Chapter 207 - Solomon City (1/2)
Nix's emerald wings flashed under the light of the Haven moon. He had been surprised that their color wasn't silver; a smile was plastered onto his face as he moved easily through the night sky.
”Very pretty Nix.” A voice spoke from above him, white wings tilted slightly when she banked to come beside him.
”Like em?” Nix grinned at Shadai, ”where are the boys?”
Shadai offered him a sweet smile, she was usually in the company of Cal and Tor. ”Haven't seen them since the party.”
”Wanna race?” Nix knew he couldn't beat an Arch Wind, so he took off as soon as he said it. He heard the pleasant sound of her laughter as she started chasing him down.
[House Foundation Complete 5/5]
Nix slowed and headed to the ground. ”Sorry I have to go. Next time!”
A few minutes later Nix appeared on the 90th floor. Chiba and Rhy were still there, they were sipping out of a silver flask.
”It's good, right? Made it myself.” Chiba's wrinkled face creased into a creepy grin, her eyes seemed redder than usual, even for the chronically drunk swordmaster.
They both looked up when Nix approached, Rhy handed him the flask. ”I very nearly died on several occasions, these trials aren't made for utility cla.s.ses like me.”
Nix tilted the flask and immediately regretted it, it tasted a bit like diesel fuel. ”That's some horrible s.h.i.t, Chiba.”
”Don't be such a little girl.” The old woman accepted the flask back and finished it off. ”Thank you Nix, I didn't expect to ever do the trials again.”
Nix looked at the foundations stone embedded into the floor. There were crossed silver swords and intricately feathered black wings engraved on the stones. ”Now we have to choose 12 pillars.”
Chiba pursed her lips. ”How many of them are ready?”
”Alpha team for sure, Jun Li, Sharl, Mina, Milat, and based on her ridiculous determination, probably Ronnie.” Nix was still satisfied, they were still getting stronger. ”I've decided to bring all of Inferno past the Escalade bridge, it will make travel for them more convenient and help our growth.”
Rhylia glanced around the platform, the transparent images of 12 pillars were plainly visible. ”Where is everyone?”
Nix shrugged, ”impromptu party celebrating... nothing I guess. Just about everyone is sleeping on my floor, several of your Arch Winds are there.”
[Do you wish to access the Pillar Menu?]
”Yes.” Nix studied the menu.
[House of Inferno: Greater House Quest]
Each candidate may attempt the test three times. You are allowed to elect 12 Individuals.
[Greater House Pillar 0/12]
”Fight hard and play hard.” Chiba's ugly smile showed that she agreed with the concept. ”Why don't the three of us head to the 40th floor for a bit of fun?”
The Air Nemesis tilted her head slightly. ”What's on the 40th floor?”
Chiba scratched her chin as if considering the question. ”It's paradise Rhy! Just about any type of fun, you can imagine.”
Nix shook his head. ”I'm out. I'm meeting Breach Commander Mtui tomorrow.”
Rhy shrugged, her black wings moved slightly. ”I'll go. Now I'm curious.”
”The floor Steward Kai is one of my best friends.” Chiba winked at Nix. ”Last chance lover boy.”
Nix remembered the first time he visited the 40th floor. ”Pa.s.s... Do you know Kai? Is that a Man or a Woman?”
Chiba licked her lips and pulled Rhy toward the elevator. ”A little bit of both!”
”Didn't expect to see you here Nix.” Mina's voice pulled him from a deep sleep, a sudden shift of the bed told him that she sat down.
Nix didn't bother to open his eyes. ”Shoo Min, I'm sleepy.”
He felt a soft hand caress his face, Aquarion's had some odd habits. Their concepts of intimacy didn't match up with humans. ”I find myself with nothing to do.”
Nix finally opened one eye. Mina's white hair hung over her shoulders, her pale eyes watching him. ”Did I make those pajamas?”
Mina nodded. ”Of course Nix, I only wear clothes that you make.”
”There is an Aquarion House in Solomon City, the Archons we faced were more than likely from there.” Nix watched her for a reaction.
”My knowledge of my own culture seems lacking now.” Mina could remember the shock she felt at seeing winged Aquarions, she had also felt deep envy. ”When was the last time you slept here?”
Nix shrugged and sat up slowly. ”The Beach Cottage bed has always been the best around. We are going to take the Guild to the Escalade Bridge today. You should go too.”
”I will... You make it sound like you won't be there.” She followed him outside. For some reason, Nix liked to jump in the water when he first got up.
[Summons: Soup]
[Summons: Ducky]
Soup followed him into the surf while Ducky yawned and took a seat on the beach. The blue-haired Water Witch smiled at Mina. ”Good Morning Mina.”
”Oh, good morning.” Like most of Inferno, Mina was slightly taken aback by Ducky's increasing sentience. ”You look tired.”
Ducky nodded, ”We fought hard during the trial. You should have seen Soup, went right through the ice and took out the boss.” She clapped when she said it, her pretty face looking happy.
Mina watched Nix swim in lazy strokes for a few minutes before he finally crawled onto Soup's sh.e.l.l to sun himself. ”Ducky... Has Nix mentioned the Black Gate to you?”
Ducky shook her head. ”Only recently have I evolved enough to care about such things. I have heard him talk of it, there's a reason he was able to break the charm while the rest of you couldn't.”
Mina's face turned sad thinking about her small family of three, Nix, Lisa and herself. ”How could I break out of such complete happiness?”
”You ignored the obvious clues right? The chaos mage's charm was imperfect, but only Nix was able to find the errors and act. In the end, he was forced to kill three people that he cares about.”
Mina stared at the man sunning himself. ”S-She would draw on Soup's sh.e.l.l with chalk, no matter how much I scolded her.”
Ducky patted Mina's head the way Nix would often do to her. It resulted in Mina giving her a smile. ”The power of good illusions is that they blend reality with what the target wants, in your case, several things. Peace, home and family.”
Mina stared at the blue-haired girl, just a few months ago she would frolic for hours in the waves while trying to seduce different members of Inferno. ”Do you want those things too?”
”I already have them, Mina.”