a chilling frost.
"They really couldn't wait."
He put away the Lacrima, a stream of dark purple light flashing in his eyes—a natural reaction of Jose's death magic responding to his emotional fluctuations.
"Sakuyamon, prepare to return," Ace's voice returned to calm, but beneath that calm was a suppressed, violent undercurrent.
MetalSeadramon's massive, silver-gray body burst through the clouds.
It hovered at a low altitude, its streamlined body swaying slowly.
Each sway carved minute cracks in the surrounding space.
"Back to Fairy Tail," Ace leaped onto MetalSeadramon's broad back. "Full speed."
Sakuyamon landed lightly beside him.
MetalSeadramon let out a low roar.
Its enormous body twisted abruptly, transforming into a silver-gray streak of light that shot toward Magnolia.
....
Magnolia, the Fairy Tail guild.
The sun was scorching, but the atmosphere on the ground was even more searing.
Fifty-three Rune Knights from the Council, clad in pure white uniforms and holding standard-issue magic lances, had surrounded the guild in a tight semi-circular formation.
The vice-captain, Lei, stood at the forefront.
He was a middle-aged man of about forty with a military-style buzz cut.
An old scar below his left eye added a touch of ferocity to his already grim face.
At this moment, he was staring with hawk-like eyes at Makarov, who stood blocking the path to the guild's ruins.
"Master Makarov, this is the final ultimatum," Lei's voice was like the grating of rusted iron.
"One, hand over the criminal, Ace. Two, allow us to search all areas of the guild, including underground spaces and secret magic chambers. Three, all of Fairy Tail's S-Class Mages are forbidden from leaving Magnolia during the investigation."
He paused, his tone growing heavier.
"If you refuse, according to Article Seven of the 'Council Emergency Response Regulations,' I will have the authority to clear the area by force and temporarily freeze the Fairy Tail guild's magic seal until the investigation is concluded."
As his voice fell, fifty-three magic lances were raised in unison, their tips aimed at the guild members.
The magic patterns on the lances began to charge, emitting a low, threatening hum.
"I'll also say this one last time," Makarov's voice wasn't loud, but it carried clearly across the area.
"Ace is not at the guild. He is in training somewhere and we dont know his exact location. As for a search..."
The old man slowly raised his right hand, palm up.
"BOOM—!!"
Golden magic power shot into the sky!
The terrifying pressure of a Wizard Saint swept out like a tsunami.
The Rune Knights all took a step back in unison, the lances in their hands beginning to tremble violently!
"This is Fairy Tail's home," Makarov said, word by word. "Without my permission, whoever dares take a single step—"
He clenched his fist.
Crack!
The tips of all fifty-three magic lances simultaneously fractured!
Lei's face changed drastically.
He subconsciously retreated, but Makarov's pressure followed him like a shadow, locking onto his very soul.
"—I will make them stay here forever."
Silence.
Only the crackling sound of the magic lances shattering and the heavy breathing of the Rune Knights could be heard.
Just then—
"WHOOSH—!!!"
A piercing sound of something breaking the sound barrier came from high above!
Everyone snapped their heads up.
A massive, silver-gray figure blotted out the sun.
MetalSeadramon plummeted like a meteor, abruptly decelerating a hundred meters from the ground.
The violent airflow swept through the square like a typhoon.
Rubble, dust, and broken timber were flung into the sky, and the Rune Knights were blown off their feet.
"BOOM—!!"