When the Future Gives You Challenges...

This is the future, huh. Not too shabby. I like it.

I've never seen the likes of these structures before. Are they made from some newly-discovered material? In my time, turning a town to ash was a cinch, but this place looks like it won't go down so easily.

Let's begin by testing out this bit of road here.

Er, you're not being serious, right?! I don't think the locals will appreciate you burning their town...

...Not even a scorch mark, eh? This is some sturdy stuff.

However, that was at about a fifth of my full heat. Now let's try it at 50%.

Hey! You do that and we're going to have problems!

The real problem here is that the people of this city are unware that they have a supreme being in their midst.

No one is going to think you're a supreme being if you go around burning their houses down! You'll just be a supreme nuisance!

A nuisance? That won't do... So what should I burn down if I want to prove my superiority?

Nothing! If you want a fiery fight that badly, go battle a flamethrower-equipped robot or something.

A robot? What's that? A potential rival for me?

Well, here's an idea. Elzion produces a lot of robots for military purposes. There might be some researchers who'd appreciate having someone test them out.

A test? I like the sound of that. I'll show the people of this time the grandest of firework displays.

So, where do I have to go if I want to fight against one of these "robots"?

I'm not so sure myself. Riica will probably know, but I'm not sure where she's gotten to.

Good afternoon, friends. I believe I heard somebody say "Riica."

Ah, there you are Riica. Gariyu wants to fight a robot. Any ideas where he might be able to do that?

KMS Inc. makes combat robots of all shapes and sizes. In Gamma District they have a showroom for their so-called "Brawlbots." Consulting with a representative there is an advisable course of action.

Off we go then! Let's hope these Brawlbot beings aren't so inferior that I can incinerate them instantaneously. I prefer it when an opponent gives my flames a workout.

Reporting in. An unusually high reading of thermal energy has thrown my sensors into disarray. I have reason to believe that the subject is a supreme being. It is currently approaching the Gamma District. I'm in pursuit.

We've only just arrived and already my opponent seems to have hidden away!

Uh, is this supposed to be the Brawlbot Showroom?

Hello there, I'm an engineer working at KMS Inc. Do you have an interest in our Brawlbots?

Yes, I have an interest in reducing one of them to ash. I am out to prove my superiority to the people of this time, you see.

Well, it's your lucky day. I'm an engineer here, currently working on the development of an all-new, super-powerful, flame-throwing Brawlbot.

Wow, we managed to run into a KMS engineer right away!

Nah, they must have been watching us. I thought I sensed something pesky on our tails since a while back. Now, stop wasting my time. Bring out the most robust, ready-to-go, rampant and rambunctious robot-thingymajig you've got!

Arranged that can be. In return, I'd like to research those rather unusual flames you were conjuring earlier.

Research them? What's the point? You think you have any hope of recreating them?

Recreate them? That would be seriously unambitious. You'd be amazed by the tech we have at KMS. We aim to produce something much deadlier than your flames.

That's some fiery ambition you've got there. You better produce results, or I'm going to be seriously inflamed.

I hope your robots are ready for the hottest thing they've never tasted!

You bet they are. First, I want to begin with some rudimentary tests and measurements, etc. Battling robots inside the city is forbidden, so we'll have to go somewhere a bit out of the way. The airport will do. See you there!

Lead the way, Aldo. To glory!

Can you please start by attacking this robot with your flames. You needn't use your full power.

I'm not interested in fighting anything that can't withstand my full power!

It's not for fighting. This robot will simply tell me how hot your flames are.

But I like fighting...*sigh* Fine. Let's get this done with.

Detected: Flaming burst attack. Power level: Unimpressive. No damage sustained.

Huh, not even a burn mark. Things built in the future really do have some durability going for them.

Oh dear, and they told me you might be a supreme being... I'm afraid we'll have to chalk the test up as a total failure. Thanks for your time.

Don't "thanks for your time" me! A total failure? That's so laughable it isn't even funny. Watch as I turn your robot to ash!

Come forth, my Giga Godflames! I command the grand Inferno to reduce this robot to cinders!

This power!

Look, I'm not a fan of small appetizers. Would you bring out the main course already?

