Hurried footsteps echoed throughout the peaceful and silent greenery under the mesmerizing moonlight. Three silhouettes zoomed past in quick succession, having no intention to stop until its completely safe.
"As long as we follow this path, we'll reach a cave that I've found while exploring." Waynir said as he ran alongside his protectors.
Hibiki nodded. "Looks like it's the only option for now." When the group arrived at Welbor Island, they noticed that not one of the local residents used boats as a means of travel towards the place.
The bridge was a cultural symbol and central landmark for them, signifying the foundation of the entire commerce. There were even stores that were established on it, making it a district suited for merchants and many more.
Although fishing was a different case, since the waters around it were thriving with intriguing species.
Waynir had lived here for at least a decade already, so he understood the terrain like the back of his hand. Which is why he suggested an alternative to avoid potential pursuers.
He was aware that he was being discreetly monitored whenever he roamed the bustling districts. It was a suffocating feeling to experience, because it also forced him to maintain his neutral stance for the most part.
If you add in the fact that the bridge itself is the sole connection between the town and island, going there would be like walking into a load of trouble that they wouldn't want at this time.
Fortunately, one of his hobbies was to admire the scenery of this rural section. It was way of battling against his mental conundrum regarding Mack's situation, and can be seen as a form of relaxation.
Waynir discovered a lot of hidden yet spacious areas that were mostly caves, marking them just in case he needed to free himself from persistent pesky visitors who were a pain to deal with.
However, Hana was anything but normal… You really can't blame him for being extremely cautious.
"It's better than nothing." Max interjected as he glanced back from time to time. "And the others are already speeding up their pace on the way here." His magic on stand-by as sand hovered around him.
They updated the others of the current situation, so holding on for some time was the best solution. Once everyone has gathered, that's when they would formulate a new strategy for their next approach.
Hibiki didn't activate the Telepathic Links of his fellow guild mates to not distract them during battle. Well, and he believed in their capabilities to survive against such a strong wizard.
The Telepathic Links themselves had this specific function: If one would want to kick-start the network, him and Warren would be notified immediately. But they could also separate these links on a whim, or if the individual would personally desire it.
Cooperation between two wizards of the same magic definitely expands the possibilities and limits of what it can do.
During their conversation within the network, they were informed of where the rest were at right now.
Natsu, Kagura, and Happy were doing their best to shorten the one-hour distance, while carrying a poor captive who was unfortunately knocked out again.
Nobody would be surprised if the man had brain damage due to the successive hits aimed directly towards his head…
The dragon slayer really doesn't hold back against dark wizards anyway.
Lyon, Sherry, and Warren were already passing through the bridge, since they came from the town. Waynir still warned them of the potential unseen danger, and speculated that there were a few eyes that oversee the island within the shadows.
They understood his concern and acted like normal visitors for the most part. Running towards their location would look too suspicious, so walking in a quicker pace was the optimal approach.
Concealing the involvement of two more other guilds would give them the assurance of the element of surprise. Blue Pegasus' popularity should have been expected, although it was beyond what they bargained for.
Any type of advantage that can be leveraged against Paramount Tide and Raven Tail must be accounted at all times. More fights would be inevitable when the conflict escalates even further.
"Once we make another turn, you guys will see some rock formations that are filled with grass and leaves." Waynir pointed at a certain direction. "The cave's just around there, camouflaged amongst the trees and bushes." He explained.
"That's definitely a perfect hidden location for a rendezvous." Hibiki remarked. "Being a recluse has its perks, eh, Sir Waynir?" Chuckling as he glanced at the craftsman.
"No need to tease for the tease, kiddo!" Waynir guaffed. "The buzzing annoyance from customers won't reach here, making it a paradise for someone like me!"
"I've read on a book that exploring nature can do wonders for the mental psyche." Max stated. "Maybe I should try it afterwards…" He muttered in thought.
"Heh! Thinkin' about it won't help!" Waynir responded. "You've gotta let it come to you, don't turn it into a choice!"
"Why does it sound so simple and complicated at the same time?" Max took note of his advice, even if it was a bit confusing.
