~ Act I ~

~ A Tale of Loneliness and Boredom ~

Lucy pouted when the carriage bumped into a sharp rock on the road. She couldn't stand travelling. It always implied hours of inconvenience and boredom. At least she was used to the last one. She sighed and rearranged her elegant dress, its regal frabric being incredibly itchy and uncomfortable.

She wasn't being honest, this last month had been a real breath of fresh air in her life. She would miss her happy days at the Macgarden's Mansion. Her friend Lady Levy always knew how to make her smile, and she was the only person of her class that shared the same passion in books and knowledge.

Lucy suddenly remembered she hadn't read her mother's latest letter, arriving the very morning of her departure from the Macgarden's. She fumbled in her purse, pulled it off, and broke the wax seal. A smile spread on her face as she deciphered the elegant writing of Lady Layla Heartfilia.

My dearest Lucy,

I write to you in earnest hoping that your visit to Lady Levy's goes as well as planned, but also because by the time of your return, I fear that your father and I won't be present at the Heartfilia Estate. Certainly you understand that Lord Jude's business is important and can't be postponed.

As I write to you now, your father is telling me that he might have found the perfect suitor for you, and we can't wait for…

Lucy went tight-lipped. She knew as the years passed that her parents would begin seeking a suitable husband for her, without asking her opinion. At twenty-two years old, Lucy felt lucky she wasn't already sold to a stranger, only interested in her for the values of her dowry. She sighed and continued her reading, skipping the part refering to her marriage.

… I hope you behaved well at the Macgarden's; their alliance means a lot to our family.

During your trip back to Akalifa, you must tell Capricorn to avoid the forest at all costs. You know how scared I always get when I think of all those evil creatures haunting the country. I heard from Lady Cordelia that her cousin's son's butler's friend had seen fairies and almost got killed. I get shivers just from writing this down...

I can't wait to see you again, my dear daughter. Take good care of yourself.

From your loving mother,

Lady Layla Prudence Margeory Heartfilia

Lucy rolled her eyes and shook her head.

"Just like in a fairy tale…What utter garbage."

A snort followed, the parchment was crumbled, and was discarded with a toss, never to be thought of again. She never believed in those mystical creatures rumors talked about. Fairies, ogers, mermaids, ghosts and centaurs… These were just stories to scare little desobedient children and simple minded people.

Lucy wasn't the bragging kind of lady, but she had always been proud to be more down-to-earth than her servants, her friends, and even her mother. And especially her father.

Her precocious passion for books led her to read a large amount of them in the imposing library of the Heartfilia's castle, with Lady Layla's compliance, since women weren't supposed to read so much. It helped her to acquire a critical thought process and shape her adult mind into something prim and proper. Nobody could make her believe in something as proofless as mystical, magical, and invisible living beings.

Lucy sighed as she perched her elbow upon the windowsill of the carriage, resting her cheek upon her dainty palm and glancing at the landscape outside. The gloomy atmosphere of the bleak sky mirrored the dull ache she felt inside herself, and for that moment it was as if the world just couldn't get any brighter than this.

Not when life was so dreadfully boring.

"If I were the sun I'd hide too," Lucy murmured, her cheek sliding farther down her hand. "I'd shield myself away from such a droll life…"

"Lady Lucy!" her faithful servant's voice rang from the front of carriage, making her lift her head up to give him proper attention. "I apologize for the inconvenience, but the road straight to your estate is impassable at the moment…"

"Why's that, Capricorn?" Lucy responded with a raised eyebrow. It was certainly strange…

"It appears some large boulders have fallen onto the path from the heavy rains these last few days." He gestured towards where they normally bypassed the village, showing the dirty road below complete barricaded with large gray boulders. "We'll have to go through the village, it's the only way… It shouldn't take very long."

"Then that's just as fine, Capricorn. I'm in no rush anyway…"

"Perhaps, but certainly you must know that the citizens of the Town of Magnolia don't take very kindly to… People of your stature, yes?"

Lucy frowned- certainly she was aware that her family wasn't on the best of the terms with the "free" town of Magnolia, as they didn't take kindly to people of power and prefered to strictly run themselves.

Personally Lucy was apalled that such a town could exist without a party overseeing its management -certainly there would be fights and disputes every night without order- but she also supposed it wasn't her business. So long as they left each other alone, no trouble could arise.

"We'll just be passing through, Capricorn." She spoke in her refined voice that had been primmed to perfection ever since the day she uttered her first word. "It shouldn't be a bother to them if we just happen by."

