Chapter 138 Archon (1/2)

Shae studied the stone, her expression unreadable. ”Archon is the highest class of Salamander. It's after Nemesis, there are none of those in Colonial.”

Nix nodded, ”I figured as much. Is it directly after Nemesis?”

Shae nodded her head. ”The Salamander ranks are Elemental, Spirit, Lord, Nemesis, and Archon.”

He had seen what Archons looked like in the illusion. ”There aren't any Archons in Colonial.” Nix stared at the stone, ”somehow it feels wrong.”

”I agree... It should be destroyed.” Shae's voice was firm, ”it goes against the order of things. A Class V reward for a mid-tier quest?”

Nix placed it on a flat rock next to where they were sitting. Shae picked up a larger round rock and together they held it for a moment. ”This is the right thing.”

”This is the right thing,” Shae agreed.

Together they slammed the rock down on the spirit stone and everything went black.

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Nix woke sometime later. Instinct told him he was no longer in Colonial. He tried to sit up but discovered he couldn't, he was in Salamander form. Every fiber of his body burned in agony, his emerald flames engulfed his body as he struggled to stand. Shae was unconscious a few meters away, she was also in Salamander form. He turned toward her and starting crawling, his body didn't seem to want to move and his thoughts were clouded.

”What have we here?” A clear male voice spoke from behind him, Nix lacked the strength to turn and face the newcomer.

A wide-jawed face covered in scars bent over him. ”Not dead I see.” When the voice moved to check on Shae, Nix got a good look at him. His blood ran cold when the man bent down and touched Shae's forehead with one hand.

”Don't touch her!” Nix staggered up, three strands of Emerald flame shot at the stranger.

A white wing that burned with silver flames blocked the strands easily. The man laughed. ”Fire strands? That's really interesting. ”I came here to investigate an Archon burst on the lower plane. As you can see, I am an Archon myself.”

He turned away from Shae and approached Nix. ”Stop struggling, the fact that you can even survive here is a testament to your strength. Let me sum it up quickly, before you and your mate perish. You attained a spirit stone. The Archon class was, of course, a trap. Had you used it, eventually one or both of you would have gone insane with power. I'm impressed that the two of you sought to destroy it.”

Nix tried to speak but only managed a low groan. The entire world seemed to be pressing down upon him.

”If I leave her like this, she will certainly die. You'll die also, but unlike yours, hers will be permanent.” He moved back to Shae and knelt down.

”Don't let her die.” Nix managed to push out the sentence, his vision starting to fade.

The Archon nodded. ”Take heart and grow stronger. You've plenty of time, Salamanders mate for life.” He picked Shae up and spared one last glance at the emerald salamander. ”Rise to the top of this world, and then the next. It is there you will find the right path.”

Nix watched as the Archon disappeared with a flap of burning wings. Next world? Oasis?

You have discovered a hidden class.

You have died.

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”Champion?” The voice of the Fire Palace's High Priestess rang in Nix's ears, he felt warm hands healing him. Derva helped Nix to his feet, her pale face full of concern. ”What has happened?”

Nix moved away from the altar, he knew without looking that it was no longer a place he could enter. ”Shae has taken the next step in rank, it will take several months to complete.”

A few minutes later Nix entered his houseboat, for once there wasn't anyone else present.

He brought up his stats, staring at the display.

Nix [Race: Human/Salamander Hybrid]

Inactive Hidden Class: [Stats may not be displayed at this time.]

”Okay then...”

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/Inferno: Jun Li: Anyone seen Nix? He must have privacy mode turned on.

/Inferno: Mina: I stopped by his houseboat, he isn't there.

/Inferno: Semmi: Let's get started... Welcome, Nansu.