Chapter 3: Dragon Summoner

"Ready or not, here I come, Flame!" yelled Xanbak.

Flame's eyes widened as Xanbak disappeared after taking his first step before him.

Damn! Where did he disappear? Which side will he attack me from? From my left? Or right?

Flame turned his head left and right frantically. Negative. He was wrong. Instinctively, he jerked his head upward to see Xanbak suddenly appear and falling like a locked missile, aiming his deadly fist at him. A lustful grin for blood hung across his face.

Just as Xanbak's fist was about to smash into his skull, Flame drew a shield with a crest as tall as him and thrice the size of his body. He held it high and braced for the collision. The impact between the metallic fist and the shield caused a loud explosion and showers of sparkles. The leaves swirled and burst away from them.

Restraining herself from screaming out, Lyandra fought to cling on to the tree trunk. The blast could've easily thrown her off balance and blown her off her feet if she hadn't hung on. Things were never more frightening and confusing to her than this. Apparently, she would be caught in the crossfire if she wasn’t careful.

Who are these people? I could barely watch their movements with my eyes!

"Nice defence but you won't be able to even touch me if you don't take offensive moves, Flame!" taunted Xanbak as he leapt backward to gain ground for his next attack.

Flame’s body shook as he remained in silence.

“You’re shaking,” he snorted. “Too afraid perhaps? Can’t blame you now, can I? Your big brother is not here to protect you like always.”

Flame watched his gigantic shield dispersed into thin air. Within three seconds, there was no trace of the presence of it. He was constantly telling himself to calm down. He felt as if his heart was going to burst right in his ribs.

I am in control! I am in control! I am in control!

Unexpectedly, Flame let out an agonizing shout. "AAARRRGHHHH!"

"Evenal," whispered Lyandra. Xanbak, too was hesitant if he should continue his attack. Everything just froze in place. He couldn't see Flame's expression since his eyes were hidden by the shadows.

"Xanbak..." spoke Flame, "You will regret the moment you question my true abilities as a Summoner!"

Rooted to the ground, Xanbak fought to regain composure. He didn't expect such an immense increase of Flame's Summoning Energy. The atmosphere was dense enough to sink him into the grounds by a few inches. It was clear now that Flame had shown his face he was a different warrior. His pupils had golden flames flowing within them. He could feel the killing aura from him.

"XANBAK!!!" He gave a thunderous roar. Fear was quick to display in Xanbak's eyes. He couldn't free himself and all he could do was put up the best defense he had.

"Arts of the Dragon Summoner: Death of the Star!" he commanded.

Xanbak whimpered as a streak of fire crashed into the ground from the heavens in front of Flame. Staring coldly at his uncle, Flame directed the tornado of fire at him. It seared the ground with dark burning marks as it rushed toward Xanbak to destroy him.

As the fire drew in on him, Xanbak felt his skin burnt with heat. With rage and fury, it consumed him, burning his flesh. His piercing scream was drowned by its howling wrath. As he looked at Flame the last time, he could see a monstrous dragon of fire encircling him, a demonic glint in his eyes.

Bones turned to ashes, Xanbak was gone. Before his ashes could touch the ground, the autumn wind blew and took them away. The dying leaves rustled in its wake. Except for the obvious burnt marks on the ground, the atmosphere returned to normal.

Though he was victorious from the battle, Flame groaned as he felt his consciousness slipped and his feet gave way.

THUD!

“Evenal!” Lyandra revealed her self from her hiding spot and rushed to Flame’s side. She gasped in horror when she noticed smoke emitting from his entire body. She could hear him moaning lowly in pain.

It was crazy! Here she was, trying to comprehend what had just happened and also trying to help someone whom she barely knew. More importantly, what should she do now?

“Evenal! Are you alright?” asked Lyandra, worried for his condition. She reached out a hand to hold him up. But the moment she came in contact with him, her mind was hit with a blast so strong that she was forced to shut her eyes.

“Listen, Flame, this is a mission you have to accomplish on your own. I have to return to Dehemel. The LCC has just released an emergency calling to all First Degree Summoners. We have entered the pre-war era against the Organisation of Chaos,” the elder one said. He was dressed in a long white coat; a crest in gold was imprinted behind it.

“But we’re just here, at the Third World,” protested Flame. He, too, was wearing the same coat with the similar crest.

“Flame, it is urgent that I returned to our homeland. However, it is also vital that you escort the lost Maiden of Hope back to Dehemel. Without her, our chances of winning this war will be equivalent to nil.”

Flame nodded. He understood his duty to his people.

“Before we part, I need to ask you to prevent from releasing a high volume of your Summoning Energy. Without my being with you, there’s no one else who can seal the Dragon of Fire. Don’t chance it, unless you are to battle a superior Dark Summoner. Otherwise, keep yourself to only Combat Skills.”

“Yes, brother,” obliged Flame. He bowed his head slightly in respect.

“Take care, Flame,” said the other gently, bringing Flame into a brotherly hug. After giving a pat on his back, he let go of him and continued, “And this is where we part. I await the day you return in glory.”

Flame gave a reassuring smile and watched his brother opened a portal as wide as a door and walked into it.

Lyandra’s hand was thrown off as the vision ended. It was the most vivid vision she ever had. Things were happening too fast.

Dehemel… I know that name.

Her head spun heavily. All of the sudden, her sight blurred and dizziness overcame her. The temperature of her body increased tremendously.

Wha… what? My body…

She stared at her hands. Like Flame’s body, they were emanating smoke and incredible heat. Something was way wrong but before she could figure it out, she passed out next to Flame.

Behind the shadows of the forest, there was yet another unknown stranger secretly observing the scene. He stepped idly toward the unconscious two; his face expressionless. The end of his long white coat swept the leaves-covered ground. His black boots cracked the dead twigs and broken branches.

He placed his forefinger and middle finger on Flame’s neck to feel for a pulse and did the same on Lyandra. Certifying that they were both still alive, he got up.

“I have done all I could to lure out the Dragon of Fire, Lord Areruto,” Xanbak’s voice rang through the forest, kneeling with one knee on the ground behind the man.

“Indeed. You did well, Xanbak,” congratulated the man known as Lord Areruto.

“Without the incredible illusion you created to cover for me, I definitely would have been killed by that foolish nephew of mine,” said Xanbak humbly but tersely as he received the permission to stand.

“He is still my brother,” Lord Areruto spoke quietly. Xanbak bit his tongue, knowing he must have said the wrong thing.

“No matter, everything is as planned. The Dragon Summoner has found the Maiden of Hope. History will repeat itself, just like how it happened five hundred years ago,” whispered Lord Areruto. He placed a hand on Flame’s forehead and then, performed the seal known only to him.