"Oh… so that's the Cursed Flute?"
Erza emerged right after, the fierce wind still howling around them. She shielded her face, glancing toward Kael, who stood calmly holding the sinister-looking flute in one hand. With her free arm, she reached back and pulled Lucy safely out of the tunnel.
"The wind's so strong… how do we deal with this storm? Will it fade on its own?"
Lucy struggled to keep herself from being swept away, pressing low to the ground. Virgo — her Celestial Spirit — held her firmly, using all her strength to keep Lucy from being pulled into the raging gale.
"Heh," Kael chuckled softly. "You're all tougher than I expected. Well, whatever. I'll take care of it."
Nearby, Kageyama, dragged out of the tunnel by Natsu, collapsed in defeat. When his eyes met the sight of his leader Erigor lying unconscious, bound by Kael's golden chains, what little hope he had left vanished. He closed his eyes silently, saying nothing more.
Kael glanced up, his voice calm but resolute. "We're short on time. Let's do this the quick way."
Magic flared around him like liquid sunlight. A golden magic circle bloomed beneath his feet, spreading wide until it enveloped everyone nearby. Above them, the sky rippled— and an enormous radiant sword began to take form, hanging point-down above the barrier of roaring winds.
"What… impossible!" Kageyama's eyes widened, the glare of the light forcing them half shut. "He can summon a magic like that… with just a gesture? Then… he really is…" His voice trembled into silence as realization hit him. Losing to one of the Ten Saint Wizards suddenly didn't seem so unfair.
"Whoa~ Using two spells at once?" Lucy shouted over the storm. "Wait— that's the teleportation magic circle we saw before! Are we heading straight to the Guild Master after this?"
Kael smiled faintly. "Exactly. We'll arrive in no time— and the wind barrier will be gone soon too."
With a smooth motion of his hand, the giant sword dropped.
A single boom cracked through the air as the colossal blade cleaved through the raging vortex like paper. The hurricane split cleanly down the middle, its balance shattered; the winds immediately began to fade, their power dispersing harmlessly into the sky. Then, just as gracefully, Kael lifted his hand again— the sword halted midair, dissolved into countless golden motes, and vanished.
Lucy stared, her mouth hanging open. "That… that was amazing."
It was her first time seeing Kael use offensive magic. The pressure from his presence alone had nearly taken her breath away.
"Heh~ Kael's always that awesome," Natsu said, grinning wide.
Erza and Gray simply nodded, unfazed. They'd long grown used to Kael's overwhelming power.
"Alright," Kael said. "Get ready. We're leaving."
Light from the teleportation circle flared again— and in an instant, they vanished.
— Guild Council Chamber, Afternoon —
At the council meeting hall, a golden magic circle appeared before the assembled Guild Masters. Its glow intensified, and several figures emerged from within.
"Master, we're back!" Lucy shouted cheerfully. "Mission complete!"
Makarov, standing before the other Guild leaders, crossed his arms with a grave expression. "Oh? Erza's team, was it? What sort of mission could require you lot to handle it personally?"
Erza stepped forward, her tone respectful. "Originally, it seemed simple. But later, we discovered their real target was you, Master— and the other Guild leaders."
Kael lifted the flute and handed it to Makarov. "This is the Cursed Flute, sealed by the Magic Council. What should we do with it, Master? Destroy it?"
"Oh, so this is it?" Makarov leaned closer, curiosity overcoming caution.
"Rather ugly, isn't it?" one of the other Masters said, wrinkling his nose.
"And these holes… are those supposed to be eyes?" another muttered, prodding it with a finger.
The group of Guild Masters crowded around, poking and turning the flute over, commenting idly and even mocking its strange shape.
Lucy and the others exchanged awkward glances, sweat-dropping in silence.
Then—
"Hey! It's glowing!" one of the Masters shouted.
The three carved eyes on the flute began to shine with a deep, ominous purple light. A massive magic circle spread across the ceiling, radiating with dark energy.
The flute lifted into the air, trembling— then burst apart in a wave of magic, transforming into a gigantic demon made of gnarled black wood and twisting vines.
Its voice thundered through the hall:
"You dare humiliate me, mortals?! I am a true demon! You pitiful wizards— I will devour all of your souls!"
"What— it transformed?!" Lucy gasped.
Kageyama fell to the floor, trembling. "W-What is that thing?! I didn't sign up for this!"
"Oh dear… that's not good," one of the Masters muttered.
Another's face paled. "It's one of Zeref's Demons!"
Kael, standing off to the side, didn't look surprised in the slightest. In fact, he looked mildly amused, as if he had expected this outcome from the start.
"Zeref's… Demon?" Lucy whispered.
"It seems this creature was the Cursed Flute itself," explained Goldman, Master of the Four Hounds Guild. His tone was heavy with caution. "It's a form of living magic… one of Zeref's forbidden creations."
At that name, the atmosphere changed instantly. Even seasoned Guild Masters grew somber.
"Zeref…" Erza muttered, eyes narrowing. "But wasn't he supposed to be long gone?"
Before they could say more, the demon's voice boomed again.
"Which of your souls shall I consume first?"
It grinned down at them, rows of wooden fangs splitting open its face.
"Eh? Are souls tasty?" Natsu asked, tilting his head innocently.
"How would I know, idiot?" Gray snapped.
Lucy facepalmed. "Of course you two would joke now…"
"Enough!" the demon roared, enraged at being ignored.
— Meanwhile, Outside the City —
Not far away, in the nearby forest, the kingdom's soldiers had gathered, staring in horror at the towering demon that loomed over the skyline.
"Don't be afraid of that thing!" the captain shouted. "All units, attack!"
"YEAH!"
The troops charged forward bravely, their cries echoing through the trees— and instantly drawing the demon's attention.
"You insects dare challenge me? DIE!"
Still furious from the mockery and now enraged by the assault, the demon's chest glowed. A massive purple magic circle appeared in front of its mouth, gathering power.
"Captain…" one of the soldiers whispered, his face pale.
"Kael!" Makarov's voice cut through the chaos.
"I know, Master."
Kael raised one hand.
The moment the demon fired its massive energy blast, twin golden shields materialized before the soldiers, layer upon layer— Saint Shield!
The explosion shook the forest, but the shimmering barrier held firm, dispersing the demonic energy harmlessly.
The soldiers gawked in awe.
"Retreat!" the captain barked. "Fall back! Now!"
With their courage spent, the troops scattered, leaving the mages to handle what came next.
Makarov turned toward his team. "Erza. Natsu. Gray. This one's yours. Show them the true power of Fairy Tail!"
"Yes, Master!"
"You got it, old man!" Natsu grinned, slamming his fists together.
"Let's end this," Gray added, ice already forming along his arms.
"Move out!" Erza commanded, summoning twin swords with a flash of light. She kicked off the ground, launching into the air with a burst of magic, accelerating through the technique known as Moon Step.
Natsu and Gray followed, using Soru to close the distance, their figures blurring forward as they charged head-on toward the towering demon.
The battle for the Cursed Flute's soul had begun.