🐲 Dragon and Phoenix (Path of Light and Fire Book #2) (Completed) 🐲

Chapter 10.2

Yulan bore his eyes into Aissata's. "What are you going to do with me?"

She looked at him, then down to Berius. "I should get you out of here, while those people die fighting the ugar."

Yulan jerked his arms away. "Not without Berius."

Aissata growled.

Yulan chanced a look behind. One ugar bled a thick bluish fluid from behind the knee and back, so the warriors were having some success. Yet there was no trace of Two Swords.

Spear fought the wounded ugar alone, dancing to avoid the attacks. Staff and Axes hacked away at the other.

Spear wasn't able to hold out long, though, and he ended up in the ugar's claws. He screamed and stabbed his spear inside the thing's open maw. Then he grabbed the ugar's arm with his hands.

Its arm exploded like Berius had, the ugar took a few steps back and growled at his stump. The man landed a good distance away with a sickening crack.

It wasn't Aissata's strength. It was the black powder!

"Aissata, set fire to the bracelets! Hurry."

She sheathed her spears. "If you are unable to break them..."

He shoved his arms in front of her. "If you want me free of this place just do it!"

Aissata stared at the restraints, and then she held her hands together above them.

Yulan's eyes darted from the ugar and back to her. "Hurry!"

"I'm trying! I have the speed, but I'm tiger's dung at summoning fire."

She closed her eyes and squeezed. After a few tense moments, a drop of fire left her hands and touched the metal.

It was enough.

There was a tiny pop and a crack formed along the line of the restraints. He yanked and it split further. One more pull and his arms were free.

The Blood coursed through his veins. His wounds vibrated as they healed. His skin prickled with boundless energy. A sudden, pulsating warmth flowed from his chest out to his fingertips.

He reached down and ignited the constraints on his ankle. In his rush, he used too much strength and they exploded, sending metal flying in all directions. A few stray shards left cuts along his legs, but he knew they would heal soon enough.

Aissata waved Yulan on. "Get Berius and let's get out of here."

Yulan chanced one last look at the warriors. Staff was one on one with the one handed ugar and Axes was on his own with the other. They would survive long enough for their escape.

Yulan reached down to pick up Berius, but the man's words rung in his head.

"You are a good man, Yulan. Even if the rest of the world does not see it."

Yulan shook his head. "No, Aissata. The ugar are my responsibility. I caused this. I will help them."

"They aren't here for you!" Aissata shouted. "They're here for thrills or something else equally stupid. Why else would one purposefully come into the Wastelands?" She tapped her heart and hand. "No offense, Reincarnation."

"She is right, you are a fool," the voices argued. "You should run."

"You are wrong. She did not betray me. And I run no longer."

Yulan grabbed Berius's rungu from the unconscious man's waist. Staff was alone now, fighting the two ugar on her own.

Yulan flung the rungu at the one with both arms, connecting with the back of its skull. Its dagger-mouth turned towards him and seethed in exchange.