Chapter 45 : Akane Beach!!

The luxurious hotel stood tall against the backdrop of the vibrant theme park, surrounded by the sun-kissed beach and the allure of swimsuits. Welcome to Akane Beach, a renowned seaside retreat in the Kingdom of Fiore.

Erza and Lucy adorned themselves in swimsuits, their rare beauty accentuated by the revealing attire showcasing their curves, drawing countless glances from onlookers. However, the aura of their formidable companions deterred any attempts at conversation.

Four individuals engaged in a game of beach volleyball, or rather, three did. Erza single-handedly took on two opponents, her powerful strikes nearly deflating the ball with each hit, sending sand flying with explosive force.

Natsu and Gray formed a formidable duo, their thunderous smashes resembling cannon fire. Lucy, initially enthusiastic, cowered behind Erza at the sight of such power, too intimidated to join in.

Not far away, beneath a beach umbrella, Everit lounged in an unbuttoned shirt and board shorts adorned with a kitten pattern, his symmetrical abdominal muscles proudly on display. With a long straw fashioned into glasses, he sipped on a drink, while Happy, sporting sunglasses, mimicked his relaxed posture.

The rhythmic crash of the waves provided a soothing backdrop as Everit effortlessly glanced at passing girls in front him, his gaze never needing to wander. The fleeting glimpses of beauty left an indelible impression, requiring no further pursuit.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, Natsu and his companions wrapped up their beach escapades and returned to the hotel, preparing for evening festivities. Lucy, eyeing Erza's stunning dress, couldn't help but envy her slender figure, her frustration manifesting in a discreet pinch of her own flesh.

"Happy, let's go! Tonight, victory awaits us!" Natsu exclaimed, rallying his comrades for the evening's endeavors.

"Okay!" exclaimed Happy, brimming with excitement.

A man and his cat companion dashed towards a bustling lottery center.

"You'd better forget it. Something that relies solely on luck without any skill has no chance of success," Gray remarked, shaking his head. 

He turned away and headed towards another spot, confidently settling himself at a card table. "This is one way to make some cash."

"Gray-sama," a sudden voice interrupted, belonging to a woman adorned in a blue dress with matching curly blue hair.

"Juvia?" Gray's eyebrows lifted in surprise. "What brings you here?"

"It's just a coincidence," Juvia replied, her tone tinged with guilt.

"Well, since you're here, let's have some fun," Gray suggested.

"Okay!" Juvia agreed shyly. "Then, can I join Gray-sama in playing?"

"Eh?" Gray blinked in astonishment.

"As long as I can be with Gray-sama, I'm willing to do anything!" Juvia exclaimed, her excitement evident.

"I'm willing to do anything—" a burly man with an eyepatch, his gaze focused through a single eye, interjected, "You shouldn't say such things lightly."

"And who might you be?" Gray's expression darkened, sensing trouble.

"First meeting, Gray Fullbuster," the burly man announced, launching a sudden attack.

A magic circle materialized above his eye.

"Watch out!" Gray had no time to react before being sent flying by the ensuing explosion!

Remarkably, the massive blast didn't affect any bystanders.

However, it seemed the passersby had already steered clear of the area, repelled by an inexplicable sense of disgust.

As the smoke dissipated...

Juvia lay on the ground, her face contorted in pain.

"Juvia, are you alright?" Gray swiftly rose, shielding Juvia, his expression a mix of anger and bewilderment as he faced their sudden attacker.

"Who are you?"

"Where's Erza?"

Gray was taken aback by the stranger's words.

"Water Magic."

Water pooled in front of Gray. Juvia struggled to her feet, positioning herself in front of Gray and declared, "Regardless of your reasons, I won't allow you to harm Gray-sama!"

"What?" The man gestured, clearly using magic to communicate with his comrades.

"You've found Erza?"

"It doesn't matter if I killed them?"

"Alright, I understand."

The man glanced at Gray and Juvia before silently employing his magic.

"Dark Moment -"

Suddenly, Gray and Juvia found themselves engulfed in total darkness, their vision deceived as if Everit himself had cast a spell on them.

The man materialized behind Gray and Juvia, employing his magic.

"Boom."

Gray and Juvia attempted to react, but were overwhelmed by a sudden surge of fear that consumed them entirely.

Thud.

They collapsed.

"You won't be waking up from that blast anytime soon." With that parting remark, the man turned and departed.

Meanwhile, Natsu was also blindsided by an unexpected assault.

But he retaliated with a direct punch to his assailant's face.

"Something's off."

Although he managed to defeat his attacker, Natsu's instincts told him this wasn't over.

Elsewhere, far from Natsu and Gray...

A girl materialized behind Lucy, swiftly binding her with a rope.

"Lucy!" Erza moved to draw her weapon, only to realize the assailant was someone she knew. Shocked, she exclaimed, "Millianna?!"

"Long time no see, Erza." Millianna's movements were cat-like in their fluidity.

"Can you use magic, Millianna?"

Erza spoke eagerly: "Release Lucy; she's my companion!"

"We were companions too, Sister Erza," said a little yellow haired boy appearing behind Erza, his voice tinged with anger. "Until you betrayed us!"

Erza turned to find herself face to face with this mix of familiar and unfamiliar figures, each bearing a complicated expression.

"Erza, you've grown even more beautiful," greeted a square-faced man who had appeared out of nowhere.

"Long time no see, Erza," chimed in a strong one-eyed man emerging from the shadows.

"Shô, Wally, Simon," Erza acknowledged with a complex expression, "So, you've all learned to use magic."

"Magic is a skill anyone can acquire with the right training," remarked the strong one-eyed man calmly.

Erza fell silent for a moment before speaking again: "So, what brings you here now?"

Her expression turned serious as she continued, "You are my companions, but so is Lucy. I won't harm you, but I won't let you harm Lucy either!"

Erza's body surged with potent magical energy as she asserted confidently, "Even though you've mastered magic, I'm more than capable of facing you without causing harm! When it comes to your intentions, I'll apprehend all of you!"

"Simon," she addressed the strong one-eyed man directly, her tone grave, "Release Lucy. If you have something to say, say it now!"

****

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