"By the gods!" exclaimed Ate. "It's like a fire in here."

The group tread through the thick forest west of the town of Lindon. The temperature in the forest made the troupe feel like they were cooking in their armor.

"Geez, if there weren't any ladies around, I'd have taken off all my armor in a heartbeat," proclaimed Sven.

"Aw man!" exclaimed Charjer. "That is one picture I did not have to see."

The women giggled at that.

"Is it just me, or is it getting hotter as we walk further into the forest?" asked Smirk to no one in particular.

"It feels like it is," replied Ryoga.

"Hey guys! Look!" said Min in an excited voice. "The area up ahead is on fire. It must have just combusted from the intense heat."

"I'm guessing we're going to check it out," said Kaerith in a nonchalant tone.

Ryoga nodded and proceeded to the burning area.