n

n

nGlory Bay: 5 miles North of Glory

nMilat led the small procession away from Glory, they stayed close to the ocean floor and used the Seaweeds for cover. They swam quickly until he was directed to stop.

nMina stared at the traitors, Yalta, Benin, Fidai, and Bursk.

"This is far enough.

"

nZhava, Fajii, Milat, and Mina moved away from them, all of the Aquarion leader's Eel-gators were hovering behind her. The left wrist of each captive was bound to the prisoner in front of them.

n

"You are traitors,

" Milat said with hatred in his voice. He had lost good friends escaping from the Elder Matriarchs and Nix had saved many of his friends.

"The spirit companion bonds that each of you made have been cast off by our human friends.

"

nYalta bowed his head toward Mina.

"We don't deserve your mercy Filamina. Thank you.

"

nMina's pale eyes showed no emotion.

"Mercy? Is that what you think you are getting?

" She made a gesture with her hand and two dozen Sea-Beasts swarmed in. Unarmed and without armor, the four traitors fought for a few seconds before disappearing in a cloud of red blood.

nMilat shook his head in disgust.

"Traitors... After everything, we've been through together. They would try to take Nix.

"

nIt had taken a while, but Mina was past the initial shock and now anger was bubbling up inside her.

"My judgment is also to blame. I trusted Ishna.

"

nThey swam quietly back to Glory Island. Fajii extended a hand and held Mina's.

"Take a few days to think of what you could have done differently and then put this behind you.

"

nMina stared at her for a moment before replying.

"You've changed so much Fajii. I don't mean on the outside.

" Mina squeezed the alchemist's hand. She had grown stronger and flourished since they joined Inferno.

nFajii favored her with a slight smile.

"It's obvious that you wish to talk to him. He's currently in the Gemini Training Yard.

"

n******************

nSolomon City: Training Yard, The Fire Maze

nPheno stared at his team in disgust.

"That's it? One Fire Creature is stopping you from completing this level. Figure out how to work around it.

nPheno's silver flamed wings flapped gently, keeping him at a hover over the Archon Training Maze. The creature his team was facing was an infamous block for Archon recruits. A blob of molten rock that would retreat back to his lava lair every few minutes. When that happened dozens of its fire minions would rush out and attack. He used his hud to pull up their scores.

nCutter: Fireworm: 85

nShae: Salamander: 77

nFaidyn: Drake: 86

nBorda: Flame Knight: 91

nThe human Knight was definitely outperforming the fire creatures in his training group.

"Come on!

" Pheno shouted at his people who seemed to be unable to proceed further.

"You have my permission to use all your skills.

"

nFaidyn cursed the annoying Pheno under her breath.

"We are using are skills idiot.

" The drake was in human form, her shoulder-length hair was the same color as her flame and eyes, a really pale orange that Shae considered beautiful.

nShae stared at her companions. Unlike them, she wasn't overly concerned with the score. She had passed the same trial that they had to enter the Upper Plains, but this was not her home. She stole a quick glance at her trainer before giving them a sly smile.

"My spirit companion can deal with this thing, however, Pheno said I couldn't use him unless he gave me permission.

"

nBorda scowled at the mention of Pheno.

"I think he just gave you permission. If you have a creature that can deal with this, please summon it!

"

nCutter nodded in agreement.

"He did say to use all our skills.

"

nShae hid her smile.

"Right...

"

nSummons: Nix

nA moment later, the fully armored Nix appeared in front of them. If the sudden increase in gravity affected him, he didn't let it show. He quickly glanced at his surroundings and Shae's group.

"How may I assist?

"

nIt took all of her will not to leap at him. Instead, she pointed at the ugly blob of molten rock.

"That thing retreats into his lair and then an endless amount of fire minions are released every few seconds. We need to retrieve something from inside.

"

n

"Your companion is a 1st tier human?

" Faidyn understood immediately, this was the reason why Shae refused to consider suitors. This was her mate.

"How can you even stand up?

"

nShae felt Pheno staring at her but she refused to look.

"This is Nix everyone. Can you handle that thing?

