~chapter 7~
The dragon lay in the center of the platform, however its body was twisted and contorted into strange positions. It was dead. The three slowly made their way over to the deceased creature.
"I don't get it...What killed the dragon?" Link said out loud. Suddenly something huge landed in the platform, shaking it and causing the surrounding lava to splash up on the edges. The new enemy stood 9 feet tall. He looked like a normal man, having human looks, except for dark red skin. He had long red hair that spiked up wildly, a gray outfit that covered his entire body, black gloves and boots, and a long black cape. He had his arms folded as he grinned sinisterly at the three.
"Who are you?!" Link shouted, drawing his sword.
"Hmph. I am Blaze; possessor of the Fire Essence." he menaced, unveiling an orb with swirling red gas inside in his gloved hand.
"So you're the one that killed the dragon!" Justin shouted.
"Yes. Rather pathetic. It was very simple to kill the creature and take the essence." Blaze said nonchalantly. "And I suppose you've come for the fire essence; though I don't see how you'll be able to acquire it."
"Well, I happen to have the water essence." Link said,
"So, it seems we both have something the other wants." Blaze said, his face expressionless. "I shall enjoy prying it from your dead CARCASS!" he shouted, his face suddenly twisting into evil and hate as he shot his hands forward and fired a stream of fire at the group. The three scattered, avoiding the attack. Link returned by shooting a blast of water at Blaze. Blaze jumped high in the air, dodging the water, and threw a fire ball down at Link. Link took out his shield and ducked behind it. The fireball slammed into the shield and was dispersed to the side. Though the attack was blocked, there was still enough force to send Link flying backward. Jared and Justin then charged at Blaze. He kicked Justin away then punched Jared in the stomach. He placed his palm open in front of Jared's chest.
"Goodbye." he sneered before quickly launching a huge fireball directly into his chest, sending Jared flying back to the edge of the platform. Jared became immediately unconscious, several burns on him and a large hole burnt through all the layers of the chest of his tunic.
"Jared..." Link whispered under his breath as he glanced to his fallen friend then back at Blaze. Justin equipped his bow and put three arrows in. He drew back the string, aimed, and fired, one arrow hitting Blaze in the chest and the other two missing. Upon contact, the arrows burst in a splash of water, the one that hit slightly damaging Blaze. Blaze was starting to power up a fireball but was hit by a blast of water from Link. He let out a low growl, his eyes scowling under his fiery red eyebrows.
"I grow tired of this foolishness." he snarled in a low voice. He raised up both his hands in the air. As he did so, two pillars of lava rose up from the lake surrounding. He gave an evil grin as he brought his hands down quickly, the lava turning and flying down, crashing into Link and splashing everywhere. When the lava cleared, Link still remained, sitting down in a crouch under a protective dome of water. Blaze's grin quickly turned to an angry scowl as he put his hands forward and shot multiple fireballs at Link. Link quickly put up his shield and braced. Though this time he did not fall, the force sent his body sliding backward. He slid closer and closer to the edge as Blaze continued throwing fireballs. As the last one hit Links shield, it knocked him back further, sending him right onto the edge of the platform. Link flailed in the air as his feet teetered on the edge of the platform. Blaze saw that Link was too busy to block, so he powered up a final fireball. Just as he was about to launch it, a sword sliced down his back, causing him to send the fireball flying up instead of at the designated target.
"Why you miserable little pest!" Blaze shouted, rapidly sending his elbow back into Justin's face, then grabbing his arm and throwing him forward. As Justin flew through the air, Blaze quickly threw a fireball at him, which would have hit, had it not been for a water ball coming and countering it into nothingness. Though the last attack did not hit, Justin still tired out quickly as he slid a slight ways across the stone floor.
"Link...this is too hard..." he coughed.
"Don't worry Justin, just sit and rest. I'll fend off this hot head!" Link shouted, powering up a blast of water. At the same time, Blaze powered up his own beam of fire. The two shot their attacks at the same time, the attacks meeting in the middle and fighting against each other. Both put more power into their attacks as they tried to over power each other. Blaze gave out a lout yell as a wave of fire came through the beam and overpowered the water, slicing through it and slamming into Link. Link was knocked back several feet, slightly burned.
