That's right. I'm Ophiuchus, the Serpent Bearer,
and this, becoming one with a serpent, is my true form.
But also, Astral Spirytus and everything in it is my body!
You have been battling inside my body all this time.
Everything is going exactly as we planned it.
Liberum is the ceremony that releases Celestial Spirits from their contracts with humans!
And this time, we are going to complete it!
You are diligent in everything, King of the Celestial Spirits.
What was that tremor before?
I dunno.
We suddenly found ourselves here.
You're here.
Everyone... What is this place?
I don't know exactly, but we're all showin' up here.
It seems things have gone smoothly for all of us.
I closed the gate on my Celestial Spirit.
Juvia is sad.
I have a feeling I missed a precious moment in Gray-sama's life.
You're imagining things! Forget about it!
I was the first one here, which must mean I closed my gate first!
Man!
That's great!
This is the first time I've beaten Erza, Nee-chan!
I'm happy for you, Elfman!
We're not in a timed competition over closing the gates.
So I don't mind if you choose to see it that way, but...
Cut it out. That's not mature.
So how did it go with you, Erza?
With Sagittarius the Archer?
It took some time, but proved to be good exercise.
By the way, I don't see Natsu.
Not Lucy, Yukino, or the cats either.
The Lion, the Virgin, and the Scales...
I hope Princess Hisui and Arcadios are safe.
There was a huge impact a little while ago.
Natsu vs. Leo!
Stars?
Those are constellations.
Constellations?
Taurus.
Gemini.
Scorpio.
Sagittarius.
That's Cancer, right?
Go like this and this... There are two fish!
That's Pisces, right?
And Aquarius...
...and Capricorn!
And Aries...
That makes nine constellations.
Those constellations...
...are the solar eclipse Celestial Spirits who have been sealed away in the Spirit World.
We beseech the darkness.
We desire the brilliance of the 12 signs of the Zodiac to be enshrouded in darkness
and the bond between the heavens, Earthland, and humans to be severed!
Our souls seek true eternity!
We seek absolute freedom!
Bastard! What are you blabberin' about?!
Liberum!
You still intend to do it?!
Lord of Shadows... Lord of Stars... Lord of Eternity...
Release the bond that chains our souls to the celestial globe...
...into the sky of unlimited time!
But how does he know about Liberum?
Ophiuchus told me.
She said if the power from this celestial globe is sent
to the constellations of the sealed away, eclipsed Celestial Spirits,
Liberum will be successfully executed!
No...
Even though everyone worked so hard to close the gates on the Celestial Spirits...
It was all for nothing!
Observe, humans!
Those stars' brilliance, it longs for freedom!
But isn't it just for 12 days?!
You guys don't care if you die?!
I already told you! You people couldn't begin to understand our feelings!
I'm going to cast darkness upon the constellations and accomplish Liberum!
Not as long as I'm around!
What is this?!
Power from the celestial globe is being sent to the constellations
of the sealed, eclipsed Celestial Spirits.
Don't tell me Liberum is starting up again?!
I hate to think so, but... that's probably it.
No...
But it's impossible.
How do you mean?
If it's possible to send power to the Spirits in their world via the constellations...
...why did they go to all the trouble of performing the ceremony here at Astral Spirytus?
Good point. If they'd returned to the Spirit World after getting the celestial globe,
they should have been able to achieve Liberum without human interference.
Leo is the leader of the eclipsed Celestial Spirits.
There may be some new force at work with those Celestial Spirits.
A new force... What could it be?!
Everything is proceeding smoothly, King of the Celestial Spirits.
We have to leave this place and join in the effort to prevent Liberum, too.
Yes. If we consider that the location of the twinkling Ras Algethi is next to Ophiuchus,
then Natsu and the others are in this direction.
Natsu Dragneel... I will destroy you!
Look out!
Iron Fist...
Iron Hammer...
Two flames...
...are gonna collide!
...of the Fire Dragon!
...of Darkness!
Human, are you going to rely on help from the Exceeds next?
I don't want Happy to help me against an opponent
who would pick him off with some dirty light!
Human, I told you before. This light isn't dirty.
It's the light of longing that seeks freedom!
Is that right? It just looks like smoke from a dirty chimney to me!
Drown in my darkness!
Drown?!
Get the celestial globe, you guys!
Right!
Aye, sir!
Leave it to us!
Oh, no, they don't!
Whoa! I'm your opponent.
My light will dispel your darkness!
We can't get in close like this!
Maybe it's attacking in response!
Get close to it somehow!
Aye, sir!
The mountain disappeared...
W-Wow...
If we get hit head on like that, too...
Watch out!
Once, I possessed the power of the Lord of Light, Regulus.
But now, the power of darkness I've gained is Dark Regulus!
Come at me again, human!
Great idea!
Iron Fist...
...of the Fire Dragon!
He sucked up my fire?!
Darkness siphons and absorbs all light, nullifying it!
Your flames cannot pierce my armor when I am cloaked in darkness!
