Chapter 17: Allied Forces Assemble!
Power and Betrayal: Coalition of Light
The guildhall of Fairy Tail felt emptier in the weeks following Laxus's banishment. Though Makarov had made his decision with a heavy heart, few questioned its necessity—the Battle of Fairy Tail had left scars both visible and invisible throughout Magnolia. The Thunder Legion, after their own hearing, had been allowed to remain, though under probation and strict oversight.
Freed, in particular, seemed lost without Laxus's guidance, often sitting alone at the bar, staring into his drink as if it might reveal where his friend had gone. No one had heard from the lightning mage since he'd walked out of Magnolia, a single bag slung over his shoulder, the fragment within him dormant but still present.
The space left by his absence wasn't the only one felt in the guild. Gine had departed shortly after, leaving only a brief note for her family explaining that she needed time to train, to understand her newly awakened powers in solitude. Kizuna had respected her decision, though concern shadowed his features whenever her name was mentioned.
Uruk remained missing—a fact that kept the entire guild on edge. Search parties had found no trace of him, and even Gildarts, who had briefly returned upon hearing of his son's disappearance, could uncover no leads before being called away again on an urgent decade-quest.
It was against this backdrop of uncertainty that Master Makarov called for silence one morning, his diminutive form standing atop the bar counter, face grave.
"Listen up, brats," he announced, his voice carrying unusual weight. "I've received a disturbing communication from the Magic Council. A dark guild from the Baram Alliance has made its move—the Oración Seis."
Murmurs rippled through the gathered mages.
"Just six members?" someone asked incredulously.
"Six members who could level this entire town without breaking a sweat," Makarov corrected sharply. "They've set their sights on an ancient magic called Nirvana—a power that could upset the very balance between light and darkness."
Erza stepped forward, her armor glinting in the morning light. "What are our orders, Master?"
"The Council has called for a coalition," Makarov explained. "Representatives from several legal guilds will join forces to counter this threat. Fairy Tail has been asked to send a team."
"I'll go," Natsu declared immediately, flames dancing around his fists. "I'm all fired up!"
"Me too," Gray added, his shirt already mysteriously absent. "If these Oración Seis are as dangerous as you say, you'll need ice magic to cool them down."
Lucy sighed but nodded her agreement. "Where Natsu and Gray go, trouble follows. Someone sensible needs to be there."
"If Lucy's going, then so am I," Happy chimed in, floating above their heads.
Erza folded her arms. "It's settled then. Team Natsu will represent Fairy Tail in this coalition."
Makarov cleared his throat. "There's one more thing. The Council specifically requested we send someone with... unique abilities. They've heard rumors of our guild harboring individuals with extraordinary power." His eyes drifted to where Kizuna sat with Mirajane, deep in conversation about her Satan Soul takeover magic.
"You mean a Saiyan," Kizuna stated flatly, not a question but a recognition.
"Yes," Makarov admitted. "They didn't use that term specifically, but the implication was clear. They want someone who can handle themselves if Nirvana proves to be as dangerous as feared."
Kizuna rose, his expression troubled. "I can't go. I've committed to helping Mira refine her takeover magic. After what happened with Laxus and the fragment, we need to understand how these external energies interact with our own."
"And Gine is gone," Erza noted, a hint of respect in her voice when mentioning the woman who had defeated Laxus.
"And Uruk is still missing," Lucy added softly.
A chair scraped against the wooden floor as someone stood from a table in the corner—a boy, nearly fifteen, with wild dark hair and a confident smirk that reminded many of a younger Natsu, though his eyes held a sharpness that the fire dragon slayer's never did.
"I'll go," Cumber Clive announced, the youngest of the Saiyan siblings but by no means the least determined. Unlike his sister, he had never hidden his heritage or abilities, though he lacked the finesse and control that Kizuna and Gine possessed.
Kizuna frowned. "Cumber, this isn't a training exercise. The Oración Seis are one of the most dangerous dark guilds in Fiore."
"All the more reason to send me," Cumber countered, stepping forward. Though young, he already stood taller than many adult members of the guild, his physique honed from constant training. "You're busy, Gine's off finding herself, and Uruk's missing. Besides," he added with a grin that flashed his canines, "I've been stuck doing D-rank missions for months. I need a real challenge."
Makarov studied the young Saiyan carefully. Cumber had joined Fairy Tail later than his siblings, only arriving in Magnolia two years prior when Teilanne had decided her youngest needed the structure and guidance that only a guild could provide. While undeniably powerful, he was also brash, impulsive, and occasionally reckless—much like Natsu at his age.
"This isn't about you proving yourself, Cumber," Makarov said sternly. "Lives are at stake."
"I know that," Cumber replied, his expression sobering. "And I know I'm not as controlled as Kizuna or as precise as Gine. But I'm strong, I learn fast, and I'll follow Erza's lead." He glanced at the requip mage, who raised an eyebrow at his unexpected deference.
