Haru followed Ravel to an underground chamber, but it had to be away from Deliora because she didn't sense a chill, which she did around that large sphere of ice. Ravel finally came to a stop to turn and face Haru.
"I think we're far enough away to commence with our battle." Ravel said. "I'd hate to get in Master Zalty's way."
Haru frowned while not really caring. Though she supposed she'd rather fight away from Natsu too, so as not to get in her friend's way. So this worked in her favor as well.
"Hmm, I've heard about you, Haru Hatsune." Ravel said. "I'm quite the avid reader of Sorcerer's Weekly if I must confess. Someone is quite destructive, isn't she?"
He tutted as if scolding her while wagging his finger at her, which had her eyebrow twitching in annoyance.
"Ah, shut your trap, Ravely guy!" Haru snapped.
"It's just Ravel." He said grinning. "Pleasure to meet you formally, Haru Hatsune."
He gave a grand bow to Haru as she kept her eyes on him. She didn't know what this guy's magic was or how strong he was, so she had to be careful.
"Now, I suppose it's time to get this fight started." Ravel said as he came out of the bow. "Really I don't see the point in hurting such a pretty face. So, how's about we just have a bit of fun instead of having an all-out battle, hmm?"
Haru just silently held out her hand with her violin appearing out of thin air into her awaiting palm. It was honestly her most powerful instrument. Her brass instruments had power behind them, but her violin could do many different spells that most of her other instruments couldn't.
"Hmm, you look so serious." Ravel said. "I really don't want to hurt you, but you seem determined to fight. Very well, I suppose I can entertain you for a bit. All I need to do is distract you long enough for Master Zalty to complete the Moon Drip ceremony and revive Deliora."
"That's not happening." Haru said as she glared sharply at Ravel.
Ravel's brow quirked and his lips turned up into an amused smirk that made Haru's blood boil.
"Oh really?" Ravel asked with a tilt of his head. "And how did you come to that conclusion, hmm?"
"Easy." Haru said while smirking this time. "Gray and Natsu are going to win their fights without a problem, and I plan to kick your ass right here and now. We won't let you or your comrades revive Deliora."
Ravel chuckled, finding this girl amusing, but he did like her spunk and determination. Poor girl didn't know that she was completely unmatched. However, he supposed he could humor her. Ravel rolled his shoulders with them cracking loudly.
"Please, forgive me for what is about to happen." Ravel said to Haru.
Before Haru could even blink, Ravel was right in front of her. He hit her in the gut and she gagged as she was sent flying backwards. She crashed into the cave wall behind her with the air knocked completely out of her. She slumped against the ground while wondering just where that power just came from. The guy wasn't giving off anything that might suggest he's S-Class level. Ravel, who suddenly was missing his mask, appeared over Haru and her eyes widened when seeing his eyes had changed. His irises were a shocking red and the sclera were pitch black, and going out of him seemed to be long red tails. No, they weren't tails… they seemed almost flesh-like.
"What in the hell…?" Haru murmured.
She then grasped when one of those "tails" slammed right next to her head on the cave wall.
"You can give up if you want," Ravel purred as he leaned in closer while brushing back a strand of maroon colored hair. "Many do when they catch a glimpse of my magic—Arc of the Undead."
She's certain she's heard of it before. The Arc of the Undead. It was a type of lost magic—a type that was forbidden in most countries to use. It dealt with the bodies of the deceased and bringing their souls back into the empty corpses. Once brought back through this magic, the user gained the ability of the Arc of the Undead as their "creator" had. It was a magic developed to create armies and armies of soldiers who did not feel pain nor hunger nor fear. Those created by this magic were also bound to the original caster's will unless the caster passed on or the one created managed to overpower the caster.
"Arc of the Undead?" Haru repeated. "So, you're… dead."
"That's right," Ravel said. "I died some time ago back in my home country, but this magic transformed my body into the undead—a zombie if you will. It means I'm unkillable, you see? In other words you don't stand a chance against me. So, why don't we bring this fight to an end?"
He asked this with a smile as he closed his eyes and tilted his head to the side. Haru glared up at him wondering who he thought he was, and if he did read about her then he should know something very important—Haru never gives up. Haru then gave a shout as she kicked Ravel as hard as possible in the gut. He went jumping backwards, seeming to retreat on his own rather than Haru actually forcing him to move. In fact, he didn't seem fazed at all from Haru's attack as said bluenette got to her feet.
"So, you intend to fight," Ravel said with a sigh. "Very well. I tried to deter you."
"I told you that I'm going to kick your ass." Haru said. "And I meant that. Besides, Zombie-boy, unkillable doesn't mean unbeatable. So, prepare to lose!"
Despite her tough words, Haru wasn't sure how she was going to win. This guy was obviously stronger than her. How could she defeat someone who was practically a zombie anyway? She set her jaw in determination knowing she just has to attack and try to find weaknesses. Haru readied her violin. Her magic started to build up as she started playing aggressively on her violin. Ravel looked around curiously as the cave seemed to start heating up. Magic circles started to form around the cave to cover every angle of the cave, and one even formed under Haru, but it glowed golden instead of green like the others.
"Melody of the Phoenix's Rage." She said.
