The howling barrier of wind wrapped around Kunugi Station like a living wall. The gusts sliced through the air, whistling with eerie rhythm. The air shimmered where the barrier twisted, sealing every exit.
Fairy Tail's wizards stood tall amidst the chaos. Erza's armor gleamed, the metallic sheen of her breastplate cutting through the dim light of the station. Her crimson hair snapped in the wind, untamed but resolute, like the banner of a goddess marching to war.
Across from her, Eisenwald's surviving members regrouped, trembling but still defiant. They'd just seen their comrades beaten senseless by Fairy Tail's "Scarlet Heal" team—and yet pride and desperation drove them to stand again.
Erza took a single step forward. Steel clicked beneath her boots. "If you wish to continue," she said coolly, "then come. But don't expect mercy."
The words hit like a physical weight. Even the wind seemed to falter for a heartbeat.
Cana stretched her arms lazily beside her, flask in one hand and a spread of cards in the other. "I'd say you're giving them too much credit, Erza," she teased. "They'll fold faster than a bad poker hand."
Keal chuckled under his breath. "You're both terrifying when you get like this." He leaned slightly toward Cana, a smirk tugging at his lips. "But I can't say I dislike it."
Cana arched a brow, playful fire flickering in her eyes. "Flattery before a fight? You sure you can back it up, Keal?"
Keal's grin widened. "Guess you'll have to watch closely and find out."
Gray rolled his shoulders nearby, cracking his neck. "Can you two flirt after we're done mopping up the dark guild?"
Cana laughed, giving him a friendly shove with her elbow. "Lighten up, ice cube. You look like you're going to melt from nerves."
Gray huffed, forming a thin layer of frost around his fists. "Please. I'm just warming up."
Erza's tone sliced through their banter. "Focus."
Instant silence.
Then, without warning, the Eisenwald mages charged.
---
A wall of wind met the mob of dark mages, kicked up by the clash of spells and raw force.
Erza moved first—no hesitation. She requipped mid-step, armor flashing from silver to black as her Black Wing Armor unfurled. Dark wings spiraled around her, her sword morphing into a heavier blade designed for sweeping arcs.
She met the charge head-on.
One swing—three bodies flew. Another—steel shattered incoming magic like glass. The sound of metal on bone echoed through the station.
Cana, behind her, flipped a card into the air, magic sigils pulsing around it. The card burst mid-flight into a ring of fire. "Hot hand!"
The explosion sent several Eisenwald members tumbling backward. She tossed another—then another—each one bursting with elemental fury.
"Boom!" Cana grinned, watching them scatter. "Told you—fun way's the best way."
In minutes, the battle was done. The floor was littered with groaning enemies, most too dazed to even crawl away.
Erza exhaled slowly, deactivating her armor. Her expression didn't soften, though—her instincts screamed that the real threat hadn't shown itself yet.
Cana took a long swig from her flask and grinned. "And that's how you clear trash."
Erza scanned the station. "They were never the real threat," she muttered. "Stay alert."
---
On the far side of the platform, the sound of a whip cracked sharply through the air.
Gray slid sideways, barely avoiding a glowing blade-like lash that carved a deep line into the concrete where he had been standing. "Tch. So that's how it is…"
Across from him, Rayule—one of Eisenwald's stronger members—twirled his urumi whips with a sinister smirk. The flexible blades shimmered with arcane energy, coiling around him like serpents.
"Impressive reflexes," Rayule sneered. "But you're out of your depth, Fairy."
Gray's lips curled. "You're not the first creep to say that." He thrust his hand forward. "Ice-Make: Lance!"
A flurry of spears erupted toward Rayule—but the dark mage's whip cut through them, shattering the ice midair. Sparks flew as the weapon's edges hissed against frozen shards.
Rayule flicked his wrists, the whip dancing like liquid lightning. "All that flash… for nothing. You should've stayed out of this station."
Gray darted aside, blocking with a hastily formed ice shield that splintered on impact. His expression darkened. "What the hell's your game, anyway? Trapping civilians? Attacking guild mages?"
Rayule laughed. "You still don't get it?"
He lashed out again, the strike grazing Gray's cheek. Blood dripped—but the Ice Mage didn't flinch.
"This wasn't about you. It never was. You Fairy Tail brats were just the distraction—the way to divert attention. The real feast is waiting elsewhere."
Gray's eyes narrowed. "What are you talking about?"
Rayule's grin widened. "The annual Guild Masters' meeting. While you're locked here, our leader will play a little tune for them… a melody of death."
Gray froze. His heart slammed in his chest. "The Lullaby… You bastards—!"
Anger flared white-hot. He clenched his fists, cold mist curling around him as his magic surged. "I'll freeze that smile right off your face!"
He slammed his palms together. "ICE-MAKE: PRISON!"
Massive ice pillars erupted from the ground, surrounding Rayule in an instant. The whips tried to cut through but were instantly frozen, solid.
Rayule thrashed, but the frost crawled faster, sealing his arms, chest, then his mouth.
