The Master of Names

Chapter 20- Of Ice and Fire

  "Whatever you do, don't get cut by the bone knife," said Salem.

  Annos pulled himself to his feet, veins bulging out his temples as Ad'Temorre reformed by his side. He looked over Keldon when realization struck him like lightning.

  "Faughlt you fucking traitor!! Hiding illegal scum like him!" hissed Annos.  

  "What? How'd he know?!" asked Keldon.

  "No Skill orb," said Salem.

  "Ah fuck," thought Keldon

  "Cover me!" said Annos to Prison crew boys. He wiped the blood off his mouth as he activated a skill and vanished. Ad'Temorre stretched across the field and swiped a claw at Salem who met its talons with his fiery blade. Mitch flung himself over Ad'Temorre, slamming his titan's fists down on Salem. At least that was the plan. Salem knocked the giant arms aside as he grabbed Ad'Temorre and hurled the creature into Ernie and Pudge. Salem sniffed the air when a look of panic crept across his face.

  "He left. Blast it, he's going to turn us in!" said Salem.

  "Didn't you say we were going to be safe until we reached the capital?" asked Keldon.

  "That's what I thought. Listen to me carefully, I need to chase him down and I don't have enough mana to hold this form long. Handle Pudge and find a way to open the prison cart. You know who to look for." said Salem.

  "I'll try."

  "Don't try. Do." said Salem, launching himself at Ad'Temorre in a blaze of heat. He tackled the mass of writhing death and smoke, hurling it into the air, and dug his heels into the charred soil.

Activate Unique Skill: Authority of the Sun

  Three-pointed Sigils lit up the sky as a great beam of sunlight crushed down onto Ad'Temorre. Smoke searing off its form as the creature howled with an ear-piercing screech. Salem blinked behind Mitch and Ernie who were recovering from the blow. He picked them up by their collars.

  "Sorry boys, brace for impact," said Salem. He batted away Ernie and Mitch's skill orbs as he slammed them together. He wrapped his arms around them in a bear hug, and with a heave, hurled them into the horizon.

  "Wha-UAHHHHHH," hollered Mitch blasting off into the air.

  Salem coiled like a spring and rocketed at Ad'Temorre. He slammed into the creature like a hurricane and swept it away, flying after Mitch and Ernie.

  Dark grey clouds rumbled in the distance as Salem's battle lit up the sky. Droplets of rain kissed Keldon's face as he circled Pudge, both hesitant to make the first move. He wiped the drizzles of rain from his forehead.

  "I don't want to fight you Pudge. Can't we do this another way?"

  Pudge flashed him a gentle smile and shook his head.

  "Too kind Keldon. You'll hurt yourself," said Pudge. He planted himself into a prepared stance and summoned his skill orb.

  His heart thumped against his chest. Damnit, he could feel the throbbing excitement of the name of fire that pumped blood in his ears. Each heartbeat accelerating in rhythm. It wanted to charge forwards, but he didn't want to hurt Pudge, maybe if he just-

Activate Skill: Flurry of hail Activate Skill: Frozen Chains

  A wave of icicles rained from the sky as Keldon leaped back. Shards of ice clipped him in the shoulders as he tried to dodge, knocking him off his balance. Icy chains shot from Pudge's arms, wrapping around Keldon in his moment of weakness.