Blood will never betray you, and it is also useful for stabbing someone in the back.

-Dragon of Destruction

Meanwhile, the Colossus of the Blazing Cities was bathing in lava. Strangely, the searing-hot lava helped him cool his head. When he finished his bath and slowly stood up, however, he bumped into a tall mountain and destroyed it.

A woman’s voice suddenly called out, “My king, please be careful when you move around. The mountains will collapse if you are careless.”

The Colossus’ forehead creased as he said, “Don’t call me your king.”

“All of the titans regard you as their king,” his attendant said.

“The real king resides in the magic tower,” the Colossus said.

“Then what are you?” the attendant asked.

“I’m just a blacksmith, as I’ve always been,” the Colossus replied. He then looked down at his attendant and said, “Bring me my tools.”

“Will you start hammering?” the attendant asked, and the Colossus nodded. The attendant smiled and brought a gigantic hammer over.

The Colossus looked at the old hammer as if it were a slab of gold, then said, “I’ll need a stronger fire to forge a proper civilization.”

Then, he rolled up his sleeves and gripped the gigantic hammer tightly in one hand.

Clang!

The entirety of the Blazing Cities shook as the Colossus struck his anvil with the hammer.

***

Stories told of an ancient place known as the Blazing Civilization underground,...