When the Walls Start Tumbling Down

Chapter 2

An almost dome-like bubble of heat and fire surrounds a small cottage in one of the darker corners of Inner Yutifia. The flames lick at the maroon brick and charred-black shackles, rising and falling to the beat of their fiery dance. Despite the appearance of a hellscape, the cottage appears surprisingly cozy and inviting with its ashy cobblestone walkway. Inside the glowing home is an assortment of tools and workstations ranging from metalworking to glass making and a small, circular area with worn leather chairs and a fireplace, most likely making up for a lack of a kitchen. In a corner with the least amount of soot and ash sits a sturdy but minimalist bed with worn edges and a rustic feeling to it. About seven feet away from a raging bonfire stands a young, purple skinned monster with small, evergreen horns, long, soot-colored hair, and tusk-like fangs sprouting from her lower set of teeth and almost curling over her lower lip completely with a closed mouth. She wears black, metalworking overalls with a lavender symbol on the front which almost appears to be "V9". Her small hands bear brown, leather, protective gloves that come up to just below the elbow. She stands over a red-hot iron rod and concentrates intensely as she rams a hammer on to its glowing surface while flakes of heat escape like fireworks. Soon, the iron rod cools to a chalky white and the young monster stops her hammer. She removes one of her gloves and grips the rod firmly. Her lavender hand emits visible heat waves, like a blacktop playground in the summer, and the rod begins to glow a cherry red hue. She raises her hammer to strike the rod again when an audible thud emerges from her front door. She places the rod into a bucket of cold water and watches it sizzle for a moment while she replaces her glove. Her orchid colored eyes peer out the eyehole and spots a vermilion colored monster with petunia hair and towering yellow horns; he appears to be about her age. He stands outside the dome throwing stones at her door, almost afraid to go in and get soot over his well-tailored vest. The female monster sighs sarcastically and emerges from her ashy cottage to greet her friend. She swipes at her clothing to rid herself of the soot, but it's already stained her overalls even more. "Pharafet!" the well-kept monster greeted with excellent dictation, "Finally! I would've came to the door but I don't do ... heat." Pharafet nodded and said with a lisp, "Oh trust me; I know you don't do heat, Mr. Posh-Upperclassmen."
"I thought you'd forgotten we were to have an outing today, my vertically-challenged friend." The posh monster stated with a chuckle. "I wouldn't really call it an outing, Roschind, considering we're just going to the makers market," Pharafet spoke slowly and sleepily. Roschind glanced at his wristwatch and spoke softly, "I was kind of hoping to somehow make it before high moon, but oh well." The two polar opposites started off in a low trot towards a bustling street filled with monsters running amuck and playing their childish games. Roschind was what was called in their society as a "Halvie" which meant that in some way or other, the mentioned monster had a parent that was an Outer Yutifian. They were very highly respected in Inner Yutifia, but cast aside with the lowest of the low above the surface. Pharafet, however, was a crafter; the lowest possible rank in their caste system. Despite their vast differences, the two monsters have gotten along for their entire lives. "How has your vocal training been going, then?" Pharafet asked after a few minutes. Monsters in Inner Yutifia had some sort of power or ability that allowed them to do supernatural things. Pharafet's was the ability to emit heat from her body, due to her overly high body temperature. Roschind's power was the ability to amplify his vocal waves so that they have enough force to move physical objects. "It's been pretty good, actually. I've only lost my voice twice this week!" Roschind said giddily. Pharafet pumped her legs faster and faster trying to catch up with her friends increasing strides, "Could you maybe, uh, slowdown? We're just going to the makers market. Why are you rushing?" Roschind didn't answer, but instead stifled a smile while slowing ever-so-slightly. The two emerged on to a bustling street filled with monsters with an assortment of different features in a rainbow of colors. They weaved in and out of traffic as they made their way down the lane. They eventually reached a particularly mysterious and shiny booth in the midst of vendors screaming to the hilltops about their products. They pulled back a regal blue curtain and stepped inside the dark booth. The inside was even bigger than it appeared on the outside. This was surely a work of magic, right? Inside was a sound-proof, almost wrestling mat floored room that was clearly used for power training. "Huh," Pharafet said in an incredulous tone, "so you took me away from my work before high moon to train?" Roschind removed his vest to reveal a plain button down. "I wanted to try out some tips and tricks I learned, and I found this place a few weeks ago," he said while casually tossing his vest aside as the satin cascades over the floor, "Also, since the makers market never closes, this is always here to use." Pharafet shrugged, "if you say so. Just know that I've also been working on my power." She removed her gloves and tossed them into a pile with Roschind's outer layer. She clenched her fists and small flames danced across her knuckles before igniting into a ball of fire. Roschind cleared his throat and rose his voice, "Ready?"
"Always am," Pharafet smirked.