Hello everyone, I'm back already. Trying to crank these out so more people can find the story. I do so love reviews.

Anyway, Chapter 2: A New Type of Combustion

The ashen one had been staring at his hands for a solid ten minutes now, more lost in thought than Seigward could ever hope to be. Both of his hands held something glowing and orange, though each was slightly different from the other.

In his right hand he held the Pyromancy Flame, gifted to him by Cornyx. In his left, he held a patch of flame the size of his armored palm. An Ember. His thoughts were of what could happen if he were to combine the two in a simple Pyromancy like Combustion. The Ember did, after all, contain the Strength of Flame.

Pyromancy was a delicate thing as much as it was hot. If a sorcery were to die on him it would simply be weak or dissipate. A Pyromancy however, if not treated with care, burned whatever power the user allowed it and then some, becoming an uncontrollable Combustion that would likely blow/burn the caster's hand off. It may also weld his armor to his very skin.

There was always Estus, but it took most of his flasks to heal such a wound fully, and left the Ashen One dizzy when he had done so the first time. It was not an experience he wished to repeat once again. He sighed.

If everything went right and the Pyromancy Flame used the Ember like fuel. it could very well make a flame many times stronger than the original. An attack like that would be devastating, possibly even enough to kill the likes of Gundyr with a single shot. It would also give him an edge against the Crystal Sage, whom he'd been unable to deal enough damage at a reasonable speed due to her fleeing.

While the Ashen One was still deep in thought, Cornyx finally wandered over to see what all the silence had been about. Usually he was very talkative for an Undead. But right now he sat quiet, eyes on his hands.

"What is going on in that head of yours? I'd wager something interesting, hmm?" Cornyx asked, making the Undead look upwards. "You're correct about that. I've just made a decision." He said.

"Of course you have. Care to tell me what about?" Cornyx grinned slightly, and the Ashen One nodded. "I'll show you. Come." The Ashen One and the old Pyromancer both sat at the Shrine Bonfire, the Undead's hand on Cornyx's shoulder.

A feeling of heat filled both of them as the world blurred and fogged around them for a moment as they traveled. The old Pyromancer had little time to wonder what kind of place he was being taken to before the world clarified and darkened. They were in a dreary, damp, waterlogged hole in the ground.

Hole was derogatory, this was a chasm large enough to where Cornyx had trouble spotting the other side. Gnarled roots and bits of rubble sagged down from the opening up top, signing that this was recently opened. "Welcome to the Pit of Hollows."

Cornyx had heard the Ashen One's story of his fight with the Curse-Rotted Greatwood, and how he'd had gained the transposing kiln from it. If what he said was true, they were now in the chasm that had opened up due to the tree's repeated impacts.

"And why are we here?" Cornyx asked, already having ideas for the answer. "So I can't damage anything with what I'm about to do." Cornyx gave a sideways, and slightly apprehensive look.

"I'm going to feed the strength of an Ember to the Pyromancy Flame. I'd suggest standing behind me when I cast this." Cornyx nodded,moving behind the Ashen One and summoning his own Pyromancy Flame, though his was Ascended. With it he began to form the beginnings of an ancient fire ward, in case things went awry. What his Undead pupil was going to attempt, had never been done.

The Ashen One readied his flame, and began forging the spell of Combustion in his mind, guiding it to his palm. With the Pyromancy ready, he took the Ember still clasped in his left hand and placed it into the flame. The reaction was immediate and chaotic.

The small, red flame instantly roared to a dull white, hotter and larger than Cornyx's own flame. At the same moment, the Ashen One felt the metal of his gauntlets start to burn his hands. Quickly he cast Combustion, if only to use up some of the heat now burning him. He thrust his arm forwards and the world shook.

A blaze of dull orange and red shot forth from the inferno in the Undead's hand. 10 times larger and hotter than any before it, the few inches of water on the ground boiled away from its presence. It was only through a monumental effort and slight shielding on Cornyx's part that the Ashen One had been able to fully direct the Pyromancy in the right direction, while keeping his arm stable.

As it was, it felt like the palm of his hand had been struck by a glowing red piece of wrought iron, and he had held it for a moment. Once the spell had dissipated, the pooled water rushed back to fill in the gap, still steaming slightly. The Ashen one took a drink of his Estus to heal the burns. All the while Cornyx stood in awe.

"I guess that worked." The Ashen one said, whistling appreciatively.

"It did more than work. It was magnificent!" The old Pyromancy said. And it was true. Cornyx was one of the very few Pyromancers able to see the true light of flame. And this Pyromancy, even though it was only Combustion, was breathtaking. It was like looking at a mountain range for the first time after only seeing a child's drawing.

"It'll take care of that blasted Sage, that I'm sure of." Cornyx could only nod as the two of them returned to Firelink Shrine and purchased a dozen Embers from The Handmaiden.

Crystal Sage Fog Door

The Ashen One stepped through and immediately charged the Crystal Sage as he had done many times before. Pyromancy Flame in one hand and an unseen item in the other, The Crystal Sage figured the Undead had finally reached his breaking point, and was madly charging. She happily greeted him with a spell.

The Ashen One altered his course slightly to avoid the row of crystals that had punctured and ripped off his leg on their first encounter. He quickly readied Combustion in his mind, and ran closer. The Sage, seeing the close proximity of her opponent, readied her blade as he came within reach.

Clasping his hands together for just a moment, the Ashen One released the torrent of flame that he had named Chaotic Combustion, due to it's hard-to-control nature. The ball fury of orange and red flame filled the three walled chamber that the Sage always waited in, surging upwards as the Undead pushed the fire forwards, expanding his mind and unknowingly mimicking Cornyx's ward in order to contain it.

The Sage felt her skin blistering as most of her dress and the bandages on her face became charred and ash. She was burning in a barely controlled inferno, and fled. When she reappeared moments later, the Ashen One now held a Broadsword and Buckler. She summoned her clones to confuse and distract him until she noticed that they all flickered and died soon after coming into existence. She was too weak.

In a last ditch effort, she shot forwards dozens of Farron Darts, feeling what little energy she had draining. The Undead before her wove through them, taking few hits before they were face to face. Desperately she swung her sword at him, only for it to be parried away like a child's plaything. Too weak.

The Ashen One spoke no words as he drove his Broadsword into the base of her neck and waited. The smoldering mess of the Crystal Sage dissipated in white fog as he felt her power and souls enter him, kindling his body,

A blue glowing orb appeared before the Ashen One, and he grasped her soul, wondering what could be transposed of this.

There you have it. A new discovery and a bit of action. Also longer than I said it would be but I doubt you'll complain. Anyway, don't forget to leave a review or PM. Also PM me if you have any ideas for this story or perhaps another. Until next time, stay grossly incandescent!