Tinderlock

This had to be the worst day of Wahir's time in Praetoria. Its dark tunnels were cold and damp—nothing like the dry heat he was used to back on Argia. And the rat-like creatures they hunted scared him. They had descended on Kuwat's patrol, ripping them apart with vicious abandon. Wahir had hidden behind a pillar of rock within the subterranean chamber and watched the horror unfold… not really the actions one would expect from an elite tinderlock.

Now Wahir's patrol was on their own, with no support. With each turn, they wandered deeper into the labyrinth. The tunnels grew warmer, and the rodent stench filling his nostrils, nearly making him gag.

“What's that up ahead?” his corporal whispered beside him.

Wahir squinted into the inky blackness. He ran his thumb over the safety of his Blast Infernum, the long barrel of the amplifier heavy in his hands. “I don't see anything.”

“There it is again!” the corporal's voice rose an octave and included a frightened squeak for good measure.

“Screw this.” Wahir flicked the ignition switch on his weapon. “Fire team, light 'em up!”

The tunnel erupted with red and orange flames. Jets of it licked across the glistening tunnel walls as it fountained from the barrels of Wahir's squad. He pulled the shaded goggles over his eyes and saw the rat creatures fleeing in all directions. Some had caught fire and were shrieking like banshees.

Watching the flames persecute the foul beasts gave him some comfort and restored a bit of his lost pride. His weapon spluttered, and he smiled as he flicked the switch to open his second tank.

Perhaps today wasn't so bad after all. Lyshi was the greatest city in all of Argia. It boasted spectacular buildings, a wealth of cultures, and one of the most formidable militaries to have ever existed. Yet still, it was plagued by rebel insurgents.

These guerrilla forces took to placing explosive charges in the sewers and tunnels beneath the city, wreaking havoc on its defenses, commerce, and general welfare. They were the bane of Argian civilized life. Pledging to end this nuisance once and for all, the Earl Marshall equipped his fire wardens with state-of-the-art bloodfire amplifiers to clear the tunnels. Armed with their new blasting weapons, they became known as tinderlocks and quickly became an effective deterrent against any future sappers.