"As you wish, Lady Lucy."

The carriage heaved as Capricorn changed direction, Lucy adjusting in her seat to prepare for the bumpy trip. Seldom had she actually been in Magnolia, but she knew well enough that the simple town didn't share in the luxuries of her estate…

"At least we're not headed through that dreaded forest… Mum will be pleased at least," Lucy sighed to herself. "Not that's there's anything to worry about… Mystical creatures, I wish."

Something extraordinary to take the ordinary right out of her life…

She'd appreciate it.

The fancy carriage had to lower its speed when it entered the town. Lucy watched eagerly through the window, curious to see what a free town looked like. Her enthusiasm deflated when disappointment filled her heart again as she laid eyes on the dirty streets, the wobbly houses, and the chickens and dogs running freely here and there. It was an ordinary town. Just like the others. Nothing special at all.

She sighed, preparing to close the velvet curtains of her window when she caught the icy glares a group of kids sent her as the carriage slowly passed next to them. Unanimous gazes of contempt came at her from all sides, and if she wasn't comfortable before, she certainly wasn't now.

Lucy almost fell onto the floor as the carriage abrutly stopped, partially sinking on one side.

"Lady Lucy!" Capricorn called out to his mistress, sounding heavily distressed. "The wheel is stuck in a hole! I won't be able to fix this alone; I must ask for help."

"Fine, but get us out of here- quickly please," she answered nervously, remaining patiently in the carriage.

In spite of her wish of adventure, she definitely didn't like the children's harsh glares. They weren't alone now- other toddlers and adults gathered to create a budding crowd around the lost travellers. They were all ominously silent, but their faces spoke more than enough.

Lucy felt sweat dripping down her back, probably spoiling her corset. She saw Capricorn heading towards strong-looking men, then starting to calmly talk with them. Her servant looked so small and feeble compared to them, dwarfed by their size and intimidation. He pointed at her carriage and explained the situation; the men scowled in disgust at him, then darted their eyes at her.

The blond gulped and tried to calm her heart. It was obvious she didn't fit among these people, her bright clothing contrasting with the dulled rags the peasants were wearing. She truly didn't believe they were bad people, but with the way they silently singled her out...

Lucy didn't feel right at all in the free town. She didn't belong here, and the inhabitants seemed to think so as well. She decided to try a friendly gesture, putting on her brightest smile and waving at the children.

This simple action from the noble triggered the town's boiling disapproval. Faces broke into scowls, eyes narrowed disgustedly, men spat on the ground, and a grumbling chorus of voices arose.

Among many haggard shouts, "You filthy nobles!" was all Lucy could clearly distinguish.

Her face turned red from the shame rising in her chest. What did she do wrong? She was too preoccupied to pull herself together from all the insults to see the dark figure on the rooftop shifting, shrouded in shadow and staying out of sight. Too many hateful eyes were upon her for Lucy to feel the heavily curious gaze also locked onto her.

Lucy finally snapped out of her trance when she heard a loud punch. Capricorn was suddenly lying on the ground, unconscious. The horrified girl didn't have time to scream, as she felt the carriage begin to shake under the force of the rocks the villagers started to throw.

"Get outta your fancy cart, you goddamn noble!"

"Get lost! Our town doesn't need a rich snob like you here!"

"You scared, ya prim little prude?!"

"What's she gonna do to us anyway?! She's too dainty to even lift a finger for herself!"

Tears formed in the lady's eyes as she started to hyperventilate. Like an animal in a cage, she was trapped in her carriage with no way out. Capricorn was beaten right in front of her eyes, blood was dripping from his mouth and the side of his head… She could see his chest rising and falling slower than it should've been... He was dying in front of her.

Lucy sobbed and frantically glanced around for an escape, but to no avail.

"Die! You damn thief!" A closer voice shouted.

Lucy shifted her head towards it. Suddenly her eyes widened in fear as she caught sight of a sharp rock heading rapidly towards her head. No time to avoid it.

She closed her eyes and lifted her arms protectively in front of her to brace for the eventual impact, but the hit never came.

She slowly brought her eyes over her to see what happened, only for them to grow in size once again.

A tall figure stood in front of her window, with a white-gloved hand firmly grasping the massive rock that could have blown her head off.

"Are y'all insane?!"

Pink hair. A male, livid, fierce voice.

"She didn't do anything wrong! Just leave her be!"

This voice, this figure just saved her, and was now coming to her defense. Lucy's confused mind tried to process what happened, still stuck in a state of shock.

