"Natsu! Gray! We have to fall back. Erza's hurt."

Gray had listened at that, and ran over to help Lucy support Erza. I didn't. I didn't want to be bested by that monster.

How foolish I was. She kept calling to me. But I didn't listen.

God dammit! Why didn't I just listen to her?

None of my attacks were doing any damage. But I had kept going. And then I was hit.

It was strong. And the force of that one hit had sent me flying to the ground. I was recovering from the hit. My vision was blurry, and I was dizzy.

I didn't move fast enough.

"Natsu!!!!"

Her scream. Oh, her scream haunts me. She sounded so desperate.

I didn't realize what she was doing until it was too late.