They continued to sprint towards the location under Waynir's guidance. He was leading them in the center while him and Hibiki were at each side.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
"What the hell!?"
The moment they arrived at the turn, Max heard rustling noises coming from his right, spotting a pair of black tendrils that looked like bandages flying towards their way.
Max controlled his sand that was surrounding him, and directed it towards the sudden strike to block it. Hibiki, on the other hand, quickly pulled Waynir behind as he stood in front of the craftsman.
BAM!
His sand managed to deflect one, forcing its trajectory upwards, while the other swerved around him, aiming towards his companions.
"Damn it!" Max cursed his blunder. "Watch out, guys!"
Hibiki solemnly looked at the incoming attack, summoning screens of data before him.
"Protect!"
BAM!
The black bandage rammed his shields of data with great momentum, making him grit his teeth as he strained himself to resist against it. Cracks instantly appeared on his spell, showcasing the unexpected might of this seemingly ordinary bandage.
"Sir Waynir, go on ahead!" He was slowly being pushed back, skidding across the ground inch by inch.
Waynir heavily nodded, not wanting to be a burden to the two of them. They've already made it this far, so any hesitation will be an insult at this point.
But as soon as the craftsman resumed his trek to the cave, Hibiki widened his eyes at the bandage that maneuvered similarly like the one near Max, smoothly switching its target to focus on the person who was escaping.
He immediately reached out to it as he grabbed the surface, yet he didn't expect it to wrap itself around his arm in response. Before Hibiki could even react, he was thrown towards a tree.
Thud!
"Kghk!"
"Hibiki!" Max exclaimed in worry as he briefly looked at his downed companion, while manipulating his sand to hold off the black bandage in front of him.
However, his few seconds of distraction was enough for the appendage to swiftly hit the fairy on the stomach, making him groan in pain as he was launched through the air.
Max felt a surge of weakness when the attack cleanly landed on him, trying to regain his bearings by rolling to cushion his fall. He clutched his stomach afterwards, warily gazing at the direction where the ambush came from.
Why did my magic feel strange when I clashed against that thing? He pondered.
Rustling noises can be heard as the black bandages retracted towards its source. It sounded slow and deliberate, as if the person in question was looking down on them.
Max and Hibiki frowned as they finally saw the culprit step out from his spot, revealing a young man who observed them in amusement.
He wore a black top that looked inconspicuous, combined with a contrast of mixed colored pants. The black bandages that struck them were calmly coiling around his arms.
But the most off-putting trait about him was his expression, adorning black eyeliners and black lipstick that resulted in an emotionless, hollow smile.
"Who are you?" Hibiki solemnly inquired.
Just gazing at the young man made him recoil instinctively, and he didn't know if it was his demeanor alone, or the absolute blank stare that was uncannily familiar to that of a patient snake, ready to pounce on a helpless prey.
The young man silently tilted his head, still not wiping that creepy grin from his face. "I should be the one asking the question, no? Your group had been snooping around the island for the whole day, so it makes one curious…"
Both of them froze after hearing his response. Although they expected it thanks to Hana's visit, it wasn't a good pill to swallow, finding out that they were being stalked from the shadows the entire time.
"Even if that were the case, the incident is currently a hot topic." Hibiki retorted as he recovered. "We were simply among the many that were discussing it." He activated his magic as a miniature screen of data appeared on his right eye.
The young man didn't mind his action. "Master's foresight is not to be underestimated, and his musings are hard to ignore for the most part." His raspy voice grated the ears as a cryptic response followed.
Max and Hibiki glanced at each other, a bit unsure of what to gain from such a vague answer. They recalled the physical descriptions of each notable wizard from Paramount Tide, and not one matched the person before them.
Max in particular, finally stood up after the pain subsided. "You must be from Raven Tail, then?" He asked with a sharp tone.
Silence ensued afterwards as the unnerving individual turned his attention towards him, his grin slightly being lowered. It's as if he didn't want to blink, staring intently at Max with the same neutral expression.
"Hm… Unexpected." The young man tilted his head in curiosity, yet his demeanor completely changed tune once this type of question. "Nobody outside our usual sponsors should be aware of our involvement."
