The Scorching Summit

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Megumi shook her head. "Hunters are just one type. You'd be surprised how awful humans can be to each other when laws don't tie people down. Thankfully, most places aren't that brutal these days."

"Hm, then I suppose humans and monsters aren't that different in some aspects." Jack commented.

The group soon reached the end of the tunnel, which was sealed by an ancient door that Jack moved by tracing his finger along the ancient runes in a certain pattern. The runes glowed a bright blue before slowly rising to reveal the plains:
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"This part of the summit is full of fire Deimos who don't take kindly to humans," Jack said to Megumi, who was busy fanning herself with her hand. "So please be careful. Once we follow the path up to the summit, it will become much cooler and we can find the Obsidian valley. But I think it will be harder for you to breathe since the air gets a little thin." ​

"If they're anything like Asuza, then I don't think I should feel too worried..." Megumi joked, not looking forward to trekking further up.​

"Is she a fire Deimos too? I thought humans weren't that keen on getting along with Deimos that much."​

"Meh, depends on where you go I guess, but she's definitely got the aggression of a fire demon. She's a fire witch." Megumi replied.​

"A witch.... a Paradican?" Jack asked.​

"Yeah, but she never talks about it with me. I don't think she likes being from there."​
 
"Paradican... so she's from Paradise... the land of magic?" She asked Megumi. She made sure to be weary when traveling through this part. Monsters were one thing, but Deimos is a bit a step above the average Monster in terms of strength and abilities. “Are you from Paradice as well, or Empire State, Megumi? You don’t seem to be a witch or a mage.” 

Lava Girl stared at her attire. “Though, it’s been a while since I see a mage around in this place.”
 
"Me? Er, I'm not from either of those places. I was born in the Desolate Lands. But my village was overrun with monsters and raiders, so I don't have a home to come back to there." Megumi tugged at her clothes out of slight embarrassment. "Paradicans dress kinda fancy, since they have all those casinos. But these are my work clothes. I'd have better ones if Asuza didn't spend my money buying so much frilly goth crap! I'm also too dumb to learn magic, so I've just adapted my own style of using my life energy."

"Desolate Lands... it sounds..." Jack trailed off.

"Totally lame! I mean, there's no laws, no government, monsters all over the place, and gross radiation stuff that probably makes you grow an extra head or something. And everyone's poor and grumpy and could kill ya for a biscuit." Megumi complained. "Well, I'm still poor, but at least nobody will steal my stuff while I'm asleep. I just have to worry about having a mean witch for a roommate."
 
“Desolate Lands… the lawless land…” Lava Girl shivered the thought that people can do whatever they want, whenever they want without any form of consequences. She felt sympathy that she was in the situation. “Well, hopefully we can find those minerals and give that to your friend! I am sure she is having a blast right about now. Who knows, she’d engage in a group herself!”
 
"If anything, I'd be more worried about anyone that's stuck with her. She's a handful," Megumi laughed. 

Suddenly, Jack held out a hand to signal for them to stop. "We have company."

Megumi blinked. "Huh?"

"Hah?! If it ain't Jack Marrow! What made you come out yer cave, ya old bag of bones!?" 

Out from the lava spumes walked out a skeleton similar to Jack, but his bones were as dark as the ashes covering the ground all around them. He wore charred robes that hung loosely off his frame, grasping onto some kind of staff as a small herd of black sheep with flaming wool followed behind him. Several of them left his side and approached the girls, mostly gathering around Lava Girl and bleating at her.

"Skeletornelius," Marrow greeted. "I'm just showing some youngsters around. Out to get Obsidian, they say."

"Hmph! Good luck with that," Skeletornelius said. "Are you sure that's a good idea? Especially with a human, those things tend to roast up here. The summit isn't even safe for most of us anymore... not since a bunch calling themselves the Flaris Tribe showed up."
 
Lava Girl sweated a bit when the several sheep let out a small cry at her, though she tried, or, attempt, to pet them. She raised an eyebrow when Skeletornelius spoke a tribe. “Flaris Tribe?”
 
"Doesn't sound familiar." Jack chimed in.

"Aye," Skeletornelius said. "They're a bunch that are driving the monsters off the summit to harvest the obsidian. Built a temple up there for something..." He scratched his chin as the sheep continued being cuddly with Lava Girl. "But I can't tell if they're humans or monsters... Perhaps they're Deimos? The armor doesn't give anything away. I only know that they ain't from here. Probably worship some kind of fire diety."

"Obsidian's just a pretty rock. It isn't that special is it?" Megumi was curious. "Either way, I didn't spend all day in this sweltering heat just to leave all because a bunch of dorks are hoggin some rocks for themselves."
 
“Deimos…” Lava-Girl said. “They do have a master of arts in Anti-Magic… but I figure something like that would be too hot for them to handle.” Lava Girl turns to Megumi. “I don’t think there’s anything special about the rock itself, but if they are humans, they will always find ways to put value on it in order to increase their monies…” 

She turns to Skeletornelius. "Are they dangerous?"
 
