449 Blood Fusion part two (1/2)

Sinfaya collapsed to her knees, her teeth showing in a grimace. ”What is wrong with his flames?”

Deidra gasped for air, her dark eyes showing the pleasure she felt. ”Don't approach him!”

The salamander stood at the center of the triangle, its yellow eyes showing curiosity as it flicked from one person to the next. When the flames surrounding it died down, its red-orange feathered wings became visible.

”Phoenix wings... That shouldn't be possible.” Tai'Qui took a deep breath and focused. She'd heard that Nix's emerald flames could be pleasant when used on another fire creature, but hearing it was completely different than the experience.

”It's calmer than it should be. Nix isn't raging at all.” Deidra approached slowly, ”I sense no recognition from him either, as long as we don't threaten him this should go well.”

The other two dragons closed in, moving slowly. If the emerald salamander was bothered by their presence it didn't show any signs. They stopped a few meters away from him. Without warning an emerald fire strand appeared and wrapped around Sinfaya's waist, lifting her off the ground.

”It's fine! He isn't trying to hurt you.” Deidra motioned for Tai to retreat slightly, they could both hear Sinfaya's quiet moan.

”NO! Don't change forms, Sinfaya!” Tai shouted a warning when she felt the sudden build-up of power.

”I... I can't help it!” Sinfaya's back arched and a moment later a white dragon appeared, instantly breaking the emerald strand.

Deidra muttered a curse and prepared a ward, Nix could easily be harmed by a dragon trying to escape. ”We may have made a mistake.”

The salamander's warm yellow eyes slowly changed to malevolence. It roared again, this time thick plated scales formed on its skin, while wickedly curved talons appeared on both shoulders and at the end of his tail.

”Leave now, Sinfaya. Deidra and I will handle the rest.” Tai shuddered at the killing intent radiating off of the emerald fire creature. It showed no fear of dragons.

”I'll leave it to you two then.” Sinfaya took one last look at Nix before flapping her wings and shooting into the air.

Before either of the other two dragons could move, the salamander appeared directly behind the white dragon, hundreds of emerald fire strands wrapped around the wings of the dragon, causing it to fall back toward the ground. Just before impact, the phoenix wings flapped once and Sinfaya landed lightly on the sand.

”Deidra...” Tai knew a moment of panic, it was strong. She had a distinct feeling that it could kill the white dragon if it wanted to. ”We're going to need to change, or Nix will kill her.”

”The f*ck is going on over there?” Pon leaned against the railing on the balcony of Nix's house. The entire horizon was bathed in emerald light, sometimes steady and other times pulsing with power. The roars of several dragons could be heard echoing through Haven.

Shae frown at the emerald light. Nix had told of her of the plan to help him undergo blood fusion, but she had reservations. He was a salamander hybrid, not like the dragon spawn that usually received the treatment. ”As soon as the lights stop, I will investigate.”

Pon nodded slightly. ”Alpha team will accompany you.”

It was nearly midnight before the flashing emerald lights finally stopped. The dragon roars that were heard throughout Haven stopped shortly before that. With Shae leading the way, Alpha team's archon group headed in.

/Alpha: Pon: Holy shit...

As soon as they cleared the mountains, Haven's desert came into view. As far as the eye could see, the brilliant sheen of emerald glass reflected the light of Haven's moon.

/Alpha: Shae: Superheated.

/Alpha: Fajii: Dragon to the east of us.

A large black dragon lay unmoving on the smooth surface. It had several shallow wounds but nothing serious. It lifted its head when they landed nearby. ”He's fine, we thought we could handle him.”

Shae shared a glance with Fajii and approached. ”Deidra?”

The dragon changed into human form and staggered to her feet.

/Alpha: Wind: Something kicked her ass sideways.

Deidra's body was covered with scrapes that slowly started to heal, her dark eyes were still filled with shock. ”The others are close.”

After several minutes of searching, they found Sinfaya and Tai'Qui. They were both completely entombed in several feet of emerald glass.

Pon shook his head slightly. He could melt sand if he tried, but not an entire desert of it. With the help of Shae, he managed to free both Tai and Sinfaya.

/Alpha: Semmi: Found Nix!

After searching for the Inferno Leader for several minutes, each of the team picked a direction to search from the sky. It was Semmi that located him. She landed next to Nix and placed a hand on his brow. To all appearances, he seemed to be sleeping peacefully.

/Alpha: Semmi: He's fine, sleeping like a baby. Almost looks like the sleep Morti does after using Rage.

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[0900 hours Fishing Hole, Haven]

Semmi flicked the tip of her rod slightly, sending her lure into the middle of the river. She flipped the gate on her reel and leaned back in her chair.

/Go Fish: Semmi: Yep. Naked Nix. That's your new name.

/Go Fish: Nix: I've been called worse.

After sleeping through the entire trip back from the desert, Nix woke early in the morning without any memory of the night before.

/Go Fish: Jun Li: More importantly, what is that you're wearing?

Nix flashed his two fishing buddies an innocent smile. ”You mean this?”