"Erza's Resolve"
On a secluded island overseas, a tall, cylindrical tower stood.
In the highest chamber, a hooded man observed an empty chessboard. His gaze was unreadable.
A long-haired man approached. "Your subordinates have returned, but they seem to have failed to bring back the person you desired."
The hooded man looked up, revealing a face with peculiar markings.
"Oh? Erza wouldn't attack them herself, and Natsu's power hasn't awakened yet. What could have possibly caused them to return empty-handed?"
The man was, of course, referring to the one who orchestrated Simon and his group's attack on Erza—a task only one person could have accomplished.
Jellal, the source of Erza's trauma, the youngest of the Ten Wizard Saints, and even Council member Keyes were merely projections of his thoughts.
A woman in a kimono, a red katana at her waist, spoke, "It seems the Drake you mentioned appeared. Following your instructions, they chose to retreat without engaging."
Jellal nodded. "Then it's not their fault. Since that person appeared, forcibly taking Erza is impossible."
A man with an owl-like head chimed in, "I told you, sending just the three of us would have been sufficient!"
Jellal shook his head. "Even without Drake, Erza isn't as simple as you think. If you three had gone, she wouldn't have been as lenient as she was with Hugh and the others."
The woman in the kimono picked up on the implication in Jellal's words. "It seems you're quite wary of this Drake."
Jellal nodded, readily admitting, "He single-handedly defeated the demon Lullaby from Zeref's book, and then directly confronted and defeated Jose, one of the Ten Wizard Saints. He is the only unpredictable variable in my plans."
The long-haired man voiced his concern, "If that's the case, wouldn't that render the entire plan impossible to execute?"
Jellal, however, let out a chuckle. "That's perfectly alright. Erza will come here of her own accord! She will come before me, to finally settle everything!"
…
At the dilapidated inn, Drake observed the group before him.
Natsu was gnashing his teeth, clamoring for revenge against the cube-shaped man, while Gray was surrounded by Juvia, who peppered him with questions about his well-being.
The two had been soundly thrashed by Wally and Simon during the previous night's assault. While it wasn't a serious battle, they had undeniably suffered a defeat, leaving them feeling humiliated in front of Drake.
To make matters worse, Gajeel, who had accompanied Drake, was adding fuel to the fire, taunting them mercilessly, which only served to further inflame their anger.
Despite the bickering, however, their interactions had inadvertently strengthened the bonds between them.
Erza, however, was clearly in a far worse state. She sat there, lost and despondent, leaving Lucy flustered and at a loss for what to do.
Drake approached Erza, "It seems everyone has their moments of vulnerability."
Erza looked up at Drake, "You knew about them?"
Drake nodded, "Not only about them, but also about your past experiences. I know everything."
Erza suddenly stood up, grabbing Drake's arm, "What's going on? What do you know?"
Drake disengaged Erza's grip, the intensity of her grasp causing a sharp pain even through his enhanced physical strength, a testament to her emotional turmoil.
"Erza, please calm down!" Lucy quickly intervened, attempting to restrain Erza.
Drake also spoke, "We are comrades in the same guild. If you want to know, I will tell you everything."
Erza managed to regain her composure, her voice filled with remorse, "I apologize. I've lost my composure."
Seeing that Erza had calmed down, Drake proceeded to reveal everything he knew.
He explained Jellal's plans, the reasons behind his transformation into his current state, and even the fact that Keyes was merely a thought projection of Jellal.
"So that's how it was…!" Erza murmured, a mixture of understanding and relief washing over her.
Erza had been deeply troubled by the reasons behind Jellal's transformation; having her doubts resolved brought her a measure of peace.
Drake looked at Erza, "Now that you know everything, what do you intend to do?"
Lucy, having also heard the full account of events, spoke before Erza could answer, "That Jellal intends to use Erza as a sacrifice and even plans to unleash the Etherion!
Perhaps we should report this to the Master and have him speak with the Council members. Surely, this incident can be resolved through proper channels!"
Erza suddenly let out a light chuckle, "Thank you, Lucy. I understand you're worried about me, but this time, I wish to settle matters with Jellal myself."
Lucy's suggestion stemmed from genuine concern.
Jellal planned to unleash the Etherion upon the Tower of Heaven, a strategic weapon used by the Council to maintain order and exert its influence over the entire continent.
No one could predict with certainty whether the Tower of Heaven would successfully absorb such a powerful and volatile surge of magic power.
Moreover, Jellal himself was a powerful mage of Saint Ten caliber, and he commanded an army of mages whose numbers and strength remained unknown. Journey to the Tower of Heaven would inevitably involve a confrontation with them.
In truth, these dangers were not what concerned Lucy most. Looking at the group of comrades around her, particularly Drake, she had absolute confidence in their ability to overcome any opponent.
What truly weighed on Lucy's mind was Erza's emotional well-being. From Drake's description alone, she understood the depth of painful memories associated with that place for Erza.
Returning to that location would be tantamount to reliving a traumatic nightmare.
It was precisely Erza's recognition of Lucy's gentle concern that prompted her expression of gratitude, but at this moment, her spirit had been completely restored.
Drake looked at Erza, "Although Jellal was manipulated into falling into darkness, his actions were entirely his own, undertaken without external influence or coercion.
He is, without a doubt, a cold and ruthless individual who intends to offer you as a sacrifice."
Erza's expression remained unchanged. "I understand. Precisely because of this, it is imperative that I confront him and settle this matter myself."
Drake rolled his eyes, "You're exactly like Gray was back then."
Upon hearing someone mention his embarrassing past, Gray instinctively turned his head, his ears perked up in alertness.
Drake continued, "Gray back then also had that 'I must sacrifice myself' attitude; it was incredibly foolish."
Gray's face flushed crimson, though not quite to the point of complete mortification, but the memory of his own past self-righteous and melodramatic tendencies caused him considerable embarrassment.
Erza's expression also took on a strange twist, as if the accumulated emotions she'd been grappling with suddenly felt out of place.
Drake pressed on, "You are Erza Scarlet of Fairy Tail. You do not have to bear this burden alone. Isn't that precisely why comrades exist?
Don't even think about such a foolish notion of self-sacrifice. True resolve isn't about that. Face everything together with your comrades, and then live happily ever after!"
Tears welled up in Erza's eyes, and tears began to flow uncontrollably down her cheeks.
"Truly... thank you, everyone!" she whispered, her voice choked with emotion.
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