Author Note:
Hey there!
Guess who is back after a month-long break?
During my absence, I had the incredible privilege of marrying someone truly special. Life has been a rollercoaster of change ever since. Naturally, this new chapter of my life has influenced my writing process and the pace at which I can release new chapters. Unfortunately, it will continue to affect my activity for the time being.
For now, I'll leave you dear readers with three new chapters, and a heart-wrenching climax to the Bramblewood Arc. While I feel like they are sorely lacking in certain areas, withholding from releasing them would serve no real purpose.
I hope the story and developments so far leave you content and excited for what's to come next.
-BoisterousBaboon
Chapter 6. Balance
Lisanna kneeled by the makeshift grave of Aeloria's cubs, her fingers trembling as they traced the earth that covered them, the morning air's chill biting into her skin. The melancholy pressed down on her chest and the silence. Natsu and Happy stood beside her. While they were mute, Lisanna found some comfort in silence. Days had passed since Lisanna made her promise to the stag. The forest felt emptier with each passing moment. Bramblethorn's absence grew more oppressive. The stillness pressed heavily on her. She was beginning to question if Bramblethorn would ever return—or if it was biding its time, waiting for them to let their guard down.
Lisanna shook her head, feeling heaviness settling on her. She felt uncertain of what was to come. Would she succeed in saving Natsu, and driving Bramblethorn away? Or would all of it come crashing down, and cost her and Happy's lives? Whatever the answer to that was, Lisanna couldn't afford to falter now; Natsu and Happy were counting on her. She needed to be their strength, no matter how scared she felt. Fear. Doubt. None of it mattered now. If she lost her edge, Bramblethorn could surprise them at any moment. She clasped her hands together, her fingers interlacing tightly as she bowed her head, praying silently for the cubs. Her lips moved without sound, her thoughts filled with wishes for peace and rest.
After a long moment of silence, Happy spoke.
"Lisanna... I'm scared," he admitted with a small voice. His eyes were wide under the soft glow of the moon.
Lisanna looked at the exceed, then gently stroked his fur. "I'm scared too, Happy," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "But that's okay. Being scared means we are alive, right?"
Happy looked up at her, his eyes searching hers. "But Natsu is always so strong and brave... Isn't he?"
Lisanna paused, her gaze settled into distance, as she ruminated on the words. Then with a soft exhale, she focused her view back at Happy and smiled sadly. "The truth is, Happy, the thought of losing something precious makes him more terrified than anything else," she said. "He was not afraid of what might happen to him... But what might have happened to his precious family."
Happy frowned, then rubbed his paws together with a slight tremor. "Can I be like him too?"
"Yes, you can."
The trio then turned and began making their way out of the forest. The dense trees slowly gave way to open space, and the path ahead seemed to stretch endlessly. Earth crunched beneath their feet and growing sense of unease. Lisanna could hear her own steps and the occasional breeze against otherwise mute surroundings.
Everything was still. Too still.
As they neared the edge of the forest, a dreadful chill invaded their bodies, seeping into their bones and making them shiver involuntarily.
Lisanna's body tensed and her breath caught in her throat as her senses honed on the new presence. The air carried a faint, musty scent of earth. She felt her own breathing slowly picking up pace, and the hairs on the back of her neck stood on end. A sense of dread washed over her, so deep and primal that it rooted her to the spot.
Something's coming…
The exceed, too, felt it. His wings quivered, and his eyes were wide. "Lisanna..." he whispered, his voice trembling. "It's–"
A blood-curdling screech tore through the air. It shattered the stillness of the night, and the malice in it made Lisanna's heart race with terror. Her blood ran cold.
The take-over mage grabbed Natsu's arm, pulling him forward as they raced down the path. Their feet pounded against the ground, their breaths coming out in ragged gasps. They crested the top of the hill, and there, in the distance below, they saw it. A dark, twisting shape rose from the heart of the village. Bramblethorn. Its thorn-covered limbs lashed out, smashing into buildings, and catapulted debris in every direction. The village was now a battlefield once more, and Lisanna could feel the earth tremble beneath her feet as the creature wreaked havoc.