Kizuna sighed, recognizing the determined set of his brother's jaw—the same expression their father wore when his mind was made up. "He can handle himself, Master. And if he gets out of line..." He shot Cumber a warning look. "Erza has my permission to knock some sense into him."
Erza's lips curved into a slight smile. "I'll hold you to that."
"It's settled then," Makarov declared. "Natsu, Gray, Lucy, Happy, Erza, and Cumber will represent Fairy Tail in this coalition. You'll depart tomorrow morning to meet with the other guilds at the designated location." He fixed Cumber with a stern gaze. "Consider this a test, young man. How you conduct yourself on this mission will determine what rank of jobs you'll be permitted to take in the future."
Cumber nodded, excitement barely contained beneath a veneer of seriousness. "I won't let you down."
As the meeting dispersed, Team Natsu gathered to discuss preparations. Cumber found himself on the receiving end of Erza's critical assessment.
"I've seen you train, but I've never worked with you in the field," she stated. "What are your capabilities?"
Cumber straightened, pride evident in his posture. "I can access Super Saiyan at will—been able to since I was twelve. Not as long as Kizuna, but longer than Gine. I specialize in ki-based attacks, though I'm decent in hand-to-hand combat. I can fly, obviously."
"Limitations?" Erza pressed, practical as always.
The young Saiyan's confidence flickered slightly. "I burn through energy faster than my siblings. Uruk says it's because I'm still growing. And I haven't mastered the higher transformations yet."
"And your tendency to showboat?" Gray added dryly, having witnessed some of Cumber's more elaborate training sessions.
Cumber had the grace to look slightly abashed. "I'll keep it in check."
"See that you do," Erza said firmly. "This mission is about results, not spectacle."
Natsu slung an arm around the young Saiyan's shoulders. "Ah, lighten up, Erza! The kid's gonna be fine. Besides, I've been wanting to see what these Saiyans can really do up close!"
"Yeah!" Happy chimed in. "I bet he can eat more fish than you, Natsu!"
Lucy rolled her eyes. "Is that really what you're thinking about right now?"
As the team continued planning, Kizuna pulled his younger brother aside.
"A word of advice," he said quietly. "These dark guilds—they don't fight fair. They'll exploit any weakness, use any trick. Don't underestimate them because of their number."
"I know, I know," Cumber replied, trying to sound nonchalant despite the seriousness in his brother's eyes.
"And keep an eye out for any sign of fragments," Kizuna continued. "What happened with Laxus proves they're becoming more active. If the Oración Seis are after Nirvana, there might be a connection we don't yet understand."
Cumber nodded, his expression finally matching the gravity of the situation. "Do you think there's any chance... any chance at all that whatever took Uruk might be connected to this?"
Kizuna's jaw tightened. "It's possible. Which is why you need to be observant as well as strong. If you find any clue, no matter how small..."
"I'll let you know immediately," Cumber promised. After a moment's hesitation, he asked, "Have you heard from Gine?"
"No," Kizuna admitted. "But she can take care of herself. Whatever she's seeking, I believe she'll find it."
"And Laxus?"
Kizuna's expression softened slightly. "No word. But wherever he is, I hope he's finding the answers he needs."
The next morning dawned clear and bright as Team Natsu gathered at Magnolia Station, supplies packed and spirits high despite the seriousness of their mission. Cumber arrived last, a small pack slung over his shoulder, wearing the modified gi that had become his trademark—dark blue with the Fairy Tail emblem embroidered in gold over his heart.
"Ready for your first big mission, kid?" Gray asked as they boarded the train.
Cumber grinned, the excitement of youth temporarily overriding his attempts to appear mature. "I was born ready."
"That's what I like to hear!" Natsu exclaimed, clapping him on the back—just before turning green as the train lurched into motion.
As Lucy and Happy tended to the instantly motion-sick dragon slayer, Erza turned to Cumber. "We'll be meeting representatives from Blue Pegasus, Lamia Scale, and one other guild at the rendezvous point. One of them is a Sky Dragon Slayer named Wendy Marvell from Cait Shelter."
"A Sky Dragon Slayer?" Cumber's interest was immediately piqued. Unlike his siblings, who had grown up in Fairy Tail surrounded by various magic types, he was still fascinated by the diversity of abilities in Fiore. "What can she do?"
"Healing magic, primarily," Erza explained. "But don't underestimate her combat capabilities. She's young, perhaps a year or two older than you, but highly skilled."
Cumber nodded, trying not to show how intrigued he was by the prospect of meeting another powerful mage his age. In Fairy Tail, he was always the youngest of the strong fighters, always trying to catch up to his siblings' reputations.
As the train sped toward their destination, carrying them closer to the coming confrontation with the Oración Seis, Cumber gazed out the window at the passing landscape. Somewhere out there, his sister was training, growing stronger in her own way. Somewhere, his eldest brother was missing, perhaps in danger. And somewhere, the fragments that had nearly destroyed Fairy Tail from within were spreading, seeking new hosts, new vessels for their alien power.