The black bandages coiled around his arms released themselves. "Unless there's someone who luckily got snippets due to a loose tongue." He glanced at Waynir's direction, grinning widely again.
Max and Hibiki mentally sweat dropped at the young man's accurate guess, but quickly regained their composure to prepare for the incoming battle.
"Heh. There's no point in thinking about it now, right?" Max said mockingly.
His words were met with a wordless response, while the young man still had that emotionless smile felt so fabricated and natural at the same time.
"As a reward for progressing this far in just one day… Let me introduce myself before I bring you to Master Ivan." He unanimously agreed with what was said, already transitioning into an offensive stance.
"I'm Kurohebi, one of Raven Tail's Elites."
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Kurohebi's launched his black bandages at the duo relentlessly, tearing through the air with strong momentum.
Max swiftly stepped forward to block the attack, manipulating his sands to restrain the appendages movements. They actually slowed down for a moment, prompting him to wave his hands to redirect their trajectory smoothly.
Tch! It's that weird feeling again. What the hell are these things made of!? He noticed the decreasing output of his Ethernano reserves after clashing with these seemingly ordinary bandages.
Max immediately followed up by summoning more sand on his open palms, then aimed both of them towards Kurohebi.
"Sand Curtain!"
A huge amount of sand quickly covered Kurohebi's vicinity, limiting his vision in the process. He tried to recall his bandages to destroy the blockade, but Max was one move ahead.
BAM!
Kurohebi crossed his arms to guard against the beam of sand that was sent in succession, skidding a few meters across the ground.
"He reacts fast!" Max remarked.
One advantage during the duration of his spell was that he could clearly see the person within, making it a perfect strategy to catch the enemy off guard. Although someone with impressive reflexes or strong defense wouldn't budge too much.
His failed surprise attack didn't faze him as he immediately charged, trying to get to Kurohebi first before the bandages return. The moment he entered his spell, Max already closed in on his target.
Kurohebi understood his approach and leaped backwards, still trying to recall his appendages as soon as possible.
Max never gave him the chance as he concentrated his Ethernano on his right hand to create another spell, boosting himself from his sand as he also jumped after him with a clenched fist.
"Sand Explosion!"
BAMM!
The bandages managed to arrive just in time, shielding Kurohebi's face as the force of their clash parted the spell momentarily while they were in the air.
Once the attack was successfully blocked, Kurohebi grabbed Max's wrist to make sure he wouldn't escape as his one of his bandages left his face to bind the sand wizard's arm.
"You're quite skilled." His blank gaze never strayed from Max as he winded up his right bandage for a swing.
But before he could even counter, screens of data appeared within his sights.
"Overload!"
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Hibiki used that chance to assist Max when he saw them clearly within the sand.
"Thanks for the save!" He said to companion with gratitude, circulating his magic power afterwards.
Max was freed from the binds when the dark wizard was interrupted, utilizing his other hand to follow up with another strike.
BAM!
He sent out a barrage of sand as he observed Kurohebi who was still slightly in the air, smoothly landing in the process.
Max raised both of his hands, deactivating his spell to gather it above him. The sand quickly got thicker and heavier as it continuously grew into a small yet dense amount, enough to overwhelm a wizard of Kurohebi's caliber.
"Sand Descent." He motioned downwards, targeting Kurohebi relentlessly.
However, Kurohebi didn't even look fazed while unwrapping his protection, doing a back flip as he firmly planted himself on the ground after trailing a few meters. This time, he directly held the black bandages instead of using his arms to control them.
He serenely stared at the looming spell that threatened to swallow him whole, his expression adorning the same blank grin.
Kurohebi pulled back his left arm for a short moment, his presence changing as both Max and Hibiki sensed the strange feeling it brought upon them.
They didn't have the luxury to think as Kurohebi whipped powerfully, launching his weapon towards the falling sand.
"Dispel."
BAMM!
Max's attack was easily destroyed, parting the sand into nothingness.
The duo instantly felt their flow of magical power getting distorted, as if the Ethernano in the atmosphere cried out in pain. Although it was only for an instant, it was enough to make one pause in disbelief.
Kurohebi ignored their reactions as he dashed towards them to strike, swinging his right bandage in succession.