Smoke began to rise, curling into the night sky, and the distant screams carried on in the wind. The sight gripped Lisanna's chest fiercely. She gritted her teeth and clenched her fists as adrenaline surged in. This is it. This would be their final confrontation with Bramblethorn. She wouldn't let it win—not this time.
"Happy," the take-over mage spoke with a hard tone. "We're going down there."
With that, she took off, her legs carrying her down the hill with Happy by her side and Natsu, still lost in his world, following in tow. The village came into view quickly, and the sight of it painted a grim picture. Fences torn apart. Holes in building walls, and smashed window shutters barely hung on. Lisanna's felt a chill running down her veins, as they neared the gates. She wanted to stop, to help anyone buried under rubble, but she couldn't. If she wasted any more time, more innocents would be hurt. With a bite of her lips, she dashed by the gate. The scene that greeted her upon entrance made her core lurch.
Bramblethorn stood in the middle of the clearing, its monstrous form towering over everything, and thorn-covered limbs ready to strike. But what made Lisanna's breath catch was the sight of Borbo and Elsy standing defiantly in front of a young child who was trapped beneath the split wood boards of a collapsed house.
They were prepared to lay down their lives.
The image tore through Lisanna's heart like a blade, and without hesitation, she called out her Cat Takeover, feeling the speed surge through her body. With lightning-fast reflexes, she dashed forward, her vision narrowing in on Bramblethorn as it raised its vine-covered limbs, to strike at Borbo and Elsy.
No, you won't…!
Once the distance was closed, she shifted into her Rabbit Takeover, using the momentum to leap into the air and drive her entire weight into the hulking creature. The impact was brutal, and she could feel pain ripple through her body as her fur locked with Bramblethorn's thick, thorny skin. Bramblethorn's massive form stumbled backward and crashed onto its back with a writhing screech. creating a much-needed gap.
Lisanna took the chance to turn to Borbo. "Borbo! Look after Natsu!" she called out, her voice sharp with urgency.
Happy quickly joined her, his wings fluttering as he led Natsu to the village chief, "Keep him safe!"
Borbo's eyes widened as he caught sight of the group. The man looked like he had aged by a decade. With a slightly tired posture, he nodded.
Lisanna pivoted, fixing her attention to Bramblethorn, who by now had already recovered. Its massive form loomed over them once more. Black sap oozed from its corroded bark, glistening under the moon's dim light. Looking at it made Lisanna tremble, a heavy dread settled on her as she took in the grotesque form of the monster. It had grown larger by a size at least, and the aura around it was as if one were looking at death. With a realization and a heavy trembling exhale, Lisanna's head hung down.
"I'm sorry, Natsu," a sad grin tugged at her lips as she curved her head to meet Dragon Slayer's muted gaze one last time.
"I have to go. I have to… so I can save them... and you," her voice cracked.
Then she dashed.
Lisanna leaped into the fray, her body shifting into her Cat Takeover form to gain speed and agility, aiming to get close to Bramblethorn. But just as she moved to strike, Bramblethorn plunged its massive arm into the earth, and in an instant, vines erupted from beneath her feet. They shot upward like piercing spears, forcing Lisanna to react. She back-stepped quickly, dodging left and right to evade the onslaught of root tendrils. Their overwhelming speed and sheer number drove her on the defensive, and soon she found herself blocking with her forearms, bracing against the force of the vines that battered her.
A chill crawled up her spine when the miasma touched her skin. The world around her seemed to blur, and the ground beneath her feet suddenly shuddered. From below the earth, vines erupted, twisting and writhing like serpents.
"Happy, watch out!"
Lisanna dodged just in time as one of the thorn-covered vines lashed toward her, narrowly missing her by inches. She spun, evading another as it burst from the ground, aiming for her legs. The miasma grew thicker, and her vision began to darken at the edges. The haze threatened to swallow her whole.
Whispers. Oppressive, insidious voices curled into her mind, pressing on her deepest fears, her most hidden doubts. She could hear them, feel them digging into her consciousness.
You're a burden.
Why didn't you remain in Edolas?
