Mira's words kept echoing into his head. "If you don't try, none of us will survive. You are our only hope". Laxus once swore to himself he would never have nothing to do with his fallen nature ever again. He also swore he would never put Mira in harms way. Even then, she managed to convince him, or rather he resigned himself, to make this choice using the best argument she could. If something disgusted him more than his true nature was letting Mira die while he could do something to prevent it. And no matter how much he tried to convince himself it wasn't true, deep down, he knew that was the only way.

He sighed. He wasn't ready to risk the life of that girl in his arms. He wasn't ready to hurt her, no matter how much she assured him it was okay. He wasn't ready to be the one that could cruelly rip her life from her. But he wasn't ready neither to give up and let them die.

Before he even realised it, he noticed his legs had taken the most logical decision, his steps slowing until he finally stopped, falling on his knees. Then his plunged his eyes into hers, probably for the last time. He focussed on the hand she still had on his face. A dizzying amount of energy instantly filled him. His body kept asking for more, that same empowering sensation he felt years ago. Then the hand maintaining contact with the source of energy fell, Mira no longer having enough strength to keep it up. He still had contact points on her skin, places he could use to get more of that ecstasy as his body begged him to take some more. He could fell his skin tingling were his hands were maintaining Mirajane under her neck and behind her knees, but the horror he felt at the moment while seeing her so damn pale and limp in his arms could surpass his fallen pulsion. He refused to take any additional parcel of her energy.

"You have to continue" she said, barely audible.

"No way" he said, not even recognising his own voice.

"You're not strong enough to fight him" she let out. "Please Laxus, do it for me".

How could she do it? How could she have so much damn faith in him as he did nothing to deserve it, as he couldn't protect her. And that was without considering that, judging by his own voice, he probably looked just like one of them now. She didn't even seem afraid of him as he was fighting against the creature's instincts within him so he wouldn't kill her now and then by taking all she had left.

But his own desires were solicited as she placed her lips against his. It wasn't the first time he kissed Mira, neither the first girl he kissed. But, just like every time the gorgeous young woman did that daring move, his heart skipped a beat. That kiss was even more disturbing since it implied way more this time : she still trusted him, allowing him in one of the most intimate ways to take another part of her power. Despite himself, he felt once more the energy flow to him as it was leaving the body of the one he loved by their joined lips.

That's when he felt it. He was getting to the end of Mira's energy. Without the slightest hesitation, he stepped back, surprised of the control he had over his own body. Bringing once more his attention on her, an immense relief filled him as he noticed she was still alive. Delicately, he placed her on the ground. Once sure Mira was out of danger from the menace he embodied, he once more concentrated on what surrounded him. He only then grasped the intensity of the changes within him. If the power of his ring granted him with inhuman senses, this time Laxus thought he was in a different place. The sounds capted by his ears were more numerous, his eyes seemed to get every single thing happening in this forest. Even his sense of smell, already higher seemed to perceive new fragrances. As for his muscles, they contained such a huge amount of energy he felt he could fight anything. But he knew Blackburn had, on top of better control and experience, the exact same perks.

He barely got time to analyse his new abilities before a cold laugh brought up a wave of anger.

"I almost believed she meant something to you" mocked him the one he hated the most. "Should have guessed you wouldn't hesitate to sacrifice her to save your pathetic life, Dreyar. If only she wasn't fool enough to place her trust in you..."

"You know nothing about me and absolutely nothing about her!" Barked Laxus, a sincere envy of killing him filling him, amplified by his actual form.

"Did I just touched a sensitive subject Laxus?" he snickered. "But don't worry, even if you and that bitch will take your last breath tonight, I still admire you decision on wanting to taste at least once this immense power".

To that, Laxus had a contemptuous laugh.

"Once again, you didn't get a thing, old man. That power almost disgusts me as much as you. But if it's the only way I can stop you from hurting the ones I care about, I'm ready to become a monster for good."

It was Blackburn's turn to laugh.

"So be it" he said with an unbreakable assurance "show how someone who barely knows what it is to be a fallen fight one of the first person to detain that power."

Laxus didn't need to be told twice. Not even waiting for him to finish his sentence, he threw himself at his enemy's throat, letting his animalistic instincts guide him. But just like Blackburn reminded him, his opponent had not only the same powers but also the experience he didn't have. Blackburn had no problem to dodge the claws aiming to slice his throat and dug his own claws into Laxus's torso.