Max and Hibiki invoked their defense spells, bracing for the impending impact.
BAM! BAM!
"Ugh!"
"Tch!"
The appendage managed to hit them both due to its length, pushing them backwards as Kurohebi prepared his other bandage again for his next move.
Max gritted his teeth while willing himself to manipulate an additional portion of sand to lift him and Hibiki over the attack.
CRASH! CRASH!
KRRGK!
Its remaining momentum shattered several trees after they went above it, showcasing its might.
He hastily followed up with a wave of sand to engulf the young man, giving them the opportunity to take cover and hide behind one of the countless intact trees within the area.
Max panted as he felt exhaustion, clenching his hands in despondence. I've trained hard these past two months... For the guild, and for myself. Discreetly angling his head to observe Kurohebi, who was leisurely walking around as he searched for their presences.
Against guys like that, what was the point of all my effort? He did his best like the rest, shouldering Natsu's burden in helping to stabilize Fairy Tail, no matter how small the help was.
Max was aware that he wasn't too special when it came to raw strength or innate talent, simply hovering within the middle of the pack.
He was content with how things were… until that nightmarish news reached his ears. It was like a huge sudden wake-up call to a new reality, one that was full of questions and confusion.
Tenrou's disappearance was still a fresh mental blow, affecting everybody's daily lives even now. Yet, Natsu gave them the courage to live on with these scars, implementing them with the hope for an uncertain, yet bright future.
Why am I having these doubts right now….?
[Max, are you alright?]
"Hm?"
A telepathic link echoed from within his thoughts, shaking his head to focus on the present.
[I'm fine.] Max spotted Hibiki at a fair distance while taking note of Kurohebi's location at all times.
[That's a relief.] Hibiki sighed softly, then shared what he gained by scanning the dark wrizard. [I've fully analyzed the nature of his magic…] Pausing for a moment, as if he's trying to find the right words.
[On a surface level, that person's Wrap Magic is derived from Nullification Magic, using a unique set of black bandages that were created from refined and sturdy materials.]
[So that's why there was a strange feeling everytime I made contact with them.] Max remarked in realization. [But what do you mean by surface level? Don't tell me this weirdo was hiding something else?] He peeked around his tree cautiously, seeing Kurohebi surprisingly relaxed.
Raven Tail's Elite treated it like a simple stroll, openly showing his enjoyment of the search, at least that's what it seemed from his creepy wide smile.
[Yep, and we have quite the headache on our hands.] Hibiki continued. [It's his Primary Magic that I'm worried about.]
[Primary Magic? Are you saying that his Wrap Magic is a form of secondary magic?] Max frowned.
[You can say it like that, considering the similarities in terms of the concept.] Hibiki emphasized. [He uses Mimic Magic, a variation of Copy Magic.]
Max slightly widened his eyes. [This guy can copy a wizard's magic!? What type of unfairness is that? How do we even beat that kind of nonsense?] His series of questions displayed a multitude of emotions… mostly pointing towards sheer panic.
[Calm down, Max.] Hibiki sweat dropped at his companion's contrasting show of personality, wondering if this was the same person who took the initiative a while ago.
[According to the information that I've received from the Archive, its existence is rare in itself, so the conditions for its copying mechanic are vague for the most part.] Hibiki explained. [Fortunately, there's a description here that mentions the user of being able to only copy one magic at a time. After a period of cooldown, they can choose a new one to mimic.]
[Finally, some reassurance for that---!]
Whoosh!
Max instantly noticed the bandages that was threatening to coil around the tree, prompting him to summon his sand in a circular manner within his vicinity, halting their momentum for a split second.
This gave him time to jump over them as the weapons broke free from their restraints, crushing the tree afterwards.
He rolled on his back and skidded backwards, transitioning into a guarded stance. Now that he knew how the dark wizard's magic works, avoiding those things will be crucial if they wanted to win.
Kurohebi stayed silent as charged towards Max, swinging the pair of bandages in a more aggressive manner.
He adjusted his approach by using more flexible angles to try and catch the fairy off guard.
Max evaded him while leveraging the obstacles of greenery surrounding them, parrying and redirecting the strikes with his sand.
