Chapter 437

"Goodbye, everyone."

Aizen slowly turned around and said calmly:

"The next time we meet, I won't hold back like I did this time."

"However, before that, if you can survive."

"Wait, leave Lucy behind!"

Rumble rumble—!

Accompanied by a burst of violent sound, Aizen stepped straight into the darkness of the void.

At the same time, on the other side, Gin Ichimaru, who had been stalling Ulquiorra all along, did not hesitate in the slightest.

Only Lucy, who had been forced to go along, in the instant before stepping in, let her gaze linger deeply on her former self.

After all three stepped into it, the rift in the sky instantly closed, then slowly began to fade until nothing remained.

Bang—!

Staring at the empty space, Erza's trembling gaze dropped her to her knees; the same was true for Gray, Wendy, Happy, and even Charle.

"This is all my fault…"

Clenching her fists, Erza's entire body trembled, her eyes filled with emptiness and a trace of remorse.

If she hadn't chosen to seize the 'Fragment of the Great Will,' Natsu wouldn't have been hurt, and Lucy wouldn't have been taken away because of it.

This…

It's all her fault.

The anguish in her heart nearly swallowed her whole.

Rumble rumble—!

However, just at that moment a terrifying explosion blasted behind Erza.

"Stand up, human!"

At the same time, a voice suddenly surfaced in her mind.

And the owner of that voice was none other than the Fire Long Wang Igneel from before.

"Stand up, human, this war isn't over yet…"

"Are you talking to me?"

Erza raised her head and stared blankly at that mountain-like figure.

And at the same time she raised her head, Erza also noticed that the Hollows high in the sky had begun plummeting down, like a flood of savage beasts charging toward the people on the ground.

Hollows—Hollows catalyzed by Aizen.

Drawing out the souls that perished in this war, using the Hōgyoku or forbidden arts to sever the chains of cause and effect within them, causing them to fall into darkness.

Those who could cross the forest and enter the plains were undoubtedly no ordinary humans; as Mages, their souls were far stronger than those of ordinary people.

After a simple catalysis, they were transformed into Hollows, serving as the final gift Aizen left behind before departing.

Facing the Hollows, Erza merely glanced up; her gaze unchanged, she slowly lowered her head again.

"It's just… if I can't even protect my companions, what could I possibly do…"

Having lost her home as a child and become an orphan, Erza had long regarded her companions in the guild as family, and now because of her own decision her family had been hurt.

For Erza, this was utterly unacceptable.

Unconsciously, Erza began to gradually accept the words Aizen had spoken before leaving.

If she had enough strength, none of this would have happened—Natsu wouldn't have fallen unconscious, and Lucy wouldn't have been taken away.

Power!

Yes, that's right!

Power!

At this moment, Erza craved power as never before; a hint of madness gradually rose in her eyes, and her body trembled more and more.

"Snap out of it!"

Seeing this, Fire Long Wang Igneel immediately rebuked her.

"The great mistake has already been made, neither you nor I can undo it—do you intend to wallow in depravity like this?"

But even so, the madness in Erza's eyes did not fade; it only intensified, and her craving for power grew ever stronger.

Yet, the more so, the deeper the remorse in her heart.

Watching Erza grow increasingly unhinged, Igneel unleashed another roar to block the Hollows attacking Erza and the others, while roaring at Erza once more.

"Are you planning to give up even the chance to save your companions, or have you already completely abandoned Lucy!"

Like a bolt from clear sky, Igneel's voice thundered in Erza's heart, and along with that roar, in an instant Erza slowly came back to her senses.

That's right—she still had other companions waiting for her protection.

Her gaze calmed, and as it did, Erza also noticed that with the appearance and advance of the Hollows, her companions were steadily retreating, already nearly pushed to the point of having nowhere left to retreat.

Seeing this, Erza immediately gripped her magic sword and charged straight in, engaging the Hollows.

(Note: King) Those besieged by Hollows were not only the few of them; the others were also surrounded by Hollows, and no matter how many they slew, the Hollows' numbers did not decrease—in fact, they kept increasing.

"Hey, hey, hey, if you're leaving, then leave, but why leave behind so much trash? You know that's a fineable offense."

"But, calculating the time, it's about time; this game really should be ending."

Facing Ulquiorra, no matter how strong Rugilisi was, he could not hold him back; however, having lost his opponent, Rugilisi did free up his hands.

Under the trembling gazes of the crowd, Rugilisi took out two stones from behind him, and with the appearance of those stones, everyone's heart gave a sudden jolt!.