The Abyss Break spell swirled ominously overhead, its dark power threatening to consume everything, but the platform atop Phantom Lord's fortress remained eerily still. Aelius stood with quiet resolve, facing the Wizard Saint, Jose Porla, who regarded him with cautious intrigue. The wind howled around them, carrying the distant echoes of battles waged below.
Jose tilted his head, a sardonic smile tugging at his lips. "You're an odd one. Most would have attacked me by now, or cowered. But you're just… standing there." He folded his arms, watching Aelius carefully. "Who are you?"
Aelius didn't immediately respond. Instead, he let his gaze drift across the fortress, barely paying Jose any attention. "That's a question everyone seems obsessed with today," he said evenly, his voice calm. "Why does it matter?"
Jose let out a soft, amused chuckle. "Because you don't act like Fairy Tail, yet here you are. And unlike the rest of your friends down below, you don't seem eager to throw yourself into the fire. That makes you… interesting." He gestured toward the looming magic circle. "So? Are you here to stop this?"
Aelius turned back to Jose, his expression unreadable. "Not yet. I wanted to see what sort of man you are first."
Jose raised a brow, clearly intrigued. "Is that so? I'm curious, then, do I pass your little test?"
Aelius shrugged, completely unbothered. "You haven't failed yet."
For a moment, there was silence between them, broken only by the hum of magic from Abyss Break. Then, to Aelius's mild surprise, Jose extended an arm and conjured an ornate table and chairs from swirling shadows. With an elegant flick of his hand, a tea set appeared, steam curling delicately from the cups. "It's rare to meet someone who doesn't rush into a pointless fight," Jose said, his voice measured. "Why don't we talk?"
Aelius paused, the faintest hint of amusement tugging at the corner of his lips. "You're offering me tea?"
"Why not?" Jose sat down with a casual grace, pouring himself a cup. "A Wizard Saint isn't without manners. Besides, I'd like to know more about the man who's so unfazed in my presence."
After a moment's consideration, Aelius strode toward the table, his black-green magic flickering faintly under his steps. He sat down opposite Jose and accepted the cup offered to him. The two men sat quietly for a moment, sipping tea as if the world around them weren't on the brink of destruction.
"You still haven't answered my question," Jose said, breaking the silence. "Why are you here?"
Aelius set his cup down with an almost delicate precision, his pale eyes fixed on the Wizard Saint with an unreadable intensity. "Came to see Makarov," he said evenly, his voice a calm contradiction to the chaos outside. "But since he's currently indisposed, I'm just here for the ride."
Jose blinked, momentarily caught off guard by the casual delivery. His expression shifted from curiosity to faint amusement. "The ride?" he echoed, swirling his tea thoughtfully. "So that's it? You wandered into my guild's war for entertainment?"
Aelius shrugged, unbothered by the question or the weight of the accusation. "Something like that. Call it... curiosity. Watching people fight, struggle, and claw for their lives, it tells you a lot about what they're really worth."
Jose tilted his head, a calculating smile playing on his lips. "And what of Fairy Tail? What have you learned about them so far?"
Aelius's gaze turned distant for a moment, as though he were weighing his answer carefully. Finally, his eyes flicked back to Jose. "They're not dead yet," he said flatly.
Jose chuckled at that, a low, dark sound that echoed off the stone walls. "A low bar."
"Maybe," Aelius replied, his tone dismissive. "But sometimes even the smallest flame refuses to be snuffed out. Whether it's stubbornness or stupidity doesn't matter."
The Wizard Saint's smile faltered slightly, though his interest remained piqued. "You don't speak like a member of Fairy Tail."
"I'm not. Haven't been for a long time," Aelius said curtly, his voice sharp and clipped. "But don't let that stop you."
Jose paused mid-step, turning his head just enough to give Aelius a sidelong glance. There was something in that tone, something brittle, restrained, yet deliberate. A hint of a story Jose couldn't quite grasp.
"They're like roaches, you know, the lot of them don't know when to stay down. Aelius said suddenly.
"Oh, we can agree on that," Jose said, his tone dry and unfeeling. "Even a dog knows when to roll over, but these little fairies do have quite a lot of fight, don't they?"
And so they talked, Aelius and Jose sat there, conversing on odd topics, as if they were two old friends catching up, completely ignoring the distant explosions and screams echoing through the air as if it were just another day out. It was surreal, the calm amidst the chaos, as though the rest of the world had fallen away, leaving only the two of them in the silence of their conversation.