Hibiki trailed behind the confrontation, doing his utmost effort to give Max a window to breathe by casting his Overload Spell to stun and annoy the heck out of his opponent.
Kurohebi couldn't ignore such attempts because Max will use that opportunity to launch a counter. Even as he turned his attention to the archive wizard, he was met with more sand due to being slightly distracted.
BAM! CRASH!
Max dodged another one of Kurohebi's attacks, conjuring a batch of sand to repel
the eerie young man like usual.
A bunch of data screens manifested within Kurohebi's face as soon as he blocked the sand, forcing him to switch his attention towards it again.
"Sand Explosion!"
"Dispel."
BAM!
But he was aware of their strategy, using pure instincts to stop the follow up from Max by using his other bandage. Kurohebi already protected his head in time, so he was not affected nor injured from their combination of spells.
Kurohebi finally broke the stalemate as he sent Max flying, only stopping after he hit a tree that shook from the force of his attack.
Cough! Cough!
"Damn it!"
"Max!"
He glanced at Hibiki who shouted in worry, narrowing his eyes while smile widened in a creepy manner. Kurohebi controlled his black bandages to cover his fists, forming them into the shape of gauntlets.
Kurohebi stayed silent as he dashed towards Hibiki, quickly arriving before him as he punched the Trimen on the gut.
"Kughk!"
Hibiki groaned in pain as he received the full brunt of the blow, his sight blurred while feeling a decent amount of nausea, alongside the chilling sensation of his bones rattling.
The black bandages themselves can be considered high-quality even without the properties of its magic. Its physical display of destroying trees as if they were fragile was a glaring example.
He tried to endure such agony as he willed himself to not go unconscious.
However, in the next moment, he saw an outline of an incoming hand through his disorientation. Perceiving his face getting grabbed as he felt the world spiral downwards.
BOOM!
Kurohebi slammed Hibiki on the ground, pinning him down as it caved. He tightened his grip as he enjoyed listening to his screams of pain that came afterwards.
"Let him go, you freak!" A voice filled with anger sounded out from behind.
"Sand Curtain!"
The familiar spell limited his vision again, although he didn't really consider it detrimental. Kurohebi released his hold of Hibiki, then brought his gauntlets together to create a powerful clap that looked like a miniature shockwave.
WHOOSH!
It easily erased the haze of sand as if it was a minor inconvenience. Kurohebi darted his eyes at Max who displayed an expression of disbelief.
"Restrain."
One of his gauntlets instantly turned back to normal, swiftly soaring through to target Max while he was still lost in focus.
Max couldn't avoid it due to the close distance, so he lifted his sand and created a wall of defense. After that, he immediately retreated without even waiting if his construct of sand will hold.
BOOM!
As expected, the bandage pierced through it like butter, still aiming for him like a hawk. Max leaped to the side as he evaded just in time, letting it trail towards another poor tree.
He didn't lower his guard since he knew that Kurohebi could change the trajectory at any given opportunity. Yet the same scene during this entire fight never happened, instead, it softly wrapped itself around a tree branch.
Before he could even react, Kurohebi pulled against it to increase his velocity, winding up his left fist while gliding through the air.
BAMM!
Crash! Crash! Crash!
The impact resounded across the area, displaying the absolute strength of relentless momentum being used to the fullest. Max was sent flying afterwards, traveling so fast as he broke through several trees, stopping only after hitting another one.
I... I can't breathe. Max flickered in and out of his consciousness, as if his body wasn't sure if he should be unconscious or not. Compared to how Hibiki was hit, this was leagues above in terms of power thanks to the sudden burst of movement.
He coughed out blood as he finally registered the pain, wailing with all the sound he could muster. It was a huge surprise that such an attack didn't spear his stomach, to which he counted himself lucky for the most part.
Max exhaled heavily, regaining the sensation of his breathing. He was currently slumped against the base of a tree, weakly gazing at the dark wizard who never ceased that infuriating yet terrifying emotionless smile.
"You… really… are enjoying this… aren't you?" The sand wizard endured his immense suffering to blurt out his thoughts.
