I
"Flammik." Ekimu's voice was heavy with disgust as he said the protector's name, pacing around the table. "I have been told that, while Makuta and I were away, you have been directly disobeying the Protector Code—namely," he said, emphasizing the word, "unnecessarily killing creatures."
"It was necessary!" Flammik snapped. "Those wolves were nearing the city. They could have been planning to run in and kill some villagers if I hadn't intervened. If anything, you should be thanking me," he added, in a tone resembling disrespect far too much for comfort.
Ekimu stopped in front of where Flammik was sitting. "Just because they could have been planning doesn't mean they were. How far away were they from the city?"
"Well… thirty meters at least," came Flammik's hesitant reply.
Ekimu blinked. "They probably didn't even see the city from that distance! Besides, wolves don't eat Okotans unless they're starving."
"They could have been!"
"As I've said before, this doesn't mean they were." After he said this, Ekimu put a hand to his head and sighed. "Can you tell me exactly what happened?"
Flammik nodded. "That I can do. I was guarding the bridge to the city when I saw some dots appear on the horizon. Thought they were travelers at first, but the fact that they were on all fours told me otherwise." He hesitated. "Then I got out my bow and dealt with them. There you go, Ekimu."
Ekimu looked into Flammik's eyes. "I have a feeling there's more to this story than what you're telling me."
Flammik frowned. "Look, that's all I did. I saw some wolves that might attack the city, and I took care of them. That's my job, as if it wasn't obvious."
Ekimu sighed, then said in a calmer voice, "My apologies, Flammik. I just can't shake the feeling you're leaving something out. Can you tell me what happened again?"
"I've already told you!" Flammik said immediately, eyes averting for a split second.
Ekimu leaned close to the protector, staring deep into his eyes. His voice dropped to a chilling whisper. "Tell me what happened again, Flammik… but the whole story this time."
Flammik was startled at Ekimu's bluntness. After a pause, he sighed helplessly. "Alright, alright, fine. The whole story. Well, when I saw the wolves, I grabbed my bow. But when I saw how many there were—pack of twelve—I realized an average bow wouldn't be enough. So, I ran to the forge and took some elemental fire crystals, using them to power up my bow. Now, it could shoot blasts that caught fire to whatever they hit! I knew you wouldn't approve of this, of course, but—well, you weren't here, so how could you know?"
Ekimu folded his arms, frowning, but said nothing.
Flammik went on. "I ran toward the wolves, then ducked into a crevice. From there, I shot at them. Twelve shots, and I never missed my mark." He grinned. "And the howls they made—it was so satisfying to hear that pain they so deserved. When I climbed out, all twelve lay dead at my feet, scorched and burnt. I even kicked a couple of bodies to see if they were really dead, and yeah—like I said earlier, I never missed a shot. Not even the ground was burnt," he finished with a chuckle.
"Flammik…" Ekimu stood up straight. "I don't know how this… this sadistic madness has possessed you… but I'm afraid I can't allow you to be a protector any longer."
The protector jerked up, as if snapping out of a trance. "Wait, what?"
The mask maker's fists shook. "You have broken both a rule in the Protector code and in the Mask Maker Code, not to mention you lied to my face. Therefore, you can't be a protector."
"But I was—I—"
"You killed innocent creatures and stole elemental crystals for your own gain, Flammik."
"They were for—"
"I am withdrawing your status as protector. Because you have no children of your own, I will be handing down the title to your younger brother, Mamuk. You are now dismissed, Villager Flammik."
Flammik staggered back, as if physically struck. He stared at Ekimu incredulously for many moments, then, after a quick nod, ran out. He did not look back.
