Hello again! It feels like it has been so long since I have worked on this story, which it really hasn't, but I have been facing some stuff with the guy I like (which I won't elaborate on, as I would hate to bore you) and so I am not feeling the greatest, so I didn't think my chapters would be that great, I am doing my best to feel better though, so I do hope you enjoy! Without further ado, Natsu the Fire Dragon!

~naluhedgehogs

Harlowe ushered Natsu down the corridor, but he hung back, trying to figure out what had even happened. Noticing that he wasn't being followed, Harlowe turned to the pinkette, laughing at the look of disbelief on the young dragon slayer's face.

"This building was built by a fire Mage back when this town was still new and developing. It used to be a magic store, and each worker here had s different magical ability. He would train mages down here on how to use their skills, and created this corridor to test them. With a certain exertion of magical power, at just the right force, it would activate the rune placed on it and open it up. This corridor was later made to house the mages and their secrets, each room created specially for their magical abilities. A room of enchanted lava rock for fire mages, like the owner, a cavern of diamond ice for ice mages, an underground sky room for air mages, an enchanted garden for earth and plant mages, and their most prized room, a room infused with the magic of the celestial world, given as a gift from the celestial king himself. However, this gift was more valuable than anything present on this earth at the time. Separate of celestial gate keys, there was no other way to access any of the celestial spirit kingdom, but this room lay portal to it, and precautions were in order to protect it. A celestial Mage was the only one able to access it, and when she left, they were forced to close the shop to keep it safe. The owner left to find someone to protect it, and he came back with me."

Natsu looked down the corridor in wonder, to him it seemed a normal hall. Harlowe continued his trek, and this time, the dragon slayer followed him. As they walked, Natsu observed in confusion. The hallway was lit pretty well, but it still seemed dim. The hall appeared to be carved directly from stone, and the edges were rough. It continued far down, but from what he could see, there were no doors in sight. He opened his mouth to question the man before him, but he stopped every time he tried.

It felt like they had walked forever before the man pulled to a stop, causing Natsu to jolt to a halt quickly to avoid colliding. Harlowe faced one of the bare walls, and when the dragon slayer saw nothing upon it, he eventually gave in to the temptation. "What are you looking at?" He was silent for a minute, but eventually Harlowe replied. "A door." He stated. Natsu waited for him to continue. He did not.

"Focus, son. This was built using magic. Not everything is as it seems, if you only look once, you will miss the details that give away folly from reality." He spoke almost in a proverb, his voice solemn and stern. Natsu squinted at the wall, and still felt blind to what Harlowe was seeing. He wanted to give up, but Harlowe repeated. "Focus, son."

And suddenly, a memory shot through Natsu's brain.

"I can't do it! It's impossible!" He cried, falling dramatically on the forest floor, leading the large red dragon to let out a sigh.

"You can, Natsu. You need to try again" His stern golden eyes observe him, and Natsu pulles himself up again. "Focus, son."

Standing firm, Natsu held out his fist, closed his eyes, and breathed. In, out.

Heat.

"A fire! A real fire!" He cried in joy, as his arm was lit by the light flames. Igneel let out a laugh. "Not quite a fire, young one. A flame. But I believe, one day, you will be able to make a fire. One day"

The memory faded, and Natsu clutched his fist. "One day" he murmured, looking at his flexing hand. He looked back at the wall, and closed his eyes. Breathe. In, out.

A door.

He almost jumped back in shock as he saw it, clear and firm in front of him. A door, built of heavy cherry mahogany wood, rimmed in a dark gold, charred in a flamed pattern around the edges. Harlowe smiled to himself as he watched, and remembered the first time his young granddaughter held that same face of surprise.

She stood, watching in wonder, as the golden flames leapt out and filled the room with light. The bright light faded, leaving the corridor, and the young girl followed her grandfather happily, trusting him to never lead her to danger.

They walked the hall, and she observed the walls keenly. He passed the doors leading to the elemental rooms, and she didn't bat an eye or seem to perceive their existence. But, as he led her to the enchanted door at the end of the hall, she gasped.

Rushing ahead, Harlowe watched in slight amazement as the young blonde ran up to the domed silver arch frame, running her fingers lightly over the intricate carvings. He himself could not see more than the wall, as this room was not of his element, but knew of its location. He was awed, however, by her ability to see without seeing, an ability that the owner had termed, and said he had only experienced once.

He should have known.

The last wisp of his recollection startled him, and he focused back on the reality in front of him. His memory proved to him her power, and he SHOULD have known. But he didn't.

Shaking his head of his grieving, he observed the dragon slayer who looked from him to the door with excitement. "Now" Harlowe spoke, "to open this door, you must steady your energy, and open it from your heart" "What?!" Natsu questioned, looking at the man in confusion, but he wouldn't elaborate. Sighing, he faced the door, lit his fist on fire and launched it towards the lock.

Before he got within half a foot of it, a wave of magic repulsed him, and he flew back, crashing into the wall. "What the hell?!" He barked, attempting to stand, before cringing in pain, and falling back to the floor. Harlowe observed him in mild concern.

"Rash attacks won't open it. You cannot use brute force, I already said. Steady your energy, and open it from the heart" His reply was met with the same blank stare. Eventually, Natsu managed to pull himself up, light himself on fire, and approach the door in varying ways. A jump kick. Didn't work. A side slam. Nope. Simply approaching it also resulted in his repulsion.

As he flopped on the ground, defeated, Harlowe let out a sigh. "Behind this door there are secrets held by many generations of fire mages. For that reason, the only way to pass through is to prove to the door that you need to, from the bottom of your heart. It works that way to protect ill-meaning people from getting in, if you don't prove to the door how important this is to you, it will continue to fling you on your back." Natsu eyed the man as he slowly started to question this man's sanity. "You want me.. To prove to a DOOR.. That I want to get in." He stated, less as a question, and more as an assurance he understood him right.

When he didn't get a response, he pulled himself up one more time, and walked to a safe distance. Feeling Harlowe's eyes, he knew he had to try it, no matter how crazy it sounds. He bowed slowly, clasping his hands together, and spoke. "Please, grant me entrance" the longer he stood in the awkward half bow, the more stupid he felt. But, he stayed determined, and soon after, he heard a loud creak.

The worn hinges groaned under the weight of the heavy mahogany, and it slowly pulled open, to reveal a dark chamber inside. Looking to Harlowe, Natsu received a nod, and stepped inside, the door quickly pulling shut behind him, leaving Harlowe to observe from the hall.

Anddddddd done! I hope you have enjoyed this chapter, and stay tuned to learn more of what this chamber will hold! Hehe, please drop a review, letting me know what you thoughts, and follow and favorite for updates! Love you all

For the love of magic I write for you

~naluhedgehogs