Chapter 620: Deep Winter War: Lake Bachoni (1/2)

Morti has activated [Bone Emperor].

The moment his target's head turned toward Nix, Morti the Titan cub charged. Moments later, he slammed into the Dark Knight with a horrific impact that pushed everyone in the raid back several steps. Nix took the opportunity to strike with both blades at the back of Trumane's knees. But, despite the strength of the attack and an impressive shower of electrical sparks, it had no effect.

/Inferno: Jun Li: DPS to flank!

/Healer: Tess: Putting a HoT on Morti. Normal heal cycle.

Tess has targeted Mortimer and cast [Angels Haven].

The Titan cub stood nearly eye to eye with the armored behemoth. He slammed both paws into the raised shield and pushed forward with all of his strength. Deep grooves were cut into the frozen tundra as the Dark Knight was forced backward.

Within seconds, the Inferno Raid engine was firing on all cylinders. With Morti tanking, the healers had no problems maintaining the Titan cub's health. With the absolute aggro of an Apex tank, the dps was able to go all out.

Nix maintained a spot between Chiba and Rabi. Neither of them liked to fly, so they were taking turns moving in with their chain attacks. A loud bang would sound off every few seconds, signifying that the Inferno snipers in-synch attacks had been launched. The problem was that the Dark Knight's health bar hadn't moved at all.

Dark Knight Truman only used three basic attacks in addition to his shield slam which was completely nullified by Mortimer. He used a swiping attack with his morning star that pushed back anyone that wasn't several tons of bear, an overhand attack that was easy to avoid but would stun anyone within five meters, and a kick that managed to catch Junie by surprise before launching her into the night sky.

/Inferno: Jun Li: How's mana?

/Inferno: Tess: Maintaining at 80 percent.

/Inferno: Semmi: What's going on? This guy can't be damaged?

Nix studied their target through [Dragon Eyes]. Although they hadn't been doing any damage, several hot spots were starting to show up on his thermal vision; particularly on the helm.

/Inferno: Nix: Snipers are targeting the head?

/Inferno: Darsi: You know it!

/Inferno: Nix: It looks like this guy's armor is starting to deteriorate. All ranged dps aim for the helm.

”Me too!” Morti pushed aside the Dark Knight's attempt at a shield slam and swatted him across the head. ”Bear Slap! Here's another... One more!” The Titan cub let his clawed paws go as he bear-slapped Trumane repeatedly with an impact that sounded like a ringing church bell.

[Whisper: Vy Seabreeze to Nix] The Izzin Naval force is at your service, Guild Leader Nix.

Nix glanced at the message that popped up on his hud; stepping back from the fight, he glanced toward the east. ”Holy Crap...”

[Whisper: Nix to Vy Seabreeze] ETA?

[Whisper: Vy Seabreeze to Nix] We'll be coming up starboard in thirty seconds.

/Inferno: Nix: Can you hold Trumane for thirty seconds by yourself, Morti?

/Inferno: Morti: Yep.

/Inferno: Nix: All raid members except Morti, retreat immediately!

[The Izzin Navy has joined your raid]

Inferno retreated without question; Nix waited the longest before taking to the air in his Phoenix form. Then, finally, all eyes turned east, where four ships with billowing masts closed on their location with frightening speed.

Pon banked his Bone Crow to follow Nix while trying to make out the details through the storm. ”How the hell are they doing that?”

A handful of seconds ticked by before the question was answered. The ships had been modified with skids that lifted the transports off the ice. Izzin was the only Naval power in Oasis, and as such, they were much more advanced than their Colonial counterparts. Their cannons could be synched together and aimed using the ship's gunner hud.

/Alliance: Vy Seabreeze: Preparing to fire!

/Inferno: Nix: Time to go, Morti!

Morti finished one last swat before morphing into his bird form and flying into the air. The black sparrow climbed upward, leaving an angry and very confused Dark Knight in his wake.

A hundred cannon hatches dropped open simultaneously, their barrels extended outward while moving slowly as they neared the target.

/Alpha: Pon: Shit. Those cannons are tracking the target.

/Alpha: Nix: Yeah. The Izzin Navy doesn't fuck around.

The first ship came broadside of the Dark Knight and immediately fired: smoke and flame roared outward in a deafening boom that changed night into day. One hundred cannons opened fire as Vy's Command ship passed; a few seconds later, the second one followed suit and did the exact same thing. Within half a minute, all four ships had fired and vanished into the storm.

/Alliance: Vy Seabreeze: Need us to come about?

Nix dived toward the target that was completely camouflaged by a smoke-filled haze. Dark Knight Trumane's armor was in shambles. His helm was gone, and his breastplate was completely destroyed except for one small piece that had been impaled into his side.

/Alliance: Nix: No. We got it from here. Thank you.