The Fairy Tail Guild bustled with its usual lively chaos. Escanor was packing for a dangerous S-class subjugation mission, and Erza was preparing to accompany him. The Master had finally agreed—Erza was strong enough to join such perilous quests.
Mirajane suddenly dashed in, full of excitement.
"Sis! Help me with something! The Beast King's tracks were found in the Eastern Mountains—it's badly injured! Let's go take it down!"
Escanor frowned thoughtfully.
"The Beast King… That's no ordinary foe. Are you sure you're ready for that soul?"
Mirajane puffed her chest out proudly.
"Don't worry, Lisanna's coming too! Come watch me crush this mission!"
Lisanna smiled warmly and nodded.
Escanor handed Mira a magic crystal.
"If things go sideways, smash this crystal on the ground. It'll summon me."
Three years had passed since Escanor's S-Class exam. Laxus, Erza, Mira, and Mystogan had all ascended to that rank, independent and powerful.
As the three siblings set out, Escanor's heart twinged with an unspoken unease.
The mission zone: a nest of Earth Dragons, fierce and tough creatures born with dragon bloodline—though lesser than true dragons, their thick hides and magic resistance made them fearsome foes.
The Earth Dragon King led the pack, its tail covered in bone spikes, swiping through the air like a lethal whip.
Erza, clad in her Black Prison Armor, lunged into battle. Nearby, Escanor grappled the massive tail, muscles bulging as he yanked it free. With a mighty throw, the king crashed into the mountainside.
"Rhitta!" Escanor swung his enchanted axe in a deadly arc, severing the king's head in a single, magical strike.
Exhausted but victorious, Erza accepted a water bottle from Escanor's outstretched hand.
"Rest up. We'll finish cleaning the nest later."
Suddenly, Escanor's gaze sharpened.
"Something's wrong... Mira!"
Without hesitation, he took to the sky, a streak of gold blazing as he sped toward the danger.
In the Eastern Mountains, chaos reigned.
Elfman, consumed by the Beast King's berserk magic, roared wildly, eyes blazing crimson. Mira's voice trembled as she desperately called to him.
"Elfman! Don't listen to the Beast King! Snap out of it!"
Beside her, Lisanna's wings fluttered as she tried to reach her brother.
"Elfman, it's me! Lisanna! Please come back!"
But the berserk Elfman was lost to reason, a force of destruction only.
Mira fought hard, trading blows with the Beast King's corrupted soul. But the monster's berserk power surged, overwhelming her.
In a desperate move, Mira smashed Escanor's magic crystal on the ground.
"Escanor! Please come—save us!"
Elfman lunged toward Lisanna. She dodged but grazed her arm, losing balance.
A massive hand descended, and Lisanna fell, bloodied and motionless.
Mira's scream shattered the silence.
At that instant, a fireball slammed into the Beast King, sending it flying.
Escanor landed with a forceful gust, eyes blazing.
"Leave Elfman to me."
With brutal precision, Escanor's punches knocked Elfman unconscious, breaking the Beast King's control.
He turned to Lisanna, who lay motionless and pale.
Escanor summoned healing light, but something strange happened—a pillar of mysterious light enveloped her.
His hands passed through her as if she were a ghost.
Mira's sobs echoed as the light faded—and Lisanna vanished.
Escanor rushed to the spot but was stopped by an impenetrable spatial barrier.
Helpless, he carried Mira and Elfman back to the Guild.
The Guild's mood darkened. Makarov summoned Porlyusica to tend to the injured.
"I've never seen such a spatial phenomenon before," Makarov said gravely.
Natsu and Happy wept inconsolably for their lost friend.
Mira stared blankly out the window, her usual fire extinguished.
Elfman sank into deep remorse, muttering his self-blame incessantly.
A somber funeral was held a week later, with only Lisanna's clothes as a symbol of her passing.
The Guild felt emptier.
In the weeks after, Elfman slowly regained his strength—though a new solemnity haunted him.
He muttered "man" as a mantra, seeking to find his own path.
Mirajane transformed too, shedding her tomboy bravado for gentle grace, honoring Lisanna's wish.
Fairy Tail had lost its fiery demon Mira but gained a softer, more resilient Mirajane.
The world turned, carrying the bittersweet weight of change.