Five Little Sacrifices

Chapter 61

After flying for a while they finally saw the old cottage. It didn't seem like someone had attacked it, but clearly there was no one inside it either.

"Maybe he's walking around the forest?" Evergreen suggested and Laxus nodded. They went to the forest together, trying to look around and not touch the crystal.

But they found no tracks of Baluhu. Not his flute, not pieces of clothes, not hair or anything that would mean someone had attacked him. It was like the old man had disappeared completely.

It was afternoon when they finally stopped looking.

"He might be trapped inside those crystals", Laxus grunted when they stood near the forest. "Maybe it's not yet too late... It depends if we can find the one who did this and make him undo his spells."

"I can't really imagine that anything would be able to stay alive inside those", Evergreen huffed and Laxus nodded.

"I agree", he said.

He stiffened and sniffed the air.

"Someone's near", he growled and Evergreen quickly called out her fairies.

Cling. Cling. Cling. It was rhythmical, soft and almost beautiful. It came from the forest, easily echoing because of the walls of crystal and it didn't stop as it came closer to them. Laxus and Evergreen both got ready when they saw an image that was mirrored from the crystal.

Soon the man stepped out, his long purple spear causing the clinking noise every time it hit the crystal. He looked around.

"Just two of you?" he said when he realized there really was only Laxus and Evergreen around.

He was a big man. His built was very similar to Laxus as he was tall and muscular. He had leather clothes with fur lining and his heavy looking belt was full of stones with different colours. His eyes were sharp and dark, but his hair was soft brown and tied back with a ribbon that was as well decorated with crystals.

He grinned, showing sharp canine teeth.

"No matter, I'm sure this will be fun", he chuckled, his amethyst spear hitting against the wall once again and letting out a chiming voice. "I know you, Laxus Dreyar", he grinned. "We were hoping that you would come here as fast as possible once you would hear about the destruction me and Emmett created."

"Is he here?" Laxus growled, the air crackling because of sparks of lightning.

"No, he left. I'm the only one here."

"Who are you? You're working for Yuidose as well I assume?" Evergreen asked narrowing her eyes.

"I am, though I was hired only recently. Yuidose specially asked me to join", the man smirked. "He wants me to take care of a lightning dragon slayer. It sounded so thrilling I absolutely had to accept his job offer. I live for hunting, I don't care who or why, as long as it's interesting and I get paid well. My name is Moritz Reimold, I'm the fourth general or whatever, don't really care."

"I don't care either what the fuck you are", Laxus growled annoyed. "But I'm gonna kick your ass because of what you did here."

"Do it if you can", Moritz provoked with a taunting laugh that really ticked Laxus off.

Evergreen had no chance to try and stop Laxus, when the Thunder God already let loose his destructive lightning. She could only cover her ears as loud thunder filled the surroundings and she felt how ground shook as the lightning hit it.

She was positive that no one would be standing after an attack like that. Laxus was angry as hell and Moritz had just practically asked to become his target. So when Evergreen opened her eyes, she was stunned.