Kurohebi slowly walked towards him. "Well, it's fun to see people like you struggle to the bitter end." His tone was dripped in amusement. "I've rated the reactions of the ones I've killed by observing their personalities… So, I mimic their magic if I found their death entertaining to say the least."
He arrived before Max, crouching while he tapped his cheek. "That fellow's Archive Magic is worth noting, but yours is simply average." Mocking him in the process.
Kurohebi stared at him in morbid anticipation. "Maybe you could bring about something unique when you feel death approaching?" His statement made Max feel a shiver up his spine.
Yet even with all the fear he's now experiencing, he glared at Kurohebi with raw intensity. "I'm not your plaything, filthy dark wizard." He spat blood on the young man's face.
"Good… Good." Kurohebi brush off his actions as he clapped. "The more you resist, the more I'll want to break you." Eerily giggling in a raspy manner.
He stood up as he unfurled his gauntlets, returning both of them to normal. Then, he asked Max a question.
"Tell me… What do you consider as your most precious thing in this world?"
Only peace and quiet followed, making Kurohebi tilt his head as he didn't mind waiting for a response.
Max felt helpless with all the pain and wounds he's received, while trying to ignore the madman's ramblings. But for some reason, the question entered his thoughts seamlessly.
The most precious thing, huh? Perhaps it was due to the state he was in, his mind was clearer. Countless memories poured into him as he fondly remembered them, momentarily putting aside the threat of death.
Heck, it may even help him realize some things he missed, whether it would be before or after Tenrou's disappearance.
Fairytail… Max fell into a light trance due to the endless agony, although he still had some awareness fortunately.
WHAM!
"GAHHH!"
A sudden bout of additional pain woke up him completely, gritting his teeth as he gazed at Kurohebi who twirled one of his bandages.
"I can adjust the output of my bandages no problem, so I'll take my time in tormenting you." He explained in a joyful tone, which sounded too neutral with that expression of his.
"Thanks for the accommodation, do you want a cookie?" Max scoffed, still reeling in agony as he tried to act strong.
"Heh…" Kurohebi just chuckled darkly.
Kurohebi continued to whip the sand wizard ruthlessly to get a reaction out of him.
WHAM!
Arms.
WHAM!
Legs.
WHAM!
Head.
WHAM!
Torso.
It was a cycle of precise torture, as if to say Kurohebi was frighteningly skilled at it. He never failed to hold back perfectly, enough for an individual to feel immense pain, while not getting fatal injuries.
At this point, Max was on the verge of losing consciousness, filtering all sound and pain around him.
My precious something…
Fairytail…
Why do I doubt myself all the time?
These words were the only one that rang loudly in this mental space as he tried to find a semblance of self-realization.
"No response?" Kurohebi nonchalantly paused his torture for a moment, staring at Max who was riddled with countless wounds within the slightly torn fabric of his clothes.
"It will be truly quite boring if your spirit is the most precious thing… The embodiment of a stubborn personality." He pondered. "There's already too many of that."
Spirit?
That one word made Max slowly look up in silence, he was about to say something before a sudden link interrupted his thoughts.
[Max… Can you hear me?]
Hibiki's strained voice called out to him.
[Yeah… I'm just enduring some light torture here, no biggie.] Max tried to lighten the mood with dark humor.
"____"
[You really have boundless optimism to joke like that.]
[Well, what can I say? Being with a bunch of rowdy folks molded my mindset.]
[I envy your lifestyle.] Hibiki laughed weakly. [But let's also use that energy to finally defeat this creepy guy.]
Max got hit again as he responded. [We're quite battered… although I'm gonna agree with any plan at this point.]
[Don't worry, this will be a surefire win if we pull it off.] Hibiki said. [Your magic is the key for this plan.]
[Huh? My magic? All of my spells were effortlessly dismantled by this freak, I don't think it will be useful.] Max skeptically inquired.
He looked at Kurohebi who seemed to savor this moment, not intending to stop until he was satisfied. It looks like they could use this chance to formulate a strategy while the dark wizard was being stupid.
Max got used to the pain already, but he wasn't sure if it was adrenaline or the sheer spite he's showing to Kurohebi.
