Yuzu and Alena had been watching this from atop the highest peak in the village. Mount Hirioshi. In it's walls lay thieves, strange creatures, and the guardian's of the elements.

"What happened to them mommy?" Yuzu asked quitely.

"I don't know......this has never hapened before...." Alena replied.

In the city, the kobolds stared at the ground as if it wasn't even there.

"They, They......." a female kobold said.

"IT'S AN OMEN FROM MEREA!!!!!" Another kobold announced.

This caused the entire population to go balistic.

"Everyone please calm down!!!!" Alena shouted.

"IT'S YOUR FAULT!!!! NO MEREA IS AFTER US BECAUSE OF YOU!!!!" The kobold yelled.

"We have been doing this festival for 7 years now. Wouldn't he have come out before?" Alena asked.

"Maybe he didn't like that flower!!!! Thia ia EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED SEVEN YEARS AGO!!!!!!!!" The kobold shouted.

Seven years ago, Merea, the fire guardian, unleashed an attack on kobold village. He destroyed the village and killed most of the inhabitants. Some fled, but were later killed by Meloci the water guardian. Yuzu and her mother and some other residents were the only survivors. Each year they send out flowers to remember those who died. Yuzu's father Thomas, was not a survivor.

"I'm certain that the flowers' burning has nothing to do with the attack." Alena said.

"YOU DON'T KNOW THAT!!!!!!!!! IT COULD BE HIS REVENGE!!! TODAY IS THE ANNIVERSARY!!!!" The kobold replied.

In Mount Hirioshi, a group of bandits called the hiroshi dwell.

"GOOD JOB ELVIE!!!!!" Kirosi, the bandit leader announced.

"As usual. I'm only doing what I can to get away from here." Elvie said sarcastically.

"You want to leave???? But you have been such a help." Kirosi said.

"Setting flowers on fire is not my kind of thing, and I am NOT going to help you destroy Merea. Or release him, or whatever it is you plan to do in that strange little world of yours." Elvie said and walked toward the fortress doors.

"What I do is no buisness of yours." Kirosi said.

"Oh Sleep, Eat and Steal? Besides your constant trips to the bathroom....that's another subject. You need to lay off the booze for awhile. Along with the Smoking, Spicy Food, and females. Most definatley females." Elvie said, and trotted out the fortress doors; tail high in the air.

"GRRRR!!!!! SHE IS GONNA MAKE MY HAIR FALL OUT!!!!!" Kirosi announced.

"Or what's left of it." A female bandit replied sarcastically.

"Eve, what do you want now?" Kirosi asked.

"Oh nothing. Just to remind you that you are a failure at everything you do as always." Eve said.

"Why can't you show some respect? don't superiority bandits have feelings too? Honestly Eve, I'm about to cut your head off." Kirosi answered.

"I show you all the respect you deserve you meddling twit. You are a good for nothing loudmouth idiot that doesn't know his way around and likes to threaten people with toys. Well playtime's over. You have messed around long enough and I think that it is time for a new leadership in this part of Mount Hirioshi." Eve said loudly.

"But.....I...." Kirosi said softly.

"That's why," She began as the corridor filled with bandits, " I think you should leave."

The bandits rushed at him each attacking. They all tried to aim for Kirosi but often missed and hit a fellow member. Suddenly, the bandits picked Kirosi up and headed for the fortress gates. What they didn't know was that down below the surface, Merea was stirring in his volcanic tomb. As a result of all the fighting, Kobold village was soon to be bearing the arrival of the fire guardian.

Elvie was greeted by Kirosi as she tried to walk back into the fortress. The bandits closed the door and the guards wouldn't let elvie back in.

"Well what did you do now O great one?" Elvie asked.

"I don't know. But they won't let us back in. I guess we have to leave." Kirosi said.

"Correction," Elvie began to say," You have to leave but I get to stay. It's only a matter of time before they let me back in."

"Hmmmmmmm.......Well I'm leaving." Kirosi said.

"Where are you going?" Elvie asked.

"I don't know. Greenhill maybe, or even Matilda. Depends on which way I go." Kirosi said softly.

"Well, I never liked this place anyway so I'll come along. But what are we going to do about the kid?" Elvie asked.

"I guess that whatever Eve decides to do. I'm not the leader anymore so why should I care about some necklace that we could buy in Muse?" Kirosi said.

"Good point. Hey look....." Elvie stared at Alena and Yuzu trying to convince the villagers to believe their story.

"Please, I know that the flowers burning was a surprize but I am certain that it isn't Merea! Please believe me!" Alena shouted.

"Couldn't help but overhear. Do you need help convincing them?" Kirosi asked.

Alena grabbed Yuzu's shoulders.

"Your'e Your'e...." Alena said.

"Listen to me! I am Kirosi Leader of The Mount Hirioshi Bandits! I set the flowers on fire and Merea does not excist!" Kirosi announced.

"Yuzu.......Run away....." Alena began.

"Don't worry. I am no longer the bandit leader. Just a simple traveler." Kirosi said.