In the streets, the crowd fell silent at the man's intervention- if man was the right word to use. An uncanny spark danced in his dark onyx eyes, unnaturally pointy canines prodded out of his mouth as he yelled... A fascinating aura seemed to surround him, despite the tattered cloak he wore shamelessly.

The adults couldn't keep their gaze off the surreal handsome man who was almost shining in the night. However the children started to sob as they saw something in this man the entranced adults couldn't.

Danger.

All too quickly the crowd moved back, leaning in closer to one another. Children quickly fled behind the legs of parents for cover, shuddering at the display of the man before them. One young boy fisted his dad's coat in his little hand.

"D-Daddy, that mister is scary…"

"It's all right Romeo, I won't let him hurt you."

"But it was perfectly fine to hurt this guy?!" The stranger suddenly snapped back, gesturing to Capricorn. He snarled at the crowd as he took a step forward, now making even the adults flinch.

"SOMEBODY ANSWER ME!"

Lucy gasped as the gutteral scream escaped from her frightening savior, only able to listen as the crowd was once more whipped into uproar. Their issue with her had all but faded with the all-encompassing presence of the stranger. The threatening aura he gave off was enough to push back the masses even without the sneer he wore.

For a split second, his sharp gaze darted over his shoulder, locking eyes with Lucy's.

The look he wore stole her breath away even without an exchanging of words.

"All right, all right, coming through! What the hell is going on?!"

The atmosphere shifted once again at the sound of a grunting female, and peering carefully through the window Lucy saw a bit of white pushing its way through the crowd. People shifted from being harshly elbowed, and eventually out of the crowd came a young woman only slightly older than Lucy herself.

Her white hair was pulled into a ponytail that sat high on her head, and her striking blue eyes practically had the power to pierce through souls. Even from a distance, Lucy grew goosebumps from the paralyzing gaze.

The white haired woman stopped in front of the crowd, standing only a few steps away from the carriage and the strange man.

In her state of shock, Lucy couldn't help but gasp when she saw this visibly strong woman's outfit. She wore men's trousers! A weapon hung on her belt! And her posture was slouched like an animal ready to pounce…!

A rush of newfound fear chilled Lucy's veins as she watched the woman examine the situation, her expression dressed with a frown. Nobles, a dead man sprawled in the streets… Then her hardened gaze fixated on the noble's cloaked savior. He emitted a supernatural aura that was impossible to ignore, especially for her expertly trained mind. There was no way he could be just any human…

But the longer she looked at him, the two of them stuck in their showdown of stares, each passing second like an eternity, something eventually started to click. Something horribly unpleasant.

"Dark eyes...and pink hair," she whispered, as though the words hadn't be intended to slip out.

A memory stirred deep in the woman's mind. Her frown deepened and she glared daggers in his direction. Words weren't needed to get her message across, and he had received it loud and clear.

"It's him..." Her hand grabbed the handle of her weapon as she crouched into a fighting pose. "After all this time… You finally decide to show your disgusting face!"

"Tch…" The stranger tried to keep up the tough guy act, but anyone could see the way he tensed upon her calling him out. He looked as though he was prepared to flee, but never took his eyes off the threatening female before him.

"Mira! Mira, what's happening?"

An extremely tall and muscular blond man with a scar on his face appeared from the crowd, with a scarlet haired woman at his side. Lucy wondered how many scary people this town possessed. These two looked stronger than the one apparently called Mira, and yet a powerful -and heavily threatening- dark aura surrounded her.

"It's him! The beast! The beast we've hunted for two years!" Mira shouted, and suddenly the crowd was thrown into a frantic uproar.

Their daze broken, the villagers forgot about their previous fear and moved to get behind their leaders. All emotion left their faces as they closed in on the cloaked stranger, nothing on their minds other than hatred. Lucy and her poor servant weren't even a thought anymore.

The scarlet haired woman unsheathed her sharp sword, and the tall man tightened his fist in front of him. The moving crowd came alive once more with a string of insults, but this time directed towards Lucy's savior.

"Monster!"

"Beast!"

"We're gonna kill you!"

"You deserve to die!"

Lucy saw the pink-haired man shake in front of her and take a step backwards. Would he be beaten up by those people like her dear Capricorn too? She couldn't let them; the man had saved her and he was going to pay for it… What was wrong with these people?!

But before the noblewoman had the time to get out of her carriage and support her only friend, he was gone, slipping away as fast and silent as a cat. Lucy blinked, then tried to follow with her eyes his shadowy figure running in the dark streets.

