The Monster of the Demonfire

Hi! Are you the travelers that Veron's been yapping on about?

We've got a problem, ever since the elementals got so unstable, monsters around here have been going wild. I think perhaps Salamander's rampage disturbed some kind of primeval balance...

Vasu Mountain is the worst of all. There have been sightings of never-before-seen monster species there.

I have a theory that the situation can be remedied if we restore the balance of elemental energies. That's where you come in. See this powder? It's a little something I developed. If you can scatter it around the mountains, it should stabilize the elements over there.

Thank you. Be careful out there, we're not entirely sure what these new monsters are capable of yet.

We just need to put this stuff at the foot of the mountain, right? This spot looks good enough. Let's get scatterin'.

This is all it takes to fix the elemental imbalances? Seems a little too good to be true. Oh well, better head back and...

Graaargh!

Whoa! What the heck was that gnarly sound? I've never heard anything like it before, but it sure sounded dangerous. Could it be one of those new monster species?

I can't just walk away. What if it tries to attack the village? It sounded like it's already pretty close by... We'd better go see what was making that racket before we leave. I think it came from the mountains. We'll have to climb up a little farther...

The roar came from somewhere around here...

Graaargh!

There it is again... Must be right around the corner!

Whoa, this monster's got an aura of malice...and it looks real strong, to boot. What's going on here?

Graaargh! Kraaah!

Something's not right. Did the elemental imbalance make this monster mutate? Ratle's not safe while something like this is stomping around free.

Nrrr... Grrr... Kaaaaaargh!

Bring it on!

Graaaaaargh!

It's still not going down!

Grooorgh!

What are we supposed to do now? How much can it possibly absorb?

It got away... We're going to be in a whole heap of trouble if it takes in any more energy. We can probably still catch it before it goes too far!

Found it! It's using the power of the elements to heal its wounds...

Hey, stop that! You have no idea what you're messing with!

Grrrrrr... Nrgh? Kra-kah?! Groooooorgh!

It sounds like it's in pain... All that energy is more than its body can withstand!

Krrraaargh!

This is gonna get worse before it gets better... We can't let it escape again. This time we'll put it out of its misery once and for all!

Grrr... Keh...

Phew... That was some kind of workout. But we finally beat it...

I can't believe all this elemental instability could create something like that. Let's just hope that magic powder does what it's supposed to. That alchemist back in Ratle is probably going to want to hear about this...

Ah, you're back! I heard a terrible cry coming from the mountains. Is everything okay?

Yeah, we made it through somehow. Some monster absorbed a whole lot of energy and went on a rampage.

A monster capable of that was right here on our doorstep?

Don't worry, we took care of it. It's no danger to you anymore. I'm pretty sure the disrupted elements are what made it so crazy and strong, though. It might be a good idea to keep track of those energies so they don't fall out of balance again.

Well, I scattered that powder like you told me, so we should be okay for now.

Thank you! That should be enough to ensure the village's safety. I can't guarantee it will last thousands of years, but that's the nature of the beast. Hopefully, humanity will have come up with some new solution by then.

Ha, yeah... Here's hoping.

That's one problem solved. I wish I could be sure the same thing won't happen again... Well, this time period's safe. That's good enough for me...I think.