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"Pulvis et umbra sumus. It's a line from Horace. 'We are dust and shadows.' …one tends to die young, and then they burn your body – dust to dust, in the literal sense. And then we vanish into the shadows of history, nary a mark on the page of a mundane book to remind the world that once we existed at all."

– William Herondale, Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

It was over.

The thought rang in his head, over and over – one he'd not thought he'd ever have after centuries of never-ending war. Sharp green eyes scanned the ash-filled battlefield, smoke curling around his nostrils as he breathed in the scent of death and charred flesh. It didn't bother him. Not anymore.

What did bother him was the words of the dragon that had torn into him just before he'd sent the storm of fire raging across the land before him. "I'll ensure you pay for what you did. Maybe not now. Maybe not in the next year. Maybe not even centuries from now. But you killed the one who mattered most, and I'll ensure that you suffer as I have."

The dragon had disappeared in the chaos that had erupted when END had arrived to join the battle, attracted by the fire that he'd created to simply put an end to this war. He was tired of fighting every day. For centuries this war had raged on, and he was done.

Beside him, standing with a shockingly child-like awe-filled expression on his face, the Demon King spoke. "I'm dead." He glanced at END, confused by what he meant, and END met his gaze evenly. "As far as everyone knows, you killed me. END is dead."

His lips twitched. END had proven to be an interesting fellow. He'd joined the war at his brother's demand, but had eventually come to hate it upon realizing the truth of why they were there at all. He'd torn through battlefields with ease, winning battle after battle for those who used black magic. But he'd met several times with the thoughtful dragon before this, having ensured his survival at the end of the war. Unlike Zeref, who would be executed shortly to make sure that no more violence continued.

"Then who will you be?" he wondered, studying the demon.

"Natsu," he said simply, shrugging. "S'who I was before he did this." He gestured to himself – to the inhuman markings, to the painful horns in his head. "A half-dragon. Natsu."

"Half-dragon, hm?" the dragon murmured quietly. "Perhaps I will inform the others that I have taken you in as my own son, if only to ensure their silence. It will become a Draconic Secret." Secrets that each dragon swore to keep. They'd die before they gave up the truth.

END puffed up at the thought, pleased – honored even. "Thank you, Igneel."

Igneel rumbled in response, dropping his large head to brush his nose over that strange demon's pink hair as those horns suddenly shrank into his skull, making him wince.

Worry crossed through him again as he thought of the rebuilding they had to do.

What would the point of rebuilding be if the Creator of Chaos tore it back down?

It's here! I'm so excited to share this project with everyone! I've been wanting to release this for a week and got really close yesterday to releasing it a day early, but didn't.

Anyhow, if you don't already know after reading other pieces I've written - mostly BTL - this will take over the Monday/Thursday update! Part I of IV is completely written, and I've just started Part II. I think what will happen is we'll release a part entirely, and then if I'm not finished with the next, take a week or two hiatus so I can catch up. Simple as that. :)

I hope you enjoy this eventful piece I've written! I feel it's way more in depth regarding the characters' thoughts than most things I've written, and way more intricate than originally planned.

Happy reading!