Chapter 43

Jumping in the air to avoid the club of Susanoo, Esdeath ends up placing his hand on the head of the teigu before whispering.

" ICE BLENDER! "

And, in an instant, Susanoo's whole body was trapped in a block of ice that prevented her from making the slightest movement.

Then nudging backwards, Esdeath managed to strike Leone's face as the latter went to attack him in the back. Letting out a groan of pain, the lioness woman received a kick in full jaws which sent her flying backwards. Not even needing to look at her to hear her crash against a wall, Esdeath preferred to focus on Najenda, who was kneeling before her.

" Esdeath…! " Spat the former soldier.

" Najenda, you always knew how to be surrounded by powerful people! I must admit that I had a good time! "

Then, pushing the tip of her sword into his body, she made him spit blood, while she took pleasure in seeing her wring in pain.

" What a wonderful face! Too bad I can't go on if I want to bring you alive to the palace! However, your acolytes will not be spared! Just like the salamander, I will kill all three! "

Suddenly, remembering that there was someone else to fight, except Leone and Susanoo, Esdeath had the reflex to jump back to dodge an invisible kick.

Doing a somersault in the air, she ends up landing on a bench while affirming.

" I lowered my guard! I focused so much on this Natsu and Najenda that I forgot you ... Tatsumi! "

Appearing before her, dressed in Incursio, the boy pointed his sword towards her, while asserting.

" Esdeath, whatever your feelings towards me, I would have no mercy to kill you if you dare to attack my friends! "

" F… Fool! " Cried Najenda! " You had to stay invisible to be able to kill Borick! "

" It's impossible ! " Retorted Tatsumi, holding back his anger badly! " Natsu ... She killed Natsu! No way I'm letting it go! "

" I must I understand that you chose your side, Tatsumi? " Asked Esdeath.

" I chose it from the start! " Replied the boy, running straight towards her.

"TAIL CROSS!"

Forming a spear with his threads, Lubbock attempted to spit Wave. However, crouching the latter could easily avoid his strike and then kicked him in the leg. Hearing a horrible crack, his opponent immediately backed away, before uttering a cry of pain while he was unable to put his leg on the ground.

"He broke my leg! "

Getting ready to finish him off, Wave had to protect his face with his arm to ward off Murasame. Seeing his sword get blocked, Akame couldn't help but growl in frustration, while Wave began to make a series of punches, forcing her to back away.

Attacking him in turn, Mine began to target him from behind. However, Wave, as if he could see it, waved his body to make it harder to aim. Then hesitating, Mine noticed that he deliberately stayed in front of Akame, in order to make him understand that it was his friend who was going to be hit, if Mine missed his shot.

"The bastard! He is careful not to be targeted! "

" Night Raid! For all the murders you have committed so far ... To avenge my comrades and save the Empire, I will arrest you now! "

Managing to hit Akame in the stomach, Wave threw her against a tree before running towards her to finish him off.

" It's finish ! " He cried, his face distorted by rage.

" Wave-kun, wait! "

Freezing immediately, eyes wide, Wave slowly turned to see a tall figure walking towards him.

" Wave, don't be so horrible! " Cried the newcomer, revealing his identity to everyone! " It doesn't look like you! "

" You? " Wondered Lubbock and Mine.

Still, Wave looked at the newcomer before stuttering.

" B… B… Bols? "

Then bringing Gajeel's unconscious body to his feet, the jaeger affirmed.

" I took care of the case of this one as well as a girl! It won't cause us any more trouble! "

" But ... Bols ... How ... How can you be alive? "

" Night Raid wounded me and took my gun, before leaving me for dead! However, I was able to survive my injuries and had to make my own way here! "

Then staring at the trio Wave was fighting against, Bols said.

" Esdeath-san asked us to spare them, if we could so that we could question them! It is therefore better that you calm down and keep your cool! Keep fighting with this thirst for blood and you will lose yourself! "

Stepping towards Wave, he then called out.

" Let me help you beat them, my friend! "

Now only three feet from Wave, Bols was about to put a hand on his shoulder, comfortingly.

However, while he seemed dumbfounded since his appearance, Wave ends up clenching his teeth, before showing only hatred in his eyes.

" Motherfucker ! "

Immediately throwing himself back, Bols felt Wave's sword draw a line on the skin of his chest, while Wave had tried to hurt him to death.

