The ship glided smoothly across the waves, its rhythmic sway matching the gentle rise and fall of the ocean. On its deck stood two figures, each isolated in their own thoughts. Laxus leaned nonchalantly against the main mast, arms crossed over his broad chest, faint arcs of golden lightning dancing sporadically around him. His eyes were closed, his usual smirk absent, but the tension in his posture betrayed his readiness to spring into action at a moment's notice.
Rain, meanwhile, sprawled across the sun-warmed deck, his arms folded behind his head. The sunlight bathed his body, infusing him with energy that pulsed through his veins, invigorating his Moon Dragon Slayer magic. He could feel his power growing with every passing moment, a quiet smile playing on his lips as he basked in the sun's radiance.
Ahead of them, the silhouette of Tenrou Island began to emerge on the horizon, its jagged cliffs, dense emerald forests, and crystalline shores painting an enchanting yet foreboding picture. The sacred ground of Fairy Tail seemed to exude a mystic aura, even from afar.
Rain's eyes narrowed as he gazed at the island coming into sharper focus. So, this is Tenrou Island—the legendary sanctuary of Fairy Tail, he mused. And one day, the battleground for Acnologia's devastation. For now, though... this place will be my proving ground. His smirk widened as he imagined the challenges ahead. Fighting Gildarts... that'll be the real fun.
"Alright, listen up!" Makarov's booming voice shattered the tranquility, dragging both Laxus and Rain from their respective musings. The diminutive Guild Master stood firmly at the helm, his commanding presence unshaken by his small stature. "The rules for this S-Class Trial are straightforward, but don't mistake simplicity for ease!"
Rain stretched lazily, sitting upright and giving his full attention to the Guild Master. Laxus, hardly enthused, cracked open one eye, his usual air of disinterest evident.
"There are two stages to this trial," Makarov explained, his voice steady and authoritative. "First, you must defeat an S-Class level monster. This is a test of your strength, endurance, and cunning. Only after passing this stage will you face your second challenge—a battle against Gildarts himself. Your goal won't be to defeat him outright. Surviving his might and proving your resilience will be enough to earn the title of S-Class Mage."
Even before Makarov had finished speaking, Laxus transformed into a brilliant bolt of golden lightning, streaking toward the island in a deafening crackle that left the air buzzing.
Rain chuckled, pushing himself to his feet and dusting off his coat. "Always the impatient one," he muttered, summoning a glowing portal with a casual flick of his hand. He stepped through without hesitation, the portal vanishing behind him with an almost inaudible hum.
Makarov shook his head, a knowing smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "That boy… he's always full of surprises."
Rain's Trial
When Rain emerged from his portal, he found himself surrounded by a sea of towering trees. The dense jungle loomed on all sides, sunlight struggling to pierce through the thick canopy above. He sighed, floating upward to escape the suffocating greenery.
"Why is it always a forest?" he muttered to himself. Hovering above the treetops, he activated his detection magic, sending out ripples of energy that scanned the island for his target.
It didn't take long for his senses to register a massive presence approaching with alarming speed. The ground beneath him trembled, and the distant sound of trees crashing to the ground grew louder. A deep, guttural roar ripped through the stillness, shaking the air and scattering birds from the canopy.
Bursting into the clearing was a monstrous giant, standing over fifty meters tall. Its crimson horns curved like crescent moons, and its glowing red eyes radiated malice. The creature's massive claws tore through the earth as it charged toward Rain, its roar echoing across the jungle.
Rain hovered calmly above the beast, arms crossed, a playful grin tugging at his lips. "So, you're my first opponent? You look tough. Let's see if you can live up to appearances."
The giant lunged with astonishing speed, its massive claws slicing through the air with enough force to shatter boulders. Rain vanished in a blur, reappearing effortlessly behind the creature.
"Too slow," he taunted, his voice light and teasing.
The beast howled in frustration, spinning around and unleashing a barrage of glowing beams from its horns. They cut through the jungle, leaving a trail of devastation in their wake. Rain raised a single hand, summoning a shimmering silver barrier that absorbed the blasts without effort.
"Not bad," Rain admitted, his tone almost bored. "But I've got better things to do."
With a wave of his hand, he summoned his Moon Dragon Slayer magic. A luminous crescent blade formed in his grasp, radiating an otherworldly glow. Rain shot forward, moving with the speed of a comet, and slashed cleanly through one of the giant's arms. The severed limb crashed to the ground, sending tremors rippling through the forest.
The giant let out an agonized roar but refused to retreat. Instead, it gathered its remaining energy, its mouth opening wide to unleash a colossal beam of magic. The concentrated attack roared toward Rain, tearing through the air with devastating force.
Rain smirked, energy swirling within him. "Roar of the Moon Dragon Slayer!"
A torrent of silvery energy erupted from his mouth, colliding head-on with the giant's beam. The clash created a shockwave that flattened the surrounding forest. Within moments, Rain's attack overwhelmed the giant's, slamming into its chest with brutal force.
When the dust cleared, the giant lay still, half its body melted away by the devastating attack.
Rain landed lightly on the ground, brushing off his coat. "Well, that was entertaining," he remarked, turning toward the distant energy signature of Makarov.
Laxus Arrives
As Rain began walking, a surge of familiar energy approached rapidly. He paused, glancing skyward just as a streak of golden lightning hurtled toward him. The air crackled as Laxus landed with a deafening boom, the earth scorched beneath his feet.
Laxus crossed his arms, his signature smirk firmly in place. "Finally done?" he asked, his tone laced with sarcasm. "I thought I'd have to keep watching you play around."
Rain chuckled, meeting his gaze. "And here I thought you'd jump in to help. Guess I gave you too much credit."
Laxus scoffed, electricity flickering around him. "Help you? If you couldn't handle that thing, you'd be a waste of my time."
Rain grinned. "Big words, as always."
Without warning, Laxus vanished in a burst of speed, reappearing directly in front of Rain with a thunderous punch. Rain raised his arms, blocking the strike with ease.
"You'll have to do better than that," Rain said, countering with a swift kick aimed at Laxus's side. Laxus teleported just in time, avoiding the attack by a hair.
"This is fun," Laxus admitted, his lightning crackling louder. "But let's stop playing. Let's finish this with magic."
Golden lightning surged around Laxus, the sheer intensity illuminating the area. Rain responded in kind, his silvery aura flaring to life, swirling like a storm and casting an eerie glow over the forest.
The ground beneath them began to crack under the pressure of their combined power.
"This is going to be fun," Laxus said, his grin widening dangerously.
Rain cracked his knuckles, his tone calm but eager. "Don't hold back."
The two clashed, their magic colliding in a blinding explosion of light and power that shook the island to its core.