Yes, what you've just shown me indeed suggests that you are a supreme being. I'm now considering your research as top priority. I believe you've got what it takes to take on our brawniest Brawlbot!

Enough flaming talk! Bring the Brawlbot here at once!

I'm afraid the Brawlbot Project is still in its developmental stage. We can't risk exposing it to the eyes of the public. Please be so good as to accompany me to the Industrial Ruins. That's where we'll hold the next test.

What an infuriating fellow. If his next robot is yet another weakling, he'll get the full brunt of my burning rage.

You'd think we'd be able to do the tests at one of KMS's laboratories. But he's making us travel all over the place. It's kinda suspicious, if you ask me.

I don't care about his research, or whatever. You know me. I just want to find an adversary worth incinerating. Here's hoping he can provide me with an opponent that can at least attempt to withstand my flames of destruction!

...... Well if you are going to be summoning flames of destruction, I guess it would be best to go to the Industrial Ruins. I don't want anyone getting hurt, especially if your destructive tendencies take over.

Reporting in. The supreme being and his lackey have ceased communicating. They're on their way now.

I'm pleased to say I can finally give you what you want: our finest Brawlbot, will be your opponent.

This thing? A fine looking fighter, indeed.

Let me just get him booted up with the latest battling data.

Your intuition earlier was correct, by the way. We were observing your every move and after analysis, we believe your weakness is water.

Chances of opponent's fire power overcoming our fire-proof defenses... 0.000000001%.

There will be no problem, then. First we'll seize this supreme specimen, and then the real research will begin. Working out how exactly you control that fire power of yours will benefit us greatly, you see.

Supreme...specimen...?

Yes, that's right. And seeing as we've rendered your fire power useless here, restraining you will be a simple task.

What are you going to use Gariyu for?!

This is research of the highest importance. If we can elucidate the mechanism for producing flames at such a high level of efficiency... We can copy it over to a mass-produced anti-human flamebot, and commence our attack right away.

Anti-human flamebot?! Why would you do that? Just who are you?!

Hm, indeed, there's no point in expending watts to keep up the facade any longer.

A Synth Human?! So you weren't really a KMS engineer...

No, I was. I was undercover. The moronic humans at KMS were fooled easily enough. Not that we Synth Humans ever spare any effort in our quest to eliminate the human menace. The intelligence I gath...

Shush it would ya, I came here for combat, not a story! You want me as your research specimen, right? All right, come and get me!

Oh, we'll come and get you, all right. We're merely advising you not to resist, and save yourself a world of pain.

I've reached boiling point now. Gotta let off some steam. I hope your robots enjoy volcanic explosions! I know I do!

Come forth, my ferocious fiendflames! I command you: have these eyesores dance in fire for all eternity!

Wh-What?! Does this mean all our models and estimations were completely useless?!

...If there's one thing I've learned since coming to future, it's that robots aren't all they're cranked up to be.

... You're not satisfied with that little round of complete annihilation?

How could I be? These guys don't flinch, don't scream, don't even show a flicker of fear. Where's the fun in that? Burning their robot chips is no more satisfying than burning wood chips.

Please don't come any closer! The Synth Humans will have no more to do with you, okay? You have my word.

Oh hold on... Now that's what I wanted to see! Those fear-filled eyes are telling me I'm the best.

Now, it's decision time for you. Have all those components of yours reduced to a little pile of ash... Or spend the rest of your wretched life telling everyone you encounter about the Grand Flamemancer Gariyu!

I suppose the option that spares my circuits would be the most beneficial... Gariyu, was it?

Indeed, and don't you forget it! Tell everyone you meet about me, or you'll be suffering some nasty burns...

It's surprising that KMS allowed a spy to infiltrate them... And a Synth Human at that.

I might have done KMS a favor by incinerating him, perhaps. But it would have felt like a waste of good cooking smoke.

Given how terrified he seemed, I think we can confidently say we've seen the last of him. Anyway, you've got me curious now. Why is it you're so fixated on being the strongest fire wielder?

Anything less would be a disgrace, since I'm the one who's supposed to inherit the Godflame.

The Godflame? What's that?

I can only inherit it once I've unambiguously proven myself to be the best flamemancer there is.

It's my destiny, you see.