Chapter 541: Stalking the Nymph (1/2)

The Ravager left Pon, Shae, and Fey just outside of the Keep while he bailed off of his Raven and started paddling through the surf toward the Keep's steep walls. His three friends were belted into the saddle of their respective bone crows. Their task was clear, kill Glacia with the Trinity flame.

/Alpha: Pon: Not sure I approve of a mission where the plan is for my mount to return to base with my unconscious body.

/Alpha: Nix; We could always forget to bring you back.

/Alpha: Fey: We're ready, Nix!

/Alpha: Shae: Line her up for us; we'll finish the job.

/Alpha: Nix: Never doubted it.

/Alpha: Darsi: There are a bunch of people on the roof of the keep. It looks like they are doing reload exercises with those cannons.

/Alpha: Nix: After we get our shot off, you can take out whomever you like.

/Alpha: Darsi: Thanks, Trip-7.

[Whisper: Nix to Ducky] Coming through your window in twenty seconds.

[Whisper: Ducky to Nix] Nix? You are okay?

[Whisper: Nix to Ducky] Yes. We'll chat in a bit.

The Ravager's sharp claws dug deep furrows into the Keep's wall as it climbed upward with little hindrance. He was just below the surface of Ducky's window when a quick pair of hands reached out and nabbed him.

”Nix!!” Ducky squeezed him tight like you would a favorite stuffed animal before she rained kisses on his nose and head. Her pale blue lips smiled wide enough for all of her teeth to show. ”Are you going to meet with Glacia again?”

The Ravager waited until the Water Witch set him down before answering. ”She had her chance. The three of us are going to take her down.”

Ducky sat on the edge of her bed and kicked open her trunk. ”I managed to grab some gear from the armory; I'll put it on while you brief me.”

Ravager Nix turned his back politely while Ducky changed. ”You, me, and Pradi will lure Glacia into the path of the Trinity flame.”

Ducky made a noise from behind him. ”That scary flame that they teamed up to make last time?” The Water Witch shuddered in reflex; it had blown a large hole completely through the keep. If they were able to hit Glacia with it...

”Yes. Where's your thief?” Nix stood on his back legs, peering into the open doorway. His eyes changed from yellow to red, but no thermal images were within range.

”They think there's a water Nymph in the lower levels. Pradi has been trying to find it.”

The Ravager's gaze stayed on the open doorway. ”Let's get him up here.”

Ducky shook her head slightly. ”Communication with the lower part of the keep isn't possible.”

”Let's go round him up then.” The Ravager waited until Ducky exited the room and then fell in step beside her.

They passed several Trifecta members on their way to the lower level entrance, but none of them dared stop Ducky. Sandi had been very clear, kill Pradi if you get the chance but avoid starting anything with the Water Witch.

/Family: Nix: Who is the strongest Witch in the Keep?

/Family: Ducky: Hulo.

/Family: Nix: Never heard of him. Part of Trifecta?

/Family: Ducky: Yes. He is the Vice-Commander under Sandi. There's a peculiar scent that lingers around him.

/Family: Nix: My Ravager nose can figure it out; let me know if you see him.

They turned down a long hallway, dimly lit by torches that caused their shadows to dance on the walls. A group of players stood in an open archway; they moved to one side when they saw Ducky and the Ravager.

/Family: Ducky: Seems that our luck is good. The one with the short brown hair is Hulo.

Ravager-Nix stared at the man, letting his vision cycle through the different ranges. The black predator seemed to stumble before righting himself and continuing through the nearby doorway.

/Family: Nix: Hulo has no thermal signature.

/Family: Ducky: What does that mean?

/Family: Nix: Not sure. I have an artifact that does something similar. Anyone could have one, I guess. The real problem is that he smells like dragon. A particular dragon.

/Family: Ducky: Jargon Kane?

/Family: Nix: Yes. He hasn't been seen in the Sky Kingdom for quite some time. Tai thinks he is at the Tembai Academy.

[Whisper: Hulo to Glacia] Free information for you. Ducky just entered the lower halls.

[Whisper: Glacia to Hulo] I don't really care.

[Whisper: Hulo to Glacia] Pradi is already down there; Ducky has some sort of vicious-looking predator with her. Dark as night with a long body and snout.

[Whisper: Glacia to Hulo] That is interesting. Thank you, Hulo.

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

After ten minutes of swimming down long hallways and diving into flooded staircases, Nix was convinced that his next puppet hybrid would have some otter in it. The Ravager was a decent swimmer, but its long claws were made for rending flesh.

The duo stood at the intersection of two long hallways; the water was deep enough to soak Nix's underside while he darted back and forth, searching for scent. The Ravager stopped suddenly, its black nose sniffing the air. ”Found Pradi, this way!”

Nix splashed noisily down the hallway while Ducky followed effortlessly behind him; her fluid stride was silent despite the water level reaching her shins.

Glacia has cast [Ice Wraith].

”Pradi!” Ducky sprinted down the hall, increasing her speed until the Ravager struggled to keep up.

They turned a sharp corner and then immediately slid down a steep ramp that had been coated with ice. The Ravager's long claws dug into the Ice while Ducky glided down without a second thought.

”Welcome, Ducky.”

You have entered a Binding Circle.

Nix and Ducky both stared in surprise. Glacia had come, but she wasn't alone.

”Is this creature your familiar, Ducky?” A woman with curly brown hair and eyes the color of sand, spoke softly in the dim light. She wore a short black robe, with leather leggings and open-toed sandals that exposed her painted nails.

Ducky ignored the woman and glanced at her thief. ”Are you okay, Pradi?”