Disclaimer: I claim no rights over any of the characters portrayed in this story. They belong to Hiro Mashima and I am merely borrowing them for a while. I promise to give them back.

Chapter 64

Tough Choices

A circle of spectators stood in the center of the grand ballroom. The tension in the air was palpable as the opponents prepared for battle.

"Since you are the challenged party," Batlaan conceded graciously, "You get to decide choose whether the fight will end at first blood or to the death."

"Whoa," Natsu waved his arms, "I'm not going to kill you."

Batlaan smirked.

"I like your confidence. It will make it all the sweeter when I beat you."

"You will begin on my mark," called out the presiding official.

He raised a white handkerchief in the air.

"Begin!"