"It''s a ssic blunder." Nix smiled at the group of Valkyrie that was focused on him.


    Bhal''s wrinkled face showed a hint of confusion. "What are you talking about? Have you made a choice?"


    Nix nodded. "Since I have my gear back... They''re all fucked." The Inferno Leader''s form morphed into a basilisk for a moment, just long enough to petrify the archer with the silver key. Before anyone could respond, he changed back into human form.


    Nix has activated his bloodline.


    [Second Form: Smander]


    Dozens of emerald fire strands pierced through three Valkyrie''s armored breasttes before hoisting them into the air.


    [Air: Burst]


    An explosion of air split open the fighter''s chests, sending bits of bone, blood, and flesh into all directions.


    The Smander''s lowugh could be heard over the warriors'' sudden shouting as a handful of them charged together.


    [Hellfire: Emerald Fury][Firestorm: Emerald Fury]


    The floor around the Smander burst into bright green mes, while at the same time, the sky split open and rained green fire. Unable to stand the mes, the fighters attempted to retreat but were denied when dozens of me strands wrapped around their legs, trapping them inside the Emerald Inferno.


    "Hmm... You invited me to the party. It''s rude to leave first." The Smander held the strands as the shrieks of his opponents rose in volume. After a few seconds, he released the charred husks.


    Bhal was staring open-mouthed at the emerald demon who had been summoned from the sky. "These aren''t the rules..." The older man had managed to flee to one side, altogether avoiding the destruction that was running rampant on the Valkyries. "Now, we''re fucked." The older man''s eyes turned toward the sky; the helmed Valkyrie had taken to the air, her white wings ppingzily as she advanced while the remainder of her order fled.


    Nix resumed his human form and pushed white sonic mes into his sword hilt. The de crackled and buzzed in the open air as he walked toward the winged woman.


    The woman hovered in the air; her beautiful face was too far away to see clearly. She lowered her visor and dived toward him.


    Cara''Su has cast [Silverstream].


    Nix deflected the attack with a casual swipe of his de; unfortunately, Bhal was put into the path of danger, but the older man managed to dodge at thest minute. "Not bad... Too bad you''re as old as dirt."


    The Inferno leader dodged to one side, narrowly avoiding the sh of a long sword as the Valkyrie banked out of a steep dive.


    Nix has cast [ck Ice: Sculpture]


    The flying figure was instantly encased in ck Ice; the effect sent her crashing into the sands of the Arena where she skidded across the sand for several meters. The crowd grew suddenly quiet; Nix could hear his footsteps crunching on the hot sand as he approached the downed Valkyrie.


    "Going to kill her?" Bhal had followed him as if afraid the Valkyries would attack.


    Nix stopped next to the sculpture and put a hand on her head. Beneath his touch, the ck Ice fell away. "Maybe." He knelt by her side, his hand grasping the key that hung around her neck. It appeared to be made from crystal and in the sunlight reflected the entire spectrum of colors.


    The Inferno Leader chuckled and released the key before turning back toward Bhal. "Taking her key would have been the logical course." Nix stepped closer to Bhal and snatched the key that was chained to his assistant''s neck.


    Bhal''s old eyes showed confusion. "It''s always the crazy ones." His image changed slowly, the grimy balding head sprouting long golden locks while the pockmarked face smoothed over and became beautiful. "Apprentice? What are you doing here? How did I get here?"


    "Doing a bit of sparring." Nix had noticed when Bhal was forced to dodge a deflected attack. He had used his Master''s movement skills. "Why didn''t you say anything?"


    Chiba shook her head slightly as if the confusion was still clinging to her. "I didn''t recognize you. For that matter, I didn''t recognize me either. Why didn''t you wait the proper amount of time? I was going to have a nice bed and good food. Maybe a few women to warm my bed."


    Nixughed at his Master''s forlorn expression. He gripped Chiba''s hand tightly. "Time to go, I think." A momentter, they both faded from view."


    ****************


    [Bone Fortress, 1400 hours Ice Faction: 2,415 Undead: 2,201]


    "Don''t be rmed; you know how these things work." Shae''s words calmed the rest of the Inferno officers. They had taken down the Zen Burrough and then two dayster had done the same with Ois. With two more graveyards under Inferno''s control, their numbers continued to swell while the Ice Faction faltered.


