A/N: Thank you so much for the reviews/favorites/alerts! I had no idea that there were so many Laxus/Mira shippers until now :D
"Oh…? This is weird… I-I can't seem to… move my body…"
Mirajane couldn't stop trembling. She held onto Lisanna's hand – it was ice cold. "Don't speak…"
The younger sister couldn't hear, couldn't see, couldn't feel. Was she all alone…? "Mira-nee… where are you…?"
The tears streamed down her cheeks. She had never felt so scared in her life. Not even when her parents left them. "I'm right here."
She couldn't be sure, but Lisanna believed that the blurred figure above her was her sister. Through pain, she turned towards her, "Mira-nee… you know… I really… I…"
"No…" Mirajane gripped onto her hand firmer. Right before her eyes, the life in her little sister was fading. "Lisanna…"
The girl smiled. That was it. She ran out of strength. Her vision darkened completely, her eyelids falling for the last time. The remains of her tears squeezed out, and she didn't answer anymore.
"Lisanna…" Mirajane called to her faintly.
No answer.
"Lisanna…!"
death
and
dream
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II
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"LISANNA!" Mirajane sprung up from her bed, and right then, a sharp pang of pain shot into every corner of her body. The girl yelped weakly and fell back down.
"Take it easy." Instructed an elderly woman.
The young take-over mage looked to the strict voice. "P-Porlyusica?"
The healer merely glanced. She walked over to Mirajane.
"How… how did I…?"
"You passed out after subduing the beast." Porlyusica explained as she watched Mirajane sit up. She observed the girl's injuries carefully. "Don't move so much. I've only managed to ease the pain. Your wounds are much deeper than they appear." And by 'deep', the healer was not referring to the girl's broken ribs, arm, and fractured bones. Right now wasn't the time to bring this up, however. Keeping her calm was her top priority.
"C-can you…"
But Mirajane spoke up before she could even start. Normally, she wouldn't respond to those filthy humans, but this was exception. The woman looked up in response.
Her cerulean eyes clashed with the healer's deep red ones. "… can you w-wake me up… I'm dreaming right now… I'm…" Her voice trembled as she spoke.
"…"
"Please, tell me that I'm dreaming. I-I have to be dreaming…"
Porlyusica looked back down – not because she wasn't interested in the conversation, but because she couldn't answer her. She couldn't lie to such a miserable girl, nor could she tell her the dreadful truth. So, instead, she rested a hand on the young mage's bandaged arm, tending to the wounds underneath. Immediately, however, warm teardrops fell from the girl's cheeks.
"I…" Mirajane started weakly, "… I was there…"
Porlyusica sighed.
"Lisanna – s-she was…" She looked into her palms which were trembling along with her entire body. Mirajane could remember it. The very moment her little sister's hand lost its strength—
"… Mira-nee… you know… I really… I…"
"No…"
—and then her eyes slowly closed—
"It wasn't real…" Mirajane whispered to herself. She held onto her head.
"Lisanna, open your eyes! Lisanna!"
She needed to get those images out of her head… she needed to—
"… don't leave me alone! Don't disappear!"
—stop her. She couldn't let her go, she couldn't accept the fact that her little sister was no more – "It wasn't real it wasn't real it wasn't real!"
"Child, calm down," Porlyusica said. She held onto Mirajane's shoulders, attempting to keep her still.
"No… no no no no no—" The girl fought wildly, backing up to the headboard of the bed, "—NO! Get away from me!"
I'm dreaming I'm dreaming I'm dreaming I'M ONLY DREAMING—
She pushed the woman's hand off herself with force, "I SAID GET AWAY!" Mirajane kicked the covers off herself. In a spur of panic, she dashed out of bed, brushing past Porlyusica to reach the doorway.
"Stupid child…" The healer muttered. Pointing out two fingers, Porlyusica directed a flash of faint, green light to Mirajane's back before the latter could reach the exit.