The crowd didn't wait to react- a sizeable group went to arms and ran after him, yelling and calling other men and women. The rest of the crowd scattered and locked themselves in their homes. They didn't need to see the bloodshed that was certain to follow.

Soon enough, Lucy was alone in the main street, in her broken carriage, next to the motionless body of her servant.

Alone and scared.

Blood. So much blood. He wants it. It calls him.

Scared. Scared and hungry.

Monster!

Did you… bite me?

Run. That's the only way. Or he'll lose his mind.

… For eternity...

Run and hide.

… You shall never rest…

Natsu, where are you? Are you lost?

… You shall never be loved again.

The running man shook his head and picked up his pace. He couldn't stay in this town. He couldn't fight them. Anything could happen if he lost control of himself… Why did he help that girl? She was stuck in the town anyway...

Suddenly hunters appeared in the street in front of him, blocking the way to the forest. It was strange- the town had changed so much since the last time he'd been there. New buildings had come into being, a fountain had been placed into town... It was almost beyond recognition.

Something sharp suddenly stabbed into his leg, making him hiss in pain as he turned to find the source. A silver-bladed knife was jetting out of his calf, and pulling it out made his face contort.

"Oh, does that hurt? That's not even the worst of it."

The sickeningly sweet voice came from the approaching Mira, sporting a sadistic grin that borderlined between furious, relieved, and somewhat crazy. She twirled another of those knives between her fingers, her other hand still latched on the weapon at her side.

"Nowhere to run now!" she cackled as she threw the second one; this time he was ready and swiftly ducked away, carefully backpedalling. The last thing he wanted was to hurt these people… But if they got too close… He didn't know how much longer he could hold back.

"Capricorn… Capricorn?!"

Lucy's hand shook as she reached for her beloved and loyal servant, eyes stark wide horror as he didn't respond to her touches. She finally managed to worm her way out of the carriage with the crowd gone, but… It wasn't soon enough.

"Those people… Those awful people!" Lucy screamed as tears stung at her eyes. "How could they do this to somebody?! He just wanted some help…!"

The injustice of it all was suffocating, and the more Lucy thought about it the harder she shook. What would she tell her parents? What about the rest of the staff at the estate? There was no one around who'd be willing to help- they all shut themselves in their homes as a firm reminder that they weren't friendly… At least, not to nobles.

"Oh Capricorn," Lucy trembled as she ripped a small part of her dress off to wrap around his wound. It wasn't much, and it probably wouldn't help, but with the carriage trapped and her unable to carry him, her options were limited. "I'm sorry… I'm so sorry! You didn't deserve this…"

And neither did her savior, she reminded herself with a start. He was being hunted like an animal right at that very moment, assailed with names like "beast" and "monster"... How could he possibly be any of those things if he was the only one in this town that showed even a shred of compassion?

"I have to go after him," Lucy whispered as she tried to stand on her shaky legs.

She wasn't thinking straight, unable to imagine how to help him and where it would lead her… She didn't see anything else she could do.

"If I couldn't save Capricorn, then I have to save that man!"

It took her a moment to regain her balance as she rose to her feet, leaning on the carriage for support. She panted heavily, able to hear the outcries of angry people towards the center of the town. Renewed determination filled her as she headed off in that direction, running as fast as her legs would allow.

"Monster! Evil creature!"

The chants rang in her ears, growing louder as she followed the angry sounds.

"Slay him! Slay him!"

She didn't understand, didn't understand at all! Was death truly a punishment for protecting a noble in this town?! These people were ruthless barbarians!

"Put his head on a stake and turn the remains to ashes!"

Not a single shred of humanity in them if they couldn't even spare a life.

"Get your fill everyone, before I properly end him…" Mirajane exclaimed.

The hunters murmured and smirked in approval, looking forward to hurting the object of their hatred.

The merciless woman watched the growing carnage with narrowed eyes and her knife still twirling about in her hand. The angry mob had closed in on the caped stranger and went at him with everything they had: pitch forks, gardening tools, kitchen utensils, and the crowd-favorite being the rocks that seemed to be in constant supply.

The man currently under siege could only shield his face as he endured the constant bombardment of rocks. A few times he felt their weapons stab into him, but nothing was nearly as bad as where he'd been impaled with the knife. The blood oozed from the wound and crawled down his leg…

… He could have let his anger explode. He could have wiped them all out in a second, but instead, he struggled against an insane battle taking place in his head. His mind was torn between his instincts driven wild by all the blood filling his nostrils, and his reason, ordering him not to fight… Ordering him to let them strike him down… If he wanted to redeem himself.

