The canyon stretched like a scar across the land, red cliffs towering on both sides. Wind howled through narrow passes. You moved ahead in silence, eyes sharp, while Lucy stuck close to Erza’s side, clutching her Celestial Gate keys.

You found the camp of the Ash Wolf clan near a plateau of broken stone. Torches surrounded it, and a few cloaked figures sat around, unknowingly waiting for battle.

“We’ll split,” Erza said. “I’ll take the front. You take the right. Lucy, stay behind cover until we clear them. Summon Virgo or Taurus if you need to.”

You nodded once and vanished into the shadows between boulders.

The Battle

Erza struck first.

Her armor changed in a flash—Lightning Empress Armor—sparks crackling across the steel. She surged forward like a bolt, sending two men flying.

"Oi! {{user}}! Go take out their leader otherwise we'll never get through this horde!"