After around twenty minutes of easy conversation, punctuated by occasional sips of tea, Jose stood up from his chair. He stretched lazily, glancing down the hallway as if listening for something distant. Aelius remained seated, his eyes fixed on the Wizard Saint with an intensity that seemed almost unfazed by the impending battle.
"Well," Jose said, his tone casual as ever, "I suppose it's about time to see what Fairy Tail can muster as a last stand." He turned to Aelius, quirking an eyebrow. "You coming with me?"
Aelius didn't move from his seat, only lifted his cup and took a final sip. Sure," he replied, his voice steady. "I'll be watching."
"Watching? How generous of you," Jose said with a smirk, his eyes narrowing slightly as he regarded Aelius. "So, Fairy Tail's going to prove something to you, huh?"
"Not to me," Aelius said, finally standing. "To you. To Show they're more than just vermin you can bat around."
Jose's smile faded, replaced by something more contemplative. "Fair enough," he said, looking over his shoulder toward the entrance of the hallway. "Let's go see what they've got, then." He started walking, and Aelius followed, his stride silent as he moved past the Wizard Saint.
As they reached the door, Aelius and Jose exchanged a brief glance, silent understanding passing between them. The faint voices from the other side grew louder, Gray's, Elfman's, Erza's, and Mira's, all speaking in hushed tones, as if weighing their next move.
Jose's hand reached for the door handle, his expression calm but calculating. He pushed it open slowly, revealing the familiar scene beyond, a large chamber illuminated by flickering lights, filled with the remnants of a fierce battle. The air was thick with the smell of dust and the tang of blood, and the sound of grunts and footsteps echoed softly against the walls.
As they stepped through, the magic in the air seemed to tighten around them, almost suffocating in its intensity. Aelius moved in behind Jose, his presence undisturbed by the pressure. The others, Gray, Elfman, Erza, and Mira, turned as one, eyes wide with surprise and confusion as they saw Aelius following the Wizard Saint.
"What are you doing here?" Gray demanded, his voice sharp, his stance protective as he stepped in front of the others.
"Watching," Aelius replied, his tone as level as ever. "Just came to see what Fairy Tail can really do."
Jose stepped forward, his eyes narrowing slightly as he assessed the room and its occupants. The magic around him seemed to pulse, the air itself vibrating with energy. "Well, this is where you'll show me," he said, his voice low and steady. "Your last stand, Fairy Tail."
The pressure in the room intensified, the magic now visible as a swirling mass of energy that seemed to be drawn to the Wizard Saint. A shiver ran through the gathered mages as the weight of his power became palpable.
"Go on, fight," Aelius said, his tone unbothered by the looks of anger and disbelief from the gathered mages. "Impress me enough, and maybe I'll step in. If not, you die."
There was a heavy silence as his words hung in the air, the tension between them palpable. The Fairy Tail mages exchanged uncertain glances, each one clearly weighing the risk of facing Jose's wrath alone. Gray clenched his fists, his eyes flashing with defiance.
"I don't need your help," he snapped, his voice low and fierce. "We'll handle this ourselves."
Aelius tilted his head slightly as if considering the challenge. "Can you?" he replied, his voice smooth and detached. "You're all barely standing, and you're not fighting any run-of-the-mill wizard. I'll admit, I didn't think you'd beat the Element Four, but Jose here is on another level, than anything you've ever faced."
The silence hung heavy in the air as his words sunk in. The Fairy Tail mages exchanged worried glances, each one knowing the truth of his words. Gray tightened his fists, his jaw set. "We don't have a choice," he said, his voice low but firm. "We're not backing down."
Aelius raised an eyebrow, his gaze sweeping over them, taking in the ragged appearances, the bloodied clothes, and the bruises. "Not backing down?" he repeated, his voice dry. "What's that even worth? This isn't a fight you can win, not without more than just the will to survive."
Erza stepped forward, her eyes narrowing. "We fight because it's who we are," she said, her voice steady. "We don't have a choice, not when our home and our family are at stake."
Aelius scoffed, his gaze drifting back to the towering figure of Jose, who was watching them with a detached amusement. "Home? Family?" he asked, his voice dismissive. "What does any of that matter to me? I came here to watch, not to care."
Mira, her voice breaking as she spoke, stepped closer to Aelius, her eyes pleading. "Please," she said softly, her voice filled with desperation. "Don't let them do this alone, Aelius. You don't have to be like this."
Aelius's expression remained unchanged, his eyes locking with hers, cold and unyielding. "You think I care?" he replied, his voice low and harsh. "You think I'm going to risk my neck for a guild full of people who think family means strength?"
