Fickle Flames

Story Event: Valentine's Confections

Episode 2

Fickle Flames

Previous Quest

An Aloof Dragon

Next Quest

A Welcome Change

Summary

Prometheus joins the party and helps defeat fiends. In the middle of the battle, however, his power goes out of control and ends up hurting the prince. This is their first taste of his awesome strength—and the very reason why Prometheus has long avoided humanity.

Dialogue

Hrrrmmm... That was a hell of a sigh there, pal. Not a fan'a fiend-slayin'? Not exactly. Well, yer injuries have healed, so let's get on with it already. Hrm? It seems your rather noisy dragon friend has decided not to join us. Do you refer to Mym? A dragon's strength is a necessary force to survive any battle. Yeah, no worries on that front. Even when we're not together, she still lends us her strength. Whatever does that mean? Grrrrrrragh! Here comes the party. These are the fiends that have been menacing the region. Let us dispatch them with all haste! Hrrgaaah! Haaaaah! Grrrrrgh! Gyaaaah! Gya! There ain't no end to 'em! ...Er, how's that, Euden? ...Take 'em all out at once? Hey, good thinkin'—guess that's why you make the big coin. Now let's bust some heads! By all in heaven and earth... Ha! Did we not mention our "frail" human friend here can shapeshift? I have heard tell of this...shapeshifting. So that dragon is... That is Mym's true form: the flamewyrm Brunhilda. Such power... That the last of 'em? Yes. Now come, Your Highness. Let us return home. Euden! Take heed! Graaaaaagh! Are you all right, Your Highness?! Hey, watch what yer doin', yeah?! It ain't safe to just be tossin' around crazy powerful attacks like that! Hence why I told him to take heed. Yeah, the warning usually comes BEFORE it's too late to avoid the deadly attack. He's sustained some light burns. We should apply first aid and then hurry back to the castle! What have you done, Prometheus?! You will pay for hurting him! I gave the human fair warning. He was merely too slow. You're lucky he just sustained a burn. This could have been so much worse! Such foolishness is why I detest humans. What? They are frail, pathetic creatures unfit for battle of any kind! That's why— ...Hmph. Nevermind. Prometheus! Get back here! I'm not done talking to you! ...Hmm? Wait, my darling left as well? Where did everyone go?! ....Oh. You. I apologize for burning you earlier. I can only assume your tender pink flesh is causing you agonizing pain. I know you humans are frail creatures, and yet I managed to injure you anyway. ...Hmm? Do I detest humans? No, it is not that. But if you are truly curious, I will illuminate my feelings on the matter. Roughly a millennium ago, humanity cast off the shackles of civilization and began to live amidst the wilds. In one particularly remote border region, the rain fell without pause. Using fire was difficult, and the people there endured a harsh existence. After a while, I took it upon myself to give them the power of flame. Naturally, they were quite delighted by this. They used the magic I had taught them to warm themselves and prepare food, and soon their lives were bountiful. But one day... A fire broke out. An unplanned one. My magic was too powerful, and they could not control it. In a single night, the magical flames devoured their village, and they lost everything. I gave them fire to be their salvation, and instead it took all from them. I learned then my power is too great; it can be the salvation of nothing. And so, I severed all ties with humans for many an age. But lately, I had seen fiends attack the village where you and I first met. I decided to offer them my aid— a foolish decision, as you saw. All I did was destroy the village, which proves my self-imposed exile was the better decision all along. I apologize for all who have suffered because of my actions. ...Hmm? YOU can handle my power? Aaaaah ha ha ha! Oh, I had been wondering how you might respond to my little tale! Then you would form a pact with me? How curious you would attempt this so soon after being wounded. It seems I may have misjudged at least a few members of your frail race. There you two are! I've been looking EVERYWHERE for you! It's almost dinner time. Hurry up and... ...... What's with that look? Relax, I'm over it. And as you can see, even my darling himself isn't angry. That's just the kind of person he is. He's not frail—quite the opposite, in fact. Hmm. You may be right, at that. I hope you remember this in the future! Now come on. Let's go. This castle truly is full of interesting people... Likely because this prince of theirs is such an interesting person himself.