They come close, but the flames conquer all

AN: we'll still be on the outside looking in for this chapter but, we will be switching Ahkrinahjun's perspective next chapter. Hope you enjoy it!

I felt my rage nearly take me over as little Helena's head was slammed in the ground by the Scion's tail.

'Keep your focus. You control the rage, it doesn't control you.' I break the brittle stone spears that had held me the precious seconds that the scion needed to enact his plan.

He wants to take out our support. Keep them from providing any magical assistance. He had already at least temporarily taken out Helena.

I would not allow further success.

I charged forward even as the scion moved to finish Meilin, Rain following close behind. Just as he managed to strike her twice more with his tail, I crashed into him knocking away from Meilin. Rain continued forward to engage him in combat directly. We could not let him cast any more magic. Victory here depends on it.

"Meilin! Can you still fight?" I stopped briefly to see her condition. Her face was already starting to swell from the blows.

She groaned in pain. " Vision's swimming. Need time."

I nodded before moving to assist Rain. The Scion and Rain seemed to prefer the same style of fighting, darting at each other with speed and precision. It almost seemed as if they were dancing.

It was a dance I would stomp through.

Charging the Scion again swinging my battle axe this time with the intent of caving in his skull. This time the Scion saw me and leaped away towards the tunnels. Taking a slice in his thigh from Rain for his trouble.

Rain moved to engage the Scion again, but was unable to reach him before he casted again. This time only four lances of fire appeared, all four aiming for Rain. I continued on as Rain gasped in pain, three of the fire spears.

At first I was happy to see only four spears. I thought he was weakening. What I saw next killed that hope.

I saw his wounds heal and close. Not completely but much of the damage done to him in the last few exchanges had been undone.

The Scion could dualcast, it also has healing spells. This was bad, if he was given a free moment he could heal his wounds and regain his strength.

I swing weapon again, but the Scion fell back further. Something wasn't right, was scion trying to flee? Was it truly so cowardly? I shifted my grip to better make use of my battle axe in close quarters.

My instincts proved true as the Scion's grin turned feral and he leaped at me, fangs and claws flashing. No matter the strength of the Scion's blood, I knew myself stronger, in pure might if nothing else.

The scion landed several blows in the exchange to my legs and shoulders. I shrugged them off and managed to land one of my own.

The blow was a telling one and fierce. Rain and Meilin had managed to catch up. Meilin was getting ready to cast her own magic to finish the fight.

"If you've words Ahkrinahjun, I would hear them." He had been a strong foe. If he had the hunting parties common with most kobolds he would likely have won.

"Ha…hah You're outside the priestess's wards."

The next moment a massive outpouring of fire slammed into us. Burning us snd knocking us off our feet.

My friends were likely dead from that blow. It was well played. A small part of mind acknowledged. A blow that hurt my friends. A blow…THAT KILLED MY FRIENDS!

I'LL KILL HIM!!!!

"Huh? You're still conscious, that's actually a little impressive. Shame about your friends, but such is life."

"YOU DO NOT SPEAK OF THEM!!!!"

I leap weapon forgotten in my rage leaped to the and on to my back, wrapping his arms around my throat.

I tried to throw him but the wounds to my shoulder and leg were hampered. Their purpose revealed.

"Shhh, shhh… I warn you didn't I? You would all know suffering."

My vision went dark….