The Spark And The Flame

Fire and Death

Theran rushed forward, a look of steely determination firmly planted across his face. Sword readied, he looked the beast in the eyes, they came to blows. Both swinging with unnatural strength, the beast struck Theran with its monstrous black talons. Engulfed in pain, Theran returned the action in kind. As the battle raged on, a melody popped into Theran's mind, the very melody Willow's mother sang to her before bed. He focused on the tune, drowning out everything else. This gave Theran a sense of detachment, from the pain, from the fight, and from the destruction. His form shimmered as he swung his sword. His vision went red, his anger took over and the beast, easily thrice the size of a wagon recognized this. It changed style from an attack to evasion. Theran's strikes became more deliberate in his rage. This did not make Theran any less effective however, for his speed and chaotic genius more than made up for it. The battle raged and the civilians seemed to be regaining control as they started to run. Theran noticed this and it gave him newfound energy just as his own started to wane. He furiously exchanged blows with the creature, until both were near death.  Theran no longer had the strength to continue, but he had no choice but to fight. Recognizing his last chance to vanquish this beast he plunged his blade hilt deep into the chest of the monster. It screeched in agony,  a bloodcurdling howl that stole the beast's last breath. However it didn't fall limp, instead it started to melt, turn to a black, bubbling ooze that engulfed the blade; Slowly creeping up Theran's arm, and then his body. He was too weak to move, he couldn't stop it, he could only let it take him. And it did, it consumed him, forcing him to only see darkness. He fought, he tried to free himself, he had to see his daughter again. His only hope was to use his gift, the extraordinary ability given to him, even though the only other time he had used it, he nearly died.

He summoned his inner flame, his rage, the power bestowed by Torak, the Divine Elemental of Fire. With a yell he released the flame, letting it escape out of every pore. The black bile now completely covering Theran, started suffocating him in a desperate attempt to survive. It was futile however, as it started to boil off of him. Moments later he stood there completely motionless, smoke surrounding him in great plumes. He fell to his knees, no breath escaping his lips, only the black ooze dripping slowly, landing upon the ground in single drops. The tears that escaped his lifeless, charred eyes, also black. Everything was silent and still; the beast was dead.

Suddenly there was a piercing scream, the ground trembled ever so slightly. And seemingly out of thin air, Willow was beside her father, weeping. She gently nudged Theran "Dad, wake up, please, please don't go." She fell silent and just sobbed, her father was dead.