As the battle ebbed and flowed in multiple directions, it remained stagnant outside Kargon and Elmud’s arena. The intense heat was too much for humanoids and deterred them from pressing towards it. Demons who foolishly got close quickly realized they weren’t equipped to handle it either. Flames that broke away and licked the skin left instant burns on the recipient. Anyone who wasn’t healed immediately found themselves in excruciating pain that only intensified as they remained nearby. It was the sole reason Kargon was thankful to be left alone in the battle. Unnecessary deaths would weigh on him more than those that passed from fires controlled by Elmud.
By now the Dragonborn had to realize that flames had no effect on Kargon. Scales were cracked and revealed muscle underneath. Prolonged exposure to the monk’s flames caused Elmud’s body to boil. Grotesque pustules of blood popped and spilled over the metallic scales. The tar-like substance that lined their body stretched and leaked. By some miracle it didn’t completely come apart but Elmud’s body was beginning to look odd. However they weren’t the only one getting scarred by the confrontation.
Scattered lines were carved all of Kargon’s body. Each scar that remained from Spirefell was treated as a guide for the Dragonborn’s attacks. Elmud took unhinged pleasure in reopening the wounds even if they weren’t as deep as before. However they weren’t enough to stop the monk’s onslaught. If a claw so much as touched him, a solid punch or kick was delivered in response. Powerful impacts from the refined flame resulted in explosions that tore off scales with ease.
But a cracked hide would heal much more easily than the tattered meat of a humanoid. Kargon’s grimace and Elmud’s eased expression made clear that both brawlers were on the same page about that. No healer could get close enough to help. For it to even matter it would need to be someone powerful like Vofric. The best option for the flaming monk was to keep pressuring his opponent with unending fire.
“You really are immune, aren’t you?” Elmud spat as his claws left a small cut on Kargon’s cheek as he sidestepped. “Yet I’m considered a monster by lesser races. You can lap up my flames like a dog and I’m the problem.”
As much as Kargon hated Elmud, he didn’t blame the misguided Dragonborn. A young mind twisted the teachings of a frightened elder. He shuddered at the fact that they could have been allies if not for Master Avant’s guidance. Guided exploration and self control kept the monks of the Sanctuary of Spiritual Combustion grounded. Without fearing the flood of emotions faced in a lifetime they were able to face anything head on. The overwhelming rage that permeated from Kargon was nowhere near as strangling as he once thought. At a time it made him feel monstrous. Now it only made him more humanoid.
Elmud took note of their distracted opponent and realized the surrounding flames went unchanged. For however long they’d battled, Kargon had yet to absorb any of them. It was infuriating but there was a silver lining. Mana didn’t need to be wasted on ineffective magic. Planting his tail on the ground, he pulled back. Flames began to dissipate as the gap widened between the fighters. Kargon didn’t completely dispel his infernal armor but lessened the intensity of the flames. They wrapped tightly over his body and kept him in the form of a dark silhouette.
“Humor me: How are you able to equip Pyromanic?,” Elmud asked while stretching. “I have to assume you have fire giant blood. Based on the Artifact, your immunity, and that ever present anger.” They studied Kargon’s face but it was obvious he was too focused to talk. “It overtakes your mind and transforms you into a fighting monster. But I wonder, how much do you know about fire giants?”
The question bothered Kargon and he knew it was evident on his face. It was something he wanted to learn about from his father but that meant putting it aside until after the quest. Zigon wasn’t the type to communicate over letters. That’s why Velana had written the reply to Kargon’s almost a year ago. Lacking knowledge meant there were obvious weaknesses that the half-giant was unaware of. Nonstop encounters didn’t give him time to even read findings about the race. The reminder of such circumstances flooded his mind as evident sadness appeared in his eyes.
“Not as much as you’d like, I see,” Elmud said with a wide grin.
Such an obvious shift made clear that the Dragonborn had a plan. Kargon rushed forward but noticed a distinct slowness to his movements. It wasn’t a modification spell Avant’s or a curse on par with Vofric’s. An unfamiliar feeling surrounded him as the ever-present warmth in his body slowly chilled. The sensation of cold air had always felt like a soft pressure that could be ignored. This, however, felt like it was piercing into his body. Breathing felt unnatural. For the first time in his life he felt his fire being forcefully snuffed out. Powerful blazes became weak embers as they fell away. Every small movement became difficult as frost began layering on his body.