Mirajane was on full alert; this feeling wasn't foreign. She knew very well what it was. Within seconds, the warm sensation reached her spine, but before it could get to her head, she stopped the magical flow by equalizing it with her own, effectively dispersing the spell.
Porlyusica's eyes widened slightly, but she wasn't in all surprised, just side-tracked. Right, something as weak as sleep magic wouldn't affect the Demon, her mind noted.
Mirajane took the chance to escape. Without wasting another second, she burst out of the healer's house.
Said healer could only breathe out in frustration. To keep the girl still, she would have to knock her out, but it was quite obvious that she was no match against the Demon in terms of strength. Annoyed, Porlyusica looked out of the window. Through the rain, she was able to catch a glimpse of the young mage who was dashing into the forest at a haphazard speed. She decided that it was probably best to head over to Fairy Tail right now; the girl would probably need her there soon.
.
.
This was all just a dream, so she didn't care if she was being rude. But… even if this wasn't a dream… well, as long as Lisanna was safe, then she could always go back and apologize to Porlyusica for behaving so abruptly. Though, right now, she needed to make sure that her little sister was indeed safe.
So she ran. Even though the pain in her body was burning, drilling into her organs, Mirajane ran at full speed. Even though her lungs weren't functioning properly, and even though it felt like they were punctured, she ran, as fast as she could.
In no time, she was out of the eastern forest and was in the town of Magnolia itself. Mirajane took a second to catch her breath, but the pains in her body weren't subsiding. In fact, anyone would tell her right now that it was getting more intense – anyone including herself. She bit onto her lower lip and clawed at the flesh on her waist roughly. Maybe if she applied some other pain to herself, then the burning and aching pain would stop. Mirajane walked on, ignoring the looks of the townspeople and the freezing rain that fell from the grey skies. The former she had better success at, but not so much the latter, as the rain was ice-cold, very much like the touch of Lisanna's hand before she—
No, no, NO.
The girl shook her head rapidly. "It wasn't real…" She muttered to herself. Her legs started to move faster, despite the fact that the bottom of her feet were scratched and were bleeding from all the running. Right, she had forgotten to put on her boots when she burst out of the healer's house. How pathetic.
Mirajane gathered her strength to climb the tedious hill that led to the guild. It was getting hard to see, and she was pretty sure that she coughed out blood on several attempts when she gasped for air. Once she was on flat land again, however, her willpower kicked in and she limped her way to the building, bursting through the doors just as abruptly as she burst out of Porlyusica's headquarters.
"Lisanna!" She called.
Everyone spun to face the sound.
"M-Mirajane…!" Many called in unison.
"What are you doing…!" Some asked with concern, "You're a mess! Sit down!"
But she paid no attention to them. Her eyes searched frantically for the one, platinum-haired girl – she searched desperately through the crowed even though she could barely see—
"Mira!" Erza literally jumped off from the second level. She approached the Demon, holding out her arms as though she was to catch the girl. Mirajane looked like she was going to collapse any second. "We need to get you medical—"
Mirajane backed away, shaking her head stubbornly like a frightened and lost child. "N-no, I need to… need t-to…" She was panting heavily, barely voicing her words, "… f-find Lisanna… find her… I need to…"
The girl was in pain, and if the bandages around her arms, or the large, deep purple bruise on her ribs, or even the stream of blood that was trickling down from her mouth to chin did not prove it, then her tears, mixed with the rainwater, did. It was at that moment that Erza felt an agonizing strain weighing down heart. "Mira…"
She shook her head again. "S-she's not here… she's not here…" The take-over mage backed away even more.
"Mira, calm down. I need you to listen to me, okay?"
"No… no… Lisanna…" Mirajane whimpered. In a flash, she turned around and ran for the doorway, into the rain once again.
Several guild members stood up with hopes of chasing her, but they were stopped by Erza, "Don't move!" She yelled to get their attention. "Having so many people run after her would only make the situation worse. Somebody get Master and Porlyusica." She ordered, "I'll go after Mira."
