"It's finally over, huh!" "We finally won this battle, right?" Wendy asked, a touch of disbelief still lingering on her small face. Finn nod
"It's finally over, huh!"
"We finally won this battle, right?" Wendy asked, a touch of disbelief still lingering on her small face.
Finn nodded, a gentle smile playing on his lips. "Yeah, it's finally over…"
"That means we completely won!" Lucy exclaimed, exchanging a joyful glance with Wendy.
The two girls couldn't help but embrace, tears of happiness welling up in their eyes.
Makarov looked at them, a proud smile spreading across his face.
"You all… did a magnificent job!"
The group exchanged glances, their hearts filled with unspoken understanding and camaraderie.
"I think we should head back to camp first," Finn suggested, breaking the comfortable silence.
"If we don't get some rest, our bodies won't be able to handle it," Carla added, echoing Finn's concern.
Her words resonated with everyone, as they were all completely exhausted.
"That's true!"
"Let's head back."
"Speaking of which, let's find Gildarts on the way, shall we?"
"And Erza and Gajeel should have returned to camp by now too."
"Let's go, let's go!"
The cheerful chatter filled the air as Finn and the others began to walk away, their figures gradually disappearing into the distance.
Makarov remained behind, his gaze fixed on Hades, his expression thoughtful and somber.
"Makarov… just give me the final blow…" Hades said weakly, his voice filled with resignation.
Makarov sighed deeply, a hint of wistful remembrance flickering in his eyes.
"I learned a lot from you… consider my letting you go as a token of my gratitude."
"Leave this island. You no longer deserve to be here," Makarov stated, his voice low and heavy with emotion.
Hades remained silent for a long moment.
"You're too naive… if you let me leave, I might just crush your guild next time," he finally said, his voice laced with a hint of bitterness.
"You may have lost to me, but the youngsters defeated you," Makarov countered, his tone firm but not unkind.
Hades didn't argue.
"That Finn… if it weren't for him, I would have succeeded!"
Makarov didn't want to debate the point.
He closed his eyes, finally asking the question that had been plaguing him for so long.
"Why did you fall into darkness?"
Hades paused, then replied, "I told you… magic itself originates from darkness!"
"It's a miraculous power born from darkness, only later to be called magic," he explained, his voice tinged with a distant longing.
Hades' gaze became somewhat unfocused, his thoughts drifting into the past. "After retiring from the guild, I pursued the depths of magic, seeking to find the truth of the world within its depths.
"But the world filled with magic is nothing but a false illusion. Only the Great Magic World is the true world of magic, the world that should have existed. I wanted to see that world with my own eyes, and for that purpose, I sought out all the keys to summon Zeref."
He slowly extended his charred hand, as if reaching out to grasp something just beyond his reach.
"Just a little further… if I could have just reached that world, if I could have only grasped that ultimate magic!"
Suddenly, he seemed to be transported back to the inferno.
Hades struggled to lift his head, looking at Makarov.
"Do you know? That child in Fairy Tail, Finn…"
"His power is close to that ultimate magic… such pure flames…"
"I could even sense the intent of utter destruction within him! There's no doubt about it, that kid is dangerous!"
He chuckled softly. "His power is close to the source. That means he'll soon step into the abyss!"
Makarov's face remained unchanged as he listened to Hades' words.
"Even if that were the case, what then?" Makarov asked calmly.
"It doesn't matter whether magic comes from darkness or light."
Golden magical power gathered in Makarov's hand.
"Magic is alive. Its purpose changes with the evolution of the times, and it grows alongside us!"
"Depending on each person's feelings, it can become light, or darkness, or red, or blue!"
His gaze turned towards Finn's retreating figure.
"I watched Finn grow up. I know him well. Even if he were to step into the abyss, he would never be consumed by darkness like you!"
Makarov's voice was filled with unwavering confidence.
"That child's heart is unshakeable. He's nothing like you!"
"Fairy Tail will live on with freedom!"
Makarov turned and walked away, his steps firm and resolute.
"These are all things I learned from you!"
Makarov's words echoed in Hades' ears, each syllable resonating with a deep and profound meaning.
Hades stared blankly ahead, then slowly shook his head, closing his eyes.
————
At the base of the Tenrou Tree, Nancy, clutching Ultear's clothes, flapped her wings, preparing to carry her back to camp.
"By the way… is it really okay for me to go back like this?" Ultear asked, her voice filled with anxiety.
"After all, I'm one of the Seven Kin of Purgatory…"
Nancy rolled her eyes.
"Don't worry. Everyone will accept you, I'm sure of it."
"But… I'm still burdened by my sins," Ultear said, a vision of the pink-haired girl flashing through her mind.
"Sins?" Nancy asked, confused.
Ultear nodded.
"There's a girl named Meredy. I destroyed her hometown and led her into darkness…"
She closed her eyes, as if making a firm decision.
"Nancy, maybe I should atone for my sins before joining Fairy Tail!"
"Let me down…"
Hearing Ultear's words, Nancy shook her head firmly.
"No way. If you left, Finn would be upset."
Ultear fell silent, her expression conflicted.
Seeing Ultear's troubled look, Nancy sighed and said, "Either way, you should at least tell Finn, right?"
Finally, Ultear nodded in agreement.
"Okay, let's go tell Finn first, then I'll go look for Meredy."
With the Grimoire Heart members gone, Tenrou Island gradually returned to its former state.
The creatures of Tenrou Island, which had hidden during the battle, emerged from their hiding places, emitting joyful cries.
They seemed to be celebrating the return of peace and tranquility.
At the temporary camp on Tenrou Island, Erza, Gajeel, and the others had already returned.
Gildarts and Finn had also returned to the camp.
With so many injured, Wendy was acting as a temporary doctor, using her healing magic to treat everyone's wounds.
Seeing the long line of injured mages waiting for treatment, Carla expressed her concern about Wendy's magical power.
Wendy, however, was overjoyed at the opportunity to help. "It's okay, Carla. This is my chance to shine!"
The fiercely competitive Erza, seeing this, changed into a nurse's uniform.
"A nurse?!" Wendy exclaimed, her eyes widening in surprise.
"I highly doubt you have the ability to heal anyone," Carla retorted, her voice filled with skepticism.
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