This mission, he realized, might be about much more than stopping a dark guild or preventing an ancient magic from being misused. It might be his first real step toward understanding the larger threat that loomed on the horizon—the Convergence that had changed his family's very nature and now threatened to reshape their world.
With that sobering thought, Cumber turned from the window and focused on preparing himself for whatever challenges lay ahead. The youngest Saiyan of Fairy Tail had something to prove—not just to his guild or his family, but to himself.
And in the distant mountains where they were headed, a blue-haired girl with gentle eyes and the power of the sky dragon waited, unaware that her path was about to cross with that of a warrior from beyond the stars.
Power and Betrayal: Coalition of Light
The evening before their departure, while the rest of Team Natsu made their final preparations, Erza found herself taking a detour through Magnolia's residential district. The modest yet sturdy home of the Clive family stood apart from others—reinforced walls and a spacious yard bearing the scars of countless "family training sessions" that had become legendary among guild members.
Erza hesitated only briefly before knocking. Her responsibility as team leader meant understanding the capabilities and limitations of everyone under her command, especially when venturing against an enemy as formidable as the Oración Seis.
The door swung open to reveal Teilanne Clive, her striking features a blend of otherworldly grace and earthly warmth. Though years had passed since she'd actively taken missions, the Saiyan woman's physique remained battle-ready, her dark eyes instantly assessing Erza with the practiced gaze of a warrior.
"Erza," she greeted, surprise evident in her voice. "Come in. Cumber isn't here—I believe he's with Natsu, getting some last-minute training in before tomorrow."
"Actually," Erza replied, stepping inside, "it's you I wanted to speak with."
Teilanne's brow arched as she led Erza to the kitchen, where various diagrams and notes were spread across the table—evidence of the research she and Kizuna had been conducting on the fragment phenomenon. With a sweep of her arm, she cleared a space and gestured for Erza to sit.
"Tea?" she offered, already reaching for the kettle.
"Please."
As Teilanne prepared the tea with practiced movements, Erza gathered her thoughts. The relationship between the two women had always been one of mutual respect rather than closeness. Teilanne had joined Fairy Tail years after Erza, brought back to Magnolia by Gildarts following his longest absence—returning not only with a wife but with three children who possessed power unlike anything Fiore had seen before.
"I assume this is about tomorrow's mission," Teilanne said, placing a steaming cup before Erza. "And my youngest son's participation in it."
Erza nodded. "I know Cumber's strong—I've seen him train. But strength alone isn't enough against an enemy like the Oración Seis. I need to know what I'm working with... what to expect from him when we're in the field."
Teilanne took a long sip of her tea before responding. When she lowered the cup, a complex expression crossed her face—pride mingled with concern, and perhaps a hint of amusement.
"What do you want to know, specifically?" she asked.
"His capabilities, his limits," Erza replied straightforwardly. "And any... tendencies I should be aware of."
Teilanne sighed, half out of exasperation and half with a smile. "Cumber is indeed powerful, perhaps more than he realizes. Unlike Kizuna, who had to work meticulously to control his power, or Gine, who deliberately suppressed hers, Cumber's abilities came to him naturally—almost effortlessly."
"That can be dangerous," Erza observed.
"Precisely." Teilanne nodded. "He has a tendency to get... 'battle crazed' is what Gildarts calls it. A trait he shares with Kizuna, though my eldest has learned to temper it over the years."
She rose from her seat, walking to a shelf where several framed photos stood. She selected one, bringing it to Erza—a family portrait taken years ago. A young Cumber, no more than ten, grinning wildly with a bloody scratch across his cheek, standing proudly beside a singed training dummy three times his size.
"His blend of inherited Crash magic from Gildarts and the powerful Ki he has from his Saiyan nature makes him more than a match for this mission in terms of raw power," Teilanne continued. "But raw power isn't always the answer, as I'm sure you know."
Erza studied the photo thoughtfully. "The Magic Council specifically requested Saiyan assistance. They must believe this Nirvana poses a threat beyond conventional magic."
"Perhaps." Teilanne's expression darkened slightly. "Or perhaps someone on the Council has taken a particular interest in our abilities. Either way, I trust your judgment, Erza. If things get out of hand with Cumber..."
"I'll handle it," Erza assured her.
Teilanne smiled then, a genuine warmth breaking through her concern. "Gildarts wanted to be here to see him off, you know. He's proud of the boy, though he'd never say it directly—thinks it would make Cumber cocky."
"As if he needs encouragement in that department," Erza remarked dryly.
This drew a laugh from Teilanne. "Indeed. But there's something else you should know." Her tone grew more serious. "Meeting other young mages close to his age might be good for him. Particularly this Sky Dragon Slayer you mentioned."
"Wendy Marvell?" Erza raised an eyebrow questioningly.