.
.
So stupid. You're so stupid, Mirajane.
Her mind chanted the words in a low, haunting voice. As if she wasn't having enough trouble running and breathing at the same time, those words repeated endlessly, pushing her closer and closer off the edge of her sanity.
What if this is real…? Her mind started to wander. What if Lisanna really is dead? What have you been doing all this time, Mirajane?
The mage shook her head to get the thoughts out.
What are you trying to do?
She moved on, letting the rain hit her face so that she would get somewhat distracted—
"Mirajane Strauss!"
It took her a few more steps to realize that someone was calling to her. She looked behind her weakly, turning to face whoever the person was.
Erza clenched her fists. She ran over to her rival, all but concerned yet, at the same time, angered. "Stop running."
Breathing was already difficult, so talking was out of the question. Mirajane eyed the re-quip mage weakly. "Don't… come any… closer…" She panted each word out with effort. "This is… all just a… a dream…"
Her determination was firm; Erza found it difficult to break the Demon's will. She slowed down and approached her carefully. "Mira, we need to get you treatment…"
Once again, Mirajane shook her head stubbornly, "I… need to find… Lisanna…" She paused, catching her breath, "She might… might be at home… w-waiting for me… to… to cook—"A painful cough escaped her throat; Mirajane was interrupted by herself. She watched helplessly as the red liquid spilled out of her mouth, splattering onto the ground and mixing with the puddles of rainwater.
"Mira!"
"No! Don't come!" She shouted aggressively, clenching at her stomach now. "I don't… need help… I don't ever need help…!"
"You're dying!" Erza cried with fear.
… Dying?
…
"LISANNA!"
The Demon's eyes widened, her blue orbs compressed as the memories flashed vividly through her mind. Slowly, she was coming into realization.
It was real… all of it…
"Just please, come with me, Mira!"
"…"
"… are you listening to me?"
… No. It wasn't real, she wasn't going to accept it. Erza was wrong. Her memories were wrong. Nobody was dying. She wasn't dying.
"Mi—"
"SHUT UP!" A strong, dangerous flow of magical energy erupted from Mirajane's wounded body. It was powerful enough to push the S-class re-quip mage off the ground.
"Stop it!" Erza yelled as she shielded her face from the rocks and gravel that was flying all over the place. "Damn it, she's going out of control…!"
Mirajane's body began to emit a radiating white light – it engulfed her body, and at the same time, her figure began to transform. Black, circular magic seals appeared above and below the transforming Demon, and, as well, flames started to set off on the ground in her radius.
Erza widened her eyes. "Sitri…?" A heavy chill ran down her spine. To think that she could transform into her Sitri form with such wounds… just how much magical power could she possibly have…? "Mira, you need to stop!" Erza yelled through the intensity of the magical waves. At this rate, her rival was really going to lose her life. Uncontrolled darkness magic was able to swallow up its users entirely if they were not careful, and right now, Mirajane was anything but careful. She was downright reckless. Erza thought fast; she needed to knock her out. If the transformation succeeds, then she wouldn't be able to stop her without putting up a real fight. Even if she did, there was no guarantee that she could overpower her equal and the Mirajane…
She was losing it. Mirajane couldn't even see or hear her rival who was begging her to stop. All she knew was that she was going to take out that beast this time. She was going to kill it before it could control Elfman… before it could kill Lisanna.
"Gah…!"
More blood came up her throat. The transformation ceased as another sharp pain struck Mirajane. It robbed her of all the remaining strength she had left, and as her legs gave out, she fell with gravity—
Erza ran. "Mira!"
—but before she hit the gravel, a pair of arms caught her, subsequently softening her landing. Mirajane was about to look up to see who the person was, but darkness had already consumed her. She lost consciousness.
With the Demon in his arms, the man adjusted his arms so that he could hold her properly.
