Chapter 542: Coven Leader (1/2)

”Nix.” Her words were soft, like a gentle wind. She picked up the Ravager and hugged him.

Ravager Nix chuckled and nudged her with his black nose. ”I know why you can't use comms down here. The lower levels of the Keep are neutral, like the ocean.”

”Soupy!” Ducky skipped across the room, her blue eyes filled with happiness as she swept up both her and Nix in one swoop.

”Ducky.” The round face was smiling at the Water Witch while clutching the Ravager tightly.

”Hey... Don't squeeze so hard!” Nix squirmed free of the combined grasps of his spirit companions. ”How long have you been down here?”

Soup knelt until she was eye-level with the Ravager. Her Jade hand stroked his black-furred head while making a cooing sound. ”Nix.”

A pulsing glow from behind them caused the entire group to turn. A silver cloth hung in the air over the corpse of Glacia. The Ravager approached cautiously and studied it.

/Family: Nix: I'll link it.

Silver Witch's Mantle

Elemental: Unassigned.

Description: This Mantle was originally gifted to Glacia by the Goddess of Winter to preside over all Covens.

/Family: Pradi: No stats? What's it do?

/Family: Ducky: What do want me to do, Nix?

/Family: Nix: Equip it.

Ducky advanced slowly, a pale hand reaching out tentatively to touch the mantle. The moment she did, it appeared around her shoulders and lengthened until it touched the floor. The color shifted into a deep blue, the Water Witch's eyes seemed to focus on something directly in front of her. A wave of her hand caused a realm map to appear in the air.

Nix had seen realm maps before, but they had been layered; these were presented side-by-side. When Ducky moved her hand, the next plane rotated into view.

The City of Cyphix was highlighted, a purple point blinked over the city's location.

/Family: Nix: That's the Cyphix Coven, right? Show us Oasis.

The map of Oasis was easily recognizable; there was one marked city.

Nix glanced at Prada, who was also studying the map. ”Know much about Oasis?”

Pradi shook his head. ”Never been there.”

”That's Beco, an illegal slaver city in the Su'Dhassi territory.” Nix frowned at the map. ”I doubt if Pon left any of it standing.”

”It's a closed Coven site. I have the option of opening it up.” Ducky had never heard of Beco, but she was aware that Pon had tracked his daughter's abductors through the Su'Dhassi territory.

”No. Send me all the data regarding closed Coven sites. If Glacia closed them, then she had a reason.” The Ravager turned towards Soup, who was still kneeling next to him. ”I assume you have a way out?”

/Family: Ducky: What do you want us to do?

/Family: Nix: Keep an eye on this Hulo person. Link me that mantle that you are wearing.

Blue Witch's Mantle

Elemental: Water

Description: This Mantle was originally gifted to Glacia by the Goddess of Winter to preside over all Covens.

/Family: Pradi: It customized to the wearer.

/Family: Nix: Time to go. Stay alive and out of trouble.

Ducky hugged Soup tight for a moment, stroking the quill-covered head. ”So beautiful!”

The Ravager glanced at the exit; they'd already been gone longer than he planned. ”I want to see how you're getting in, Soup.”

Soup nodded and scooped the Ravager up. She waved at Ducky and then quickly exited the room.

The Sea-Turtle moved with grace and speed through the water-filled lower halls. At times, her feet would barely skim the surface. After several minutes of twists and turns, they arrived at a small cavern that was half-filled with water. Nix was forced to use Night vision because of the lack of lighting.

”This is the entrance to the ocean?”

Soup sat him down and knelt until she was eye-level again. Her round aqua-marine eyes glowed slightly in the darkness. ”Nix.”

”Thanks for the help today, Soup. You always come through for me.”

Soup patted the top of his head while Nix took a better look at her. Up close, her skin was definitely that of an amphibian. Smooth green scales covered a feminine but well-muscled form. The green quills that covered her head extended down her neck before stopping at her shoulders.

”This cavern must be your entry point. Can you take this Ravager puppet back to camp?”

Soup nodded and scooped up the Ravager in a hug. ”Nix.”