One-on-One Fight

All the keys served the same purpose of opening the gate to the Great Tree, so they were connected to each other and could help find the others.

"Looks like we didn't wait for nothing." Ern smiled, "Axalts, Plants, and Constructs just got the timing wrong. They got here after someone started the trial, but I wonder... what the trial was."

"One of the hardest..." Alas muttered before pointing to the massive crown mark on the root.

"Hmm? A crown? What does that mean?" Erza frowned.

"It's Pride." Alas said calmly as he prepared for battle.

A beam of energy disappeared, and a silhouette revealed itself. It was a tall man with long white hair, pale skin, and amber eyes.

"Is that Ashen?" Ern muttered, for some reason he wasn't sure, though the appearance fit perfectly, "His aura is kind of strange, it's too calm for the always-active Ashens."

"Look..." Erza pointed to his back in a dazed voice.

"That's..."