"At least in the end, obey the leader's command! You brats!" Sensing the kids' misguided intentions, Makarov suddenly roared furiously, his voice menacing.
Everyone was startled, especially upon hearing the word 'end'.
Saying 'end' indicated that the speaker had made up their mind, prepared for death.
Makarov, as the third-generation guild master, had been in charge for forty years. The success of Fairy Tail owed a great deal to Makarov's contributions.
As a 'fatherly' figure, witnessing the growth of his children, even in his final moments, was undoubtedly the greatest solace. In the previous battle with the Heart of the Demon, everyone had displayed their strengths.
Even without him, they would continue well, carrying on the spirit of Fairy Tail.
Therefore, this resolution was incredibly sincere. But there were those who couldn't discern Makarov's resolution, like the single-minded Natsu.
"I am the Dragon Slayer! I'll be the one to—" Before Natsu could finish, he was already being dragged back by Laxus, who had grabbed his scarf.
"Move, Natsu."
Laxus's voice was remarkably calm, seemingly detached from his grandfather's fate.
But those running ahead of him could clearly see the glistening tears in his eyes.
It was precisely because he recognized his grandfather's determination to sacrifice himself that Laxus obeyed his command.
Makarov hoped to buy some time with his life. This gap created with his life couldn't be wasted.
Others sensed their guild master's intentions. Reluctantly, they continued to flee, tears streaming down their faces, yet stepping forward with resilience.
Sometimes, fleeing doesn't signify weakness but is another form of continuing life. Though clichéd, they had to live well, along with the sacrifices of those who had passed away.
This was the greatest gratitude for their sacrifice.
Calvin was among them, remaining silent, head down. However, his thoughts were more chaotic than ever.
From joining Fairy Tail in his childhood, Makarov's dedicated teaching of magic, to the pride shown by Makarov when Calvin became an S-Class mage at fourteen—every memory flooded his mind.
Gradually, Makarov's image blended with the memory of Piers. In this moment, the resemblance between the two was striking.
Calvin abruptly halted in his tracks, rooted to the spot.
"Calvin, don't waste the leader's sacrifice," Erza, who was at the back, heavily patted Calvin's back, speaking solemnly.
Erza understood Calvin's current state of mind. She, too, wanted to fight alongside the guild master.
Calvin lifted his head, revealing eyes filled with veins, a mix of sorrow and anger.
"I won't allow my elders to sacrifice themselves again. Once was enough for that bone-deep pain!"
With that, Calvin turned and sprinted toward Makarov.
Others observed his actions, and as if finding a spine, the fleeing group exchanged glances, their gazes turning resolute. They followed Calvin, charging back.
As if the speed of their escape was insufficient, Calvin summoned the Crimson-Eyed Black Dragon, soaring into the sky above the treetops.
Meanwhile, the immensely enlarged Makarov had been completely suppressed by the Black Dragon. Despite his slight regret for not delaying a bit longer, being the last shield for the children made his life complete.
The black dragon pinned Makarov's abdomen with its claws, mouth enlarging, readying itself for a final strike.
"Roar! Roar! Roar!"
A furious roar echoed, as another set of claws, equally black but with a faint red glow, swooped down, slamming onto Acnologia's head, forcing its mouth shut.
The black dragon grew furious, glancing up to see another slightly smaller dragon-shaped being standing defiantly before it, revealing no intent to conceal its hostility.
"The Crimson-Eyed Black Dragon?!"
Seeing the black dragon that saved him, Makarov couldn't help but exclaim in surprise. Although he yelled "Crimson-Eyed Black Dragon," his shock was at Calvin's return.
However, Calvin had no time to acknowledge Makarov. Standing atop the Crimson-Eyed Black Dragon's head, flames flickering in his eyes, he glared fiercely at the black dragon before him.
As he faced the Crimson-Eyed Black Dragon, Acnologia, hiding its gaze, revealed a hint of confusion and bewilderment. But Calvin didn't notice this tiny gap. Instead, he timely directed the Crimson-Eyed Black Dragon to attack.
The ferocious dragon mouth opened wide, releasing a faint crimson flame. In the next moment, an immensely massive black flame burst forth from the mouth of the Crimson-Eyed Black Dragon, heading straight for Acnologia.
Meanwhile, Calvin summoned the Dark Wing Grand Magic, swiftly grabbing the shrunken Makarov and darting aside.
Seizing the opportunity perfectly, just as Calvin evaded, the black flame struck Acnologia. A towering blaze erupted, covering the vicinity in an inferno, akin to a hellish landscape.
Calvin unleashed the attack without reservation, pouring almost all his magical power into the black flame. Makarov, who was nearby and observing, could affirm that even in his prime, a hit like this would have been certain death.
Yet, Calvin's face bore little relief; it remained grim and intimidating. He didn't believe that the illustrious and infamous Black Dragon Acnologia would be slain so easily.
Indeed, within the blaze, a sudden vortex emerged, drawing in the scattered flames and the storm, but on closer inspection, it wasn't a vortex; it was Acnologia's gaping mouth!
Everything was devoured by Acnologia, revealing its unscathed form. Meanwhile, the Crimson-Eyed Black Dragon, having attacked from close range, had lost half its body and soon vanished into foam.
"It's useless..." Calvin's expression shifted slightly. Although he anticipated he couldn't kill the monster before him, he hadn't expected to leave not even a scratch.
"Calvin... it's useless. Escape quickly," Makarov, in pain and pity, said.
"Abandoning the old man to save yourself... do you think your guild would have such a person?" Laxus's relaxed voice echoed behind him. Makarov turned to see that everyone had returned without exception.
Without hesitation, each of them unleashed their strongest available attacks, all aimed at Acnologia.
However, reality sometimes leaves one helpless. Acnologia merely shook lightly, causing the earth to tremble. All the attacks landed on it, as futile as scratching an itch.
Seeing this, Calvin didn't hesitate; he charged out alone.
"Calvin, don't be rash! This opponent isn't one that can be defeated alone!" Gildarts shouted.
"Stay back! I'm going to use my trump card!" Calvin just roared back, not even turning his head.
"Life or death, I'll stake it all on that one card!"