Little Flamey Fighters

It's not the best time to come in for a meal, I'm afraid. Everyone's been holed up in their homes lately, due to the attacks.

What's wrong? What's happened?

There's a nasty beast going around by the name of Salamandeer. He's been ambushing folks coming into Rinde. He also has a fearsome fire dragon that he's tamed somehow, hence the name.

Salaman...deer? Like a commandeer? That name is either a sad coincidence, or a serious affront to the great Salamander!

Aldo, do people of this time know of Salamander? He was the fieriest of all fire elementals.

Sure, there are plenty of old legends he's mentioned in. Most people know him.

It really infuriates me to hear Salamander referenced so casually, as if he were some run-of-the-mill fire-breathing reptile. If that beast thinks I'll let him off lightly for taking the name of the lord of lizards, he's got another thing coming!

It seems it falls to me, everyone's favorite flamemancer, to dish out some searing justice.

So what you're saying is... You want to go and defeat this beast?

Yep! A flicker of my great godflames ought to have him running for the hills.

You'd really do that? If you seriously think you can take him, the Serena Coast is where you'll find him, I hear.

Thanks. We're on it.

Lead the way, Aldo. To righteous retribution!

Ahhhh! Run for the hills!

Hey! There's been another attack?!

It was the Salamandeer! He set upon us with his dragon!

We weren't too late, were we? Was it just you two?

No... The others got cornered... They weren't fast enough.

Aldo, there he is!

Why would you do this to us... You're going to pay for this! My mom and dad will be avenged!

Ah, it looks like one little rat escaped from the pack. Want to join your family now, do you?

How dare you... I'm gonna take you down, you monster!

Go on then. Try it.

Wah!

Oh man... *hiccup* *sob*

Funny, I don't feel like I've been taken down. Not that I expected much from a kid.

*sniff* *sob*

No revenge exacting for you today then, I see. Just pointless shaking and sobbing.

Much more satisfying this way, actually. You can spend the rest of your days curled up in a ball crying like the useless lump you are.

Haha... hahahahaha!

This can't be happening... There's got to be something I can do... if only I were stronger! I'd bring that horrible beast crashing down...

The Salamandeer is gone for now. But we can't leave the kid on his own, come on.

Hey! You all right?!

He didn't get me... But my parents...

We came here to take down the Salamandeer... I'm sorry, if we'd hurried just a little more...

It was me that was useless. I was like a jellyfish, when I thought he was going to kill me. And now my mom and dad are... *sob*

This is why kids enrage me so much: if they spent half the time they do crying on toughening up... They'd actually be able to look after and protect themselves.

Stop it, Gariyu! Why would you say that to a kid who's just lost his parents?!

Because I can! Hey, wimpy. You've had everything taken away from you, so what's next? More crying? Keep that up, I'm sure eventually you'll cry a river you can push that Salamandeer guy into. That'll sure show him.

*sniff* What could I have done...? I've got nothing on a guy like that! He even has a dragon!

He sure does. And? What about you?

You don't have any fire of your own? I did at your age. You see this mark? I got this when I was smaller than you. I lost everything that day, and I've been burning with rage since. I can burn because I've got fuel. What do you think my fuel is?

You mean you were like me? I don't know what kind of fuel you're talking about, though...

Hatred, of course. Hatred of those who stole everything that I had. If you've got hatred fueling you, you can't just sit around crying.

You should have it as well, surely? If not, what's wrong with you?! Your rage should give you fire intense enough to overwhelm whoever opposes you.

So I've gotta...

Take down the Salamandeer! And get my revenge!

...... Hm, yeah. Not a bad starting point for a fiery rage spiral.

Leave it to me, kid. When my godly-hot flames have finished scorching the Salamandeer, he'll be desperate to repent and begging for redemption.

Okay... Okay!

Come on now then, Aldo. We've got a beast to burn.

Yeah. You surprised me there. That lecture took an unexpected twist for the better... Well, a twisted, bitter kind of better.

The kid may have whimpered and wailed, but he didn't run. He showed a flicker of promise. Reminded me of me from way back when.

So I'd say he deserves to be treated to a little fireworks display. You never know, maybe it'll help fan the flames of fury within him.

Got it. Well, the Salamandeer wouldn't have gotten far. Let's go!

Hold it right there, Salamandeer!

Well if this isn't a sight... Humans, I believe the direction you want to be running is AWAY from me, not towards me. And why, if it isn't the woeful write-off from earlier. Hah. Hahahahahah. I suppose you've decided that a life of disgrace is not for you, and have come to have me curtail it.

Nah. I just came to watch you burn!

Me, burn? Having a couple of pals along has got you feeling confident all of a sudden, huh? Well there won't be much left of them in a minute. My lizard friend is going to char 'em real good.

Go! Rain fire down upon them!

Hehehe... Good grief. What a clown you are, with your circus-worthy pet in tow.

What were you thinking calling yourself "Salamandeer"? Hahaha, this pitiful little newt bears no comparison with the mighty Elemental Lord. I hope your face is positively crimson from knowing how great a joke you are! Ahahaha!

Er, all right... I hope you've enjoyed your last laugh. Now enjoy being burnt to a crisp!

That's a rather lukewarm shower. Turn up the heat, would you?

Wha?!

If you're not going to bring the heat, then I'm gonna have to cook up a little something of my own!

What you've just felt firsthand is the heat of fiery retribution, dispensed by one equal to the gods.

That can't be! My little lizard... I've been powering him up over the course of countless battles, and it was all for nothing... Well, you sure showed me. Time to blaze a trail out of here.

Hey, there's no running from this battle!

It makes you no better than a crying child, you hypocrite!

Check this out, kid. Think you've ever seen fire go wild before? Then you're going to have to think again!

All right!

You terrorize and kill, but you don't even have the guts to face me? Then know how feeble you truly are! I hereby sentence you, Salamandeer, to a flamey demise, on the charge of being an insufferable wimp!

Fllllllllaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh!

You think the kid is going to be all right?

It's not our job to look after the kid, is it? We've done what we can for him. Let me assure you. One day he's gonna grow up to be one hell of a fiery fellow.

Like you?

Yeah, like me!