Chapter 2: Death

The guild master walked into the fire and ash filled lands. The remnant's of a once lush forest that was now reduced to this state. The sound of his feet sinking into the black soil below his heavy body echoing out.

'What the hell happened? Why would i ever say any of that corny ass shit?' Shaking his head that was pounding like mad. Going over the last words he just said to his team.

'It was like someone was talking through me, fuck it. I have bigger things to deal with.' Pushing those thoughts out his mind he turned his head.

"So you lived, I expected as much from a vessel. Still it looks like you've reached the limit of what that body can handle." A voice that sounded like it came from the abyss rang out.

The man turned his head up more to look at the creature speaking to him. Only to see a long snout covered in black, thick scale like armor with gray horns, glowing yellow eyes, a light brown underbelly, and a long black, whip-like tail. A massive western dragon stood on all fours with its two enormous wings spread to either side.

"How long do you plan to keep talking, is that all you want to do Orrick.. I have little time, so come." The man who's size was dwarfed by the massive monster in front of him, spoke in an uncaring tone of voice.

"Your amusing human, I will indulge you." Orrick said as smoke came from his nose.

'I don't have much time, either way I can put this beast down in the time I do have and let my guild get away.' Thoughts of others came to his mind as the man spread his legs apart, stomping his foot down as it cracked the stone beneath him. The black aura of the dragon and the man's golden aura clashed as the two stared each other down. Everything was silent for a moment as the two felt each other out. The ground cracking in huge chunks of rocks as they disappeared.

(Guild members pov)

The sound of fire and stone echoed out in each members ears. Their eyes looking at the ash cloud that obscured their vision, only seeing flashes and the silhouettes of two beings fighting.

They all thought back on the words that their guild master had said before leaving. Each of them had a light in them and even if they couldn't see it. He let them know he could, never had they heard words like this come from their master, the man who was usually care free yet aggressive while his arrogance leaked out at times. The man who said those words was different from the past, the care he had for his guild. Not just them but for all humans lit a fire in their hearts as they gripped their weapons.

This would only cement more into their minds as they heard the cry of a man. Accompanied my a roar of agony that shook the place they stood. Each person looked at each other with a new light in their eyes.

"Set your heart ablaze." A few whispered as they lined up. They would not back down even if it went against what their master had said. They would fight with all their collective strengths.

Little did they know, this saying which would have gone down as the mantra for the guild would be lost.

"Don't.."

The guild members froze in the next moment, feeling a pressure wash over them but unlike before, none of them faltered. Looking at the back of a man in a black tench coat.

"What are you doing here Jin-woo! Go and help our guild master.." the man in silver armor yelled. Soon stopping as from the ground black monsters stared to arise.

"Enough, it's not like i didn't try.. but, I think you should see for yourself." Jin-woo turned back to them, his eyes glowing purple as he walked forward with his shadows following.

Each of them looked at each other and nodded their heads seeing they would get no answers. They all started to walk into the fog of ash. Following the glow of purple the monsters gave off, then the light of fires that burned the trees around them.

"Guild mas-ter.." After coming out a few called out to their guild master.

When they came through the ash they all had a look of amazement. The land was destroyed and with it a number of lesser dragon bodies and drakes laid scattered on the ground.

Even as they were amazed at the large beast that laid around, their eyes focused on a single point. Something that made their eyes widen as they couldn't believe it. The body of a massive dragon that had wiped of thousands of hunters. The very one who taunted and play with them like toys in this battle.

The dragon was on its back and blood came from its mouth. It's massive body had cuts and dents all over. The wings that could cause hurricanes laid beaten and tattered on either side of its body.

"Jin-woo?" The second in command, the silver knight said a he looked at the man walk up the dragons body.

"I'm sorry, I wish I could have fought with him but he wanted to fight alone." Jin-woo spoke softly as he moved at great speed.

He placed a body in front of them, the same body that had been kneeling on the dragons chest as if stuck in that position he didn't fall over and remained kneeling. The man's large body covered in wounds and burns. His one eye bleeding and closed while blood was on his fist.

"Guild master!" The members went crazy as they saw their master. They looked on as his body sat unmoving, most hung their heads as a few hugged each other.

"Didn't I tell you not to cry, even so.. it looks like some of you, found their light. Good.." when everyone was crying the deep voice of their guild master spoke up. He moved his head back as he looked at all his guild members and even to jin-woo.

"I am, proud of all of you.." When he said this his body pulled air one last time, looking up to the strange sun in the sky and what he did next shocked even Jin-woo as for the first time.

The man showed a genuine smile, blood pouring from each side of his mouth as he left the rest to his guild.

'Until we meet again, if we ever do.. I hope you tell me stories of how much stronger you got from this moment on.'