Juvia and Lisanna had taken Route H, while Levy and Gajeel had chosen Route I. The two paths rged in a spacious, cave-like chamber.
Smooth stalactites hung from the ceiling and jutted from the ground, while stone pillars of varying sizes stood like natural guardians throughout the area.
What most affected the flow of battle was a small pond nearby, giving Juvia an ideal environnt to amplify her water-based magic.
The biggest headache for Gajeel was that many of his attacks were completely ineffective against Juvia. His Iron Dragon Rod would just punch holes in her water form, and his Iron Dragon Sword could only montarily slice through her body before she reford.
In fact, compared to his attacks, it was Levy’s magic that Juvia had to watch out for.
"Solid Script: FIRE!"
Levy wrote glowing letters into the air, and a wave of flas surged toward Juvia.
But Juvia stood her ground. This level of fire magic didn’t scare her in the least.
"Water Slicing Scythe!"
Three crescent-shaped blades of water sliced through the air, cutting straight through the flas and continuing toward Levy and Gajeel.
Gajeel quickly shifted to cover Levy, his right arm turning into an Iron Rod. He swung hard, deflecting the three slashes and changing their trajectory.
Boom!
The water blades flew upward, easily severing two stalactites and smashing the matching stalagmites on the ground below.
"Miss Lisanna, get ready!"
"Got it!"
Juvia spread her arms wide, summoning a surge of water around her. Drawing moisture from the pond, she conjured a roaring wave that built up behind her like a living wall.
"Oh no!" Gajeel’s expression twisted. This tight cave was the perfect battleground for Juvia to display her full strength.
Before he and Levy could act, the tidal wave crashed into them, sweeping them off their feet and slamming them into the far cave wall.
"Pwah!" Both of them coughed out bubbles as their bodies hit the rock. Quickly realizing the danger, they clamped their mouths shut to avoid swallowing water.
"Take Over: Animal Soul: Penguin!"
Lisanna transford into a large, plump penguin and dove through the current like a rocket, zipping through the water with incredible agility.
"Sorry, Levy!"
With a powerful belly charge, Penguin Lisanna slamd into Levy, sending her careening into Gajeel.
"Wah!" Levy collided with Gajeel hard, knocking the breath out of him. Another bubble escaped his lips, and his face turned pale.
Gajeel held his breath, wrapped one arm around Levy’s waist, and transford his other hand into an Iron Sword, swinging it at Lisanna.
But his movents were sluggish underwater, and the plump penguin swiftly morphed into a sleek fish, dodging with a single flick of its tail.
Just then, Juvia’s figure erged in the current, and two water-infused slashes flew toward Gajeel and Levy.
Reacting fast, Gajeel spun around and shielded the petite Levy in his arms.
The slashes struck his back directly, tearing through his clothes and revealing the iron scales beneath.
Even so, the attack hadn’t been fully absorbed. Two bubbles puffed out from Gajeel’s nostrils.
He twisted his head around in frustration. ’That annoying woman!’
anwhile, Levy’s face, which had been a little pale, now flushed pink.
In her panic, the extrely shy Levy suddenly had a flash of inspiration and rembered her magic.
"Solid Script: AIR!"
The letters she drew in the water transford into bubbles of air that enveloped both her and Gajeel’s heads.
"Puh-ha!"
They gasped gratefully inside the bubbles, and Gajeel managed a slight grin.
"As long as we have air..."
"Water Typhoon!"
Juvia clapped her hands together and thrust them forward. The water, which had just cald down, began churning wildly once again.
The currents spun rapidly, forming a violent water tornado that barreled toward them.
Levy frantically wrote the word "SHIELD," which beca a glowing barrier in front of them, but it was shredded almost instantly by the raging waters.
The fierce impact and extre rotational force blew their air bubbles apart and sent both of them spinning uncontrollably.
"Waaahhhhhh... gurgle gurgle..."
Their screams were quickly drowned as they swallowed several gulps of water.
Even if they wanted to cover their mouths, the force of the spinning torrent made it impossible to move properly.
’Even with air, there’s no way I can beat this woman in the water!’ Gajeel thought bitterly, barely able to keep one eye open.
His back slamd into a stone pillar, snapping it in half. He continued drifting helplessly until he crashed into the cave wall. Almost imdiately after, Levy, now half-unconscious, was flung into his chest.
And that wasn’t the end.
The two massive pieces of the shattered stone pillar, carried by the current, now hurtled toward them.
"Oh no!"
Gajeel clutched Levy and tried to twist away, but there was no way he could outrun the water-propelled boulders.
He puffed out his cheeks, about to unleash a breath attack, even if it ant drowning, just to shield Levy.
But before he could act, a silver fish with white bangs darted in front of him.
It was Lisanna.
She transford back into her human form mid-swim, drew the Rose Sword from her back, and slashed cleanly at the two chunks of rock.
The mont they touched the blade, the stones softened like butter and flowed harmlessly to the sides.
Gajeel exhaled in relief. He imdiately looked down at Levy.
Her eyes were still closed.
He hesitated for a mont, then raised his hand in surrender.
The water that had flooded the entire cave swiftly receded.
Juvia and Lisanna landed gracefully on solid ground. Gajeel remained seated, cradling Levy in his lap. She hadn’t woken up.
"Hey, shrimp... shrimp!"
Gajeel shook her gently. When she didn’t respond, a flicker of panic appeared in his eyes.
"Levy!" Lisanna knelt beside him. "Did she choke on water? We need to get her to spit it out quickly."
Lisanna knew the basics of first aid, but just as she was about to act, Gajeel stopped her.
"No need for all that trouble. Let her do it."
"Miss Levy!" Juvia knelt on the other side, placed her hand on Levy’s chest, and smoothly slid it upward.
A narrow stream of water flowed out from Levy’s mouth and splashed into the nearby pond.
"Cough... cough cough..." Levy stirred awake, opening his eyes to see Gajeel’s face looming above, tal bolts and all.
His face was actually filled with concern. "You alright?"
"Mm..."
Levy mumbled a reply, only realizing what had happened after responding. "Ah, I’m fine."
"Ohhh~~~" Lisanna, relieved to see Levy okay, couldn’t help teasing. "You know, according to the usual story progression, aren’t you supposed to wake up after soone gives you mouth-to-mouth? Levy, you woke up way too soon."
Levy’s face turned crimson. She instantly scrambled out of Gajeel’s arms, bolted a few feet away, covered her face, and squatted down in embarrassnt.
"What are you even talking about..." Gajeel turned away, flustered and refusing to make eye contact.
"Haha!" Lisanna laughed out loud. "Look at them, Juvia?"
She turned to her side, ready to pull Juvia into the fun, only to find Juvia’s face just as red as Levy’s.
But Juvia’s expression... Lisanna hesitated. She didn’t want to think badly of her friend, but honestly, there was only one word that ca to mind to describe that look.
If she had known a single comnt like that could emotionally wreck three people at once, she wouldn’t have tried so hard during the battle.
Lisanna kept laughing, but as she did, a strange feeling of defeat washed over her.
...
Stones PLZzz
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