Gray's breath came in heavy bursts. "You picked the wrong guild to mess with."
With one final push, the ice encased the Eisenwald mage completely. The air fell silent.
Gray turned sharply, expression hard. "I've got to tell the others."
---
Deeper inside the station, shadows stirred like living smoke. Kageyama pressed against a pillar, breathing raggedly. His hands trembled, fingers gripping his dagger so tight his knuckles went white.
"Damn it… he is a monster," he hissed. "But… I still have my shadow magic. He will never touch me here."
A calm voice echoed from the darkness. "You sure about that?"
Kageyama spun—too slow.
A rush of compressed air slammed into his side, sending him skidding across the platform. He coughed, struggling to rise, eyes darting wildly.
Keal stepped from the haze, hands in his pockets, expression composed but eyes sharp with focus. "You really shouldn't talk to yourself in battle. Makes you look scared."
Kageyama's teeth bared. "Scared?!" The floor beneath him darkened, tendrils of shadow snaking upward. "You'll regret mocking me!"
He launched a barrage—spears of darkness slicing through the air.
Keal's stance shifted subtly. He exhaled, palm out. A compressed blast of air erupted, deflecting the shadow spears mid-flight. The pressure cracked nearby tiles.
"Too predictable," Keal murmured.
Kageyama snarled and dove forward, dagger cloaked in shadow. "Die!"
Keal sidestepped smoothly, the blade cutting empty air. He leaned close, voice low and almost teasing. "You rely on fear, but you don't even understand it. That's your problem."
"I'll kill you!" Kageyama slashed wildly, shadows writhing around him like mad serpents.
Keal danced through the chaos, the air bending to his will. His movements were sharp but effortless, each step placed with deliberate grace.
He lifted one hand, gathering pressure around his palm. "Compressed Air: Burst Palm."
A single strike—a shockwave cracked through the station, sending Kageyama sprawling backward. His dagger clattered across the floor, its shadowy aura fading.
Keal walked toward him, gaze cold but calm. "You're done."
Kageyama coughed, trying to form another spell—but Keal crouched down, pressing a hand to the man's chest. "Sleep it off."
A short, controlled burst of air hit like a hammer. The Eisenwald mage's body went limp, unconscious.
Keal straightened, exhaling. "And that's that."
---
Footsteps echoed through the wreckage.
Erza approached first, her armor shining faintly beneath the flickering lights. Gray followed, jaw tight, with Cana sauntering behind them, cards flicking idly in her fingers.
Erza's gaze fell on the fallen Kageyama. "So this is the shadow-user."
Gray wasted no time. "Erza—we've got a problem. I got it out of one of their lieutenants. This whole setup—it's a diversion. Their real target is the Guild Masters' meeting. They plan to use the Lullaby there!"
Erza's expression hardened, fury tightening her voice. "A cursed flute that kills with sound… To use it against the Masters… that's beyond unforgivable."
Cana frowned, lowering her cards. "So that's why they trapped us here."
"Exactly." Gray nodded grimly. "Erigor's already gone. If we don't break through that barrier, we're too late."
Keal crossed his arms, glancing toward the swirling wind wall at the station's edge. The barrier roared louder, almost mocking their desperation.
Erza turned sharply toward Kageyama, who stirred weakly on the ground. "You will dispel the barrier. Now."
Her tone was sharp enough to draw blood. Kageyama's eyes flicked open, wide with fear. "I—I can't…"
Erza took a step forward, sword flashing into existence with a burst of light. "Then I'll cut through your hesitation along with this barrier."
Keal sighed, stepping between them. "Relax, Erza. I've got this."
She blinked, frowning. "You?"
He smirked faintly. "Did you forget Compressed air magic isn't just for attacks."
Extending his hands toward the barrier, Keal focused. The air around him grew unnaturally still—then began to twist in rhythm with the wind magic beyond. He could feel the spell's structure—layered, rotating currents of energy locking together like gears.
I can't overpower it head-on… but if I redirect the pressure points…
He closed his eyes, sweat forming along his temple. Slowly, his magic aligned with the barrier's pulse.
Then—he exhaled.
The air detonated outward.
A shockwave rippled through the entire station, the wind wall shrieking as its flow unraveled. The barrier shattered like glass under pressure, exploding into harmless breezes that dissipated into the night.
Gray whistled low. "Remind me not to piss you off."
Cana grinned. "Guess our healer's got some bite after all."
Keal gave a modest shrug, though a mischievous smile tugged at his lips. "Only when beautiful women are watching."
Erza crossed her arms, unimpressed—but there was a hint of amusement in her eyes. "Focus, Keal."
"Always do," he replied smoothly.
Erza turned toward the open tracks, her eyes narrowing at the direction Erigor had gone. "We're moving out. Erigor will not reach that meeting."
Gray nodded firmly. Cana tucked her cards away. Keal adjusted his coat, already stepping forward.
The wind that had once trapped them now guided their way—fading into silence as Team Scarlet Heal raced toward their next battle.