| Permanent Burns
Elisanne: How is your burn, Princess?
Fjorm: All better now, thanks to Cleo.
Ranzal: Great! Now ya just gotta scarf down tons of healthy grub, and ya'll be back to normal in no time flat.
Luca: Speaking of which, how about an apple? I've got some real juicy ones here.
Fjorm: I am grateful for all of your concern.
Euden: Fjorm? A moment?
Fjorm: Yes? What is it?
Euden: The other day, you went up against the Divine Torch on your own. After that, you put yourself in harm's way in order to protect a child. And while any of us would have done the same, you did so in a terribly reckless fashion. There's something burning inside you that makes you forget basic tactics and common sense while on the battlefield. What is it? What's going on?
Fjorm: Well...
Euden: You don't have to talk to me if you don't want to, but I'm always ready to listen.
Fjorm: No, it's all right. I made trouble for you, and owe you an explanation. My home kingdom of Nifl was devastated by the nation of Múspell. They bathed our kingdom of ice in a wall of flame, leaving nothing in their wake but destruction. The queen—my mother—fought valiantly against them, but eventually succumbed to the forces of flame. She was killed right before my eyes.
Elisanne: That's terrible.
Ranzal: Yeah, I'm real sorry.
Euden: So when you saw the awful things the Divine Torch was doing...
Fjorm: I snapped. That village became my own, and I could no longer see reason. I hate them with every fiber of my being, and everything just went...red.
Luca: Hell, if I saw a buncha folks burnin' a village right after mine went up in flames, I'd probably lose it too.
Euden: But is hate the only cause?
Fjorm: I...
Euden: If it was mere hate that drove you to fight, you wouldn't have thought to save a child. There must be some other reason. Can you tell us what it is?
Fjorm: ...You're right. There is something else. Something even stronger than hate has my heart twisted about itself. It is...shame. Shame at my powerlessness, and the fact I could do nothing but run as my home and people burned.
Euden: And you're trying to shed that sense of powerlessness by putting yourself in danger for the sake of others?
Fjorm: When I'm working to help someone else, it makes me feel...essential.
Euden: But you—
Cleo: Pardon me for the intrusion, but there is a woman who came here hoping to speak with you, Euden.
Mother: Is my son here?
Fjorm: Who is your son?
Mother: You saved him the other day, Lady Fjorm.
Euden: Why do you ask? Did something happen?
Mother: I haven't seen him since this morning. I know he was quite worried about Lady Fjorm, so I thought he might be here.
Euden: I'm sorry, but he's not.
Mother: Oh no... He must have gone for the herbs! Oh, whatever am I to do?!
Fjorm: Tell us what you know.
Mother: A medicinal herb used in the treatment of burns grows in the bog near our village.
Luca: That bog's just a stone's throw away. Is he really not back yet?
Mother: Though close, the bog has some dangerously deep spots, and if one goes far enough into the area, there are even fiend nests!
Ranzal: That ain't no place for a kid!
Fjorm: This is my fault. I must go after him!
Euden: Wait, Fjorm! Don't run off alone! ...I can't believe she did it again. Does she see herself in the child?
Cleo: We can't let her do this on her own.
Euden: I know. Come on, everyone! After her!
Fjorm: Little one! Where are you?!
Euden: Fjorm, you HAVE to stop running off! We're happy to help you look for the child if you'll just wait for five seconds.
Fjorm: The child ran into this bog because of me. It is my duty to find him!
Euden: Blaming yourself for this situation isn't going to solve anything. Furthermore, it's only BECAUSE of you that he's alive to begin with.
Fjorm: And yet, if I were stronger, I wouldn't have taken an injury and we would not be in this situation now.
Euden: That's absurd. If anything, your great strength ALLOWS you to be reckless.
Fjorm: I don't understand.
Euden: You take risks another person wouldn't because your strength allows it to all work out in the end. And when the boy saw that, he may have thought the same.
Fjorm: Have I truly set him on such a path...?
Euden: Don't be hard on yourself—it's a lesson I've had to learn myself countless times. Heck, I STILL do it. I see someone I care about in trouble, and think that if I can just save them, it makes any personal sacrifice acceptable no matter the cost.
Fjorm: But you lead the Halidom! If you fall, your nascent kingdom falls with you!
Euden: Oh, I know. It's a trait I can easily see in others, but one I have a hard time recognizing in myself. But what I've learned is this: Instead of SACRIFICING yourself to help someone, it's better to lean on your allies and help the person together. Do you understand?
Fjorm: I had not thought of it in quite that way before...
Euden: So don't run off every time you see a problem to be solved. Instead, lend your strength to us and we'll solve it together.
Fjorm: That is...a very good point. It would seem I have been less of a savior, and more of a stubborn fool. Right then. Let us go find the boy. I know we can do it if we work together! Isn't that right...Mother?
Fiend: Grrrrr...
Boy: Eek! S-stay back!
Fiend: Gaaaah!
Boy: ...Huh?
Euden: Just in the nick of time.
Fjorm: Are you well, child?
Boy: Hey! What are you doing here, ma'am?!
Fjorm: Your mother was very worried because you came to this dangerous place all alone, so I came to look for you.
Boy: Um, but I...
Fjorm: I know why you came here. I know it was because of me. But you mustn't worry your mother and everyone like that ever again.
Boy: I'm sorry! I just wanted to make up for you getting hurt! I thought I could make it all better if I found the herbs... I knew it was dangerous but... Urgh. I'm sorry.
Fjorm: I'm happy you felt that way. Thank you. But even so, it makes us all sad when we think of the danger you put yourself in. Your life is precious, and you must treat it as such.
Boy: I will, ma'am. I promise!
Fjorm: And I promise not to do anything that makes you worry ever again.
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