Smoke rose, spreading darkness into the skies. It flew, almost unimpeded, its color dark, showing the intensity of the flames. Even so, people walked below without care, those flames a daily occurrence. The skies, vermilion and obsidian as reflections of flames, lava and smoke colored the world.

In the midst of hell, gray slabs of stone were carved into mountains, men and women carrying looks from hell moved in and out of those buildings, their faces gray with the soot from the volcanic ashes. To live in Helmgard was to fight, not just against fellow man and beast, but to fight nature itself.

Every so often, a ring would be heard as people calmly, yet quickly, rush into their shelters. Explosions would be heard the world turns into crimson, bright lava embracing it, covering the world back into an untainted emptiness. Yet, moments later, those walls of hardened lava would break as the denizens exit their shelters, ever so used to that occurrence.

Suddenly, a loud roar was heard as people witnessed the creature moving in the center of the settlement. Stone and flames conjured up, creating a gigantic monstrosity that twisted and moved, shifting around as it sent blades of flames and stone all around. Almost emotionless, people took up makeshift weapons, preparing to face the monster. That, too, was just another weekend.

As monster and man faced off, unhurried, calm steps moved forward. Each step was an echo as it sounded, covering the world in its rhythm. The steps continued, causing even the most emotionless of the men to turn around, their eyes widening in shock. The monster, unaware and angry, roared louder as it rushed towards the newcomer, leaving the other men.

As the monstrosity approached the man, standing at thrice his height and ten times his size, none of the men dared turn and help him. Looks of terror on their faces. They were too afraid to move, too afraid to breath.

But not of the monster.

As the man raised his right hand, he grabbed air as it suddenly started to take shape. A few moments later, he held the shadow of a hammer. He casually swung it down as the monster pounced towards him. Instantly, a loud bang was heard as everyone looked in silence at the man, staring at the crater that stood next to him, looking no different from the volcanic craters.

Except that this one used to be a Kolasic, one of the most fearsome monsters in Helmgard, one that countless practitioners would give their lives to take down. Yet, people held no surprise, only fear as one of them gathered his courage to speak.

“Thank you, revered Volcanosmith.”

The Volcanosmith grunted as he ignored the man, not bothering to pause as he kept walking to his destination. He kept walking, as another man approached him, handing him a letter.

The Volcanosmith looked in confusion for a moment, questioning who would bother sending him a letter. He wasn’t known to be the most social person, his contacts few and sparse. He accepted the letter as he resumed walking, opening the letter as he read it.

A moment later, a look of anger flashed on his face as he crumpled the letter, letting a quiet grumble as he spoke.

“Damn you Traves, always bringing me trouble..”