The pain the young man was expecting to feel didn't come despite the uncomfortable sensation of having his enemy's hand into his chest. Taking advantage of the lack of pain, he freed himself with a fast movement. Barely taking the time to recover, he tried another blow but still hit nothing.

"You could have learn to control all of it if you didn't have stupidly condemn youself for that miserable girl. Too bad" said Blackburn raising his elbows "killing you will probably be one of the most amusing things I did in a while".

To that last reply, I was his turn to charge Laxus, smashing him to the ground way before he could block the attack. If he still had his human form, that only move would probably have been enough to leave him KO. However, despite the blow still echoing in his skull, Laxus still managed to act fast enough to partially dodge Russel Blackburn's fangs who ripped through his shoulder's flesh rather than the jugular. He barely had time to think before another attack was millimeters away from ending his days.

Despite the lack of pain, Laxus let out a swear. He may would have been death a few times without his new powers, he would never manage to win that way. He clenched his teeth remembering Mira would be the next one to die if he failed. But as painful as could be that thought, at this pace, he would soon be rather dead or out of that precocious energy Mira gave him. Energy... a thought crawled into him mind giving him a new hope. When was the last time Blackburn absorbed the energy of a bearer? After all, he was expecting to steal his own energy just before he escaped. Considering he didn't stop to steal some energy during his pursuit of Laxus and Mira, his enemy should be soon at his limit.

Focusing on that risked conclusion, Laxus rather opted for a defensive stance, patiently receiving blow after blow, dodging the most dangerous ones.

"What's happening Dreyar? Don't tell me you're already out of energy? I already knew you wouldn't be able to keep that form as long as me but this short amount of time is simply pathetic" mocked the man.

In opposite from the distress he was expecting to see on Laxus's face, he could see in his the same tone of provocation.

"I'd say the same for you Blackburn. Is my vision at fault or are your hands look a little more human?

The young man could see doubt crossing Russel's look. Both of them were aware Laxus's vision was excellent, fallen or not. It was now obvious that Blackburn was also aware of his gradual loss of inhuman powers, but tried to get rid of Laxus before he could notice. Then Laxus saw the glare of his opponent drift to Mira.

"Even if I would let you take one step in her direction, you wouldn't get any satisfying power with what's left in her" barked the young man. "That stubborn head gave me much more energy than she should have".

To that, he took advantage of the man's distraction to finally crash him on the ground. By that maneuver, he realised his enemy had not only more human traits but also very less strength then before. Sadly, he could feel it was the same in his case. As predicted by his father's ex associate, the amount of time he could maintain this form was considerably smaller because of the lack of experience.

"I guess I'll just have to kill you the good old way" concluded the captain, freeing himself with a hit from his elbow to Laxus's face, winning just enough time to take his dagger out of its sheath.

With an impressive speed considering his now human form, he aimed for Laxus with the blade, but the latter gripped his wrist violently twisting it until bones broke. However, despite the obvious pain in his enemy, Laxus had to himself hold back a cry of pain, the blade piercing his shoulder before he could full intercept it.

The dagger was on the ground, pain submerging both of their dominant arm. Focusing as best as their could, both threw themselves at the blade which would soon end up that death battle. "Everything ends now" though Laxus before a blade pierced a heart.

"you were right" said Laxus, pain filling every cell of his body. You experience makes you a way better fallen than I could ever be. However, I know what its like to fight with a human strength, and that, despite the pain."

To that, Laxus took the blade he just mortally dug into the abdomen of Russel Blackburn. When he was sure there was no pulse anymore, he let the weapon fall to the ground. Now certain of his enemy's death, he painfully walked to where he had left Mirajane and placed his head on her shoulder as the last of his strength abandoned him, his precedent wounds resurfacing as soon as he lost his fallen form.

"Laxus" he heard Mira whisper his name.

"Everything's finally over" he managed to say.

"No" corrected him a feeble but very alive voice. "Everything can now begin."

She slid her fingers threw his hair then added.

"Ah and Laxus?"

"Hum?"

"I told you I was right to believe in you".

Was she really teasing him in her state? A smile took place on the young man's lips despite his exhaustion. As impossible as it seemed a couple of weeks before, he realised he would probably never get tired of her presence.