Kargon tried to ignite with all the power he could muster. The beads of his conduit glowed fiercely but nothing came of it. Mana was pouring into the bracelet but the usually resulting fire was nowhere to be seen. Effort was met with nothingness as the temperature dropped around him. The sensation of losing heat was unnatural. It was astonishing how much fear it struck in the half-elf. He’d lived so long without the ability to use magic. Even now he didn’t see himself as relying on it. But even without magic he’d always felt warmth, or rather, the presence of it within himself. The smartest option now was to stop wasting mana until he knew the source of his predicament.
It took longer than normal to finally turn towards the edge of the crater. Over the small ridge that surrounded the arena stood demons of different shapes and sizes. He could only see a few but it was clear many others slowly crested over the other sides of the arena. Nothing physically distinct connected them aside from the obvious relation to Aeraza. However, controlled mana emanating from different points made clear why these were the ones willing to approach the once burning pit. Air froze simply from their presence. In a wide scale battle they could easily manipulate it and strengthen their allies. Now they collectively turned their powerful magic onto a man who’d never so much as felt the coldness of snow.
“Your kind don’t react well to ice attuned magic. The brighter you burn, the worse it feels,” Elmud said as he picked at one of his scabbed burns. “You, my fiery adversary, are an inferno the likes of which even Master Aer has not seen.”
They stepped forward and slowly raised their arm. A forceful swipe cut cleanly into Kargon’s temple. The cold air stung against his open wound. Instantly cauterizing wounds had become the norm for him. But this pain was still manageable. And knowing Elmud it would remain so. The Dragonborn didn’t want to let their nemesis off easily. No, Kargon needed to be humiliated. He was thankful for it.
Every moment that Elmud spent talking was one where the cold became easier to bear. It may not be possible to ignite while layered in frost but movement could be. If the innate weakness of fire giants was true, it meant it was only half as effective on Kargon. It had to be.
“You’re struggling a lot, aren’t you?” Elmud laughed as the monk strained to move. “Even if you could move, what could you do without your fire?”
Kargon silently glared while focusing on overpowering the frost. The words rang in his head but were overpowered by memories of training. Master Avant drilled into his students that over reliance on magic was foolish. Battles demanded strong bodies and minds which could be refined through diligent study. The master’s words were burned into his disciple’s mind.
“It matters not if your flame is snuffed. Focus on the fire within to overcome your foes.”
Ice crunched as loose fingers slowly curled into a fist. It was almost inaudible over the dying embers of the pit. Elmud attacked again and Kargon mustered the ability to twist his torso ever so slightly. Understandably, the Dragonborn mistook the movement as a result of his attack. Blood slowly trailed along the adventurer’s body. The distinct warmth was unfamiliar but welcome. It wasn’t enough to stop Kargon from falling to the floor as a result of Elmud swiping their tail. Scales ripped through the monk’s garb and left a deep gash on his shin. The only saving grace was that he fell forward. With a bit of luck his arms were able to stop the descent. The sound of approaching footsteps made Kargon look upward.
“It suits you to crawl on the floor,” Elmud said with a smug grin.
Kargon let out a slow, shaky breath. He hated how frightened he felt. Not of Elmud but the lack of actions he could take. Motion was becoming possible with each passing moment but how many more the monk could survive was quickly dwindling. He scoured his mind for any clue of what to do but found nothing. A chuckle passed his lips as he recalled Aisha’s lecture from their youth. Years passed without Kargon ever observing what he could do. Yet others noticed it immediately.
Avant was still an infant when he recognized Kargon’s ability to follow tactics perfectly. Like a father, Vofric praised the young man’s willingness to face adversity head on. The monk’s focused observation was often a complaint from Sariel. Though she admitted it was useful. Aisha praised his impulsivity even when Kargon himself didn’t care for it.
His eye twitched as an obvious idea dawned on him. Chuckles seeped out of the warrior as he rose to his feet. Elmud was too taken aback to attack. Seeing the uncomfortable hesitation made Kargon crack up more. For every part of his fighting style Elmud copied, they failed to capture his reactivity. Realizing his laughter revealed such an obvious flaw made him cackle more. The bellowing laugh must have shaken some of the demons as he felt some of the cold fade. With a long breath, he settled down with a plan in mind.
Every normal plan had already been attempted. The actions his friends commented on were in full effect and couldn’t be strengthened. However, Kargon missed something. Silence overtook him whenever on the backfoot. But instigation, arguments, and false confidence were where Kargon shined. All of which worked because he never shut up.
“You bring up how I rely on my allies too much but you couldn’t handle me until a small army focused on weakening me for you,” Kargon said with a smirk.
Simple words helped calm his nerves. The relaxed stance made it look like the ice was losing its hold. Elmud remained wary as it became clear they were trying to deduce what changed. Truthfully, the pain was still present but Kargon was sure he could move with some assistance. Once his body eased up, then he could fight.
