Ambush?

Trees whizzed by as Microwave rushed through the forest. Although the Creator was on its back, its footsteps were light, barely crushing the grass underneath. It would normally be much faster, but she did weigh him down, mainly from her constant shuffling. The fact that it made no mention in face of her inconvenience showed the potential severity of the situation.

Fire itself was not that dangerous. Any secondary schooler with a good head on their shoulders knew how to cast a water spell and, as such, could easily put one out. It wasn't even unusual to see a primary school student on the street playing with fire these days. Such was the benefits of magic. However, there were still a few cases where a fire could cause real damage, such as in the middle of a tinder-filled forest.

"Huh, so fire really does feel hotter the closer you are to it," she muttered.

"We're not even close enough to feel the difference yet," it quipped, not slowing its pace. "At best, the smoke in the sky is a bit thicker."

"But isn't it brighter too?"

"Is it?"

"I don't know."

"Then why are you saying it..." it sighed. "Also, do you not know that fire feels hot?"

"Well, magic keeps you perfectly cool! Why would anyone know how fire feels?"

"Wouldn't it be obvious?"

"Why would it be?" she tilted her head, confused.

"Haah. Is there anything you don't use magic for?"

"Hmm... well... umm..." she struggled to think of anything. "Oh! Talking! ...maybe." She wasn't completely sure. She used magic subconsciously, never putting too much thought into what needed what. The only reason she noticed her reliance in the first place was because of the restriction. Though, at the moment, she had hacksawed Microwave into that role.

Choosing not to respond, it focused back on the path ahead. A few creatures flitted by, mostly squirrels and some smaller animals. A few birds also flew by, but most escaped upwards. In either case, none of them noticed the pair.

"Well, that's boring," she commented. "I thought at least one would try to attack us."

"Not encountering distractions is a good thing, if I'm not mistaken."

"But where's the fun in that?" she lolled. "It's a fire! There should be chaos! Or at least a bit of blood!"

"Or maybe your seniors are handling the fire well."

"Ugh..." her mood soured thinking of such an anticlimactic outcome. Though, she doubted it would come to that. "Well, I don't think it can be put out with just water anyway."

"What did you say?"

"Oh, nothing important."

"I think that's actually pretty important."

However, she kept her mouth shut, so it quickened its pace. While she was insane, even more so nowadays, she never expressed concern on a whim.

Reaching ever closer, the undergrowth brightened in response, as well as the number of animals running away from that light. The smoke that was once a wisp plumed, growing larger by the second. Normally, she would've made some snide remark, calling it a festival, but something else caught her attention.

"Microwave! Stop! Look!!!" she jumped on its back, pointing in front of them.

Against the sea of brown and green, a spot of black appeared. The sound of crinkling grass reached their ears, performing a fast four-four march. A low roar echoed by, sending a chill through the heat. Even the fleeing animals made sure to make way for the lumbering beast. It was a--

"Bear! It's a bear!" she yelled, eyes sparkling. "Look, Microwave!!"

"Yes, yes. I see it."

"A bear!!! You have to fight it!"

"How does that make any sense?" it sighed. "And why do I have to fight it?"

"It's coming towards us! That obviously means it's going to attack!"

"Or it could just be running away from the fire? Like a normal animal?"

"Who cares?!? You have fight it!!!" She wasn't going to take no for an answer. "Don't worry if you break. I'll make sure to get a song worthy of your sacrifice."

"How about skipping the sacrifice," it complained, but it stopped anyway. Her priorities shifted, so it was the duty of a personal assistant to respond to its master's wishes, even over human life. Microwave dropped into a low stance, Creator in tow. She wasn't going to move to safety; after all, hers was the best seat in the house. Who cared whether it was in a predicament? Granted, it was only a black bear, probably a hair shorter than Microwave when standing on its hind legs. But its weight was a different story. A slow charge could easily break one of its intricate parts, and with such a heavy companion, dodging was out of the question. It would need to parry with its legs... somehow. It needed time.

Time it didn't have.

The bear quickly approached, reaching the pair in a few brief seconds. It let out its loudest roar yet -- a final warning to those who stood in its way. The Creator beamed with excitement, words flying around her head, coming together into lyrics. Microwave clicked its tongue from the absurdity.

Then, the bear arrived. Putting all its strength into its legs, and...

...it went around the pair. Rushing off behind them.

Yep. Even a bear wasn't stupid enough to fight in the middle of a fire. Something that couldn't be said for a certain Creator.

"So, are you satisfied?" Microwave asked, dropping its guard.

"...just go towards the fire already."