The smoke cleared around Jackal, revealing him grinning at his handiwork. "Not bad," he jeered. "You survived—quite the powerful fireball, aren't you?"
Michelo staggered forward, horror on his face. "He's gone… Natsu's been killed…"
Jackal laughed. "If you'll just give me the information I want, I'll spare your granddaughter—and you."
Terrified, Michelo turned and bolted, abandoning Carla in his panic.
"Councilor!" Lucy cried. "Don't leave her behind!"
Jackal raised an eyebrow. "She won't escape, either."
"Wendy—now!" Lucy shouted.
Wendy's eyes flashed. She summoned her breath. "Dragon's Roar!" A gale of shimmering wind hurtled toward Jackal—but he merely raised a hand and dispersed it in a thunderous blast.
Lucy slammed her key onto the ground. "Scorpio Gate—Scorpion!"
A golden scorpion spirit erupted at her side, unleashing a whirlwind of scorching sand. Jackal's laughter rang out as he countered with successive shockwaves, sending both Lucy and Wendy flying through the air.
"Hahaha," Jackal sneered, dusting his coat. "You fools rely on magic—but Tartaros wields power beyond your petty spells."
He stamped the ground. "Blast Spiral!" A spiraling explosion tore along the street, and when the dust settled, Lucy and Wendy lay sprawled but conscious.
Jackal glanced down at Carla, who stood trembling near the riverbank. "Now, Councilor—where is your safe haven?"
Michelo's knees shook. "I… I don't know!"
Jackal's lips curled. "No matter—" With a wave of his hand, two luminous orbs snatched Carla and a terrified bystander from the crowd and suspended them in midair.
"These are your two bombs," Jackal announced. "One will detonate instantly. Choose who lives—and who dies."
Carla's scream pierced the air. "Grandfather—help me!"
Lucy's heart froze. Jackal's cruel amusement filled the square.
"Ten… nine…" he counted down, his voice cold as ice.
All eyes were on Lucy. Carla's tear-streaked face, Michelo's frantic pleas—everything pressed down on her.
"Eight… seven…"
Lucy's hands trembled over the stones, her voice barely a whisper. "I… I can't—"
"Six… five…" Jackal's grin widened.
Michelo's anguished cry broke her paralysis. "Choose! Your hesitation costs lives!"
"Four… three…" Jackal leaned back, savoring the moment.
Lucy closed her eyes, tears spilling, as the countdown echoed around her:
"Two… one…"