Chapter 194 Mermaid City: 12th Floor, Stage 1 (1/2)

The setting for Stage one of the 12th floor was a desert. A large sand-colored pyramid structure loomed in front. There were two arched entrances with long stairs leading to each one. There was no water, nor were any Aquarions present.

/Inferno: Ronnie: So... the first stage of the 12th floor seems to be a desert.

There was a wolf-masked individual in front of each door. Nix muttered a curse under his breath.

/Inferno: Nix: Darsi, how many of the Beast-Man bracers were unaccounted for?

/Inferno: Darsi: Eight. Did you find them?

/Inferno: Nix: Maybe.

/Inferno: Darsi: I am actually close to repurposing the recycled ones you gave me, just need a better base enhancement.

/Inferno: Nix: Try Enhanced Merestone. Do you have any tips, Mina?

/Inferno: Mina: The entire 12th floor is controlled by the Grand Elders. They are able to make adjustments and changes but they still have to follow the set guidelines.

/Inferno: Jun Li: They'll be testing us, to find our weaknesses.

/Inferno: Sharl: So they can hire mercs? Suddenly I'm glad that the Upper-Tiers left Colonial.

/Inferno: Semmi: Sorry to butt in, I'm monitoring from Parliament. It doesn't add up, why would they bother?

/Inferno: Ronnie: It's obvious isn't it? To attack our weakness later.

/Inferno: Nix: No. Semmi is right. We are missing a vital piece of information.

Nix turned toward Mina, his yellow eyes staring intently. She was hiding something, he could sense it now. ”They know we can change personnel and tactics. We can regear for any occasion. Unless of course... We can't.”

/Inferno: Semmi: What? Do you know something Nix?

Inferno: Mina: I've been hiding something about the last stage of the 12th floor. There is no second chance. If we wipe on the first attempt, we won't be able to challenge it again.

/Inferno: Milat: Mina! That's vital information. Why keep it to yourself?

/Inferno: Mina: At first it was so far away, I didn't think it was important. In the last few raids, I've been scared. Because... because.

Nix placed a hand on her shoulder and squeezed gently. He wanted to be mad, but her image faded in his mind and was replaced with a small Aquarion girl whose hands were covered in chalk. ”I've earned more trust than that. So have the rest of us.”

Mina stared at the ground, her pale eyes looked impossibly sad. ”I'm sorry,” she whispered softly.

/Inferno: Sharl: Well... That's good enough for me! Let's knock this out.

/Inferno: Ronnie: Yeah... Come on Min, no harm done. You're allowed a mistake or two.

[Whisper: Shae to Nix] Don't be mad Nix. She carries tremendous weight on her shoulders.

[Whisper: Nix to Shae] I'm not angry. I just wonder what she will do when her life's work has been accomplished.

[Whisper: Shae to Nix] I expect she'll stay with the person she cares about most.

/Inferno: Jun Li: No worries Mina but we need complete transparency from here on out.

/Inferno: Semmi: Right! You guys have to change tactics, and not wipe everything out so easily. Nix you need to Throttle the OP way back.

/Inferno: Ronnie: I have a question before we start.

/Inferno: Sharl: Not another theory.

/Inferno: Ronnie: When the raid limit says 10, how come we can bring in Spirit Companions? Shouldn't that violate the number requirement?

/Inferno: Semmi: You only have to meet the requirement at the entrance. Once inside, you can bring in your companions if you have that capability.

/Inferno: Ronnie: I see. Since we have only one chance at the last stage, our mission will be over no matter what the outcome. Right?

/Inferno: Sharl: This going somewhere?

/Inferno: Ronnie: I'm only saying, we could enter the last stage and then unbank our levels.

/Inferno: Semmi: Damn...

/Inferno: Jun Li: Nice Ronnie.

/Inferno: Nix: Let's worry about that later. Let's head in.

/Inferno: Jun Li: Group One will take the left door, scout it out for us Nix.

[Summons: Ducky]

”Follow me Ducky, don't be seen.”

[Dragon Eyes]

Nix stealthed and headed up the stairs, a glance to his right told him Milat was doing the same thing for the other group.

Qez Tilac has been charmed.

Nix slipped the Beast-Master Bracer off of Qez's arm and then Ducky ordered him back to the group.

/Inferno: Jun Li: Want us to keep this guy?

/Inferno: Nix: Nope.

Nix walked through the doorway and stepped into a dome-shaped room, there were a have dozen air creatures circling the room near the high ceilings. He guessed the distance at about fifteen meters. They were shaped like snakes and were completely transparent, Nix could feel the static electricity building up in the room.

/Inferno: Nix: Air creatures in here, they might have a lightening element also.

/Inferno: Rhylia: What do they look like?

/Inferno: Nix: Twenty feet long and thick as a person's waist. They resemble transparent snakes.

/Inferno: Rhylia: Storm Breakers, they have air and water attacks. You'll get a minor shock when you touch them.

/Inferno: Jun Li: Switch to group channel so we can focus on our room.

[You have joined Group Chat]

/Group: Jun Li: They are all grouped up. Suggestions?

/Group: Nix: I can hold two. Ducky can Charm one to fight another.

/Group: Jun Li: Good enough, that leaves two for me to tank.

”Now Ducky.” Nix raised both hands and targeted two Storm Breakers that were flying together. A half dozen Ice Flame strands encircled each one. Immediately Nix felt the jolt of a shock run up both arms.

Ducky has charmed an Alpha Storm Breaker.

[Gemini's Challenge]

The Gemini Temple's Champion has issued a challenge, all hostile creatures within range must answer.

Nix's entire body shook as electricity coursed through him, he gritted his teeth and cursed Rhy's 'minor shock' description.

[First Strike]