She wanted to die, but she knew her friend would never forgive her for that. However, just the act of breathing sent severe pain to her bruised body. Her magic power had already run out minutes ago and she knew that no one would be coming for her.

She had used her remaining magic power to use the Seilah-demon form to order her friends to escape without her. No one would come to her rescue no matter how much she longed for.

She was utterly alone.

But perhaps this is for the best, she thought, no one will die because of her.

Again.

'Any last word?' someone said with a cruel voice, and kicked her stomach causing her to cough out even more blood despite the pool of blood flowing out from her left side. 'You have done well to survive this long. Yet here and now, you will meet your end, she-devil.'

She struggled to even open her eyes. Her opponent was simply too strong for her, for her guild. Even her scarlet haired rival could not beat him.

Her rival had already done a great job to weaken the enemy before any reinforcement came, but he was still strong, strong enough to take even Laxus down.

'I do not like hurting girls but since you insisted on defeating me, I will gladly do so,' he said again. A pointy object then gently touched her neck and she knew her time is up.

His sword could even clear out an entire forest with a single slash. With this close distance, she is dead for sure.

Her mind then flashed out her precious memory with her friends. People said when one is dying, one's whole life will then play out in one's mind. Isn't this happening now?

She saw her sparring with the re-quip mage, chatting with Lucy, seeing the two boys fighting each other every single day, reuniting with Lisanna…..

Those are some wonderful memories, she thought, I hope I get to have even more with them.

She then waited for that struck to end her life, yet it never came.

She slowly opened her eyes and saw only the color of red. For an instance, she thought it was her blood until she saw that color was attaching to someone.

'Erza!' she shouted. To be honest, she never thought she would be the one here given what happened between them not long before.

Erza was already seriously injured before she ordered Elfman to take her away. Yet she was here, with her back facing her.

'Don't you dare touch Mira!' Erza growled.

She had never seen her that angry before, not even when she was fighting with Minerva back into the Grand Magic Games.

Thanks to Erza, she escaped her death now, but she knew she would meet it sooner or later. Both of them were out of magic power, not to mention their tattered body.

She could see Erza's upper body covered with bandages, and could see blood seeping out from those snow white bandages.

Erza held two katana on her two hands and stood in front of her. She admired her friend's bravery at the same time worried about her conditions. 'Erza, your injuries! They are bleeding!'

'I am fine, Wendy healed me,' Erza said plainly. Still, she could hear from her strained voice to know she was definitely NOT okay. Besides her short blue skirt signified that she had run out of her magic power. 'I will take him down. Natsu, take Mira out here now.'

That was when she finally realized Natsu was here by her side.

Why can't I feel his presence?

'No way I am doing that,' Natsu objected, 'you cannot beat him alone.'

'Natsu, have I ever lied to you?' Erza said gently, still not facing them.

'But…'

'I will be fine,' Erza cut him off, 'now take Mira back, I will be back in a jiffy. I promise,'

'Oh? So now I am facing the almighty Titania? It sounds awfully wonderful.' the man grinned, entering into a battle stance.

'Now go, Natsu.' Erza then entered into her battle stance too.

Natsu hesitated, but still carried Mira on his back, 'Don't you dare break that promise, ya hear me?' was all he said before he bursted into a sprint.

Natsu kept running and running in the forest. He just wanted to get out of here soon to help Erza, but the trees seemed to block his way, making him running at a slower pace than usual. It pains him even more when he could not ignite his hand on fire to run faster or burn the whole forest down.

It was an effort not to cry in pain as Natsu ran, causing her to bump on his back, which hit her injury every time.

'Natsu, you can put me down. Go and help Erza! She can never beat that guy alone!' she urged.

'No,' Natsu said simply.

'What?'

'No,' he repeated, 'If Erza says she can, then she can! She never lies!'

Mira nearly swore at his God damned optimism upon hearing that.

'Not this time, Natsu! You saw what he did to Laxus. You know how powerful he is and I am telling you Erza cannot beat him alone! You have to help her!' Mira tried to reason with him, telling him his endless optimism would not work here.

'I know! But she asked me to take you back and I will do it.' his voice was shaking but he continued, ' Erza is strong, she can beat him for sure and she promised me to return!'

Mira then realized that he was actually crying, 'Natsu…..'

'She said she will return and she will!' Natsu said through his tears, ' we should believe in her!'

So he knows what will happen to Erza, doesn't he? That's why he is crying. Erza is his friend.

No, they are even closer.

She had taken care of him like a little brother and he is about to lose her.

Mira knew how much it hurts to lose a family member and knew that Natsu understood that pain too.

'Natsu,' she said again, she was about to apologize to him when she felt a wave of magic power bursted behind them.

'Natsu, GET DOWN!' she shouted but it was too late. That blast of energy sent them both flying to a hole nearby.

That blast of energy… it does not belong to Erza…... Then it must be that guy's…

'Ouch,' Natsu said, rubbing his forehead, 'and I thought it would not hit.' He stood up and looked around. The hole was not really that deep, but it would still take some time for them both to get out. His dragon nose then detected the scent of blood, he followed and found Mira lying on the ground not far from him, face contorted in pain.

'Mira, are you alright, Mira!' he grasped at the lying figure in front of him. His dragon nose scented her blood pouring out. He instantly turned her over finding the source and ripped part of his shirt to wrap her injury.

The injury is bad, he thought, I have to take her back quick.

He then picked up some footsteps approaching and tensed his body.

Crab, is that the guy? Then does that mean Erza…... Natsu instantly shook that thought away. No, it will and could not be. Erza will not be defeated by the likes of him who only craved on blood.

But what if it is him? There is no way I can fight if I need to take care of Mira at the same time.

The sound just kept approaching with no intention to stop.

Damn. The wind is not blowing to my direction. I cannot tell if it is a foe or friend. But I'd better prepare for anything, just in case.

Natsu calmed his mind down, he had to take Mira back or else Erza will be mad at him.

If she survives.

She will be fine, Natsu told himself, cursing himself for not trusting her.

Right now I have to concentrate. It may be him or the monsters lurking around.

I can do it. Natsu told himself. No, I MUST do it.

For Mira's sake.

For Erza's sake.