Still crossing iron with Akame, Kurome had long since stopped smiling, while dizziness began to win her over. Seeing blurred, she let herself back, so that she could catch her breath a little.

" What's going on ? I think I'm missing! "

" What happens to you ? " Akame asked, on guard in front of his sister.

" Bis… Biscuit! " Muttered, then Kurome.

Understanding her problem, Akame growled.

" You still take these junk food? "

Then running towards Kurome to take advantage of her weakness, Akame stopped in time, to see Natsu crashing in front of her.

" What … ? "

Getting up immediately, the mage then performed a backflip, while Natala brought down his long sword where he was instantly.

" Tssss! He almost touched me. " Grumbled the boy, while his body included some wounds inflicted by his opponent.

Facing him, Natala stared at him while pointing his weapon at him. However, something made him lose his focus. Indeed, seeming to be exhausted, Kurome suddenly collapsed on her knees, while she had the greatest difficulty in breathing.

" Huh? You hurt her with your saber, Akame? " Asked Natsu.

" No ! She suffers from a lack of drugs. "

" A lack of drugs? "

" Yes ! In order to improve the power of her teigu, the Empire gave her a large quantity of drugs, put in her food! Even today, she still has to take it! That's why she can control so many dolls. "

Realizing this, too, Natala immediately put away him sword, before rushing towards Kurome.

" Hey, we're not ended our fight. " Replied Natsu, pretending to follow him.

Dodging his attack, Natala kicked him hard in the face, before taking Kurome. Once done, he fled into the forest with her.

" Don't let them go. " Cried Tatsumi, seeing them disappear.

" Night Raid! All on them! " Najenda ordered.

Leaving Kurome to sit on a rock, Natala eventually disappears, in order to give his energy to Kurome. Still breathing for a long time, the girl ended up grabbing her satchel full of cookies and began to nibble on them. And from a few mouthfuls swallowed, she felt endless happiness invading her and curing all her ills.

" Delicious sweets. "

Nevertheless, she turned suddenly when a strange noise was heard behind her. Hand on the hilt of her saber, she steered it behind her.

Feeling a lock of his hair cut, Wave fell on his buttocks, while crying in surprise.

" Are ... Are you crazy? Did you really want to kill me or what? "

" Wave, is that you? "

" Of course it's me. " Roared the boy, getting up.

However, it didn't take long for him to put his hand on his head.

" Damn it! The motherfucker didn't miss me. "

" Are you okay? " Kurome asked.

" Yeah! I'm still fine, anyway! But forget it! Where is Bols? "

" No idea. " Confessed the girl. " We were separated and Night Raid forced me to retreat. "

" What? Don't tell me he's dead? "

" No idea. " Repeated Kurome, looking down.

Not knowing what to say, she ends up murmuring.

" Wave, I'm sorry! Because of me, you ... "

" No time. " Retorted the boy, despite his injuries. " We must join Bols immediately. "

Then extending his hand towards Kurome, he offered to help her get up.

" The three of us left together, and we will return with as many members to HQ. " He assured.

" Yes." Kurome agreed, taking the hand he held out to her.

However, suddenly pulling her towards him, Wave made sure to bring her neck closer to his hand, while he was holding a needle.

" Farewell. " He muttered.

" That … ? "

A powerful punch hit Wave's face. Propelled backwards, he eventually rolls on the ground, before changing shape. Coming out of a cloud of pink smoke, Chelsea couldn't help putting her hand on her bruised face, while Bols was currently alongside Kurome.

" I will never let you kill her. " He roared.

" Tsss! Gajeel still hasn't killed you, has it? "

" He would almost have succeeded! But unfortunately, he underestimated the resistance of my body! Nevertheless, deprived of my tank, Rubicante can no longer launch the slightest attack! That won't stop me from protecting Kurome, however. "

Seeing him and Kurome face her, Chelsea clenched his teeth in frustration, while no loophole seemed to be present. Quickly understanding the situation, Kurome had resumed sound and directed him to Chelsea.

