Chapter 225 - Spectrum (Part One) (1/2)

Nix could see that there were at least a few dozen Tainted attacking near the back wall at the far end of the cavern. Several oil lamps hung from the rock walls. Evidently someone had been staying here.

[Summons: Morti]

[Summons: Cal, Tor, Shadai]

Morti shook his body, sending droplets of water showering in all directions, apparently, he had been playing in the water.

Nix pulled one of the bear's ears. ”Don't do that right next to us!”

The huge bear yowled. ”No ear pulling!”

Nix ignored his complaints and pointed to the far end of the cavern. ”There's a lot of mobs, but they are really weak. I want you to taunt them, while we burn em down.”

/Inferno: Semmi: Nix! A breach just opened up in the middle of this valley, those Tainted thingies are pouring out of it.

/Inferno: Nix: Need reinforcements?

/Inferno: Semmi: No, we have the rangers, just want you to be aware in case a few of them sneak by us.

/Inferno: Nix: Understood. Take all the scales you can.

Nix considered Semmi's words carefully as they made their way toward the fighting. If Tainted were being sent through a breach, it stands to reason that the culprit was a Breach Commander. Deidra also admitted that the Breach Commander ability was a Dragon skill. Nix felt like there were a few pieces missing still. Rogue Dragon? A hidden Breach Commander?

Morti increased his speed the closer he got to the fighting. By the time he was within 10 meters of them, he was lumbering at a full gait. He entered their perimeter without slowing, swatting aside Tainted when they got in his way. At the center, he stood on his back legs and roared. The sound was nearly deafening in the enclosed cavern.

[Ground Pounder]

Morti's huge paws slammed down on the rocks, stunning all enemies within range.

[Absolute Defense]

Morti has sh.o.r.ed up his defenses and has become difficult to hit.

[Absolute Challenge]

A t.i.tan has laid down a challenge, all enemies within range must accept.

[Tide of Flames]

Nix's flames washed over the tightly packed Tainted, just as the rest of the group waded into them. Within a few minutes it was over and a pile of tainted lay on the rock floor.

/Hunter: Jun Li: Why were they so tightly grouped? What happened to their enemy?

Nix was dragging Tainted away from the pile and relieving them of their dragon scales one by one. The last body revealed one last tunnel straight down, Nix could see the bottom only a dozen feet away.

”Oh no...” Nix swore under his breath and eased himself down through the tunnel. A half dozen fur-covered corpses were present.

/Hunter: Sharl: What's wrong Nix?

/Hunter: Nix: It's my boys...

Nix found Po's body among the others and started searching for Amb and Tofo. He had met the Ferret-men on the 5th floor of Mermaid City where they had been imprisoned. Although he hadn't known them long, Nix had taken a liking to the fierce companions. They had fought and shed blood together but in the end, separated and went in different directions.

”Big Boss?” The tubby Ferret-man was sitting against the dirt wall holding Amb in his arms.

”Hey, Fatty.” Nix moved closer and knelt beside him. ”Shadai! I need your help.”

Tofo was covered in blood, there was a deep slash across his abdomen that he held closed with one hand. ”They were after our Spectrum.”

”Spectrum?” Nix moved to one side and let Shadai squeeze in.

[Blessed Hands]

Shadai frowned when she healed him, immediately trying again before glancing at Nix. ”I can't heal him Nix. His body isn't accepting it.”

The Arch Wind moved among the corpses, testing to see if any of them could be rezzed. She shook her head at Nix a few minutes later.

”F*ck...” Nix removed some cloth from his inventory and pressed it over Tofo's stomach wound. The little Ferret was starting to wheeze and each breathe caused blood to bubble past his lips. ”I'm sorry Tofo, we arrived too late.”

The ferret squeezed his hand slightly. ”Hundreds of years of work, so of course we'd protect it. Everspire... they are trying to raise one of the fallen.”

”Everspire? Where is that? Is that a city?” Nix stroked the blood-matted fur on his head. A low death rattle sounded from Tofo and his head slumped forward.