n

n

nFloyd waved at Nix who was walking toward one of the raised platforms.

"What's our part Sharl?

"

nSharl pointed to the blurred outline of the large beast.

"Follow my lead.

"

nThe Naga teen nodded happily.

"I won't let you down.

"

n

/Inferno: Jun Li: Move to the bottom of your steps and wait for everyone to get in place.

nNix considered summoning Ducky but decided that this sort of wide-open fight wasn't really her style.

"Sharl is the priority on heals, if things get difficult I will use CC to delay.

nShadai nodded.

"I will keep both of you safe.

"

n

"All of you stay in the air, but don't approach the other platforms.

" Nix pushed flames into Wrath and waited.

nThe stairs leading up to the elevated platforms were all the same, a single flight of wooden steps with no rails. There were no supports or braces visible, they hovered in the air connecting the ground to the platform.

n

/Inferno: Jun Li: Odds are there is a good reason why Tobias and his crew failed here. We'll take things slow and figure it out as we go.

n

/Inferno: Semmi: Pay attention to every detail.

n

/Inferno: Jun Li: Walk up your steps and proceed to the edge of your platform.

nNix walked slowly up the steps and waited at the edge, a red lion stared at him from the center, its baleful yellow eyes burrowing into him.

"Of course.

"

n

/Inferno: Nix: Got a red lion on my platform.

n

/Inferno: Pon: Scorpion.

n

/Inferno: Semmi: Damn... A huge ass snake. Does anyone want to switch?

n

/Inferno: Ronnie: Not sure what ours is, looks like one of Mina's Vilas, only bigger.

n

/Inferno: Sharl: No change with the center boss.

n

/Inferno: Jun Li: Go!

nStorm Rider: Thunderfist

nCombination attempt successful

nNix appeared beside the giant lion and slammed his fist into the side of its neck.

nThe Red King has been stunned.

nNix targeted the entire platform and set down his AE.

nTides of flame

nA deafening roar echoed in the Arena as the Red King charge Nix, its red fur burst into flames causing its health to rapidly drop. It reared up on its two back legs and swiped at Nix with a giant paw.

nA moment in the air followed by the impact of the arena floor told Nix he'd been knocked off the platform.

n

/Inferno: Jun Li: We just reset. What happened?

n

/Inferno: Nix: Got knocked off the platform.

n

/Inferno: Jun Li: Everyone back on the steps.

n

/Inferno: Sharl: Center boss never changed.

nNix muttered curses while he returned to the edge of the platform.

"I should root it first, round two will be different.

"

nA hand on his shoulder caused him to look up. Tor's smiling face hovered close to him.

"Keep at it!

"

nNix stood back at the edge of the platform, the Red King's malevolent eyes seemed to taunt him.

n

/Inferno: Jun Li: Go!

nFlame Root: Fury Flames

nThe Red King roared in pain as it was encased in white flames.

nNix raised two hands and a dozen strands of emerald flames impaled the red lion.

nAir Burst

nNix's target exploded outward, sending bits of flesh high into the air.

nThe Red King has been slain.

nNix chuckled.

"Like it?

"

n

/Inferno: Sharl: Big boss just turned into an enormous red lion, engaging.

n

/Inferno: Nix: My targets down, coming to help.

nNix leaped down from the platform, he could hear the steady strum of Cal and Tor's bow as he sprinted to Sharl's position.

nCopyright: Red King

nA second red king leaped on the back of the first, Sharl took advantage of the distraction to slam her shield in its face.

nShield Bash

nThe Red King has been stunned.

nStorm Rider

nNix appeared behind the Red King and slashed at the back of its legs.

nThe Red King has been slowed by forty percent.

n

/Inferno: Semmi: Snakes down, on our way.

nThe Red King shimmered for a moment and then morphed into a blurred image that could no longer be targeted.

n

/Inferno: Sharl: Boss reset.

n

/Inferno: Jun Li: Everyone off the platforms.

n

/Inferno: Ronnie: What are we doing wrong?