“I am utilizing the tools my master provided!” Elmud argued.
“So, your master thinks you’re so weak that you can’t handle the Hero’s ‘lowly’ friend? Aeraza must think highly of me,” Kargon taunted.
The scowl on Elmud’s face made Kargon’s grin grow wider. But it wasn’t enough. In order to push someone over the edge it was necessary to target something they cared for. Though the Dragonborn gave little clue as to what it could be. Even then it wasn’t hard to deduce. As much as Kargon hated it, he knew they were similar. Some of their traits were purposely matched due to Elmud’s obsession. Others, however, were simply a coincidence.
“I think Aeraza and I could get along pretty well. I have that monstrous side and could probably wreak some havoc.”
Elmud spat. “He doesn’t even know your name.”
“I’m sure if I introduced myself he’d offer me a position by his side. Maybe even yours?” Kargon suggested with a genuine smile.
“Not on your life!” Elmud roared and swung at his foe.
As the hand drew near, Kargon leaned it and allowed it to hit his shoulder. The force spun him. Lifting a leg allowed it to collide with Elmud’s torso and force them aside. With wild abandon they rushed back into reach. Some attacks landed cleanly while others helped Kargon fight back. With each movement his senses grew sharper. The dull haze ice set on his mind melted away. But pain became more prominent with each motion that battled against the never-ending ice.
Elmud pulled back and scoffed. “You speak so highly about yourself yet struggle to fight me.”
“You talk like you’ve taken me down while actively being backed up by your master,” Kargon replied while pushing forward.
His right fist was cocked back while using his left to kick the Dragonborn off balance. Though they quickly steadied with their tail, the punch to their shoulder was devastating. Multiple scales shattered and the bone fractured. Unfortunately for Kargon, the scales jammed into his hand and left it a bloody mess. Elmud retaliated with a furious roundhouse which was met with a mirrored strike. Both fighters' legs felt a heavy impact as they stumbled back.
Heavy breathing and strained grunts were the only sounds coming from the pit as each warrior used all their strength to strike before needing to rest. The break was met with their opponent’s attack. Effortful retaliation could only minimize damage but not provide full protection. Elmud utilized his tail for leverage. If Kargon’s attack landed he was lifted from the ground and tossed away. There was enough time to land and stabilize while the Dragonborn lumbered over. If they swung first, Kargon weaved into the attack and used to empower himself. Repeated strikes to Elmud’s torso left large dents in their armor. Eventually, the metal creaked as he strained to move freely within it.
They ripped the clasps apart and let the chestplate drop to the ground. Black tar was present in a solidified pool where their heart should be. Most peculiarly was the distinct flicker of fire within. Elmud stretched, rippling the scales on his chest. They prepared to lunge forward again but paused when Kargon dropped his guard.
“You’re pretty vain for a power hungry Dragonborn,” he said.
“What?” Elmud asked quizzically.
“I mean, those muscles are just for show, right? You can fly and use magic and work alongside the demon king. What’s the point of all that?” Kargon replied while gesturing at his opponent’s chest.
Elmud groaned. “It is simply a result of my training during the years I waited for Master Aer.”
“Then they’re definitely for show. I mean, otherwise you would’ve beaten me already.”
“I am simply enjoying a battle as my master would.”
Kargon scoffed, “Are you though? Are you enjoying all the broken scales and blood? Isn’t it humiliating that you can’t even overpower me when I have no access to magic? Hells, you’ve been training for over sixty years! I’ve done half as much yet I can match you. Why is that?”
The frustration in Elmud’s eyes was a familiar look for Kargon. It wasn’t anger at the discussion but exhaustion. Every question was bothersome. They may not demand an answer but Elmud couldn’t help but think about what caused their current predicament. Hesitation betrayed them further in confirming that Kargon was far stronger than anticipated. If not for an unprepared situation like Spirefell, they were almost evenly matched.
“In a single year you grew exponentially. How?” Elmud asked.
“I had help from those allies you hate so much. But you’re the same, right? I mean, you escaped with help from your master and I’m pretty sure he’s the reason you’ve got… whatever that is.” Kargon replied while pointing at his foe’s heart.
“Help was not required.”
“But you would have died without it.”
“I had my own plans.”
“Why not use those?”
Elmud sighed. “They were shifted at the request of Master Aer.”
“So you weakened yourself for your ally.”
“I was strong enough not to fail.”
“We both know that’s not true,” Kargon said with a snort. “I mean, even if my party hadn’t shown up you would have failed. Once Makani got his hands on Lightbringer your plan was done for.”
“He would not have had the chance if not for you.”
“But you still would’ve failed.”