"Yes. From what I understand of Sky Dragon Slayer magic, it focuses on healing and support—qualities that might help balance Cumber's more... destructive tendencies. Perhaps meeting her would help him mellow out a bit." Teilanne's eyes held a knowing gleam. "Sometimes the best way to temper fire is not with water, but with air—controlled, purposeful."
Erza nodded, understanding the wisdom in Teilanne's words. "I'll keep that in mind."
As Erza prepared to leave, Teilanne walked her to the door but paused before opening it. "One last thing, Erza. If you encounter anything—anything at all—that seems connected to these fragments or to Uruk's disappearance..."
"I'll ensure Cumber reports back immediately," Erza promised.
Teilanne seemed satisfied with this, though concern still shadowed her features. "Thank you. And... watch over my son. Not because he needs protection, but because sometimes he needs restraint."
"I'll bring him home safely," Erza assured her, the solemn promise of a knight.
"I know you will." Teilanne's lips curved into a small smile. "Just try to bring home the surrounding landscape as well."
The following afternoon, as the coalition members gathered at the designated meeting point—a stately mansion owned by Master Bob of Blue Pegasus—Cumber found himself standing slightly apart from the others, arms crossed as he observed the assembled mages.
The Trimens of Blue Pegasus were currently fawning over Lucy and Erza, much to Gray's annoyance. Lyon Vastia from Lamia Scale was engaged in what appeared to be a frosty reunion with his fellow ice mage. And Jura Neekis, one of the Ten Wizard Saints, stood like a mountain among them, his presence alone commanding respect.
But it was the small, blue-haired girl half-hidden behind a white Exceed who caught Cumber's attention. Wendy Marvell, the Sky Dragon Slayer of Cait Shelter, couldn't have been more than a year older than him, yet she radiated a gentle power that felt somehow familiar and utterly foreign at the same time.
"You're staring," noted a sharp voice beside him. The white Exceed—Carla, he'd heard her called—had approached without him noticing, her tail swishing with clear disapproval.
Cumber straightened, slightly embarrassed at being caught. "Sorry. I've just never met a Sky Dragon Slayer before."
"And I've never met a Saiyan," Wendy said softly, stepping forward with a shy smile. "Though I've heard stories from Charle about your kind."
"Fairy Tail's secret weapons," Carla remarked with a sniff. "Though not so secret anymore, it seems."
Cumber's jaw tightened slightly at being referred to as a "weapon," but before he could respond, a commotion near the entrance drew everyone's attention. Natsu and Happy had returned from their reconnaissance, bursting through the doors with urgent news.
"They're on the move!" Natsu shouted. "The Oración Seis—they're heading for some ruins in the forest!"
As the coalition quickly organized into action teams, Erza caught Cumber's eye, a silent reminder of their conversation about restraint. He nodded slightly, understanding the message. This wasn't about proving himself anymore—it was about protecting Fiore from a threat that could upset the balance between light and darkness.
As they moved out, Cumber found himself assigned to the same team as Wendy and Carla, with Natsu and Gray rounding out their group. Whether by Erza's design or mere coincidence, the young Saiyan couldn't help but wonder if this pairing had been deliberate—fire and ice to keep him in check, and the gentle wind of sky magic to temper his battle lust.
What none of them realized, as they ventured deeper into the Worth Woodsea, was that eyes watched their approach from the shadows—not just the six members of the dark guild they hunted, but something else. Something ancient that had slumbered beneath the forest floor for centuries, stirring now as the power of a Saiyan drew near.
And deep within that darkness, trapped between consciousness and oblivion, a familiar presence sensed his brother's approach. Uruk Clive, the eldest son of Teilanne and Gildarts, silent for weeks, opened eyes that gleamed not with their natural darkness but with an unearthly violet light.
"Too late," he whispered to the emptiness surrounding him. "They're already here."
Power and Betrayal: Coalition of Light
The coalition moved deeper into Worth Woodsea, the ancient trees towering above them like silent sentinels. Cumber walked slightly ahead of his group, his senses stretched to their limits as he scanned their surroundings. Something about the forest felt wrong—oppressive, as if the very air was saturated with malevolent intent.
Suddenly, he stopped mid-stride, causing Natsu to nearly collide with him.
"Hey! What gives?" the Dragon Slayer protested.
But Cumber wasn't listening. His entire body had gone rigid, eyes widening as he focused on a sensation that prickled at the edge of his awareness. It was a familiar energy signature—one he'd known his entire life—but distorted somehow, twisted into something dark and unnatural.
"Uruk," he whispered, the name falling from his lips like a prayer.
Before anyone could question him, the forest before them seemed to warp and dissolve. The trees parted to reveal a clearing that hadn't been there moments before—an illusion dispelled to unveil the waiting enemies.
The Oración Seis stood in formation, their presence alone causing the temperature to drop several degrees. Brain, their leader, towered in the center, his staff glowing with ominous magic. Flanking him were the others—Racer with his speed magic, Hoteye's massive form, Angel with her celestial spirits, Cobra accompanied by his serpent companion, and Midnight, seemingly asleep on a floating carpet.