"

nBurning Aura: Gemini Flame

nNix turned away from the group and walked toward the lava blob. The pressure was pushing down on him but he felt like it was manageable for a few minutes. Unlike previous encounters, the fire creature didn't flee when someone approached it.

n

"How come the blob thing isn't running?

" Faidyn had stared at the two colored flames like everyone else in the group, she had never seen anything like it.

nBorda drew his sword and moved to one side.

"He's only a 50 level. It doesn't consider him a threat. Be ready!

"

nNix raised both hands and a dozen Gemini Flame strands shot out and wrapped around the mass of molten rock. The molten rock seemed to freeze in place for a moment before filling the training maze with a deafening roar, the panicking creature turned back toward its lair.

nNix dug his heels in and pulled back as hard as he could.

"Better hurry!

"

nThe group ran past him, Shae's smiling face flashed toward the entrance, the rest of her group following close behind. Nix released six of the strands on the fire creature so he could free up one hand. It was still dragging him toward the entrance.

nNix targetted the creature and focused on ice.

nIce: Lance

nAs soon as he summoned the lance he threw it into the center of the blob as hard as he could. Flames burst from it in all directions and it roared in pain.

nNix has scored a critical hit on the Molten Lava Creature.

nIce: Lance

nNix has scored a critical hit on the Molten Lava Creature.

nIce: Lance

nNix has scored a critical hit on the Molten Lava Creature.

nIce: Lance

nNix has scored a critical hit on the Molten Lava Creature.

nAfter spamming three straight Ice Lances at it, Nix was forced to retreat when the enrage blob turned toward him.

nFire Snare: Gemini Flame

nA Molten Lava Creature has been slowed by 40 percent.

nYour Strength has improved

nYour Stamina has improved

nFire Root: Gemini Flame

nA Molten Lava Creature has been rooted in place.

nIce: Lance

nNix has scored a critical hit on the Molten Lava Creature.

nIce: Lance

nNix has scored a critical hit on the Molten Lava Creature.

nIce: Lance

nNix has scored a critical hit on the Molten Lava Creature.

nIce: Lance

nNix has scored a critical hit on the Molten Lava Creature.

nIce: Lance

nThe Molten Lava Creature has been Mortally wounded and has entered a state of high vulnerability.

nYour Strength has improved

nYour Stamina has improved

nIce: Lance

nNix has scored a critical hit on the Molten Lava Creature.

nThe Molten Lava Creature has been slain.

nPheno stared at the dead Lava Creature, he could count the number of times anyone had managed to damage it on one hand. He glanced up to see the other three trainers flying toward him.

n

"Captain Pheno! Your team was able to slay the Fire Creature?

" Vooni was one of the strongest trainers, as a direct dragon descendant, she was arrogant like the purebloods of her kind. Her black eyes quickly found Nix.

"A fifty level here?

"

nPheno nodded and abruptly cut her off from asking more questions by flying down to the yard. Other trainers weren't allowed to trespass.

"Recruit Phoenix... That was well done!

"

nNix turned at the sound of Pheno's voice.

"Thank you.

" He kept the strain out of his voice, but he already felt like he had stayed too long. The edges of his vision were starting to darken.

nShae and her friends exited the lair a minute later, they took one look at Pheno who motioned for them to continue. The Archon training group ran for the finish and within a few moments, the exercise had ended.

nPheno eyed his recruit.

"You okay Phoenix?

"

nNix nodded, he could feel sweat running into his eyes, he blinked it away. Raising his arm was too big of an effort.

nPheno nodded and started adjusting the scores. He was finished by the time Shae and her group returned.

n

"Okay... not bad for a day's work. Here are your scores.

"

nCutter: Fireworm: 85

nShae: Salamander: 100

nFaidyn: Drake: 86

nBorda: Flame Knight: 91

n

"Since your spirit companion managed to slay the Fire Creature, you get a perfect score. As a reward, I'm giving you a 24-hour pass, don't be late returning.

" Pheno dismissed the group with a wave and then used his hud to release the gating restrictions on Shae.

nShae put an arm around Nix's waist, she could feel his muscles straining.

"Let's go Nix!

"

nYour Strength has improved

nYour Stamina has improved

nNix nodded and activated Deep Blue, he pulled her closer and chose the Gemini Temple.

n