The claw struck true, slamming him against the wall and pinning him there. His head tipped to stare at the open maw because he knew the flames were coming, and he had to time everything right or else he would become ashes. He needed to give the kid time to fight though, and the roar seemed indication that a fight was occurring.

Good. Even if there was no success this time, the fact that the boy fought was enough. In time, it would come along. More opportunities, more fights, more deaths for him but that was half the fun these days.

Reaper dissolved to smoke under that claw as the flames struck, feeling the heat through his clothing as his incorporeal form as he moved under the dragon's shadow. He reformed, but he was actually smoking, feeling the sting of burnt flesh. It was time to take a stand.

"You need more practice. Both of you do."