"I don't get it..."he muttered weakly. "Water should be able to beat fire." Blaze just laughed.
"Fool! You don't get it. How much do you know about the essences? Apparently not enough or you would know that the essence is only as strong as the operator can make it. If you don't know its full capabilities then you won't get its full power!" Blaze shouted. "Pity. I expected so much more out of an essence holder."
"Link...what are we going to do...?" Justin asked.
"I don't know..." Link muttered grimly. "I don't know..."
Link and Justin stood on one edge of the platform, Blaze standing on the other edge, and an unconscious Jared lying in between on the side. Link panted slightly, the heat and his body's own fatigue getting the better of him.
I've got to pull through. I can't let this guy beat me. Link thought to himself.
"Enough toying!" Blaze shouted. "Fight or die!" Link paused for a second. Then he drew out his bow and fired an arrow into the air. The arrow whizzed up then arched back down at Blaze.
"Is that the best you can do?! Don't insult my abilities!" Blaze shouted, easily firing a small fireball at the arrow and disintegrating it. But the arrow was not the attack, for while Blaze's attention was turned, Link fired a large blast of water from both hands, hitting Blaze directly and sending him back. Blaze quickly gained his ground and dug in, stopping himself from sliding further. Link concentrated and put more force into the attack as it grew slightly larger. Blaze held his arm in front of his face, as if trying to block the attack, and it seemed to be slightly working, for he was no longer losing ground, in fact he was actually gaining it. Slowly but surely, he inched forward, regardless of Links attempts to push him back. Link squeezed his eyes tight and groaned, pushing all energy he had in him into the attack. Suddenly, with a burst of anger and power, Link pushed hard on the beam, causing it to grow twice its size and twice its speed. Blaze just couldn't handle the power and was sent flying back several feet toward the edge of the platform. This, however, drained Link of anymore energy he had left in him as he collapsed to the ground breathing heavily.
"Can't...go on..." he panted. Blaze stood back and shook his head.
"That was a surprising blow my friend." Blaze said amazed. "However, this brings us to another thing that you have yet to learn. You waste your body energy like a fool. Thus you are tired out and cannot win. I shall be lenient, though, and I will give you a choice. You can choose to give up now and die a quick death, or you can resist, and suffer harshly." he hissed.
"We'll never give up!" Justin shouted as he quickly, and surprisingly, grabbed the water essence from Link and shot out a blast of water at Blaze, who was caught off guard by this sudden attack and was sent flying backward and plunged into the lava.
"Link, can you stand?" Justin said quietly, helping Link up.
"I think so...good job." Link smiled weakly.
"Let's get out of..." Justin began, but was interrupted by a loud rumbling. Suddenly Blaze burst from the lava, jumping out and landing back on the platform.
"You think you've won, have you?!" Blaze shouted. "All that stunt did was shorten your life! Now you shall pay!" He shot two large streams of fire at Link and Justin. Justin pushed Link away and dived to the right, avoiding the attack.
"Crap! This guy is invincible!" Justin shouted.
"We have to retreat!" Link shouted. "Grab Jared!"
"Oh no you don't!" Blaze thundered, sending fireballs at the two. Link blocked them with his shield, and Justin countered with a water attack. He quickly scooped up Jared and ran out of the room, shortly followed by Link. They ran to the bridge only to find that it wasn't there. From signs of singed rope and burning wood in the lava, they guessed that the bridge fell victim to the hot flames. They jumped to the sides of the doorway as a flame shot out of it.
"What are we going to do?! We're trapped!" Justin shouted, panic on the edge of his voice.
"Quick! Throw me the orb!" Link shouted. Justin did so and Link caught it, powering up and aiming at the lava. He concentrated hard, sweat forming on his face, as a blast of ice flew from his hands and hit the walls of the cavern, freezing them. He kept going until all the walls were frozen.
