Laxus' grin sharpened, his fists sparking violently as his magic power surged to its peak.
"…It's my turn now."
In the next instant, his entire body erupted into blinding arcs of lightning. His form blurred and vanished, transforming into electricity.
CRACK–BOOM!
The bolt shot upward, ripping through the air like a thunderclap as it streaked straight toward Kael, who hovered calmly above.
Kael looked at this, and darted higher into the air with Laxus hot in his trail. From this, the fight tuned into a cat and mouse game as each time Laxus tries to land an attack, Kael would suddenly changed direction, either suddenly going left or right, or suddenly dropping down or rising up. It continued for a minute before Laxus' finally had enough.
"Stop running!" Laxus' voice echoed with fury. "Fight me head-on, coward!"
Hearing this, something seemed to shift in Kael's expression. Then, a thought flashed into his mind, as he suddenly stopped running.
Laxus who was hot on his trail, smirked at this as he prepared to strike
"Got you!"
His fist, wrapped in electricity, slammed into his target's back. However, the body burst apart into fragments of orange. It was an illusion as the real Kael has substituted himself with an illusion during the minutes of their cat and mouse chase.
"Tch." Laxus clicked his tongue in irritation before grinning as he decisively tuned around and sent his fist full of electricity in the air.
Crack!
His knuckles struck something solid.
"Damn it..." Kael's voice slipped out as he was struck by Laxus' fist.
As this happened, his eyes widened and his body froze as electricity hit him. His palm, which was inches away from Laxus stayed still until he fell in the air as gravity took control.
Kael's body spun around in the air before landing hard on the cold stone floor of the cathedral. Infront of him, Laxus also slowly landed on the floor, a wide smirk on his face as arrogance was on full display.
"The same trick wont work on me twice." Laxus said before the electricity surrounding his body intensified.
Then he shot forward, fist filled with electricity, aiming straight for Kael's chest.
In response, Kael thrust both hands forward. The energy that he concentrated on his palms previously was used and an orange shield materialized Infront of him.
Boom!
Laxus' lightning-coated fist smashed into the orange shield, sparks flying wildly. However, unlike the previos shields, this one didn't seven budge.
"Tch…" Laxus narrowed his eyes. "You think a wall's gonna save you?"
He was about to hit it again with more power, but before he could, he felt the shift in magic power coming from Kael. His instincts screamed. Immediately, he pushed off the ground and leapt back.
Kael meanwhile, was now crouched low, he slammed his palms onto the cracked cathedral floor. The shield dissolved while the cathedral floor seemed to change.
From the stone tiles, countless orange whips erupted, moving like serpents. They moved like waves in the sea, rushing toward Laxus with surprising speed.
At the same time, he rose and in his right hand a crimson energy appeared. He pulled his right arm back and with sharp motion, he cracked his arm forward like a whip, in which the crimson energy grew and formed into many bands that made their way to Laxus.
"Crimson Bands of Cyttorak"
Laxus seeing this, leaped further, dodging the sweeping orange whips from the floor despite its surprising speed. He weaved between the surging waves of with lightning-fast movements. But as he shifted to the side, something yanked at his leg. He glanced down to see an orange whip had coiled around his ankle.
He missed one.
And as realization hit, electricity flared violently around his body. It focused on his legs as with a sharp snap, the whip disintegrated.
However, that single distraction was enough.
Shhhp!
The crimson bands struck home, wrapping tightly around Laxus' right arm. Sparks exploded as he struggled, his grin twisting into something between irritation and excitement.
Kael straightened as his attack hit. Then his left hand glowed fiercely, energy condensing into a blazing sphere. He tried to pull Laxus' back. However, things didn't go as expected.
As he pulled, nothing moved, instead he felt his body being yanked forward.
"You're a fool!" Laxus roared, electricity sparking madly from his shoulders.
With the sudden realization, Kael gritted his teeth, 'I didn't expect him to still have this strength... I thought the bands would at least restrict his magical power' he thought.
Then, immediately after, he brushed away his thoughts as he poured magic power into his limbs to reinforce his body. For a second, his heels dug into the ground, cracks forming underfoot, but the tugging force was relentless. Inch by inch, he was reeled in like prey caught on a hook.
Laxus' left arm lit up in a storm of lightning, his fist pulled back. "You're dead now!"
At that moment, Kael was finally lifted to the floor as he was yanked to Laxus' direction.
