Chapter 42

Seeing Leone strike the last soldier still standing, Najenda looked sullen as she noticed.

" Neither Esdeath, neither one of the Jaegers showed up! "

" She could have fled? " Asked Susanoo.

" No, I feel his presence, even within the cathedral! " Retorted Leone.

" She doesn't even need to move! " Understood Natsu! " She knows very well that one of us will end up going to her! "

" In that case ? Something has to be done ! " Cried Tatsumi! " The attack on Mine and the others is coming soon! If they attack Borick, they will immediately fall on the Jaegers! "

Gritting his teeth, knowing full well that he was right, Narenda eventually murmured.

" For our plan to work, we have to separate Esdeath from Borrick! In that case … ! Change of plan ! "

Attracting the attention of others, she cried out.

" We are going to charge in the cathedral! Natsu…! "

Staring at him, she asked him.

" Are you ready to fight against Esdeath? "

Immediately, a pillar of fire engulfed the man's body as he affirmed.

" I blow up the fire and I was waiting for that! "

" In this case, you will go forward with Susanoo! "

" Understood ! " They both said.

" Very good, then, forward! "

Nevertheless, everyone could see that his voice was less serene than usual.

Seeing Gajeel and Chelsea fly towards Run, Akame cried out.

" Enjoy! We stay the course! Mine, prepare Pumpkin! "

However, not counting on letting them go, Run threw a new shower of feathers.

" You will not go anywhere! "

" IRON DRAGON'S GUILLOTINE! "

Quickly swinging his arm transformed into an ax, Gajeel created a sharp wind, which struck the feathers of Run, stopping them.

" Don't you dare to look elsewhere! I'm your opponent, the piaf! "

" Tsss! Don't you dare bother me more! "

" The only one who annoys here is you! Chelsea, attack! "

However, pushing Gajeel forward, Chelsea had a bit of trouble flying and this was shown by his speed. Barely exceeding one meter an hour, she was unable to go faster.

" Hey, what are you doing? "

" It is your fault ! You're too heavy, and Lily's body is too small! "

" How that, too heavy? Don't tell me that a cat is stronger than you! "

" Oh, shut up! I'm not used to this body, me! "

" You are really useless! "

" Again a comment like this and I let you go! "

Hearing them quarrel, Run sighed.

" I couldn't continue to chase others with you in the paws! No problem, Wave can take care of them anyway! "

Suddenly waving its wings faster, it created a strong draft before forming a real cyclone. Getting hit by the latter, the duo in front of him found himself forced to back away. Then rushing into his own attack, Run allowed himself to be carried by the wind in order to find himself in front of Gajeel.

And before the latter could react, a kick hit him above the skull. Unwittingly dropping him, Chelsea saw him crash down below. Now alone facing Run, she began to growl before finally putting out needles between her fingers. Trying to speed up the man, he tried to reach him at the level of the neck.

However, knowing full well what she intended to do, Run managed to grab her wrists without any problem to stop her.

" You are far too predictable! "

However, returning to its original form at this time, Chelsea took advantage of the lengthening of its members to hit Run on the chin, using his knee. Feeling his jaw click, Run let go of her and dropped her.

Resuming Lily's shape in time, Chelsea let herself float before landing on the city floor. Moaning not far from her, Gajeel hoisted himself out of the crater he had formed when he landed, while holding his head.

" This one, you will not take it to paradise, the piaf! "

Yet, taking another step forward, he felt his legs wobble as he placed his hand at neck level. Seeing him do it, Chelsea quickly realized that the bandage that Susanoo had made around his neck had turned red.

"His wound has reopened! "

" It's the end for you! " Run asserted, throwing new feathers at Gajeel.

" IRON DRAGON'S ROAR! "

Leaving a gray tornado to rush towards the sharp feathers, Gajeel could only be stunned, seeing the latter suddenly change course to dodge his attack. Once done, they then headed straight for Chelsea. Then taking the aspect of Lily, she flew through the air to find herself out of their trajectories.

" This won't work! " Retorted Run.

Indeed, changing direction again, the feathers turned around to return to Chelsea.

" What … ? "

Gajeel threw him a heavy load on the shoulder and threw him aside to find himself in his place. And having no time to defend himself, he was hit by all of the attacks until the latter ended.

Then dropping in front of him, Run put one foot on the ground, before affirming.

" Night Raid can do nothing against us! Make yourself a reason!"

" Gajeel! " Cried Chelsea.

