n

n

nNix stacked the last of the pots on the counter to dry and stepped out the backdoor of the Emerald Salamander. Shae and Hyai were sitting at a small table sharing a bottle of wine.

n

"Started without me?

" Nix grabbed the only empty glass and filled it. He noticed that both redheads were smiling.

"Did I miss something?

"

nHyai nodded.

"Apparently, Shae was super nice and brought me three Nether Spells from today's raid at Helfast.

"

nShae was playing with a strand of her hair while she sipped her drink.

"Have to start gearing you up. I'm going to show you all around Solomon City when you pass your Planar Trial. Besides my swords were better than those Nether ones.

"

n

"Hmmm... Can I see?

" Nix downed his drink while Hyai took out the scrolls.

n

"I've been working all day, so I haven't had the chance to learn them yet.

" Hyai handed them to Nix.

nNether Armor

nDescription: Places the protection

nof Nether around the caster.

n 200 Health Regeneration

n 200 Mana Regeneration

n 500 to AC.

nShadow Fiend

nSummons a being of the

nNetherworld to defend you for

none minute. During that time

nthe Shadow Fiend absorbs all damage

ndirected at you.

nNetherpire

nDescription: Siphons your

ntarget's health while refilling yours.

nNix nodded in satisfaction.

"Perfect, at least there won't be any repeats.

"

nShae glanced at Hyai before looking at him.

"Repeats?

"

n

"Sure. I also picked up three Nether Spells for Hyai.

" Nix pulled out the scrolls he chose from the incursion.

nBinding Chains

nDescription: AE spell that

nbinds up to three targets for 30

nseconds.

nNether-Step

nDescription: Your enemy loses

ntrack of you during the fight and

nis unable to target you for 20 seconds.

nDark Summons

nDescription: Friend or Foe,

nDark Summons brings your target

nto you. Range is 100 meters.

nShae clapped her hands when she read them.

"Those are good ones too!

"

nNix pushed all of them toward Hyai.

"Learn them and head to the Gemini Training Yard to test them out.

"

n

"Thank you both.

" Hyai smiled happily and put them away.

"I'm going to put aside some time every day to train with Sila and Kyla.

"

nNix brought up his hud and started looking at the Inferno members.

"Let's see... We've been working on forming permanent five-person teams. I can put you in one.

"

n

"Make it a strong one Nix. I don't want anything to happen to Hyai.

" Shae leaned over his shoulder, her red braid falling against him.

n

"Right... This should work. Strong tank, with a good healer.

" Nix displayed the group on his hud.

nZeta Team:

nBanzi Tank

nWylie Heals, DPS

nSila CC

nKyla DPS

nHyai DPS

n

/Inferno: Pon: BOOM! I'm done.

n

/Inferno: Nix: Hey old man!

n

/Inferno: Fajii: I also am finished.

nNix jumped up when he saw that Fajii had returned also.

nCreate Breach: Embassy, 90th Floor

n

"Hey! Bring us!

" Hyai grabbed his arm and dragged Shae through the breach with them.

nNix stepped through the breach a moment later, Fajii and Pon were already congratulating each other.

n

"Good Job Fajii!

" Shae and Hyai rushed the Aquarion while Nix hung back and shook hands with the old Fire Mage.

n

"Not a bad piece of work Pon.

" Nix studied Pon's pillar, it was encased in flames.

nThe old man looked around and lowered his voice.

"Semmi and Wind?

"

nNix shook his head.

"Plenty of time still, I took way longer than this.

"

nFajii's pillar caught Nix's eye, it was definitely a scorched earth pillar.

"Nice job Fajii.

"

nThe Aquarion Alchemist looked very happy, she walked toward Nix and embraced him.

"Thank you for trusting me with this Nix.

" She held his face in her brown hands while she spoke and kissed his forehead.

n

"You are leaving for Solomon City first thing in the morning. You'll be replacing me on Vooni's Fire Team.

" Nix enjoyed the look of surprise that came across Fajii's face.

n

"That soon?

" Fajii had heard from him what the training was like.

"Aren't they off the next two weeks?

"

n

"Yes. This is good for you, it should give you enough time to catch up.

" Nix caught sight of two flashes from the platform, Wind, and Semmi arriving at nearly the same time.

nPon was all smiles when he hugged Semmi, none of the group said anything while they watched the odd couple.

nNix studied the two Pillars of Semmi and Wind. They were both Gemini Pillars, two-toned and swirling colors.

"We'll have to slow down our progress. I want to make sure the rest of the pillars are all Gemini Classes.