n

/Inferno: Semmi: Let's talk it through. The smaller mobs are too weak to walk them down slowly.

n

/Inferno: Jun Li: There must be an order of kill.

n

/Inferno: Semmi: Anything you notice about fighting the main boss?

n

/Inferno: Sharl: Can't turn him at all, he doesn't hit hard in lion-form.

n

/Inferno: Floyd. The blurred image is facing a different direction now.

nNix glanced at the main boss, you couldn't make out its features, but it was definitely facing the NE platform.

n

/Inferno: Nix: Facing NE now, could the order be randomly chosen by the direction the boss faces?

n

/Inferno: Jun Li: Again then. Take down the NE first, no one kills their targets.

n

/Inferno: Sharl: I'll let you know if there are any indicators.

n

/Inferno: Jun Li: Round 3. Go.

nFlame Root: Fury Flames

nThe Red King has been bound in place

nFlame Snare: Fury Flames

nThe Red King has been slowed by forty percent.

nNix waited without attacking further. Although there was a small dot (damage over time) on both snare and root, it wouldn't be enough to kill the lion quickly.

n

/Inferno: Jun Li: Our target is down, heading toward the middle.

n

/Inferno: Sharl: The boss didn't rotate this time.

n

/Inferno: Jun Li: Reset. Everyone off their platforms, let's meet in the middle.

nNix found Fajii in the crowd and offered her a drink from his canteen. She thanked him with a smile.

"How's the snake fight?

"

nFajii snuck a quick glance at Semmi and lowered her voice.

"Semmi is scared of snakes.

"

nNix laughed at her expression.

"Are you?

"

nFajii shook her head.

"I don't like the dark.

"

nNix stared at her for a moment, not sure if she was being serious.

nShe squeezed his hand slightly.

"You?

"

n

"Spiders,

" Nix admitted. The big ones are fine, but the small ones that crawl on you when you're sleeping creep me out.

n

/Inferno: Sharl: The boss shifted again. Now it's facing the SE platform.

n

/Inferno: Jun Li: Is it just random? Maybe we're on the wrong path.

n

/Inferno: Semmi: Anyone notice any change in your targets?

n

/Inferno: Pon: It's a lock!

n

/Inferno: Semmi: What?

n

/Inferno: Pon: What happens in with a combination lock when you go to far?

n

/Inferno: Jun Li: You reset it. We already did that twice.

n

/Inferno: Semmi: No we didn't. Originally it was facing Nix's platform.

n

/Inferno: Sharl: That's right, when his target died it turned to Junie's platform.

n

/Inferno: Semmi: It if rotated after Nix's target died, but didn't on the last fight then Nix's target must have to be first.

n

/Inferno: Nix: I think the old man is on to something. Let's reset it twice more and get the main boss back to its original position.

n

/Inferno: Jun Li: Everyone back to their platforms.

nResetting was as simple as retreating from your platform. After trying it the first time, the boss turned to the SE platform.

n

/Inferno: Jun Li: Again.

nAfter the next reset, the boss returned to its original position, while Inferno stood ready on the steps.

n

/Inferno: Jun Li: Nix you'll go first, call out any directional change Sharl. If we have the pattern down, it should be my platform next.

nNix stood on the steps waiting. The Red King eyeing him with malice filled eyes.

"Feels like we've been here before. Did you eat Tobias when they were here?

"

n

/Inferno Jun Li: Go.

nThunderfist: Flame Throw

nCombination Attempt Successful.

nNix punched the Red King in the chest and then bathed it in emerald flames.

nIncinerate: Balefire Burst: Execution

nTriple Combination Attempt Successful.

nMortal Strike

nThe Red King has been slain.

n

/Inferno: Nix: My target is down.

n

/Inferno: Pon: Holy crap, that was fast.

n

/Inferno: Sharl: The Lion boss is back, he shifted to face Junie's platform!

n

/Inferno: Jun Li: Okay we're next!

nStorm Rider

nA flash of lightning struck behind the Red King and Nix appeared there an instant later.

nThunderfist: Comet Strike: Meteor Storm

nTriple Combination Attempt Successful.

