Within the bustling streets of the town, Zeref's keen eyes narrowed as he spotted five Dou Practitioners from the Wolf Head Mercenary Group weaving through the crowd, their hostile intent unmistakable.
Without a word, he raised his right palm. Red light surged to life, coalescing into five blazing fireballs that hovered for a split breath before streaking forward like comets.
BOOM!
The explosions consumed the mercenaries entirely, leaving not even ashes in the street. The sudden violence rippled panic through the civilians — startled screams filled the air as people scattered in fear.
But before the crowd's confusion could boil into chaos, a warm golden radiance bathed the streets. August stepped forward, his body aglow with pure light. The glow expanded, forming a protective dome that encompassed the entire town square. Gentle waves of calming energy rolled outward, soothing frightened hearts and clearing fearful minds. The shouts faded, replaced by murmurs of awe and trust.
Zeref's calm voice echoed through the mental link:
"Protect the innocents. Our fight is not with them."
Beyond the walls, chaos erupted at the Wolf Head Mercenary base.
On the frontlines, Lione's roar split through the din of battle. Her golden lion armor flared as her berserker powers surged, enveloping her in a violent crimson aura. In one fluid motion, she crossed her Jungle Claws in a diagonal slash from right to left — then reversed instantly, from left to right.
The trails of energy met at a single, deadly midpoint.
BOOOOM!
A shockwave blasted outward as a burning red X carved itself into the enemy lines. Mercenaries caught within its radius were hurled from their feet, incapacitated instantly, the ground beneath them scorched with the mark of her fury.
At her side, Bulat advanced like an unstoppable juggernaut. His green rhino armor gleamed under the harsh sun as he planted his feet and hefted the Chaos Hammer high.
"Clear the area… this ends now," his voice rumbled through the link.
The hammer came down in a single, decisive strike.
CRACK!
The Earthquake Smash detonated through the ground in a precise, punishing wave. The vibrations ripped through the base's foundations, toppling watchtowers, splitting reinforced walls, and collapsing tents into heaps of splinters and dust. Every mercenary within range staggered — formation shattered beyond recovery — while the nearby town felt no tremor.
Under the pall of smoke and drifting sand, Sheele was already inside the enemy stronghold. Clad in her snow leopard armor, she moved without a sound, the Blizzard Dagger glinting with a ghostly light.
The first mercenary barely had time to gasp before her blade pierced his side. Frozen Stasis activated instantly, spreading icy tendrils through his body until he was nothing but a brittle statue of frost. She moved on without breaking stride.
Another turned at the hint of movement, raising his crossbow — only for the dagger to find the gap in his armor. Ice engulfed him in seconds; the unfinished shot frozen mid-pull.
She ghosted through rubble and tents, eliminating any who strayed from the main clash.
"Perimeter thinning," came Su Yan's calm voice in her mind. "Sweep the south. No escapes."
"Understood," she whispered.
Three mercenaries attempted to slip away through a gap in the crumbling wall — they froze solid in turn, their final expressions locked in panic.
"South is clear," Sheele reported.
High above and cloaked by shimmering illusions, Mavis floated unseen. Her vantage gave her complete command over the battle's flow, and her voice moved through the mental link like a metronome of war.
"Bulat — two on your right. Sweep low."
The Chaos Hammer's broad arc took both down with ease.
"Lione — three back steps, then strike center when they overcommit."
The lioness grinned under her helm, luring her foes forward before carving through them in a golden-red blur.
"Sheele — two coming around your blind spot."
A faint crackle of ice reported their swift elimination.
To Zeref and August at the town perimeter, she issued, "Draw all civilians deeper into the dome's center. Expect one final rush — don't allow it."
The battlefield moved like a living machine tuned to her instructions — every order tightening the vice on the faltering Wolf Head defenses.
"They're about to collapse," Mavis concluded. "Hold formation. Let them break themselves."
Through the settling dust, one warrior stood unbroken — a giant of a man clad in dented but proud armor. His cleaver-length blade still gleamed with killing intent.
Hemon, leader of the Wolf Head Mercenary Group.
"You," he snarled, eyes locking on Lione. "The lion. You slaughtered my men."
Lione stepped forward, berserker aura rising again, crimson flames licking at her golden armor. "And you preyed on the weak," she answered coldly. "This ends now."
"Try me, cub!" Hemon roared, charging forward with surprising speed for his bulk. His cleaver swung in a force meant to cleave her in half — but Lione's claws met it, sparks flying as steel met enchanted alloy.
They exchanged rapid strikes — his sheer force against her precision and ferocity. A deep cut to his flank drew a roar of pain, and he channeled Dou Qi to bolster his guard.
"You'll need more than that to kill me!" he spat.
"Gladly," she replied.
Her aura flared violently as she crossed her claws before her, then surged forward with her ultimate attack.
"Obliteration Claws!"
The double-slash carved a blazing X into Hemon's guard. The midpoint detonated with a deafening shockwave, shattering his weapon and carving deep scorches across his armor. The blast threw him backward — his body shaking, strength failing, Dou Qi unraveling.
He collapsed to his knees, breath ragged, before the last of his will gave way and darkness claimed him.
"Leader neutralized," Lione announced into the link.
"Good work," Su Yan replied. "Regroup. It's finished."
Minutes later, the battlefield was silent but for the desert wind. The mercenary base lay in ruins — walls split, towers collapsed, their men scattered or captured.
In the town, August lowered the golden dome, the civilians emerging calm and unharmed. Zeref ensured no stragglers or infiltrators remained.
From above, Su Yan surveyed the scene with quiet approval. "Mission complete. Rest briefly. Next stop — the capital… the Metear family awaits."
As the team regrouped amid the scorched sand and icy statues, the Wolf Head Mercenary Group existed no more — its reign shattered by precise teamwork, overwhelming power, and unshakable resolve.