Newts & Alumina

When they arrived in Marse, Brant gave them some encouraging news. The king of Herat had been collecting Alumina lately. But he was not one to part with his jewels for just any task. No, he would only grant such a boon on the one who could find him a decent meal, as all of his food had been tasting bad lately. Rumor had it that the Wizard of Taste of Lyden had found a new taste sensation, but he needed a Purple Newt for it to work. And only insane people would go to that cave.

Not that such words would stop Lyle. He and his friends headed west, stopping in Heart for supplies. There, they went to the castle to gain information. In the kitchen, Fam was asked to taste some food for the king. But when she realized it was slime, she spit it out.

"Hey, Slime Squirrel," Migel joked, "How did it taste?"

"That was mean Migel, why don't you leave me alone?" whined Fam.

Ihrie stepped on Migel's foot. Lyle told Fam, "Don't worry, no one will tease you again."

But that was only an invitation for Rasha. "You know, Slime Squirrel has a ring to it. Much funnier than Fang Girl. How about it, Slime Squirrel?"

Fam began to cry. Migel laughed at the whole scene. And Ihrie stepped on his foot again. The only person who was still calm throughout the whole ordeal was Lyle.

"That was pretty rude Rasha," he stated, "Why don't you lay off Fam for once?"

"Well, I can see now that you like Fam much more than me," Rasha whispered.

Lyle exclaimed, "That's not true Rasha! I just don't like seeing anyone fighting with one another. How about it Rasha, can you and Fam try to get along."

She nodded. "I guess I can try, for your sake Lyle."

* * *

They headed around the continent to the west, looking for the cave. Soon, they had found its location. Once inside, the group began their search for the fabled Purple Newt.

After some time, they saw a large purple lizard. It looked mean and battle ready. Upon seeing the warriors that had entered its chambers, the beast blew fire on them.

"Rasha, hit them with your Flood spell," commanded Ihrie, "If it has a fire attack, water and ice must be its weakness. You're the only one who can do this, I don't think we need my magic enough for me to turn into a mouse and freak the group out again."

Rasha nodded. She then began to concentrate, and called upon the strongest of the water based group attack spells in her repertoire, Flood. The lizard was hit by the spell, but still wasn't down.

It began to spring towards Rasha with incredible speed. The sorceress tried casting another spell, but it was no use. Nothing seemed to stop the beast when it was ready for the kill.

Nothing, that is, except one angry swordsman. As the monster headed for Rasha, Lyle's mind began to relive Meria's death. He remembered how he had been unable to protect her from the demon that had claimed her life. Lyle vowed not to make the same mistake twice. The young man leapt at the beast with all the fury he could muster up, and slew it with his sword.

It turned out that the monster was the legendary Purple Newt everyone had talked about. Lyle took a survival knife, and hacked off several good chunks of meat from its body. 'That ought to be enough for the chef's recipe, at least I hope so. No one wants to come back here,' he thought.

* * *

Once in Lyden, they found this Wizard of Taste, and gave him the Newt. He instantly began to make the seasoning for the king. The gang was asked to stay the night at his place.

That night, Rasha woke after another one of her dreams. She had been fighting against her friends, and then Lyle had killed her with his blade. Then, Fam went over to him, and gave him a kiss. To her surprise, Lyle returned her gesture, affectionately. A tear flowed down Rasha's face.

"You know that this is for the best Rasha. You're a demon in human skin, and I can't have someone like you running around, causing destruction," Lyle stated coldly.

She had begged, "But Lyle, it's me, Rasha. Remember me? I'm you're best friend. How can I be a demon, we've been together since we were both children."

Lyle shook his head. "Just take one look at yourself. You only thought you were human. But in reality, you were no more than a demon."

Rasha looked at the mirror like tiles on the floor. She saw her own face in them, but something was different. Her eyes, once blue and radiant, were red, and as cold as ice.

'Why do I dream like that?' wondered Rasha, 'Just who am I really."

* * *

The next day, they took the new ingredients to Herat in order to give them to the cook. With them, he cooked up the most amazing meal. The king was so impressed, that he ordered his armory unlocked, and all of the warriors get a new suit of armor. Of course, he also gave them their Alumina.

Lyle now was wearing a Gold Plate, Gold Gloves, Gold Boots, and a Gold Band on his head. Rasha was given a Gold Protector, Gold Arms, Gold Leggings, a Celtic Circlet, and a Purple Ring. Migel received Gold Armor, Gold Gauntlets, Gold Guards, a Gold Helm, and a Black Ring. Fam put on a Gold Guarder, Gold Bracers, Gold Ankles, a Gold Hairpin, and a White Ring. Finally, Ihrie equipped a Gold Brest, Gold Wrists, Gold Greaves, a Gold Headband, and a Blaze Ring. But that was of little consolation for the group. They had all the pieces of Alumina needed, and now could go back to the lab.

- - - -

Although an optional scene in game, Slime Elf happens to be the funniest skit written in the story. For those of you who were wondering, the armor is in this order, body armor, arm protectors, leg protectors, head protectors, and rings. Lyle didn't get a ring because he has the Wave Ring from before.