Zalty, battered and visibly shaken, glanced at the group and then back at Aurelius. Without saying a word, he suddenly took a step back, disappearing into the shadows.
Lucy, Gray, and Happy immediately freaked out.
"Why did you let him go?!" Lucy shouted, her voice filled with panic.
"Yeah! We could've stopped him here and now!" Gray added, clenching his fists despite his injuries.
Happy flapped his wings, hovering anxiously. "Aye! Why didn't you finish him?!"
Aurelius turned his gaze to them, calm and collected. "There are bigger problems we need to deal with," he said firmly, his voice cutting through their panic.
Before anyone could press him further, a low, rumbling sound filled the cavern. The temperature dropped sharply, and the ice encasing Deliora began to crack and melt.
Everyone's attention snapped to the towering form of the demon. The last fragments of ice shattered, revealing Deliora in its full, terrifying form. Its glowing eyes scanned the room, radiating raw power and malice.
Lucy took a shaky step back, whispering, "It's… free."
Gray froze in place, his heart pounding as the nightmare of his past stood before him. Happy hid behind Lucy, trembling.
Aurelius stared at Deliora, his expression unreadable. "This," he said simply, "is why."
As the air grew heavy with tension, Lyon, previously conflicted, looked back and took a bold step forward, his voice echoing through the cavern. "Finally… all my hard work has paid off. Deliora is free, and now I'll kill it! I'll surpass Ur once and for all!" His determination was clear, but his words only deepened the panic among the group.
Before anyone could respond, Aurelius suddenly sheathed his sword, the metallic clang reverberating through the cave. The action startled everyone.
"Wait, what are you doing?!" Lucy exclaimed, her voice rising in disbelief.
Aurelius, calm as ever, replied, "There's no threat."
"No threat?! Are you kidding me?!" Gray snapped, pointing at the towering Deliora. "That thing's a monster!"
Ignoring the protests, Aurelius crossed his arms, his gaze fixed on the demon. Gray turned his frustration toward Lyon, striding over and punching him square in the jaw. Lyon stumbled and fell to the ground, clutching his face.
"Enough of this crap, Lyon!" Gray shouted. "You're not surpassing anyone! Look at what you've done!"
Gray then stepped forward, determination etched on his face. He planted himself firmly in front of Deliora, his hands in position as it begun to glow with the familiar magic of Ice Shell. "I'll finish this… I'll seal it again, even if it costs me my life."
But before he could complete the spell, Aurelius' voice cut through the room like a whip. "Don't be a fool, Gray."
Gray froze, turning his head to glare at Aurelius. "Stay out of this! Someone has to stop it!"
Aurelius raised a hand and pointed a single finger at Gray. In an instant, Gray's legs buckled, and his body began to weaken. He gasped, struggling to stay upright. "What… what's happening to me?!"
Aurelius smirked faintly. "A trick I picked up in the past. Let's just say your body will listen to me better than your brain does."
Before Gray could argue further, a roar from Natsu broke the tension. "Enough talking!" Natsu yelled as he launched himself at Deliora, his fist igniting in flames. The moment his punch connected with the demon, Deliora's massive body began to disintegrate into ash, scattering into the air.
As the Deliora disintegrated into ash, the cavern fell eerily silent. The group stood frozen, the weight of what had just occurred slowly sinking in.
Lyon dropped to his knees, his hands trembling. His voice cracked, raw with heartbreak. "It's… dead… It was already dead before the Ice Shell melted." His hands clenched into fists as tears streamed down his face. "All of it… everything I did… it was meaningless. All these years… wasted."
Gray stood still, his face pale, his body trembling—not from exhaustion, but from the crushing truth that had just been revealed. His hands shook as he covered his face, tears seeping through his fingers. "Ur… you really did it… You freed me… You freed me from my past, and I… I couldn't even see it."
Both men cried openly, their emotions raw and unguarded. Lyon sobbed into his hands, mourning not just Deliora but the years he had spent chasing a hollow dream. Gray's tears fell silently at first, then with more intensity as he replayed his memories of Ur—the sacrifices she made, the lessons she taught him. It was all too much to bear.
Aurelius watched them with a quiet, unreadable expression. "Ur didn't just trap Deliora with Ice Shell," he said, his voice even but firm. "She killed it, draining its life force through the spell. She did what was necessary to protect you both—and the world."
The words hit Lyon and Gray like a hammer. For Lyon, it was the shattering of everything he had built his life around. For Gray, it was the overwhelming realization that he had been freed from his past long ago, even if it took him until now to truly understand it.
