EPISODIUM
Determining Natsu to be a threat, Brandish re-enlarges his tumor and declares her loyalty to Alvarez. Lucy reluctantly fights Brandish to save Natsu, but Dimaria intervenes. Deducing that Brandish is only pretending to fight Lucy seriously, Dimaria severely injures Brandish and kidnaps Natsu and Lucy. At the guild, Mavis is freed from Invel's control and escapes with the help of Mest; she also shares a brief reunion with Zera, who disappears again. Meanwhile, Lucy faints when Dimaria attempts to gouge her eyes out; upon awakening, Lucy discovers that Natsu has brutally defeated Dimaria. Brandish returns after being treated by Porlyusica, who reveals that Natsu's tumor is actually the trigger to E.N.D.'s awakening. Having assumed a more demonic form, Natsu wanders the battlefield in search of Zeref, but is impeded by Gray.