Fairy Tail: Threads of Infinity

The Tower of Heaven loomed above the sea like a nightmare born from stone—unforgiving, angular, and humming with dark energy. Waves crashed violently against the jagged rocks that surrounded it, echoing the turmoil simmering in the hearts of those who now faced it. From their position on a neighboring cliff, the Fairy Tail group took in the sight in tense silence.

Shinra stood at the edge of the rock face, arms folded behind his back. The wind pulled at his coat, and the distant hum of the tower's magic made his skin tingle. He didn't need to confirm it with words—he already knew. The countdown had begun.

Behind him, Natsu cracked his knuckles, face set. "Alright. What's the plan? We're not just busting in, are we?"

"We are," Erza said, but there was steel in her voice. "But with purpose. We are going to split up since we don't know how many enemies are inside, and if Jellal's defenses are as strong as I'm expecting, a full frontal charge would take too much time and we can't afford that."

Lucy blinked. "We're splitting up again? But what if—?"

"It's the only way," Shinra said, turning slightly to glance over the group. "There are pressure locks, mana traps, possibly even timed enchantments buried throughout the tower's foundation. If we don't coordinate carefully, we'll set off more than alarms."

Simon nodded. "We'll need at least one person with good magical perception in each team. The tower isn't just guarded with brute force. Jellahas especially prepared this for us."

Gray stepped forward. "Alright then. How are we doing this?"

Erza took a deep breath. "Simon and I will take the top path. We'll be going for Jellal directly. That's where he's most likely hiding—near the Lacrima core."

"I'll go with you too," Shinra added. "You'll need someone who can cancel large-scale magic if Jellal tries anything reckless. I'll stay back until needed."

Erza glanced at him, hesitating for a moment before giving a small nod. "Alright."

"I'll take Lucy and Juvia," Gray said. "We'll sweep the mid-tower levels, disrupt their relay systems if they're still active."

Juvia stayed quiet but gave a determined nod, her eyes briefly flicking to Gray before lowering shyly.

"Then that leaves Mira, Natsu, and Happy with me," said Shinra. They will move through the lower levels—draw attention, cause chaos, keep their defense systems from focusing."

Mira raised a brow, smiling faintly. "Causing chaos. Should be easy enough with Natsu involved."

"Hey!" Natsu pouted. "I can be subtle!"

Happy blinked up at him. "Aye sir, in your dreams"

Erza sighed, but a tiny smile tugged at her lips. "Let's move. Everyone stay safe."

As the teams broke off and began moving, the air grew tenser with every step they took toward the tower. Shinra paused for a moment, glancing upward toward the distant spire. He could feel it now. The hum of Etherion building like a second heartbeat just beneath the surface of the sky.

*Time is running out.*

---

Inside the Tower of Heaven

The tower's interior was colder than expected, lined with crystalline structures that pulsed with faint light. The floors resonated faintly with energy—raw, barely controlled magic that vibrated through the stone like thunder too distant to hear properly.

Erza moved like a shadow beside Simon, both of them stepping around pressure plates and warded runes. It was like muscle memory to her—being back here. Every hallway was soaked in her memories. Her steps slowed as they reached the corridor leading to the Lacrima chamber.

"This place…"Erza whispered. "It hasn't changed."

He glanced at her, his dark eyes sad. "You okay?"

She looked ahead, eyes narrowing. "i don't know...but I'll fight anyway."

---

Lower Levels – Natsu, Mira, and Happy

The lower halls were already guarded.

"I'm sensing three coming this way," Mira said calmly, pressing a finger on her temple.

"Want me to go first?" Natsu grinned.

Mira charged forward without responding to him, her eyes blazing with demonic light. "Satan Soul!"

Her transformation rippled like liquid through the hall—elegant and terrifying. Her fist collided with the lead guard, sending him crashing through a support column.

Natsu followed with a roar, flames igniting around him." Hey! Thats cheating, Mira!"

Behind them, Happy was simply cheering for them.

---

Mid-Level – Gray, Lucy, and Juvia

"Two at the junction!" Gray shouted, forming twin ice sabers.

"Leave one to me!" Lucy pulled a golden key from her belt. "Open, Gate of the Lion—Leo!"

Loke appeared in a flash, catching a punch meant for Lucy. "You call, Princess?"

Juvia used the moment to surge forward, water coiling around her like living armor. "Juvia won't let you hurt Gray-sama!"

Gray sighed. "You don't need to keep saying that, y'know…"

The enemy spellcasters faltered beneath the coordinated assault. One collapsed under a wave of crushing water, the other frozen in place by Gray's precise ice blades.

Lucy caught her breath, turning to Gray. "We're making good time."

He nodded. "Let's hope the others are too."

---

Upper Levels – Erza, Simon, Shinra

As they reached the Lacrima core's entrance, Erza suddenly stopped.

Her hand trembled.

A child's voice echoed in her mind.

*"You're free now, Erza… Just run…"*

Shinra touched her shoulder. "You okay?"

She shook her head. "Yes..I'm alright."

The door ahead glowed with magic—Jellal's seal. Shinra stepped forward, examining the layers. "This'll take a moment…"

As he began decrypting the spellwork, Erza turned her gaze toward the door. It pulsed faintly—ominously.

"Shinra," she said softly. "How bad is it?"

His voice was quiet. "Really bad. Etherion's already been approved. Someone pulled the strings and got the Council onboard. They don't know Jellal plans to use that beam to power the R-System."

Simon said solemnly, "That madman… He's going to let himself die just to revive Zeref?!"

Shinra nodded. "He's gone too far. We stop him here, or everything burns."

Just as the seal broke with a whisper of fading light, some unexpected guests landed behind them.

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