Shayla reached the town square first, not aware of how close her companion followed on her heels. She knew she shouldn't run ahead like this because it invited trouble, but reason left her for the moment. As she slowed at the edge of the familiar gray stones, she felt justified. A mass of people gathered at the town's center, almost blocking off their view. Almost. Past the cluster of people and the raised voices, a flash faded away, clearly a remnant of a moment already passed. Shayla stopped, staring in complete wonder for a second.

As if having just shot down from the sky--though she didn't see it exactly--a figure crouched, rings of scorch marks streaking the ground away from them. The voices around her became clear in a single moment.

"It's a devil! A devil!" they screamed "Kill it!"