Chapter 52 : Two Purposes!!

Awaiting Lucy and the others at the dock outside the Tower of Heaven, a ship rests nearby with a mummy lying in the cabin, draped in a Mage cloak. The air is thick with medicinal scent.

Ikaruga stands there, her face flushed. A reluctant smile spreads across her lips as she spots Lucy and the others approaching.

"Boom, boom, boom."

Within the Tower of Heaven, the sounds of battle echo relentlessly.

Erza, familiar with the terrain, swiftly ascends to the top floor where Jellal awaits.

"Jellal!" Erza's expression is complex, but upon meeting his gaze, all complexities fade, replaced by unwavering determination.

Jellal was once her comrade.

But her duty lies even heavier with the lives of Natsu, Everit, Gray, and the others!

After a brief exchange, disappointment clouds Erza's features.

Jellal is no longer the person he once was!

Words alone cannot sway him!

"The Tower of Heaven is complete. Seven minutes remain before the Etherion's magic activates," Jellal declares proudly. "Erza, consider it an honor. You shall accompany me to resurrect Zeref."

"Then, I shall defeat you within those seven minutes," Erza declares, brandishing the demon sword Hongying.

The clash commences.

"Jellal, tell me, what transpired in that chamber?" Erza presses, launching attacks while seeking the truth.

When Jellal was abducted by the Black Magic Order for interrogation, Erza finally comprehended that mere escape for a handful would not suffice. Only by toppling the Black Magic Order could everyone be liberated!

Thus, Erza took the lead, rallying everyone to overthrow the Black Magic Order.

In the midst of battle, she found herself besieged by a dark wizard, only to be rescued by an unexpected figure.

A former Fairy Tail member—Rob.

Rob intercepted Erza's magical assault, wielding immense fire magic to vanquish their foe.

Yet, Rob, aged and weathered, pushed himself to his limits, his magic drained and body exhausted.

His final moments had arrived.

Under such intense stimulation, Erza successfully unlocked her magic potential.

Having awakened her magic, Erza swiftly dispatched her enemies, arranging for Simon and the others to escape via boat while she made her way alone to the room where Jellal was imprisoned.

However, upon reaching Jellal, Erza discovered he had undergone a complete transformation.

Jellal declared, "True freedom lies in the world where Zeref resides. I choose to remain here and bring about Zeref's resurrection." 

With his words, he unleashed magic, injuring Erza.

Furthermore, Jellal issued a dire ultimatum to Erza: she must leave the island alone, leaving everyone else behind. If she dared to disclose the truth or return, he vowed to eliminate them all.

"Let's begin with Simon," he ominously added.

Erza was profoundly shaken by these words, further assaulted by Jellal and ultimately succumbing to unconsciousness.

Upon awakening, she found herself on the beach, memories flooding back of Grandpa Rob's rescue and the Fairy Tail emblem emblazoned on his back, leading her to join the guild.

This was Erza's truth.

However, Jellal deceived Sho and the others, spinning a tale of Erza sabotaging the ship and fleeing, leaving them stranded.

Those unable to depart harbored resentment towards Erza, yet Simon remained steadfast in his belief in her.

Now, Sho, Wally, Millianna, and others rallied behind Erza, bolstered by Everit's presence.

Erza's heart was finally unburdened.

While Everit may not always be reliable, in crucial moments, his trustworthiness shines through.

Today, she seeks answers.

"I understand the truth of the world and recognize true greatness," Jellal remarked with a smile.

"It appears you won't divulge the truth until I defeat you," Erza replied disappointedly, unleashing her formidable magic.

The two clashed fiercely, each feeling the pressure of the confrontation.

Dealing with Erza at only half his magical strength proved immensely challenging for Jellal.

Finally, seizing an opportunity through her combat experience, Erza landed a decisive blow, knocking Jellal to the ground.

Erza poised her sword over Jellal's nose, the blade humming with anticipation.

"Jellal, tell me everything," Erza demanded icily. "What transpired in the past?"

"Erza," a sorrowful expression crossed Jellal's face.

"You've grown immensely powerful."

"It's unfortunate that you've arrived too late. If only you had come eight years ago, I wouldn't have gone through with it," Jellal expressed with a tinge of sorrow.

"What happened?" Erza's gaze shifted slightly.

Jellal let out a heavy sigh. "Since that day eight years ago, I've been stripped of control over my own body. I've merely been a puppet, a tool used to resurrect Zeref. In truth, I've come to understand that concepts like paradise and ideals are illusions. Freedom was never truly attainable, not from the outset."

"But I was under Zeref's control."

"These were never my intentions."

"And what about now?" Erza inquired.

"It's already too late," Jellal lamented. "There's less than a minute remaining, and the magic of Etherion will soon arrive. Once that happens, the Tower of Heaven will be transformed into a colossal magic crystal, serving as the altar for Zeref's resurrection."

"Hey..." Erza's voice trailed off in exasperation.

"Jellal, you're still deceiving yourself," she asserted.

"Do you truly expect me to believe such an excuse?"

Jellal's brow furrowed. "Erza, at this juncture, what purpose would falsehood serve?"

Erza offered a gentle smile. "Do you recall the elegant mage from Fairy Tail?"

"I've heard a bit about them," Jellal admitted.

"That guy's always been unreliable. He loves to tease and provoke, stirring everyone's anger. But he'd never toy with his own life, let alone gamble with his comrades' lives!"

Erza rose to her feet, declaring, "Jellal, snap out of it and unleash your full magical potential. I've got two reasons for being here!"

"One: to give you a good beating!"

"Two: to bring you back to your senses!"

Jellal's expression shifted, his gaze turning intense. "You knew all along?"

"Not at first, just before your lie," Erza stepped back, asserting, "Etherion failed to activate. Your scheme fell apart."

"How is that possible?" Jellal muttered a few words before freezing in place.

Meanwhile, at the Magic Council...

The echo of announcements filled the office space.

"The release of the Etherion power—"

"Five."

"Four."

"Three."

"Stop, you fools!"

A towering figure suddenly materialized!

"Makarov?!" Councilor Yajima exclaimed.

"Makarov?!" Gasps filled the room.

The arrival was none other than Fairy Tail's Guild Master—Makarov, one of the Ten Wizard Saints!

'Boom'

As Makarov transformed into a giant and appeared, he wasted no time, delivering a powerful punch to the Etherion device.

"Cease!" Siegrain, previously brimming with pride, erupted with emotion and magic. He yelled frantically, transforming into a streak of light and hurtling forward.

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