[You're underestimating yourself and the potential of your magic.] Hibiki countered. [I've researched it in the Archive, there's a special trait mentioned that could elevate your strength permanently.]
[Really? You're not just pulling my leg, are you?]
[Do you think I'd mess around when our lives are on the line? I don't have time to explain anymore, since you might pass out at any moment.] Hibiki urgently stated. [I'll transfer all its information to you, then I'll distract him to let you process the data.]
[Alright.]
There was no room for hesitation, considering the current situation at hand. Max saw Hibiki just lengths away, sneaking behind a tree as he was still wobbling due to Kurohebi's offensive.
After another few seconds, a surge of heaviness engulfed his thoughts. Max closed his eyes to focus on absorbing this new wave of knowledge that appeared, going through them one by one in a hurry.
Hibiki noticed his slight reaction and immediately sprang into action.
"Overload!"
Kurohebi paused after seeing the familiar screens.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Kurohebi easily brushed off the spell, glancing at Hibiki in intrigue. He never wiped that grin on his face as he extended a black bandage towards him.
Hibiki simply stood there, letting himself be captured without struggle.
Kurohebi pulled the Trimen back, dragging him across the ground without remorse. Once he was near his feet, Kurohebi lifted him by the throat.
"I almost forgot about you since I was having too much fun." He just blankly stared at Hibiki.
"Is that your definition of mercy?" Hibiki sarcastically replied while he was being restrained completely, leaving only his head as the remaining free body part.
"... I'm impressed. The two of you don't tremble at all." Kurohebi praised his preys. "There's usually begging around this point, which was a bit boring for me."
Hibiki ignored him as he discreetly glanced at Max, who slowly stood up through pure will and grit alone.
He sighed in relief, which eased the tension he was carrying. I believe you can win this… Max. Softly closing his eyes as darkness greeted him.
Kurohebi raised an eyebrow at the now unconscious man, wondering if it was all bravado in the end.
The dark wizard dropped him like a sack of potatoes, ready to return his attention to his main enjoyment---!
SWISH! BAM!
"Hm!?"
However, in the next moment, Kurohebi felt strong pressure on his back, making him grunt in pain as he was sent flying.
He twisted his body to land gracefully, although he was still stopping himself from trailing across the earth.
Kurohebi gazed at the culprit, widening his eyes incredulously.
Max was currently standing in front of Hibiki, alongside his sand that seemed livelier.
"Surprised? It's time for payback."
"Well, it's a spectacle to see you moving with the injuries I inflicted." Kurohebi lowered his grin as the stinging sensation on his back lingered.
"You describe it as spirit, right? I've got plenty more of that in me." Max swiftly launched a beam of sand with his right hand, signaling the fight to resume.
Kurohebi wasn't worried and leisurely charged with his black bandages, swinging one of them to destroy the attack like usual.
BAM!
Unfortunately for him, the intended scene didn't happen. Kurohebi saw his bandage clash against the sand in an equal manner.
"What?" He blurted dumbly in confusion, not expecting this fragile construct of sand to last long.
"Dispel."
Kurohebi exerted more effort to finally shatter it, but before he could even follow up with an attack of his own, a wave of sand engulfed him in a matter of seconds.
He narrowed his eyes as he perceived that something was different with the sand, which made him finally serious at last.
Kurehobi clenched the grip on his weapons, already in a swinging stance. He was about to strike until he noticed the sand shifting in front of him, revealing the figure of a human.
After a short period, Max revealed himself in a lowered angle, cleanly hitting his chin with a bundle of sand.
"Urgh!"
Kurohebi was stunned, trying to recover as quickly as possible, powerfully whipping his black bandages in a circular motion.
"Dispel!"
"Sand Wall!"
BOOM! BOOM!
Max transformed into sand as he retreated a few meters, forming a blockade to stop the appendages' momentum. Although they still dispersed the curtain, it didn't faze him that much.
He matching the effects of the nullification? Kurohebi observed intently. Its working… but he's resisting it through force alone.
All types of Nullification Magic may be applicable to many scenarios, yet even they have their limits. Wrap Magic in particular, belonged to the Holder Category.
