"ROAR—"
Deliora let out an even louder, more menacing roar.
Its terrifying magical energy enveloped the entire temple. Even before seeing its true form, everyone could feel the overwhelming pressure of the demon!
Without hesitation, they quickened their pace.
Descending into the underground chamber...
"ARGH—"
Natsu unleashed his full power, shrugging off Zalty's magic attacks and charging straight at him, delivering a devastating punch!
'BOOM'
Zalty was sent flying far back.
Not everyone had Natsu's physical resilience—this single blow effectively ended the fight.
"Natsu!" Erza called out.
"Erza?!" Natsu had just defeated a formidable opponent and hadn't even had time to celebrate when he saw Erza. His face contorted into an exaggerated expression, his skin visibly pale with shock!
"Hmph!" Erza snorted. "I'll deal with you later!"
"Phew—" Natsu sighed in relief.
"Natsu." Jehfrit appeared beside Natsu, holding a torch.
"Thanks." Natsu devoured the flames, replenishing some of his magical energy.
Then, guiltily turning to Gray, he said, "Sorry, I still couldn't stop it."
The ice encasing Deliora was nearly melted, and its awakening was now inevitable.
Hearing this, Gray shook his head. "No, it's fine."
"I'm also at fault for not being faster," Erza admitted, her voice tinged with regret.
But then she turned sharply toward Jehfrit, her eyes glaring with unmasked anger.
"Jehfrit, you could have stopped it!"
"I could have," Jehfrit nodded calmly.
"So why didn't you?!"
"But there was no need."
"Why didn't—" Erza began to ask.
"ROAR—" Deliora unleashed another deafening roar.
Everyone instinctively covered their ears, channeling all their magic to withstand the oppressive might of the powerful demon!
"Finally..." Lyon staggered over, barely able to stand.
"I will defeat Deliora! I will make Ice-Make Magic renowned throughout the world!"
'THUD'
Gray delivered a gentle karate chop to Lyon's neck, knocking him out cold. "You can't even stand steady. Just rest for now."
Gray's gaze hardened.
"Ice-Make Magic may be cold..."
"But it's magic that protects what we cherish!"
"The last time, it was Ur who protected me and Lyon."
"This time... it's my turn to protect my family!"
Gray stepped resolutely into the water, forming the stance for Absolute Ice Make.
"Absolute Ice—Natsu, what are you doing?!"
A figure wearing a white checkered scarf stood firmly between him and Deliora.
It was Natsu!
Without looking back, he spoke earnestly. "I'm going to fight that thing—with you, with Erza, with Jehfrit, with Lucy, with Happy. Together, we'll defeat that monster!"
"Natsu..." Erza smiled, gripping her sword tightly.
"I don't know how much help I can offer, but I'll do my best!" Lucy clenched the key to Taurus tightly.
"Aye!" Happy flew to Natsu's side.
Jehfrit adjusted his glasses.
Meanwhile, unseen by the others, Jehfrit held up a camera.
How could he miss capturing such a heroic moment from Natsu?
"You guys… Natsu, you don't understand how terrifying Deliora is!" Gray gritted his teeth. "Such a powerful demon cannot be defeated—it can only be resealed with Absolute Ice Make!"
*Click**Click*
"Run, Natsu, Happy! My magic is about to explode!"
*Click**Click*
"Gramps once said," Natsu replied firmly, "there's no obstacle we can't overcome as long as we're together as a family! As long as we use the strength of our hearts, our magic will be strong enough to defeat any enemy!"
*Click*
'BOOM'
Natsu's flames erupted violently, creating a towering pillar of fire so intense it evaporated the seawater beneath his feet, exposing the ground before melting it into magma!
*Click*
"Gray, trust us," Erza said confidently.
"That's right, Gray. Didn't the Master say that magic can create miracles?" Lucy added.
*Click*
"Gray." Natsu spoke with determination. "If I wanted you dead, I wouldn't try to stop you. Don't you get that?"
He continued, his voice unwavering. "Use that magic if you want, but I'm not stepping aside!"
"ROAR—" Deliora let out a thunderous cry, now fully awake!
*Click*
'CRACK'
All remaining chunks of ice shattered under its roar!
Awake and furious, Deliora looked down and immediately spotted the blazing figure of Natsu.
It swung a massive fist downward!
"Quick, dodge it, Natsu!" Gray shouted in alarm.
"ARGH—" Natsu roared furiously, pouring every ounce of his magic into a searing flame!
Behind him stood his comrades!
Before him loomed the enemy!
With his fiery right fist imbued with immense destructive power, Natsu threw a defiant punch against the overwhelming force of the demon, fueled by his desire to protect his loved ones!
"Fire Dragon's—"
"Iron Fist!"
"Hellfire Armor!" Erza, clad in black armor, leapt into the air, swinging her serrated blade and striking Deliora fiercely.
"Gate of Taurus, open—Taurus!"
"MOOOOOO—"
Taurus appeared wielding a giant axe, jumping high and slashing at Deliora.
"Cero." Jehfrit raised his gun, firing a precise shot at Deliora.
"You guys…" Gray abandoned Absolute Ice Make, instead channeling all his remaining magic into a new spell.
"Ice-Make: Lancer!"
'BOOM BOOM BOOM'
Even a mighty demon like Deliora couldn't withstand the combined onslaught of everyone's magic.
It staggered backward, slamming heavily against the cavern wall.
"Take this!"
"Natsu, wait!"
As Natsu prepared to chase after it, Erza stopped him. "Something's wrong. Look."
"What?"
To everyone's astonishment, cracks began appearing all over Deliora's body.
"Gray, you should understand this," Jehfrit said softly, approaching Gray.
"So that's how it is…" Gray murmured, stunned.
"ROAR—" Deliora let out a mournful wail as its body rapidly crumbled.
"For ten years, trapped in Ur's ice, Deliora's life force was slowly drained away…" Lyon's composure shattered, tears streaming down his face. "We've only witnessed the final moments of this demon's existence!"
"I lost… I'll never surpass Ur…"
"Damn it!"
"Fool!" Gray growled through gritted teeth. "Just live up to Ur's expectations—to defeat enemies and protect those you care about. Ur will be proud of us! Surpassing her means nothing!"
"So that's how it is," Natsu grinned. "Gray, your teacher was amazing."
"Ur is our role model," Gray muttered, covering his face as tears flowed uncontrollably.
He remembered Ur's words: "Gray, your darkness—I'll seal it away!"
"Thank you…" Gray sobbed, laughing through his tears. "Master."
In that moment, the deep-rooted shadow from Gray's past finally dissolved.
Jehfrit quietly lowered his camera. This part… perhaps it was better left unrecorded.
He walked slowly toward Deliora.
The demon was on the verge of death.
"Miko," Jehfrit said softly. "Hold a funeral."
'WHOOSH'
A gentle breeze carrying the scent of earth and flowers blew from behind him.
Deliora's body disintegrated rapidly under the wind, its magic returning to nature.
"Jehfrit, what did you do?" Erza noticed his peculiar actions.
"Nothing much. Just cleaning up garbage," Jehfrit replied with a "sincere" smile.
Erza didn't press further. She trusted Jehfrit completely, knowing he would never harm their group. Whatever he did, it was always for their benefit.