" You're not Bols! How dare you use his appearance to try to defeat me? "

Remaining silent, his comrade ends up disappearing in a smoke screen before giving way to Chelsea.

" Tsss! As expected from a member of the Jaegers! Fooling you will prove harder than expected! "

_Kurome has already met you! Wave asserted! So I was wary from the start! But what you did ... I could never forgive you!

However, before launching the slightest assault, he was suddenly tied up for threads, which locked his arms against his chest.

" That … ? "

" I got you ! " Sneered Lubbock, as his threads were surrounded by Wave and a tree to immobilize him.

" You? " Roared the latter, trying to free himself, without succeeding.

" At least, this diversion will have had the merit of having given me time to tie you up! " Laughed Lubbock! " Sorry for you but I used my strongest thread to tie you up! "

Seeing Wave completely immobilized, the others finally nodded before fleeing. Taking the form of Susanoo, Chelsea picked up Gajeel's body, before grabbing Lubbock, seeing the latter flee.

" Hey, come back! Wave ordered, trying in vain to free himself! Come back and fight! "

Staring at Natsu when almost his entire body was hidden by the darkness, the huge red dragon in front of the mage began to growl.

" I feel like I have a wimp in front of me! "

" I… Ignir? " Natsu wondered, not knowing how to react to the appearance of the being he had considered his father! " It's you ? It's really you ? "

In response, Ignir began to roar.

" No, but can I know what you're making? Since when do you decide to give up? "

" How does that '' give up ''? " Wanted to know Natsu, with a vein on his forehead! " Who are you to tell me that? And where am I? "

" No matter where you are, Natsu! From now on you have to go back to where you come from! "

" Hum? To Fairy Tail ? "

" No, fool! Go back and defeat this cold demon and save your friends! "

Finding that he was talking about Esdeath, Natsu suddenly put his hand on the spot of his heart, which seemed to have become hard as stone.

" What did she do to me? Is it because of her that I am here? "

" Natsu, stop with your silly questions! What can this woman do in front of you? You can largely defeat it! Did you forget who you were ? "

Then taking a deep breath, he roared.

" You are the son of a dragon! This woman will never bear the brunt of you! So get out of here, free yourself from its power and win this fight! Unless, in the end, I only raised a wimp thinking only of running away from the tail between my legs! "

Opening his eyes, Ntaus ends up showing a serious look, before retorting.

" Wallow? Me ? We will see ! "

Releasing an enormous source of heat, he let appear a column of fire above him, which could have melted anything.

" ESDEATHHHHHHHH! "

" Well ! " Said Esdeath! " It seems to be over! "

In response, Tatsumi spilled blood from her mouth. Holding him by his throat, Esdeath seemed to admire his completely injured body, while the latter had only a few meager traces of his armor, while the rest was broken, in pieces, at his feet.

" Tatsumi, this does not seem to be the case but it does not make me happy to see you in this state! Please think carefully! I'll give you one last chance to reconsider my offer! Join the Jaegers and I will spare you! "

Opening an eye to stare at her, Tatsumi aimed at her face, before sending her a bloody spit on her forehead.

" You'll die! "

Sighing then, without bothering to wipe the sputum, Esdeath murmured.

" That's a shame ! You do not leave me the choice! "

Grabbing her sword straight away, she pointed the end of the weapon at Tatsumi's heart, while asserting.

" But I will be lenient! I will kill you in one fell swoop! "

Observing the fight, while continuing to protect Borick, Kurome did not move an inch since the start of the confrontation. However, while everything seemed to be profitable for Esdeath, the girl finally felt a presence, which immediately made her cry.

" General, behind you! "

Having already felt it, Esdeath already had his face turned backwards, and more particularly on Natsu's body.

Heat. Heat was coming out of his body. And by that alone, Esdeath couldn't help but ask.

_But it is immortal, or what?

" Nat… Natsu! " Cried Tatsumi.

Then turning into golden flames, the heat around Natsu intensified. Then, coming out of his mouth, steam was evacuated from his body, showing that the ice of Esdeath which had frozen his heart had melted.

Finally, moving his hands, Natsu pressed them to the floor, so he could stand up. Slowly getting back on his feet, he looked down, while he took a deep breath. Finally, looking up, he roars.

" I'M BACK ! "

Feeling the whole cathedral start to tremble with this cry, Borick almost wet his pants, while his teeth chattered.

" That's… He's a real demon! "

Raising her head, while her body was still leaning against a wall, Leone began to smile before shouting.