And so, Kael's glowing left hand concentrated with energy shifted. The condensed energy elongated, shaping itself into a magical sword. With a burst of power, he swung it forward, meeting Laxus head-on.
CRASH!
The sword met flesh and as Kael glanced at it, his eyes widened. Meanwhile, Laxus' grin grew.
Laxus held the glowing sword with his bare hand, blood visibly coming out. At the same time, his other hand gripped the red bands that still connected him to Kael's right arm.
"Hah!" Laxus laughed, his eyes blazing with manic triumph. "Big mistake."
Kael was now trapped.
"You tied yourself to me," Laxus growled. "Now take this!"
Electricity erupted from his body. The lightning exploded point-blank, swallowing Kael in a searing storm.
BOOOOM!
Pain immediately spread into every part of Kael's body as he grimaced.
Immediately, the red bands binding Laxus disappeared. The glowing sword in his hand also flickered once before vanishing entirely.
"Hah!" Laxus barked out, triumphant, his body humming with raw electricity. "What are you gonna do now!"
Laxus lunged forward, pivoting on his heel, his leg whipping around in a brutal kick aimed at Stephen's ribs.
WHAM!
However, at the very last instant, Kael's hands flared. An orange shield burst into existence, materializing between them.
Laxus' kick smashed against it. The barrier cracked like glass under pressure, spiderweb fractures racing across its surface and within a quarter of a second it shattered.
It was weak. Too weak as Kael didn't have the luxury to make it stronger. Yet, it absorbed just enough of the blow to let Kael go backward while receiving no massive damage from the kick.
So, he skidded across the stone floor, boots grinding against rubble until he regained his footing. He breathed heavily, sweat trailing down his temple, eyes locked on Laxus.
Laxus, with his prey getting away straightened with a smug grin, electricity still coursing across his skin. "What's wrong, Kael? Already out of tricks?"
He didn't answer. His stance lowered slightly, hands glowing faintly, his expression tight and wary. He could feel the lingering ache of the electrocution buzzing through his veins, but his eyes stayed sharp.
For the first time since the battle began, both paused. One looked cautious. The other stood tall, overflowing with confidence.
Then suddenly, another person entered the fray.
"LAXUS! STOP THIS!" Levy's voice echoed through the cathedral.
Both Kael and Laxus turned toward her.
"Leave this place Levy..." Kael spoke and as he did, he flew to the air and positioned himself Infront of Levy.
Fortunately, Laxus didn't seem to care as he just watched this scene unfold.
"Enough already!" Levy added, as he glanced as Laxus before setting his gaze at Kael who flew in front of her as if to shield her.
Then, her voice cracked. "The Master... your grand father is close to death!"
"...So please! Stop this and go see your grand father!"
Immediately as the words left Levy's mouth, the mood in the cathedral changed. A surprised expression made its way on Kael's face as he glanced at Levy, before putting his attention back on Laxus.
As he looked at him, he noticed that for a fleeting moment Laxus' smirk faltered. and for the briefest quarter of a second, something raw flickered there.
Worry?
Kael caught it. 'He cares… even if he won't admit it.'
But just as quickly as it came, the crack in Laxus' facade sealed shut. He threw his head back and burst into a loud, mocking laugh.
"Pfft! HAHAHAHAH! So the old man's about to kick the bucket? Good! That just means the master's seat is mine for the taking!" His grin widened, fangs bared with electric pride. "Closer than ever!"
Levy froze, horrified. "Y-you can't be serious…"
Likewise, Kael's eyes also shifted, his guard raised again.
"Oh, I'm dead serious," Laxus said, his tone suddenly darker. Sparks erupted violently across his body. "You think I've been giving it my all this whole time? Don't make me laugh. I've been saving a portion of my power… to finish off that old geezer myself."
Levy's breath hitched. "W-what…?"
"But since the old man's already halfway to the grave, there's no point holding back anymore." Laxus spread his arms wide as arcs of lightning surged from his frame, crackling with such intensity that the ground itself quaked. His muscles swelled, his figure seemed to grow.
Levy stumbled back a step, her eyes trembling. "His magic… it's monstrous…"
Laxus inhaled deeply, lightning gathering in his lungs, his chest glowing with violent power. His voice roared with triumph as he declared:
"LIGHTNING DRAGON… ROAR!!!"
The entire cathedral shook as a deafening wave of destructive energy began to form.
'So... You've finally revealed it... It seems playtime's over...' Kael thought as his face grew even more serious.
Meanwhile, Levy's jaw dropped. "No way… Laxus is… a Dragon Slayer!?"