" Shut up ! " Then ordered the man! " You're getting on my nerves ! "

Looking at him, Run could only show astonishment, while he saw Gajeel's bloodied body still standing. Having hit his bandage on the neck, one of the feathers had knocked the bandage to the ground, damaging his wound.

" But how can you still be alive? "

" I have two things to say to you! " Gajeel told him! " First of all, know that whatever happens, Borick, our target, will no longer be of this world so that we can see the sun rise tomorrow! "

" Hum? And the second thing? "

" You are going to lose ! " Gajeel assured him.

However, overtaken by his injuries, he finally dropped forward and crashed face down. Seeing him do so, Run sighed.

" Frankly, I don't really like to kill guys like you! However, you are far too dangerous for me to let you go! "

Preparing to attack him again, he distinguished the transformed silhouette of Chelsea into a big bird, before taking Gajeel. Once done, she walked as far as possible from Run before the latter could react.

" Hey ! " He cried! " Can I know where you are going? "

Then launching attack after attack, he aimed at Chelsea, who had the greatest difficulty in dodging each of his projectiles. Zigzagging and doing pirouettes in the sky, she did her best to use the different roofs as a shield. But that was without taking into account the fact that Run started to follow her.

" You will not escape! "

" But leave us in peace, hell! "

Suddenly, uttering a cry of pain, Chelsea felt two feathers pass through one of her wings, making her lose the use of her member. No longer able to fly, she crashed on a roof while Run landed on a chimney.

" Any leak is useless! "

Raising his arm to order a new shower of feathers, he was surprised when a hand grabbed his wrist to stop him.

" Hum? " He wondered, turning around.

Behind him, having appeared on the roof using a black hole, the old bald responsible for the appearance of Natsu and Gajeel in this world was the one who had just prevented him from attacking.

" If I were you, I will stop immediately! "

" Hum? " Said Run, trying to get away from him! " And can I know who you are? "

" My name doesn't matter! "

" In this case, why are you helping these people? Are you a member of Night Raid? "

" No ! I protect them just because they represent the generation that will save the empire! "

" The generation ? " Repeated Chelsea and Run.

Immediately, pulling the Jaeger towards him, the old bald man forced him to enter his black hole.

" Hey, what are you doing? "

But before he could attack him, Run disappeared along with the old man inside the black hole, and the latter closed just behind them.

" That … ? " Wondered Chelsea.

Waiting a few seconds, she saw that she was indeed all alone now, while the mysterious old man had managed to take Run with him.

" Who ... Who was he? "

Finding, however, that there was something more important, she went to Gajeel and transformed into Susanoo so that she could carry it on her shoulder.

" It's been a long time, Najenda! "

Entering the room where Borick, Kurome and Esdeath were, Najenda stared at the latter without saying anything.

" And I see that you took me several people with whom I could play later! As well as Tatsumi, himself! "

Still hidden under his armor, Tatsumi began to curse before understanding.

" Wave you said everything! "

" Indeed ! However, I admit that I don't know what to do with you afterwards! By joining Night Raid, you committed the worst betrayal of me! However, I have no desire to kill you! So be nice to stay out of this fight and wait for me to finish it! By then, I would have made a decision about you! "

" But yes of course ! " Roared Tatsumi! " I came here to beat you, Esdeath! Do not doubt for a moment that I dare not hit you! "

" Tatsumi…! Leone et you's goal was to prevent Kurome from obstructing us and killing Borick, if possible! If Akame's group can't get this far it will be our priority to kill it ourselves! Susanoo and Natsu, with me to fight Esdeath! "

" Natsu? " Repeated Esdeath, staring at the boy with pink hair in front of her, who was not wearing his mask! " Oh, so, you're the famous Natsu! The one who managed to hit me once and kill Bols! I would die to see you again! "

" Why that ? "

Suddenly snapping her fingers, Esdeath made a huge block of ice appear above her, which she dropped in the direction of Night Raid.

" To exterminate yourself, of course! "

" Susanoo! "

Immediately, jumping in the air, the teigu used its mass to strike the block of ice with force until the latter was broken. However, as soon as this was done, he did not notice, until the last moment, Esdeath create another block which she sent straight towards him.

" Can you manage this one? "

Barely having time to react, Susanoo saw Natsu stand in front of him before stopping the block of ice with his bare hands.

" That … ? "

" You say you wanted to meet me? " Wanted to know the mage, while steam appeared in his hands! " It's fine with me too ! "

Raising the heat of his body, he used it to melt the block at high speed. Transforming into a multitude of water droplets falling to the ground, the attack disappeared and let Esdeath see Natsu, who was fixing her.