Fire started shooting out of the magic circles around the room, and Ravel had to flip and twirl out of the way. He laughed excitedly as the fire roared around the room as if a vengeful phoenix was really billowing around the area. Where Haru was standing was the only place where the fire wasn't touching. It moved around her as if protecting while it burned fiercely.
Ravel felt his flesh start burning. Even when he avoided the flames directly, his body couldn't take the intense heat. Despite being burned alive, Ravel stared at her feeling in awe at her skill. The bow moved expertly and smoothly across the strings as Haru poured emotion into her music, which gave power to her magic. It was mesmerizing to watch the young girl play. Ravel felt his heart thump oddly as he continued to watch her.
"Impressive." Ravel said. "So, this is part of the power of Haru Hatsune."
Ravel wanted to continue to watch her play, but if he didn't stop her, there would be nothing left of his clothes, which were burning along with flesh. He didn't want to try and explain to Zalty why he was running around practically nude. Ravel jumped through the flames surprising Haru who abruptly stopped playing. While she was trying to stop the guy, she wasn't trying to kill him. She then gasped when Ravel's arms went around her as the flames died down.
"I beg pardon," Ravel said against her neck, making her freeze up. "This will sting for just a moment."
Before Haru could even compute his words, his teeth sunk into her shoulder after he pulled her shirt down out of the way. She hissed in pain as her blood was being taken by the weirdo who had his arms around her. Haru slammed down on his foot really hard with her heel, and he let her go instantly. Haru back peddled away from him while ready to give him an earful. However, the words were stuck in her throat when seeing his wounds were all healing.
"I do apologize, Miss Hatsune," Ravel said as he wiped his blood from his lips and his eyes returned to normal. "I just needed something to heal my wounds. Flesh and blood replenish me, you see. I just wish it worked on my clothes."
He looked down at his singed clothes—what was left of them anyway. The entire top half of his outfit was gone. Haru just narrowed her eyes at him as she kept a hand on her bleeding shoulder.
"Apology not accepted!" Haru snapped. "You freaking bit me!"
Ravel chuckled at her outburst—finding it cute how her eyes seemed to light up as she shouted at him. This woman…why did she make his heart flutter? What was this feeling? He has never felt in such a way.
"I understand if you don't forgive me," Ravel said. "I should have asked permission. The last thing I want is upsetting a flower such as yourself. Especially after you have captured my heart."
Haru blinked once then twice as she stared at Ravel as if he grew a second head.
"WHAT?!" Haru cried out in shock.
This guy couldn't be serious. Just seconds ago he slammed her into a stone wall and was trying to scare her into giving up the fight. Now, he was declaring his love?!
"I know this is quite forward considering we only just met." Ravel continued not seeming to notice Haru's outburst or her horrified expression. "However, it is the only explanation for this feeling. My fluttering heart, my warmed cheeks, and knotted stomach can only point to love. What a euphoric feeling."
Ravel looked at her with a smile full of bliss, and she shuddered uncomfortably. This guy was completely nuts.
"Stop talking crazy!" Haru snapped while leaning away from him.
How did things wind up like this for her? She just wanted to kick this guy's ass and return to her friends. She didn't ask for any of this.
"Oh, you seem so shy." Ravel practically cooed. "How adorable. I could just eat you up."
He licked his lips as he said this and Haru shuddered though felt her cheeks warm slightly at what he was implying behind his smirk. She never got this kind of attention from a guy, and so far, she wasn't liking it. Where were her guildmates when she needed them? Hell, she'd take Erza at this point if it meant getting this guy away from her.
"I'm not shy!" Haru snapped. "And we're enemies, so whatever you have in mind won't work. Besides, we just met! There's no way you could love me already!"
Ravel just continued to smile as he stepped towards Haru who took several steps back. Like hell, she was going to let this bastard touch her again.
"Have you never heard of 'love at first sight', my dear?" Ravel asked her. "And while we might be on opposite sides of this battle, it does not mean we are destined to remain apart. I would give up everything here if it meant being by your side forever."
He then practically pounced on Haru who let out a small shriek at getting caught. Ravel held her close while taking one of her hands to intertwine their fingers.
"Let us run away from here, my darling," Ravel said as he stared into her eyes imploringly. "Where no one can ever bother us. Where we can be together as we want."
Haru was about to tell this lune to shove it in a pretty graphic way when the entire cave shook around them. A roar came with the shaking and Haru felt her blood run cold. Could it be…?
"Ah, Zalty must have successfully revived Deliora," Ravel said as he kept his arm around Haru's waist. "That means the mission was a success."
Ravel then looked down to Haru when noticing she was shaking. Thinking it was because the demon was awoken, he went to comfort her. However, she shoved him away while hurrying in the direction the noise was coming from. She knew a certain ice wizard might jump the gun and try to do something stupid again. This was all personal for him, but she'd be damned if she let that idiot throw away everything he has—his life included—just to put this demon down.
"Gray!" She shouted as she disappeared through the tunnel. "You better not do anything stupid before I get there!"
Ravel watched her go with his eyes practically narrowing into slits as he crossed his arms into his sleeves.
"So, it seems my darling has someone else in her heart." Ravel said as his eyes went red and black again. "That simply won't do."