The party was trapped between burning trees, an encroaching wall of flame, and fire on all sides. Three elemental creatures shaped like deer attacked as well, raking their flaming antlers against each adventurer, engulfing them in flame. In an effort to appease the forest and not anger it, Winry and Jack used magical frost to temporarily extinguish the burning trees blocking their path, and each member climbed their way out. Myetharia held the rear guard, allowing everyone to escape while she took the hits from the elemental deer. Unfortunately, those hits became overwhelming for her, and she was knocked out, still burning from their attacks.
Winry ran back to carry Myetharia to the trees to escape. But when Myetharia regained consciousness, she seemed strangely unperturbed by the fire that still smoldered on her.
Arriving on the other side, the party witnessed a face form in the rolling fire wall - the face of a dragon with a fiery crown of horns. He had this to say:
“Come!” it roars. “Follow the river. Set me free!”
“Know this: I am the flame; I am a prisoner here. Save me, free me from the prison of this enforced flesh, and you may continue to your destination. Refuse, and never shall you leave this wood. You shall be a prisoner for as long as I. You shall burn forever, and never die.”
“I am Indomitability. No wound shall ever defeat me. No fire shall ever destroy me. My power can be yours if you release me.”
“Rest your flesh now in the ruins beyond the bridge. Then you must follow the river down to the singing lake. I lie trapped beneath its surface. Set me free!”
“End the song of the deep, the song of agony and eternal vigil. Silence the forty tongues who hold me here, who doom themselves with my relentless flame.”
“I care for nothing but freedom. If you do not release me you shall suffer my wrath.”
Jack dispelled the flames with his Wand of Dispel Magic, and the dragon's visage dissipated in a roar of defiance. The party took their rest, deciding their course of action.