"Laxus, is that you...?"

For seconds I can only gawk. I mean, what miracle could possibly allow the living to see a spirit like me? That is until Porlyusica shakes her head. "He's gone, sweetie. No matter how much you wish for it, the dead can never return to life."

Ouch, that's a little harsh, don't you think?

"You're right..." Mira lowers her head as tears sparkles around her eyes. "There's just no way... no way ..." When she covers her face with her hands, I reach out a hand to comfort her but then quickly freeze as soon as I recall my predicament. That's right, I can only clench my fist.

"My, how am I supposed to explain this to Makarov now?" Porlyusica mutters, pacing around treehouse with one hand on her forehead until Mira gets up on her feet.

"I'll do it. I'll take his body back to the guild."

"But I can't let you do that, sweetie. Surely you must be torn already as it is."

"Please. This is something I have to do."

Not able to sway her determination, Porlyusica finally sighs. "Alright."

"Thanks. " Magic overflows the room as Mira transforms into her demon form. "Well, then, here goes." She bites her lips, and having tossed my half-naked two hundred fifty pounds body over her shoulder, she immediately loses balance and her legs won't stop shaking.

It was hard to watch.

"Please don't push yourself too hard out there." Porlyusica says.

"Right."

With that I follow Mira outside of the treehouse where she struggles down the steps that leads inside the deep forest. Despite being dead, I can feel the soothing forest breeze running across my face. Moreover the bumpy road poses no challenge.

Minutes have passed, and the deeper the barren the forest. Mira, who has been panting and sweating all over, finally keels on her knees and collapses under my body as her magic forsakes her. "Gah!" Frustrated, she digs her nails into the ground.

Mira... I know you're exhausted and all, yet how much longer do you still plan on laying down there...?

Having crawled out from under my body, Mira sits and leans her back against the nearest tree bark before tilting her head up as a sorrowful sigh escapes her. It pains me, to see yet another tear roll down her cheek. When a couple of crows later perch on top of my body, however, she quickly rises and drives them away. "Stay away from him, you hear!?"

"..."

That's when she suddenly breaks down in tears.

"Stupid, stupid, stupid! Laxus, you idiot!" She repeatedly pummels against the chest of my dead body as her voice permeates the forests. "There's still so much more I've yet to tell you! So much I've yet want to do with you! Please... not like this... How could you do this to me!" For seconds she sobs, burying her face on top of my body as I grits my teeth in regrets. How I wish to comfort her, to pull her into my arms... if it only weren't for this accursed body.

Believe me, Mira, I too would rather spend the last of my days with you and properly say goodbye to you, but wouldn't that be too painful for the both of us?

"The most painful goodbye is the one that's never said and explained." Again, as if she can magically read into my mind, Mira mumbles. I simply stand there with my eyes wide open as she wipes her face with a handkerchief and sighs. "You could've at least show some gratitude. I hope you're happy now."

Tch...

Mira rests for a bit. Having recovered her strength by the evening, she labors once more in her demon form until we exits to Magnolia East Gate where she immediately becomes the center of everyone's attention. With her head hung low she rushes to the guild. I too sprint behind her, phasing through anyone and objects that get in my way.

Depressing. Magnolia has become a city of rubble ever since the Tartaros incident. That incident has robbed me of everything—the guild, my family, and my life with it. Now, Mira, how are you going to break the news to everyone?


"With that, I hereby declare Fairy Tail dismissed!" Makarov announces standing on top of the guild's rubble, and the guild members present burst into an uproar. That uproar, however, quickly subsides as all eyes shift to Mira who's just arrived panting.

"Master! Laxus is... he's..." The crowd wastes no time scooting back, making way for their former Guildmaster and several others who comes running distraught. Before long, Mira finds herself surrounded. She lays my body down on the ground before reverting back to her human form.

"B-but how can this be!? Laxus was just fine the last time we visited!" " Freed stares in disbelief. He is soon joined by Bickslow and Evergreen who quickly drops to her knees.

"Laxus, I beg you please open your eyes. Come back to us!" She screams hysterical, shaking my body to no response.

"Someone please tell me this is joke..." Bickslow mutters.

Lisanna, Elfman, Erza,... everyone has their own typical reaction. Nothing however can prepare me for gramp's reaction as tears soak his usually composed face. Overcome by emotions, I escape the circle of crowd only to find a couple of faces rejoicing behind their masks.

"Heh, serve that self-conceited man right." One of them whispers.

"That's what you get for pitting us against each other for your selfish ambition." Another whispers.

