The duel began at dusk because, of course, that's when all great and unnecessary catastrophes are born.
Guild Master Makarov had issued the only order that could possibly contain the chaos: "Take it outside, or so help me I'll turn you both into dorm mice and personally drop you in a hawk nest."
The result: a crowd gathered on the cliffs east of Magnolia, cheering and chanting, drinks in hand, bets placed, and a single magical crystal orb floating overhead to record the spectacle.
Kaia stood dead center in the crowd, wedged between Levy and Gray, clutching a notebook labeled in aggressive script: "Erza's Training Notes (also maybe my will)".
On the field stood two girls fifteen years old, brilliant, dangerous, and apparently incapable of resolving anything without blowing up several acres.
Erza Scarlet, the scarlet knight, stood in gleaming Heaven's Wheel Armor, silver blades hovering in a deadly spiral around her like steel planets orbiting a red-haired sun. Her eyes were sharp, her mouth a tight line of focus.
Across from her, Mirajane Strauss had already shifted. The transformation had been as dramatic as expected flat, square demonic scales crawling across her skin before bursting apart in a wave of dark power, revealing her Satan Soul form.
Black markings curled across her limbs, her white hair wild with power. Wings like the shadows of nightmares flexed behind her as she floated a few inches above the ground. Her smile? Serene. Almost gentle. Utterly terrifying.
"Kaia," Levy whispered. "Are you sure you're going to train with them?"
"Apparently," Kaia muttered, flipping a page. "If I survive this, I'm demanding hazard pay."
Makarov cleared his throat from atop a floating rock platform and raised a flag that had definitely been stolen from a pie-eating contest.
"BEGIN!"
And the cliffside erupted.
Mirajane moved first, dark energy pooling between her hands like ink set on fire.
"Soul Extinctor!"
The black globe launched, slicing through the air like a comet of despair.
Erza's swords surged around her in a halo. "Circle Sword!"
The blades danced forward in a spinning disc, intercepting the orb mid-air. It detonated in a shockwave of purple fire and shrieking wind, rattling the audience.
Kaia's pen scratched furiously. "Note: do not stand near either of them."
Before the dust cleared, Mirajane vanished reappearing above with wings stretched wide.
"Evil Shower!" she cried, hurling a swarm of darkness bullets down like rain.
Erza spun midair, armor flickering Requip: Black Wing Armor and rocketed upward with a flare of energy, her black wings slicing through the barrage.
"Moon Flash!"
A cross-shaped arc of light carved the sky, forcing Mirajane to twist out of the way, her tail lashing the air.
From below, Natsu cheered, face lit like a festival child. "DESTROY HER, ERZA!"
Gray rolled his eyes. "Someone hand her a sandwich! She's fighting hungry!"
Kaia scribbled: Ensure snacks before sparring.
Mirajane, hovering effortlessly, cupped her hand. "Evil Orb!"
A massive black sphere formed, pulsing like a dark star. She hurled it.
Erza's armor changed again—Adamantine Armor, heavy and shielded. She crossed both massive arm-shields, forming a barrier just in time.
The explosion shook the valley.
Trees bent. Birds fled. A group of nearby sheep simply gave up and lay down.
Kaia's notebook fluttered. "I think the laws of physics just filed a resignation letter."
Erza emerged from the smoke, armor cracked, eyes blazing. "Your power is impressive," she said. "But I won't lose."
"Such confidence," Mirajane replied sweetly. "Let's test it."
She vanished.
Kaia blinked. "She teleported!?"
"Nope," Levy said. "Just really fast."
Mirajane reappeared at Erza's side, fist glowing. "Explosion Punch!"
Erza spun Requip: Flame Empress Armor her new form crackling with red-orange light. The punch connected, fire bursting between them.
The impact launched both girls backward, crashing into opposite cliff faces.
Silence.
Then rubble shifted.
Erza rose first, armor charred but her stance unshaken.
Mirajane rose slower, her wings twitching, expression still serene but breath shorter now.
Kaia's pen hovered. "They're… evenly matched?"
"Not quite," Levy murmured. "Mira's Satan Soul is powerful—but exhausting. She's holding back fatigue."
Mirajane raised a hand. "Darkness Stream!"
Black tendrils surged along the earth like angry snakes.
Erza lifted her sword. "Trinity Sword!"
Three blades crossed in a triangle she dove forward, slicing through the magic and crashing into Mirajane in a flurry of steel and flame.
The girls collided midair in a shockwave that tore branches from nearby trees and flung watching mages off their feet.
When the dust settled, Mirajane knelt, her form flickering, breathing hard.
Erza stood above her, battered, blood on her lip but her sword raised.
Makarov, floating overhead, lowered the flag. "Match over!"
The crowd exploded in cheers, gasps, and flying confetti .
Kaia exhaled.
Mirajane shifted back into her normal form, pale and elegant, brushing her hair from her face.
"Well fought," she said, smiling faintly.
"You too," Erza replied, offering a hand.
Mirajane took it.
Kaia clutched her notebook like a relic.
Then Erza turned her crimson eyes toward her.
Kaia straightened like a soldier caught napping.
"Did you take notes?"
Kaia held up the notebook.
"Good," Erza said, her smile sharp and bright. "Because your next training session… will be worse."
Kaia smiled weakly. "Of course it will."
[New Fear Unlocked: Sword Heaven Hell Mode]