"She… she gave everything for us,"Lyon whispered through his tears. "And I… I let myself get stuck in the past. I couldn't even see what she did for me… for us."
The two former rivals cried together, united in their grief and regret. The rest of the group stood back, giving them space to process. Even Natsu, usually the first to speak up, remained silent, his fiery personality subdued in the face of such raw emotion.
Aurelius finally broke the silence. "This is what happens when you cling to the past instead of moving forward. Ur understood that better than anyone. If you want to honor her, don't waste the life she fought to protect." His tone wasn't cruel, but it carried an unyielding weight that left no room for argument.
Gray nodded weakly, wiping his eyes but still unable to stop the tears. Lyon didn't respond, too consumed by his heartbreak to find the words.
As the ash of Deliora settled into the air, the group stood in solemn silence, each grappling with the lessons of the moment in their own way.
As the last traces of Deliora's ashes disappeared, Natsu, Happy, and Lucy broke into grins, their spirits rising now that the battle was over.
As the last traces of Deliora's ashes disappeared, Natsu, Happy, and Lucy broke into grins, their spirits rising now that the battle was over.
"We did it!" Natsu cheered, punching the air. "We completed an S-Class mission!"
"Aye, sir!" Happy chimed in, flying around with a wide grin.
Lucy sighed in relief, her hands on her hips. "Finally, it's over. That was way too intense for me!"
But before their celebration could fully take off, Aurelius cut through their excitement with his cold, steady voice. "It's not over yet."
The group froze and turned to face him. "What do you mean, it's not over?" Lucy asked, her smile faltering.
Aurelius crossed his arms. "The curse on the village is still active. Defeating Deliora wasn't the solution. At night, the villagers are still turning into demons. Something else is causing it."
Gray turned to Lyon, who was leaning against the wall, his face pale with grief. "Lyon, you were here for years. Do you know what's causing it?"
Lyon shook his head slowly, his voice quiet but firm. "I don't know. I never interacted with the villagers, and they never approached us. The Moon Drip was only for Deliora. It had no effect on me or my followers."
Natsu clenched his fists, stepping forward. "You're just saying that to clear your name!"
Lyon glared back, his voice rising slightly. "Think what you want, but it's the truth. The Moon Drip was focused on breaking Deliora's seal. The village… it's hiding something."
A tense silence hung in the air as the group absorbed his words. Finally, Aurelius gestured toward the exit. "Standing here won't solve anything. We'll investigate the village ourselves. Let's go."
The others nodded and began to follow, but Gray stayed behind. He looked at Lyon, who was still leaning heavily against the wall, his head bowed.
"You should join a guild," Gray said, his voice softer than usual.
Lyon glanced up at him, surprised. "What?"
"Find a new goal," Gray continued. "Something better than this. Ur gave her life for us. Don't waste yours on something meaningless. You're better than this."
Lyon didn't respond at first, his expression unreadable. Finally, he gave a slight nod, though whether it was agreement or acknowledgment, Gray couldn't tell.
Gray turned and walked toward the exit, catching up with the others. Behind him, Lyon remained in the dimly lit cavern, his mind swirling with questions and regret.
Aurelius' image flashed through his thoughts, as vivid as if he were still standing before him. That calm, measured presence. The sheer dominance. The way he dismantled Zalty without effort or hesitation. Lyon had faced many strong mages before, but nothing like this. Aurelius hadn't just overpowered his opponent; he had controlled every facet of the fight from the very start.
"Is this what true strength looks like?" Lyon thought, his hands clenching into fists at his sides. His journey had always been clear in his mind—to surpass Ur, to prove he could be stronger than her. She had been the pinnacle of power to him, her abilities unmatched.
For so long, Lyon had believed strength to be something that could be achieved and defined. But Aurelius had shattered that illusion. His strength was something else entirely—something Lyon couldn't grasp or compare to.
A flicker of frustration crossed his face as he pressed a hand to his forehead, trying to steady his thoughts. "Have I been chasing the wrong thing this whole time? Have I wasted my life chasing shadows while the real world moved beyond me?"
Gray's words echoed in his ears. "Find a new goal… Don't waste your life on something meaningless."
But what goal could replace the one he had clung to for so long? If surpassing Ur wasn't the answer, what was?
Lyon's shoulders sagged as he let out a shaky breath, his chest tightening with uncertainty. For the first time, he felt small—not because of failure, but because of the realization that the world was far bigger and more complex than he had allowed himself to see.
