Jubia and Lisana chose route H, while Reby and Gajeel's route was I. The meeting point of the two routes was a relatively spacious area resembling a karst cave.
Smooth stalactites hung from above, with some uneven stone pillars standing around.
The biggest factor affecting the battle was probably the small pond nearby, which made it easy for Jubia to use some Water Magic.
The most troublesome thing for Gajeel was that many of his spells were ineffective against Jubia. When he hit her with the Iron Dragon Staff, it could only create a hole in the water, and even using the Iron Dragon Sword merely temporarily severed her body.
Compared to his attacks, it was actually Reby's magic that Jubia needed to pay more attention to.
"Solid Script: FIRE!"
Reby wrote the words in the air, which instantly transformed into real flames, flying toward Jubia.
However, this level of Flame Magic didn't scare Jubia at all: "Water Flow Slash!"
Three crescent-shaped streams of water flew out, dispersing Reby's flames and continuing to fly toward her and Gajeel.
Gajeel immediately moved horizontally in front of Reby, transforming his right hand into an Iron Rod to swing at the three slashes, forcefully altering their trajectory.
BOOM!
The slashes flew upward, effortlessly cutting through two hanging stalactites, crushing the stalagmites beneath them.
"Miss Lisana, ready!"
"Got it!"
Jubia spread her arms wide, her Magic Power generating a torrent of water, drawing from the pond to form a massive wave crashing forward from behind her.
"Damn it!" Gajeel's expression changed; this narrow environment was simply too advantageous for Jubia.
Before he and Reby could respond, the wave had already engulfed them, their bodies uncontrollably retreating with the current.
"Whoa…" The two of them slammed against the rock wall, spitting out a few bubbles, and hastily covered their mouths upon realizing the danger.
"Take Over: Animal Soul: Penguin!"
Lisana transformed into a chubby penguin, swimming toward Gajeel and Reby with the agility of a fish.
"Sorry, Reby!"
The chubby penguin crashed into Reby, shoving her toward Gajeel.
"Whoosh…" Reby collided with Gajeel, spitting out another bubble as her face turned unpleasantly pallid.
Holding his breath, Gajeel wrapped an arm around Rebys waist, transforming his other hand into an Iron Sword to swipe at Lisana.
However, Gajeel's movements in the water were sluggish, and the chubby penguin quickly transformed into a fish, swimming away with a flick of her tail.
At that moment, Jubia's figure appeared, two slashes mixed within the water, flying toward Gajeel and Reby.
Gajeel hurriedly turned around, shielding the small Reby in his embrace.
The two slashes struck Gajeel's back, tearing through his clothing and revealing the iron scales beneath.
Yet, it was evident that the full power of the attack hadn't been absorbed, as Gajeel snorted out two bubbles from his nostrils.
He looked back angrily: 'That damn woman!'
Reby's face, initially pale, now had a hint of red.
A flustered Reby finally thought quickly, recalling her magic: "Solid Script: AIR!"
The letters written underwater transformed into air under Reby's control, forming a bubble around her and Gajeel's heads.
"Phew…"
Both of them breathed desperately within the bubble, Gajeel finally managing a slight smile: "As long we have air…"
"Water Typhoon!"
Jubia thrust her palms forward, and the previously calming water quickly became turbulent.
The water swirled violently, forming a water tornado that surged forward, slamming into Gajeel and Reby.
In a hurry, Reby wrote SHIELD, transforming it into a Shield, only for it to be easily shredded by the currents.
The powerful impact and rapid rotation hurled both of them out of the bubble and sent their bodies into a dizzying spin.
"Whoa... glug glug..."
The two cried out miserably, naturally gulping down mouthfuls of water.
Even if they wanted to cover their mouths now, the water tornado rendered their limbs completely unresponsive.
'Even with air, there's no way to defeat this woman in the water!' Gajeel thought resentfully, looking toward Jubia, unable to even keep both eyes open.
Gajeel's back smashed through a stone pillar, continuing to drift backward until he hit the cave wall, nearly unconscious Reby crashing into his chest right after.
And it was not over yet; the broken stone pillar's two segments were swept along by the current, heading in their direction.
'Crap!'
Gajeel, holding Reby, was trying to dodge to the side but couldn't compete with the speed of the rocks.
He puffed out his cheeks, preparing to use breath attack despite risk of drowning.
But then, a fish with a white fringe swam in front of them, transforming back to Lisana, who drew her Rose Sword and cut into the two large rocks.
The stones, upon touching the blade, softened like butter, floating away lightly to either side.
Gajeel breathed a sigh of relief, glanced down at Reby's state, hesitated briefly, and raised a hand to signal surrender.
The water that nearly filled the entire cave rapidly receded, Jubia and Lisana landing steadily on the ground, with Gajeel collapsing to a seat, while Reby remained unconscious.
"Hey, little one, little one!"
Gajeel shook Reby vigorously, a tad anxious when she didn't respond.
"Reby!" Lisana knelt beside them, "Did she swallow water? We need to expel it quickly."
Basic first aid, Lisana understood, but before she could act, Gajeel stopped her: "No need to be so troublesome, let her do it!"
"Miss Reby!" Jubia knelt on the other side, placing her hand on Reby's chest, effortlessly sliding it upward.
A fine stream of water flew out of Reby's mouth, landing in the nearby pond.
"Cough… cough…" Reby awoke, opening her eyes to see Gajeel's screw-filled face.
Surprisingly, it was filled with concern: "Are you alright?"
"Mm…" Reby mumbled hazily, realizing what had happened only after responding, "Ah, I'm okay."
"Oy~~~" Lisana, seeing Reby was fine, teased: "According to typical plot development, shouldn't the artificial respiration happen before you wake up? Reby, you regained consciousness too fast."
"A-artificial…" Reby, blushing furiously, scrambled away from Gajeel's embrace, squatting at a distance with her face covered.
"What nonsense…" Gajeel turned his face away awkwardly.
"Haha…" Lisana laughed, "Look at them, Jubia… um, Jubia?"
Turning her head, wanting to include Jubia in the amusement, she noticed Jubia's face was also red like Reby's.
Yet her expression seemed somewhat… lewd… Lisana felt it unfair to think this of Jubia but couldn't find a more suitable word.
If only she knew a simple sentence could defeat the three of them, she wouldn't have exerted herself.
Lisana laughed, but gradually felt as though she was the one who had lost.