" Go ahead, break out, massacres there, explode there… that we can go back to base all together! "

Remaining in exemplary coolness, Esdeath stared at Natsu for a few seconds, before finally throwing Tatsumi's body aside, and asking.

" What made you get up? "

" Fairy tail is no longer my only family! " Suddenly affirmed Natsu! " I fought with Night Raid! I had fun with them, I fought against them, I partied with them… each member of Night Raid became my friend! As long as they are in danger, I refuse to throw in the towel! Prepare yourself because, this time, I will defeat you! "

" Very well ! " Said Esdeath, lowering his cap before his eyes, to hide all the fun these eyes showed! " In this case, it seems that it is time for me to get serious! This time, I will fight you with all my might! "

" That's it ! Just remember that I give you the beating of your life! "

" MANIFESTION OF MAGATAMA! "

Immediately, aided by Najenda's power, Susanoo was able to change shape and became strong enough to break Esdeath's ice.

" Hein? " Wondered the latter, turning to him! " What are you doing Najenda ?

" Susanoo, attacks Borick ! "

" Understood ! " Assured the teigu.

Seeing him then propelled himself towards his target, Esdeath ran in his trajectory before retorting.

" As if I was going to let you do it! "

" FIRE DRAGON'S WINGS! "

Suddenly struck by two wings of fire, Esdeath was expelled against a bench, which shattered into pieces under the impact. Then landing in front of her, Natsu questioned her.

" So, the ice queen, did you feel that one go by? "

Raising her chest, Esdeath ran her hand over her chin to find that she was bleeding. It was the very first time that she had seen the color of her blood since she was in possession of her tiger and it made her rather unhappy.

" You…! " She said, staring at Natsu, much more seriously than usual.

" I am your opponent! " Roared the latter, igniting his fists! " Never forget it because, whoever defeats you, it will be me! "

" Grrr! Do not take your great looks just because you resisted "ICE DEATH"! I admit I did not understand how you achieved this miracle but know that I have other tricks up my sleeve! "

" Whatever! " Said Natsu! " Because in the end, we will be the winners, if we manage to kill Borick! "

" What? "

" NO AME MURAKUMO! "

Having a sword appear in his hand, Susanoo made it grow before sending it in the direction of Borick and Kurome.

" NATALA! " Cried the Jaeger.

Extending her dyed arm, Natala struck Susanoo's sword. However, the difference in strength was so great that his weapon was destroyed in an instant, while Susanoo's weapon then cut the puppet's body in half. Then jumping in the air to avoid the sword, while holding Borick in his arms, Kurome then released him, before running to the corpse of his former friend.

" NATALA! "

" Missed ! " Said Susanoo.

Feeling an icy current, the teigu turned to Esdeath to see Esdeath begin to freeze the room all around her.

" To say that because of this idiot of pervert whom I must protect, I cannot even have fun fighting! There is no question ! "

Taking her cap to throw it away, she cried out.

" Kurome! Drop the protection of this idiot! "

" What? " Cried Borick! " But you must protect me! What will the Prime Minister say about your behavior? "

" No matter what the moron says, there is nothing more important to me than fighting! What will happen tonight will be nothing but the fight I have always been waiting for! So your life has very little importance for me! And then, what do you think the minister can do in front of me apart from getting angry until I call him to order by freezing everything around me, in an instant? "

Then swallowing, Borick saw her take a look at Natsu, while affirming.

" This time, it will start for you true and, for one of us, it will be the end, Natsu D…! "

Crossing her arms in front of her face, she covered them with ice, while Natsu's fist had tried to hit his face.

Thrown backwards under impact, Esdeath flew about ten meters before being able to rest his feet on the ground.

" We don't have the same determination! " Retorted Natsu! " You can never defeat me! "

" Motherfucker ! " Roared Esdeath, creating dozens of ice spears around it! " GRAUHORN! "

Seeing the projectiles flying towards him, Natsu let out a cry before increasing the temperature of the flames that surrounded his body. Affected by the latter, Esdeath's attacks disintegrated in an instant, while Natsu decided to counterattack.

" FIRE DRAGON'S ROAR! "

" ICE WALL! "

Forming a layer of ice in front of her, Esdeath could be safe behind her, until she saw the latter melt from the flames of Natsu.

" That … ? "

Jumping to the side, she managed to pull away in time, while the tornado of fire pulverized her defense. Not having finished, Natsu was already in front of her, rushing at her head down.