Natsu is gone... and it's your fault.
Love? You are unworthy.
Lisanna's heart pounded in her chest, but she clenched her teeth, forcing herself to dodge and evade the vines as they continued to shoot up from the ground. Bramblethorn was poaching their vulnerabilities, attacking their weaknesses. Every step Lisanna took seemed slower, every movement more desperate. She could feel the miasma's weight pressing down on her, making her limbs heavy, and her mind sluggish.
But then in the midst of her frantic maneuvers, she noticed something.
The Miasma... It wasn't working?
The whispers—the voices—they weren't getting to her. Not like they had with Natsu. She dodged another vine and rolled to the side, her breath coming in quick gasps, but her mind remained clear.
Why...? Lisanna thought, her eyes narrowing as she leaped over another vine.
And then, a thought flashed in her mind. Natsu. His goofy grin, the way he always grinned despite everything, how he made her laugh in the darkest of times. That memory flickered through her like a burst of warmth in the middle of the storm.
Her mind racing, Lisanna continued dodging incoming vines. She had realized the truth. Bramblethorn feeds on negative emotions. Fear. Anger. But Lisanna wasn't consumed by those feelings. Her heart was full of something else—hope. She wasn't afraid of losing Natsu. She believed in him. And at that moment, as his grinning face flashed across her mind again, she knew what needed to be done.
She dodged another vine, this time with a renewed burst of speed, her confidence growing.
That's it. It can't touch me because I'm holding onto something.
Lisanna's movements became sharper and more deliberate. She realized what was happening. The miasma tried to cloud her mind, but it couldn't latch onto anything because her heart wasn't filled with fear or doubt. She had pushed them away. All she held onto was her faith in Natsu.
But even with this realization, Bramblethorn wasn't backing down. The creature's massive limbs lashed out violently, and Lisanna knew she couldn't let her guard down. She traded blows with the creature, each strike deliberate, but with every attack, the miasma thickened, the vines more aggressive.
Happy darted through the air beside her, desperately trying to keep the vines from overwhelming them both. "Lisanna! It's getting stronger!" he cried out, narrowly avoiding a vine that shot up from the ground beside him.
Lisanna's eyes flicked to Bramblethorn's hulking form. She could see the creature's dark energy intensifying, its thorns twisting and growing as it fed off the lingering negative emotions in the village, the fear, the anger. It's not just Natsu. It's the whole village…
Her limbs still moved albeit with more effort, but she knew they were running out of time. The battle was pushing them both to their limits, and Lisanna's body was beginning to ache with the strain. She had to end this before Bramblethorn could overwhelm them.
Borbo and Elsy worked quickly, their hands trembling as they pulled the frightened child from beneath the rubble. Dust clung to their skin, the acrid scent of smoke filling their lungs. Elsy cradled the child close, her voice low as she murmured reassurances, her eyes darting nervously toward the destruction surrounding them. Villagers ran in every direction, their fear driving them away from the battle, away from the danger. It was a scene of panic and despair. Borbo, and Elsy too prepared to take their leave.
However, in the middle of their retreat, the village chief froze in his place. "This is not right," and turned around to look at Lisanna.
She was contesting the seemingly insurmountable monstrosity with a grin on her.
Alternating between her cat and rabbit take-over, her small frame moved with a fierce grace. She used the cat to initiate momentum, and the rabbit to form to deliver ground-shaking collisions at the monstrous form of Bramblethorn. Her body became more battered, and bruised, and her body trembled from exhaustion. She was giving everything she had for them—for the village—and they were letting her do it alone.
Witnessing Lisanna fight with such conviction shook the older man down to his core.
The damnable idiots, Borbo thought bitterly, his heart twisting with shame. After everything they did... After all the ways they doubted her, they were still being fought for. Protected. Lisanna was hurting for them, and they were letting her die alone. She was scared, terrified, yet there she was. Her form trembled as she bore their sins, and greed with a damn smile.
