323 Enu Bak (1/2)

Nix waited until they left and then summoned Nightmare, he could feel Ducky watching him from the river bank. ”Want me to send you back?

Ducky nodded. ”I was playing in the turtle pond with Soup, Gil was there also.”

Nix's face broke into a smile at the mention of the Turtle Titan. ”Why would Gil be there? Is he trying to steal Soup?”

Ducky giggled and nodded her head. ”He probably is, but actually, he came with Scarlett.”

”Scarlett is there? Did she bring Morti with her?”

The Water Witch shook her head. ”No, she wants to talk with you. She has decided to wait until you come back.”

”I see. Tell her I won't be back until sunset.” Nix accepted a hug and then unsummoned her.

Nix patted Nightmare's shoulder. ”Looks like it's just the two of us.” A sudden chill down his spine kept him from climbing into the saddle; he backed up a few steps, his yellow eyes dazed and unfocused.

[Khione is desperately searching for you. You must gather your allies quickly.]

Nightmare stomped her hooves on the ground loudly and shied away when her master fell to his knees. The temperature around them dropped several degrees at once as a layer of ice started to form around Nix's body. Alarmed, she walked forward and pushed against him with her snout.

[Aura Ignition: Emerald Flames]

The ice covering his body melted away; he managed a few deep breathes before grimacing in pain when his flames were snuffed out, and the layer of ice around his body started growing again.

[Aura Ignition: Gemini Flames]

Gemini flames engulfed Nix, giving him the strength to climb to his feet.

[Summons: Fey]

By the time Fey appeared an instant later, the Gemini Flames were extinguished, and Nix was in danger of becoming a block of ice.

[Aura Ignition: Fury Flames]

The ice melted away; this time, Nix didn't return to his feet, his breath coming in great gasps of pain. ”Fey! Bring me to Enu Bak.”

Fey wrapped him up in her arms and pulled him to his feet. ”Where Nix?”

Nix brought up his hud map so she could see the location. ”Stand back...” Ice gathered over his head and face just as he pushed her away.

Nix has activated his bloodline. [Second Form: Emerald Salamander] He dropped to the ground a moment later, his yellow eyes fading slowly.

”NIX!” Fey morphed into sixty feet of Drakon and bathed the Salamander in silver flames. She gripped him in her claws and took to the air with a flap of her powerful wings.

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

”It took me by surprise also Molls, that's why it was so effective.” Molls and Circa sat on a wooden bench near the market square. When the trio arrived back at Ever Flame, Lu had gone off in search of his class trainer while the other two decided to sit down and eat a late lunch.

Molls nodded her head, making her green hair sway gently. ”Maybe so, but I couldn't have done it.” The death of the Intrepid by Nix's hands had shaken the druid slightly; she hadn't thought he would be that ruthless.