Chapter XVIII

Zeref's hand slowly raised to the blonde's head. He paused, his hand hovering above her forehead.

"I could end this quickly for you," he said emotionlessly. "But that would be too easy. You like running, don't you? I'll kill you slowly, like a cat playing with a mouse before it dies."

Lucy glared at him with narrow eyes, but was speechless, her consciousness fading. She felt the pressure being taken away from her hair as the dark mage threw her up into the air.

She also felt the explosion on her stomach, with dark magic clinging to her body, and growing. It enveloped her just as another explosion hit her. This is it, she thought. This is as far as I go.

She collided with something. A rock, she concluded. Or the ground. But it wasn't either of those. It was warm and comforting… something was familiar about it. She almost gasped with surprise when the darkness that had nearly swallowed her was being burnt off, chunk by chunk.

"Nat… su…" she murmured, opening one eye to look up at him. The boy had caught her, and was now holding her princess-style. He didn't meet her gaze — he was busy glaring at Zeref.

"Natsu!" Happy cried, standing up as best as he could. His wings were gone, but he was okay, other than a few bruises. "You're awake!"

Ignoring Happy at the moment, Natsu closed his eyes and knelt down in the spot where the snow had suddenly melted away, setting Lucy down gently. Instead of laying the blonde's back on the ground, he propped her up in a sitting position on his one raised knee. He lowered his head so that his cheek rested on hers. "Thank goodness," he whispered in her ear, but it seemed as if he was half talking to himself. "I made it in time…"

"Natsu…" Lucy was surprised at his sad yet relieved tone, but was happy to hear his voice again.

He drew back, looking fiercely at her with smoldering eyes. "Don't ever do that again."

"Huh?" She was confused. "Do what again?"

"I'm not letting you die. Not on my watch!" He set her down, preparing himself for a fight. "Happy!"

"Aye, sir!" The blue cat ran over to him and, with some effort, summoned his wings again. Happy then picked Natsu up, flying above the snow. "Ouch! When did your body get so hot?!"

"After I woke up," Natsu answered nonchalantly, staring down at Zeref, who returned the gaze.

"What on Earthland were you dreaming about?!" Happy exclaimed.

Natsu smiled. "Enough power to defeat him!" He pointed down at the dark mage. "This time, I'll end this!"