Capítulo 50: Chapter 50 : Ikaruga vs Erza!!
Vidaldus stepped on the guitar with one foot, plucking off the strings and draping them around his neck.
"No," he muttered.
Vidaldus cast a longing glance at Everit.
But then, his hand suddenly tensed.
"Hiss—"
Lucy and Juvia swiftly turned around.
"Let's take a break before we proceed. Being in this state might get us into trouble if we encounter a formidable foe. Natsu and Gray would worry about you then."
"The potion is in your pocket, Lucy. You know how to use it."
"Got it." After Everit finished speaking, he departed.
"Everit seems so intimidating," Juvia remarked.
"Well," Lucy sighed, "In situations like this, you can trust him."
"Gray-sama," Juvia placed her hand over her heart, praying fervently, "May you stay safe."
"Natsu," Lucy whispered, "You won't be defeated, right?"
"Ahem."
A cough echoed from up ahead.
Everit strode through the passageway, and the space suddenly opened up.
He entered a spacious room with numerous bird cages suspended in the air by chains.
An enemy stood before him.
A brawny man with the head of an owl.
Nearby lay remnants of ice, indicating that he had just been defeated as Gray's opponent.
"A failure like this," Fukuro struggled to prop himself up, "cannot be called justice!"
"Only true justice, justice recognized by me, can vanquish me!" Footsteps approached.
Fukuro turned to see who it was, saying, "Are you an ally of the ice user? Just wait a moment, I'll be back on my feet soon!"
"Your resolve is admirable," Everit slowly drew his blade.
"Exploiting others' weaknesses like this hardly qualifies as justice!" Fukuro's heart raced, his potential surging as he rose to his feet.
But then, he was suddenly struck hard in the abdomen!
Confused, he looked towards the enemy advancing from afar. Who had kicked him?
Amidst the confusion, Fukuro flew out of the passage and plummeted downward.
It wasn't a real bird, and its magical flying item was no more.
"This is not the manifestation of justice."
The long wooden bridge stretched ahead.
Cherry blossoms fell like snow, casting a serene backdrop against the ongoing battle.
The clash of swords persisted, the formidable swordsman with a Kansai accent exerting immense pressure on Erza.
She cycled through several sets of armor in rapid succession, yet each one met its demise at the hands of her opponent.
"[She truly embodies strength, worthy of the title of Titania. Her magical prowess is so formidable, it instills fear in others!]"
"[But the Mutsuki-ryu Master bestowed upon me is not to be underestimated either!]"
"[The pinnacle of swordsmanship can cleave through magic!]"
Even amidst a world ruled by magic, the art of swordplay remains undeterred, though its practitioners dwindle.
Many aspire to become great mages, believing magic alone can alter fate.
However-
They overlook the enduring might of weaponry, forged since the dawn of human civilization from copper and iron.
Ikaruga gripped her blade, its hilt meeting Erza's gaze solemnly.
"Magic dazzles, akin to the sun in the sky."
"Yet the glint of a blade may also mirror the moon's luminescence above."
"I am Ikaruga, the leader of Trinity Raven, Titania," she declared, materializing before Erza in an instant.
"Requip!"
Erza swiftly shifted into a new armor, wielding a lengthy sword, but Ikaruga's agility proved overwhelming.
In a blur, Erza's armor lay in tatters at her feet, prompting her to retreat hastily.
"Heaven's Wheel Armor!"
Adorned with four steel wings, the Heavenly Wheel Armor boasted formidable offensive and defensive capabilities, alongside an array of weaponry.
"Heaven's Wheel - Circle Sword!"
Scores of blades whirled and soared toward Ikaruga, yet he remained composed, gracefully sidestepping the onslaught.
"Yasha's Empty Flash."
In the blink of an eye, the battlefield bristled with countless blades and sabers.
Erza's Circle Sword was completely shattered into pieces!
So powerful!
Erza was taken aback.
Ikaruga lunged at her.
