From the Ashes

Chapter 10

Ahrah was waiting for him when he reached the village, hovering just outside the gates. Dust grabbed the blade and swung it towards the nearest monster, cleaving a deep gash in the creature. It dissolved away as he turned to the next one.

There weren't very many of them, but they still proved to be formidable.

Nix was defending Ginger on the top of the hill, stabbing monsters with a thick stick. Dust cut the monsters down and looked at Nix, a small smile on his face. "Remind me to teach you how to use a real sword."

Nix rolled his eyes. "Stick them with the pointy end."

Ginger laughed.

"Ok, ok, just don't get killed," Dust said, turning and heading further into the village to take out what was left of the monsters. They were easily dispatched, which came as little surprise. They were small monsters, and as usual, they weren't very tough.

He turned around to look at Ginger and Nix just in time to see him impale a monster on his hopelessly blunt stick by stabbing it through the eye. The monster collapsed and dissolved like the rest of them.

Luckily nobody had been hurt, from what Dust had seen. But Aurora Village had done their best to defend themselves. Pitchforks, spears, sticks and kitchen knives were still held tightly in hands as they searched for more monsters, just in case.

Nix acknowledged him with a nod as he reached the top of the hill.

"I think that's all of them," Dust said. "But Moska said they came out of Abadis Forest."

"That's really close..." Ginger whispered. "They might come again."

"Yeah, that's why I'm going to take a look over there."

Ginger nodded. "Be careful."

The sound of beating wings met his ears and he turned, seeing Fidget looking completely exhausted.

"I was...Looking for you..." She gasped, latching onto his shoulder and hanging there. "You are...so hard...to track down..."

"Sorry, Fidget."

"At least the monsters are gone now though..." She sighed, relieved.

"Don't relax yet," Dust said. "We're going into Abadis Forest. Apparently that's where the monsters came from."

"...Sometimes I hate you, Dust..." Fidget sighed. "Sometimes I really hate you..."

...

Abadis Forest didn't seem any different to Dust. It looked about the same as it did last time, monsters included, telling him that something was in fact, here.

Another wave of monsters leapt out at him from behind a bush. He cut them down swiftly, Fidget firing several lightning bolts to help him out, even if she didn't look like she wanted to involve herself to begin with.

"Why is it always monsters?" Fidget asked, sighing.

"Would you rather something else? Like say...a demon Ahrah can't touch like Baron Kane?"

"...I'll take the monsters..."

Dust chuckled. "That's what I thought." He cleaved another one in half.

"KYAAAAA GET AWAY! WHY ARE YOU ATTACKING ME?!"

Dust turned towards the voice and raced into the woods, Fidget protesting as she flew after him. A few monsters tried to stop him, but they were quickly dispatched as he ran. He came to a clearing in which several flying monsters were chasing a black cat like creature with wings.

"A Nimbat?" Dust frowned in confusion.

Fidget looked at the Nimbat then frowned. "Oh let them get her. She deserves it."

"You know her?"

"Yeah, she's a royal pain in the- HEY! Don't help her!"

Dust leapt into the air and cut down the monsters. The Nimbat stared at Dust with wide blue eyes, clinging to a tree branch.

"Are you all right?"

"I could've handled them!" The Nimbat said sharply. "They just surprised me!"

"You looked like you were in trouble to me."

"I was not. They wouldn't have hurt me. I'm certain he wouldn't let them."

"Who's he?"

The Nimbat looked as though she'd just given away some information she wasn't supposed to give. "Uh...Nobody!" She said quickly. She turned and attempted to fly away, but Fidget caught her by the tail.

"And just where do you think you're going?" Fidget asked, pulling the Nimbat towards Dust.

"Oh great. It's you," The Nimbat muttered. "Let me go."

Fidget let the Nimbat go, and almost immediately, she took off. Dust grabbed her by the fur on the back of the neck.

"You're not going anywhere," Dust said. "What's your name?"

"None of your business!" The Nimbat growled, brandishing claws towards Dust's face.

"Her name is Nynia," Fidget said, looking about ready to pound the Nimbat. "She was one of the Nimbats who took shifts guarding Ahrah. Course she only showed up in my clan after Ahrah flew away on my watch but yeah..."

"What are you doing so far from your home?"

Nynia didn't respond, crossing her arms as she realized clawing Dust was futile.

"I expect she's after the Blade of Elsorah," Fidget said, rolling her eyes. "By the looks of it, she failed miserably."

"I found it, you dolt!"

"Oh, so you've met Steam, have you? Was that who you were talking about when you said he wouldn't let the monsters hurt you?" Dust asked.

"I don't know who you're talking about!" Nynia simply said.

"Where is he then? I thought you'd be sticking right beside him considering he has the sword!" Fidget growled.

Nynia struggled violently, prying herself from Dust's grip and flying into the woods.

"Let's follow her," Dust said, racing after her.

"Right behind you!"

The Nimbat was fast, but Dust never lost track of her. She didn't seem to be doing much to escape them other than to fly as fast as she possibly could. That of course, wasn't enough. Even with all the monsters he ran into, he still managed to keep the Nimbat in sight.

