************************************

As the Fire Elemental unleashes the first salvo of their battle – a sizzling Ray of Flame – it occurs to Jack that his choice of the Shield of Balance may not have been wise.
The shield reflects the heat back at the Fire Elemental, and the creature simply soaks up its native element, lashing back at Jack again with renewed power. But after two more such exchanges, the Shield of Balance proves its virtue. The Elemental, charged beyond capacity with magic potential by the amplified reflections from the shield, suddenly explodes into a terrific ball of flame – and is gone!
“Thanks, friend Fearghal,” Jack whispers, patting the shield – but carefully – the shield is hot!