"Is that what you think?" Mira asked, her voice steady despite the tears in her eyes. "That we don't care for you? That we don't need you here?"
Aelius's gaze softened, just a fraction, as he turned back to the battle. "I don't know what you think you see," he said, his voice quieter now, almost reflective. "But I'm not here to be saved or to be part of a family."
Aelius leaned casually against the open doorway, his arms crossed as he observed Jose with a detached expression. "Go on, then," he said, his tone dry and laced with faint indifference.
Jose raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips. "Oh? That's all you've got to say?"
Aelius shrugged, gesturing lazily toward the fairy tail members. "Some of us would rather be drinking right now," he replied, his voice calm and matter-of-fact. "But hey, if they manage to surprise me, I might just rethink my stance."
Jose's gaze was calculating as he looked back to the battlefield. "A gamble," he mused, nodding slowly. "Interesting."
"Well, Fairy Tail, you've entertained me enough," Jose said, his tone smooth but laced with menace as he stepped forward. "It's time I return the favor, in full."
Gray and Elfman lunged at him simultaneously, their attacks fueled by desperation and determination. But it was as if they were insects trying to pierce an armor made of stone. Both were thrown back with ease, crashing into the walls with a sound that made everyone wince. The resulting blast also knocked Mira off her feet and sent her flying back.
Erza dashed forward, her eyes flashing with determination. "We're not done yet, Jose!" she called, her voice steady despite the fear knotting in her gut.
Jose turned his gaze on her, sidestepping her slash with ease and grabbing her wrist with surprising strength. Before Erza could react, he twisted her arm sharply, throwing her with a force that belied his unassuming appearance. She righted herself just before hitting the ground, jumping back and landing on one knee, her breath leaving her in a pained gasp.
"Impressive," Jose said, his voice devoid of emotion as he watched her struggle to regain her footing. "But not enough. I'm starting to think your fairy tale isn't as strong as you make it out to be."
"I'm standing because my friends have filled my heart with strength," Erza said, her voice resolute and unwavering. "I will withstand any pain to protect the ones I love!"
Jose's eyes flashed as he deflected the bolts with a swift wave of his hand, his magic reacting instinctively to the threat. "Is that all?" he taunted, his voice calm and mocking. "Come on, Titania, show me what you've got."
The massive explosion rocked the ground beneath them, sending shockwaves through the air. The entire giant started shaking, the force causing it to sway and fall to one knee. As the dust and debris settled, it was clear that the behemoth was crumbling under the strain. The head of the giant, where Aelius and Jose had just shared tea, was torn from its base and fell with a deafening crash into the lake below, sending up a huge splash of water that towered over the landscape.
"My what an unruly dragon, " Jose said, unbothered by the destruction or falling rubble.
"He may be unruly," Erza said, pulling her sword in front of her, her eyes determined and focused, "but he's an extremely powerful mage. I'd say he's just as strong as I am, if not stronger."
"No need to be humble, Titania," Jose said, his voice calm and even, his gaze steady on Erza. "Why, I'd say if it wasn't for you blocking that shot from Jupiter earlier, you and I would be evenly matched. No wizard has lasted this long against me in combat before."
Jose held a fist up in front of him, his eyes narrowed as he aimed it toward Erza. "You know what I hate about Fairy Tail?" he said, his voice cold and calculating. "The fact that there are so many powerful wizards like yourself, relying on Makarov."
With a flick of his finger, a burst of air shot toward Erza, faster than she could react. The force hit her dead center, throwing her into the wall behind her with a sickening thud.
Aelius only watched as Jose's magic struck Erza, his gaze remaining impassive. "Impressive magic," he commented, his voice neutral.
Jose held up an open palm, purple orbs appearing at his fingertips before he fired them in quick succession. Erza narrowly dodged each one, her movements precise and quick as she flew up into the air to avoid being hit. Jose continued to fire, relentless in his attack.
Jose's magic faltered for a moment, his eyes narrowing as Erza's words struck a nerve. "Phantom Lord has more members, more money, and far greater assets," he said, his voice trembling with barely restrained anger. "But recently, new names have started to spread across Fiore, Erza, Laxus, Mystogan, even that upstart Salamander. People have started comparing our guilds."
His eyes widened in a fiery rage as his voice grew louder. "I refuse to be compared to the likes of you!"
Erza, despite her exhaustion, stood tall, her sword ready but her tone steady. "This whole war… this entire senseless conflict… was started because of your wounded pride, wasn't it?"
Jose snarled, the room trembling as his magic surged. "Pride?!" he spat. "It's about respect! About showing the world that Fairy Tail is nothing compared to Phantom Lord! And I will destroy you all to prove it!"
