Even in the winter, the Takan Desert remained unbearably hot, especially to those who had been raised in subzero temperatures. Misavi had difficulty adapting to the overwhelming heat. "Well, it's no wonder they keep the Sun Symbol of fire here," she said with a hint of rage in her voice. Sweat poured into the pores of her clothing, and her once flowing brown hair stuck to her neck and shoulders. "The sooner we get back to Kyar," panted Haruko, "the better." "Hah. If you get back," laughed the pessimistic Lyruc.

The three travelers were greeted by a friendly merchant at Ryngu's solid stone gates. "Welcome," he said, shifting the weight from the huge backpack he carried to his left side. A loosely-garbed arm poked out from under the white robe the man wore and waved. "This is Ryngu, home of the Blaze Badge, Sun Sy-" Lyruc cut him off with a menacing growl. "We don't have time for a history lesson," he rumbled in a deep, threatening voice.

Very silently the merchant led them down a sandy road to the town square, where a huge pit of fire gurgled; there was no visible hint of it slowing down or going out. Fascinated, Misavi asked the local man who had been so kind as to lead them to the fire, "How does it keep burning? I see no wood." "That is the magic of the Blaze Badge," said the merchant. "When kept safe in its altar, this fire can burn for years." "That's great," Haruko said, turning to the man, "but we're going to need to borrow that Sun Symbol. A thief's been spotted in other villages." Misavi and Lyruc exchanged worried glances, then stared blankly again at the flame before them.

"Thief? What's going on?" asked a voice that Misavi did not recognize. A boy stepped into the town square, his black eyes penetrating through Misavi's conscience. He was an inch or so taller than her, and muscles bulged on his bare chest and arms. He wore baggy black pants and thick black leather boots. The only clothing on his torso was a thin brown strap crossing his chest from his right shoulder to his left hip. That leather strap held the sheath for his sword, tied tightly so it flapped around his back, but never fell off. He drew his blade and assumed a fighting stance. "Thieves are not tolerated in this village," he growled. "We aren't thieves!" wailed Haruko. "We're trying to warn you of Damagoden!" "Yes, Tezur," said the merchant, "they were simply asking to protect our Blaze Badge." The boy's eyes softened, but he was still unsure whether to trust them or not. "I have learned not to trust Hillu scum," he said, putting his sword back into the holster on his back. "But I doubt a girl would steal such an important artifact." He met Misavi's brown eyes with his own, as if staring right into her soul. She blushed and turned away. Meanwhile, the merchant man hobbled over to a small pot of water. He lifted it gently, pouring just a few drops into a small clay canal. The water flowed quickly through the rut, dousing flames as it traveled to the center of the pit. As the fire flickered out around it, a small metal shape in the very center of the hole was growing more visible. Like the other Sun Symbols Misavi and her friends encountered, the Blaze Badge had beads welded into the bottom. These beads appeared to be made of coal, or some type of volcanic rock. The middle of the Blaze Badge was chipped into a finely crafted flame, and a dark circle had been carved into the very center of the sculpted fire.

The merchant lifted it gently out of its altar, and the Sun Symbol's red glow vanished. He walked up the pit's stairs, and handed the artifact to Misavi. Tezur watched warily as she clipped it to her belt and smiled at him. "Let's hope you can hold onto this one longer than the Rockjewel," laughed Haruko.

Lyruc and Haruko plodded out into the desert without hesitation, but Misavi was reluctant to leave. She put one foot into the Takan Desert, but a hand on her shoulder stopped the motion of her other shoe. "Wait," commanded Tezur, "I'm coming with you." He followed the girl out into the sand, the desert wind ruffling his long black hair.