Chapter 26
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The cheers of Cocoyasi Village faded into the crackling hum of Weiss's spatial gate. For a heartbeat, he lingered in the threshold between worlds, the scent of Nami's orange still fresh in his palm. Then, the guild hall materialized—or what was left of it.
Fairy Tail's once-proud structure lay in ruins. Smoldering beams crisscrossed the floor like broken bones, and the air reeked of burnt lacrima. Amid the debris, Lucy crouched beside an unconscious Levy, her golden keys scattered. Across the room, Erza parried a blade of shadow with her Heaven's Wheel armor, her crimson hair matted with blood.
"You're late, Weiss!" Natsu roared, hurling a fireball at a hooded mage. The flames dissipated harmlessly against a barrier of black runes.
Grimoire Heart. Weiss's jaw tightened. Zeref's cultists.
"Dragon's Dominion: Sea King's Wrath!"
A torrent of seawater erupted from his palm, crashing into the dark mages. The spell wasn't meant for land—but Weiss didn't care. Saltwater met cursed magic, and screams filled the air as Grimoire Heart's ranks faltered.
"Weiss!" Lucy stumbled toward him, her shirt torn at the shoulder. A bruise bloomed on her cheek. "They're after the Tenrou Tree—Azuma's channeling—"
A blade of wind sliced between them. Weiss yanked Lucy against his chest, her breath hot on his neck as the attack grazed his arm.
"Stay close," he growled, his dragon scales rippling to life.
"Y-you're bleeding!" Lucy's fingers brushed the cut, her touch lingering a heartbeat too long.
"Focus, blondie," Weiss muttered, though his pulse quickened. Harem system or not, timing's shit.
System Notification
Ding!
Harem Affection Update
Lucy Heartfilia: Affection +10 (Current: 75/100 – "Trusting Partner")
Nami: Affection +5 (Current: 60/100 – "Loyal Navigator")
Erza Scarlet: Affection +15 (Current: 50/100 – "Respected Ally")
New Quest: Protect Tenrou Tree
Reward: Platinum Treasure Chest (Guaranteed: Celestial Spirit King's Favor)
A roar shook the ruins. Across the hall, Azuma, Grimoire Heart's druid, stood atop a pulsating root of the Tenrou Tree. His hands glowed with nature magic gone rotten.
"Foolish insects!" Azuma sneered. "This tree's energy belongs to Lord Zeref!"
Erza lunged, her sword clashing against his wooden staff. "Not while I'm breathing!"
Weiss moved to join her—but a hand gripped his wrist.
"Wait." Mirajane's voice, uncharacteristically urgent. The demonic runes on her skin flickered weakly. "They've… they've taken Lisanna. To the forest."
Lisanna. The name sent a jolt through Weiss. Strauss siblings' bond. Leverage.
"Go," Lucy said, her keys glowing. "I'll back up Erza. Just… come back alive, okay?"
Her eyes held more than concern. Weiss forced a smirk. "Wouldn't miss our next date, blondie."
The Tenrou Forest reeked of decay. Weiss's boots sank into moss that squirmed like living flesh. Ahead, a clearing pulsed with sickly green light.
Lisanna hung suspended in a cage of thorned vines, her white hair matted with blood. Below her, a hooded mage chanted, his face obscured—but Weiss recognized the voice.
Hades. Guild Master of Grimoire Heart.
"Release her," Weiss snarled, lightning crackling around his fists.
Hades turned, his single visible eye glowing crimson. "Ah, the anomaly. Zeref sensed your… unnatural existence. You don't belong here—or anywhere."
The vines lashed out. Weiss dodged, but a thorn grazed his thigh. Poison burned through his veins.
Shit.
"God Dragon's Roar!"
Golden flames engulfed the clearing. The vines withered, and Lisanna fell—straight into Weiss's arms. Her breathing was shallow, her skin ice-cold.
"Hang on," he muttered.
"S-stop him…" Lisanna whispered. "The tree… he's draining—"
A tremor shook the island. Above the canopy, the Tenrou Tree's glow dimmed.
Acnologia.
The Black Dragon's shadow blotted out the sun.
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