" What to do ? What to do ? "

" FIRE DRAGON… "

" Hum? " Said Bols, turning around.

Hit in the chest, he felt a fist of fire ravaging the skin of his stomach, before overheating his bowels.

" AAAHHHHHHHHHH ! "

" BOLS! " Kurome horrified, as Natsu had just hit him.

" Natsu! " Rejoices Chelsea

" FIST! " Roared the wizard, while his flames had no trouble crossing the body of Bols on both sides.

Then backing away, he saw Bols' body remain standing, despite having a completely charred belly.

" I ... I can't die! I… my family! I have to go back home ! "

Suddenly falling back, he stretched out his hand towards the sky, while sobbing.

" My family… I have to protect it. "

Seeing him fall to the ground, while saying such words, Natsu stared at him emptyly while his body remained inert. Finally, not seeing him move anymore, he murmured.

" Sorry! "

" You bastard. " Roared Kurome, running towards him.

Locking her saber, Akame had positioned itself in front of her to protect Natsu.

" Don't even count! "

" NATALA! DOYA! " Shouted Kurome.

Immediately, appearing on the sides, her last two puppets went towards Akame, ready to kill her.

" No way ! " Retorted two voices.

Stopping Natala's sword with her spear, Tatsumi stopped him, while Susanoo managed to strike Doya in the face.

" Tatsumi? Susanoo? "

" Stop getting in my way." Kurome ordered. " My bond with my sister is stronger than anything! "

" A link ? " Was surprised Tatsumi. " You're totally out of whack, yeah! "

" We will never let you kill one of ours. " Assured Natsu.

" We will emerge from this forest as victors. " Susanoo finished.

Suddenly arming his fist, Tatsumi managed to dispatch Natala against a tree, which was then shattered into pieces. Taking advantage of the fact that Kurome was still in a state of weakness, Akame made various rapid movements, which ended up making the girl back off, while Natsu was already rushing towards her with two balls of fire in his hands.

" In the right hand, the flames of a dragon! And in the one on the left, the flames of a god! "

Then merging the two balls, he created a much larger one above him, which he pretended to throw at Kurome.

" FIRE DRAGON'S PURGATORY! "

Unable to fight such an attack, Kurome could only put her arms forward to defend herself. However, a silhouette overtook her at that moment, to run towards Natsu.

" GRAND FALL! "

Hit by a powerful kick, Natsu was propelled straight towards Susanoo and the two of them soon found themselves on the ground. Falling, on the other hand, on her knees, Kurome couldn't help trembling with fear, while her savior put a foot in front of her.

" W… Wave? "

Covered in his armor, the newcomer was indeed his comrade Jaeger. Laying Night Raid in front of him, while he had spent the last hour struggling to get back on the battlefield, he was glad he had come at least in time to protect Kurome.

However, as soon as his gaze landed on Bols's body, he could only feel deep anger.

" Bols? You killed him! You will pay it. "

" Hey, Tatsumi, who is he? " Asked Natsu.

" Wave! " Assured the boy. " Another member of the Jaegers! This is the one Susanoo flew earlier. "

" Tatsumi? " Wave wondered, staring at Incursio! " Are you the "Tatsumi"? No it's impossible ! You can't be the one I know. "

However, seeing fit to tell him the truth, Tatsumi then took off his armor, to show him his face.

" Sorry, Wave! But I would never be a Jaeger! I am an official member of Night Raid. "

'' You traitor! How dare you betray the general's confidence in this way? "

" I much prefer to betray his trust, than to betray my country, by supporting the actions of Honest! " Retorted Tatsumi! " I fight for the good of the Empire."

" And what do you think I am doing on my side? "

" Are you sure to protect the property? " Asked Tatsumi.

Getting ready to say "yes" right away, Wave ends up remembering the discussion between Esdeath and Honest.

