Volley of Pyre

More than Mere Chains

Mathian swirled his chain round and round while watching his two opponents. "Well boys what are you waiting for?" Koda looked at Pikel and with a quick nod the fight began.

Things didn't go quite as planned for the duo however, when Koda rushed Mathian responded with a very swift swipe of his chain that carried enough force to knock Koda off his feet. 

 " Oh did I forget to mention I channel my energy through this chain." He laughed sadistically. " Silly me I guess it slipped my mind." 

Koda looked at Pikel for some type of plan but Pikel was a step ahead and rushed forward with a bombardment of arrows. Again, Mathian swung his chain and the arrows stopped dead in their tracks and fell to the floor.

"Koda this guy is way more skilled than a typical thug we have to be careful." Pikel was showing signs of worry which made Koda very uneasy. 

"Come on guys were is that tough spirit you had just a minute ago?" Mathian stared at them through deranged eyes. " I'm becoming restless!" 

Mathian drove the chain into the ground which hurled dust into the air causing a smoke screen effect. Nothing could be seen and all that could be heard was the spine chilling laughter of Mathian. 

Out of nowhere the chain flew through the dust and caught Pikel on the chin sending him sprawling backwards. Koda heard the commotion but had no idea where the strike came from. He took a large step back and casted "Arcane Torrent" and began tossing the orbs of energy into the unknown with no real target to aim for.  All the attack did was help Mathian spot him easier. Just like Pikel, Koda was struck down by the chain and sent sliding across the ground.

The dust began to settle and the only one standing was Mathian with a crude smile on his face.

"Really? One swing brought you down? What a complete waste of my time." Mathian actually began to act annoyed by his lack of competition.

Pikel and Koda climbed to their feet obviously shaken up by the attack. Pikel's eyes moved rapidly in an attempt to find a way to combat the strength behind that chain. Koda decided a different route and attempted to rush him again. 

This time he did not swing with his chain he actually allowed Koda to approach him. Koda dashed in for a jab to his stomach but was caught off guard by Mathian lashing at his feet with the chain. The swipe tripped up Koda and on his way down was met by a knee to the side of his head. Koda was again sent tumbling. Pikel was agitated by Mathian's attack and rushed in his self. 

The two parried each others strikes and Pikel was looking like he could hold his own in this fight. That was short lived as in an instant Mathian whipped his chains and they latched around Pikel's legs and Mathian tossed him aside like a rag doll. 

Koda was back on his feet and swinging again but to no success. Mathian simply side stepped his approach and lashed the chain across Koda's back sending blood into the air along with a loud wail. 

"Fellas I hate to be the bearer of bad news but you both will die here!" Mathian threw his head back in laughter at the thought of ending their lives. Pikel sprinted over to check on Koda. 

"Koda can you stand!?" Pikel asked worried the strike may have done some sort of spinal damage. 

Koda leaned up and winced. "Yeah I am fine worry about yourself." 

"Listen I want you to run now this isn't safe for you." Pikel was watching Mathian closely who in turn responded with a very comical wave.

"I am not running we can take this guy we just have to work together." Koda was standing now but pain shown throughout his body.

"This isn't a matter if we can or not this guy could kill you very easily now you have to listen to me!" Pikel was expecting Koda to be hard headed about this. "You told me before we left that you would leave at the hint of real danger now keep your word and leave!!" Pikel was annoyed but it was all for Koda's own safety.

Koda attempted to argue but saw the seriousness in Pikel's eyes and very reluctantly nodded in agreeance. Koda looked at Mathian and put his head down and ran in the opposite direction. 

"Aw no fun sending the lackey away??" "I thought for sure i'd get to strangle him here and now. oh well I guess you my dwarf friend will have to do." 

Pikel wiped some dirt from his hands onto his shirt and with a smile drew his bow. "If you are looking for an easy kill then you have another thing coming." 

Pikel fired rapidly four arrows towards Mathian but again they were shut down by his powerful chain. Pikel began sprinting in circles around Mathian and while running pulled small explosives from his pouch. He tossed them Mathian's way and again they were caught by the chain. The explosion is what Pikel was waiting for as he fired two quick shots into the smoke hoping to catch Mathian off guard. The shots were deflected but at a very later time which gave Pikel the chance to push and attack Mathian. 

Pikel drew a small dagger and swiped consecutively at Mathian. Mathian kept up very well with the swipes but allowed Pikel to cut the side of his face. He jumped back and admired Pikel's work. 

"You hit me I must say I am impressed!" "Now here is the kicker, you struck me so in return I am going to crack your spine into bits and watch the life seep from your eyes!" 

Mathian began whipping the chain in random directions at a very high speed so much so Pikel could barely keep up with its movements. After multiple dodges Pikel was caught with a swing that hit him in his knee nearly shattering it on impact. 

Pikel fell to the ground in agony holding onto his destroyed knee. Mathian walked over and gave Pikel a kick to his rib cage. 

"Come on mister dwarf where is the tricks?" "Where is that arrogance?" Mathian drove another kick into Pikel. "Show me that tough spirit!" Mathian struck Pikel in the head with the end of his chain causing blood to flow down his face. 

"What an absolute disappointment! you weren't worth the energy!" Mathian went to strike Pikel again when he was struck in the back by an orb of energy.

Koda stood there fuming with anger and his eyes completely whited out. " Get off of him you arrogant piece of shit!!" Koda shouted as he continued to pelt Mathian with the orbs. 

" The bastard returned!" Laughed Mathian as he spun his chain to prevent the assault of orbs. 

Mathian was breathing heavier and seemed on edge at the sight of this side of Koda.

but the fight was far from over.

A/N The return of the century!! haha but in reality i wrote after all this time because i really love this story i cannot promise things will be back to normal but i would love to finish this story for those following along.