Chapter 615: Deep Winter War: General Mizo Arcane (one) (1/2)
The Necromancer stood at the entrance to the rift cave, watching the anomaly as it hovered in the distance. A few meters behind her, the pleasant heat from their fire was a reminder of how important this day was.
”You know some of the Inferno players? Can you introduce me to Pon?” Sawamura's pretty face peeked out from the edge of the warm cave. Mid-Tier Salamander's top healer had a small infatuation with the Inferno Fire Mage.
Frenzy didn't comment, her dark eyes scanning the landscape around them. Hundreds of mid-tier guilds had set up camp in the Cyphix region; all of them were waiting for Inferno's table scraps. Salamander was a lot further out than any of the other guilds.
”Who's this Semmi person? She some sort of bigwig? He can do better than her...”
Frenzy smiled at the comment; after watching the World Series with the group from Inferno, she realized they were very tight. ”I don't think he can.” Her eyes were drawn back to the anomaly as it brightened considerably before elongating into a pillar of light.
”Get back in the cave! Shield the entrance!” Frenzy pushed the healer in front of her just as Salamander's only Earth Mage threw a shield in front of the entrance.
[Blinding Flash]
The hud of everyone in Cyphix opened up at the same time. Displayed in blue were all the groups and guilds gathered in the region. At the top of that list was Inferno.
Morti rumbled out of the breach, his clawed feet digging up deep grooves in the ice as he skidded to a stop. His black nose huffed several times. ”Something bad is here.”
/Inferno: Semmi: Be ready for anything.
/Inferno: Pon: Where's the badass?
/Inferno: Nix: Maybe we got the day wrong? Who was supposed to check?
/Inferno: Pon: It's fine. Let's come back tomorrow.
/Inferno: Jun Li: Look at your huds!
Nix stared down at his hud; when he didn't notice anything, he stepped closer to Pon, who was studying Semmi's hud. ”What am I missing?
Semmi pointed to the dozens of blue groups in the area. ”Half of them are inflicted. See that red dot? It says 'Snow Blindness,' duration of 15 minutes.”
A rumbling sound like a chain being released echoed throughout Colonial, the pillar of light disappeared to reveal a portcullis twenty meters in height and ten across. The heavy iron structure was slowly being opened.
An eerie silence filled the air; the surrounding groups had already discovered that the blindness couldn't be removed with any of their spells.
/Inferno: Ronnie: Hey! It stopped snowing.
For the first time in weeks, the snowfall in Colonial came to a halt. The slightest crack in the clouds appeared, allowing the sun to peek through and shine its light on Cyphix Bay.
Nix glanced around the area; visibility and footing were both good. His attention was turned toward the open gate by a telltale noise that put a wide smile on his face. Immediately he dropped his Salamander form.
Summons [Nightmare].
Nix swung into the saddle with an easy motion and flared up his aura, causing his mount to burst into flames.
The steady noise continued *Clip, Clop, Clip, Clop* until a mounted figure appeared at the iron gate. He was dressed in what could only be described as formal military attire. A bright red jacket with brass buttons over white pants that were neatly tucked into knee-length shiny black boots. His horse was a sleek white stallion that stood close to 20 hands in height.
/Inferno: Ronnie: Nice boots.
/Inferno: Nix: Dibs on the horse.
The rider exited the gate at an easy trot, his eyes focused on the Inferno Leader.
/Inferno: Morti: Can't target him.
/Inferno: Semmi: He's green, a non-combatant.
Nix motioned at Pon and waited while the old man summoned a rather tame-looking mountain pony. Despite appearances, the strain of smaller horses that Nix was raising was known for uncommon endurance and courage.
/Alpha: Nix: Me and you, Pon. Let's see what he wants.
Nix and Pon walked their mounts toward the approaching rider; when they were about ten meters apart, both groups halted.
/Alpha: Nix: Dismount.
/Alpha: Pon: Too bad he's green. We could save ourselves time and wack him.
/Alpha: Nix: Time for some diplomacy. Let's see what he wants.
Nix dropped his flame aura and waited while the old man stumbled through a dismount. ”Smooth.”
The trio met in the middle, stopping when they were a meter apart.
The red-coated man bowed slightly. ”General Mizo Arcane.” The man had slicked-back brown hair, dark eyes, and a fake smile. He was of average height with an athletic build. He wore two weapons, a black pistol that was holstered on his left side and a long saber on his right.
”I'm Nix; this is Pon.” Nix smiled pleasantly.
The General glanced at the two mounts, his handsome face showing obvious contempt. ”Nice horse.”
”Thank you.” Both Pon and Nix answered at the same time.
”I'm talking about that light brown nag. Do you actually ride that thing?”
/Alpha: Wind: This won't end well.
Pon scowled at the General. ”Don't talk shit about Peanut Butter, Asshat.
/Alpha: Fajii: Peanut Butter?
/Alpha: Semmi: That's her name.
Nix took a small step to one side and smiled innocently. ”Let's not get personal, gentlemen. What's on your mind, General? Are you here to surrender?”
The General's laugh was a nasally, high-pitched noise that reminded Nix of a donkey. ”I'm here to offer terms.”
/Alpha: Pon: Terms? What's that mean?
/Alpha: Semmi: He wants us to surrender.
/Alpha: Wind: Waste of time.
”Terms? Right...” Nix took another half-step to one side. ”What's your offer?”
General Arcane cleared his throat and brought out a single scroll. ”Inferno will withdraw from this Realm. The landmass where we are now standing will become my sovereign territory. Flying mounts will no longer be allowed in Colonial.”
Nix shared a glance with Pon before shrugging slightly. ”That seems a bit one-sided. What happens if we don't accept?”
”Permanent death, with no chance of resurrection, for everyone in your army.” The General rested his hand on the hilt of his saber while glancing around the battlefield. ”You won't last an hour if you fight.”