" FIRE DRAGON'S HORN! "

Hitting him in the middle of the stomach, Natsu hit her hard enough for a blood stream to come out of Esdeath's mouth.

Then seeing the body of his worst nightmare being ejected at the other end of the room, Najenda could only open his eyes, while Natsu seemed to have taken advantage.

" I do not believe it ! Can Natsu ... really beat this monster? "

" ICE TREE! "

Coming out of the ground, dozens of ice peaks formed a deadly path towards the mage. Immediately plating his hands against the ground, Natsu created a column of fire which allowed him to eject it into the air. Passing over Esdeath's attack, the mage found himself out of danger. However, jumping from the top of one of the giant peaks, Esdeath propelled himself towards him, while his arm was covered with a huge block of ice which took on the appearance of a giant's arm.

" I've got you ! ARM ICE TITAN! "

" FIRE DRAGON'S IRON FIST! "

Hitting the arm of ice, the fire fist stands up to him, creating a shock wave that was felt throughout the room.

Lying on his back, while having great difficulty staying conscious, Tatsumi smiled, however, while he murmured.

" Go ahead, Natsu! I know you can do it! "

" General! " Murmured Kurome, also watching the fight, while Borick decided to flee behind her.

Esdeath, making a level playing field, finally takes the advantage. Rolling back Natsu's arm, she could then hit her body and eject it at full speed against the ceiling. Seeing him disappear in a cloud of dust and debris, Esdeath immediately smiled.

However, her smile disappeared as soon as she saw a ball of fire shoot straight at her.

" FIRE DRAGON'S ROQUET! "

Like a meteorite, Natsu crashed into it at full power and fell with it until they crashed to the ground. Then jumping back, Natsu took a step back, while Esdeath had more trouble getting up.

" You don't make the weight in front of me! " Said Natsu.

Trembling then, Esdeath showed everyone that she was on the verge of bursting with rage. However, to everyone's surprise, she almost exploded with laughter.

" HA HA HA! It's good ! So this is pain? So this is the excitement? So this is adrenaline? It's ... It's ... It's ... so that fear? It's awesome ! "

Freezing the air around her again, Esdeath stared at Natsu with a look of pure joy as she cried out.

" Go! Come on, come on , come on ! Count on me, this time, I'm going for it! "

Creating a gigantic spear over her, she said.

" Let's see if you can stop this! SPEAR ICE GOD! "

Immediately, the giant spear shot straight towards Natsu, while the latter remained motionless.

" Natsu, move! " Cried Susanoo, preparing to run to lend her a hand.

However, he stopped, as soon as Najenda brandished his arm in front of him.

" Leave, Susanoo! "

" But… Boss? "

" It reminds me of Chelsea's words about Natsu! " Affirmed Narenda, while seeing the lance of Esdeath rush towards him! " For her, Esdeath was an insurmountable obstacle for Natsu! She was wrong! It is even the opposite! "

" Anti-dragon technique…! " Cried Natsu, putting himself in position.

" In fact, it's Natsu, the insurmountable obstacle that will stop Esdeath! "

" CRIMSON LOTUS: EXPLODING FLAME BLADE! "

First turning on itself, Natsu created a whirlwind of flame which it then projected towards the attack of Esdeath. Then being pulverized, the latter was destroyed in an instant, while Natsu's attack continued on its way. Having not even time to understand what was happening, Esdeath was in turn touched, before the whirlwind of flame struck the back wall, destroying it, to find itself outside.

" What is that ? " Wanted to know Wave, who had just been released.

Feeling like an earthquake at his feet, the boy turned his gaze to the cathedral to see Natsu's attack come out, before heading straight for the sky.

" But that … ? "

" Wave! "

Dropping close to him, Run exclaimed.

" What was that? "

" I do not know ! But it came from the cathedral! "

" I have a bad feeling ! Let's go quickly! "

Coughing while a cloud of smoke had formed in the great room, Leone finally managed to get up.

Looking ahead, she saw Tatsumi trying to do the same, only to fall to the ground, too hurt to make the slightest move.

" Stop, idiot ! " Said Leone, taking one of her arms to put it around her shoulders! " Let me help you! "

" Nastu! " Cried the boy ! " Natsu won, huh? "

As if to give him an answer, the cloud of smoke dissipated at this moment. The room currently had a huge trail across its floor from Natsu's position to the wall that his last attack had pulverized. And in between, Esdeath's body was there. With part of her clothes and her skin charred, she looked very bad. Yet she was still standing, continuing to stare at Natsu.