    Ronnie''s dark features showed her annoyance. She had rmended they send a second team in to find answers. No one else had thought it was a good idea. "With only two Burroughs left until we assault the Keep, I think we should stop moving forward."


    "For once, I agree with my sister. Although I tire of the Bone Fortress, I don''t wish to move further without knowing what happened with our people." Sharl shared a smile with her sister, who looked surprised at her backing.


    Shae nced at the Keep, her brown eyes taking note of the holding water level. It should have returned to normal by now, but the receding water levels had stopped near the second story. "There''s someone very powerful in the Keep. Although Inferno is up to the task, Nix has a n in ce to deal with him."


    Semmi and Jun Li nodded in agreement. While they were fishing, Nix shared some of his thoughts. The Inferno Leader had discovered a way to destroy Jargon Kane.


    /Officer: Jun Li: We''ll give them a week. If they aren''t back by then, we''ll take another Burrough. Agreed?


    /Officer: Ronnie: Aye.


    /Officer: Sharl: Yes.


    /Officer: Semmi: Yes.


    /Officer: Wind: Yes.


    ****************


    Nix and Chiba reappeared inside the Well of Du''Wei. A figure bathed in golden light hovered in front of them.


    "Well done, travelers."


    [You have retrieved a piece of the Chaos Key]


    Chiba''s form slowly started to drift upward; her beautiful face showed concern. "HEY! My Apprentice is staying behind?"


    Enigma''s glow pulsed slightly. "Your part is done, Honorable Ellisand. Your Apprentice''s path continues."


    Chiba made a face at the Enigma before ncing back at her Apprentice. "Do your best, Apprentice!"


    Nix watched as his Swordmaster exited the well. "Now what?"


    Enigma moved closer to the Inferno Leader. "Time to move forward, Nix of the ck Gate.


    ************


    The ferret-man dodged to one side, narrowly avoiding the path of a dagger shing at his face. He thrust forward with his club, striking his assant in the stomach and knocking him to his knees. A momentter, he finished him off with a two-handed overhead smash that caused the man''s skull to cave in with a sickening crunch. The victor doubled over and vomited blood.


    "Are you okay, Nix" A pot-bellied Che helped him to his feet.


    Nix nodded and wiped the blood from his mouth with the back of his ck-furred hand. With one hand covering his recently stitched up wound, he broke into a trot. "I''m fine, Tofo. Let''s get back before the others worry."


    An hourter, Nixy back on a table while the young surgeon carefully reopened the wound. The yellow-eyed ferret grimaced in pain when she pushed her fingers into his side and removed the small pellet from its hiding ce.


    The surgeon ced the pellet in a small metallic box before she started stitching up his wound. "Thanks for going after my dad, Uncle Nix." The surgeon''s pretty green eyes sparkled at him. Her white fur was stained with blood in several, but none of it was her own.


    Nix shared a nce with Tofo, who was watching the procedure. "The eastern mine is lost; the tainted are everywhere."


    Tofo patted his friend''s ck-furred head. "I''ll take a team to retrieve Po and Amb. If the eastern mine is already overrun, then the southern mine will definitely be next."


    "I''m going with you." Nix grimaced slightly when the surgeon''s needle started closing him up.


    Deya shook her head slightly. "No, Nix. You have to rest. This wound needs time to heal, or it might be infected."


    Nix favored her with a fanged grin. "I''ll take your words under advisement."


    Deya sighed heavily and made a few more tight stitches in her patient''s wound. The yellow-eyed ferret never listened to anyone. "At least get a good night''s sleep."


    Nix thanked her and then sat up slowly with the help of his brother. "Whatever you say. We''ll go get Amb and Po first thing in the morning."


    Tofo ducked slightly so he Nix could throw an arm over his shoulder. "Thanks, Deya. I''ll make sure he gets plenty of rest tonight."


    Deya watched for a moment as her dad left the Infirmary. Although a miner by trade, she was often tasked with assisting the settlement''s doctor. "I''ll stop by tonight, Dad!"