The Final Step

Natsu lay on the ground, continuing to sniff the air. His nose twitched, turning one corner after another.

The crowd followed him around and around, and after a while, they returned to the spot where he had made his footprints.

Mirajane patted Natsu on the head.

Natsu yelled "Aww!" and glared back at her, clutching the back of his head.

"We've been going around in circles. Has your nose stopped working?"

"Ugh, this is so annoying, let's just smash this place up!"

Natsu ignited flames in his hands and, before he could finish speaking, hurled them at the stone pillar beside him.

With a loud crash, the stone pillar broke in two, scattering rubble everywhere.

Mirajane looked around and could clearly feel the wind blowing in, but she couldn't see any exit.

The wind was cool and carried a fishy smell; I had no idea where it had come from.

Gajeel excitedly joined the demolition, his hands transforming into drills that chugdredged and rubble rained down.

"Let's start smashing then. I wonder how the situation is with Riyao?"

Mirajane was too lazy to investigate further; her mind was preoccupied with Riyao, and her head was in a jumble.

She simply stared at the chaotic explosions, pouring ink flames out like they were free, trying to shatter this unease.

Others also joined the demolition work.

Kuku, whose magic was powerful, smashed the cave wall, while Lucy and the others watched the spectacle from both sides. They couldn't very well let the others punch them, could they?

The cave was filled with constant rumbling.

Lightning, flames, frost, storms, and water—multicolored magic struck the stone wall, creating a series of crackling sounds.

The gravel and dust covered my face, making me cough.

Just as the smashing was in full swing, Natsu's nose suddenly twitched.

"There! There!"

Natsu pointed to a broken section of the cave wall and shouted.

"That smells like that bastard Leo!"

Everyone changed direction and fired in unison in the direction Natsu pointed.

Wendy also squeezed to the front.

She took a deep breath and pushed her palms forward.

[Sky Dragon's Roar]

The storm roared out, engulfing all the attacks together and condensing them into an even more powerful magical torrent that rushed straight towards the broken cave wall.

Flames, iron filings, ice shards, and lightning mingled in the wind, making the entire torrent a kaleidoscope of colors, and the roar it created seemed to overturn the entire mountain.

Rumble!

The entire cave was shaking, and pebbles were rolling down like raindrops.

The cave wall was completely shattered by this torrent of magic, revealing a large opening.

A strong wind rushed in through the gap, making everyone's hair a mess.

"Oh ho! That bastard Leo is right outside! And there's a weird smell!"

Natsu ran outside excitedly.

Lucy grabbed his scarf, and he was lifted into the air, his legs kicking wildly.

"Idiot Natsu, check the situation first! Stop! Stop!"

The others quickly followed the reckless fellow.

They rushed outside without even checking the situation outside.

When they came out and saw the scene outside, they all froze on the spot.

It turned out that they were standing on a huge meteorite, and above them was not the sky, but a starry sky.

They were in the starry sky.

The ground was uneven and cold to the touch, and when I looked up, I saw a sky full of stars.

"So beautiful, it feels like I'm in a fairy tale."

Levy at the dazzling starry sky around her, her eyes sparkling.

Gajeel muttered something under his breath.

"What's so interesting about it? My iron is much more attractive."

Levy his foot.

"Fool!"

She stormed off, and Gajeel clutched his toes and howled.

He couldn't understand why that stomp hurt so much.

The distant, towering flames pulled everyone back to reality.

"They're fighting?! That Fire Dragon guy really struck fast."

Gajeel charged forward, cursing and swearing.

He swung the iron rod over his shoulder, taking three steps at a time.

The others followed closely behind.

When they arrived, Mirajane, Natsu, Erza were already giving Leo a good beating.

This place is extremely close to the Celestial Spirit World. Leo's strength has increased, but he can't withstand the combined attack of the three of them.

Natsu blasted a Flame Punch past his ear, the heat making his hair curl up.

Mirajane's dark flames blazed from the side, Leo rolled on the spot, but was still thrown off balance by the aftershock.

Erza's sword flashed, cutting a crack in his golden armor.

If this continues, we might all die here.

Lucy crouched behind the stone pillar.

"You're actually slacking off here."

"What can I do? Without the Celestial Spirit Key, I'm a complete useless piece of trash."

Faced with Gajeel's accusations, Lucy readily admitted that she was a little good-for-nothing.

He then shrugged.

┐(´-`)┌

Gajeel rolled his eyes, his right hand transforming into an iron rod as he charged forward.

Those who arrived later grabbed their weapons.

Lucy, Levy, Yukino, Hisui, Arcadios squatted in place, craning their necks to watch the show.

"Strange, why is there only Leo? Shouldn't there also be Ophiuchus?"

When Princess Hisui saw the crowd surrounding Leo, she noticed the blind boy.

The ground began to shake as soon as he finished speaking.

The tremors grew stronger and stronger; even the meteorites beneath our feet were shaking.

A giant mechanical serpent, as large as the meteorite, appeared before them, its body coiled around the meteorite, its scales gleaming with a cold metallic light.

The snake's head was held high, several times larger than the entire house.

The sound of scales rubbing together was like the entire mine being turned over.

A green-haired nurse stood on the giant snake's head.

"Oh dear, I didn't expect you to end up here after all. But your luck won't be so good from now on."

"Stop talking nonsense and get to the final step of the ceremony."

Leo shook off Natsu, who was clinging to him again, and urged him impatiently.

The wounds on his face hadn't healed yet, but he was angrier than anyone else.

Ophiuchus, however, was in no hurry. She leisurely took out the Celestial Globe, which glowed red and floated up from her palm.

"Hey hey hey, let's get started!"

Erza wouldn't just stand by and watch.

Dozens of longswords appeared out of thin air behind her, their blades humming and their cold light gleaming.

With a flick of her arm, a rain of swords burst forth, aimed directly at Ophiuchus.

The sound of sword tips cutting through the air was continuous, piercing the ears.

Leo raised his hand, and a ball of dark flame exploded in his palm, instantly transforming into a giant fireball that blocked the rain of swords.

The fireball burned fiercely and intensely, and waves of heat rushed towards us.

Clang! The longswords struck the fireballs, falling to the ground one after another, sparks flying everywhere.

Everyone present paused for a moment.

Leo lowered his hand, his emotionless eyes sweeping over everyone present.

"Humans, this is a matter for us Celestial Spirit; it's best not to interfere."

"Huh? What are you talking about, kid? You're all our partners, we can't just watch you go to your deaths!"

Natsu practically roared these words, and the flames on his body burned even brighter with his emotions.