In his peripheral vision, he could see Eustass Kid's unconscious body. Still breathing; despite the cracking sound that had emitted from the boy after a hard strike from Doflamingo, not enough damage had been done to warrant immediate medical attention. Law knew this because he had endured the very same strike, multiple times, consecutively. It had not killed him and it would not kill Eustass.

There was blood.

Eustass Kid; a strong name but the boy's body did not complement it. It leaked too quickly.

"You truly intend to fight me, Law? What's gotten into you?"

Indeed, what has? What has overcome him? To stand here, before Doflamingo Donquixote, and raise his hand in belligerence. To rebel against his- what? Mentor? Captain?

…Father?

He was out of options, he told himself.

Law could not play dead now, for Eustass had already taken that role. It was for the best anyhow; Doflamingo would not kill Law, no matter what. Eustass, however, was not gifted with the same handicap.

This was for the best.

"Then so be it, Law. I'd be more than happy to discipline you." A row of white was revealed as Doflamingo grinned, but fear did not penetrate Law- his body has closed now, and nothing of Doflamingo's would ever enter again. Law had begun cutting; the strings in him, strings in his dreams- nothing but a thing of the past, dear puppet master. He's got no strings on him; he'd sing it, if he knew the song.

Fear did not matter now. All that mattered was the Art of War. Words meant little, the time for action had come and Law had built enough momentum to even move the immovable Doflamingo Donquixote.

He asked himself: am I ready?

His spine bristled, ready. Eustass's heartbeat thumped between his ears; yes, still alive. This beat would be his war cry.

Resolve, guiding his hand, unsheathed his blade. His movements were devoid of the usual clumsiness brought on by insecurity- there was simply no time for it. The time for sentimentality had passed, and the time for forgiveness, too.

As the blue manifested within his shaking palm, stillness overcame him.

"Room."