"You're blinded by your own arrogance," Erza shot back. "That's why Fairy Tail will endure, and why we'll defeat you."
A flicker of annoyance crossed Aelius's face as he leaned against a crumbled pillar, watching their exchange. "All this over pride," he murmured to himself, his voice laced with indifference. "How quaint."
Erza shot forward, her blade a blur as she unleashed a flurry of precise slashes against Jose. Each strike was calculated and aimed to exploit any potential opening, but not a single one landed. Jose weaved through her attacks with an unsettling calm, his movements almost lazy as he sidestepped and ducked with a grace that belied his rage-filled aura.
"Is this all you have, Titania?" Jose taunted, his voice dripping with mockery. "The great Erza Scarlet, reduced to wild, desperate swings? Pathetic."
Erza gritted her teeth, her frustration mounting as she pressed harder, launching a downward slash with all her strength. Jose raised his hand, catching her blade mid-strike with a barrier of shadowy energy. The force sent a shockwave through the room, but Jose didn't budge.
"You fight for nothing," Jose said, his voice dark and steady. "For a guild that can't protect its own. You've already lost this war."
Erza's eyes burned with determination as she pressed against the barrier, refusing to relent. "Fairy Tail will never fall. We protect each other. That's something you'll never understand."
Jose's smirk widened, and with a flick of his wrist, a blast of dark energy erupted from the barrier, sending Erza flying back across the room. She crashed into the rubble but pushed herself up immediately, bloodied but undeterred.
From his position, Aelius tilted his head slightly, watching the exchange with an almost detached curiosity. "He's toying with you," he said flatly, his voice carrying across the chaos. "And you're letting him. Try harder, or don't bother at all."
Erza shot a glare at him before turning back to Jose, gripping her sword tightly. "Stay out of this," she snapped at Aelius, before launching herself back into the fray.
Jose extended his hand, his fingers curling as tendrils of purple energy snaked across the ground like living shadows. Before Erza could react, the energy surged upward, coiling tightly around her body. The magical bindings constricted with a force that made her gasp, locking her limbs in place and pinning her sword arm to her side.
"You're predictable," Jose said with a smug grin, his voice cold and condescending. "Charging forward with brute strength and blind loyalty. It's almost too easy." He stepped closer, his dark aura pulsating with each step, the oppressive magic making the air thick and suffocating.
Erza struggled, her muscles straining against the magical bindings. "You won't win, Jose," she spat, her voice full of defiance despite her predicament. "Fairy Tail doesn't bow to tyrants."
"Such conviction," Jose mused, his smirk deepening. "It's a pity that conviction alone won't save you. Tell me, how does it feel to realize your strength is meaningless against me?"
Aelius, leaning against the far wall, tilted his head slightly as he observed. "Interesting technique," he commented in a detached tone, his eyes focused on the purple energy constricting Erza. "Efficient. Precise. No wasted effort."
Jose spared a glance toward Aelius, his smirk still in place. "Praise from you? I must be making quite the impression."
Aelius's gaze shifted to meet Jose's, his expression unreadable. "Enjoy it while it lasts. Pride tends to be a fleeting thing."
Erza gritted her teeth and summoned all her strength, her magic surging within her. The purple energy trembled, cracks forming in its structure as her sheer willpower began to overpower the binding spell. "I won't give up," she growled, her voice steady and determined. "Not while my friends are counting on me!"
Jose's smile faded slightly as he tightened his grip, sending another surge of power through the bindings. "Let's see how long you last, Titania."
Erza's screams pierced the air, raw and defiant, as crimson lightning erupted from Jose's outstretched hand, lashing across her body like a living serpent. The hall was bathed in a hellish red glow as the lightning struck repeatedly, each crackling bolt tightening around her form. The magic wrapped her like chains, constricting her movements and forcing her to take the onslaught.
"I'll tell you what I'll do, Titania," Jose sneered, his grin stretching into something cruel and sadistic. The crimson lightning in his hand crackled violently, the air growing heavy with his malice. "I'm going to kill you and the rest of your pathetic guild. I'll display your broken bodies like trophies for your dear Master Makarov to see." His voice dropped to a venomous whisper, dripping with malice. "And when sorrow consumes him when he's nothing more than a shell of himself, I'll finish the job."
Erza opened her mouth to speak, but her words were ripped away as another surge of crimson lightning coursed through her body. Her screams echoed off the walls, the raw power of Jose's magic overwhelming her.