"May you rot in hell."

I know, such was to be expected. After all to these lesser guildmates of mine whose name I still couldn't care less, I had been the biggest jerk of all. Still it's never nice to hear anyone talk behind your back like that.

Mira turns to Makarov while placing one hand on top of her breast."Master, shouldn't we hold a funeral ceremony for Laxus now?"

"As much as I'd love to, not everyone is present at the time." He sighs. "Spread the word. I want everyone to gather here tomorrow morning, is that understood!?"

"Yes, Master!" Everyone says in unison.

"Consider this my final request as your Guildmaster..."

With that everyone agrees to take turn changing shift guarding my coffin at the guild. Although Makarov has ordered Mira to take a well-deserved rest despite her strong disapproval, so now she has no choice but to head directly home.


Like an intruder, I feel not the slightest guilt breaking into Mira's apartment. I watch her as she continue to grief on bed with her hands covering her face for God knows how long. That is until she suddenly gets up and strips into her birthday suit. "Whoa, whoa there! Time out!" I look away yet my eyes refuses to obey.

Damn, what a treat!

While Mira is busy in the shower, I find my self tempted every second as press my forehead against the door. Minutes have passed, and that's when I sense another presence inside the shower. Whoever it is is conversing with Mira. Anxious, I barge in and yell, "Who's there!"

My eyes first dart to the mysterious woman in kimono standing next to the bathtub where Mira is showering. She has horns like demon. Unlike Mira who remains oblivious, her attention immediately shifts to me. "You... you must be him." she says.

"Don't act like you know me! Stay away from her!"

"Seilah, what's wrong?" Mira asks, scanning the room uneasy as she rinches the soap on her body. Now I have to wonder. Who the hell is this Seilah chick, and why is she able to perceive me?

"Ah. Pardon me, my lady." Seilah smirks ignoring me. "Now where was I? like I said, it's not impossible to bring back this Laxus guy you admire so much."

"Please, tell me more..."

"Legend has it that a goddess resides on an island inhibited by demons. Let anyone offer her a worthy sacrifice before the time limit, unto them she shall grant the gift of life."

Goddess, sacrifice, time limit... what load of crap are these nonsense!? Mira, you're not actually going to believe her, are you?

"This time limit you say,please tell me more." Mira demands. Her eyes has now regained its fire.

"Souls like us don't have long. My body as you can see has already begun to disintegrate... but thanks to your mercy, I will continue to live inside you as an essence to your power . Sadly in his case," Seilah pauses to give me a glance. "there shall be no salvation."

"I see..."

"Somewhere in this world, Laxus is living the life of the dead. It is your job to secure his body and convince his soul to go see the goddess with you."

"But how? Supposedly if everything you tell me has been the truth, his soul should be invincible to me."

"Fret not, my lady, I can assure you that Laxus has been watching over you this whole time. Even now he is in this very same room."

"He is!?" Mira jumps out from the bathtub excited. Much to my amusement, she quickly shrieks as she grabs a towel to cover her body."L-Laxus, are you really here?"

As much as I'd love to answer back I knew my voice would never reach her, so I instead turn to Seilah. "You there, say something!"

Seilah rolls her eyes. "M'lady, he's standing right in front of you."

"Oh, Laxus..." Mira reaches her hand only to have it phase through mine. I weakly smile, taking one step back so that our palms are only an inch away from each other. So close, yet so far... It's as if time itself has frozen still.

"Mira..."

"Laxus, I want you to know that as long as there's hope, no matter how small, I am never giving up you... so will you please promise to never leave my side?"

"I promise."

Seilah doesn't need to me telling her twice. "He promises."

"And I would do anything to see you again."

"And he would do anything to see you again."

Smiling wide, Mira sheds happy tears. "Thanks... you have no idea how happy I am to hear that."

For the first time in my life I've actually happy made the woman I deeply care for smile. Never have I felt so appease. Sadly, I must once again say goodbye to Mira for Seilah has vanishes into magic particles.

"My time is up. M'lady, Thank you for giving me this second chance at life."

Mira welcomes what's left of Seilah inside her before throwing me another big smile. "Laxus, I'll miss you."

"Yeah, until we meet again..."

An island inhibited by demons... We should know. After all we did get into an argument because a certain idiot decided to visit that island in secret. The question is, to what extent will Mira go to secure my body from the guild?


To be continued.

Thank you for reading. I'm sure you have guessed what this island inhibited by demons by now. Look forward to the next chapter and please please please please don't for to let me know what you think of this chapter ^_^.