"What are you doing!?" Justin shouted. Suddenly there was a loud hiss as the rocks began to break and split apart. Link powered up a blast and shot it at the base of the platform they were on. The blast was so powerful that it sliced through the rock, separating it from the wall. The platform, along with the three on top of it, slid down and plunged into the lava. Before they hit, Link created a dome around them just as the rock plunged down. After a few seconds, it bobbed back up and floated on the surface, the three still in the protective dome. The dome stayed as more hissing sounds were heard. The lava began to react violently and sputter all around them. It slowly began to rise up toward the top. Then without warning, it accelerated to rapid speed and they shot up like an arrow. The lava continued to rise until a small patch of sky could be seen out of an opening above. Soon they rose up and were shot up out of the opening as lava poured out of the top of the mountain. The rock they were on slid down the mountain and to the bottom, where Link finally released the dome. The lava began to slow down and about halfway down the mountain it stopped flowing and settled back down.
"That was quick thinking." Justin said.
"Yes. I knew that cooling off the rock would cause it to split since the lava wouldn't be able to melt the ice fast enough before it did so. The splitting rock created greater lava flows, causing a violent reaction. I noted earlier the opening in the ceiling and concluded that we were inside a volcano. I figured that the lava would rise up and shoot us out of the opening, as it did." Link explained.
"That's brilliant..." Justin mumbled in awe.
"Elementary, my dear Justin." Link replied. They then turned to Jared. He was still unconscious. Link shot a small, non-powerful bit of water at him, cooling him off a bit and causing him to come sputtering back to the land of the awake.
"What happened?" Jared coughed. "Where's Blaze?"
"We're out of the volcano." Link replied.
"Did we win? Is he dead?" Jared asked.
"No...We ran....as for Blaze, we're not sure if he's alive, though I suspect he is." Justin mumbled.
"We need to keep moving." Link said. "In case he is alive, we can't risk him coming out after us."
"Where are we going?" Justin asked.
"Any place far from here. We'll camp when we've gotten far enough away." Link said. "There's Vaughn City." The volcano had conveniently left them on a large mountain that stood only a mile away from Vaughn. Since it was a high elevation, and the town was at such a low one, they were able to see it from where they were. "We'll get our stuff then leave." Link said, making his way across the rough terrain.
~end~
The dragon lay in the center of the platform, however its body was twisted and contorted into strange positions. It was dead. The three slowly made their way over to the deceased creature.
"I don't get it...What killed the dragon?" Link said out loud. Suddenly something huge landed in the platform, shaking it and causing the surrounding lava to splash up on the edges. The new enemy stood 9 feet tall. He looked like a normal man, having human looks, except for dark red skin. He had long red hair that spiked up wildly, a gray outfit that covered his entire body, black gloves and boots, and a long black cape. He had his arms folded as he grinned sinisterly at the three.
"Who are you?!" Link shouted, drawing his sword.
"Hmph. I am Blaze; possessor of the Fire Essence." he menaced, unveiling an orb with swirling red gas inside in his gloved hand.
"So you're the one that killed the dragon!" Justin shouted.
"Yes. Rather pathetic. It was very simple to kill the creature and take the essence." Blaze said nonchalantly. "And I suppose you've come for the fire essence; though I don't see how you'll be able to acquire it."
"Well, I happen to have the water essence." Link said,
"So, it seems we both have something the other wants." Blaze said, his face expressionless. "I shall enjoy prying it from your dead CARCASS!" he shouted, his face suddenly twisting into evil and hate as he shot his hands forward and fired a stream of fire at the group. The three scattered, avoiding the attack. Link returned by shooting a blast of water at Blaze. Blaze jumped high in the air, dodging the water, and threw a fire ball down at Link. Link took out his shield and ducked behind it. The fireball slammed into the shield and was dispersed to the side. Though the attack was blocked, there was still enough force to send Link flying backward. Jared and Justin then charged at Blaze. He kicked Justin away then punched Jared in the stomach. He placed his palm open in front of Jared's chest.
"Goodbye." he sneered before quickly launching a huge fireball directly into his chest, sending Jared flying back to the edge of the platform. Jared became immediately unconscious, several burns on him and a large hole burnt through all the layers of the chest of his tunic.
