As battles across the town reached a fever pitch, the confrontation between Joseph and Makarov raged with equal intensity.
At the Phantom Lord Moving Castle
"Boom!"
Makarov's massive form was flung violently across the battlefield, crashing into the guild hall.
"Master!"
"Guild Master!"
The Fairy Tail guild hall trembled under the impact. Those fighting immediately looked toward the ruin, then up at their leader, now clearly struggling, and shouted in alarm.
Gray, having just defeated his opponent, froze, eyes wide. He dropped Jubia to the ground and sprinted toward the guild master.
"What's the matter, Makarov? Is this all your strength? Pathetic."
Joseph-Pola hovered above the ruined guild, wings unfurled, mocking the exhausted Makarov.
"It's not over," Makarov growled. "I'm a father, with children to protect. I won't end it here."
His massive form shrank back to normal size. Hands pressed together, golden light radiated outward. The glow grew, lifting him toward Joseph, now eye-to-eye.
Joseph's eyes narrowed at the golden magic—an uneasy feeling curling in his chest.
"It ends here!"
With Makarov's shout, a massive golden magic circle erupted in the sky, engulfing the entire town. Warmth radiated through the Fairy Tail guild.
Enemy combatants seemed paralyzed, frozen to the ground, unable to resist, fear gripping them at the brilliance above.
Even Gajeel was pinned atop a crumbling rooftop, staring in disbelief as Cana strode forward, unharmed.
Elfman lifted the beaten Sol, watching the golden light in the sky.
"Master… leave the rest to me," a voice suddenly said.
Kael appeared beside Makarov, pressing his hand down on the guild master's palm just as Makarov prepared to unleash Fairy Law. Instantly, the golden magic circle vanished.
"Kael?" Makarov cried out in shock.
"Grandfather, using Fairy Law would be too kind. Leave him to me now. I'll show him the cost of provoking Fairy Tail." Kael placed his hand on Makarov's shoulder and instantly transported him beside Natsu. Then he instructed Natsu, "Take the master to Poru Sika for treatment."
"Kael, you—" Makarov's eyes tracked Kael's figure above, still stunned, as Natsu slung him over his back and ran toward the small cabin.
"Natsu, put me down!"
"No."
After they left, only Rabbit Maru, defeated, remained sprawled across the battlefield.
Joseph's anger boiled. "Your guild master was no match for me, Kael… what can you possibly do now? How much magic do you even have left?"
Black, malevolent magic erupted from his body. Unlike the restrained state Joseph displayed against Makarov, now he unleashed everything, fueled by rage and humiliation.
Kael said nothing. Golden light surged around him, forming a radiant armor. Every movement, every breath of magic channeled his full strength—just as he had during the S-class exam.
They collided in an instant. Kael's hand conjured a glowing sword; Joseph's pulsed with darkness. Light and shadow clashed, forming two distinct domains.
Above them, the sky split into opposing auras of light and darkness. Thunder cracked. Rain lashed against the waves, drawn skyward by their intense magical energy, creating a whirlpool in the sea.
"This power… even manipulating the weather!" guild members whispered, awe-struck.
Joseph screamed, clutching his chest where Kael's blade struck. "Impossible! How… how do you possess such strength?!"
Kael's voice was cold. "Your delusion has done nothing but harm you. The gap between us is a chasm. My magic replenishes under the sun at any time."
Kael's glowing sword dissolved into radiant fragments, which multiplied at his command, surging toward Joseph.
"I won't believe it… I won't!" Joseph roared, merging his body with the massive Phantom Lord castle. Magic surged into the siege cannons.
Kael concentrated, gathering countless radiant swords into one colossal blade.
With a flash of white light, the castle and the sea were cleaved in two. The siege cannons shattered. Waves rushed into the gaping split, and Joseph lay divided, glaring venomously at Kael.
"I… am not done…!"
Kael stepped forward, voice merciless. "Joseph. You embraced darkness, colluded with Phantom Lord, and harmed innocent civilians. You have no reason to live. Go to hell and atone for your sins."
Kael raised his hands. "Gather, River of Fairy Light! Shine forth, and purge the claws of evil!"
A massive magic circle erupted in the sky, a radiant column of energy striking Joseph. His evil magic shrieked as it disintegrated, leaving nothing but light.
The Phantom Lord and Dark Guild members, terrified beyond measure, surrendered immediately.
Gajeel lay crushed among the ruins, completely immobilized with multiple broken bones.
The battle was over. Fairy Tail had won.
At Poru Sika's Cabin
"Makarov, you're really lucky!"
"Of course, haha," Makarov chuckled weakly.