“You don’t have a clue what you’re talking about,” Elmud argued.
“I’m talking about how weak you are. Aeraza is probably ashamed that you’re even near him.”
Elmud paused and Kargon knew he’d struck the correct nerve with optimal pressure. It wasn’t a harsh tone or accusatory language. Rather, the calm, nearly nonchalant demeanor carrying the declaration is what triggered the Dragonborn. Slow steady steps brought them towards Kargon.
“What about you?” they asked. “Don’t you bring shame upon the Hero?”
“I know I don’t,” Kargon replied confidently.
“You fell by my hand in Spirefell.”
“Aisha doesn’t resent me for it. Can you say the same about Aeraza when I beat you in Dawncaster?”
A flash of rage passed Elmud’s face and they roared. Kargon didn’t bother hiding his smirk at the successful instigation. It further infuriated the Dragonborn. They planted their left foot with a heavy step and leaned towards it. The stance was familiar to Kargon as an attack he’d delivered hundreds of times. Elmud pulled their right arm back and growled.
“I will rip your heart out!”
Kargon held his ground and attempted a gamble. He pulled his goggles down and wiped them with the tail of his belt. A long sigh passed through his lips as he looked up at the incoming attack.
“You’re not fast enough to hit me,” he stated candidly.
“Dodge this!” Elmud yelled as fire burst from his maw.
The massive plume engulfed Kargon before he could respond. Without pause, the Dragonborn lunged and plunged their claw into the monk. The familiar feeling of muscle parting as blood gushed out brought a smile to Elmud’s face. It would have stayed for a while if not for the sudden pressure around his wrist. Seconds later they realized the error in their action.
“I didn’t intend to,” Kargon said as he tugged Elmud’s claw. They had pierced into his left palm and were now stuck within the monk’s grip. “Your helper’s made it so I couldn’t produce flames, not that I couldn’t manipulate it. They might stop what I’ve got on me now, but that would let me ignite. Right?”
Elmud stammered as he frantically looked to the edge of the pit. Demons were beginning to change spells while others had been killed off. Both fighter’s realized that Kargon hadn’t overpowered the magic on his own. True to form, he relied on the allies gathered around him. A quiet praise of thanks was all he said as more monsters fell at the hands of unidentified Vethyeans.
It took more effort than before but Kargon forced himself to ignite. Elmud’s blackish red flames lightened and modified into the orange hue that normally accompanied the monk. Pain danced at his fingertips as the distinct scent of burning skin tickled his nose. With his free hand, Kargon equipped his goggles then examined the point of origin. Surprisingly, his skin was blistering and slowly peeling away. The opening of wounds slowed as more ice dissipated.
“It won’t stop,” Elmud said with a smirk. “Now, your magic is a detriment to your being.”
Kargon stared at the Dragonborn who had clear fear in his eyes.
“It might be. Then again, I could heal eventually,” Kargon said as he clenched his fingers and locked his opponent’s arm in place. “You, on the other hand. My magic is definitely a detriment to your being.”
Fire wreathed his being and welcomed him like a friend. The pain would subside in due time. Wounds would heal and scars were but a warrior’s trophy. Flames eked out of his mouth as he spoke in a calm, level voice. Elmud stumbled as his arm was forced back and Kargon took a heavy step forward with his left foot. A steady breath accompanied his arm being drawn back while a fist slowly formed. If not for the raging flames, white knuckles would be evident on the tightly packed weapon.
“I won’t give you the option to dodge,” Kargon said. “I won’t tell you to pray since your god will follow close behind you. Just… grit your teeth.”
It was clear to Elmud what was coming and they wanted no part of it. A sharp pain drilled into their tail as it was bound to the ground. Only an arrow shaft could be seen from the projectile running deep into the limb. The last option was to break Kargon’s concentration somehow. Elmud readied to say something but froze. Golden and blue light infused with the monk. Emotionless orbs floated within the flames, trained on their target. The only thing Elmud could manage was a laugh as the impact of Kargon’s fist shook ripped apart their body. Blood and tar morphed under the pressure of intense heat. Scales shattered and tore into the reanimated organ before bursting through the other side.
Kargon felt the weight of Elmud’s body on his arm as it plunged through their chest. Even more so as life escaped their being. The Dragonborn’s corpse crumpled and was only held aloft by the extended arm of its killer. With a slow breath, Kargon stepped back and dismissed his flame. Sariel hovered above while Vofric and Avant stood at the edge of the ring. All of them looked at the Firebrand calmly and nodded. He did not reciprocate. For all the ways they deferred, Kargon understood Elmud’s need for recognition. It was one thing the monk could give his fallen nemesis.