Erza had to admit that she was slightly more relieved for having him show up all of a sudden. Funny, though, that it was he of all people in the world who came to save the day. She approached him, and, looking at the saviour's knapsack, Erza couldn't help it but to feel impressed. This man only left two days prior for an S-class mission, but he was back already – no doubt, he was successful with the outcome.
He looked to the S-class mage before him, the one who was conscious. Eyeing her blankly, he asked his questions through their connected gaze.
Erza looked to make sure Mirajane had passed out, and then she spoke up, "Laxus…"
He stiffened. The mighty Titania never, ever spoke so weakly to him – not even to anyone. This was serious. His grip on the girl in his arms tightened; he was mentally preparing himself.
She never thought that saying it out loud would be so difficult. Erza believed that she could handle this situation maturely, but she was obviously wrong. Biting onto her lips, she started, "It's Lisanna," She almost whispered, "She's not here anymore."
"…" For a brief second, shock overwhelmed his blank expression. Laxus looked down at the unconscious Mirajane. She was resting against his chest snugly, her breathing rough. Then the lightning mage also noticed that the girl's feet were bleeding, that blood was streaming out of her mouth, her bandages wrapped around her arm were ruined, and the side of her waist was completely green and purple. Other matters could wait, right now, this girl was in desperate need of medical attention. "Let's go," He said plainly, moving back towards the guild.
Erza nodded and followed closely behind, barely succeeding in matching with his speed.
.
.
"How is she?" Makarov asked softly as he and Erza watched Porlyusica treat the wounded girl with her magic.
"Her injuries have gotten worse." The healer replied.
Makarov gritted his teeth. "This is all my fault…" He muttered. "Had I stayed longer at your place, then…"
Porlyusica turned around, glaring at the short old man. "I believe that even if your skills excel hers in every way, you would not have been able to match up with her willpower."
He didn't want to admit it, but Makarov knew that it was true. The very fact that she could run all this way from the eastern forest and nearly transform into her Sitri form with such injuries defied logic itself.
The woman sighed. Seeing her past guild-mate and long-time friend act so depressed made her feel guilty. If only she put more effort into stopping the girl back at her house…
Erza tensed up. She could feel the heavy atmosphere and she didn't like it. "She'll be fine."
The two adults turned to the red-haired girl.
"She's going to be fine." Erza repeated firmly. She forced herself to smile as she looked to her rival. "She's the Demon Mirajane. Something like this wouldn't take her life away, right?"
Hearing that, the tension in the air was immediately lifted, even if it was just a bit. For Makarov, especially, he felt a rush of pride and happiness running through his veins. The somber Erza Scarlet he brought back years ago had grown up into a mature, strong, and just young woman.
Erza kept her eyes on Mirajane. She was only speaking her heart out.
Yes indeed, something like this wasn't going to take Mirajane's life away – at least, not physically. Lisanna's death, on the other hand…
"Erza, you said that Laxus was the one who carried Mira back?"
She nodded. "Yes, master. Though, after leaving her here, he left immediately…"
The gentle expression on Makarov changed instantly. "Useless brat," He grunted. "… Always appearing and leaving as he pleases…"
Erza blinked curiously. She thought that the master ought to be more surprised that his grandson actually took the effort to carry Mirajane back. Judging by the lightning mage's selfish and cool-guy (and, dare she add, asshole) personality, shouldn't he have turned a blind-eye to the entire scenario? Yet, there he was; he carried the Demon back here without uttering a single word of complaint, almost as if it concerned him.
.
.
"So… where's Elfman now?"
The loud whispers circulated endlessly around the guild. Laxus focused on his music, trying hard to block out the unnecessary questions that he, too, wondered.
"Master said something about him being with the Magic Council…"
The blonde stared at the contents in his cup.
"… I mean, he did technically… y'know…"
Laxus turned up his music, but realized that it was already at maximum volume. This was perhaps the first time he was frowning over his powerful ears. They always came in handy when he needed to sense for danger during his missions, but right now, he was unintentionally using them to listen to gossips.