"Jared..." Link whispered under his breath as he glanced to his fallen friend then back at Blaze. Justin equipped his bow and put three arrows in. He drew back the string, aimed, and fired, one arrow hitting Blaze in the chest and the other two missing. Upon contact, the arrows burst in a splash of water, the one that hit slightly damaging Blaze. Blaze was starting to power up a fireball but was hit by a blast of water from Link. He let out a low growl, his eyes scowling under his fiery red eyebrows.
"I grow tired of this foolishness." he snarled in a low voice. He raised up both his hands in the air. As he did so, two pillars of lava rose up from the lake surrounding. He gave an evil grin as he brought his hands down quickly, the lava turning and flying down, crashing into Link and splashing everywhere. When the lava cleared, Link still remained, sitting down in a crouch under a protective dome of water. Blaze's grin quickly turned to an angry scowl as he put his hands forward and shot multiple fireballs at Link. Link quickly put up his shield and braced. Though this time he did not fall, the force sent his body sliding backward. He slid closer and closer to the edge as Blaze continued throwing fireballs. As the last one hit Links shield, it knocked him back further, sending him right onto the edge of the platform. Link flailed in the air as his feet teetered on the edge of the platform. Blaze saw that Link was too busy to block, so he powered up a final fireball. Just as he was about to launch it, a sword sliced down his back, causing him to send the fireball flying up instead of at the designated target.
"Why you miserable little pest!" Blaze shouted, rapidly sending his elbow back into Justin's face, then grabbing his arm and throwing him forward. As Justin flew through the air, Blaze quickly threw a fireball at him, which would have hit, had it not been for a water ball coming and countering it into nothingness. Though the last attack did not hit, Justin still tired out quickly as he slid a slight ways across the stone floor.
"Link...this is too hard..." he coughed.
"Don't worry Justin, just sit and rest. I'll fend off this hot head!" Link shouted, powering up a blast of water. At the same time, Blaze powered up his own beam of fire. The two shot their attacks at the same time, the attacks meeting in the middle and fighting against each other. Both put more power into their attacks as they tried to over power each other. Blaze gave out a lout yell as a wave of fire came through the beam and overpowered the water, slicing through it and slamming into Link. Link was knocked back several feet, slightly burned.
"I don't get it..."he muttered weakly. "Water should be able to beat fire." Blaze just laughed.
"Fool! You don't get it. How much do you know about the essences? Apparently not enough or you would know that the essence is only as strong as the operator can make it. If you don't know its full capabilities then you won't get its full power!" Blaze shouted. "Pity. I expected so much more out of an essence holder."
"Link...what are we going to do...?" Justin asked.
"I don't know..." Link muttered grimly. "I don't know..."
Link and Justin stood on one edge of the platform, Blaze standing on the other edge, and an unconscious Jared lying in between on the side. Link panted slightly, the heat and his body's own fatigue getting the better of him.
I've got to pull through. I can't let this guy beat me. Link thought to himself.
"Enough toying!" Blaze shouted. "Fight or die!" Link paused for a second. Then he drew out his bow and fired an arrow into the air. The arrow whizzed up then arched back down at Blaze.
"Is that the best you can do?! Don't insult my abilities!" Blaze shouted, easily firing a small fireball at the arrow and disintegrating it. But the arrow was not the attack, for while Blaze's attention was turned, Link fired a large blast of water from both hands, hitting Blaze directly and sending him back. Blaze quickly gained his ground and dug in, stopping himself from sliding further. Link concentrated and put more force into the attack as it grew slightly larger. Blaze held his arm in front of his face, as if trying to block the attack, and it seemed to be slightly working, for he was no longer losing ground, in fact he was actually gaining it. Slowly but surely, he inched forward, regardless of Links attempts to push him back. Link squeezed his eyes tight and groaned, pushing all energy he had in him into the attack. Suddenly, with a burst of anger and power, Link pushed hard on the beam, causing it to grow twice its size and twice its speed. Blaze just couldn't handle the power and was sent flying back several feet toward the edge of the platform. This, however, drained Link of anymore energy he had left in him as he collapsed to the ground breathing heavily.
"Can't...go on..." he panted. Blaze stood back and shook his head.