As the battle ebbed and flowed in multiple directions, it remained stagnant outside Kargon and Elmud’s arena. The intense heat was too much for humanoids and deterred them from pressing towards it. Demons who foolishly got close quickly realized they weren’t equipped to handle it either. Flames that broke away and licked the skin left instant burns on the recipient. Anyone who wasn’t healed immediately found themselves in excruciating pain that only intensified as they remained nearby. It was the sole reason Kargon was thankful to be left alone in the battle. Unnecessary deaths would weigh on him more than those that passed from fires controlled by Elmud.
By now the Dragonborn had to realize that flames had no effect on Kargon. Scales were cracked and revealed muscle underneath. Prolonged exposure to the monk’s flames caused Elmud’s body to boil. Grotesque pustules of blood popped and spilled over the metallic scales. The tar-like substance that lined their body stretched and leaked. By some miracle it didn’t completely come apart but Elmud’s body was beginning to look odd. However they weren’t the only one getting scarred by the confrontation.
Scattered lines were carved all of Kargon’s body. Each scar that remained from Spirefell was treated as a guide for the Dragonborn’s attacks. Elmud took unhinged pleasure in reopening the wounds even if they weren’t as deep as before. However they weren’t enough to stop the monk’s onslaught. If a claw so much as touched him, a solid punch or kick was delivered in response. Powerful impacts from the refined flame resulted in explosions that tore off scales with ease.
But a cracked hide would heal much more easily than the tattered meat of a humanoid. Kargon’s grimace and Elmud’s eased expression made clear that both brawlers were on the same page about that. No healer could get close enough to help. For it to even matter it would need to be someone powerful like Vofric. The best option for the flaming monk was to keep pressuring his opponent with unending fire.
“You really are immune, aren’t you?” Elmud spat as his claws left a small cut on Kargon’s cheek as he sidestepped. “Yet I’m considered a monster by lesser races. You can lap up my flames like a dog and I’m the problem.”
As much as Kargon hated Elmud, he didn’t blame the misguided Dragonborn. A young mind twisted the teachings of a frightened elder. He shuddered at the fact that they could have been allies if not for Master Avant’s guidance. Guided exploration and self control kept the monks of the Sanctuary of Spiritual Combustion grounded. Without fearing the flood of emotions faced in a lifetime they were able to face anything head on. The overwhelming rage that permeated from Kargon was nowhere near as strangling as he once thought. At a time it made him feel monstrous. Now it only made him more humanoid.
Elmud took note of their distracted opponent and realized the surrounding flames went unchanged. For however long they’d battled, Kargon had yet to absorb any of them. It was infuriating but there was a silver lining. Mana didn’t need to be wasted on ineffective magic. Planting his tail on the ground, he pulled back. Flames began to dissipate as the gap widened between the fighters. Kargon didn’t completely dispel his infernal armor but lessened the intensity of the flames. They wrapped tightly over his body and kept him in the form of a dark silhouette.
“Humor me: How are you able to equip Pyromanic?,” Elmud asked while stretching. “I have to assume you have fire giant blood. Based on the Artifact, your immunity, and that ever present anger.” They studied Kargon’s face but it was obvious he was too focused to talk. “It overtakes your mind and transforms you into a fighting monster. But I wonder, how much do you know about fire giants?”
The question bothered Kargon and he knew it was evident on his face. It was something he wanted to learn about from his father but that meant putting it aside until after the quest. Zigon wasn’t the type to communicate over letters. That’s why Velana had written the reply to Kargon’s almost a year ago. Lacking knowledge meant there were obvious weaknesses that the half-giant was unaware of. Nonstop encounters didn’t give him time to even read findings about the race. The reminder of such circumstances flooded his mind as evident sadness appeared in his eyes.
“Not as much as you’d like, I see,” Elmud said with a wide grin.
Such an obvious shift made clear that the Dragonborn had a plan. Kargon rushed forward but noticed a distinct slowness to his movements. It wasn’t a modification spell Avant’s or a curse on par with Vofric’s. An unfamiliar feeling surrounded him as the ever-present warmth in his body slowly chilled. The sensation of cold air had always felt like a soft pressure that could be ignored. This, however, felt like it was piercing into his body. Breathing felt unnatural. For the first time in his life he felt his fire being forcefully snuffed out. Powerful blazes became weak embers as they fell away. Every small movement became difficult as frost began layering on his body.
