Chapter 212 - Gemini Temple: The Lower Levels. (Part One) (1/2)

Nix baited his hook, the loud snoring of Morti and the wind blowing through the long gra.s.s was the only sound in the early morning. Vooni and Fajii left for Solomon City at dawn to start her training. Unable to go back to sleep, he decided to drop a line in the water. His thoughts strayed to the Scorched Earth Mage; he was worried about her. ”Those clowns in Solomon City better leave her alone.”

[Whisper: Cyan to Nix] Could you contact Shi at your convenience Nix?

[Direct Contact: Shi]

A life-size holo of Ice Lord Shi popped up in front of Nix. She seemed shocked at first but adjusted very quickly.

”Nix! It's good to see you again.”

”I agree. Thank you for your help with the Cai'Song Artifact.”

She waved her hand, her pale face blushing slightly. Since Shi ranked up, her appearance was that of a young woman in her teens. Although she was an Ice Lord, her personality was quite warm. ”You had an entire army Nix, I've never seen such a thing.”

”Cyan asked me to contact you. Is there something you need?”

”My acolytes have been discussing your pilgrimage from this place to Cyphix; the distance is a bit over two hundred miles.”

Nix smiled slightly, although it was a h.e.l.lish few days, it was a memory he cherished. ”What about it?”

”They want to retrace the path you walked, making a holy pilgrimage from here to Cyphix. I worry about their safety.”

[New Group Quest Available: Upper Tier]

Pilgrimage to Cyphix

An essential figure in the Temple of Ice once embarked on an impossible journey to free himself from captivity. Escort the Acolytes of the Ice Temple while they retrace the Path of Ice.

Reward: Ice Feather.

Description: A great Ice

Phoenix once roamed the

area. This feather has many

benefits.

Nix read the Quest, unsure what to think. ”Even under ideal circ.u.mstances with proper supplies, it could be a dangerous journey. I will a.s.sign a team to escort them if that's acceptable.”

”Yes, of course, Nix. Thank you.” Shi favored him with a smile, ”we look forward to the arrival of your team.”

Nix fished for a few hours, enjoying the peace of the early morning; until the sound of hoofbeats caused him to turn. Flash was running nearby, the demon mare, and a few others were following him. Nix fished an apple out of his inventory and walked toward them. Right away, the ears of the demon horse p.r.i.c.ked forward, her nostrils flaring at the smell. With a bit of coaxing, she approached and took the apple.

”You wrote the book on playing hard to get.” He patted her neck gently while speaking to her in a soothing voice. ”Let's go for a ride.”

After walking her back to the stables, Nix saddled the demon horse and climbed up. Right away, he could feel her potential. He let her trot easily while he made his way back to the Gemini Temple.

/Inferno: Nix: Ronnie, could you gather some information on Horse Breeding? Especially cross-breeding demon strains with regular horses?

/Inferno: Ronnie: Sounds like a challenge, Nix. I'm on it.

/Inferno: Nix: Zeta Team report to the Gemini Temple.

Nix said it before he remembered that Hyai was visiting her daughter; however, she was the first to arrive a few minutes later. He tried not to stare, no two ways about it; she wore armor well.

[You have started Zeta channel]

/Zeta: Nix: You guys up for a Group Quest?

/Zeta: Banzi: Of course, boss.

/Zeta: Nix: Pick up any cold-weather supplies you may need. You'll be escorting a group of Acolytes from the Gladis Hub to Cyphix.

/Zeta: Wylie: It's a quest from Shi?

/Zeta: Nix: Yes. It's labeled as Upper Tier, so I'm guessing there are going to be some difficulties involved. Do your best.

[Whisper: Hyai to Nix] Gladis to Cyphix? That's the path you walked when we first met.

[Whisper: Nix to Hyai] A good memory. I would have run the whole way had I known you were waiting.

Hyai laughed and hugged him before stepping away.

/Inferno: Esta: I need your help with something Lord Nix.

/Inferno: Nix: Just Nix is fine. What's up?

Nix followed the sound of talking and quickly found Esta and Elune in the Training Yard. Sharl and Jun Li were sparring each other with their new abilities. They stopped when they saw Nix.

The Gemini Priestess looked especially troubled. ”Remember when I mentioned that there were a few lower levels to this Palace?”

Nix nodded. ”Esta and the Acolytes should have started exploring them already.”

Esta's crystalline form waivered in front of Nix, her eyes looking worried. ”We've cleared two levels down, but the third level is an instance. When I sent a dozen Acolytes to explore the instance, they were killed within a few minutes.”

”d.a.m.n,” Nix muttered a curse, Arch Winds would resp.a.w.n in Air'Voilla when they died, it was sometimes challenging to convince them to come back. ”All of them were killed?”

Esta shook her head. ”Ten of them, two are unaccounted for.”