"This is just sad," Aelius's voice cut through the chaos, cold and biting. He stepped forward, his expression as calm and detached as ever, his pale eyes locked on Jose. "Mind letting up for a second? I want to ask her a question."
Jose turned to Aelius, an incredulous smirk spreading across his face. "Ask her a question?" he repeated, his tone laced with mockery. "And what could you possibly have to ask this little fairy? Planning to inspire her with a pep talk?"
Aelius ignored the Wizard Saint's taunt, his gaze unwavering. "I just want to know if she's finally realized how pointless this all is." He gestured toward Erza, her body trembling as she struggled against the binding magic. "You're fighting a battle you can't win, Scarlet. Tell me, does Fairy Tail's 'spirit' still burn so brightly now that you're nothing more than a plaything for this man?"
Erza's head snapped up, her crimson gaze blazing despite the pain that wracked her body. "Fairy Tail's spirit doesn't die," she ground out, her voice raw but unyielding. "No matter what you or Jose do to us, we'll keep fighting. That's who we are."
Aelius tilted his head, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "Admirable, I suppose. Foolish, but admirable."
Jose laughed darkly, the sound reverberating through the hall. "There's that spirit again," he sneered. "Let's see how long it lasts."
With a flick of his wrist, he released another burst of lightning, the crimson bolts crackling through the air. But before they could reach Erza, a barrier of black-green magic flared to life between her and the attack, dissipating the energy in an instant.
Jose's eyes narrowed, turning toward Aelius. "Interfering now, are we?"
Aelius shrugged, his expression under his mask unbothered. "Not really. Just thought I'd give her a moment to breathe. Can't exactly enjoy the show if she's already out of the game." His gaze turning back to Erza.
Jose's irritation deepened, his magic flaring once more. "You're awfully bold for someone who claims to be an observer," he said, his voice low and dangerous.
Aelius met his gaze without flinching. "And you're awfully quick to underestimate me, Wizard Saint. Careful pride has a way of leading to unpleasant ends."
The tension between the two men thickened, their auras clashing in the air. Meanwhile, Erza gritted her teeth and forced herself to her feet, her resolve burning brighter despite the pain.
"Here," Aelius said, his voice cutting through the tension. He stepped forward slightly, his calm gaze settling on Erza. "I'll ask one more thing, and her answer will determine my next move." His tone grew colder, sharper. "There's something that's been bugging me more than I'd like to admit. What happened to Levy to put her in a coma?"
Erza froze, the question hitting her like a physical blow. Her expression faltered, her sword lowering slightly as memories of the attack resurfaced.
"She…" Erza began, her voice thick with anger and sorrow. "She was ambushed. Phantom Lord didn't just attack her, they made a spectacle of it. Levy, Jet, and Droy were caught off guard. They were pinned to a tree in the middle of town like some grotesque display. Phantom Lord wanted to send a message, to humiliate us."
She clenched her fists tightly, her entire body trembling with the memory. "When we found them, Levy was unconscious, blood running down her face. They'd carved Phantom Lord's emblem into her stomach like some twisted signature. She was barely breathing, her magic drained, her body beaten beyond recognition. They didn't just attack, they desecrated her. All to provoke us."
Behind the cold, unyielding mask that covered Aelius's face, his pale eyes darkened in a subtle yet chilling shift that sent a ripple through the oppressive atmosphere. The air around him seemed to grow heavier and colder, the sheer force of his presence making the room feel smaller, more suffocating. For a moment, no one dared to speak, the weight of Erza's words hanging in the silence like a blade poised to strike. Though his face was obscured, the tension in his posture and the sharp glint in his eyes hinted at a storm brewing beneath the surface.
In an instant, the oppressive force of Jose's dark aura was swallowed whole by something far more sinister. Aelius's black-green aura erupted like a storm, pouring off him in waves, its sickly hue staining the very air around him. The aura pulsed and writhed, almost alive, carrying with it a suffocating weight that seemed to press down on every corner of the room. Even those outside weren't spared, their stomachs churned, and fear gripped their hearts as the sheer malice of Aelius's power seeped into their very bones.
From behind his mask, his pale eyes gleamed with a venomous light, a silent promise of devastation. The room felt as though it were on the verge of collapsing under the weight of his fury, the stillness broken only by the sickly hum of his unrestrained power.
"Congrats, Erza, you just saved your guild." Aelius's voice was chillingly calm, a stark contrast against the raging aura around him, licking up the walls and rubble. His hand shot out behind him as a transparent green shield appeared protecting her and the downed forms of her comrades from harm.