Shut up, already! Claw of the Fire Dragon!
You sucked that up too, huh?
Now it's my turn.
Can you stop my attack, human?
Watch me!
Is this you being serious?
What?!
Sanction of Darkness!
In the end, this is the best a mere human can do.
You mean you can't crush a mere human like me?
Iron Fist of the Fire Dragon!
What the hell? For all the bragging you did about absorbin' my power,
you're a pushover!
Human, you think too highly of yourself.
Say what you want, I just proved that my flames are stronger than yours!
Silence!
It looks like you'll provide me with amusement, after all!
Now I'm fired up!
We're almost there!
Hang in there, Carla!
A little further, a little further...
We did it!
Wendy!
Not paying attention during a battle is naive, human!
Wendy! Wendy!
How long are you going to sleep?! We have to save Wendy!
W-Wendy!
Wendy!
Wendy. Good...
My compatriots who are connected to me by the stars...
Use flames born of darkness to burn through the bond with this world!
The light of Liberum is the only thing we should follow!
We're almost there...
This is your next punishment!
The rings and a vaulting horse? I don't understand!
Don't worry! You'll get it when you do it.
But I don't wanna do it!
What's that light?
Is this... my punishment?
Of course not!
I see... Leo must have resumed Liberum.
Resumed Liberum?!
The vaulting horse is cancelled.
To gain true freedom,
I'm seriously going to beat you!
Virgo, if you want freedom,
then I'll help you!
But even if you get freedom by doing it this way, you'll only live for 12 days!
I told you already, that's plenty!
I don't wanna lose you!
There is a balance to everything.
How long are you going to keep this up?
Would you like me to end it now?
There is a balance to everything!
Now then, what shall I do?
Libra! What's wrong?!
Liberum has been resumed.
Then what's that light?
But it's made me lose my balance!
Roar of the...
Roar of...
...the Fire Dragon!
...Darkness!
It seems you can't best the power of darkness, after all.
S-Shut up, you copycat dillweed!
Crimson Lotus Exploding Flame Edge!
Exploding Flame Edge of Darkness!
Human, you're close to your limit.
Have you realized that the force of your flames has weakened?
And it appears that your flames... can run out.
Then... are your flames of darkness... neverending?
There is a limit. But as long as there is light, there is darkness.
Right now, when the darkness is trying to dominate the light,
the power of darkness will continue to well up!
What the hell is that?
Purge of Darkness!
Wendy! Wendy! You're conscious?!
Where's the celestial globe?
Happy's doing his best, but...
Why, you...!
Roar of the Sky Dragon!
Thanks, Wendy...
Carla, take me to the celestial globe one more time!
Sure, but...
Natsu-san is making a desperate effort! So the least I can do is risk my life, too!
But if it doesn't work...
Please!
Okay!
Drop me over the celestial globe!
You can count on me!
Here I go!
Wendy?!
Now!
Dragon Slayer's Secret Art! Light Burst: Sky Drill!
Wendy!
Thanks.
No good. Defeating Loke is the only way Liberum can be stopped!
B-Bastard...
Brilliant Flame of the Fire Dragon!
What's wrong?
It looks like I've drained all the flames out of you.
You're empty!
Fateful black flames of vindication...
Give my soul true brilliance!
That's it. Stronger... brighter brilliance... and then...
I told you to stop this!
Why are you going this far to try to prevent us from gaining freedom?
Quit makin' me repeat myself!
If you jerks disappear, Lucy's gonna cry!
What do I care?!
All that matters is that absorbing your searing flames has strengthened
my flames of darkness, you annoying gnat!
And now you'll drown in my darkness!
Eternal darkness, that is!
If you ate my flames, you'll have to cough 'em back up.
I don't know if the darkness is controllin' you or what, but remember this!
Whatever happens from here on out, you'll always be Lucy's friend, Loke!
Black Flame Dragon Mode! Dragon Slayer's Secret Art!
Exploding Flame Edge of Darkness!
He did it!
Aye, sir!
You did it, Natsu!
That's strange.
Even though Loke disappeared...
...Liberum is continuing.
What does this mean?
Something is strange about this.
That's Leo.
Which means Leo's gate was closed.
And yet, Liberum continues.
Omnia... Magna... Stella... Rex Prae...
Is that voice Ophiuchus?
What's she saying?
Omelet... Mackerel... Tempura...
That's just what you wanna eat!
How did you know?!
Omni... Magna... Stella... Rex Prae...
Is it all "praise the lord"-type stuff?
Don't tell me...
Dammit! That Ophiuchus is a strong-ass snake! You know, Happy?
Shhh! Keep it down, Natsu!
What is it? I don't usually see you look this serious.
I'm carefully observing Ophiuchus.
Observing? How's that?
I'm trying to decide whether I can treat that serpent, Ophiuchus, like a fish or not!
Who really cares?
Next time: Ophiuchus the Serpent Bearer!
So which did you decide?
Hmm... she doesn't look tasty, so I'm going with "snake"!