Fairy Tail: Strongest Creature

The councilors exchanged uneasy glances at Oga's suggestion. Mest, guarding the door, wondered what Oga truly knew.

"If it wasn't Fairy Tail," Mest ventured, "then who?"

Oga tapped his chin. "Perhaps Tartaros itself absorbed its subordinate guilds—cannibalizing them, so to speak."

Laughter rippled around the chamber. "Impossible," one deputy scoffed. "Tartaros already wields formidable power."

"Mr. Oga is… imaginative," another snickered.

Only President Grand Doma remained silent, brow furrowed. Finally he spoke, voice grave: "Now is our moment to strike at Tartaros. Their true nature is unknown, but if we dismantle them, the entire Balam Alliance collapses. The Magic Council must marshal its full strength."

A hush fell. The very idea of declaring war on Tartaros—a guild born of demon magic—sent shivers through even these hardened mages.

Suddenly, a toad-faced messenger burst in, panic in his eyes. "An attack! Everyone, take cover!"

Before anyone could react, a deafening explosion rocked the hall. Stone and wood splintered as the ceiling collapsed in a thunderous crash. Screams echoed amid the falling rubble.

Mest tumbled to the floor, dazed and bleeding. He blinked up at the carnage—bodies strewn across the shattered chamber.

"No… this can't be…" he whispered, stumbling to his feet.

Searching among the debris, he cried out, "Lahar—where are you?"

He found Lahel crumpled beneath a beam. Mest's hands shook as he shook her. There was no response.

His gaze raced across the ruins: President Grand Doma, Councilor Oga, every deputy… lifeless.

Tears welled in Mest's eyes. If the Magic Council's leadership was gone, Ishgar would be defenseless.

A weak cough drew him onward. "Master Oga…" it came from a crumpled body at the far end.

Mest rushed over—but before he could reach him, a massive hand slammed his mentor's head into the debris.

"Silence!" snarled a cold, bestial voice. "Our target: all nine councilors."

Mest spun around to see a hulking figure step from the smoke, eyes gleaming. "I am Jackal," the man growled, "one of Tartaros's Nine Demon Gates. I've wiped out your council."

He raised a hand again for a final blast. Oga, struggling to rise, screamed, "Doranbolt—run!"

Mest looked back at Jackal, tears streaming. "I can't… leave…"

Jackal smiled, cruel and calm. "You won't escape my explosion."

Oga roared, "Live! For justice… live, Doranbolt!"

But before Mest could answer, Jackal unleashed another cataclysmic blast. Everything went white.

---

Back at Fairy Tail, Su Yan knelt before Master Makarov, breathless. "A terrible blow—Tartaros attacked the Magic Council. Their nine councilors are dead."

Makarov's brow darkened. "Tartaros again… I fear this year's troubles have only begun."

Natsu slammed a fist on the table. "If they dare threaten the council—let me at them!"

Gray nodded fiercely. "Oración Seis and Grimoire Heart fell before us. If Tartaros comes, they'll vanish too."

Erza placed a hand on their shoulders. "Calm yourselves. The guild master will decide our path."

Makarov fixed Su Yan with a steady gaze. "What do you propose, Su Yan?"

Su Yan rose. "Without the council, tracking Tartaros will be harder. This is the Magic Council's duty, not ours."

Makarov sighed but nodded. "Very well. We'll assist where we can—but we mustn't overstep."

Outside, the wind carried smoke from the east—Tartaros's shadow falling over all of Ishgar. The true battle was about to begin.