"In fact, I don't even know who represents real justice."

" If you really want the good of your country, give up now before there are other unnecessary deaths. " Cried Natsu.

" Huh? And who are you? "

" Natsu Dragnir! Member of Fairy Tail! "

" Fairy Tail? What is that, again? Oh, finally I don't care! "

Positioning himself in combat position, he faced Night Raid, while asserting.

" I will beat you all so that peace returns to the Empire! "

However, suddenly collapsing on the ground, Kurome lost consciousness behind his back, due to fatigue.

" Kurome! "

Thinking quickly, he saw that he had only one plan to get the girl out of here. Then taking his speedy enemies, he turned towards Kurome and grabbed her in his arms, before fleeing.

" He runs away. " Cried Susanoo, chasing after her.

Wanting to do the same, Natsu put one foot forward, before placing his hand on his stomach, where Wave had hit him.

"Ahhhhhh ! He didn't miss me! "

" Natsu! Stay here ! We are taking care of it. " Tatsumi assured him, before chasing Wave with the others.

" What? " Cried Gajeel. " Where's Spear? "

" She left in the forest following one of Kurome's puppets. " Taught him Mine. " I wanted to follow them, but a frog then took it out on me! "

" Tsss, that stupid girl. " Gajeel growled, before running towards the forest. " I'm going to take her ! You go take care of Leone! "

" Received. "

Immediately entering the forest, Gajeel used his scent to spot the smell of Spear. But immediately, only the smell of his blood could be felt.

" That … ? "

Speeding up, he finally found himself where Doya and Spear had fought. However, compared to other battles, the body lying on the ground was not that of a puppet, but indeed that of Spear. The poor girl had many holes in the abdomen and was now lying in a puddle of her own blood.

" Spear! " Cried Gajeel, crouching near her. " Hey, it's okay ? Wake up, damn it! "

Shaking her, Gajeel finally saw her spit blood, due to the many bullets that had injured her body. Opening her eyes dimly, Spear managed to see the man's face just above her.

" Ga… Gajeel? "

" Damn it, but what happened to you? Who put you in this state? "

But, finally thinking that care was essential, he took the girl in his arms to take her for treatment. Unfortunately, she barely touched her when Spear screamed in pain, before spitting blood again.

" Hey, pull yourself together! Aren't you going to die now? We have just defeated our enemies. "

" You have won ? "

" No,… WE won! It's a total victory, Spear! And as soon as you are treated, we will celebrate it as it should be. "

Then raising her arm, Spear suddenly stroked Gajeel's cheek, while starting to cry.

" I'm so happy ! Knowing you are on the road to victory, I could rest in peace! "

" Hey, what are you talking about, stupid woman? Your fight is far from over! You too must fight! Aren't you the one who promised to avenge her father's death? "

Hearing him, Spear nodded weakly, before confessing.

Suddenly, grabbing Gajeel's collar, she brought the man's face closer to hers and finally kissed him.

" Gajeel… I think I fell in love with you. "

" That … ? "

" Unhappily, I believe ... that my weakness forces me ... to pass the baton to you. "

Then letting her eyes close, she whispered.

" I'm going to take a little break! Just tell the others ... that I thank them from the bottom of my heart. "

Tilting to the side, her head eventually stopped moving, while her heart did the same.

" Hey, Spear! Spear! … SPEAR! "

Arriving in his turn, Lily saw his friend shouting several times the name of the young woman, without that it changed anything.

" Gajeel… it's too late! "

Stopping then, the man clenched his teeth, before getting up. It was once standing that he released his anger by hitting a tree trunk. Breaking in two, the latter collapsed forward under a huge crash, without it really calming Gajeel.

Seeing him do, without saying anything, Lily saw him let off steam on other trees, before finally taking Spear's body in his arms to go and bury him somewhere.

