Enraged at the damage done to his tower, and deciding he no longer needs Erza as a sacrifice, Jellal tries to kill both Natsu and Erza, but Simon arrives and defends the two from Jellal's attack, killing him. Natsu becomes infuriated with Jellal at the sight of Erza crying over Simon's death and eats a chunk of lacrima containing Etherion, which greatly increases his physical and magical power, allowing him to defeat Jellal and destroy the tower. Realizing that the tower's remains have now become unstable and threaten to explode, Erza sacrifices herself when she merges with the tower lacrima to rescue Natsu.