Jose hissed in pain as a small green pellet grazed his cheek, the wound beginning to fester as if already infected. His eyes narrowed as he glanced over to where Aelius stood, his gaze cold and calculating. "What was that?" he demanded, his voice low and menacing.
Aelius's lip curled in a faint smirk behind his mask, his eyes never leaving Jose's. "Just a little reminder," he said, his tone dark and deliberate. "That you're not the only one who can play with darkness."
Jose's fingers twitched as he prepared another dark spell, his gaze flickering between Aelius and the rapidly spreading infection on his cheek. "You think you can stop me with tricks?" he sneered, his voice thick with arrogance. "I've dealt with far worse than whatever you can throw at me."
"Have you?" Aelius countered, his voice even as he lifted his own hand, green sparks beginning to dance at his fingertips. "You're about to find out, Wizard Saint."
Aelius and Jose's duel unfolded as a breathtaking symphony of clashing magics, the air thick with malice and power. Aelius remained calm and calculating, his pale eyes never leaving Jose, every motion deliberate and measured. The sickly green glow of his aura radiated with increasing intensity, a harbinger of the chaos he was about to unleash.
Jose, on the other hand, exuded confidence laced with fury. His dark energy spiraled around him like living shadows, the tendrils lashing out unpredictably. His Shade Magic warped the air itself, casting shifting, inky patterns on the stone walls of the ruined chamber.
Their first clash came swiftly.
"Plague God's Carrion Gale!" Aelius roared, thrusting his hands forward. From his palms erupted a swarm of green-tinged spectral crows, their feathers dripping with toxic energy. They screeched as they spiraled toward Jose, their forms blurring between corporeal and ethereal as they flew. The very air around them turned rancid, a stench of decay heralding their arrival.
Jose snarled, spinning his arms in an arc. "Shade Shroud!" A barrier of twisting shadows rose before him, the writhing tendrils snapping like whips as they intercepted the spectral crows. Each impact released bursts of green and black energy, the crows dissolving into a noxious mist upon contact.
The duel escalated.
Aelius stepped forward, his sword materializing in a burst of sickly green light. The rusted, jagged blade pulsed with raw malice. "Plague God's Pestilent Blade!" he declared, swinging the weapon in a wide arc. A crescent of green energy flew from the blade, its edges trailing with virulent spores that clung to everything they touched.
Jose countered instantly. "Shade Severance!" he bellowed, slicing the air with his hand. A jagged line of pure shadow surged forth, meeting the green crescent mid-flight. The resulting explosion shook the room, the opposing energies clashing violently, leaving behind a swirling vortex of black and green.
"You think your sickness can match my darkness?" Jose sneered, summoning a spear of pure shadow in his hand. With a flick of his wrist, he hurled it at Aelius.
"Plague God's Miasmic Veil!" Aelius intoned, raising a hand. A thick cloud of green mist erupted around him, the spear vanishing within its depths. When the mist cleared, Aelius stood unharmed, his eyes glinting with cold amusement.
The fight grew more intense. Aelius launched into the air, his movements eerily graceful despite the jagged edges of his aura. He extended his arm. "Plague God's Rotting Rain!" From above, droplets of glowing green energy began to fall, each drop sizzling as it struck the ground. Where the rain touched, the floor bubbled and cracked, as though consumed by acid.
Jose raised his hands skyward. "Shade Spire!" he shouted. From the ground, a massive spire of black energy shot upward, piercing through the falling droplets and forcing Aelius to evade. The spire twisted like a living thing, its shadowy tendrils reaching for Aelius mid-flight.
With a grunt, Aelius slashed downward with his sword. "Plague God's Blighted Cleave!" The blade tore through the spire, its green energy infecting the shadowy construct. The spire withered and collapsed into a heap of ash, dissipating into nothingness.
Jose's frustration began to show. "Enough of this!" he roared, summoning a massive sphere of shadow above his head. "Shade Annihilation!" The sphere grew, its edges writhing like a storm as it sucked in the light around it. With a forceful shove, Jose hurled it at Aelius.
Aelius raised his hand, his voice steady and calm. "Plague God's Harbinger!" A massive, green-tinged figure materialized before him, a grotesque amalgamation of decay and rot. The creature, shrouded in mist, slammed into the oncoming sphere, holding it in place with its decaying limbs.
The resulting explosion consumed the battlefield in black and green light, the very air trembling from the sheer force of the clash. When the dust settled, Aelius stood amidst the rubble, his aura stronger than ever. His body bore fresh wounds, yet they closed almost instantly, the green glow of his regenerative magic defying logic and nature.
Jose, panting and visibly drained, took a step back, his confidence wavering. "What… What are you?!" he demanded, his voice tinged with fear.