"How do you think Mira will react once she finds out?"
The lightning mage moved his cup in a circular motion, swirling the contents inside.
"I don't know, man… I mean, did you see her earlier?"
He looked down from the railing to the first floor at Macao and Wakaba, along with some other people he deemed too insignificant to be known.
"Yeah. Poor girl's a mess. I've never seen her like that before…"
God damn it. This was why he was getting increasingly annoyed by this guild. It was filled with too many weaklings that didn't benefit it in anyway; all they did was mope around and chat, gossip, waste time…
"That's enough." A deep, masculine voice called from the lower level, silencing the guild.
Laxus placed his cup back onto the table and watched casually as his grandfather emerged from the medical room.
"Don't you idiots have more to do than to sit and talk?" Makarov scolded, his hands clenched behind himself.
Cana ignored his question, as she was far more worried about the situation. "Master, how's Mira?"
The lightning mage shifted his gaze to his grandfather.
"She'll be fine." He answered.
Everyone in the guild sighed with relief in response. Laxus closed his eyes and exhaled deeply.
But then, Makarov quickly picked up again, "I do not want any of you to distract her for the time being." He took a moment to look everyone close by in the eye. "I also do not want any more unnecessary conversations that have anything to do with this matter." The master directed his order at the group gathered around Macao and Wakaba.
"O-of course, Master." Macao acknowledged right away, nodding. "… But we're just concerned about Mira… and Elfman, too. We're worried that the Magic Council might—"
"Nothing will happen to him." Makarov stated firmly. He started to head towards the exit.
Surprised eyes followed the short mage. "Master, where are you going?" Some asked.
"To the Council." He said without stopping.
Most already had an idea of why he was headed there, but, pessimistic as it was, many more already doubted that his presence would affect the Council's decisions, even if he was one of the Ten Wizard Saints. After all, Fairy Tail was the most notorious guild in all of Fiore. On many occasions, the Council had warned them of their reckless ways of dealing with their missions, but Fairy Tail always ignored such warnings. Unless the master could somehow get his friend, the Sixth Seat, Shitou Yajima to convince the other members, then there really was going to be no hope for Elfman.
He might be branded murderer.
"Behave while I'm gone. It's the least you can do for Mira." Makarov added sadly before disappearing into the rain.
Yes, peace and quiet was what the take-over mage needed. Everyone understood that.
As the mages in the guild slowly returned to their business, Laxus stood up and headed downstairs. He figured that his curiosity must be getting the better of him, because he wanted to see for himself that the Demon was actually alive and well.
Several mages eyed him suspiciously when he went for the door to the medical room, but Laxus found no purpose in eyeing them back with his deadly glare. They weren't worth his time.
Pushing the door open gently, he found Erza and Porlyusica at the end of the bed. The healer was talking to the red-haired girl, pointing at a mysteriously-shaped flask in her hand. It was probably some sort of treatment for the Demon, he figured quickly.
"Laxus," Erza called.
Expression blank, the lightning mage raised his palm to stop her. He walked closer to the bed, his eyes planting on the unconscious Mirajane. "When will she be up?"
Erza shook her head.
"It's probably best that she doesn't wake up right now," Porlyusica said in her stern voice. "… All those words coming from the people outside, if she heard any of it, she would only go out of control again."
"…"
The woman walked around the bed to Mirajane's side. Popping the flask open, she looked to Laxus, who was opposite to her. "Open her mouth."
He gaped. "Huh?"
"This heals her damaged organs," She explained, "I need you to open her mouth so that I can feed her."
Laxus scowled. "Why don't you do it yourself?"
Porlyusica's eyebrows narrowed, and it seemed like her red eyes were starting to glow. "Because I don't want to touch humans."
Aren't you a human yourself? The lightning mage wanted to ask.