If the quality of the weapon doesn't equate with its properties, its utility can decrease based on the foundation, which means stronger magic can endure even in a weakened state.
But… his black bandages are considered as high-quality for the most part, so he could have the ability to escape from a skilled wizard if needed.
Rip!
!?
Kurohebi heard the sound of tearing, quickly looking at his bandages that received fresh scratches from the confrontation.
He opted to pull them back immediately, prompting Max to use this opportunity to revolve his sand around him.
"Sand Rebellion!"
BAMM!
Kurohebi guarded against the spell by controlling the length of his bandages in a sphere-like formation. Unfortunately, even with that, the miniature gashes continued to increase.
Some managed to bypass the protection, giving him mild wounds in the process. Once the spell finished, he saw Max concentrating a certain amount of sand, then waved his arms to launch it towards him instantly.
"Tch!" Kurohebi leaped backwards, yet he instinctively sensed a presence as he looked behind, seeing Max materialize again from sand.
Max aimed his left palm towards his back.
"Sand Explosion!"
"Kghk! Insolent pest!"
BOOM!
Max smacked Kurohebi into his attack, turning back to sand to gain some distance.
He took deep breaths, carefully going over his remaining Ethernano reserves. Creating established spells on the dot was challenging, even with the concept of ingrained knowledge that entered his mind.
"I owe you one, Hibiki." Max wryly sighed.
The information he gained improved his understanding of his Sandstorm Magic.
Whether it would be normal or advanced spells.
Theories and applications
And more importantly, its unique trait among the variants of Sand Magic.
Naturally, most sand wizards have a vast repertoire pertaining to the flexibility of their said element. This meant that there were also standalone traits for each one, making them frightening opponents.
Max's magic in particular, focused on the aspect of pure offensive power. This was something he wasn't aware of, considering there's even a library in the guild… He wasn't fond of reading books and purely relied on practicing by experience.
This trait was called grinding.
A technique that continuously pours more potency into the sand they're manipulating, at the cost of draining their magic power quicker. They must also control the sand in a perpetual manner, manifesting hints of sharpness.
Once a user of this magic masters it to a certain extent, grinding stones to dust would be as easy as breathing.
Max was a passive fighter for most of his life, simply casting his sand as a form of defense. He wouldn't be able to think of such a thing due to this mindset, so it opened his eyes to numerous possibilities.
He glanced at his hand, clenching it afterwards.
I can grow even stronger thanks to this... Max serenely looked at Kurohebi who finally escaped from the intensity of his sand.
Raven Tail's Elite finally wiped the grin off his face, his entire body covered in wounds as blood fell silently. "I've misjudged the value of your magic, so I'll use my mimic on you, light wizard."
Max didn't respond and quickly launched more sand towards him.
Kurohebi was immediately overwhelmed again as he attempted to barge through the sand by force.
Max aimed his palms at him, conjuring tendrils as it restrained all his limbs for a few moments. Right now, his sand had enough substance to be able to do it, thanks to his new way of controlling it.
Then, he closed his hands, creating a rotating dome that had even more sharpness.
"Sand Sphere."
WHOOSH!
KRRRRRR!
"ARGHHHHH!"
Kurohebi's voice echoed with immense agony, yet it got drowned within the powerful presence of sand almost instantly.
Max waited for his spell to finish, not daring to relax until he saw the figure of the dark wizard.
"There's only one thing in this world that I consider the most precious."
Once the dome stopped rotating with such velocity, it slowly dispersed, displaying an area of carnage within a twenty-meter radius. Slash marks can be seen on the ground, while parts of trees were cut.
"I was merely overthinking and doubted my role for a while."
Max saw a twitching, unconscious Kurohebi at its center, completely defeated.
"It was simple."
His vision blurred as the adrenaline gave out, the pain catching up to him in droves.
"I'm truly proud to be a member of Fairy Tail."
Darkness followed as he fell powerlessly, smiling at his victory.
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AN: Errr, let's just say I'll do updates within a week. This chapter became too long that it might just be a yap fest… My brain is cooked to the max. I just hope you guys were entertained by the fight. Oh yeah, and happy 100k words to me! Woohoo! Epic milestone.