The air was filled with the overwhelming stench of ash and blood. Images of Zieg's failure were all around him, a dead child half devoured by flames, the burning Demon Army Headquarters, the massive holes in the walls of the city. He had let his people down, and the dwarves were making him regret he had ever taken over as the High General.

Zieg held his two blades out, one in his healthy right arm, the other in his flaming left arm. His men were huddled behind him, swords at the ready. He had a duty to his last remaining men, to get them out alive. Without a look, he spoke aloud to them, strength and honor filling his words.

"Go. Run back to the castle. Survive to fight another day." The men looked startled at his orders. "But, sir," the first began but Zieg shook his head.

"That is an order, soldier. Go." The three men nodded solemnly before turning and running toward the castle. The dwarves did not wait another moment before running full speed at the High General. Zieg exclaimed aloud, and jumped into the battle with all of his strength.

Parry, slice, duck, stab. The demon knight fought with all of his might to stay alive. The longer he fought, the deeper the dwarves penetrated his defense. One axe slid through his left arm, though not severing the engulfed limb, it did send shockwaves of pain through his body. He dropped to his knees, holding his left arm tight to his chest. His left he used pettily to protect himself from the barrage of blows.

It was over, Zieg had nothing left. One particularly large dwarf charged at Zieg, knocking his backwards and flat on his back. Both of his blades were knocked away and he was defenseless. In a last ditch effort to protect himself from an enemy that had him surrounded, he tucked his knees under his chin and held them tight with his arms. Closing the blood red eyes that intimidated most people, he saw only one thing. Kaza.

I cannot die yet. Kaza needs me. He needs his father. Excruciating pain overtook the demon as his very soul burst forth from his body. Fire, a pure and true flame burst from his body, in a sphere that grew massive in strength, intensity, and size. Screams of pain erupted from Zieg's mouth as this shield took shape. It overtook everything within a fifty yard radius in all directions, until there was nothing left within. It then withdrew back into Zieg's body, emitting a smoke so black that it was darker than night within. It was then and there that Zieg lost consciousness.

((Finally was able to post. Feel free to bunny Zieg back to the castle, or wherever. There is nothing left within a fifty yard radius of the demon. Scorched Earth is all that is left.))