Aelius tilted his head, his mask chipped enough to reveal a faint, humorless smile. "Plague," he said simply, lifting his sword. "The sickness that consumes all, even shadows."
Jose roared and launched one last desperate attack, pouring everything he had into a massive surge of Shade Magic. The shadows swirled and coalesced into a monstrous, clawed apparition, charging at Aelius with a deafening screech.
"Plague God's Final Whisper," Aelius intoned, lowering his blade. A surge of green energy erupted outward, engulfing the apparition. The shadow construct disintegrated, its howls fading into nothingness.
Before Jose could react, Aelius was upon him, his rusted blade slamming into Jose's barrier. The shield shattered like glass, and Aelius delivered a final blow, the flat of his sword connecting with Jose's temple.
Jose crumpled to the ground, unconscious and defeated.
Aelius stood over his fallen opponent, his corrupted aura beginning to recede. "Arrogance," he murmured, his voice echoing in the now-silent chamber. "It always ends the same."
Turning his head slightly, Aelius glanced back toward the shadows where Erza and the others had been watching. His voice was calm, almost disinterested. "He's not dead. Yet."
Erza, still clutching her sword and barely standing, stared in disbelief at the scene before her. She struggled to reconcile the brutal display she had just witnessed with the figure standing before her, still emanating an unnerving aura despite his apparent victory.
With a flash of light, five vials appeared in Aelius's hand, each filled with a thick, green liquid that shimmered unnaturally under the dim lighting. Without a word, he knelt beside Jose's unconscious form, uncorked one of the vials, and forcefully poured its contents down the man's throat. The liquid glowed faintly as it disappeared, leaving a faint green haze around Jose's mouth before dissipating entirely.
Aelius rose, his movements deliberate, and turned toward Erza, who remained standing but visibly shaken. He extended another vial to her without meeting her gaze. "Drink it," he commanded flatly. "You'll live long enough to regret everything."
Erza hesitated, her trembling hand reaching out to take the vial. She stared at it, the thick liquid swirling unnaturally as though it had a life of its own. "What… what is this?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Something to keep you alive," Aelius replied curtly. "Don't ask questions you don't want answered."
Without waiting for her to respond, he turned his back and strode purposefully toward the unconscious forms of Gray, Elfman, and Mira. Kneeling beside each of them in turn, he uncapped the remaining vials and poured the liquid down their throats. As the green glow faded from their lips, their breathing steadied, and some of their wounds began to knit together, though the process was slow and unsettling to watch.
By the time he was done, Aelius stood and surveyed the room, his pale eyes briefly flickering to Erza. "They'll live," he said bluntly. "For now."
Erza's grip tightened on the vial in her hand, her mind a whirlwind of confusion and unease. "Why?" she demanded, her voice stronger now, tinged with both gratitude and suspicion. "Why save them? Why save me? You made it clear you don't care for us anymore, so why?"
Aelius paused mid-step, his back still turned to her, the faint green glow of his aura casting distorted shadows on the ruined walls. For a moment, he didn't respond, the silence pressing down as if the very air had thickened. Then, he tilted his head slightly, his voice low but oddly soft when he finally spoke.
"Master's back."
The weight of his words hung in the air, reverberating through the silence. The oppressive aura that had suffocated the room moments ago began to fade, dissipating like a storm breaking at dawn. The sickly green glow that had clung to him dimmed until only the faintest traces lingered in the rubble-strewn hall.
Erza's eyes widened, her confusion deepening. "What are you talking about?" she asked, her grip tightening on the vial in her hand.
Aelius didn't turn to face her. His posture seemed almost relaxed now, the tension in his shoulders easing as his aura receded completely. "You'll see," he said cryptically, his tone carrying a strange mix of resignation and certainty.
"Drink it. You won't die if you don't," he added, his voice cold and matter-of-fact. "But you'll wish you did."
Before Erza could muster a reply, Aelius crouched and hoisted the unconscious forms of Gray and Elfman onto his shoulders with an ease that seemed almost dismissive. He turned his head slightly, though not enough to meet her gaze, and gestured toward Mira's prone form. "And grab the other one," he said bluntly, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Erza hesitated, her body still trembling from the ordeal she'd endured. She glanced at the vial in her hand, then back to Aelius, her confusion and unease warring within her. After a beat, she pushed herself to her feet, her resolve solidifying as she moved toward Mira.
The faint, sickly smell of the green liquid wafted from the vial, but Erza ignored it. Her focus was on helping her comrade, and even if Aelius's intentions remained a mystery, she couldn't deny the strange power of whatever he had given her. She crouched, slipping an arm under Mira to lift her as carefully as her battered body would allow.