Kael's eyes narrowed and without hesitation, he moved. He crossed his arms forming an X in front of his chest while he opened his palms. As he did, magic power was concentrated and an orange sphere slowly materialized, slowly covering both him and Levy inside.
"Shield of the Seraphim"
Inside the protective sphere, Levy shielded her face, trembling as the storm howled around them. When the roaring finally ceased, the magic dispersed into static sparks that faded into the air.
Outside the shield, the floor was ruined and debris filled the air.
Laxus stood amidst the wreckage, shoulders heaving. Then threw his head back and laughed. "HAHAHAHA! That's what I'm talking about! You actually stood against it!" His grin stretched, wild and manic. "Both of us are done holding back now!"
Kael released a quiet breath, lowering his arm. The shield dissolved into particles of light. His eyes cut toward Levy immediately.
"Levy. Leave." Kael spoke in a commanding tone.
"But..."
Kael didn't give her the chance to argue. He raised his palm toward her, and a sudden gust of wind surged forth. Levy yelped as the force carried her past the shattered doors, and into the street outside.
"Kael!" she shouted, her voice fading as she tumbled out of the cathedral.
As she was sent away, however, she dropped a card that neither Kael nor Laxus noticed. It landed on near the door and rested on the wall.
Scene Break
The atmosphere inside the Fairy Tail guild hall was... Dreadful.
Members littered the floor and benches, their bodies aching from the recoil of the organic link magic after destroying the lightning lacrimas. Groans of discomfort echoed faintly, but despite their weakened state, every single gaze was locked onto the center of the hall.
A glowing lacrima stood there. It projected the battle unfolding inside the cathedral.
Cana's recording card had done its work, displaying the battle in the cathedral.
'Good one Levy... I've always wondered how far the gap between me and Stephen is...' Cana thought to herself as he stared at the lacrima.
Meanwhile, around her gasps rippled across the guild as they watched Laxus stand tall, his body radiating lightning that swelled larger with each passing second. Then, Laxus unleashed his Lightning dragon's roar.
"He's… a Dragon Slayer?" Natsu asked whispered in disbelief.
"No way… all this time…" another added, too stunned to move.
Gray clenched his fist weakly, his arm trembling. "Just how strong is he?"
But the hall grew even more silent when Kael appeared on the projection. The sphere Kael named Shield of the Seraphim enveloped both him and Levy, holding strong even against Laxus' devastating roar of lightning.
Lucy, pale and beaten, exhaled slowly. "He blocked it…"
For a moment, joy flickered in their tired eyes.
But it was quickly replaced by worry. Because if this was the level of power Laxus had been hiding all along, then even Kael's strange and overwhelming magic might not be enough to bring him down.
Scene Break
The cathedral trembled faintly as Levy was pushed out by a gentle gust of Kael's magic. Then, Kael stared back at Laxus.
"There are changes to my priorities now," he said calmly, hall. "At first, I held back. I'm sure you've noticed... I wanted to see how much you've grown, and I also wanted a good battle... But the master needs me. I don't have the luxury to waste any more time."
Hearing this, Laxus tilted his head back and barked out a cruel laugh. "Lets both get serious then!"
Then, immediately after those words left his mouth, crackling lightning gathered in between his 2 palms before launching forward. Electricity launched out, heading straight to Kael. It took the form of a spear as it raged on.
"Lightning Dragon's Heavenward Halberd!"
Seeing this, Kael didn't flinch. He raised his hands, and sparks of orange danced between his fingers. At the very last moment, an orange magic circle appeared before him.
But unlike before, it wasn't a shield. It instead, transformed the raging lightning into a flutter of white butterflies that scattered across the cathedral.
Seeing this scene, Laxus' eyes widened, his face full of arrogance froze for a second.
"What the hell?!"
And with that, one of Laxus' most powerful attack was transformed into fluttering butterflies.
Scene break
In the guild hall, many injured mages erupted in shock as the lacrima projection displayed Kael's latest move.
"B-butterflies?!" Max stammered, leaning forward.
"It's… beautiful," Bisca whispered in awe that softened her pained expression.
'How am I suppose to match this?' Cana thought to herself as she looked at the lacrima, face full of awe.
"Are you kidding me!?" Wakaba shouted, unable to believe what he saw. "He turned Laxus' attack into… into that?!"
"Has Kael also been holding back this whole time?!" Gray asked.
"This... I wonder if he could turn things to fish..." A certain blue cat muttered.