All across Tenrou Island, multiple fierce battles continued between Fairy Tail and Grimoire Heart. Meanwhile, in one corner of the island:
"Those without magic shall be eliminated!" Rustyrose's voice rang with ominous fervor. "This will become a paradise for mages – the era I've long waited for!"
"Don't be ridiculous!" Elfman spat, fists clenched. "Only around ten percent of people in this world can use magic. You're planning to wipe out the other ninety percent?!"
Rustyrose raised a mocking brow. "Yes. In the 'Great World of Magic,' nine out of every ten humans wouldn't survive."
"I won't let that happen!" Elfman growled, trying to stand despite his injuries.
"And why not?" Rustyrose sneered. "Humans without magic are as pointless as a candle beside electric light. Useless."
Elfman shook his head. "We all help each other. Wizards work jobs for regular people, and the guild was born from that trust."
"Pah," Rustyrose scoffed. "Mutual help? You mean your guild? Don't make me laugh. Those with power simply relish in their spoils."
"You're completely wrong!" Elfman shot back. "And you'll see—this twisted plan of yours will fail. Su Yan's already beaten Zeref."
Rustyrose's eyes widened. "Beaten Zeref? Impossible! Who is this 'Su Yan' you speak of? Where is he?"
Suddenly, Tenrou Island trembled with a mighty quake, as waves of magical energy pulsed through the air.
Elfman forced a grin. "Guess you just found out."
Elsewhere, Su Yan towered over Hades, who'd recovered his composure enough to stand.
"It's your turn now," Su Yan said coldly.
Hades smoothed his tattered coat. He had been battered by Su Yan's onslaught, but his magic defense had given him enough time to gather himself. "Impressive, boy. Defeating Bluenote is no small feat. Still, you haven't glimpsed the true abyss of magic yet."
At that moment, the entire island jolted, and the massive Tenrou Tree in the island's center slowly tilted to one side. Across Tenrou Island, every Fairy Tail wizard felt themselves weakening, their magic draining away as the tree withered.
"W-what's happening?!"
"Someone destroyed the Tenrou Tree!"
"My strength… I can barely stand!"
All the Fairy Tail wizards were overwhelmed by sudden fatigue, except one: Su Yan.
Makarov gasped, realizing Hades knew that the Tenrou Tree enhanced every Fairy Tail member's magic. Now, with the tree disabled, the guild's powers were being drained away.
Hades gave a thin smile. "That's right: the Tenrou Tree's protection is now nullified. Each of your guildmates will find their magic continuously sapped. This is what I meant by the 'abyss of magic.'"
Makarov stood, jaw tight with dread. "Damn you…"
Su Yan merely narrowed his eyes. "Should've finished you earlier. But it's not too late."
Hades frowned, noticing Su Yan's energy hadn't dropped. "You still aren't affected? That Fairy Tail emblem on your arm—why hasn't it robbed you of your strength?"
Su Yan shrugged. "Simple. I don't have any magic power."
Hades blinked in surprise. "Nonsense. Your attacks—"
"Are not magic," Makarov rasped, a faint hope rekindling in his eyes. He remembered well: Su Yan wielded a strange power outside normal magecraft.
Hades's expression hardened. "Whether or not it's 'magic,' you'll still need more than brute force to defeat me. Allow me to show you… the true depths of the underworld!"
He reached up, slowly removing the band that covered his left eye. "Eye of the Devil—awaken!!"
A grim, overwhelming magic burst from Hades, far surpassing everything he'd shown so far.
"So this is the power of the one who calls himself King of the Underworld…" Su Yan murmured, bracing as he felt the oncoming pressure.
Hades' exposed eye glowed with savage magic. "The abyss of magic begins here—far beyond your imagination!"