Erza was witnessing the entire scene, and it was obvious that the two did not click. She intervened before Laxus could answer, "Here, let me—"
"No," Laxus said, almost as if he was insulted. Emerald eyes glowering at the pink-haired woman, he took a step closer to the bed, "I'll do it."
The re-quip mage didn't know what possessed the master's grandson, but she saw no reason to stop him. Erza shrugged, "Whatever you like," But then she remembered to add, "Just be careful."
He didn't need her to warn him. Gently, he pushed Mirajane's cheeks inwards, opening her mouth. If he didn't know any better, he would think that he was touching a corpse, because Mirajane's flesh was ice-cold. "Are you sure she's 'fine'?" Laxus questioned suspiciously. He was starting to believe that his grandfather was simply lying to everyone earlier so that they would shut up.
Porlyusica tilted the flask, letting a few drops of the transparent baby-blue liquids drip into the girl's mouth.
The lightning mage swallowed as he watched. Subconsciously, he believed that if he did it, then Mirajane would do it as well. Erza, likewise, gripped onto the ends of the bed as she watched her rival's throat move slightly.
Watching somebody swallow medicine had never been so nerve-wracking.
Just when the two young mages thought everything was okay, Mirajane started to cough. Erza, out of reflex, ran to the side of the bed, standing close to Porlyusica. "What's going on?" She asked anxiously.
Laxus removed his hand from the girl's jaw, and as he pulled back, a streak of blood suddenly flowed out of the side of Mirajane's mouth, staining the white pillow underneath in a bright, crimson colour. With no tissues or towels nearby, he quickly wiped the blood away with his own hands. "Old hag, are you sure that your medicine is working?" He asked crudely.
The woman shook her head in annoyance. "Healing isn't all sugar and rainbows. Nobody ever said that it wouldn't hurt."
"And nobody ever said that it would be this bad. Can't you at least make it less painful?" Erza asked as she ran to grab a towel from the shelf in the corner of the room. She returned swiftly and handed it to Laxus. "She's coughing up blood for god's sake!"
"Relax, you two," Porlyusica rolled her eyes. "She's fine. This is all part of the healing process."
They were skeptical, no doubt, but there was nothing they could do it about it. Healing mages were the rarest in the kingdom, so whether they liked it or not, they could only live with Porlyusica.
When the last of the blood was wiped away from Mirajane's mouth, Laxus heaved a sigh. "She'd better be fine. Otherwise, I'll chuck that flask down your throat."
Erza silently approved of his rude speech, even though she usually opposed to it. On a more important note, however, she was still wondering why Mirajane's safety was worrying him so much. Why did he even bother to come in and check on her anyway?
Wait. Could it be…? A few days ago, when she saw the two cuddling and s-stuff… were they actually going out or something…?
"Threatening me isn't going to speed up the healing, child," Porlyusica said sternly, breaking Erza's train of thoughts, "So I suggest you keep quiet before I decide to return to the forest. See who's going to help out this girl without me."
Laxus clicked his tongue. "Pft."
"Now," The healer started, "I am going to return to my headquarters. There are several ingredients I need to gather in order to make a secondary potion for her."
Erza blinked. "You have to go back? How long is it going to take? Can't we just get someone to do it for you?"
The series of questions put Porlyusica in an irritated stance. "Would any of you stupid humans even know the names of the medicine I require?"
"…"
"I thought so." She said cockily. Walking towards the door, the woman stopped and added, "I will be back by tomorrow morning. In the meantime, make sure the girl doesn't go out of control again," She paused to scoff, "… not that she can at her current state, anyway."
Right when the door behind the healer closed, Laxus growled. "If that old hag wasn't so important, I would've strangled her already."
Erza shook her head. "Calm down, there's no reason to get angry over nothing."
"She was taunting me." He spat, "She was taunting you as well."
She shrugged. Looking at Mirajane, Erza decided to change the subject into a more on-topic one. "So, why are you here?"