After what seemed like forever, Lisanna faltered. The prolonged exchange had left her bruised and exhausted. Struggling to remain standing, she fell on one of her knees, with a frustrated gasp. With a bite of her lip, she hangs her head. "Everyone... RUN! I won't be able to drive it away if you stay." Then with every strand of her nerves burning, and every muscle coiling against the earth, she pushed herself up. A pained groan escaped her lips, and in that moment something stirred within Village Chief's soul.
First Borbo's body began to shake, then his brows furrowed like a mad Taurus seeing red. He was fuming, the very last strand of his calm was gone. His chest heaved, and his heart pounded. The rage within him slowly took over the fear, pushing his body to move before he could think. He stood tall, his chest heaving as he took a deep breath. With a low thundering voice, he boomed across the clearing.
"LOOK AT HER!"
Feeling the roaring call of the man's words cut through, glued villagers in their tracks. Their heads turned toward their chief. Some peered from windows of still-standing buildings. Borbo, with eyes blazing with more intensity than the sun itself, pointed his rough finger at Lisanna's straining back. She was still trading blows with Bramblethorn.
"SHE IS SHOWING MORE SPINE THAN MOST OF YOU SCALLYWAGS PUT TOGETHER!" Borbo's voice echoed, his anger palpable, reverberating through the air.
For the first time, the villagers truly looked at Lisanna.
They saw her back, trembling, her clothes were torn, and her body battered. Yet, she stood. The realization hit them like a blow, the shame of their cowardice settling in heavily. If that did not stir their hearts the very next scene would: In a moment of hesitation on Lisanna's part, Bramblethorn's vines impact with her ribcage. She is sent tumbling to the ground by the force.
Her body battered everywhere, and a line of blood trickled down her jaw, Lisanna raised her palm, pressed it against the earth, and pushed herself on her knees. Her face twitched, and a groan parted from her lips, as she tilted her head, and rested her gaze on Bramblethorn. She was still intending to continue even if it meant her end. At that very conjecture, a blue blur sped by her and landed in front of her.
"NO!" Happy's voice chimed. The Exceed stood between Lisanna, and Bramblethorn defiantly, paws stretched, and tears trickling down his fur.
Borbo's gaze fiercely moved to Happy, then Lisanna, and finally to sweep over the now-frozen crowd, his heart pounding. He could see the fear in their eyes, the hesitation that held them back. Then, his eyes landed on a pitchfork lying in the dirt. He moved toward it and wrapped his shaking fingers around the wooden handle. He spun his heel and turned his back against the villagers. His breathing was fierce, and a swelled gaze shadowed by a deep frown.
He put one foot forward, heel digging into the chilly earth, and then with a deep exhale he released a thunderous roar. "FOR ELDERGROVE!" He cried to the sky and charged forward, eyes fixed on the monstrous form of Bramblethorn.
He could feel the fear in his chest, but it was numbed by his stretching roar. Borbo Manaflex that day was more terrified seeing a girl old enough to be her daughter shouldering the unimaginable alone. Isolated. He would not stand by and let her struggle alone. Not anymore. Everyone else be damned.
The villagers watched with their breaths caught in their throats. No one moved an inch. It was as if the time had come to a halt. Each and every one of them had a choice before them. Run, and abandon their chief, and would be savior to their demise, or rush to their aid and risk their own lives.
Then, slowly, one by one, they moved. A woman picked up a broken piece of wood, her soot-covered hands trembling as she looked toward Borbo. Another man grabbed a metal rod, his eyes narrowing. The crowd began to shift. Makeshift weapons were gathered, and eyes turned toward the take-over mage and Borbo.
It was a moment of reckoning—a moment where terror gave way to courage, where fear was tamed by fire. The people of Eldergrove, who had once cowered in the shadows, now stood, ready. They would not let their village chief's call go unanswered, Lisanna's actions be unseen or homes be ravaged by the impossible monstrosity before them.
Everyone hoisted their makeshift arms in the air and boomed in unison, "FOR ELDERGROVE!"
Together, they rushed forward, a unified force, their voices thundered across the battlefield. Borbo, feeling his heart swell and the ground beneath his feet shake, eyed Lisanna's back, then at Bramblethorn. He then boomed, "PUT YOUR BACKS INTO IT!"