Dust finally burst into a clearing, his jaw dropping as he skidded to a stop. The Nimbat had led them to Denham Village, or what remained of it. The forest had begun to take over the fallen timbers. Vines grew across what remained of the foundations, and a few small trees were already growing in what had once been the main street. Fidget stopped and let out a soft gasp at the sight of it. He expected she was wondering the same thing he was. What on earth were they doing here? Why did Nynia lead them here?

Dust stepped into the ruins, his hand gripped tightly around Ahrah. He heard the faint voice of Nynia talking to someone. He approached slowly, listening intently.

"...him. He's in the woods, Steam. I saw him."

"I believe you," Steam's voice said in reply. "I expected him to take the bait."

Dust stepped out from his hiding spot. "So the monsters attacking Aurora were just a way to lure me out?"

"EEEK! He followed me!" Nynia shrieked.

Steam turned, his golden eyes meeting his. "Dust. So nice to see you again," he said, not answering the question.

"Were you behind the attack on Aurora Village?" Dust asked.

"Of course I was. I knew it would get your attention," Steam said, looking smug. "And here you are."

"Here I am," Dust confirmed. "Now what do you want?"

"Are you in that much of a rush to die?" Steam asked, his eyes cold.

Dust gritted his teeth slightly, not answering his question.

"No matter..." Steam turned and looked around the village. "It's strange, really. I've never been here before, but why do I feel as though I have?"

Dust blinked slowly.

"I feel as though you and I have fought already, in this very spot no less," Steam turned back towards him. "Isn't that odd?"

Dust froze. Oh no. The souls that were used to create him... Was one of them Fuse?

"I have no recollection of such a thing, and yet, I can still remember the way the fires burned, lit by my hand." He held his hand up in front of him. "I destroyed this village, and soon after, you were here." Steam turned, his golden eyes so much like Fuse's, it terrified him.

"Fuse," Dust whispered.

Fidget looked down at him with wide eyes. "No way..."

Fuse had been a Moonblood. He had been friends with Ginger until Cassius attacked Zeplich Village and murdered his entire family. Consumed by grief, Fuse set out on a revenge quest, driven mad by hatred and sorrow. He'd destroyed Denham Village, killing everyone in it.

Fuse had been defeated by Dust that day. His words had struck a chord in him. Fear took over at the mere thought of him causing Fuse to go mad the way he did. At the time, he didn't realize he had the soul of Cassius inside him.

Steam frowned slightly. "Fuse?" He asked.

"How were you created?" Dust asked.

Steam rolled his eyes. "As if I knew that. You'll have to ask the one who did create me."

"And who did?" Dust asked.

"The one who ordered General Cassius to wipe out the Moonbloods. The King."

Dust's eyes widened.

"He created me to destroy you," A dark look passed through Steam's eyes. "And so, Dust, I shall do what I was created to do!" Steam lifted his sword and ran towards Dust. He barely had enough time to block it, the blade catching him on the shoulder.

"DUST!" Fidget cried.

Dust cringed, jumping back and holding his injury. He could feel the blood on his hand.

"What's the matter?" Steam asked, grinning cruelly. "Did I hurt you? Want to give up? I'll tell you what, I'll show you mercy and kill you quickly if you surrender now."

Dust stood up straight, ignoring his throbbing shoulder. "Never."

"Such a shame. Nynia!"

Nynia hurled balls of light towards Dust. It was a much more powerful attack than Fidget's, so it startled him. The light hit him square in the chest and sent him flying backwards. He stood up just in time to block a strike from Steam.

Fidget joined the fight, attacking Nynia to prevent her from throwing more projectiles at Dust. He was grateful for it. It made it so he had one less thing to worry about.

Dust swung Ahrah towards Steam, hitting him just as many times as his blade was blocked. The sound of clashing metal echoed through the village along with the shouts of Nynia and Fidget scrapping in the sky.

"You can't beat me, Dust! Not again!" Steam snarled.

"I beat you once, and I'll do it again!" Dust shouted back.

That got him angry. So he really was Fuse. He could see the hate in his eyes. Fuse's hate of Warmbloods had carried through to Steam. His hate of Dust even more so. Steam wanted him dead, and that's what worried him the most. He wasn't sure how long he could hold him off.

Fidget took a hit and fell out of the sky. She slammed into the ground hard and lay there, unable to move.

"FIDGET!" Dust cried.

"EYES ON YOUR OPPONENT!" Steam shouted.

Dust cried out as Elsorah struck him again, this time doing more damage than before. He flew backwards, slamming hard into the ground right next to Fidget. He lay there, trembling violently, his wounds throbbing with every heartbeat.

Steam stepped towards him, a cold grin on his face. Dust knew. He'd been beaten. He could already see his vision blurring.

Ahrah moved of its own accord, flying out of Dust's hands and blocking what would be a fatal blow for his master. The sword retaliated, defending Dust from further harm, sending Steam sprawling into the center of the village.

"Dust, rise," Ahrah said, floating just above the ground.

Dust struggled to his feet and grabbed Ahrah once more, scooping up Fidget and fleeing Denham Village as fast as his injured body could carry him.