Ashes upon ashes.

Cataclysm. Catastrophic tidings of burning hot malice washed diligently the corpses of former adversaries whom stood upon this battlefield. A jet black cape flapped tirelessly as harsh winds swept past the face of the ridged and unfeeling Dragon Slayer, Yotorin Vox Nova...or in the tongue of the common men, Geiji Yoshi. In his classic garb he perched ever watchful of slain foes whom lined up to strike him down, unaware of the brilliance in which his flames burned, those malicious orange and blood red hued flicking embers drifted upwards in the air between each mighty gust, charred skeletons lingering like memories buried deep into the subconscious mind. There were few whom could withstand the manifestation of hatred produced by the Flamewyrm, he who was trained by Atlas Flame. He who betrayed their mentor for the power withheld from them.

A dangerous thing memories, Yoshi found himself succumbing to them while the flames danced in rhythmic unison with one another. Back to before he was a glorified monster, serving the will of Animus Sin with little regard for human life. He recalled the training, Atlas was a stern master, forcing upon the young Dragon Slayer numerous lessons of morality and companionship before physically exhausting and relentlessly beating the ideology of survival of the fittest into his skull. But perhaps these lessons were skewed, obstructed by what Yoshi wanted to believe opposed to the factual bullet-points presented by his adopted father figure. Those days were far behind him now, but vivid imagery often allowed itself to be incredibly difficult to shake, and the scent of burning flesh slowly billowing upwards like a fine-flayed hunk of meat did little to dissuade the flash-back.

"Yotorin Vox Nova, my boy, you must improve or else you shall forever remain embarrassing. This magic will allow you to destroy dragons, especially those that enter our territory. Don't you see the flaws in your technique, try it again. Aim at the pillar, and unleash your flames upon this earth. Scorch the very ground in which lays before you. Concentrate your emotions and strike true." Atlas bellowed from his flame-wrapped skeletal frame, he seemed to care deeply for his ward, though Yoshi failed to understand this. Perhaps he knew somewhere deep down that his mentor cared, but such realizations weren't often on the top of Yoshi's radar. Focusing, he spoke back. Diligently and poised.

"Of course, father. I shall indulge your whims as you have commanded. But let it be known that this bores me. I should be experimenting on living creatures, not wasting my time hitting an object that can't flee or fight back." He found this to be a giant disappointment to say the least, what good was it to attack inanimate objects anyhow, there lacked a fundamental learning experience here and it seemed to bother Yoshi to no end, his disapproval expressed with every subtle curve and nuance of his face.

"Yotorin Vox Nova, sometimes you disappoint me with your closed minded assertions. Focus, do as I say you will comprehend one day. It isn't about the circumstances, its your ability to control your flames opposed to letting them run wildly like some rank amateur. Now, begin." The beast roared in disappointment, appalled that his own charge paid little attention to the words spewed forth from its ember filled mouth.

Little could be done about his circumstances on this night, breathing in deeply he set ablaze several rock formations with his flames. Scorching stone and granite with reckless abandon. Repeating the process to no end, growing tired of the insufferable nature of it all. Was this really the proper way to get himself stronger? He had discarded his parents with flame, cleansed their souls with heated passion, yet he felt empty. Was this the extent of his abilities? Reduced even now to remedial tasks not suited for someone of his stature. The dark skinned ten year old crossed his arms after the twentieth shot, convinced he had wasted his time on this day, precious time which could have been used learning more about anatomy, observing the effects of fire under different circumstances. That was at least, until his attention snapped into focus, before his very eyes he noted his work. Each scorch mark adorning stone decreased in size.

"Do your best not to fall pray to your insecurities my son, you must realize that your goal is to protect with this magic. To save lives at any cost. Fire is a tool that both sustains life...and destroys them all the same. You will learn the flame that will sustain. By concentrating and limiting the spread of flames, you can choose where the damage will be applied. You will protect your fellow humans from evil, from Dragons. Casualties shouldn't ever be seen as a necessary option in resolving a conflict. You should aim to minimize the death you cause, so that your flame is a flame of life. Never death. Promise me this boy, showcase your strength." Atlas spoke with dignity, honesty, revealing how intimately close to his ideals he seemed to be.

"I shouldn't have doubted you master, I apologize. I promise you I will protect this world no matter what. My flames will sustain life." The words seemed genuine, at least at the time it may have been accurate to say that Yoshi believed in what he promised.