nNix has landed a Significant strike on the Red King.

n

/Inferno: Sharl: The hell was that Nix?

nDual Chain: First Strike

nSharl has followed up Nix's attack with a Significant strike.

n

/Inferno: Jun Li: Our target is down.

nThe Red King shimmered for a moment and then a reptilian head burst out of Lion's shoulder, the two heads snapped at each other before turning their eyes back to Sharl.

n

/Inferno: Sharl: It just turned toward the SW platform.

nDual Chain: Thunderfist: Comet Strike: Meteor Storm

nTriple Combination Attempt Successful.

nNix has followed up on Sharl's attack with a Significant strike.

n

/Inferno: Sharl: Nix...

nGhost Step

nJun Li appeared at the side of the Lion-Reptile.

nChampion Strike

nJun Li has followed up on Nix's attack with a Significant strike.

n

/Inferno: Jun Li: How are you doing combo attacks Nix? Colonial doesn't have them.

n

/Inferno: Nix: I guess Everspire does. Activate two skills at the same time.

nShield Bash: Sudden Slash

n(Sharl) Combination Attempt Successful.

nSharl has followed up on Nix's Attack with a Significant strike.

n

/Inferno: Sharl: Heh... Boo-ya.

n

/Inferno: Pon: Our target is down!

nNix was just moving in for a slash on the stunned creature when a giant armored pincer pushed out of its side and snapped shut on his arm.

n

"F*ck!

" Nix kicked the amputated arm that was still gripping Wrath, sending it off to one side. He circled the beast and pried loose his fingers from the hilt.

n

/Inferno: Pon: Loose something Nix?

nBalefire: Firestorm

n(Pon) Combination Attempt Successful.

nPon has landed a significant strike on the Red King.

n

/Inferno: Nix: Cheap imitation.

n

/Inferno: Sharl: It shifted to the last platform.

nNix moved in quickly, dodging the scorpion claw that snapped at him; he twisted to avoid the reptilian head that turned to attack and was forced to retreat.

n

/Inferno: Nix: It's a Manticore. Semmi's target is going to become the tail.

nAn instant later its tail disappeared and a long green snake appeared in its place. It hissed loudly at Nix, striking at the empty air.

n

/Inferno: Jun Li: Go all out.

nNix waited for a moment, with two scorpion pincers snapping shut on either side and the hissing snake tail, it was difficult to find an opening.

nCopyright: Desert King

nFloyd morphed into a copy of the Manticore, he closed both pincers around the Desert King's snake tail before biting into the creatures back with both heads.

nFirst Strike: Backstab

n(Wind) Combination Attempt Successful.

nWind has landed a significant strike on the Desert King.

nNix raised his left hand and a half dozen strands of white flames sunk their barbed tips deep into the Desert King. He focused for a moment and then pushed lightning into the Fury Strands. The strands lit up and crackled with the power of lightning, but didn't explode. The smell of burnt flesh and electricity filled the air. Nix noticed the health of the Desert King plummeting quickly, however even with a mana stone, his own mana only lasted a few seconds before the flame strands fell away and he was forced to retreat.

n

/Inferno: Pon: Mana all gone Noob?

nNix nodded dizzily before pushing flames into Wrath.

"Still got my sword though.

"

nThe rest of the Desert King fight was uneventful, it died with a loud roar that was followed by a distant rumbling. The entire section of the Arena slid open to reveal a wide passage.

nA return token has been placed in your inventory.

nReturn Token: Binds on Pickup, No Drop

nDescription: Activate token to return to the Lost City.

nNix picked up the red chest and stowed it into his inventory.

n

/Inferno: Semmi: We ever open the chest from the Puppet guy?

n

/Inferno: Nix: Nope. We'll knock them both out in a bit.

nThe small group walked through the open passageway. It was a winding tunnel that took a few minutes to walk through. In the end they stepped through an Archway into the bright sun of the Great Desert.

nWelcome to the Lost City of Eidengal.

nYou have succumbed to your wounds and died.

n