Fairy Tail - Twilight Empire

Chapter 139 - Checkmate

There was nothing left of the battlefield. Any stonework beneath their feet was gone, and any buildings to use as cover had been destroyed.

August touched down on the ground, having deflected Jellal's latest attack. His magic was still tied to the burgeoning Grand Chariot above, but hoisting that magic up felt so pointless. It would do nothing. August was invincible.

Their Bane particle blades lay ruined and shattered in the space between them and August. Initially, they gave him a meaningful fright, but his skills were too great, and he'd analyzed and digested how to counter each and every one of Jellal and Gildarts's moves. Mest's teleportation abilities were hardly any good after a while. August began to teleport around, too.

It was, in full, a catastrophic failure.

Gildarts plumped onto the ground not far from Jellal. August folded his arms.

"Do you at last give in?" August asked.

Jellal shook his head. He wasn't sure why. There was no point in fighting anymore. August had magic to spare, had strategies for years and years. Jellal was only standing because of sheer magical endurance. The others? Death would be coming for them soon, if August put a remote amount of power into an attack their way.

"Your swords are destroyed, the legendary Archenemy shattered, and that weapon of yours meant to eliminate His Majesty has been shattered." August nodded. "It's over. The rebellion has reached its end."

"You're so wrong about that," Gildarts said with a laugh.

"I fail to find anything humorous about this," August said.

"You've been so busy with us, you forgot all about Fairy Tail," Gildarts said. "You don't think they've already busted down the palace and started messing the place up?"

"I don't," August said. "My comrades will slow them down. And if not them, Acnologia will see to their demise. Then, His Majesty and I shall at last slay the Arcane Dragon."

"Nah," Gildarts said. "I fought Acnologia. He stole my arm. You haven't even done that yet. You think you're a match for him?"

"I can take your life, Gildarts Clive, if you see fit," August said.

Gildarts raised his head. "You're too boastful to do that."

"I'm too bored by the idea. You're useless. First, I shall destroy Fairy Tail, and then I'll come back for you. Adrenaline is keeping you upright, but once that fades, I'll return and take you both. Break you both."

Jellal once again shook his head. "We'll sooner die."

"No. That would be a waste. I've decided you will become drones of the Twilight Empire, men of the front line to clear the path for any wizards who can challenge Irene or me. His Majesty has use for you, all of you. Besides, Jellal, you're so used to serving Zeref when not in your own mind anyway, right?"

"Shut up."

August sighed. "Give it time, then. Fairy Tail is halfway across the city by now; there's no way you'd catch up to me by the time I get to them. I've not yet fully mastered Mest's teleportation abilities, but..."

He vanished.

Jellal's heart sank. Gildarts stood at once.

"You gotta be shitting me," Gildarts muttered.

"I—I'm sorry," Mest said. He was practically buried in the dirt, blood running down his lips.

"Don't be," Jellal said. "Gildarts, we have to catch him."

And do what? The fight was pointless. Everything they'd do to August was pointless. They'd be fighting alongside Fairy Tail as August killed them all, one by one.