Shaking his head, the flashback faded. Looking upon the massive battlefield before him, contemplating the morose nature of his chaotic and nonredeemable actions, the muscular male looked sick to his stomach at the overtly violent display he showcased here. There lacked precision, control. This battlefield displayed a wildness which couldn't be the furthest thing from what he learned from the beast that molded him into what he was. But the negative connotations of such a revelation all but lifted immediately. A solid horrific cackle piercing the air as soldiers seemed to spread out upon the battlefield, checking bodies and setting up barriers. One hand outstretched before his very own face, clenching it into a fist and bringing the appendage towards his chest, he realized the full extent of his fall into what he was never meant to become. This was magic meant to destroy dragons, but he had used it to extinguish the life forces of men. He was no better than the monsters he was meant to slay...and worst of all...he loved every second of it.

Although he earned his magic from a dragon, he honed it's edge upon the carcasses of his enemies, he knew the commander of this village's defensive forces was a skilled Iron-Make mage, someone whom could test the abilities of the Flamewyrm with little effort. Whilst awaiting the inevitable showcase of metal might, those loyal to Animus Sin allowed themselves the chance to construct a throne from the charred remains of fallen warriors, and on this very throne sat their commanding officer, he whom blazed forth with immeasurable hatred for all living creatures, or so the rumor exaggerated. Crossing his legs and awaiting the male's arrival, it was to his own surprise that all that arrived to greet him was a young male not even a year past twenty, and two older gentlemen whom seemed frail and sickly. Perhaps reinforcements?  

Lord knew that these redneck hillbillies were going to need it.

"I warn you now. Leave, and we will spare you a most painful defeat. We will not extend this offer again. We are the three strongest mages in our village. Iron, Bronze, and Copper make mages ready to put you down without a moment's hesitation. Do not force our hands, leave now!!" The youngest of the Trio exclaimed excitedly, an aire of confidence surrounding him completely.

"I refuse." Yoshi stated as he looked at his nails, admiring how clean they managed to be. It was quite impressive if he did say so himself. Looking up at the male on the left he rose his eyebrow and spat outwards. "Nova Leech." A small wisp of blood red flame skirted across the air, smacking the elder directly in the face and engulfing his entire body in a plume of heat, plasma, and gloriously horrendous pain. The others turned to look upon their ally in horror, but could not help him as they leaped away, attempting to run from two sides and pincer the Dragon Slayer whom had leaped into the air, landing five meters from where they were startling them.

"Iron-Make Canon." The young male stated as his hand turned into a small canon-opening, his comrade speaking as well. "Bronze-Make Javelin." The two projectiles headed towards the walking flame abomination, but he would scoff and flip his cape, bending low and leaping directly up into the air and aiming two of his fingers at the other older male.  He seemed dedicated to his cause of killing these men, seemingly having no qualms with exhausting their already nearly-expired life-forces.

"Memoir of Atlas." A spiraling coil of flames spiraled outwards towards the elder male, whom attempted to erect a wall of bronze without realizing that the flames of this particular slayer burned well past the materials melting point, allowing for the A-rank technique to overwhelm the d-rank defensive technique completely, covering the body of the opponent and seering him, the dragon landed not too far away from the younger man. Tilting his head in excitement as he charged him, his own draconic claws at the ready as he dodged multiple shots from the man's techniques. Of course, the dodging wasn't flawless, several side protrusions from the spiked balls nicked and applied pressure to the dragon, but he was fine enough to continue the fight.

"Diablo Directo." He stated slyly, coating his body in flames as he rushed forward, reading himself with his A-rank boosting technique, "Hell Gate." improving his speed on such a level that he was able to appear from multiple angles against his foe. This foe who seemed to be cautious about the circumstances surrounding him in terms of actual combat. The Iron Make mage had used several techniques of a ranged nature, but due to being static failed to actually use them efficiently against the fire mage. Several lucky shots had potential, but the difference in skill left the young male outclassed and outperformed. Luckily he'd get an impressive send off.

Sizing up his opponent, Yoshi found himself disappointed, relying on one final test to see if this mage was the one he was looking for. Using his high-rank dragon roar technique directly at the village, "Fire Dragon's Malicious Obliteration." he allowed himself to witness the death of many people, but the Iron wizard leaped into action, blocking with an Iron Shield that couldn't hold up to the heat, nor the pressure. Melting away, all that remained of the eager young man was a pile of ashes upon a battlefield of Ashes. Flipping his cape in dismay, the jet black Dragon Slayer cursed that he had wasted time, maneuvering himself away from the battlefield in a disgruntled fashion. He had to report to his mistress, she would not be pleased most likely.