Chapter 540: Lilac the Menace (1/2)

The smooth surface of the clay tub shone like marble when the emerald flames finally died down. Nix stepped into the in-ground container, wrinkling his nose as the acrid smell emanating from the red surface. After digging out a hole one meter deep and three meters wide, Nix had spent a few hours bringing in clay to line the surface.

”We don't want to miss the meeting, Nix.” Fajii watched from her perch on a nearby rock. She offered her assistance but was turned down. ”Looks like a really big bathtub.”

Nix shook his head slightly. ”I wouldn't have put this much effort into it.” He stepped out and took a seat next to the Aquarion while inspecting his own work with a critical eye.

Fajii's verticle iris's focused on him for a moment before she clasped her hands around his waist. Her reddish-brown hair had grown long in recent weeks, something that had gone unnoticed by Nix. She wore it in a single ponytail that hung just below her shoulders. ”A big pot for cooking?”

”Close,” Nix admitted. ”Going to put all the scrap armor in there and then melt it down.”

/Alpha: Pon: Come to the TOC, Nix. Ya gotta see this. (Tactical Operation Center)

/Alpha: Nix: On my way.

Instead of jumping down, Fajii stood on the large rock, her brown face showing amusement as she looked down on him while keeping a grip on one of his hands.

”Fine. Don't make this a habit.” Nix backed up to the rock, trying not to laugh when she climbed onto his back.

Fajii responded by kissing the side of his neck and holding on tighter. ”What's going to happen to this world after we conquer the Keep?”

Nix started walking toward the TOC, deliberately going slow. It was a warm mid-afternoon with a cloudless sky. A light breeze off the water made the temperature comfortable while filling the air with the ocean's fresh scent. ”No idea. These make good training grounds. We'll probably try to hold onto it while keeping some sort of war game going on.”

”What did you think of Shae's news?”

Nix pursed his lips slightly while trying to navigate a smoother path through the rocky soil. The news from the Falcon, Lion, and Scorpion Titans had all been the same. More than half of the former clans of Everspire had reverted to their Titan forms. It was something Inferno had been hoping for when they started the conversion operation. ”We're moving ahead; the sudden increase in the Titan population isn't going to go unnoticed.”

Fajii nodded in agreement. ”Khione will answer if she still has the ability to do so.”

Nix spotted the rest of Alpha outside of the TOC. Unexpectedly, Lilac was still among them. Since the purple-haired witch had given them solid intel, it was decided that one of the Inferno members would take her as a spirit companion so she could be summoned into a redemption mission. ”Why is Lilac still here?”

Pon was standing with Wind and Semmi, watching the interaction between Lilac and the person chosen for the task, Donri.

/Alpha: Pon: They already bonded, but he can't bring himself to do it.

Nix let Fajii slip from her place on his back. The plan was for Donri to bond with Lilac and then put her down.

/Alpha: Pon: A keg of Semmi's Golden says he asks me to do it.

/Alpha: Wind: Done! He's going to ask Nix.

Donri stared at the witch, his pale forehead glistening with sweat. ”Can't you do it yourself?”

Lilac shook her head before glancing back at the group watching. ”Sorry, I don't have a self-destruct spell.”

Donri's black flames circled him once again. They flared for a moment before dying out completely. ”Nix! Step in here and help me out.”

/Alpha: Pon: Damn it.

/Alpha: Wind: Thanks for your contribution.

Nix left Fajii with the group and advanced toward the freshly minted spirit companions. ”Once we're done with the Bone Fortress, Donri will resummon you, and you'll get an assignment from me.”

Lilac nodded her head; it was what she had agreed to. ”Just use those green flames and end this.”

Nix's eyes shifted between Donri and Lilac. ”I don't think so; this is between the two of you.”

Donri's dark eyes stared in surprise when the Inferno Leader walked away. ”Nix! Come on! We're old friends.”

/Alpha: Pon: Nice... Do I still win if he asks me?

/Alpha: Wind: No.

/Alpha: Nix: Meetings going to start, time to go.

The sudden sound of a fist striking flesh caused everyone to turn back around. A shocked Donri was sitting on his butt, staring up at the witch in surprise. The Necrofire Mage cursed loudly and tried to scramble to his feet, but before he could manage it, a booted foot slammed into his gut, knocking him back into the dirt.

/Alpha: Semmi: Oh god! I changed my mind, let me have that one.

/Alpha: Wind: Agreed, I can squeeze one more in.

/Alpha: Pon: I want to rethink my earlier position!