The sky was black — not because of the night, but because of the smoke.Flames still licked the ruins of the village, casting a blood-red glow over the forest. The air was thick with the stench of ashes and burnt flesh — suffocating, oppressive.Law was running. Heart pounding, breath ragged, he clutched Rosinante's hand with desperate strength. His brother stumbled with every step, blood pouring from his mouth, his chest — like an hourglass slowly emptying.
"Don't hold on to me, Law... Run..."Rosinante's voice was hoarse, strangled by pain. His feathered cape was torn, soaked in red, his steps unsteady. Behind them, the mocking laughter of the dark guild had faded, replaced by a sinister stillness — as if the world itself was holding its breath.
But Law didn't move.He collapsed to his knees in the clearing, his legs giving out under the weight of fear. He laid Rosinante down gently, as if he could preserve what was already breaking."You're going to make it..." he whispered, hands trembling. "You're strong, Rosinante. You've always been strong..."
Rosinante looked at him, his eyes half-closed, yet filled with painful tenderness.A faint smile tugged at his lips."Idiot..." he breathed. "You still don't get it, do you? From the day I found you, I knew you'd live far longer than me.You have a gift I don't. As a wizard, you're destined for great things.Never forget your dream... the one to become a doctor. The one to save lives."
Law shook his head. He pressed his hands against the gaping wound, trying to stop the bleeding, murmuring an incantation. A flicker of blue light appeared for a moment, but the magic wouldn't respond — he was far too panicked for anything to work properly."Damn it... No... no, stay with me..."Tears streamed freely down Law's face.
"Listen to me..." Rosinante continued, his voice now weaker, barely audible. "You have a good heart, Law... Don't let it break. Don't let vengeance consume you. Promise me..."He lifted a trembling hand and placed it on Law's cheek, as if trying to pass on one last warmth."Promise me you'll live... Find a place... a home... somewhere you can smile, even just a little..."
His fingers slipped away. His eyes slowly closed. And with a breath barely more than a whisper, Corazon Rosinante passed away — a peaceful smile on his lips.
Silence fell. A silence so brutal the world seemed to stop.Law remained frozen, arms wrapped around the lifeless body. The fire, the ashes, the screams — they were all far away now. There was nothing left but him... and the emptiness.The scream he let out then tore through the forest — a scream of pain, of loss, of despair.
He stayed there, kneeling, until the sun broke over the horizon. Then, without a word, he dug a grave with his bare hands, his fingers raw, caked in earth and blood.He buried Rosinante on a hilltop — where the ruins of the village could still be seen, and where the wind whispered gently, like a final farewell.
On a flat stone, he carved with his katana:"Here Rest in peace Corazon Rosinante, member of Fairy Tail."
He stared at the grave for a long time. Then he stood. He was no longer the same.
"Magnolia... Fairy Tail..."His voice was low, but steady."You wanted me to live. Then I'll live. I'll become a wizard."
And he left — heart heavy, but resolute — toward the place where a new story was about to begin.