With the crowd of inspired and angry villagers, they collided with Bramblethorn, their makeshift weapons peeling its bark off. The creature's monstrous form began to sway, its thorn-covered limbs lashing out in a desperate attempt to regain control.
But they kept pushing. Lisanna's fists flew, her body aching with every blow, but her resolve never wavered. They had to do this. Together, they could win.
Bramblethorn let out a furious screech, the sound echoing through the night as it began to release a surge of dark miasma. The thick, black mist erupted from its body, spreading in all directions, and the villagers were thrown back, tumbling to the ground, their makeshift weapons scattered around them. Lisanna gritted her teeth, her body staggering from the force, but she remained standing, her eyes fixed on the creature.
Lisanna eyed the crowd, her mouth agape, as Borbo and the villagers managed to push Bramblethorn back together. Makeshift weapons struck its bark, peeling it away piece by piece. She could hardly believe what she was seeing—their unity, their strength.
As she stood frozen in awe, a soft glow appeared beside her. It was soft at first, then grew brighter. She turned her head slowly, and her breath caught: a familiar silhouette of a stag materialized, its form radiating light against the dark miasma. It was Aeloria.
"I have deemed your promise fulfilled," Its voice resonated with calm authority.
Lisanna looked at Aeloria, her eyes filled with gratitude. She smiled softly. "Thank you," she whispered.
"There is no need for gratitude." The stag puffed smoke out of its nostrils, then turned its head. "Though I must confess, I've never seen a fool more stubborn than you."
Lisanna's lips curved up with a slight quiver. "Natsu rubbed off on me," She took a deep breath and placed her palm on the stag's glowing flank.
Aeloria nodded, then its eyes glowed yellow, as it dug its hooves into the earth. "Listen. Bramblethorn can no longer draw negativity from Villagers. It will undoubtedly become desperate and consume your companion to overpower us. I will contest this amalgamation for now. My essence will bind its malice, but only for a fleeting moment. Go, and ignite the fire within your friend—only then can balance be restored."
"How?" Lisanna asked hesitantly.
"Lisanna hesitated, her fingers trembling as she placed her hand on Aeloria's flank. Her voice was low, wavering with uncertainty. "Whose souls am I about to take over?" she murmured, the question cutting through her resolve.
In response, images began to flow into her mind like a rushing stream. She saw a white-haired woman performing a ritual, her hands glowing softly as a spirit coalesced around her. This wasn't domination—it was a bond. The woman's presence enveloped the spirit, as she whispered words- words she couldn't understand. The spirit shimmered, and instead of being bent to her will, it fused with her, becoming a part of her essence. No resistance. No lashouts. Aeloria's voice resonated within Lisanna, pulling her back to the present.
"Concentrate," Aeloria said, its tone gentle but firm. "You have to make a pact."
Brilliant light erupted, illuminating the battlefield as Lisanna felt new power surging through her body. It flowed from her palm to her back, then to her legs, filling her with warmth and clarity. She was changing, her body enveloped in a radiant glow.
As the light faded, she stood transformed—Aeloria, The Majestic Guardian. Her form was ethereal, her eyes now a glowing yellow, fierce yet gentle. Small antlers sprouted from her head, their silvered branches shimmering with an otherworldly light. Her muscles surged, expanding with newfound power, each fiber feeling as though it had been reborn. A sudden warmth rushed through her veins, filling her entire body with strength. She could feel it deep within her—every muscle recoiling, then surging with energy, her senses sharpened beyond what she had ever known. Every smell was more pronounced, and The power was raw, untamed, yet it filled her with purpose and clarity. She glanced at Bramblethorn, her heart steady.
"This ends now."
Borbo turned to witness Lisanna's transformation, his eyes widening as the light enveloping her surged brighter. He could feel the power radiating from her, and a chill ran down his spine. "Everyone, duck!" he boomed, his voice cutting through the chaos.
As if on command, the villagers hit the ground just as Lisanna erupted forth. A radiant shockwave burst from her, illuminating the battlefield with blinding brilliance. It momentarily silenced everything, leaving only the stunned faces of the villagers as they gazed at her transformed figure.
