I promise you all. I will get better with updates, I really will. My goal is that each chapter is up to my standards, so they aren't just taking up space. Quality not quantity, right? Anyway, you all will be very happy to hear that I started working on this the minute I finished publishing/writing the other chapter! Enjoy, and if you haven't already tell me what you want to see next!
~Hiraethe
"The only way to ensure that Erza will be safe," Cana said, her words spilling out like honey on newly baked bread, "Is to do the thing that you think she will do herself."
Erza's vulnerable figure looked even more fragile in the flickering light of the overhead lamps. Her eyes were wide, not able to fathom the massive unision raid heading her way. Gray's heart was beating fast, his mind struggling to stay sane from all of the internal screaming in his mind, until it went completely blank.
He pushed her out of his way, standing up. A shock of pain spasmed through his body as the attack connected with his body. His form shook in pain, swaying back and forth like a dandelion in the wind. The scarlet was looking at him with tears in her eyes.
"Gray...Gray...," she said. "Gray, are you okay?!"
"You FOOL!" Mercury said, ramming his hands into his fist. "How did we allow ourselves to be so careless?" Gray steadied himself, two ice blades forming on his arms. The etherious from the air, which had been released from the magic bomb's demise, was absorbed into his ice, turning them a yellowish orange. He eyed Seraphim, and grinned.
"You seem like you would be a nice person...if not for all this," he muttered, before lunging towards them. He first slashed Seraphim, some of the etherious seeping out of his ice and burning her skin. She let out a yelp of surprise. Next, he went towards Mercury, delivering the final blow of two blades on both of them. A double cry of anguish filled the room, and two figures dropped to the floor, unconscious.
Gray took a shaky step back, his breath heavy. Erza had not yet risen from the floor. She was staring at his back, the reality of the moment finally hitting her. Gray placed a hand on the bomb, his legs beginning to collapse under him.
"Gray?"
"I'll be fine, Erza ... I promise...," he said, before careening to the side. Erza's breath hitched, and she crawled over to him in fear. He was now only a crumpled mess on the floor, his eyes squeezed shut in pain. She pressed her hand close to his neck.
Gray wasn't breathing.
Erza hissed, coughing to smother a sob. She wipes her eyes. She, herself, was utterly beat. Her legs were all but immobile under her, and her body was covered with gashes. She looked at the door in front of her.
It creaked open.
The shadows in the distance turned into the clear silhouettes of an army. In front of them was a blonde haired commander, his face staring down at hers.
"It seems Mercury-dono and Seraphim-dono were beaten. By the likes of two fairies," he sneered at Erza. The scarlet stared back in anger, clutching Gray close to her chest.
"They're hurt though. It will be easy to defeat her," he said. The soldiers began to ready their weapons, but Hack steadied their hands.
"No, I want to do this myself."
Erza tried to back away, her heart pounding in her chest. She shielded Gray first, hugging him tightly. She tried to grasp her sword, yet her hand fell limply by her side. She cursed at herself, watching as Hack pulled out a golden studded dagger. He rushes towards her, a battle cry on his lips. Erza does not dodge, but instead-
A metal rod clashes with Hack's sword. A tanned arm lifts Erza's body into his arms, knocking Hack out with a well placed jab. The Scarlet can barely talk, looking over her mystery savior's shoulder.
Hack's army laid utterly defeated. More silhouettes were entering...and, though they were becoming closer, their images were becoming blurred. Erza let out a sigh, and everything blacked out.
"Yo!" Cana said, defeating the last opponent. The grin on her face disappeared however, at the sight of Gajeel's disturbed face. Mirajane put her hands to her mouth.
"What...What happened here?"
So, what did you all think? Short, right? Yeah, sorry about that...there just wasn't a lot to say. The next chapter is the last, so I hope you're looking forward to that :D ! ~Hiraethe
