The Searing Magma Thread

The magma boiled and rolled in the underground pool. A great reptilian head rose from the pool’s surface, a dinner-plate sized eye opened and looked around. “Where am I? Who am I?” it thought. Slowly the great body pulled itself free of the molten rock, shaking material from its scales as it did so.

Lifting its head, it sniffed the air. Feeling the cooler breeze from a lava-tube, it turned that way and began ambling down it. Emerging into the sunshine it blinked as the light stung its eyes. Finally they began to focus once more.

Looking around the creature took in the beauty of nature; the flowers blooming, the birds singing, and the soaring trees overhead. Desiring a closer look at this beauty, the creature walked slowly towards a bunch of blue flowers. As it got closer the flowers wilted in the heat, by the time the creature reached them nothing remained of their beauty. Reaching out in sorrow at what was lost, the creature cupped the wilted blooms in its claw only to have them burst into flame, within a few seconds nothing was left but a pile of ashes.

Weeping tears of flame the creature attempted a few more times to touch the beauty surrounding it, only to have the same thing happen each and every time. Finally it gave up and retreated back into the magma cavern once more.

Years passed and the creature occasionally emerged to admire its surroundings. Over time it was spotted repeatedly by nearby people who were terrified of the monster they perceived it to be. They periodically sent adventurers to investigate the Salamander, but none could get near enough to its home within the magma chamber to encounter it.

That is, until one teenager came through the town and was sent to check it out. The teenager for some reason could handle the heat as well as the occasional rock-fall and finally, the magma chamber was reached…

“What are you doing here? Don’t you realize it is dangerous to get too close? Only stone can survive my touch!” rumbled deeply from the Salamander’s throat as he entered.

“I was sent because you are scaring the people who live near the mountain!” the teenager replied.

“I’m no danger to them; they only need to keep their distance!” the Salamander answered back.

“I need proof or they’ll never believe that!” the teenager responded.

“Bah, isn’t the very fact that I never leave the mountain proof enough? Now why are you still here? I already told you to get out!” the Salamander said.

“And I told you, I need more than just your word that you are no danger to them!” The teen said.

“I said get out! Now leave!” the Salamander responded angrily; this time it lashing its tail and sending magma cascading at the teen who threw up his shield to block it while manifested his blade.

The battle had begun…