Solitary Princess - Nalu ✔️

Chapter 12

Erza and Natsu stood face to face, unmoving, not even circling each other. Only the sound of a light breeze and the occasional shifting of feet from the crowd could be heard. The tension was high.

Lucy simply sat there, holding her breath like the rest. Her mind couldn't quench her hope that Natsu would win. She watched as the two just stood still, wondering who would take the first step.

Erza had put her hair up for this fight. She wore blazing red pants and had bound her chest. She held two thin sticks in her hands. Natsu stood across from her, scarf fluttering in the slight breeze and feet spread wide, holding his usual wooden sword.

Natsu was first. He leapt forward faster than Lucy thought was even possible. He left the ground, and only the dust that slowly followed could tell the story. Lucy's eyes barely had time to widen before Erza was already blocking his wooden sword with her own.

Then Lucy watched as Natsu flew back, cheek bleeding. Her mouth couldn't stop from falling open. She hadn't even seen the hit. Was this the real Erza Scarlet?

But Lucy refused to give up hope just yet. He still had a chance while he was still standing. Lucy encouraged Natsu mentally, praying again that he would get the strength and speed to fight Erza.

Natsu had not yet been knocked to the ground, but as the two fighters exchanged hits, Lucy could see blood on Natsu's arms. There was barely a single scratch on Erza. What was this woman made of?

Lucy watched as Natsu sprung forward again, attempting to swipe the redhead's feet out from under her. It looked like it might work until Erza leapt up at the last second and lashed a kick at Natsu's shoulder. He grunted as the injury was added to his list.

Natsu was impossibly fast and incredibly powerful. Yet somehow, Erza was better. Lucy glanced at the crowd to see expressions similar to her own: gaping mouths and wide eyes. This fight was unlike any other they had seen. They were not just the two most powerful warriors in the General Games; they were on a whole different level. The two had not even brushed the surface of their potential in any other fights.

They were now standing apart, Natsu breathing heavily and Erza barely breaking a sweat. Lucy cringed at all the blood she saw on Natsu. Little cuts here and there would add up. Erza hit hard. Dull wooden sticks should not make those marks.

Lucy felt her stomach turn as she could almost feel Natsu's pain. "Come on Natsu..." She heard herself whispering encouragement, no longer giving a rat's ass that her dad might hear. Natsu needed to win. She needed Natsu to win.

For the first time, Erza was the one to attack first. Natsu blocked her strike and returned one of his own at her side. Or he tried to. Somehow, Erza twisted while still in the air to avoid the hit. But Natsu seemed to be expecting that. He sent a kick into her ribs, changing Erza's direction of movement as she grunted. Lucy hoped the hit would slow her down a bit.

Erza landed on her feet, slightly hunched over. Natsu was quick to attack, bringing his sword down. Erza somehow blocked it without even looking.

Natsu continued to send quick hits her way, and Erza was only able to block about seven out of ten. That meant Natsu was giving her some damage.

Lucy leaned forward, hopeful beyond belief. Maybe he had a chance. Erza seemed to be moving the bare minimum. Lucy wondered if she was beginning to get tired.

Natsu separated from Erza and leapt back to catch his breath. The redhead just looked at the ground, waiting for him to attack again.

The crowd began to murmur at the turning of tables. The people who had placed bets seemed like nervous wrecks.

Natsu sprung forward again, but before he could even move his arm to hit, Erza had sprung up to meet him. Then Natsu was on the ground and rolling.

Erza walked up to his form on the ground, standing above him. Natsu wouldn't last much longer. He may have had the upper hand for a bit, but his injuries were catching up to him. He was tired and probably aching from bruises. The crowd watched, expecting Erza to deliver the finishing blow.

She lifted her right sword.

Then tossed it aside.

And turned her back to Natsu.

"I forfeit."

...

A/n: haha... Honestlly didn't know how I wanted to end it until the last few paragraphs. Be back soon :))