" Because of your actions, the people of this empire suffer! Every day people die because of you! I won't let you do more! "

" Oh ? And what do you intend to do? " Esdeath asked, as ice formed around her feet.

" To defeat you! " Natsu assured, while letting his flames surround his body.

Looking at each other, the two enemies lowered the temperature of the room by half of the room, as well as heating the air on the other side of the room. Finally, raising his hands, Esdeath cried out.

" GRAUHORN! "

" FIRE DRAGON'S ROAR! "

Appearing by the dozen, many ice cream spears fired towards Natsu, while the latter blew a tornado of fire. Then striking each other, the two attacks equalized. And while a cloud of vapor began to form, neither of the two adversaries backed away from the other. Feeling a cold draft hit him, Borrcik took refuge behind his seat, while wanting to know.

" But who are these monsters? "

Backing up, Tasumi and the others could see the walls and benches of the room become covered with ice or start to catch fire.

Finally, when the cloud of vapor enveloped them, Esdeath and Natsu stopped their attack to run towards each other. They did not need to see each other to attack. Natsu used his sense of smell to spot Esdeath, while the woman could feel his presence listening to his footsteps.

" FIRE DRAGON'S FIST! "

" ICE WALL! "

Creating an ice shield in front of her, Esdeath stopped Natsu's fist. Then, removing her protection, she drew her sword to direct it towards her throat. Tilting his body back, Natsu saw the weapon pass before his eyes, while he dodged it by a hair.

However, far from losing his temper, he straightened up before lifting one of his legs to swing it towards Esdeath's face.

" FIRE DRAGON'S CLAW! "

" ICE ARMOR! "

Waving his arm in front of his face, Esdeath covered it with a layer of solid ice that allowed him to resist Natsu's attack. Immediately turning on itself, the mage ignited his second leg while Esdeath swung his reinforced arm towards his face.

Immediately, the cloud of vapor disappeared under the impact, while everyone could see Natsu and Esdeath hitting each other in the face.

" Natsu! "

" General! "

Both recoiling, the two opponents took a look at each other, before Esdeath let out an exclamation of joy.

" Ha ha! How fun! Since the time that I look for someone to entertain me! I felt like I had to reach for Wendy to become stronger to finally find an opponent at my height! However, you will do the trick! "

Then raining a shower of stalactites, she dropped them on Natsu to see how he would react.

Deciding nevertheless to intervene, Susanoo swirled her mass to destroy her attacks one by one, before being pierced by two of them.

" Oh, well done! " Rejoices Borick.

Nonetheless, he was horrified to see the wounds of the teigu disappear as he appeared extremely calm.

" The organic teigu of our relationships! " Understood Esdeath! " It gets really interesting! "

" Natsu! Don't go headlong! " Advised Susanoo! " Who knows what she can prepare well? "

" Don't worry, I manage! "

" There is no question of managing or not! " Retorted Susanoo! " This time, it is impossible for us to leave here without having settled his account! From now on, the empire counts on us! Don't let your personal feelings and thirst for battle take over! "

Listening to him, ends up slapping him on the back, before affirming.

" Don't worry ! Anyway, whatever happens, I will not give him a gift! Are you ready ? "

" When you want ! "

Immediately, the duo ran towards Esdeath, while the latter always bombarded them with a shower of stalactites.

Creating a ball of fire in his hands, Natsu ends up throwing it towards the projectiles.

" FIRE DRAGON'S BRILLIANT FLAME! "

Taking advantage of the fact that Natsu's attack struck that of Esdeath and created a new cloud of mist, Susanoo hid in it to get closer to Esdeath. However, seeming to feel his presence, the latter put her hand on the ground.

" ICE TREE! "

Immediately, a huge spike of ice came out of the ground and spit the teigu.

" And one! "

" FIRE DRAGON'S HORN! "

Then seeing Natsu run towards her, head forward, Esdeath simply let his body tilt to the side, to avoid his load, and then created a block of ice in his hands.

" WEISSSCHABEL! "

Then blasting towards the mage, the block struck the back of the latter, before propelling it and crushing it against a wall.

" And two! "

Waving her sword to the side, she managed to deflect Leone's claws to the side. Then, once she was closer to her, she pierced her stomach with her gun.

" And three! "

" What speed ! It is faster than a beast! "

Preparing to execute him, Esdeath backed away, however, while Najenda's mechanical arm had been sent in his direction. Taking advantage of this, Leone jumped back to return to Najenda. Using her mass, Susanoo struck the giant woodpecker and managed to destroy it and break free. As for Natsu, he roared loudly before his flames reduced the block of ice to nothing, while destroying part of the wall in the process.