Megumi wasn't sure what to make of the situation, since the circumstances seemed too unfamiliar to think of a plan. She looked on with a confused expression.

"I left before they got the chance to 'convince' me to leave. But..." Skeletornelius paused in thought, having remembered something. "When they were running us out off the summit, I caught a glimpse of a few. One was a big looking oaf with a large hammer. Probably could smash in a few pillars if he wanted. There was a smaller one with him, fully armored. Those two stuck out to me, but I don't think they're leaders... look more like the heavy-arm enforcers of the tribe."

"No instruments then? Maybe they're monsters too." Megumi guessed.

"Possibly. Maybe they could be Hunters, but with stuffy armor like that, I doubt they're humans... Either way, they're outsiders that don't intend on letting the locals live peacefully."

"We could check it out for you then. I've been looking for a fight anyway!" Megumi offers.
 
Lava Girl sweated a bit. “W-well let’s make sure that this isn’t some misunderstanding! They could be monsters looking for a home to settle in…” Lava Girl was concerned that the group composed of those in heavy armor. The only one with something like that is usually the Clan of the Swords… but considering the heat, they are definitely monsters. 

“In agreement with Megumi, we should at least check it out since we’re going that way anyways… they might prove an obstacle in our way.”
 
"It's either them or me, but they waltzed in here like they owned the place. Pissed off the fire Deimos, no doubt. Those ones are always itching for fights... place is probably a hot spot with fire flinging right about now." Skeletornelius grumbled. "Either way, I'm helpless to do anything about that. I'm just a simple shepherd."

"Are you implying you want us to deal with the problem for you?" Jack asked.

"Ah! You're volunteering then? Good on ya... I knew I could count on you! Hope you don't mind I stay at your side of the summit until this whole thing blows over, yeah?" Skeletornelius laughed before making some kind of whistle noise through his nose holes at the sheep. "Let's go, ya fuzzballs."

"He never was the type to fix his own problems..." Jack muttered as the other skeleton herded the sheep down the hill, briefly followed by some other monsters here and there not looking for more trouble. "Fine, but you owe me some good brew after this!"

"To the top of the summit it is!" Megumi said, heading uphill. "Maybe those guys are nice after all, but somehow I don't think they're the friendliest bunch..."
 
"W-wait Megumi! Don't go on ahead, it might be dangerous afterall..." Lava Girl quickly followed the headstrong girl. "I would like to think that they just wanted to find a home for themselves without problems... but if they're driving people away.... it definitely doesn't sound too good." She turns to Jack. "Have you noticed any activity of monsters or Deimos moving in around these parts."

She narrowed her eyes. "W-what if it's a Demon!? They're often brutes without mercy!"
 
"Well, the place is normally chock-full of fire Deimos, but I've not considered the possibility of a Demon making their way here," Jack said. "Monsters as well, but only the ones who are purely fire elemental in nature. Outsiders is a strange concept since the fire-based ones can't cross the oceans without a proper form of transportation."

"If it's a demon, that'll be even cooler to fight!" Megumi cheered. "That's probably the only thing that would make everyone else move down the summit to lower ground."
 
“Aren’t you a bit too excited, Megumi?” Lava Girl felt a bit nervous. “Demons are a lot different than monsters… and they aren’t too kind like Deimos…” She shook like a leaf; like humans, demons are usually just as cruel, some might even do it for the sake of the fun. “I hope it just a big misunderstanding, whatever going on down there…”
 
"Aww, are ya worried about me, Lava Girl?" Megumi beamed. "Don't worry, I can hold my own against anybody! I might not look much, but I used to hunt hunters not too long ago..." she chuckled before sticking her tongue out. "Demons are probably super strong, but anything can be beaten if you just learn how it attacks first. I think..."

"But it wouldn't be all that good if I died out here, so I promise to be careful." She winked and gave her a thumbs-up.

"I get the feeling that there is more than just a simple misunderstanding. Nobody has ever disturbed the dichotomy of this island to such an extent in centuries. Not even the humans that come here to hunt for sport make this much of a ruckus," Jack Marrow said. "Perhaps it may not be demons... I don't see why they would be in need of armor though."

"That would be bad for you since you're nothing but a bag of bones!" Megumi laughed. "In the Desolate Lands, there's this group called the Dalv Tribe but I'm pretty sure they're all humans. But I don't think those guys would bother coming to an island like this besides mining the place for any treasures. Wonder if they're related to this one?"

"Doesn't matter. Whoever this tribe is, is a threat. Regardless of who they are, they must be dealt with accordingly." Marrow said sternly. "Especially if they're humans who don't know their place in this world."
 
Lava Girl was still a bit uneasy about whatever it is causing a ruckus down there. As she trail behind the two, something fell near her. She instantly jumped and hugged Megumi from behind. “W-what was that!?”

It appears a body that seemingly burnt all the way through. It was not a monster nor a Deimos. It does not seem like a Demon, but rather, has the traits of a human. It had armor, but it was damaged. No weapons on it. There was no traits of any fresh flesh, since it burnt thoroughly across the body. Eyes were nothing more than void onto the head and its teeth were practically melted.
 
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