He stood there for a long time, lost in thought, before finally straightening. The doubts were still there, gnawing at the edges of his mind, but he couldn't stay in that cavern forever. Whatever came next, Lyon knew one thing for certain—Aurelius had changed his perspective on strength, on power, and on his own place in the world. And now, Lyon had to decide what to do with that revelation.
...
Everyone except Lyon returned to the village, their steps slow and heavy as they walked the familiar path back to where they had left the chaos behind. The air was thick with confusion, and Natsu, Happy, Lucy, and Gray could feel the tension building as they neared the village. What they found when they arrived was far from what they had expected.
To their shock, the village was completely rebuilt. The once-destroyed huts and crumbled buildings had been replaced with fresh structures, vibrant and intact. It looked like nothing had ever happened here. The sight was disorienting, and the group exchanged bewildered glances. How had this happened? They had left the village in ruins, and now it seemed like the curse and destruction were nothing but a distant memory.
Before they could fully process what they were seeing, the village chief emerged from one of the newly built homes, his face lighting up as he spotted the group. "Ah, you've returned! You must be the ones who've restored our village!" His voice was filled with gratitude, and he moved toward them, almost eager to thank them for their efforts.
The group froze, clearly confused. "Wait… we didn't restore the village," Lucy spoke up, her brow furrowed in confusion. "We don't even know how this happened."
But before they could clarify, the chief waved their concerns away, too grateful to hear their words. "Thank you! Thank you so much!" he exclaimed, his voice heavy with emotion. "But now that the village is restored, there's still one thing left to do. Please, destroy the moon!" His expression shifted to one of urgency.
The group exchanged uneasy looks. They weren't sure what to make of the situation, but it seemed the chief believed they had some role in fixing the village, and now, they were being tasked with destroying the moon once again.
Aurelius, standing apart from the group, took a step forward. His eyes were calm, almost distant, as he addressed the his guildmates, his voice cutting through the tension. "How do you plan to lift the curse?"
Natsu scratched the back of his head, clearly unsure of how to respond. "Uh, we were kind of hoping you'd have a plan?" he said, his tone awkward.
Gray frowned, glancing at Natsu and Lucy. "We're still working on figuring that out," he added.
Aurelius sighed, his patience wearing thin. He stepped away from the group, crossing his arms. "Seems like your playtime is over," he muttered, more to himself than anyone else. Then, turning back toward the villagers, he declared, "I'll finish the S-Class mission. It's time to end this curse."
The group fell silent. The intensity in Aurelius' voice was unmistakable. He wasn't asking for anyone's help—he was taking charge of the situation. His mind was already working, his eyes narrowing as he seemed to have pieced together the puzzle.
"I've been listening to your explanations," he continued, "and there's something off. The Moon Drip ritual has been happening for three years. Something doesn't add up."
He turned his gaze on the villagers, his eyes sharp with purpose. "Why didn't you investigate this yourselves? Why didn't you go to the temple to see what was happening?"
The village chief, looking guilty, rubbed the back of his neck. "It's a tradition," he said, his voice quiet. "We're not allowed to leave the village. We did try to go to the temple, but each time we went, we ended up back here, like something was pulling us back."
Aurelius nodded slowly, processing this new information. "I see," he muttered under his breath.
He sighed, a hint of frustration creeping into his voice. "I didn't want to reveal more of my powers," he said, his eyes turning to the sky. "But it looks like I have no choice."
Gray, looking slightly unsettled, stepped forward. "What are you going to do?" he asked, his voice full of tension.
Aurelius's gaze remained fixed on the sky. "I'll destroy the moon," he said flatly.
The group was taken aback. Destroy the moon? Was that really the solution? Before they could protest or ask more questions, Aurelius raised his hand and pointed his finger to the heavens. A small red orb appeared at the tip of his finger, glowing brighter by the second. The orb rapidly expanded, growing larger and more intense with an ominous power.
The air around them seemed to vibrate with energy as the orb shot up into the sky. The group stared, unable to comprehend what was happening. But instead of destroying the moon, as they had expected, the orb slammed into the sky itself. A sudden burst of energy rippled through the air, and the very fabric of the sky seemed to crack open. The orb's force shattered the sky, causing a jagged rift to appear, as if the heavens themselves were being torn apart. The sound of cracking, like glass breaking, filled the air as the sky fractured.