A blur of flashing light collided on Bramblethorn's massive thorny limbs with precision and force. Lisanna's fists struck the creature's thick skin, each blow echoing like a hammer on stone, and she could feel the satisfying resistance beneath her hands—she was making a difference.
Bramblethorn roared, its thorn-covered vines lashing out at her, but she dodged each one deftly, her movements fluid as if she was dancing. Her body seemed to move on its own, her senses sharp, and every nerve alive with energy. The vines erupted from the ground beneath her, but she twisted and spun, evading them with ease, her eyes locked on the monstrous form before her.
"Go, Lisanna!" Happy's voice rang out from the background excitedly as he cheered her on. His wings fluttered, his eyes shining with pride as he watched her. She was holding her own, her blows visibly denting Bramblethorn's thorny exterior. She was winning—she could feel it in her bones.
Then, something changed.
Bramblethorn's rage seemed to shift, its miasma-twisted gaze moving away from her. Lisanna's eyes followed, her heart sinking as she saw its focus settle on Natsu, who stood with Elsy nearby.
Then a piercing wail erupted.
Everyone clutched their ears. The sound reverberated making the villagers stagger and drop their makeshift arms. Lisanna winced, her vision blurring as the deafening screech rang in her ears, leaving behind an unbearable ringing that drowned out every other sound.
Miasma began to appear around Natsu, swirling like smoke, its dark tendrils wrapping around him, and Lisanna's heart skipped a beat. She watched in horror as Natsu's eyes turned dark, his gaze locking onto hers, and she could see the corruption taking hold of him, his body stiffening, his stance shifting.
"Natsu?" she whispered, her blood ran cold.
A dark flame ignited around his fists, the black and violet fire crackling with malevolent energy. He erupted forward, his body moving with a speed that took her breath away. Lisanna barely had time to react before Natsu was upon her, his fists swinging with a force that made her bones shudder. She dodged, her body moving on instinct, her eyes wide with shock and confusion.
Why? Why was Natsu trying to hurt her?
Bramblethorn stood back, its twisted form swaying as it watched, the miasma feeding from Natsu, the darkness flowing from him into the creature. It was as though Bramblethorn was enjoying the show, growing stronger with each passing moment.
Lisanna's mind was in a frenzy, her eyes wet with unshed tears as she tried to find some semblance of focus. She couldn't hurt Natsu, she couldn't fight him—but she had to defend herself. She dodged, twisting away from his blows, her heart breaking with every swing of his fist. "NATSU! Snap out of it!" she called, her voice desperate, pleading, but there was no response. His eyes were dark and empty.
The battle turned into a three-way duel where Lisanna was forced to fight against both Bramblethorn and Natsu. She moved like a blur, her every sense heightened, her body reacting before her mind could catch up. She was matching them—her newfound strength allowing her to stand against them both—but it was taking a toll on her. She could feel the exhaustion creeping in, her muscles straining, her breaths coming in ragged gasps.
She couldn't bring herself to hurt Natsu. Just pushing the Dragon Slayer away with a few well-placed strikes broke something in her every time. She tried to reach him, her voice cracking as she called out his name, trying to reach the part of him that she knew was still there.
"Natsu, come back."
The Dragon Slayer remained unstirred, the pleas weren't working. The miasma thickened, and Bramblethorn fed on the emanating veil of haze. Lisanna could see it flowing from Natsu to the monster. It grew stronger, and limbs twisted and writhed.
The battle grew fiercer, the take-over mage and Dragon Slayer moving like blurs, their blows clashing violently. Lisanna's heart ached with every exchanged punch, every kick. She had to end this—but how could she battle him? How could she hurt the person she loved?
Then it happened. A mistake—a single, critical mistake. Natsu's blow landed, his fist connecting with her ribs. Lisanna felt the air leave her lungs, her body sent tumbling to the ground. Pain radiated through her chest, her vision blurring as she landed hard, her body rolling to a stop. She lay there, gasping for breath, her ribs aching, her limbs heavy.
