Fairy Tail - Twilight Empire

Chapter 66 - Rise Again

Gajeel spat blood and slammed his fist into the ground. All around him, the fighting closed in on the rest of the village. Millianna lay against one of the huts, trying to get back up and protect a small family of Exceeds. Kagura continued to hold off the Quartum Army, but a few Dragon Slayers had splintered off from tearing down Gajeel to focus on her, making her divide her attention. Zash stood over him, delivering another swift kick to the face that knocked Gajeel's head back.

Lily cried out for him but had to engage another Dragon Slayer.

Meanwhile, Sting and Rogue watched in horror.

"You know," Gajeel said through a bloody mouth as Zash raised his head. He rested Gajeel back against a broken, burned-down hut. Was it the Queen's? "I gotta admit something to you, prick."

"What? Make it good. They'll be your last words."

"The only thing keeping me going is the thought that there's no way I could get beat by a guy like you," Gajeel said. He raised his chin. "Because you're nothing compared to Salamander. Hey, at least he didn't need that many friends to help him. Next time you wanna prove you're tough? Take a guy on one on one."

"History won't care about how I defeated you, only that I did," Zash said. "It's a pity you aren't Second Generation. We could use your powers in the Empire. Perhaps we'll find your dragon and rip its heart out to get its power."

Gajeel laughed along with Zash, then lurched, slamming his head under Zash's chin. Blood sprayed from Zash's mouth. Gajeel punched him once, twice, before Lindara came zipping back with enough punches to soften Gajeel up for another fire-infused punch from Zash, sending him through the building and out the other side.

The Iron Dragon Slayer rested his head back, groaning. Yup, he could feel it draining.

His magic, his life, his will.

Strangely, he heard Makarov, of all people, begging him to get up. He heard Levy, too, but her voice was weaker. Last time he was in a position like this it was because of those two from Grimoire Heart.

He grabbed at the grass around him. Zash, Lindara, and Johan approached. Zash's fists lit up into two powerful beacons of harrowing flame. Gajeel sighed, difficult though it was to do even that.

"Alright then," he said. "You gonna make it quick?"

"You don't deserve quick," Lindara said.

"Nah," Gajeel said. "But I can take it."

Zash smirked. "Atta boy."

He lurched but was stopped as a spear ran through his shoulder, and Gajeel was slowly dragged away. Leaping over him were dozens of Exceeds, fa ew of whom were actually soldiers. They'd picked up farming tools, and pitchforks, or just used their paws to assault the Dragon Slayers. Johan jumped, quite scared, while Zash managed to recover quickly.

It took quite a few Exceeds to drag Gajeel away from everything, but Lindara dealt with the initial wave handily. Smoke rose from a few that'd been struck by her quick lightning.

Gajeel spotted Sting and Rogue watching from afar atop a hut as if searching for something. Had they lost sight of Frosch and Lector? Where had those two run off to, anyway?

"Be still, Gajeel."

His eyes widened. He managed to sit up, but couldn't move much beyond it.

"Queenie, you gotta run," Gajeel said.

"This is the final stand of my people," Queen Shaggotte said. "I am in no position to abandon them."

Her lone wing flared. The Exceeds gaped at her.