Chapter 579: Flame Temple (1/2)

[Direct Contact: Leva]

Nix waited for a few seconds until a life-sized holo of the former dark chancellor appeared in front of him.

Leva bowed deeply while offering him a fanged smile. ”How may I be of service, Nix?”

”Do you know what an Arcturis'Fraiza is?”

Leva shook her head. ”Sorry, no.”

”It's a leech that grows forever until something kills it.” Nix paused for a moment while considering the best options. I need as many people as can be spared. Eidengal is covered in fresh meat.”

Leva's dark eyes showed her interest. ”Is this a primal creature?”

Nix nodded. ”Yes, start processing the meat for transport to wherever it's needed. Prepare containers for blood. Also on the outside of its body are bone quills. Save those for me.”

Leva nodded as Nix spoke. ”We'll head out within two hours. Will you be in Eidengal?”

”Alpha is on another mission here, but we'll speak again once it's completed.” Nix closed the comm before turning back toward the King.

Without a doubt, the King of Eidengal found himself in Inferno's debt once again. When Duran asked what Nix wanted, the Guild Leader wasn't shy about it. ”I want the Fire Temple that's hidden in the Great Desert.”

Slowly, over the course of the next hour, the members of Duran's inner circle started to wake up. Many seemed outraged that the Inferno Guild would receive the temple, but the King was determined. He stood in front of his court, a new mandolin clutched in one hand. ”Inferno has come to our aide twice! We would have eventually lost the Bone Fortress, despite heroic efforts on behalf of my nephew and niece. Then there's this arctic leech. This world is more dangerous than it was when last we roamed this desert.”

Edi approached and bowed deeply before the Inferno Leader. ”If you are going to the temple. Would you keep an eye out for Emi? She disappeared right before the city was taken.”

”Emi is safe at Haven.” Nix liked both Edi and her brother; that affection covered their group of misfits. ”Her intel helped us quite a bit.”

Edi's serious face broke into a genuine smile. ”Thank goodness. Did she say what happened?”

Nix nodded. ”Fell off her mount.”

Edi shared a glance with her brother, both of them were struggling to maintain a straight face. ”Well then, I suppose you'll return her when you get the chance?”

Semmi raised a hand to get Nix's attention. ”They need to be briefed about the current situation in Everspire and the rest of the planes.”

/Alpha: Nix: I'll allow Duran, Alfie, Edi, and their group to visit Haven. You three can escort them there when you return my Ashobel puppets.

/Alpha: Semmi: You aren't coming?

/Alpha: Nix: No. Me and the old bastard are going to find this temple.

Nix's Shadow Daiken banked toward the eastern rim of the desert. Because his Raven was temporarily out of service, he brought out the mount he used before the Bone Fortress.

/Alpha: Nix: See that snowdrift that looks like a sleeping dragon?

/Alpha: Pon: Don't say things like that! We'll get down there, and it will be one!

/Alpha: Nix: Fine. See that snowdrift that looks like a keg of cold beer?

/Alpha: Pon: Fuck yeah! I see it!

/Alpha: Nix: The entrance should be around there somewhere.

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

Gideon leaped onto the back of the Howler, slicing through the creature's throat, spraying Jiggs with bright red blood. Rolling to his feet, the assassin kicked the corpse off his scout a moment later. ”Moving kinda slow today...”

Nebs nodded in agreement. ”What's up, Jiggsy? I've seen statues move faster.” The group openly laughed at their guildmate; the most notorious prankster in Salamander had finally been laid low.

Jiggs frowned at the laughing cleric before wiping his face with the back of his sleeve. ”That shitty thing was stealthed! Some sort of rogue howler.” The scout sighed heavily, that damned Nix had stolen his Mojo. ”Anyways, there is no sign of the Fir'Dhassi.”

Gideon zoomed in on the immediate area. ”Parliament has been dark for more than two days. To the point that accessing it from the 69th floor of the Embassy is no longer possible.” The Assassin was wearing a new arctic camo that Nix had drawn up especially for the Deep Winter Offensive. ”You really want to tell Nix that we couldn't find Raine Xai?”

Jiggs shook his head quickly, fairly certain that such a thing would not bode well for him. ”Damn, Howlers are slowing us down.”

”Do not be alarmed.” A voice spoke from nearby, causing the entire group to startle. She appeared in their midst, an Ain'Dhassi ranger with a bow in one hand. Her short white hair was shaved close on the sides and worn in a top-knot.

/Pathfinder: Nebs: That's Nix's camouflage overlay she's wearing.