The Embers Book I: The First Fires Of War

Chapter Five: To War!

Chapter Five: To War!

Taylor spun about as he heard the familiar whoosh. The twins appeared with Jamie over Michal's shoulder and Farn supporting Markus to a stand. Michal put Jamie down and Taylor noticed he was unconscious but thankfully unharmed. Taylor looked back and noticed only Mylar and Noran remained and that the other man, Caius, was gone. That was when he heard it the whoosh of fire as the Cyturion number two landed among them darting right for Michal in an attempt to catch him off guard.

Caius swung with his fist still wreathed in fire but he wasn't fast enough and Michal ducked as Caius struck the tree behind going right through it as easily as air. Wood splintered off in all directions and Taylor covered his face to avoid any debris hitting his eyes as bits of bark ricochet off of his arms.  

Looking up, Taylor could see Michal retreating backwards as Caius bore down upon him the two battled it out with their fists alone coated in deadly flames. Jamie was still out cold on the ground so Taylor ran over to him and hauled him up to his feet. He gave him a hard slap around the face several times before he eventually stirred, jumping at the realisation of being conscious.

"Jamie can you walk?" asked Taylor as Jamie looked about taking in his surroundings.

"Uh, yeah I think so," replied Jamie, moving away from Taylor and taking a step forward on a pair of unsteady legs.

"Good now get back to the mansion and get help quickly!" shouted Taylor, now running off towards the twins and Caius who was still on the offensive.

"Where are you going?" shouted Jamie, standing there dumbfounded.

Taylor sped off in the distance pumping his legs for all they were worth. He didn't bother to shout back and trusted his friend to do as he'd been told. What he was about to do next was either going to be incredibly brave or very stupid.

The blue flames had faded and he didn't know what else to do, so with all his strength he flung himself right into the back of Caius and rugby tackled him to the ground. Caius swore in shock at the new threat but then merely smiled when he turned as he fell seeing what was happening. Taylor let go and rolled out of his reach just in time as Caius recovered and slammed his flaming fist to the ground where Taylor had just been.

Taylor got to his feet as Caius did the same. He flung a ball of fire straight for his face, a split second was all that separated Taylor's face being melted off before he ducked beneath the flaming projectile. He could smell burning and realised his hair had been caught ever so slightly.

His heart pounded in his chest faster than anything he’d experienced and his legs were close to giving way by how much they were shaking.

"Considering you haven’t been trained your resolve is impressive. Such a shame you have to die boy," said Caius smiling as he opened his palms.

 More swirling black fire formed ready to unleash another onslaught.

"You forgot about me," said Michal from behind him as a ball of white fire the size of a boulder came hurtling towards Caius.

It hit him square in the chest as he turned to in time to see the attack he tried to bring his arms up in defence but he wasn't fast enough. Taylor heard the air leave his lungs as Caius was propelled back at least ten feet breaking several trees on the way with his body. He thought he heard sickening snap as he collided with a one last tree before he landed and remained still. Taylor didn't know if he was alive or not but hoped that he didn't get up again.

"Taylor, come on we have to go now before he gets back up!" roared Farn as he started to make his way back to the mansion. Markus was now on his feet and moving of his own accord.