After hours of crying and thinking Juvia decided not to show her weak side and take a part in the next game, the Naval Battle. She couldn't show Sting that his actions affected her.

'Water...This should be easy.'

She thought as she glanced at the place where Sabertooth members are. She spotted Sting among them, but she wasn't sure whether he was looking at her or not.


A participant automatically loses when they leave the sphere and the last person remaining will be the winner, unless there are still two people left during which a five-minute time limit will be given so that both can compete for victory.

'Easy.'

Juvia thought again. She wanted to amaze Sting, to show him how strong she is. Sighing, she entered the sphere and the game began.


So far, Juvia and Minerva were the last two standing. Juvia was really proud of herself and she wanted to beat someone from Sting's team, but Minerva isn't going to lose easy.

Seems like Minerva isn't going to lose at all. For four minutes, Minerva kept on punching and kicking Juvia all over her body. It was an awful and painful sight.


Sting couldn't believe his eyes. He couldn't stand seeing Juvia like this anymore. She "cheated" on him and he's supposed to hate her. He thought of what happened before. Maybe he should forget about Juvia. Maybe he doesn't deserve to be loved or to love someone. Then why does he feel like this?

He shook his head and forced a laugh, even though he doesn't feel like laughing. What would Juvia think of him? But then again, maybe this is a proof that he should forget about her.


Juvia tilted her head to look at Sting with lifeless eyes. She looked already dead. Her head was hanging and it seemed like it's going to fall off any moment. Her body was full of bloody scars. Still, she didn't care about herself. If Sting likes seeing her like that, then what's the point?


But she couldn't notice that his laughs were fake. It's killing him inside, but he keeps convincing himself that she deserves all of this and yet it doesn't make him feel any better. If he stays there for a second longer he might break down. He looked at the horrible sight once again and walked off.

He couldn't describe the feeling in his heart. He loves her and yet he's letting Minerva torture her.

'I'm never going to forgive myself for this. For leaving her. For leaving Juvia all alone to Minerva's mercy.'

He muttered silent curses under his breath. Looking around, he made sure that no one is around him and decided to let his soft side overwhelm him. His eyes showed sincere grief, but no tears fell.


But from Juvia's point of view all of it looked different. She's dying and he just walked away. Why? If it's about his stupid pride, then he doesn't deserve Juvia. But who would want her like this anyway? She's crushed and almost dead. But what is hurting her more than Minerva is the pain in her heart. The fact that Sting enjoyed seeing her suffer.

She felt cold wind hit her body as Minerva pushed her out of the sphere, but before she could hit the ground, she fell on someone.

'Gray...'

She recognized him. His body is cold and she's freezing in his arms. She feels as if she's thrown into Minerva's cold arms again. She desperately needed Sting's warmth, but he made it clear that he hates her.

Gray gently placed her on the ground. Wendy and Chelia ran up to her and started healing her. Lyon came down as well. Thanks to her friends with air magic her physical pain lowered a little, but the pain in her heart just wouldn't leave. It was unbearable. None of her friends could take it away. At least, they cared about her.