Miller stands at the top of the hill holding his sword in place as a figure appears high in the sky above him. He stands steadying his breath as he readies himself for the oncoming fight. Xia Bai descends, crashing down onto the ground and glaring at Miller as she exhales and embers escape her mouth. Miller stands his ground, facing her, undeterred from her gaze.

  “I’m happy you're still alive.” She says. “But why would you waste your lives coming here? Looking for your friends?”

  He nods. “I assume nothing I can will convince you to stop.”

  “Nothing. I have a duty to protect Isaac. Even if it means I have to cross lines, I’d rather not.” She reaches down for the hilt of her sword.

  Miller nods. “I understand. I have to protect my sister and my allies above all else. But I’ll say this. I do feel rather personal about this fight.”

  “Oh? Did betraying you sting that much?”

  “Yes. But I would feel better if it helped you return to Isaac’s side. But the look on your face tells me that that dream is impossible.”

  She hesitates. “You're right. As much as I don’t want to admit it, Isaac is likely long gone. But I can’t get myself to give up here. I have to keep hanging onto that hope or else I won’t have anything left.”

  “Then why don’t I cut away that burden of yours and burn it to ashes!” He draws his blade as flames erupt from the sword.

  She smiles and draws her blade. “If I cut you down instead, don’t hold that against me.”

  “Fine. I’ll only blame my own weakness for being unable to convince you.”

  “Good. Now let’s start!” She yells charging ahead. “The sooner we cross swords, the sooner I can cut you down and then move on to your other allies.”

  He steps forward. “Then let’s begin!”

  “Here I come!” She yells charging ahead.

  The pair charge towards each other, swinging their blades and aiming for the other’s neck. Their blades clash and knock each other back with the force of their blows. Miller holds out his hand and calls forth a burst of flames scorching Xia who blocks the attack with her wings. She blows the flames out with a flap of her wings, only for Miller to rush in at her.

  Xia raises her sword to block his attack as he swings his sword. Their swords clash again and Xia plants, her feet pushing hard on Miller and knocking him back. The force of the blow knocks Miller back as she takes in a deep breath. She unleashes a torrent of flames from her mouth with Miller, planting his hand on the ground and bracing himself.

  Stolen story; please report.

  The flames envelop Miller as Xia continues her attack. After a few seconds, Miller rushes through the flames, leaping out at Xia and raising his fist. He punches her in the face, stopping her attack and knocking her back.

  Xia stares at Miller, not seeing any damage from the flames, as she smiles. “Are you fireproof or something?”

  Miller takes a breath as he holds out his hand. “Do you know what the true strength of a Pawn is? We can copy the abilities of our higher-ranked allies and use them as our own. I’ve been borrowing my sister’s flames, but now I’ve decided to use the power of the others to achieve greater power and the strength I need to bring you down!”

  “We’ll see about that!” She yells flapping her wings and taking off into the air. “I’ll show you the true might of a Red Dragon!”

  She spreads her wings and takes in a deep breath. She then exhales a burst of flames into the air. Large fireballs rain down from above around the two as Miller dodges the attacks. Xia dashes ahead, grabbing Miller and smashing him into the ground. She stands over him with flames coming from her mouth as she breathes.

  Miller stares up at her and slams his fist into the ground. A vine shoots out from the earth, hitting Xia and knocking her back as he takes his sword and thrusts it forward. He stabs her in the stomach only for Xia to leap backwards, avoiding further damage. As she lands, she takes her hand and burns the wound, cauterizing it to stop the bleeding.

  “Is that all?” Miller smiles, showing how little damage he has holding out his arms. “Is this the might of a Red Dragon?”

  She snarls. “You….”

  “Give up and stand down.”

  “Why should I!?”

  “Your loyalty is admirable. But even you can see it is foolish to continue at this rate. You’ll betray the ideals of the lord you serve!”

  “Silence!” She yells as flames burst off of her body. “You know nothing of our struggles what Isaac and I had to go through to get this far! The people we left behind suffer terrible fates! The pain we’ve inflicted and suffered! To have that all be rendered meaningless by some chance of fate is cruel!” Tears run down her face, evaporating with the heat coming off her body. “If your loved ones and master were in danger, would you not do everything in your power to aid them?”

  “My loyalty to Glyn is not as defined as yours to Isaac. I cannot say I would not do what I could to aid him. But one thing I can say for sure is for Glyn and most masters worth following.” He grabs his sword, pointing it towards her. “They would never ask for you to betray your principles for their salvation!”

  She laughs. “Then what? I leave him? I betray the one who reached out to me!?”

  “I don’t know. What I do know is your master would feel terrible seeing you now.”

  “Well, none of that matters so long as he lives.” She steps forward, holding out her sword as the metal burns. Her body burns, cracking from the heat as she scorches the earth underneath her feet. “You speak of masters and loyalty. Well, die here like the loyal dog that you are!”

  She charges ahead, swinging her blade as a burst of flames shoots forward with every swing. Miller dodges as the attacks scorch the forest surrounding the pair. He tightens his grip on his sword as it pierces his skin and drinks at his blood.

  “I’m going to put an end to your madness and bring you to your senses.”

  The two face each other, bearing their blades as their hatred and sorrow clash against one another. As their blades clash the metal and heat clash, causing an explosion that envelops the two of them.