Kargon tried to ignite with all the power he could muster. The beads of his conduit glowed fiercely but nothing came of it. Mana was pouring into the bracelet but the usually resulting fire was nowhere to be seen. Effort was met with nothingness as the temperature dropped around him. The sensation of losing heat was unnatural. It was astonishing how much fear it struck in the half-elf. He’d lived so long without the ability to use magic. Even now he didn’t see himself as relying on it. But even without magic he’d always felt warmth, or rather, the presence of it within himself. The smartest option now was to stop wasting mana until he knew the source of his predicament.
It took longer than normal to finally turn towards the edge of the crater. Over the small ridge that surrounded the arena stood demons of different shapes and sizes. He could only see a few but it was clear many others slowly crested over the other sides of the arena. Nothing physically distinct connected them aside from the obvious relation to Aeraza. However, controlled mana emanating from different points made clear why these were the ones willing to approach the once burning pit. Air froze simply from their presence. In a wide scale battle they could easily manipulate it and strengthen their allies. Now they collectively turned their powerful magic onto a man who’d never so much as felt the coldness of snow.
“Your kind don’t react well to ice attuned magic. The brighter you burn, the worse it feels,” Elmud said as he picked at one of his scabbed burns. “You, my fiery adversary, are an inferno the likes of which even Master Aer has not seen.”
They stepped forward and slowly raised their arm. A forceful swipe cut cleanly into Kargon’s temple. The cold air stung against his open wound. Instantly cauterizing wounds had become the norm for him. But this pain was still manageable. And knowing Elmud it would remain so. The Dragonborn didn’t want to let their nemesis off easily. No, Kargon needed to be humiliated. He was thankful for it.
Every moment that Elmud spent talking was one where the cold became easier to bear. It may not be possible to ignite while layered in frost but movement could be. If the innate weakness of fire giants was true, it meant it was only half as effective on Kargon. It had to be.
“You’re struggling a lot, aren’t you?” Elmud laughed as the monk strained to move. “Even if you could move, what could you do without your fire?”
Kargon silently glared while focusing on overpowering the frost. The words rang in his head but were overpowered by memories of training. Master Avant drilled into his students that over reliance on magic was foolish. Battles demanded strong bodies and minds which could be refined through diligent study. The master’s words were burned into his disciple’s mind.
“It matters not if your flame is snuffed. Focus on the fire within to overcome your foes.”
Ice crunched as loose fingers slowly curled into a fist. It was almost inaudible over the dying embers of the pit. Elmud attacked again and Kargon mustered the ability to twist his torso ever so slightly. Understandably, the Dragonborn mistook the movement as a result of his attack. Blood slowly trailed along the adventurer’s body. The distinct warmth was unfamiliar but welcome. It wasn’t enough to stop Kargon from falling to the floor as a result of Elmud swiping their tail. Scales ripped through the monk’s garb and left a deep gash on his shin. The only saving grace was that he fell forward. With a bit of luck his arms were able to stop the descent. The sound of approaching footsteps made Kargon look upward.
“It suits you to crawl on the floor,” Elmud said with a smug grin.
Kargon let out a slow, shaky breath. He hated how frightened he felt. Not of Elmud but the lack of actions he could take. Motion was becoming possible with each passing moment but how many more the monk could survive was quickly dwindling. He scoured his mind for any clue of what to do but found nothing. A chuckle passed his lips as he recalled Aisha’s lecture from their youth. Years passed without Kargon ever observing what he could do. Yet others noticed it immediately.
Avant was still an infant when he recognized Kargon’s ability to follow tactics perfectly. Like a father, Vofric praised the young man’s willingness to face adversity head on. The monk’s focused observation was often a complaint from Sariel. Though she admitted it was useful. Aisha praised his impulsivity even when Kargon himself didn’t care for it.
His eye twitched as an obvious idea dawned on him. Chuckles seeped out of the warrior as he rose to his feet. Elmud was too taken aback to attack. Seeing the uncomfortable hesitation made Kargon crack up more. For every part of his fighting style Elmud copied, they failed to capture his reactivity. Realizing his laughter revealed such an obvious flaw made him cackle more. The bellowing laugh must have shaken some of the demons as he felt some of the cold fade. With a long breath, he settled down with a plan in mind.
Every normal plan had already been attempted. The actions his friends commented on were in full effect and couldn’t be strengthened. However, Kargon missed something. Silence overtook him whenever on the backfoot. But instigation, arguments, and false confidence were where Kargon shined. All of which worked because he never shut up.
“You bring up how I rely on my allies too much but you couldn’t handle me until a small army focused on weakening me for you,” Kargon said with a smirk.
Simple words helped calm his nerves. The relaxed stance made it look like the ice was losing its hold. Elmud remained wary as it became clear they were trying to deduce what changed. Truthfully, the pain was still present but Kargon was sure he could move with some assistance. Once his body eased up, then he could fight.
