The heavy silence of the archives was shattered by the sudden clash of steel and whispered incantations.
Erza's blade sang through the air, cutting down the first cultist before he could finish a chant. The green glow of corrupted magic crackled around his fallen form, evaporating into nothing.
Gray's hands moved with deadly precision, frost forming and shattering as he struck. Another cultist lunged, but his ice was faster, freezing the man's limbs mid-motion.
The air thickened with tension and the lingering scent of burning parchment.
Erza's voice was steel.
Erza: "They're trying to activate the seals... to break them."
Gray: "Then we stop them at all costs."
From the shadows, a new figure stepped forward. Taller than the rest, with eyes that gleamed like emerald fire.
Cult Leader: "Fools. You cannot stop the Verdant Flame's rebirth. The dragons' power will sweep this world clean."
Erza tightened her grip.
Erza: "Not while we stand."
The cult leader's hands surged with green flames—magic warped and raw.
Gray summoned a wall of ice between them.
The flames met the ice with a hiss, steam rising.
Erza charged, her sword blazing as she cut through the cult leader's defences.
They fought fiercely—magic against steel, ice against flame.
But as the battle raged, the floor beneath them trembled.
A deep rumble echoed through the archives.
Cult Leader (snarling): "You only delay the inevitable."
The runes etched into the walls flared, glowing brighter, pulsing with ancient energy.
Erza and Gray exchanged a grim look.
Erza: "We need to destroy those seals—now."
Gray nodded.
Gray: "I'll cover you."
With a fierce cry, Erza sprinted toward the nearest glowing sigil, her sword slicing through the magical bindings.
The cult leader roared in fury, lunging to intercept.
Gray met him head-on, their magic colliding in a burst of light and ice shards.
Erza shattered the seal; the glow dimmed.
But the archives trembled more violently.
Gray shouted over the noise.
Gray: "More seals! We don't have much time!"
Together, they moved rapidly, destroying the glowing runes one by one.
Each broken seal sent waves of energy rippling through the air, shaking the ancient library.
The cult leader's screams echoed as his power waned.
Finally, the last seal shattered, and the trembling ceased.
The cult leader fell to his knees, defeated.
Erza stood over him, sword poised.
Erza: "This ends now."
The cult leader smiled weakly.
Cult Leader: "You may have won today... but the Verdant Flame will rise again."
As he vanished in a swirl of green smoke, Erza and Gray shared a weary breath.
Gray: "We've bought time. But not forever."
Erza nodded, eyes sharp.
Erza: "We'll be ready."