" Huh, but who are these guys? " Scared Borick! " They stand up to Esdeath as if nothing had happened! "

The latter, on the contrary, was in full ecstasy.

" Again ! Play with me again and again! LARGE ICE PROJECTILES! "

Creating many huge spears, she threw them at her four opponents, who hastened to run in all directions to dodge them. Being able to follow them with his eyes, Esdeath eventually jump to find himself in front of Najenda.

" That … ? "

" Don't worry, we will have more time to chat! " Esdeath assured him, with a cruel smile! " In the torture room! "

Then striking him on the back of the neck with the edge of his hand, she managed to make him lose consciousness.

" Motherfucker ! " Roared Leone, running towards her.

" FIRE DRAGON'S WINGS! " Cried Natsu, attacking him in the other direction.

Seeing them charge thus, Esdeath created two walls of ice to protect himself. Striking the first, Leone barely scratched him. As for the second wall, he appeared just in front of Natsu and trained himself to wedge his arm inside.

" That … ? I am stuck ! "

Directly heading towards him, Esdeath jumped in his direction, before snapping his fingers. Immediately, his wall disappeared, freeing Natsu. Yet, barely able to account, he felt Esdeath's hand land on his chest.

" It's the end for you!ICE DEATH! "

Immediately, Natsu's eyes widened, as he felt like ice materialize in his body. In fact, the latter formed all around his heart before freezing it immediately. Feeling the organ stop beating, Natsu found himself paralyzed in a second. Then, eventually falling backwards, he collapsed to the ground, under the frightened and helpless look of his friends.

" NATSU ! "

" There's no point trying to wake him up! " Assured Esdeath! " Compared to the other day when he managed to free himself from a block of ice, this time, I froze his heart directly! In addition, all the blood close to this organ will freeze in turn, thus freezing the whole of its body! This time, it was impossible for him to survive! "

" Ba ... bastard! " Roared Leone, pointing her claws at her.

" Unpardonable! " Said Susanoo, positioning her club in front of him.

" Don't get carried away by anger! " Najenda ordered them! " If we do anything, we will end up like Natsu! "

Nevertheless, clenching her fist, she couldn't help panicking inside.

"Thanks to her power, Natsu was the most likely to defeat her!" What to do now? Can we really beat this monster? "

Lying on the floor, Natsu felt like he was in the middle of a dream. With heavy eyelids, he was very tired.

" I ... I ... I ...! " He whispered, while his whole body was stiff due to the cold.

"I can't get up! "

" Hey, Natsu, what are you still doing? "

Opening his eyes, Natsu was surprised to be in the middle of his guild, seated at a table, with a plate of meat in front of him.

" That … ? "

Then taking a fist in the face, he fell to the ground, while Gray exclaimed.

" Sick bastard, who told you to eat my meat? "

" G… Grey, is that you? "

" Hein? What is happening to you, again? "

Ignoring his question, Natsu looked at his table to see, Lucy and Wendy chatting together Erza eating a Happy strawberry enjoy a fish before making a remark to Lily and Carla.

Hidden behind a wooden pole, Juvia watched them from a distance, paying full attention to Gray, while Gajeel, with a guitar in his hand, was singing on stage.

Everyone is present, even Makarof, with a glass of beer in his hand, talking with Mirajane.

" All… Anyone? "

Returning to his chair, he said.

" Yeah! It was a dream ? Wasn't all of this just true? In the end, I never left the guild! I just imagined this story! "

Still, for some reason, Natsu felt like he was frozen from the inside, but that didn't bother him any more than that. Now that he was with his friends, he had no reason to complain. In fact, he felt very good.

" Yes ! I don't want to move! he thought, while his eyes closed! I will stay there! Again and again ! And forever ! "

However, suddenly roaring, a huge voice ordered him.

" Natsu, open your eyes! "

Widening his gaze, Natsu saw the entire guild disappear in an instant, before he found himself in a dark world, where only a huge silhouette could be seen in front of him.

" Ignir ? "

Outside the city were various plains where silence reigned. Walking there while grazing on the grass, a horse suddenly runs away, when a mysterious black hole appeared right in front of him.

Getting kicked out of this black hole, Run found himself out of town and looked sheepishly at the deserted plain where he had just appeared.

" That ? That ? "

Closing behind him, the black hole immediately disappeared, which left Run unable to answer one of his questions.

" What happened ? "