A regular mage wouldn't stand a chance against the sibling duo of Mar and Vina.
But Zankuro was clearly no ordinary mage.
The black flaming greatsword sliced through, sending shields and longswords flying, and breaking the shaft of the long spear.
"Ahhh..." The two were forced back by the flames, their clothes catching fire and their skin scorched.
Elfman held the two's backs, pushing them to the ground, while he rushed to face Zankuro.
The beastly arm grabbed the black flaming fist, smoke sizzling from the palm.
Elfman's face showed pain, yet he didn't let go, instead tightening his grip on the opponent's fist:
"Man!"
Elfman's arm suddenly exerted force, flinging Zankuro away.
He wanted to buy some time for the siblings to escape, but unfortunately, things didn't go as planned.
Zankuro twisted in the air, kicking off a large tree, rebounding with black flames all over:
"Flame God's Kick!"
"Iron Bull Arm!"
"Ugh!" The iron fist struck Zankuro's head, getting burned all the same.
Zankuro not only took Elfman's punch but also rammed his head into Elfman's chest, knocking him away.
Elfman skidded on the ground for over a dozen meters before barely stopping. This guy... was too strong.
It was just like fighting Natsu at full power.
Zankuro stretched his neck with his hands on his hips: "What, is this all Fairy Tail has to offer?"
Elfman struggled to his feet, clutching his burned right hand with a fierce look: "Don't you... insult Fairy Tail!"
Zankuro asked mockingly: "Oh? And what can you do?"
Of course, it was to fight. Normally, he'd fight to the end for the guild's honor.
But today, he had a mission.
Elfman took out the magic book again, injected Magic Power, and the pages shattered one by one.
Lightning, hurricanes, frost, water blades, all kinds of magic flew towards Zankuro.
Elfman didn't care to see the outcome, sprinting to Mar and Vina's side. Without asking their opinion, he hoisted them up and ran.
The fire on the siblings had been extinguished, and the shield, longsword, and broken spear were retrieved.
They hadn't realized how strong the enemy was, thinking as long as they got close, they could win and avenge their village.
But...
"Flame God's... Roar!"
Zankuro spat out black flames, devouring all the magic Elfman had launched.
As Elfman ran, he turned his head to see nothing but black flames.
The three of them showed the same terrified expressions as the flames engulfed them.
Zankuro wiped his mouth: "Hehehe... Maybe I overdid it, hope they didn't die."
As the black flames cleared, only a burly silhouette met Zankuro's eyes.
The siblings were huddled back-to-back, both held in Elfman's embrace.
His clothes were more tattered, his back covered in burns, yet the siblings were unharmed under his protection.
Mar looked at him in shock: "You... why go to such lengths...?"
"Fairy Tail mages... won't easily abandon a mission, I promised Mr. Peter..."
Elfman couldn't hold on, toppling to the side, struggling to say, "You... run..."
"Hehehe... This is what weaklings look like, so pathetic!" Zankuro laughed maniacally, "Weaklings should just obediently die!"
Mar supported Elfman's body, gritting his teeth, he pushed Elfman to his sister, picked up the broken spear and round shield, and stood:
"Don't insult warriors who give it their all... Also, give the village back to me!"
"Brother..." Vina wanted to dissuade him, no matter how unwilling, they couldn't defeat that person.
If he wanted, he might destroy the entire forest with one strike.
"Oh? Not running after witnessing my power?" Zankuro laughed, "Kaburico sure picked some stubborn servants."
No matter how stubborn or brave they were, in the face of Kaburico's magic, they'd have to submit, he wielded the 'King's Magic'.
But thinking of doing such errands for him, Zankuro felt very annoyed.
He punched Mar's shield.
Mar was sent flying, the shield destroyed by black flames, yet he charged on with the broken spear.
Zankuro kicked again, the spear was sent flying, spinning in the air before embedding into the ground.
"Can't you just lay down?"
Mar, eyes red with rage, pounced again, but was battered and bruised by Zankuro.
Fueled by fierce determination, he kept getting up, even willing to bite if it meant tearing a chunk from this murderer.
"Tsk~ getting a bit tedious."
Zankuro pulled the embedded spear, just tell Kaburico he accidentally did it? Let him find his own servant.
"Brother!!"
Thunk...
The sound of a spear entering a body, Mar's eyes lost their fury and hatred, replaced by terror, his body trembling uncontrollably: "Vina..."
Vina's silhouette was right before him, the spear's blade... was there too.
"Vina!!!"
Zankuro seemed startled for a moment, then burst out laughing:
"Haha~ What is this? Finally, some entertaining drama for me, this is what weaklings are, hahaha!"
"Vina!" Mar held Vina, mind blank.
His sister had been pierced by his own spear, by the enemy...
"Brother... run..." Vina clutched her wound, struggling to speak, "Leave here, at least, at least you have to survive..."
"No... no, stay with me, stay..." For the first time, tears rolled down Mar's face, dripping onto Vina.
Vina wanted to say more, but that half spear shaft was suddenly clutched and forcefully pulled out.
Vina coughed up blood, collapsing in Mar's arms.
"Vina, Vina!"
"Enough. Enough drama, time to head back." Zankuro raised the spear again, thrusting forcefully down.
Bang!
A massive fist imprinted on Zankuro's face, sending him flying, breaking a large tree and crushing a few lackeys.
A tall creature with horns stood before the siblings: "I could say the same, enough."
"Don't... destroy someone else's family so easily!"
"Full-Body Take Over: Beast King's Soul!"
"Oh? Decent, but... you've angered me!" Zankuro flared up with pitch-black flames, stepping towards Elfman.
"I won't allow this to happen again... A man must be strong enough! I never want to see tears shed for family again!!!"
Elfman roared and charged: "Beast King's Fist!"
"Beasts should tremble before Divine Fire!" Zankuro's arms opened and closed forward, forming a massive black fireball,
"Flame God... Kagutsuchi!"