Aelius didn't say another word as he began walking, his figure steady and unrelenting as he made his way through the debris-strewn corridor. Erza followed, her mind spinning with questions she couldn't yet find the courage to voice.
The group emerged onto the lower cliffside, the vantage point offering a clear view of the Phantom Lord guild hall towering above them. Smoke billowed from its crumbling structure, the once-imposing fortress reduced to a ruin. The air was heavy with tension, the only sounds being the distant groans of shifting rubble and the faint rustle of wind.
Erza set Mira down carefully on the rocky ground, her movements slow and deliberate as she checked for signs of life. Gray and Elfman stirred weakly in Aelius's grasp, their groans of pain barely audible.
"What happened up there?" Lucy asked, her voice tight with worry as she clung to Happy. Her eyes darted between Erza's battered form and the eerie figure of Aelius standing a few paces away.
"It was… a fight," Erza replied vaguely, her voice distant. Her gaze lingered on Aelius, who stood silent at the cliff's edge.
Gray groaned. "Jose's magic… It was overwhelming. I've never felt anything like it," he muttered, clutching his side. "How the hell are we still alive?"
Erza hesitated, but before she could respond, Aelius moved. With an unceremonious motion, he dropped Gray and Elfman to the ground like discarded luggage. The thud of their bodies drew startled yelps from both of them as they scrambled to right themselves.
"Hey!" Elfman protested, wincing as he cradled his arm. "What's your, "
"Ask her yourselves," Aelius cut him off coldly, his voice devoid of emotion. His pale eyes remained fixed on the shattered guild hall above them, his back turned to the group.
"Damn it…" Gray muttered, glaring at Aelius before looking to Erza. "What's his deal? And what the hell is wrong with his body?"
The question hung in the air as all eyes turned to Aelius. His shredded cloak barely clung to him, revealing the sickly green hue of his skin. Scars littered his exposed flesh, some long healed, others fresh and grotesque. Worse still, patches of his body appeared to be rotting, the tissue decayed and riddled with dark veins that pulsed faintly. Yet, amidst the horrific damage, his wounds regenerated with an unnatural speed, the torn flesh knitting itself back together as if mocking nature.
Lucy clutched Happy tighter, her face pale. "Is… is that what he always looks like?" she whispered, her voice shaking.
Natsu stepped closer to Lucy and Happy, his brows furrowed in confusion. "He's changed so much," he said, his voice low. "It's like he's not even human anymore."
"Whatever he is," Lucy murmured, her grip on Happy tightening, "he saved us. But… why?"
"Maybe because he didn't have a choice," Gray suggested, his voice rough as he tried to sit up. "Or maybe… he's got his own reasons for being here."
Aelius remained silent, his eyes distant, watching Makarov descend from the ruins of the Fairy Tail guild hall with a steady, unwavering gaze. The master landed softly on the ground, his presence drawing the attention of the entire group.
"Master" was all Aelius said as the short man approached him,
Makarov's eyes flickered with a mix of happiness and exhaustion as he looked up at Aelius, his small frame barely reaching the taller man's knees. "Aelius…" he began, his voice rough and filled with years of concern. "Welcome back, my boy."
Aelius's gaze softened, just for a moment. "Master," he replied, his voice steady, though a hint of emotion laced his words. "It's… been a long road."
Makarov's eyes searched Aelius's face, then drifted down to his tattered cloak and the remnants of his body exposed beneath. "Looks like you didn't find what you were looking for," Makarov said softly, his voice gentle but filled with an unspoken sorrow.
Aelius nodded, his expression unreadable behind his mask. "That's why I'm back" he admitted, his eyes drifting to the broken remains of the Fairy Tail guild hall in the distance. "I've run out of time."
Makarov's eyes grew sad, his gaze lingering on Aelius's form as he realized what the return meant. "I hoped I'd never see this day," His voice trailed off, the unspoken words hanging heavy in the air.
Aelius nodded once, a brief, almost imperceptible movement. "I've run out of paths to take," he replied quietly, his voice steady despite the sadness in his eyes. "I came back to say goodbye, Master."
"We can talk later, Master. Go check on the others," Aelius said, moving away and sitting on the cliff facing toward the destroyed giant.
Makarov hesitated for a moment, then nodded silently. "Of course," he said, his voice carrying a mix of sadness and acceptance. He turned away and made his way toward the others, leaving Aelius alone on the cliff, facing the wreckage of the destroyed giant.