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The Fire Temple

Beatle enters a flame temple back in the snowy mountains, where he finds an eternal flame. To warm himself up, he immediately runs to the flame and claps his hands, warming them first, and taking off his clothes to enjoy the heat. The blue flame dances around in the darkness, like a glowing ballerina, twirling bizarrely as its cerulean ember paints the atmosphere.

Beatle hears ticking and takes out his blaster, only to see the corpse of some kind of humanoid animal, an Aswang on the floor at the corner of the temple, with his wings still ticking constantly. Beatle realizes that he must've been dead for years, as the ticking stops, but continues. The way the Aswang was positioned with his tail hung from the wall caused his wings to continuously tick to this day. He went closer, and closer, and eventually the ticking stopped, fearing him.

Beatle sighs. "Huh... He's a pure-bred, hm?"

"What do you want?" asked a Mage, walking toward Beatle.

"You belong to their tribe, right?" asked Beatle. "The ones who once lived here?"

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"That is correct. That Aswang attacked us years ago."

"Pure-bred, I believe."

"Mostly pure. Most Aswangs are Mutts whose blood just empowers them. A true Mutt, though. Aren't those a treasure? Legends say their blood can power a thousand worlds."

"And yet, it isn't enough."

The man smiles, seeing the flames behind Beatle to get stronger. "You're him. Aren't you? Master of the Usog Arts. The St. King. I used to school people as powerful as you are here. They are no longer around. I am the only one who remain. Where's your uh... Demi Mutt?"

"Common misconception. I only get one if I fail to save this world."

"Didn't you?"

"No. Because unlike him I'm able to save myself. I need no gods nor Kings. All I have is what I carry with me, and the faith I have to my Dear God."

"So you're not a world-forging fire-bringing bastard?"

"Nope. This is the only world I own, dude."

"Fuck that guy..."

"He ain't all bad. I am the one who trained him." His voice tinged with frustration and pride. "He just... decided to use his powers not for the sake of others, y'know?"

"Ah... Heard that, too. Probably was hard on ya. I'm a teacher, as well."

"Hm... Pwera Usog, dear friend," said Beatle, before walking away back into the blizzard.

The Mage sighs. "Been a long time, I've heard that... Pwera Usog, my Lord."