Oops!
Erza swiftly parried with her sword.
'Crack'
Her armor was instantly shattered.
Her sword was too swift!
And too sharp!
Erza quickly retreated.
"Mugetsu-Ryu" Ikaruga gripped the sword's hilt and twirled it in a circle, "Garuda Flame."
The sparks erupting from the blade transformed into towering flames!
"Flame Empress Armor!"
Erza swiftly switched to armor with high fire resistance.
Yet Mugetsu-Ryu's sharp blade still pushed her back, and the Flame Empress Armor crackled and emitted a strained cry.
"Requip!"
The jet-black armor was donned, and Erza wielded a jagged giant blade.
"You won't break through this armor!" Erza declared.
"Bring it on." Ikaruga showed no fear.
'Boom'
The battle erupted.
Erza was struggling against Ikaruga's relentless assaults.
The intense fight nearly razed the surroundings.
In the end, Ikaruga held a slight advantage.
'Boom'
Erza retreated to Sho's side. Her armor was in tatters, and her giant serrated blade was shattered.
"Sister!" Sho exclaimed, "Even with your strength, you couldn't defeat her?!"
"No, Sho." Erza retrieved the purgatory armor.
She strode directly towards Ikaruga.
"Have you surrendered?" Ikaruga frowned slightly.
"I'm not strong." Erza changed her armor.
The new garb revealed itself as not armor, but merely a pair of crimson trousers, her upper body adorned only with cloth strips - she forsook all defense!
"But whether it's your life or Natsu's life, I must uphold it -"
"I will never falter!"
Erza wielded two long swords, determination gleaming in her eyes as she faced Ikaruga. "Your sword may be formidable, but there's a reason I'll never be defeated by you!"
Ikaruga's lips curled into a faint smile as she gripped the sword's handle. "Withering is the emblem of love and life. It's destiny."
With a resounding boom, Erza unleashed her full magical power, hurtling toward Ikaruga.
"Emily must live," Erza affirmed. "Ryder, you must be a role model for your siblings."
Ikaruga's smile remained serene as she swung her blade towards Erza, releasing her grip on the handle.
In an instant, the outcome was decided.
Ikaruga's sword shattered, and her once pristine kimono was now drenched in crimson.
"Why?" Erza questioned, furrowing her brow as she turned to face Ikaruga's retreating form.
"It's precisely because cherry blossoms only bloom for a week that they're so cherished," Ikaruga explained before collapsing.
As consciousness ebbed away, memories flooded Ikaruga's mind.
She remembered a young girl asking, "Master, why is our style of swordsmanship called Yasha's Empty Flash?"
And she recalled the response of a frail woman lying on a bed, "Magic is akin to the sun's miracles. It brings forth spring blooms, summer foliage, autumn fruits, and winter warmth. But magic isn't exclusive. Even those without great magical power can create miracles."
"But how?" the girl had questioned.
"The moon," the woman had answered, "can work wonders too. It banishes darkness, guides travelers by night, stirs the tides, and creates beauty in the seas."
"The Yasha's Empty Flash, the way of the sword—transforms every practitioner into a gentle moon. Through this gentle miracle, countless moons illuminate a world where the sun's light does not reach, ensuring the lone moon in the sky is never alone."
"When many moons shine together, they achieve the same miracles as the sun. So, even if I'm no longer here, there's no need for sorrow."
"Ikaruga, you're much like me. I've never forced this upon you; it's been your choice."
"Perhaps one day, like me, you'll become a silent, dim moon in a world teeming with lunar light."
"Just like this beautiful flower," the woman had gestured to a wilting blossom, "it may wither, but it's destined to convey and store love. Though it may fade, new love will always bloom in its wake."
"Ikaruga, are you afraid of fading like this flower?"
****
Support me on my patreon and read upto 15 early chapters.
https://www.patreon.com/AniScout
Estado de energía semanal
-- Ranking de
Poder 
-- Piedra de
Poder