He was a monster. But he protected the blond lady. He didn't do anything wrong this time. He couldn't die. It wasn't fair this time.

The next time a villager stabbed a pitch fork at him, he grabbed it on instinct.

Immediately the crowd recoiled when he yanked it back and brought the wielder of the weapon with it, bringing his face closer to the villager's still holding the pitch fork. Locking eyes, he snarled fiercely, making a show of his sharpened canines.

A yelp escaped from the villager as he surrendered the weapon and scrambled off, leaving the injured and smirking man to use it to support himself.

Battered, bruised, and bloody, he hardly looked threatening anymore, and yet his dark fiery eyes were enough to scare the mob. Everyone had given up on the weapons after he had managed to turn one into a makeshift crutch… aside from one person.

"Dammit!" he hissed as another knife wedged into his left arm, eyes bulging in agony. Mira scoffed and pulled out a third knife, already taking aim again.

"Crap, I'm outta practice, I missed…" She grumbled.

"Tch, if it were me I would have straight up stabbed him," remarked the tall blond man. Mira pouted and glared at him.

"Shut up Laxus! I want his pain to be slow and agonizing… Just like what he did to her…"

"But that's impractical," smirked the redhead, making Mira fume with anger. "You should know that these monsters need to be killed on the spot-"

"Fine! You can take your arrogance and shove it, Erza!" Mira's cold blue gaze darted back onto the shaking man leaning on the pitchfork. "I'll make it quick… But I won't make it painless."

"I'm not…. I refuse to hurt anyone…" The pale man wheezed, the pain stealing his breath away.

His spiraling mind slipped back into a state of desperation, suppressed guilt rising back to the surface. Mirajane made the assertive walk over to him. She nearly spat at his words, now gritting her teeth as a vein nearly popped on her forehead.

"Hmph! Betcha weren't thinking that two years ago, you monster!" Mira snapped back, wasting no time in raising her knife again.

The dull glint of the knife seemed to fill the so-called monster's vision, though he found himself not really wanting to move anyway. His life wasn't worth much to begin with.

"You people leave him alone!"

The man snapped back to reality just as Mira was a few mere steps away from him, but suddenly the powerful feminine fragrance he smelled earlier filled his nose and nearly made his head spin all over again. There was a flash of bright orange, red spots, and maybe a flicker of blond hair, but all his senses were overridded by the horrid scream that rippled into the air afterward.

People gasped. Time slowed. Blood spattered. The man's eyes widened as they locked onto the young woman next to him, and he slammed his hand over his nose. Blood mixed with her light hint of vanilla... Such a wonderful, powerful, and insanely tempting scent… He couldn't let it get to him !

Lucy heaved as she grabbed at the fresh wound at her side, Mirajane looking horrified as she withdrew the knife. For the moment, the crowd had gone remarkably silent- even though they despised nobles, harming one was practically asking for a death wish.

Yet the noblewoman in question didn't seem to be bothered with social standing right now, instead throwing her head over her shoulder. Even though the lady was consumed with pain and her voice was juddering, she still managed a smile at her savior.

"C'mon, go, get out of here! Do it now!" She whispered painfully. The stilled crowd was spurred back into action, appalled at her words and raising their weapons in protest once again.

"That idiot noble is trying to let him get away!"

"How dare she after what he's done!"

"These two should both be punished!"

"NOW!" Lucy screamed at the paralyzed man, catching him gaping at her in surprise. This helped him break his daze. He tried hard to forget all the confused desire he inexplicably felt for the blond lady who had saved his life in return...

But she was right, he had to go now. The villagers were pulling themselves together, and their collectively fierce glares indicated they weren't done with him. With a quiet nod to the lady, he staggered away as best he could, doing his best not to look back...

A strange whistled melody filled the air and stopped the whole crowd dead in their tracks, giving them goosebumps. The monster was calling something. A second later, a dark animal arrived from the forest, flapping its crooked wings vigorously.

'That's a big bat…' Lucy thought and blinked her tired eyes.

The animal caught the collar of its master, lifted him in the air, and they both vanished in the darkness of the forest.

All of this happened so quickly, and the injured noble wondered if she hadn't dreamed it before suddenly being pulled forward.

"What the hell is wrong with you?!" Mira hissed, gripping the drowsy Lucy by the low-cut collar of her dress. "Do you know what you just saved, Lady Idiot ?"

