Jellal tried his best to dodge, but the Azure Dragon's Roar covered too much area. He was struck head-on and crashed onto the top of the tower.
Half of his body was charred black, his robes burned to ashes, and his exposed skin was covered in burn marks. The scent of scorched flesh filled the air.
Riyao smiled triumphantly, resting his hands behind his head. He floated loosely in the air, his dark green dragon tail wrapped around his waist like a lazy giant snake.
He tilted his head, looking down at the battered Jellal atop the tower, his tone flippant.
"A mere member of the Ten Wizard Saints, handled with ease."
Jellal scrambled to his feet, stumbling. Half of his charred face was contorted, and his eyes were bloodshot, as if something within him had been completely ignited.
"Your magic is Life Magic! It is Life Magic! As expected, you are the perfect sacrifice for Lord Zeref!"
He appeared utterly deranged. Magical incantations extended from his eyes and covered his face like wriggling worms, making his expression twisted and terrifying.
It wasn't his own will; an implanted demonic consciousness was completely taking over his body.
Riyao clicked his tongue, tilting his head as he examined the runes on Jellal's face, muttering to himself.
"Oh? Looks like I've triggered a hidden BOSS? Was this in the original story?"
He scratched his dragon horns and grumbled, "I should have re-watched Fairy Tail more often. I only remember the general plot; I've forgotten all the details."
The magic power within Jellal surged. Dark energy mixed into his golden Heavenly Body Magic, the two forces colliding violently inside him, making his aura more than twice as strong as before.
"Do not underestimate my devotion to Lord Zeref!"
[Grand Chariot]
Seven pillars of golden light descended from the heavens, blasting toward Riyao. Each one carried devastating power, covering the entire sky.
Riyao swam through the air with an elegant form, like an Azure Dragon playing in the water, easily dodging the incoming Grand Chariot.
The light pillars flew past him, slamming into the top of the tower and blasting out massive craters, sending rubble and Magic Crystal shards flying everywhere.
"Shouting like that makes me look like the villain."
Riyao complained while dodging.
"You're the one who kidnapped people first and started a cult ritual later. Why does it feel like I'm the one bullying you?"
After speaking, he pivoted and charged toward Jellal, azure lightning crackling around his claws.
[Azure Dragon's Claw Blade]
Riyao swung both claws, the azure lightning transforming into sharp blades of light that slashed toward Jellal.
Jellal activated [Kyūrain], and nine golden lightning swords whistled forth.
He grabbed two of the lightning swords to block Riyao's dragon claws head-on. Golden lightning swords clashed with azure dragon claws, sparks flying as shockwaves rippled in all directions.
The remaining lightning swords swerved to attack Riyao's body from the sides.
Riyao glanced at the incoming swords. Instead of dodging, he leaned forward and opened his mouth, performing a live show of swallowing a giant sword.
The lightning sword flew into his mouth, the golden electricity crackling in his throat before being completely devoured and converted into magic power within his body.
Riyao's claws gripped the two lightning swords in Jellal's hands, violently pulling the distance between them closed.
Their faces were almost touching. Azure lightning shimmered in Riyao's mouth, crackling between his teeth as if he were charging up a roar.
Jellal's eyes filled with terror. Seeing that Riyao was about to unleash another roar, he immediately let go of the lightning swords to escape.
But it was too late.
Riyao grinned, his dragon tail whipping out from his waist and slamming hard into Jellal.
Bang!
Jellal once again experienced the 'joy' of being hit by a heavy truck. He was sent flying horizontally, spinning several times in the air and spitting out a large mouthful of blood.
Jellal barely managed to adjust his posture, activating [Meteor] to draw a golden arc in the sky, avoiding a collision with the Magic Crystal tower walls.
After stabilizing himself, he pressed his hands together and raised seven fingers, summoning seven magical pillars of light in the shape of the Big Dipper.
[Grand Chariot]
Seven golden pillars of light descended from the sky once more. This time, Riyao didn't dodge; instead, he stuck to Jellal like a shadow. With azure lightning flickering on his legs, he moved as fast as a bolt of blue lightning.