"

n

/Inferno: Nix: All of Alpha Team has passed the Planar trials now. We need everyone to continue to work hard.

n

/Inferno: Jun Li: Great job guys!

n

/Inferno: Sharl: Very nice!

n

/Inferno: Ronnie: Me! I'm next!

n

/Inferno: Vooni: Last night of freedom for a few weeks Fajii, we'll head to Solomon City first thing in the morning.

n

/Inferno: Fajii: Of course Captain. I am ready.

nWhisper: Shae to Nix Since Fajii is leaving tomorrow, you should spend some time with her. Hyai and I are going to spend the evening with her daughter.

nWhisper: Nix to Shae Sounds good, I see you guys tomorrow.

n

/Inferno: Nix: Sharl and Jun Li, please meet me at the Gemini Altar.

nWhisper: Gideon to Nix This is our top team, we're ready any time day or night.

nGideon: Assassin

nPaco: Tank

nNebula: Heals

nRoto: Ranger

nJiggs: Scout

nWhisper: Nix to Gideon Looks good, I'll keep you on standby.

nThe group walked to the Glory portal together and parted company. Hyai and Shae waved goodbye and turned toward the housing area while the rest of the group went to the Gemini Temple.

n

/Alpha Team: Nix: Going to form a new team, since Alpha is going to be busy. Fajii is going to join Vooni and the rest of you will be Vooni's new trainee group in about a month.

n

/Alpha Team: Semmi: We get to hang out in Solomon City?

n

/Alpha Team: Nix: Yes. There's a training ground there where you can challenge yourself. Take a few days and get to know the City.

n

/Alpha Team: Pon: You aren't getting rid of us right?

n

/Alpha Team: Nix: If only it were that easy! You guys are the four main pillars of the House of Inferno. We're keeping you now.

n

/Alpha Team: Wind: That's fine with me.

nNix parted with the rest of the group and waited in the altar room for Jun Li and Sharl. Nix took a seat on the throne.

nWelcome Lord Nix. Access Gemini Temple Menu?

"Yes.

"

n1. Craft Stones

n2. Staffing

n3. Lifestyle Venue

n4. Training Grounds

n5. Alert

nWhen he disassembled the Library and replaced it with a Lifestyle Venue it had immediately shown up in the Temple Menu. Nix chose the first option.

nGemini Class Stones: Two per month: 2

/2

n1. Ranged Fighter.

n2. Defender.

n3. Gladiator

n4. Trickster.

n5. Thief

n6. Mage.

nNix chose option three.

nHow many Gemini Gladiator Stones do you wish to create? Options: 1 or 2

n

"One.

"

nNix repeated the process and created one Defender Stone as well. He shut down the menu and retrieved the Gemini Stones from that altar.

nHe resumed his seat and waited for Sharl and Jun Li. They arrived a few minutes later, both wearing the green 'House of Inferno' armor.

nSharl greeted him with a smile.

"Does this mean we're going to start hanging out again?

"

nNix nodded.

"Without a doubt.

" He handed Sharl the Defender Stone and then passed the Gladiator Stone to Jun Li.

n

"The two of you are the next two up for the pillars. Activate the stones and then practice them in the Training Yard.

"

nSharl stared at the stone.

"Tier 4 class that's upgradeable?

"

n

"Yes, the Defender is the Gemini Tank class while the Gladiator is the melee DPS class.

" Nix watched Jun Li for reaction, she often stood in as a tank but her real build was DPS.

nJun Li gripped the stone in her hand and started for the Training Yard, she skidded to a halt by the door.

"Does this mean I'm on the new Deployment Team?

"

n

/Inferno: Nix: Effective Immediately, since Alpha will be busy with training for the next few months Bravo and Charlie Teams will assume Deployment duties.

nBravo Team

nNix

nJun Li

nSharl

nMilat

nRonnie

nCharlie Team

nNix

nJun Li

nSharl

nChael

nMina

n

/Inferno Nix: We are also forming a Zeta Team which I will be using for Upper Tier Colonial Content. All other members interested in advancing are encouraged to form teams and start Questing both in Colonial and Oasis. There are many parts of both worlds that remain unexplored.

nZeta Team

nBanzi

nWylie

nSila

nKyla

nHyai

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

nBy the time Nix started walking toward the Ranch House, the moon was already lighting up the Haven night sky. He heard a familiar voice speaking when he entered his home a few minutes later. Vooni and his dad were sitting at the kitchen table playing some sort of dice game.

nNix waved at the two of them and continued walking. He opened his door to the sound of his shower running. A glance into the bathroom told him who his visitor was.

"Room for one more?

"

nFajii opened the sliding door and peeked out.

"Yes, of course.

"

n