Chapter 25 : Deliora Dead??

"Ang——"

Deliora let out another deafening roar.

The overwhelming magical aura enveloped the entire temple. Even without seeing its true form up close, everyone felt the oppressive presence of the demon!

They couldn't help but quicken their pace.

Descending underground.

"Ah—"

Natsu went all out, enduring Zalty's magical assault, darted towards his enemy, and delivered a powerful punch!

'Boom'

Zalty was sent flying.

Not everyone possessed Natsu's endurance. Not every battle could be concluded with a single punch.

"Natsu!" Erza cried out.

"Erza?!" Natsu, having just defeated a formidable foe, saw Erza's exaggerated expression of anger and his complexion drained of color!

"Hmph!" Erza snorted icily, "We'll settle our score later!"

"Huh—" Natsu breathed a sigh of relief.

"Natsu." Everit appeared beside him, clutching a torch.

"Thank you." Natsu ingested the flames, replenishing his magical reserves.

Then, Natsu blamed himself, addressing Gray: "Sorry, I couldn't stop it."

The ice encasing Deliora was on the verge of melting, its resurrection imminent.

Hearing Natsu's words, Gray shook his head, "No need to apologize."

"I was at fault too, if only I had been quicker." Erza also reproached herself slightly.

But then, she glared at Everit, her anger undisguised.

"Everit, you could have stopped it!"

"I could have," Everit acknowledged.

"Why didn't you?!"

"But it wasn't necessary."

"Why not?" Erza demanded.

"Ang——" Deliora emitted an even more ominous roar.

Everyone instinctively covered their ears, channeling their magical power to withstand the pressure exerted by the powerful demon!

"At last." Lyon approached with determination.

"I shall vanquish Deliora and let the Ice Make Magic reverberate throughout the world!"

'Bang'

Gray subdued Lyon with a gentle knock. "The restless ought to calm down."

Then Gray's gaze hardened.

"Ice-make magic is a cold magic," he declared. "But it's also magic that shields those you hold dear. Last time, it was Ur who shielded Lyon and me. This time, it's my turn. Stand up and protect my family!"

With unwavering resolve, Gray strode into the water, channeling Iced Shell magic.

"Iced Shell, Gray, what are you thinking?!" cried out a figure, a white plaid scarf fluttering, standing between Gray and Deliora.

It was Natsu!

Without turning back, Natsu spoke with gravity. "I'm going to take on that guy, alongside you, Erza, Everit, Lucy, and Happy. Together, we'll bring down that demon!"

"Natsu," Erza smiled, tightening her grip on her sword.

"Even though I'm not sure how much help I can be, I'll give it my all!" Lucy exclaimed, clutching the Taurus key.

"Yes, I will help too!" Happy soared straight to Natsu.

"Everit" pushed up his glasses.

Meanwhile on the other side, Everit, invisible to the others, held a camera in hand.

How could he miss capturing Natsu's heroic moment?

"Natsu, you don't understand the dreadfulness of Deliora!" Gray ground his teeth. "Such a formidable demon can't be defeated; it can only be sealed once more with Iced Shell! Hurry, Natsu, Happy, move aside. My magic is on the verge of erupting!"

"The old man said it," Natsu replied. "No challenge is insurmountable when you have your family by your side! With the power of our hearts, magic becomes potent enough to defeat any foe!"

"Boom!"

Natsu's flames erupted, pillars of fire shooting into the sky, vaporizing even the seawater beneath his feet, which upon reaching the surface, melted it into magma.

"Gray, have faith in us," urged Erza.

"Yes, Gray, remember what the guild master said, magic can create miracles!" Lucy added.

"Gray," Natsu spoke, his tone serious, "I don't want you to perish. That's why I'm here to stop you. Haven't I made my intentions clear?"

He continued with determination, "You can use that magic if you must, but I won't stand aside and let you go down that path without even trying."

"Ang—" Deliora let out a thunderous roar, fully awakened.

"Crack!"

The remaining ice shattered under its might. As Deliora gazed down, it spotted Natsu, ablaze and defiant.

It swung down its fist!

"Move, Natsu!" Gray exclaimed, startled.

"Ah—!" Natsu roared, channeling all his magical energy into searing flames.

Behind him stood his comrades.

An enemy stood before him.

With flames imbued with formidable destructive force, Natsu unleashed a powerful punch, determined to shield his family from harm.

"Fire Dragon's—"

"Fist!"

"Purgatory Armor!" Erza, clad in dark armor, leapt forward, wielding a jagged greatsword, slashing fiercely at Deliora.

"Open the Gate of Taurus - Taurus!"

"Moo—"

Taurus materialized, wielding a massive axe. Leaping high, it too struck Deliora's form.

"Virtual Flash." Everit aimed his gun and fired at Deliora.

"You... truly..." Gray relinquished his Iced Shell magic, exhausting his magical reserves, and employed ice-shaping magic.

"Ice Make: Lancer!"

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Even against a formidable demon.

Under the relentless magical assault of everyone's combined efforts.

After enduring it for so long, Deliora couldn't bear it anymore.

He staggered back, his spine colliding hard with the mountain wall.

"Finish it!"

"Natsu, hold on."

Natsu was ready to give chase, but Erza intervened, "Something's not right, look."

"What?"

The group was taken aback to see cracks forming all over Deliora's body.

"Gray, you must have realized by now." Everit approached Gray at that moment.

"I see," Gray muttered, his expression vacant.

"Argh—" Deliora let out a final scream before crumbling rapidly.

"For ten years, trapped in the iced shell of Uru, Deliora's life was gradually drained." Lyon's heart sank, tears welling in his eyes. Through gritted teeth, he uttered, "We've just witnessed the demon's final moments!"

"I failed. I could never surpass Ur."

"Damn it!"

"You fool!" Gray clenched his teeth, "As long as we live as Ur wished, as long as we fight our enemies and protect our loved ones, Ur will be proud of us! Surpassing doesn't matter!"

"That's right," Natsu chimed in with a grin, "Gray, your master is incredible."

"Ur is our inspiration," Gray covered his face, tears streaming down uncontrollably.

He remembered Ur's words, "Gray, let me seal away your darkness!"

"Thank you," Gray cried and laughed, "Master."

In that moment, those words were etched deep into Gray's heart. The shadows of years past finally dissipated.

Everit silently lowered his camera, ending the recording of this episode.

He approached Deliora slowly.

The demon was fading away.

"Miko," Everit spoke calmly, "Let's give him a proper farewell."

"Hmm."

A gentle breeze, carrying the scent of earth and flowers, wafted through.

Deliora's body disintegrated faster under this wind, his magic returning to nature.

"Everit, what did you do?" Erza noticed something peculiar about Everit.

"It's nothing, just disposing of rubbish," Everit replied with a "genuine" smile.

Erza asked no further questions. She never doubted Everit's intentions towards everyone, so in critical matters, she placed unwavering trust in him—whatever he did, it wouldn't bring harm to anyone.

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