She looked up, her heart pounding as she saw Natsu slowly marching toward her, his miasma-fed flames swirling around his fist, his eyes still dark and mute. He was going to finish her.
"Natsu…" Lisanna cried with a small voice, her voice trembling, her lips curved up, and tears welling in her eyes. She had failed. At that moment she met Natsu's gaze and her lips curved up. "Don't blame yourself, okay?"
She could see his fist coming down, the dark flames crackling with lethal intent. Natsu suddenly stopped in his tracks, his eyes flickering, tears flowing down his cheeks, and Lisanna felt her chest ache with hope. His hand trembled, his fist halting mid-air for a beat.
Natsu's hand rose slowly. For a brief moment, it wavered in the air, the fingers clenched tightly, shaking from the strain of the battle within. The dark miasma swirled around his hist, trying to pull it down. Then, his fingers unfurled shakily, one by one. His index finger pointed straight to the sky, while his thumb splayed out to the side, forming the unmistakable hand gesture.
His hand shook, the gesture quivering as his entire body fought against the trying to take hold. He was battling within himself, and for a moment, it seemed like he was winning.
Lisanna let out a shaky sigh of relief, her eyes glistening with tears.
Before she could take another breath, an eerie rustling filled the air, the shadows around her shifting ominously. Bramblethorn appeared before her, as if out of nowhere. Its massive form loomed over her, and with a furious roar, it brought its full force down, its thorn-covered limbs aiming a fatal blow at Natsu.
Lisanna instinctively threw herself between Natsu and Bramblethorn. She saw the massive limb come crashing down. Then a blur of blue streaked by, altering its course.
Her eyes widened in horror as the impact sent the blur flying past her, crashing into the ground with a sickening thud. Her heart stopped, her breath catching in her throat as she turned, praying that what she saw wasn't real.
"NO!"
It had all happened in a heartbeat. A gust of wind, a flash of blue. She barely registered the single-minded grin on Happy before he was struck. It was as if time had slowed, the world narrowing to that terrible moment.
There he was—Happy—his small, familiar form lying crumpled in the dirt, unmoving with a content smile plastered on him.
"HAPPY!" The scream tore from Lisanna's throat, raw with disbelief and fear. She scrambled to his side, her hands trembling as she cradled his limp body in her arms. She could still feel the faint warmth of his body.
Happy's eyelids fluttered for a brief moment, and Lisanna gasped in relief. The exceed's tiny paw twitched, and his eyes barely opened, meeting hers. He gave her the faintest smile that radiated his joy and love for their little family. His voice was barely a whisper, fragile and trembling.
"Lisanna... eat a lot of fishies with Natsu, okay?"
"W-What?" Lisanna's eyes widened. "No, no don't say that. You'll be okay, right?"
"Lots.. and lots..!" Happy squeaked with a weak grin. "Forever, and ever, okay?"
His eyes held hers for a heartbeat longer before closing, the light in them fading as the last of his strength slipped away.
Then Happy didn't stir.
The world halted around her, and the sounds of Bramblethorn's screech faded into an empty, deafening silence. Her eyes fixed on the faint smile still on the exceed's face. Lisanna stared at Happy's small, still body as if expecting him to suddenly leap up, and tell her everything was okay. But there was nothing.
Lisanna nudged Happy gently" H-Happy...?" She whimpered and waited for a response. Her heart pounded, and when nothing happened, her breathing quickened. She shook him harder "Wake up, please. Happy...!" She almost choked the words, as the panic slowly bubbled.
Lisanna's shaking became frantic. "PLEASE!" She could feel her hands trembling, her breath hitching as she tried to bring Happy back to life. Her mind shrieked for this nightmare to end. This couldn't be happening, it just couldn't.
"NO!" Lisanna's voice tore itself apart. She hugged him tighter and kept her eyes shut to block out the sight of his lifeless body. "HAPPY!" A hollow wail tore from her lips. A broken cry. A desperate plea against the cold dread. The terror gripped her so fiercely that she couldn't breathe: her lungs refused to expand. So she kept wailing and wailing. When she finally managed to take a breath, it was a sharp, choking gasp that made her insides twist in disgust.