Laxus leaned against the wall and crossed his arms. "Passing time." He answered.
She crossed her arms. "Huh, really, now?"
He cocked a brow upwards. "What's with your tone?"
Erza shrugged again. "I just find it odd. Someone like you who is always trash-talking Fairy Tail, saying how its mages are weaklings and how much you hate them… why are you wasting your time with one right now, then?"
The older mage smirked. "Simple," He stated, "The Demon is one of the strongest in the guild, and therefore she is worth my while."
That's all? Erza frowned.
"…" No, not really. Laxus avoided her gaze. He didn't know what he was saying. Truth was, when Laxus felt that strong magical power, releasing so wildly into the humid air, he knew something was wrong. It was the same energy he had felt two years ago in the outskirts of Magnolia; only, this energy was much more hysterical and deadly.
Eventually, when he arrived and witnessed the dangerous scene, he couldn't help it but to stay and watch. Then, when Mirajane coughed up blood and lost balance, something just clicked inside him. Maybe it was reflex, or maybe it was just him trying to play hero, but he ran to catch her. Moreover, when the news of Lisanna's death hit him, Laxus just… had this desire to help – in whatever way he can.
"Laxus?" Erza called. The man was daydreaming.
He thought fast. Any more suspicion over his concern would only make him look weak. "You are worth my while as well, Titania." Laxus stated darkly, "Say, why don't we eliminate all the weaklings outside, and create a brand new Fairy Tail – one that only consists of strong mages like us."
Yep, that was definitely all. To think that the arrogant grandson of the Master actually had a caring side… Erza felt stupid for even having the slightest thoughts of that. Year by year, this lightning mage just gets more and more conceited. It was hard to believe that he was actually a member of Fairy Tail.
"No answer?" He chuckled. "Fine by me. The guild will eventually become mine, anyway."
Erza glared. She would definitely argue back, but not when Mirajane was here. She needed to be quiet for the girl to rest.
Laxus stood up from the wall. "Well, then. I'll leave this nursing business to you. I'm outta here." He said in a disgusted tone.
When the man was out of the room, Erza let out a deep breath. God, his arrogance was bound to give someone a stroke one day. How could anyone be such a… such an asshole? She shoved the thoughts aside and grabbed a chair. Moving it beside the bed, she sat down and kept a close watch on the unconscious mage.
Looking at her, Erza couldn't help but to sigh.
The problem with Laxus' arrogance cannot compare to the problems that Mirajane had to face from here on.
.
.
Laxus received a couple more stares from his guild-mates – or people whom he claimed to be weaklings – as he closed the door. He once again ignored them, but also noticed that there were significantly less people than before. It was then he realized that it was already late into the evening. The sky had darkened, though the rain hadn't stopped. Perhaps he should go home, take a nice shower, and have a nice sleep before heading out for another mission?
He decided to go upstairs to the request board and grab a mission so he wouldn't have to come back tomorrow morning.
The lightning mage wasn't in desperate need of money, nor did he have a thrill for leaving the guild so constantly. He simply wanted to get stronger. He wanted to prove to everyone that he was hardworking, and that he was in no way dependent on his grandfather.
"Huh, eight-hundred-thousand jewels for taking out a Hydra?" Laxus read off the paper. That sounded like a good deal. As he was reaching for it, his attention shifted to the dried blood on his fingers.
The blood of the Demon.
Laxus paused.
"In the meantime, make sure the girl doesn't go out of control again,"
Porlyusica's words replayed in his head.
"… not that she can at her current state, anyway."
"Tch, what does that old hag know?" The lightning mage scoffed. He turned around and sat down at the closest seat from the railing. Relaxing his posture, he decided to hang around for a little while.
Just for a little while.
Because it was still raining.
He looked at the dried blood on his fingers again.
… Not because of anything else.
.
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Thanks for reading! Once again, your opinions are greatly appreciated :)