Chapter 561: Chasing Kane (1/2)

The Silver Drakon glided high above the Turncoat Burrough, her sharp eyes scanning their target. The entire roof of the Keep had collapsed into the floor beneath it, burying the cannons and ballistae under tons of rock.

/Flight: Fey: Break off in groups of three and light it up. Let's show them why they call us Inferno. Muncie, you're with me.

The Silver Drakon banked suddenly, her speed increasing as the dragon puppet struggled to stay close. She aimed for the edge of the Keep and stooped suddenly, her speed decreasing as her wings caused gale-force winds to fan the burning fortress.

[Burst][Drakon Breath: Silverflames]

Superheated silver flame turned her path into liquid, causing it to melt away while she cut a wide swath the length of the Keep. When she pulled up, a wide gap through two levels could be seen.

/Flight: Muncie: Fey's fire exposed the next floor; concentrate your attacks there!

/Flight: Fey: Fly through the attack run; we'll group up over the ocean and make a second pass.

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Nix advanced slowly up the stairs; the heat in the Keep was rising at an unprecedented rate. The sulfur smell of fire drifted downward, and in the background, the sound of intense fighting could be heard.

/Alpha: Semmi: I'm worried about the other group.

/Alpha: Nix: Same here, we'll lend them some Ravager support.

Nix gestured toward the two Ravagers. ”Go gather some Rats and help out our friends.

/Alpha: Sasi: Should we stay with them?

/Alpha: Nix: Stay within one level of us. You're our backup if we need it.

The two Ravagers bolted back down the stairs, leaving Alpha at the entrance to the fourth level.

According to the data they were given. Hulo's office was located on the fourth floor. A stealthed Alpha group stepped carefully into the hall; smoke hung thick near the ceiling as if trying to escape the corridor's oven-like temperature.

/Alpha: Nix: Scouts move forward, Pon and Fajii take the middle. I'll watch our six.

Semmi crouched low, the fingers on her right hand grazing the floor as she moved down the left side of the hall. The stone floor felt like a frying pan; she paused when Wind held up a hand pointed at the two archways ahead.

/Alpha: Wind: Right side, two individuals. Follow me, Sem. Main group hang back.

Wind stopped outside the door as Semmi ducked into the left passage. A moment later, she reappeared and shook her head.

/Alpha: Semmi: Left side is clear.

Two Trifecta fighters stood facing the doorway; the nearer one held a mace in one hand while the other held a bow. Semmi placed a hand on Wind's shoulder and followed directly behind him as he entered the room. When neither enemy could see through their stealth, Wind circled the cleric and came in behind him.

Since her target was standing with his back to the wall, the blond thief waited for her team member. Wind's hand clamped over his target's mouth while his blade punched upward through the base of the healer's skull. The motion caused the Archer to turn and notch an arrow just as Semmi's void dagger sliced through the front of his throat.

Within seconds, the two thieves retraced their steps and started back down the long hall. A door pushed open a few meters away; as the witch stepped into the hall, the floor under their feet lit up with runes.

/Alpha: Semmi: Floor Trap

Nix has shifted into the [Phoenix] form.

Semmi's feet have melded with the floor.

Wind's feet have melded with the floor.

Pon's feet have melded with the floor.

Fajii's Feet have melded with the floor, but her understanding of Scorched Earth has freed her.

Orange and red flames lit up the hall as the Phoenix flashed by the Inferno thieves in a blur of fire.

Hulo has cast [Counterspell: Reflection]

Nix's talons sunk deep into the witch's shoulder, its curved beak pecked at his eyes while the Phoenix's natural flames scorched Hulo.

The witch backed away, roaring in anger as the staff he carried slammed onto the floor.

[Expulsion][Evacuate]

Nix was pushed backward several meters, giving the witch enough time to escape. Two void daggers, a mace, and Balefire flew through the space he occupied a moment before.

Nix dropped the Phoenix form and picked up Fajii's mace while she freed the others. Wind scowled as he pulled his and Semmi's dagger out of the stone wall.

/Alpha: Wind: Just a bit too slow. Sorry.

Pon chuckled from the rear of the formation. ”You fucking pecked him.”

Nix nodded, smiling while remembering the deep gouges he put on the witch's face. Unfortunately, he had missed the eyes. ”He used the counterspell, so I went with a physical attack.”

/Alpha: Nix: Rabi? Are you close? See if you can sniff out Hulo.

/Alpha: Rabi: He's still on your level, just further away

Wind shared a glance with Semmi before continuing forward; both of them wanted to sample the Ravager's hyper-senses.

/Alpha: Semmi: When we get back to Haven. I want a Ravager armor set.

/Alpha: Wind: Same.

/Alpha: Nix: Maybe. Walk us into another trap, and you two can forget it.

Wind frowned from his position at the front. However, he didn't reply but only because he agreed.

/Alpha: Wind: Fighting up ahead. Avoid it? Or lend a hand?

/Alpha: Nix: Our task is Hulo, we can help our friends after.