But it was the seventh figure that drew every eye, especially Cumber's. Standing slightly apart from the others, clad in armor that seemed to absorb light rather than reflect it, was Uruk Clive. His normally warm eyes were now cold, distant, with faint traces of violet light emanating from within. A dark aura surrounded him, pulsing in rhythm with the strange markings that covered the visible parts of his skin.
"Uruk!" Cumber shouted, stepping forward only to be restrained by Gray's quick hand on his shoulder.
"Wait," the ice mage cautioned. "Something's not right."
"Indeed," Brain chuckled, his voice echoing unnaturally through the clearing. "Your brother has been most... accommodating in helping us locate Nirvana. It seems Saiyan blood has a particular resonance with ancient magic."
Cumber's fists clenched at his sides, the ground beneath him cracking from the pressure of his rising power. "What did you do to him?" he demanded.
"Nothing he didn't allow," Brain replied with a cruel smile. "The fragment within him simply needed... persuasion to fully awaken."
"Fragment?" Lucy gasped, remembering what had happened with Laxus.
Erza stepped forward, her armor gleaming as she assessed the situation. "Everyone, stick to the plan. We knew the Oración Seis would be formidable. Focus on your assigned targets."
But before she could finish giving orders, Cobra smirked. "I can hear your strategy. Every word, every thought. You've already lost."
"Now!" Brain commanded, and the dark guild members moved with frightening coordination.
Chaos erupted in the clearing. Racer blurred into motion, targeting Lyon and Gray with devastating speed. Hoteye liquefied the ground beneath Blue Pegasus, while Angel summoned a spirit to engage Lucy. Cobra and Natsu immediately clashed in a flurry of poison and flames, while Jura raised earth barriers to protect the less combat-oriented members of their coalition.
Erza faced off against Midnight, who had finally opened his eyes, revealing a malevolent gaze as he distorted her first attack back at her.
But in the midst of the battle, Uruk remained motionless, his eyes fixed on Cumber. Then, with deliberate slowness, he raised one hand and beckoned his younger brother forward.
"Come, little brother," he said, his voice carrying an echo that didn't belong to him. "Show me how much you've grown in my absence."
Something in Cumber snapped. With a roar that shook the forest around them, he launched himself at Uruk, golden energy erupting around him as he transformed mid-leap into his Super Saiyan state. The force of his aura sent debris flying in all directions, forcing both allies and enemies to shield themselves.
"Cumber, wait!" Erza shouted, but her voice was lost in the thunderous collision as the two Saiyan brothers met in midair, the shockwave of their impact splintering trees and carving a crater in the forest floor.
Off to the side, sheltered behind one of Jura's earth barriers, Wendy and Carla watched in horror as the siblings clashed. The young Dragon Slayer had never witnessed such raw power, such primal fury as Cumber attacked his brother with everything he had.
Yet something wasn't right. Despite the ferocity of Cumber's assault, Uruk moved with an eerie calm, deflecting or absorbing each blow with minimal effort. His movements were fluid but strangely mechanical, as if he were a puppet controlled by invisible strings.
"Something's wrong with him," Wendy whispered, her enhanced senses picking up disturbances in the air around Uruk. "His energy... it's not flowing naturally."
Carla's eyes narrowed as she studied the elder Saiyan. As an Exceed, she possessed a sensitivity to magical auras that even Wendy didn't fully share. What she saw around Uruk made her fur stand on end.
"It's not just unnatural," she said grimly. "It's as if there are two energy signatures overlapping. The fragment Brain mentioned must be controlling him." She paused, focusing more intently. "No, it's worse than that. I can feel Uruk's true energy trapped beneath the surface—he's screaming, Wendy. Screaming for someone to help him."
Wendy gasped, hands flying to her mouth. "We have to tell Cumber! He's fighting like he wants to destroy his brother!"
"And that might be exactly what the fragment wants," Carla realized with growing horror. "More combat, more rage, more power to feed on."
Above them, the sky darkened as Cumber's attacks grew more desperate and destructive. Crash magic and ki blasts intertwined as he pummeled at Uruk's defenses, golden hair blazing like a comet against the darkening sky.
"Fight it, Uruk!" he shouted between blows. "Whatever they did to you, fight it!"
For a brief moment, something flickered in Uruk's eyes—recognition, pain, a desperate plea. But it vanished as quickly as it appeared, replaced by that eerie violet glow.
"The fragment requires Nirvana," Uruk stated in that same echoing voice. "And it requires more power. Your power, brother. Just as it took Laxus's, just as it took mine."
He raised both hands, and a sphere of dark energy began to form between them—not the clean, focused ki that Saiyans typically wielded, but something corrupt and malignant.
"Cumber, move!" Gray shouted, breaking away from his own battle to launch an ice shield between the brothers.
