boom! it's 2018! a double-chapter!

and happy belated new year!

Credits to Mashima Hiro for the characters

Chapter Six

The Black Dragon of the Apocalypse's familiarity with the art of war stemmed from the countless battles, blood spilled, extreme emotions; he had been through it all. And more than once. Before Acnologia turned into a Dragon Slayer, he considered himself a pacifist. He preferred to resolve problems with civilised discussions than flexing one's physical abilities to trump the other. After witnessing the death of his family and friends at the hands of Dragons and Dragon Slayers during the War centuries ago, the feeling that crept into his heart was simultaneously terrifying and elevating. It granted him tumultuous strength beyond his comprehension. Then it manifested to something sinister. Like a black tumour that grew and swallowed his entire being, driving him to madness as the last of his loved ones died in his arms.

Killing the Dragon that granted him the powers fuelled the malicious lump in his heart. Acnologia annihilated any Dragons and Dragon Slayers who dared cross his path. The slaughterhouse he created of his hometown would resurface every time he closed his eyes. And then there was the look from his friends at the brink of death; beyond the utter disbelief and mortification, the eyes had a bright clarity to them in the face of death. His ego would soar to the high heavens at the thought of complete helplessness from his victims from both creatures and Dragon Slayers alike; every pair of eyes stared at him as if he were the God of Death.

And yet, the prodigy, with his heart wrapped around the seasoned hands of the Black Dragon of Apocalypse in combat remained passive as if he desensitised by the treatment. As if Acnologia wasn't the first person to figure out the his Elemental Spirits', and, as if purposefully allowed him to discover it. Acnologia tightened his grip around the vital organ and the Mage spluttered up more blood, but his eyes continued to stare at him apathetically. Disgusted and confused, the Black Dragon removed his hand from the Mage's chest and watched him fall to his knees, then one hand immediately went up to cover up the hole with Earth Magic.

"Why?" Acnologia hissed at the prodigy.

"You know why," Tobias muttered shallowly.

They stared at one another before the Mage finally collapsed from exhaustion and extensive blood lost. A high pitch sound resonated around the deadly silent stadium a second later, signalling the end of the fight. It took a few seconds for the audience to register what happened and slowly a round of applause started around the place. Acnologia walked out with blood still dripping from his hand. A familiar presence suddenly appeared beside him as they walked in silence to the Participants' Lockers.

"I do not recall that I need to be babysat when I take a shower," Acnologia said sharply to the Iron Dragon Slayer who was leaning on the opposite wall of the shower cubicle with his arms crossed.

"You didn't kill him," Gajeel simply said, surprised in his undertone.

Acnologia faced the other way as he washed his graphite-blue locks, massaging it with shampoo. "That Human has potential for further growth, thus the present allows him to see another day."

The Iron Dragon Slayer's eyebrows shot up close to his hairline and promptly uncrossed his arms, pushed himself off the tiled wall and took a step forward.

"Wait, are you acknowledging him as a worthy opponent?"

"The future will not be so kind."

"Wow." The Redfox blew a low-whistle and chuckled. "Looks like you enjoyed yourself alright, Acno."

The Black Dragon huffed and hid the small tug on the corner of his lips from the Redfox as he rinsed himself.

"When was I ever wrong?"

"Eh, I'm glad that you didn't kill him, though. At least you don't have another dead body added to your tally for today."

"The Magic Council be damned," Acnologia hissed icily and turned off the shower before towelling himself dry."If they dare to raise an issue, I will make sure they don't have another nanosecond to look forward to and remind them where and what Hell is."

The majority of the crowd had dispersed, leaving a couple of tourists taking photographs at few erected statues at the front entrance. Acnologia promptly found himself staring at the bag of gold in his hand and flicked a blank expression at the host of the Death Battle who was quivering under his gaze.

"I was expecting my win transferred to my bank account," Acnologia said lowly.

"Why, yes, of course, but we thought it would be better if you had it in cash?" The man stammered out between gulps and dashed a look at Gajeel who shrugged his shoulders. "I mean, we can always meet your preferences."

"You have wasted both of our time for coming to that conclusion."

The host squeaked and took off with the cash to the nearest bank. The Dragon Slayer pair having had enough of Dragnof, decided to take the long way home with the courtesy of Acnologia transforming into a Dragon and the Iron Dragon Slayer hitching a ride. Cold air billowed around them as he took them below the clouds and then farther upwards. The wind subsided significantly and they were soaring above the white fluff. They travelled in silence, each to their own thoughts when he felted the Redfox shifted in his position after an hour.

"I recall your memorabilia is flammable," Acnologia spoke through telepathy.

He heard the audible snap of his partner's jaw and then returned to their silence. As they flew over various landscape, Acnologia found that the emotionless pair of silver-greys of the young prodigy occupied the better half of his mind. Especially the flat look delivered to him within an inch away from Death's door. The source of the Human's power came from the a replica of the original Elemental Magic gemstones. It originated from an ancient city in the other continent, judging from the singular taste Acnologia risked. Which shouldn't give the Mage the aloof attitude, considering the embedded replica contained only a fraction of the original power. And yet, evidently, he could wield as if he possessed the authentic source.

"Acnologia!"

The Black Dragon snapped out of his reverie and jerked a head to one side.

"We passed our home about 30 seconds ago!" Gajeel shouted above the wind.

Wordlessly, Acnologia detoured and arrived at their shared living quarter less than thirty and practically threw the Iron Dragon Slayer off his back before returning to his Human form. He flitted up to his library and slammed the door shut. A finger ran across the spines of his collection until it came to a stop further inside the place. The digit slid up, hooked at itself at the top to pull out the object that fell open into his opened palm. Acnologia flicked through a couple of pages before finding what he was looking for.

An amused grin graced his face as he read the descriptions. Peace may had finally found its permanent place in this generation, but, a possible minor disruption with this newly discovered information could lead to interesting results. He snapped the book close and carefully returned it to its place.

It seemed another reason found itself into his short list for tolerance for the living.

...up to no good. thoughts?