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The tragic part of the story starts here…

Chapter 9. The truth

Nobody moved and spoke in the next few seconds.

"Obviously Bixlow knows him…" thought Mirajane.

Frosin was standing there unable to command his own body. His nerves and muscles were totally blocked. He lost the sense of time and every second seemed like all eternity to him. He couldn't take his eyes off Raijinshuu and Mirajane. A memory flashed upon him.

Flash-back

"I didn't realize my fortune before… I had to lose it in order to appreciate it. I wish I could get a second chance but it is impossible for me to return to Fairy Tail…" he said to Shitou Yajima.

The old man stared at him. "A second chance? Are you sure that this is what you want?" he asked.

"Yes, I'm quite sure."

"Well, maybe there is one way," Yajima said. "If you hide your identity…"

"But how…?"

"I will change your appearance with an illusion magic and nobody's eyes will recognize you. Besides, you will obtain new magic abilities locked within your new eyes through this magic… (1)"

"No one will recognize me, you say?"

"No one. Even Makarov himself."

"Yes, then I will be able to make up for…"

"But remember that it will be only superficial change! Your new face will be an illusion and nothing more. You will remain yourself inward. It is impossible for me to disguise your soul. And you have to be careful. Such a powerful illusion can't be absolutely stable. If someone calls you with your true name, this will be the end of the illusion magic and you won't be able to hide yourself any longer. Never forget that." Yajima remained silent for a second, and then continued: "In exchange for that favour I only want you to promise me to be good to Makarov. He needs that. No one knows this better than you. Well, what will you say? Do you agree?"

-ooo-

Ten minutes later he looked at himself in a mirror… and he couldn't recognize himself. His age, his features, those violet eyes, that black hair…And the most important difference…

"Is this really me?" he whispered and touched the right side of his face.

It was definitely a perfect disguise.

End of flash-back

So Frosin was afraid to meet Bixlow who could see human's soul. He was the only one who could reveal his secret. Now his fear became reality. Bixlow had recognized him by looking into his soul. Yes, there was no doubt about it. First thing that crossed his mind was "I have to get out of here. Immediately!" but before he could move Mirajane's scream pierced the silence.

As in a slow motion movie Frosin saw how one beast attacked Mirajane with an unimaginable speed. It happened so quickly that nobody of the others (who were still stunned due to Bixlow's reaction) was able to help her. A though that echoed in his head was: "I have to protect her!" and at the next moment he found himself between the girl and the monster. He had no time to use any magic but he didn't even think about the danger. His only thought was to save Mirajane. At the same moment he felt a sharp pain in his right arm and shoulder. The beast's teeth and claws were dug into his flesh. For a part of the second Frosin saw the creature's green eyes – the eyes of death. A spasm ran through his body. His breathe stopped and he slumped into Fried's arms. Mirajane would have been the next injured if the monster hadn't been turned to stone by Evergreen's glance. None of the others had enough time to interfere; all happened in less than two seconds.

Fried gently laid Frosin down to the ground. He opened the ragged shirt and uncovered his injuries.

Everyone surrounded the forty-year-old man. Happy jumped on Frosin's lap.

"How do you feel?" asked the flying cat anxiously.

Frosin didn't say anything. He raised his hand with an effort and petted Happy's head. His face was extremely pale. Blood was dripping from his wounds. And worse, he had the strange feeling that his body's warmth was flowing out through them. Despite the hot summer day he felt unbearable coldness.

Mirajane looked at his injuries. They didn't look very dangerous but she touched them and bit her lips in horror.

"Oh, no, he is bitten!" moaned she.

Natsu recalled Erza's words: "Please be careful. This job is dangerous. The bite of these monsters takes the human's life energy away."

"What can we do?" asked Gray.

"I'm afraid… nothing," replied Mirajane. Her voice was trembling.

"Nothing? What do you mean, Mira-san?" Lucy's expression was terrified. "Is there some kind of a poison…?"

"It is much worse," explained Mirajane. "These injuries are fatal because his vital energy will flow out through them! This is the dark magic of these monsters! Their bite wounds not only the body but also the soul…"

"So this means…" Lucy's words stuck in her throat.

"He is going to… die?" screamed Evergreen. "No! It can't be! The fate can't be so cruel! I have just found the perfect man and…" Her voice broke and she pressed her fingers against her lips.

Happy hugged Frosin's forearm as if he was trying to save him.

"I don't want him to die!" The little cat started crying.

"How could you act so recklessly, Laxus?" exclaimed Bixlow.

"How could you? How could you?" repeated his dolls.

-ooo-

(1) I don't know if Shitou Yajima is able to do that indeed. (Please forgive me if this part of the story is illogic but that's the way I imagine it!) I have chosen Yajima for this role because he is most likely a powerful mage (he was a member of the Magic Council). A magic powerful enough to mislead Makarov was necessary for this story (otherwise Makarov would have recognized his grandson immediately!).

So, what do you think about this chapter? Please let me know your opinion!

Review please!