But Cumber stood his ground, his aura flaring brighter as he prepared to meet the attack head-on.
"Stop!" Wendy's voice cut through the chaos as she darted from behind the barrier, dodging Carla's attempt to hold her back. "He's not your enemy! He's being controlled!"
Cumber's concentration broke for just an instant as he glanced toward the voice—but that instant was enough. Uruk's attack launched, a beam of corrupted energy that tore through Gray's ice shield like paper and struck Cumber squarely in the chest, sending him hurtling backward into the forest.
Trees shattered as Cumber's body carved a path of destruction through the woods. Wendy, moving with a speed that belied her small stature, raced after him, Carla flying close behind.
"Child, get back here!" the Exceed called. "It's too dangerous!"
But Wendy continued running, following the trail of broken trees until she found Cumber embedded in the trunk of a massive oak, his golden aura flickering as he struggled to remain conscious.
"Don't... fight him," she said breathlessly, reaching his side and immediately assessing his injuries. "Your brother... he's not himself. Carla can sense it—he's trapped inside his own body, fighting against whatever is controlling him."
Cumber coughed, blood speckling his lips as he forced himself to stand. "I know," he admitted, his voice rough with emotion. "I felt it too, just for a second. When our fists connected, I could feel Uruk trying to break through."
"The fragment," Carla said as she caught up to them. "Brain mentioned it's similar to what affected your Laxus. It's feeding on the combat, on your power. The more you fight, the stronger its hold becomes."
Cumber's eyes widened with realization, then narrowed with determination. "Then we need to break its hold another way." He looked at Wendy. "Your magic—it can heal, right?"
Wendy nodded. "Yes, but I've never tried to heal something like this before."
"Not healing," Cumber said, wincing as he straightened further. "Purification. Sky magic is the opposite of corruption—it cleanses, renews."
Carla looked at him with newfound respect. "For someone with your destructive tendencies, that's surprisingly insightful."
A ghost of a smile crossed Cumber's face. "My mother mentioned something similar about sky magic before I left. I just didn't understand what she meant until now."
In the distance, explosions and the sounds of ongoing battle reminded them that time was short. The rest of the coalition was still engaged with the other members of Oración Seis, and without Cumber's raw power to counter Uruk, they were at a severe disadvantage.
"I need to get close to him," Wendy said, her resolve strengthening. "If I can make direct contact, I might be able to use my magic to weaken the fragment's hold, even temporarily."
"He'll never let you get that close," Carla objected. "Not while the fragment is in control."
Cumber's expression darkened with determination. "He won't have to let us." He turned to Wendy. "I'll create an opening. When I give the signal, you hit him with everything you've got."
"But your injuries—" Wendy began.
"Will have to wait," Cumber finished, his aura beginning to rebuild around him. "My brother has been trapped for weeks. Every second we delay is another second he suffers."
Without waiting for further discussion, he launched himself back toward the battle, a streak of gold against the darkening sky. Wendy and Carla exchanged a glance before following, the young Dragon Slayer gathering her magic as she ran, preparing for what might be the most important healing she had ever attempted.
And high above the forest, unseen by those below, a solitary figure hovered, observing the unfolding chaos with intense interest. Gine, her training journey interrupted by a premonition of danger, had arrived just in time to witness her brothers' confrontation. Her eyes narrowed as she took in the situation, recognizing the fragment's corruption for what it was.
"So it's begun," she murmured, her own power building as she prepared to descend into the fray. "The Convergence advances faster than we feared."
Power and Betrayal: Coalition of Light
The forest clearing had become a battlefield of clashing magics. Trees lay splintered, earth scorched and cratered from powerful attacks. Through the chaos, Cumber approached his corrupted brother once more—but this time with measured steps rather than blind fury.
The golden aura of Super Saiyan had faded, returning Cumber to his base form. Yet he wasn't powerless—far from it. Clear, controlled ki blazed around him like crystal fire, each step deliberate as he focused his energy inward rather than outward. His eyes, no longer clouded by rage, remained fixed on Uruk.
"I won't fight you the way the fragment wants," Cumber declared, his voice carrying across the clearing. "I'm bringing you home, brother. All of you."
The violet glow in Uruk's eyes flickered momentarily. "Foolish... the fragment cannot be denied." Despite his words, something in his stance had shifted—more hesitant, as if two wills battled for control of a single body.
From her vantage point high above the battlefield, Gine observed the change in her youngest brother with interest. The wild, battle-hungry boy who had always rushed headlong into conflict was demonstrating restraint she'd never witnessed in him before. Her gaze shifted to the blue-haired young woman standing nearby—Wendy Marvell, the Sky Dragon Slayer.
A smile graced Gine's lips as she watched Wendy gesture subtly to Cumber, who adjusted his stance in response. The girl was guiding him, tempering his aggressive instincts with precision and purpose. At sixteen, just a year older than Cumber, Wendy carried herself with a maturity beyond her years—and clearly, her influence was already making an impact.