"That was a surprising blow my friend." Blaze said amazed. "However, this brings us to another thing that you have yet to learn. You waste your body energy like a fool. Thus you are tired out and cannot win. I shall be lenient, though, and I will give you a choice. You can choose to give up now and die a quick death, or you can resist, and suffer harshly." he hissed.
"We'll never give up!" Justin shouted as he quickly, and surprisingly, grabbed the water essence from Link and shot out a blast of water at Blaze, who was caught off guard by this sudden attack and was sent flying backward and plunged into the lava.
"Link, can you stand?" Justin said quietly, helping Link up.
"I think so...good job." Link smiled weakly.
"Let's get out of..." Justin began, but was interrupted by a loud rumbling. Suddenly Blaze burst from the lava, jumping out and landing back on the platform.
"You think you've won, have you?!" Blaze shouted. "All that stunt did was shorten your life! Now you shall pay!" He shot two large streams of fire at Link and Justin. Justin pushed Link away and dived to the right, avoiding the attack.
"Crap! This guy is invincible!" Justin shouted.
"We have to retreat!" Link shouted. "Grab Jared!"
"Oh no you don't!" Blaze thundered, sending fireballs at the two. Link blocked them with his shield, and Justin countered with a water attack. He quickly scooped up Jared and ran out of the room, shortly followed by Link. They ran to the bridge only to find that it wasn't there. From signs of singed rope and burning wood in the lava, they guessed that the bridge fell victim to the hot flames. They jumped to the sides of the doorway as a flame shot out of it.
"What are we going to do?! We're trapped!" Justin shouted, panic on the edge of his voice.
"Quick! Throw me the orb!" Link shouted. Justin did so and Link caught it, powering up and aiming at the lava. He concentrated hard, sweat forming on his face, as a blast of ice flew from his hands and hit the walls of the cavern, freezing them. He kept going until all the walls were frozen.
"What are you doing!?" Justin shouted. Suddenly there was a loud hiss as the rocks began to break and split apart. Link powered up a blast and shot it at the base of the platform they were on. The blast was so powerful that it sliced through the rock, separating it from the wall. The platform, along with the three on top of it, slid down and plunged into the lava. Before they hit, Link created a dome around them just as the rock plunged down. After a few seconds, it bobbed back up and floated on the surface, the three still in the protective dome. The dome stayed as more hissing sounds were heard. The lava began to react violently and sputter all around them. It slowly began to rise up toward the top. Then without warning, it accelerated to rapid speed and they shot up like an arrow. The lava continued to rise until a small patch of sky could be seen out of an opening above. Soon they rose up and were shot up out of the opening as lava poured out of the top of the mountain. The rock they were on slid down the mountain and to the bottom, where Link finally released the dome. The lava began to slow down and about halfway down the mountain it stopped flowing and settled back down.
"That was quick thinking." Justin said.
"Yes. I knew that cooling off the rock would cause it to split since the lava wouldn't be able to melt the ice fast enough before it did so. The splitting rock created greater lava flows, causing a violent reaction. I noted earlier the opening in the ceiling and concluded that we were inside a volcano. I figured that the lava would rise up and shoot us out of the opening, as it did." Link explained.
"That's brilliant..." Justin mumbled in awe.
"Elementary, my dear Justin." Link replied. They then turned to Jared. He was still unconscious. Link shot a small, non-powerful bit of water at him, cooling him off a bit and causing him to come sputtering back to the land of the awake.
"What happened?" Jared coughed. "Where's Blaze?"
"We're out of the volcano." Link replied.
"Did we win? Is he dead?" Jared asked.
"No...We ran....as for Blaze, we're not sure if he's alive, though I suspect he is." Justin mumbled.
"We need to keep moving." Link said. "In case he is alive, we can't risk him coming out after us."
"Where are we going?" Justin asked.
"Any place far from here. We'll camp when we've gotten far enough away." Link said. "There's Vaughn City." The volcano had conveniently left them on a large mountain that stood only a mile away from Vaughn. Since it was a high elevation, and the town was at such a low one, they were able to see it from where they were. "We'll get our stuff then leave." Link said, making his way across the rough terrain.
~end~