Aurelius lowered his hand, the red orb disappearing as the sky slowly began to return to normal. The group stood stunned, their eyes wide with disbelief. The moon was still intact, but something else had happened.
Aurelius explained, his voice steady despite the display of power. "The Moon Drip ritual left behind a residue of magic that crystallized over the entire island. It formed a barrier around Galuna Island's sky, distorting the view. That's why the moon appeared purple. It wasn't the moon itself; it was the magic that distorted its appearance."
The group exchanged confused glances. They had been so focused on the moon, and yet, it was the magic that had been distorting their perception all along.
Aurelius continued, "With the crystal layer gone, the so called curse should be gone. But the problem is, the villagers here are not human. Galuna Island is an island of demons."
The villagers stood frozen, their faces pale as the truth hit them. The curse wasn't about the moon—it was about their very identities.
"The Moon Drip ritual didn't change your forms," Aurelius said, his tone cold. "It changed your memories. The magic made you believe you were human. But you've always been demons."
A shocked silence filled the air as the villagers processed this revelation. They had lived their lives thinking they were human, but the truth was far darker.
Before anyone could react further, a figure stepped forward from the crowd—a man with a familiar, yet unexpected, presence. The sailor who had guided Natsu and his team to the island emerged from the gathered people, his eyes glowing a faint, eerie red. His features were sharper, more angular, his form shimmering as if it were caught between worlds.
The group recognized him immediately, though it took them a moment to process the transformation.
"You..." Natsu started, his voice a mix of confusion and surprise. "You're the sailor. The one who brought us here!"
The man nodded, his face softening slightly as he took a step forward. "I'm Bobo," he said, his voice calm but laden with the weight of years of silence. "I am the village chief's son."
A collective gasp rippled through the villagers as they tried to comprehend the full meaning of his words. The village chief, his face pale, took a shaky step forward, disbelief written on his face.
"Bobo... my son... you're alive?" His voice cracked with emotion.
Bobo's gaze softened as he met his father's eyes. "I left the island when I realized what had happened. The magic didn't affect me. But I didn't know how to explain to everyone that we're all demons. So, I ran away, hoping to find a way to help."
The village chief's tears welled up as he stumbled forward, unable to contain the flood of emotions. He embraced his son tightly, his voice trembling. "My son... I thought I had lost you forever…"
Bobo nodded, his own tears glistening in his eyes as he returned the hug. "I didn't know what to do back then... but now, the truth is returning. And I'm here to help everyone remember who they really are."
Soon, as the magic on the villagers began to fade, memories long buried resurfaced. Faces that had once been strangers became familiar, and the villagers slowly started to regain their true identities, the fog of their past lifting like a dark veil. They were no longer trapped in the illusion of humanity—they were demons, and now they could embrace it.
One by one, the villagers gathered around Bobo and the chief, some embracing, some crying, as the weight of the truth settled over them. They were no longer lost, no longer haunted by the mystery of who they were.
The village chief, his voice full of pride and sorrow, whispered, "You've returned to us. The curse is over!"
Bobo stepped back, his gaze sweeping over the reunion, his face unreadable but filled with a quiet resolve. The truth had freed them all—not by destroying the moon or the magic, but by unveiling the reality of their existence. The villagers had been trapped in a lie, and now they were free.
Aurelius watched the emotional reunion from a distance, his eyes narrowed in quiet satisfaction as the villagers embraced the truth of their identities. His role was done, and yet, a sense of unease lingered in the back of his mind. There was more to this island, more to the mystery than what had been revealed. With a sharp intake of breath, he turned and walked away, his form blending into the shadows of the jungle.
He arrived at a clearing, the air heavy with an eerie stillness. It was here that the subtle hum of magic was strongest, and there, standing at the center of the clearing, a figure can be seen—tall, with long, flowing hair that shimmered like starlight. The woman's features were sharp, and elegant.
It was Ultear Milksovich.
She stood with an air of calm assurance, her true form radiating power. The look in her eyes was both calculating and amused as she turned to face him.
"I thought you were the mysterious kind, Aurelius," she said, her voice smooth, with a hint of curiosity. "So what's with the theatrics? You were showing off during our fight earlier. And you even allowed me to escape..."
Aurelius' gaze remained steady, his expression unreadable. He said nothing, but the tension in the air between them was palpable.
AN: 4 more power stones and we will have 100 power stones for this week! So send those out and your bonus chapter will come! Also, once this story reached 10 reviews, I'll release another bonus chapter!