Chapter 49: War of Gods

Location: Tower of Paradise Summit

At the summit of the Tower of Paradise, Jellal, now fused with the full power granted by Ankhseram, exuded a terrifying aura. With a lazy flick of his wrist, a blazing magical arrow shot towards Escanor.

Before impact—Escanor caught it with one hand and crushed it into dust.

"Oh my, oh my, not so sudden~"

Both warriors took their stances, the air thick with tension.

Escanor's thoughts raced: Ankhseram's blessing is no joke. Jellal's magic is beyond anything I've faced.

Jellal's fingers danced in a complex formation. The sky above them darkened, revealing the constellation of the Big Dipper."Heavenly Body Magic: Grand Chariot!"

Meteors rained down like relentless arrows, turning the platform into a deadly storm. Escape was impossible.

Golden wings of radiant light unfurled from Escanor's back."Do you really think you can trap me so easily?" he growled, launching into the air.

Jellal mirrored the gesture, the meteors twisting to follow Escanor's flight. The nearby sea erupted in fiery explosions.

Escanor's wings bore radiant golden curved jewels—Endless, Eight-Shaku Curved Jewel!They surged forth, smashing incoming meteors midair. Explosive shockwaves whipped the island into chaos.

Jellal smirked—a plan unfolding perfectly.

With a sweeping gesture, he unleashed:Heavenly Body Magic: Abyss Break!

The sky transformed into a swirling cosmic void."No matter your strength, mortal flesh cannot endure the crushing pressure of space."

Cosmic gravity pressed in on Escanor, lungs burning from vacuum's cruel sting.

Jellal's laughter twisted into madness as he watched his foe falter.

"Now, witness the true power of a star!"

A blazing sun materialized behind Escanor, gravity crushing with the might of a celestial titan.

Yet under the star's weight, Escanor's resolve blazed brighter. With a roar, he broke free from the cosmic trap.

Jellal faltered, the cosmic magic collapsing.

Back on solid ground, Escanor's eyes locked on a dark blade now in Jellal's hand—its aura ominous, suffocating.

"That one in the shadows... he's the source of your power?" Escanor mused.

Jellal sneered, "Just a clown hiding behind me."

With a roar, Escanor summoned his Divine Axe Rhitta. Flames roared to life around him.

They clashed violently, the shockwaves throwing dust into the air.

A sudden pain flared—Escanor felt a sharp cut across his chest. Blood blossomed.

"Too slow," Jellal taunted. "This weapon's trick is more than you know."

From behind Jellal, shadows multiplied—two, then more—each swinging twin blades in deadly unison.

Escanor's assault was met by relentless strikes, forcing him back.

"Underestimated me, have you? Jellal, you've truly earned my wrath."

Flames erupted around Escanor—his body a furnace.

"Do you think this flicker of fire can stop me?" Jellal mocked.

Escanor's voice was calm but fierce:"Have you ever felt the temperature of the sun?"

The shadows vanished, and Jellal's blade melted into molten iron.

"Holy Spear Escanor!"

A fiery lance of unimaginable heat pierced Jellal's gut.

Kneeling, clutching his wound, Jellal's eyes burned with agony and rage.

"It's over."

"No… not yet!" he growled, summoning a massive meteor overhead.

"Jellal, stop! There are innocents here!"

At that moment, Simon and the others appeared, panic in their eyes as the sky darkened.

Jellal laughed madly."You're just tools in my hand! Die!"

Escanor's response was fierce and swift.

"Holy Sword Escanor: Extreme!"

His right hand became a blazing blade, slashing meteors into a million fragments.

Fear flashed across Jellal's face.Desperation seized him—he swung the remaining stars as the Seven Star Sword wildly.

The battle raged like a tempest—Jellal's madness driving reckless, powerful swings.

Escanor's punches burned like the heart of a star.

A scream tore through the air.

Jellal's fury erupted again, forcibly quelling the flames.

Bloodied, broken, he stood.

"Give up," Escanor commanded.

"Never!" Jellal screamed.

Suddenly, a man with a guitar appeared, holding Erza captive.

"Jellal! Erza!"

Escanor's fury ignited.

"Snake of Constraint!" Jellal's trap sealed Escanor's magic.

A red pill appeared. Without hesitation, Escanor swallowed it. A crippling weakness washed over him.

"This is my gift to you—to seal your power!" Jellal gloated.

Gathering all his strength, Jellal unleashed:Heavenly Body Magic: Nine Star Thunder!

Lightning bolts crashed onto the weakened Escanor.

Erza's cries pierced the chaos.

Escanor, scorched and broken, refused to fall.

"Last move—Abyss Break!"

A black orb surged.

Then—

Simon, once a slave saved by Escanor, dashed forward.

"Bastard! Ruining my plans!"

He struck Jellal with a final desperate blow.

Jellal staggered but unleashed his magic once more.

Suddenly, chains of dark magic ensnared him—Mira appeared, holding injured Ikaruga.

"All of you come to ruin me!" Jellal spat.

Mira's eyes burned with solar fire—the magic Escanor left in her, fused with her own power, unstoppable and pure.

The guitar man tried to ambush, but Mira's flames consumed him utterly.

Jellal, cornered, held Erza hostage.

A spatial rift opened—black mist coalesced.

"Ankhseram…"

The god's voice echoed.

"Jellal, you fought well. But now it's time to pay the price."

Ankhseram's hand pierced Jellal's chest.

"Did you think this power was free? Without me, you are nothing."

Jellal's heart was ripped out, yet he did not die.

"Your last role is the key to the Tower of Paradise's destruction."

Jellal fused into the crystal heart of the Tower. Tremors shook the land.

Ankhseram's gaze turned to Escanor and the two women, pressing them down with immense magical force.

"Will you watch them die... or flee?"

Laughter echoed as Ankhseram vanished.

Erza, Mira, and Escanor huddled close.

Then—

A sudden voice broke through.

"Cough cough... Did I interrupt?"

Ultear appeared, smiling casually.

"How did you get here?!" Escanor asked.

"Don't be so dramatic! If I hadn't come, you'd have thrown yourself into despair."

The three exchanged glances.

"Do you have a plan to stop the Tower's destruction?"

"Of course," Ultear grinned. "Remember the Third Magic Source?"

"Yes, but it was dormant… until now."

"Exactly. Beneath our feet lies our chance."

The battle for the fate of the magic world was far from over.

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