[Azure Dragon's Rider Kick]
Riyao kicked Jellal in the chest. Azure lightning exploded at the point of contact, sending Jellal hurtling away.
Jellal tumbled through the air, but Riyao followed closely, delivering another dragon tail strike that whipped him in a different direction.
Jellal gritted his teeth, cupping his hands to condense dark-attribute magic power, releasing a shockwave.
[Darkness Blast]
The dark shockwave hit Riyao head-on, knocking him back a few meters.
Jellal took the opportunity to raise his hand, releasing black binding straps.
[Darkness Bind]
The black straps wrapped around Riyao's limbs and body, binding him tightly.
Jellal manipulated the straps, swinging Riyao like a meteor hammer. He spun him several times in the air before slamming him violently into the top of the tower.
Boom!
Even the hard Magic Crystal was smashed into a crater. Rubble flew everywhere as Riyao was buried in the pit.
Jellal panted heavily, looking at Riyao in the crater. A triumphant smile was just beginning to form on his lips.
But then, Riyao stood up as if nothing had happened, brushed the dust off himself, and flicked his dragon tail.
Even the deranged Jellal was stunned for a moment. Such hard Magic Crystal had been smashed into a crater, yet this man acted as if it were nothing?
Riyao instantly closed in on Jellal, batting him around in the air like a ball.
A left claw strike, a right claw hook, a dragon tail whip, a knee strike—Jellal was like a mouse being toyed with by a cat, beaten so badly he had no power to fight back. Blood and torn fabric fluttered in the air.
[Azure Dragon's Claw Blade]
[Azure Dragon's Roundhouse Kick]
Boom!
Jellal was slammed ruthlessly onto the top of the tower.
Azure lightning exploded on the tower's summit, shattering the Magic Crystal beneath Jellal into dust.
Dark clouds gathered in the sky, hanging heavy and low. A dragon-shaped phantom flickered within the clouds, like a sleeping dragon churning in the mist.
A torrential rain poured down, accompanied by thunder. Lightning traversed the cloud layers, illuminating the entire sea.
Riyao's magic power climbed to its peak.
More dragon scales appeared on his body, spreading from his arms to his chest, neck, and cheeks.
His dragon horns glowed with azure light, shimmering in the rain.
He extended his right hand, palm toward the sky. Azure lightning danced in his palm, and then he suddenly clenched his fist.
A bolt of lightning fell from the sky at his command, channeled by Riyao. The azure electricity grew larger and brighter.
[Azure Dragon Secret Art: Yimu Divine Thunder]
The azure lightning transformed into countless lightning snakes, raining down upon Jellal from all directions.
The lightning raged, bolt after bolt, in a continuous stream. Each one carried destructive power that affected the area for miles around the Tower of Paradise.
Water pillars stirred by the lightning shot up from the sea. Waves rose one after another, crashing against the distant reefs.
Rain and lightning intertwined, turning the entire sea into an azure purgatory.
Rumble!
The Kingdom's Military ships, which had been watching from a distance, immediately turned around to flee upon seeing this world-ending scene.
The captains' faces were pale as they desperately urged the sailors to speed up, fearing they would be caught in the aftermath.
"Who is fighting up there?! Is this something a human can actually do?!"
Under their gaze, the Tower of Paradise also met its moment of destruction.
The continuous bombardment of the Yimu Divine Thunder was more than the tower's Magic Crystals could bear. Densely packed cracks spread from the top of the tower to its base, covering the entire structure like a spiderweb.
The massive magic power within the crystals gushed out from the cracks. The golden light grew brighter and more blinding.
Boom!
The Magic Crystal tower exploded violently. A golden magic storm swept across the sea, and the shockwave from the explosion kicked up a massive wave over ten meters high.
The giant flash could be seen even from the shore, like a small sun exploding on the ocean, lighting up half the sky.
The waves crashed against the shore. Simon and the others were knocked about, clinging tightly to the boat to avoid being swept into the sea.
Mirajane stood at the bow of the small boat, watching the light of the explosion. Her hands gripped the gunwale so hard her knuckles turned white.
"Riyao..."
Her voice was swallowed by the sea wind and thunder, but her gaze never wavered from that direction.