424 A Different Path part one (1/2)

Tharaka: Former Dragon Master of Icaraphet that Nix put inside an Ashobel puppet.

Cyan: High Priestess to Shi at the Gladis Hub.

Banzi ”Banz”- A tank with Inferno, he concentrates mostly on the embassy because it's convenient for regular travel to the Gladis Hub. He's in a relationship with Wylie. He's Inferno's back-up tank.

Shi: Former Ice Spirit from Cyphix, she ranked up and has turned the Gladis Hub into her Temple.

Wylie: Knight of Colonial that is assigned to Nix. Currently serving as the Ice Champion for Shi.

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Nix stepped off of the gating platform in the Gladis Hub a few moments later. It hadn't changed at all since his previous visit. Wylie and Cyan were training a small group of Acolytes while the rest observed them. Tharaka caught his attention right away, the Ashobel was by far larger than any of the Acolytes.

”NIX!” Tharaka's big booming voice drew everyone's attention as he called out the Inferno Guild Leader.

Nix smiled at the giant furred Ashobel. His coat was much whiter than it had been since they last spoke, the black claws still looked long and deadly. There was a power radiating from him that hadn't been there since he left his dragon form. ”Archon level?”

Tharaka nodded. ”This form is ideally suited for the element of Ice, with it I have managed to restore many of my old spells.”

”I'll have to see what a flying Ashobel looks like.” Nix followed him to a set of chairs overlooking the training mats on the far side of the hall. Shi and Wylie sat watching the group of acolytes, they had both already noticed him.

”Commander.” Wylie stood up and bowed respectfully when he approached. She stared at Nix's companion for a few moments. ”Have we met?”

Fey nodded. ”Many, many times.”

Nix kept the smile off of his face with a bit of effort. Shi, Fey, and Wylie had nearly identical features. Fey's hair was actually silver instead of white like the other two. However, both Fey and Shi resembled females in their late teens. Wylie would never be confused with a teenager, she had the muscles and curves of a grown woman. ”This is Fey.”

Wylie's pale face broke into a wide smile. ”Very tricky. You evolved a human form, congratulations.”

Fey's thin face blushed slightly. ”Thank you.”

Nix spotted three Ice Furies moving toward them, they were much larger than he remembered. ”Holy crap... What are you feeding these guys?”

Two of the furies held back, but the third pushed ahead and stuck a wet nose in Nix's face. Alpha team accidentally wiped out a Fury pack while on a quest. The six pups that survived were brought back to the Gladis Hub and given to them.

”It's nice to see you again, Nix.” Shi stood up and offered him her hand. Nix had personally defended her on a number of occasions and because of this, there was a bond of trust between them. ”I've been doing as you asked, getting stronger. Everyone here has.”

”She is ranking up with me?” Nix turned to Tharaka who nodded in reply.

”I need the two of you to follow me.” Tharaka led them to a large enclosed room with high ceilings. From appearances, it looked like it might have been a gym at one time. It was the only room in the Gladis Hub that was cut off from the heat. The walls and floors were coated with ice while the ceiling presented a jagged collection of icicles.

Nix was no longer someone that was bothered by the cold. He no longer needed to activate a heat ability to stay warm. A large Ice platform was the only object in the room, so both him and Shi took a seat on the edge of it

”Could you display your spells for me Nix?” Tharaka already examined Shi so he focused on the Inferno Guild Leader. ”I don't need to see everything, just your paths, and elementals.”

”Sure. I ranked up my Air abilities earlier, but they haven't been manifested yet.”

Tharaka nodded, thankful that his Ashobel features didn't allow him to show expression. Nix was vastly different than he was the last time they spoke. He read through the impressive list while Shi and Nix chatted.

Nix [Race: Human/Salamander Hybrid]

Primary: Path of the Fire Lord [Salamander]

Secondary: Spellsword

Emerald Flame Strands 100 [Flame Snare] [Fire Root]

Fire Seed [Emerald]

[Fire]

Balefire

Meteor Storm

Combustion

Comet Strike

Tides of Flame

Incinerate

[Multi- Element]

Fire Burst [Fire, Air]

Balefire Burst [Fire, Air]

Flame Throw [Fire, Air]

Gusting Flames [Fire, Air]

Pelt [Air, Earth]

Mire. [Earth, Water]

Lance [Elemental: Fire, Air, Ice]

[Air]

Null

Vacuum