"Well done, little brother," Gine murmured, her smile fading as she surveyed the rest of the battlefield.
The coalition was struggling. Despite their numerical advantage, the Oración Seis were living up to their fearsome reputation. Lyon and Gray were barely keeping pace with Racer's blinding speed. The Trimens of Blue Pegasus lay half-buried in Hoteye's liquefied earth. Lucy had summoned multiple spirits but was losing ground to Angel's more powerful celestial beings.
Most concerning was Natsu's battle with Cobra. The Dragon Slayer's attacks grew increasingly erratic as Cobra predicted his every move, the poison magic taking its toll with each passing moment. Even Erza's extraordinary combat skills were being twisted back against her by Midnight's reflective magic.
Gine sighed. The time for observation had ended.
"Always playing the hero, Natsu," she muttered, then streaked downward like a comet toward the poison Dragon Slayer's position.
Cobra had Natsu cornered, the Fire Dragon Slayer breathing heavily as scales of poison crept up his arms.
"I can hear your next move before you even think it," Cobra taunted, his serpent companion Cubellios hissing menacingly. "Your flames are useless against—"
He never finished the sentence. A blur of movement, too fast even for his enhanced senses to track, and suddenly Gine stood before him, her palm flat against his chest. There was no flashy build-up, no shouted attack name—just a concentrated burst of ki that sent Cobra flying backward, crashing through multiple trees before embedding in a distant cliff face, unconscious.
Cubellios lunged at her, fangs bared, but Gine simply sidestepped the massive serpent and touched a finger to its scales. The creature froze, then collapsed, its nervous system temporarily overloaded by the precision ki pulse.
"G-Gine?" Natsu stammered, eyes wide with shock and relief. "When did you—"
"No time," she cut him off, assessing his condition with a critical eye. "The poison's spreading. Find Wendy—her sky magic can purify it." She nodded toward where Cumber and Wendy stood facing Uruk. "After she helps my brothers."
Natsu blinked, clearly wanting to argue or ask questions, but the serious expression on Gine's face convinced him otherwise. With a determined nod, he staggered toward the confrontation between the Saiyan brothers.
Gine turned her attention to the next threat. Brain stood at the edge of the clearing, his staff glowing as he prepared a massive spell. His eyes widened momentarily as they met hers—recognition and something close to fear flashing across his features.
"The eldest daughter of Teilanne," he murmured. "We were hoping you'd stay away."
Gine's expression remained impassive as she began walking toward him. "You took my brother. You corrupted him with a fragment. Did you really think I wouldn't come?"
Brain's face twisted into a cruel smile. "On the contrary—we counted on the Saiyans gathering eventually. The fragments respond to your kind's energy. The more of you that gather, the closer Nirvana comes to awakening."
This gave Gine pause, her steps faltering momentarily. "You're using us as catalysts."
"Precisely," Brain confirmed, raising his staff. "Dark Capriccio!"
A spiraling beam of darkness erupted from the staff, aimed directly at Gine's heart. She didn't dodge—instead, her hand shot up, catching the deadly magic and containing it in her palm. The effort was visible on her face as she compressed the dark energy into a tiny sphere, then crushed it between her fingers.
Brain's confident expression wavered. "Impossible..."
"I didn't spend these past weeks training for nothing," Gine replied coldly. "Now, about my brother—"
A thunderous crash interrupted her as the ground between them split open. Jura Neekis, the Wizard Saint, had joined the battle, his rock magic creating a defensive wall to separate them.
"Reinforcements have arrived," the bald mage announced as Sherry and several other Lamia Scale members emerged from the forest edge. "We must end this quickly before the darkness spreads further."
Gine nodded in acknowledgment, then turned her attention back to where her brothers stood in silent confrontation. Cumber had positioned himself between Uruk and Wendy, his clear ki aura pulsing in rhythm with something only he could sense.
"Wendy!" Gine called out. "Natsu needs your help with Cobra's poison, but my brother needs you more. Can you handle both?"
The young Sky Dragon Slayer looked up at the sound of her name. Though she had never met Gine personally, the family resemblance was unmistakable. She straightened, determination evident in her stance.
"I can," Wendy affirmed, her voice stronger than her slight frame might suggest. "Cumber and I have a plan to free Uruk from the fragment's control."
"She can purify the corruption," Cumber added, not taking his eyes off Uruk. "But I need to create an opening."
Gine assessed the situation quickly. Uruk's corrupted form had grown stronger during their exchange, the violet energy around him pulsing like a heartbeat. The markings on his skin had spread further, now covering most of his visible flesh.
"The fragment feeds on combat energy," Carla warned from beside Wendy. "The more they fight, the stronger its hold becomes."
"Then we don't fight," Gine stated simply. She approached Cumber, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Do you remember the resonance training Mother taught us? Before you started focusing solely on combat?"