" Ho… How can she always be standing? "

Wobbling then, Esdeath was forced to plant his sword in the ground to use it as a cane.

Seeing this, Najenda immediately ordered.

" Natsu! Susanoo! It is time ! Finish it! "

Then attacking in two different directions, Susanoo and Natsu rushed towards Esdeath, fist forward.

" It is the end ! "

" Go for it ! "

"ESDEATH ! " Cried Natsu.

However, looking up, Esdeath mumbled.

" MAHAPADMA! "

Immediately, Natsu felt victim to a strange sensation, as if everything had suddenly frozen. In any case, without understanding how, Esdeath disappeared from his field of vision, only to find himself behind him.

" It's finish ! " She assured, sheathing her sword.

Immediately, two huge wounds in the shape of a cross appeared on Natsu's chest. Screaming in pain, the latter fell forward, before crashing against the ground, beginning to be surrounded by a puddle of his own blood.

" NATSU! " Horrified Leone and Tatsumi.

Then chuckling, Esdeath stared at an object she held in her hand, which was none other than Susanoo's lifeblood. Squeezing it then, she pulverized it so as to make the latter's body disappear.

" Susanoo! " Narenda feared.

" Congratulations ! " Cried Esdeath! " I must admit that I felt a great fright today! I'm not ready to forget this wonderful fight! But, unfortunately, all good things come to an end, right? It is time to finish with you! "

A powerful shot was then fired in his direction. Esdeath blocked the wall in time, while Esdeath blocked the rest of Night Raid.

" Missed !" Grumbled Mine.

" It was to be suspected! " Said Chelsea, returning to its original form.

" Guys ? " Tatsumi wondered.

" The mission has been accomplished! " Cried Akame, then his blood dripped on his sword! " The target " Borick " has just been eliminated! "

Hearing this, Esdeath was somewhat dissatisfied, when she thought she could have managed the situation enough to indirectly save this fool.

" Very well ! No more playing! I'm going to kill you all, members of Night Raid! "

However, appearing behind her, Susanoo retorted.

" I will never let you do it! "

" You? " Esdeath wondered.

Having just given him all the rest of his life force, Najenda let himself be crushed against the ground, while asserting.

" Do your best, Suu! "

Then taking a deep breath, she ordered.

" Let everyone listen to me! Now that the target is dead, we have nothing more to do here! Take the injured and get out! Right now ! "

" Boss? " Akame wondered.

Turning in time to parry Kurome's sword, she heard the latter affirm.

" Ah no, you're not going anywhere! You are mine, sister! "

However, suddenly receiving a kick from Leone in the middle of the stomach, she was thrown back, while the woman said.

" We don't have time to play with you! Akame, let's go! "

Nodding, Akame ends up heading towards Natsu's body before picking up the latter. She didn't know whether or not he was still alive. However, if they could still save him, there was no question of leaving him behind.

Seeing Leone do the same with Tatsumi's body, while Chelsea resumed her Susanoo form to carry Gajeel, Najenda smiled, before forming the eyes.

" Yes that's it ! Go! "

However, feeling a pair of arms lift her, the young woman was surprised to see Lubbock take her in her arms.

" But what are you doing ? "

" I follow orders! he assured, hopping to join the others! Now that a withdrawal has been announced, there is no question of leaving one of the others behind us! And especially not you, Boss! "

Suddenly grabbed by the back of his coat, he was lifted by Susanoo.

" Suu? "

" Tell Natsu and Gajeel, that I will never forget them! " Asked his friend.

Then, without saying more, he launched the duo through the huge hole that Natsu had created in the wall.

" SUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU! " Cried Lubbock.

Doing the same with the rest of the group, Susanoo evacuated them. Before this turn to Esdeath. Exhaling louder than usual, the latter showed that her fight against Natsu had exhausted her. As a result, Susanoo had every chance of holding her long enough to allow the others to flee.

However, he barely took a step forward when sharp feathers pierced his body. Grunting in frustration, he watched Run and Wave enter the room, to see the extent of the damage.

" Good blood but what happened here? "

" Hey, I recognize you, you are part of Night Raid! "

Staring at the two newcomers, Suu concentrated all of his power before asserting.

" Even if it is to hold back just a second, I would do everything I could for! After all, nothing is more important than my precious friends! "