Rebirth

Chapter 38: My Will, My Way

My fingers gripped the edge of the coffee shop. Climbing up was a chore, and it was only worse since I was running on a limited supply of energy right now. My magic was replenishing, even slower than usual when I'm healing. That wound must've been more fatal than I thought. I looked forward, the dragon roaring in the distance, the buildings beneath it beginning to crumble.

Shaking the dirt from my head, I got to my feet, moving forward. I'd have to go via rooftops to make it. Jumping from roof to roof was cool and all, but falling means climbing all the way back up, and I wasn't too happy at that thought. "Come on.. Your friends.. Think of everyone else.." I said under heavy breathes, trying to motivate myself.

I took another step forward, and almost instantly fell to my feet. My magic had stopped increasing. Instead, it felt like it started decreasing the more I moved. No way I was gonna be able to fight like this.

Looking up, Steve's dragon released another roar. There was a pause, until a bright explosion rang out beneath it. I hope no one was caught in that. It could've vaporized anything.

Picking myself up, I grabbed the nearby railing, sucking in lung filling breathes of air. As I did, three dragons flew overhead. One of which looked down at me, and broke away from the group, landing on the street to my left. He lowered his head, speaking loudly, shaking the roof beneath my feet. "Get on, Justin!"

I watched Porrelth, smiling weakly, and nodded. I forced myself to climb onto his head, holding onto his hair as tight as I could as he took off towards the others. The heat around him was immense, enough to melt the coldest of ice mountains. Sounds perfect for a flame dragon of this power.

Garuga and Syrreth split apart. Porrelth reached up, gripping in his hand and pulling me from his head. "Ye' need to stop him. He'll kill everyone if this madness continues."

"Think I don't know that!" I yelled back. "He kicked my ass no problem before! I barely have the strength to stand right now, and he can bend light magic to his absolute control, even better than I can."

"Something ye' don't realize. It is not two against one anymore." Porrelth smirked at me. "I'll lend you any magic you need with my flames." As he said that, fire shot up around me. Warm, and calming, yet powerful nonetheless. I opened my mouth, consuming the flames. The magic within jolted the muscles in my body to life, all of my energy returning, and greatly enhancing. I looked down at Steve, the twisted magic user laughing madly at his work.

My eye twitch, and I grit my teeth. "That sick..."

"What are ye' waiting for? Ye' want to stop this right? So stop it. We've taught you before, and showed ye' that lesson again. Now, recite the words."

I paused a moment. Why was he doing this now? It honestly made me feel cheesy, but taking a deep breath, I spoke, nice and soft. "Quitting isn't in the Triple Dragon language. No matter the challenge thy faces, and no matter the sorrow and pain may be thee', only one thing matters in the end. It's not winning or losing that decides the true victor.." Porrelth smirked, bringing his arm back. With a battle cry, he threw me like a torpedo. In the split second of being tossed, shadows devoured my body, staining my skin completely black with three black streaks running back through my hair. "IT'S HOW HARD YOU FIGHT!" My voice boomed. Steve looked up, eyes wide when they locked on me. He rose his palm, massive beams of light launching at me. I dodged sharply, body oozing into shadows and swirling around, until I landed on the dragon, slashing Steve's side as I did. Raising my flaming fist, I slammed it down, just under the dragon's scales. It spew blood when my fist penetrated, body shaking before it shot downward.

I held on tight, making sure not to lose my grip on the scales. Steve roared hatefully at me, but I didn't focus on that. I closed my eyes, and the dragon nose dived into the center of the town.