Chapter 250 - Raising Inferno (part one) (1/2)

Nix heard a contented sigh and felt a cool hand caress his forehead; it was a moment before he recognized that the sound he heard came from him. Slowly he opened one eye, a beautifully alien face was staring down at him.

”I don't like it when you do things like this Nix.” Mina's warm voice was laced with concern.

”I agree, death sucks.” He opened and closed his hand a few times before sitting up. ”Better that then trying to spend the next few weeks using one arm.”

Nix had deliberately left his amputated arm untreated. It had taken longer than he would have believed but eventually, his health completely expired because of it. He died sometime during the trip back to the Dias Fortress. A glance around the room told him that he was back in Halla's study. Milat was sleeping nearby on the floor while Mina was acting as Nix's headrest.

”I find that I like taking care of you Nix,” Mina stated innocently.

”Right... Thank you, Min.” Nix pointed to Milat. ”Why is he on the floor?”

Mina shrugged slightly. ”Seems like the Copyright skill takes a lot of energy. He could barely walk up the stairs.”

”How did I get here then?”

Mina offered him a guileless smile. ”I carried you.”

Nix glanced at his hud and noticed an unread message from Beta. ”Beta stopped by?”

Mina nodded. ”She seemed very happy.”

Nix opened his hud and read the message from Beta.

Nix,

Thank you for bringing me here. My memories of my family were mostly lost except for a few fleeting images of my parents. My mother and Yuli's mother are sisters. I don't want to get into everything but I am happy to have this chance. I will stay here for a few days. I already notified Commander Mtui that I'm taking some time off.

Beta.

[Whisper Nix to Beta] Take some time and get to know your family members. I'll send you back anytime you like.

[Whisper Beta to Nix] I owe you one. Two actually since you saved my cousin earlier.

[Whisper Nix to Beta] We're friends, so it's expected that we help each other on occasion.

[Whisper Beta to Nix] Chiba says the same thing.

[Whisper Nix to Beta] Right before she asks to borrow credits for booze.

**************

Bali gave Ronnie a crooked smile. ”Ready?”

The dark archer nodded and held out her hand. ”Better if we step on the 3-way at the same time.”

Bali took hold of the hand she was offered. ”It's called a 2-way.”

”Is it? I like 3-way better.” Ronnie's dark eyes held the spark of humor. ”Too bad Nix isn't here.”

”Take this serious.” The ranger bit her lip to keep from smiling. ”The range on 3-ways is about 800 meters.”

”Don't you mean 2-ways?”

”.....” Bali. ”Damn you.”

An instant later they stepped onto a crudely carved platform that had one set of stairs leading down. The only light was from an opening at the bottom of the stairs. Ronnie notched an arrow on her bow and activated her stealth.

”Is that the camo-overlay that I've heard about?” Bali followed her down the steps, had they not been in the same group she would have been completely invisible to her.

”Yep.” Ronnie cursed the narrow passageway. She felt exposed without Rocky present. ”Nix will make it for you if you ask.”

”Shit... we've left Elynmoor.” Bali grabbed Ronnie's arm and stopped her from going further.

Ronni stopped with a few feet of the exit. ”Is that bad?”

”Yes. We're returning!” Bali turned and fled up the stairs giving Ronnie no explanation for her sudden withdrawal. She stopped suddenly at the sound of footsteps coming down the steps. ”Shit... There were two of them.”

Ronnie peaked around her. ”It sucks that I'm right all the time.”

With nowhere to retreat to, both archers went for their bows.

[Sniper]

Ronnie has scored a critical hit on a Krayven footsoldier.

[Hamstrung]

Bali has targeted her opponent's legs. A Krayven footsoldier has been slowed by 40 percent.

[Powershot]

Ronnie has fired a stunning shot, a Krayven footsoldier is stunned for 5 seconds.

[Three-Shot Burst]

Bali has hit her target three times in succession.

[Three-Shot Burst]

Ronnie has hit her target three times in succession.

A Krayven footsoldier has been mortally wounded.

[Pierced-Shot]

Bali's shot has ignored armor protection and scored a critical hit on a Krayven footsoldier.