“I am utilizing the tools my master provided!” Elmud argued.
“So, your master thinks you’re so weak that you can’t handle the Hero’s ‘lowly’ friend? Aeraza must think highly of me,” Kargon taunted.
The scowl on Elmud’s face made Kargon’s grin grow wider. But it wasn’t enough. In order to push someone over the edge it was necessary to target something they cared for. Though the Dragonborn gave little clue as to what it could be. Even then it wasn’t hard to deduce. As much as Kargon hated it, he knew they were similar. Some of their traits were purposely matched due to Elmud’s obsession. Others, however, were simply a coincidence.
“I think Aeraza and I could get along pretty well. I have that monstrous side and could probably wreak some havoc.”
Elmud spat. “He doesn’t even know your name.”
“I’m sure if I introduced myself he’d offer me a position by his side. Maybe even yours?” Kargon suggested with a genuine smile.
“Not on your life!” Elmud roared and swung at his foe.
As the hand drew near, Kargon leaned it and allowed it to hit his shoulder. The force spun him. Lifting a leg allowed it to collide with Elmud’s torso and force them aside. With wild abandon they rushed back into reach. Some attacks landed cleanly while others helped Kargon fight back. With each movement his senses grew sharper. The dull haze ice set on his mind melted away. But pain became more prominent with each motion that battled against the never-ending ice.
Elmud pulled back and scoffed. “You speak so highly about yourself yet struggle to fight me.”
“You talk like you’ve taken me down while actively being backed up by your master,” Kargon replied while pushing forward.
His right fist was cocked back while using his left to kick the Dragonborn off balance. Though they quickly steadied with their tail, the punch to their shoulder was devastating. Multiple scales shattered and the bone fractured. Unfortunately for Kargon, the scales jammed into his hand and left it a bloody mess. Elmud retaliated with a furious roundhouse which was met with a mirrored strike. Both fighters' legs felt a heavy impact as they stumbled back.
Heavy breathing and strained grunts were the only sounds coming from the pit as each warrior used all their strength to strike before needing to rest. The break was met with their opponent’s attack. Effortful retaliation could only minimize damage but not provide full protection. Elmud utilized his tail for leverage. If Kargon’s attack landed he was lifted from the ground and tossed away. There was enough time to land and stabilize while the Dragonborn lumbered over. If they swung first, Kargon weaved into the attack and used to empower himself. Repeated strikes to Elmud’s torso left large dents in their armor. Eventually, the metal creaked as he strained to move freely within it.
They ripped the clasps apart and let the chestplate drop to the ground. Black tar was present in a solidified pool where their heart should be. Most peculiarly was the distinct flicker of fire within. Elmud stretched, rippling the scales on his chest. They prepared to lunge forward again but paused when Kargon dropped his guard.
“You’re pretty vain for a power hungry Dragonborn,” he said.
“What?” Elmud asked quizzically.
“I mean, those muscles are just for show, right? You can fly and use magic and work alongside the demon king. What’s the point of all that?” Kargon replied while gesturing at his opponent’s chest.
Elmud groaned. “It is simply a result of my training during the years I waited for Master Aer.”
“Then they’re definitely for show. I mean, otherwise you would’ve beaten me already.”
“I am simply enjoying a battle as my master would.”
Kargon scoffed, “Are you though? Are you enjoying all the broken scales and blood? Isn’t it humiliating that you can’t even overpower me when I have no access to magic? Hells, you’ve been training for over sixty years! I’ve done half as much yet I can match you. Why is that?”
The frustration in Elmud’s eyes was a familiar look for Kargon. It wasn’t anger at the discussion but exhaustion. Every question was bothersome. They may not demand an answer but Elmud couldn’t help but think about what caused their current predicament. Hesitation betrayed them further in confirming that Kargon was far stronger than anticipated. If not for an unprepared situation like Spirefell, they were almost evenly matched.
“In a single year you grew exponentially. How?” Elmud asked.
“I had help from those allies you hate so much. But you’re the same, right? I mean, you escaped with help from your master and I’m pretty sure he’s the reason you’ve got… whatever that is.” Kargon replied while pointing at his foe’s heart.
“Help was not required.”
“But you would have died without it.”
“I had my own plans.”
“Why not use those?”
Elmud sighed. “They were shifted at the request of Master Aer.”
“So you weakened yourself for your ally.”
“I was strong enough not to fail.”
“We both know that’s not true,” Kargon said with a snort. “I mean, even if my party hadn’t shown up you would have failed. Once Makani got his hands on Lightbringer your plan was done for.”
“He would not have had the chance if not for you.”
“But you still would’ve failed.”