Cumber's eyes widened with recognition. "The ki harmony technique? But I never mastered it—"
"You don't need to," Gine interrupted. "I'll lead, you follow. Wendy, stay close. When our energies align, there will be a moment when the fragment's defenses weaken. That's when you strike with your purification magic."
Wendy nodded, her hands already beginning to glow with the gentle blue light of her healing magic. "I'm ready."
As the battles raged around them, the three formed a small triangle facing the corrupted Uruk. Gine closed her eyes, her aura shifting from its usual sharp, defined edges to something softer, more fluid. Cumber followed her lead, his clear ki responding to hers, ebbing and flowing like water rather than blazing like fire.
Uruk snarled, the fragment clearly sensing the threat. He launched forward, fist raised to strike Gine—but at the last moment, his body seized up, trembling as if fighting against itself.
"Now!" Gine commanded, her eyes snapping open.
She and Cumber moved in perfect synchronization, each catching one of Uruk's arms while Wendy darted between them, her small hands pressing directly against his chest. Sky magic erupted from her palms, not as an attack but as a wave of pure, cleansing energy that enveloped Uruk's torso.
"Milky Way: Purification!" Wendy cried, channeling every ounce of her magic into the spell.
Uruk screamed—a sound of both agony and release. The violet light in his eyes flared brilliantly, then began to recede as Wendy's magic fought against the fragment's corruption. The markings on his skin pulsed, trying to resist, but wherever the blue light of sky magic touched, they faded.
"Fight it, Uruk!" Cumber encouraged, maintaining his grip despite the energies battling for control of his brother's body. "We're here! Come back to us!"
Gine said nothing, her concentration absolute as she used her ki to support Wendy's magic, creating channels through Uruk's defenses for the purification to penetrate deeper.
For a moment that seemed to stretch into eternity, the outcome hung in balance—Wendy's power fading as exhaustion set in, the fragment's corruption fighting back with vicious intensity. Then, just as it seemed the young Dragon Slayer's strength would give out, Uruk's body went rigid.
His back arched, mouth open in a silent scream as a small, crystalline object emerged from his chest—not tearing through flesh but phasing through it, drawn out by Wendy's purification magic. The fragment, no larger than a fingernail, hovered in the air before them, pulsing with the same violet light that had consumed Uruk's eyes.
Before anyone could react, Gine's hand shot out, encasing the fragment in a sphere of concentrated ki.
"Carla," she called sharply. "Find something to contain this—something that can block magical energy."
As the Exceed darted away to comply, Uruk collapsed to his knees, his body no longer sustained by the fragment's power. Cumber caught him before he could fall completely, supporting his brother's weight.
"Did we... did we get it?" Uruk mumbled, his voice hoarse but his own once more.
"Yeah," Cumber replied, relief evident in his tone. "We got it, big brother."
Wendy swayed on her feet, drained from the intense magical expenditure. Gine steadied her with her free hand, genuine gratitude in her eyes.
"Thank you," she said simply. "My family owes you a debt we can't repay."
Wendy managed a tired smile. "That's what guilds are for, right? Helping each other?"
A thunderous explosion from the center of the clearing drew their attention. Brain, seeing Cobra defeated and Uruk freed from the fragment's control, had escalated his attack. Dark magic swirled around him as he faced off against Jura and Erza, who had finally broken free from her battle with Midnight.
"This isn't over!" Brain shouted, his voice carrying an unnatural echo. "Nirvana has begun to awaken! The fragments respond to the Saiyans' presence—you've done exactly as we planned!"
As if in response to his words, the ground beneath them trembled, a pulse of energy rippling outward from some unseen source deep below the forest floor.
Gine's expression hardened as she maintained her containment of the fragment. "He's right. This was a trap from the beginning—they wanted Saiyan energy to accelerate Nirvana's awakening."
"Then what do we do?" Cumber asked, still supporting the weakened Uruk.
Before Gine could answer, Wendy stepped forward, her fatigue momentarily forgotten as she stared wide-eyed at the horizon.
"We need to combine our strengths," she said with unexpected authority. "Sky magic to purify, Saiyan energy to contain, and everyone else to protect us while we work." She turned to Gine with determination in her eyes. "I know I'm just a girl from a small guild, but I've studied ancient magics. Nirvana was created to turn darkness into light—but the fragments are corrupting its purpose."
Gine studied the young Dragon Slayer thoughtfully, then nodded. "Lead the way, Wendy Marvell of Cait Shelter. It seems my mother was right about you."
As the coalition regrouped around them, preparing for the next phase of their battle against the Oración Seis and the awakening Nirvana, Cumber glanced between his recovered brother, his returned sister, and the Sky Dragon Slayer who had proven herself far more than just a healer.
For the first time since the mission began, he felt something beyond the thrill of battle or the weight of responsibility—he felt hope. Perhaps together, they truly could face whatever darkness lay ahead.
To be continued in Chapter 18: The Oracion Seis