Continuing to run, despite having broken armor and bleeding from all sides, Wave still carried Kurome in his arms, while Susanoo and Tatsumi was just behind him.

" Wave! Stop immediately! "

" That's it ! In your dreams ! "

Bending down to dodge another attack from Susanoo, Wave punched Tatsumi to make him back off, before resuming his run.

Having no trouble chasing him, however, his two enemies were still stuck behind him.

"But they never give up or what?" Wave thought, managing to get out of the forest. "

" We are almost there. " Tatsumi assured, being about to gird him.

However, grabbing his wrist, Susanoo forced him to stop.

" Stop! "

" Huh? What are you doing ? "

" Look! "

Pointing to a plain, he pointed to an impressive troop of imperial soldiers who were crossing it. Seeing them, too, Wave immediately rushed to find help.

" Let's not stay here. " Cried Susanoo. " These must be reinforcements sent here to support the Jaegers when needed! Let's go warn the others. "

Finding that fleeing was the only way out, Tatsumi groaned in frustration before finally returning to the forest.

" GRAUHORN! "

Suddenly materializing, numerous ice peaks were pointed in the direction of bandits, who could only cry out in terror, when they saw them appear.

" Small gift from me. " Esdeath chuckled, swinging his attack at them.

Immediately, the bandits on the front line were pierced and died in just a few seconds. For those just behind them, the spectacle was so horrible that it was enough to scare everyone away.

Unfortunately, raising his hand in the air, Esdeath took pleasure in letting them flee, a few seconds, before shouting.

" WEISSCHNABEL! "

Immediately, a multitude of ice cubes appeared above her, before they fell on the fugitives. Being crushed under the ice, many of them perished under the sadistic laughter of Esdeath.

" Come on, don't go! We're just starting to have fun. "

Behind her, staying a little behind, Seryu and Run looked at the scene without doing anything. Indeed, seeing Esdeath let off steam on the enemies, they opted to have the good idea to back off a little, for fear of being the target of an involuntary attack by Esdeath.

But for Wendy, the situation was quite different. While these two comrades were completely calm, the child trembled in fear as she saw Esdeath kill the enemies one after the other.

" What is she doing ? Who is she ? Can we really see her as a human? She is nothing but a monster. "

Finally, after a few minutes, Esdeath had finally frozen all of the enemy forces in a huge wall of ice.

" It is done ! But hey, it still lacked fun. "

Suddenly hearing a metallic noise, she turned her gaze to see a man wearing half-destroyed armor, backing away. Walking towards him immediately, she froze his legs to prevent him from leaving.

" Perfect ! I just needed a survivor! I have a question or two to ask you. "

" Pl… please! I would tell you everything. "

" Very good ! If so, tell me who sent you? "

" Night Raid! My group has signed a pact with Night Raid! We were responsible for killing you while they were taking care of the remaining members of your team. "

" Where is Najenda? "

" She is with the rest of her group. "

" It's impossible that Najenda could have the idea of killing us all this way! She just had to want to lower our number! What's next for her plan after that? "

" I ... I don't know. " Confessed the man.

" Good ! In this case, you are of no further use to me. "

" No, please, I ... "

Creating two small peaks of ice, Esdeath planted them in the eyes of the man who immediately cried out in pain.

" If I don't forgive those who attack me, I am especially disgusted to meet cowards like you. "

Seeing her begin to torture hm, Wendy couldn't help herself any longer and ordered her.

" Stop that, immedia ..."

But before saying more, Run placed his hand on her mouth, to silence her.

" Shut up, idiot! If you decide to stand up to her now, it is you who will immediately become her toy. "

" But she … "

" All these guys were bandits! Have no sympathy for them, to the point of unnecessarily sacrificing your life."

Howling more, the man tortured by Esdeath ends up giving his last breath, while his executioner returns to her men, with the face covered with blood of her last victim.

"She's a horrible monster." Wendy understood, unable to help but take a step back.