Lucy closed her eyes and sobbed.

"Please… Mercy…"

"Tchh… You don't know who you're dealing with. We'll take care of you later. You're not important. Come on guys, let's chase him !"

She raised her weapon in the air and ran after their target, quickly followed by enthusiastic yelling. Once again, Lucy was left alone in the village, not far from the forest, with nobody to help her. And this time, she was the one injured on the ground.

She let her tears fall freely down her face as she became neglected. Her brain was starting to lose its grip on reality. She collapsed to the ground and covered her face with her arm, the other one still gripping on her wounded side. She was going to die in this awful village, just like Capricorn.

Behind the closest house, a tiny dark shadow appeared and stared at the wounded girl. Yellow eyes filled with tears looked up at another taller figure behind the house.

"Natsu… She's dying…"

"I know… I can smell it… Damn, why did you bring me back here, Happy?!"

"Because she saved you! We have to take her with us!"

"I can't!" The desperate man whimpered and pinched his nose. "She smells so good, so strong! I can't… I… I'm afraid I might…"

"No you won't! You didn't before I arrived! And yet there wasn't only her blood! Come ooooon, pleeease Natsuuu!"

The injured man looked down at his pleading companion. She wasn't like any of the other humans... She could have believed he was actually a monster and run away to hide somewhere, but instead she came to help him, and was stabbed in his place.

He wanted to heal her, and thank her. He wanted to know her name. But he also had deeper and darker desires… Tasting her blood… Feeling her scent and her hot fluid filling him… Kissing her, licking her, making her his…

"Natsu? Hello? Come back to Happybat!"

Natsu blinked then frowned.

"See Happy! This is a terrible idea… I'm already having sinful fantasies, dammit!" He held his head in his hands. "And it's not just about drinking her blood... I can't, this will end badly!"

"Oooooh…" The bat grinned in realization. "You liiiiiike her!"

"Shut up!" His friend hissed.

"Now that it's final, we take her with us, come on!"

Natsu didn't have time to catch the bat, who was already flying towards the unconscious blond lady. She had fainted not that long ago, leaving Happy to scoop her up with no resistance… Except from Natsu.

"HAPPY! COME BACK HERE!" Natsu yelled as quietly as he could.

"No." The bat simply answered. The flying animal grabbed her delicately by her waist belt, and lifted her. "Ughhh, she's heavy! Why does she wear such heavy clothes? You chose a weirdo, Natsu."

"I didn't choose her!" He glared daggers at the bat and followed from afar, a scarf pressed on his nose. "Just hurry up. I can't run like this, you'll have to fetch me. Avoid the hunters."

"Who do you think I am?" Happy grinned joyfully with a wink.

Erza glanced at her rival and friend worriedly. Mirajane was fuming, ready to destroy anything that went against her. They entered Magnolia side by side, with the pitiful hunters following them. They had searched for the beast all night, and yet… They never found him.

"I can't believe what happened tonight." Laxus arrived to join them. "We finally have proof that this monster exists. But he wasn't looking very dangerous to me. He just had luck to get away."

"He was holding back Laxus, obviously." The very observative Erza stated.

"Why would he hold back? He's a beast."

"I'm just telling you what I saw. If he decides to fight us properly someday, he will be a much more powerful opponent."

Mirajane remained silent, her lips pursed and her fists clenched. She was so close to getting revenge like she promised… But this wasn't over. They would find him again. The hunters would train, more and more every day, to defeat him.

They arrived at the street where the stupid lady decided to intervene, resulting in that injury. Her blood now colored the muddy ground… But she was gone. The three hunters frowned.

"Where is she?!"

"Wake up the rest of the village." Erza ordered. "It might be in our best interest that we find her, she can be useful. I recognized her carriage's insignia, she from the Heartfilia family. We could bargain with the patriarch."

"I'm sure it's him… He took her… "

Mira was mumbling to herself, curling and uncurling her fist in aggravated thought. But then, in a sudden change of pace, her shoulders started to shake as she broke out into an insane laugh.

"...The silly girl; she should have let us kill him."

Erza and Laxus glanced at each other and frowned.

"Let's search for her nonetheless," Erza suggested carefully. "We don't know for certain if it's him or not."

They turned around to give their orders to the other hunters, while Mira looked up at the moon, then straight into the deep forest.

"I'll find you, Beast. You made two mistakes tonight… Showing up, and taking the noble… So many enemies now… Can you handle it?"