City of Fire

Chapter Forty-Three

"Tidus"

"You're pathetic," Scorch spat as he hefted his twin blades. Tidus's breathing was labored and his shoulder ached from where Scorch had racked his shoulder with his fiery sword. His own felt heavy and awkward now that his arm felt like lead. Scorch smirked, the smile filled with dark delight at the thought of pain and bloodshed.

"You couldn't protect your Dominus from me that night, just like you couldn't save your sister so long ago, just like you can't now." His words struck Tidus like hammer blows and he only rolled clear of Scorch's flashing blades a moment before they sank into his flesh.

"Shut up!" He bellowed his heart thumping madly in his ears. He lifted his sword, wincing at the agonizing pain that lanced up it. "You don't know what you're talking about!" He charged Scorch, swinging high but Scorch only snorted. He ducked the swing and bringing the hilt of his sword up, connected with Tidus's chest. The air left his lungs in one loud burst as he sprawled forward and onto the stones caked with blood. He rolled over, spitting some of it out of his mouth.

"Why don't you give up?" Scorch casually swirled his swords through the air, "Your castle is already burning, your city destroyed." He gestured with his head to the burning towers in the distance. "You're good at giving up, why don't you just already do it?" He turned back to face him and Tidus felt fury whelm up inside his chest.

"Screw you," he growled and Scorch lifted a solemn brow.

"Tsk, tsk," he shook his head and swung his swords once more, "such a pity. Such a pity indeed," he walked closer and lifted them into the air. "I really thought you'd be more of a challenge." A snarl of a smile touched his lips as his amber eyes filled with madness. A moment later he was bringing the swords down. Tidus tensed, rolling to the side and kicking out with his feet. They connected with Scorch's shin, sending a howl of pain erupting from his lips but before Tidus could grasp his sword a foot was planted onto his back. "You bastard," Scorch seethed. "I'll make you pay for that!" He lifted his swords once more and Tidus tensed, ready for the searing pain and heat to scorch his flesh but instead the air dropped. A cold breeze struck out at him, knocking Scorch from his back. Tidus rolled over, his eyes widening when he saw Zane standing there. His hair wavered in the slight breeze, his face covered with blood and soot but his silver eyes glittered like pools of ice.

"You might want to try something different with me," he whispered and glanced down at Tidus. In that instant something passed between them and Tidus stood, quickly grasping his sword and taking a defensive position beside Zane. Scorch picked himself up off of the ground, a long cut along his forearm. He didn't seem to feel the wound or notice how it gushed blood. He only glared at them, his teeth bared in a feral snarl.

"Oh I already know you, Blood Prince." He tipped his swords up once more, the flames growing brighter with his anger. "Ella thought you might be tempted back onto our side, but I always wanted to take your head since the café." He grinned. "Now I can!" He swung the swords, sending fire shooting out at them but Zane whirled, bringing the scythe spinning around him; the movement casting daggers of ice out in wide arcs. Tidus rolled clear of the flames, coming up on Scorch's right while Zane came down from above. Scorch leapt backwards, fending off Tidus's attack but his arm was weak and Tidus pressed his advantage. He swung, feinting for Scorch's good shoulder while Zane went for his legs. Scorch cursed and tensing his muscles leapt into the air, using Zane's scythe to propel him forward and behind them. Both Tidus and Zane ducked, missing the flashing blades as they rolled clear. They came up beside one another, their weapons ready. Scorch's amber eyes had narrowed dangerously and the flames leapt higher.

"You're fools for thinking you can defeat me." He hissed and Tidus narrowed his eyes. A silent signal was given between Zane and him. They both shot to the opposite side of Scorch, coming up on his right and left. He tried to step back but Zane swung his scythe, forcing him forward where Tidus swung his own. Scorch screamed when Tidus connected with his shoulder and snarling, rolled away. He ran his blades along the ground, a torrent of flame erupting behind him and Tidus yelped, stepping back but he lost his balance and a hand grasped him by his collar and yanked him free of the fiery flames. He looked up at Zane and swallowed his throat dry.

"Come up on his right, it's his weak point." Zane whispered to him and Tidus nodded, pushing himself to his feet. Zane leapt into the air, landing beside Scorch and together they exchanged blows, each gaining and losing ground. Tidus leapt across the flames and rolled behind Scorch, causing him to twist away. Tidus cursed underneath his breath and stood, lunging at him. Scorch retreated, fending off their blows and finally Tidus saw an opening. He lunged once more and felt as his blade found its mark. Scorch screamed in pain, falling back onto the stones. As he tipped backwards he snarled, twisting his body and bringing his blade up. Tidus's eyes widened and he felt the blade touch his skin but before it could pass through Zane was there.

He kicked out, sending Scorch flying and crashing into the statue of Din. The stone cracked and Scorch cried out, crumbling to the ground. Scorch lifted his head, his eyes filled with bloodlust but before he could move the statue groaned and tipped. Scorch twisted his head around, his eyes widening when he saw the statue but before he could move it fell.

A cloud of dust and rubble erupted into the air, obscuring their vision. When it settled, Scorch lay there, his tortuous cries joining the endless symphony that surrounded them. Tidus felt a swarm of pity for him inside his chest but then he looked around, looked at the death and destruction that filled the air. Anger replaced it and he strode over to Scorch. He lifted his blade and prepared to bring it down when a hand clasped his wrist, halting him. Zane's eyes were fixed upon Scorch, the gaze steady and Tidus bristled.

"What are you doing?" He shouted and Zane turned back towards the gate that withheld the lava. In the far distance Tidus could make out two figures on the bridge dressed in dark leather battle armor. They were going to open the gates.

"We have to warn the others, get them to high ground." Zane murmured but as the words left his mouth they saw one of the figures, obviously Ilona, get thrown to the ground by a Hollow.

"Ilona!" Tidus screamed and watched helpless as the blade came down.