“You don’t have a clue what you’re talking about,” Elmud argued.
“I’m talking about how weak you are. Aeraza is probably ashamed that you’re even near him.”
Elmud paused and Kargon knew he’d struck the correct nerve with optimal pressure. It wasn’t a harsh tone or accusatory language. Rather, the calm, nearly nonchalant demeanor carrying the declaration is what triggered the Dragonborn. Slow steady steps brought them towards Kargon.
“What about you?” they asked. “Don’t you bring shame upon the Hero?”
“I know I don’t,” Kargon replied confidently.
“You fell by my hand in Spirefell.”
“Aisha doesn’t resent me for it. Can you say the same about Aeraza when I beat you in Dawncaster?”
A flash of rage passed Elmud’s face and they roared. Kargon didn’t bother hiding his smirk at the successful instigation. It further infuriated the Dragonborn. They planted their left foot with a heavy step and leaned towards it. The stance was familiar to Kargon as an attack he’d delivered hundreds of times. Elmud pulled their right arm back and growled.
“I will rip your heart out!”
Kargon held his ground and attempted a gamble. He pulled his goggles down and wiped them with the tail of his belt. A long sigh passed through his lips as he looked up at the incoming attack.
“You’re not fast enough to hit me,” he stated candidly.
“Dodge this!” Elmud yelled as fire burst from his maw.
The massive plume engulfed Kargon before he could respond. Without pause, the Dragonborn lunged and plunged their claw into the monk. The familiar feeling of muscle parting as blood gushed out brought a smile to Elmud’s face. It would have stayed for a while if not for the sudden pressure around his wrist. Seconds later they realized the error in their action.
“I didn’t intend to,” Kargon said as he tugged Elmud’s claw. They had pierced into his left palm and were now stuck within the monk’s grip. “Your helper’s made it so I couldn’t produce flames, not that I couldn’t manipulate it. They might stop what I’ve got on me now, but that would let me ignite. Right?”
Elmud stammered as he frantically looked to the edge of the pit. Demons were beginning to change spells while others had been killed off. Both fighter’s realized that Kargon hadn’t overpowered the magic on his own. True to form, he relied on the allies gathered around him. A quiet praise of thanks was all he said as more monsters fell at the hands of unidentified Vethyeans.
It took more effort than before but Kargon forced himself to ignite. Elmud’s blackish red flames lightened and modified into the orange hue that normally accompanied the monk. Pain danced at his fingertips as the distinct scent of burning skin tickled his nose. With his free hand, Kargon equipped his goggles then examined the point of origin. Surprisingly, his skin was blistering and slowly peeling away. The opening of wounds slowed as more ice dissipated.
“It won’t stop,” Elmud said with a smirk. “Now, your magic is a detriment to your being.”
Kargon stared at the Dragonborn who had clear fear in his eyes.
“It might be. Then again, I could heal eventually,” Kargon said as he clenched his fingers and locked his opponent’s arm in place. “You, on the other hand. My magic is definitely a detriment to your being.”
Fire wreathed his being and welcomed him like a friend. The pain would subside in due time. Wounds would heal and scars were but a warrior’s trophy. Flames eked out of his mouth as he spoke in a calm, level voice. Elmud stumbled as his arm was forced back and Kargon took a heavy step forward with his left foot. A steady breath accompanied his arm being drawn back while a fist slowly formed. If not for the raging flames, white knuckles would be evident on the tightly packed weapon.
“I won’t give you the option to dodge,” Kargon said. “I won’t tell you to pray since your god will follow close behind you. Just… grit your teeth.”
It was clear to Elmud what was coming and they wanted no part of it. A sharp pain drilled into their tail as it was bound to the ground. Only an arrow shaft could be seen from the projectile running deep into the limb. The last option was to break Kargon’s concentration somehow. Elmud readied to say something but froze. Golden and blue light infused with the monk. Emotionless orbs floated within the flames, trained on their target. The only thing Elmud could manage was a laugh as the impact of Kargon’s fist shook ripped apart their body. Blood and tar morphed under the pressure of intense heat. Scales shattered and tore into the reanimated organ before bursting through the other side.
Kargon felt the weight of Elmud’s body on his arm as it plunged through their chest. Even more so as life escaped their being. The Dragonborn’s corpse crumpled and was only held aloft by the extended arm of its killer. With a slow breath, Kargon stepped back and dismissed his flame. Sariel hovered above while Vofric and Avant stood at the edge of the ring. All of them looked at the Firebrand calmly and nodded. He did not reciprocate. For all the ways they deferred, Kargon understood Elmud’s need for recognition. It was one thing the monk could give his fallen nemesis.
