n

n

nNix sent Ducky away to hide until the Intrepid was dealt with, he leaned back against a small sapling and waited patiently.

nLu Ban notched an arrow and covered Circa while he gathered the horses together and tied them a few meters away.

" What's the plan?

nNix watched calmly as his group moved into position.

"We have to fight it out. This valley is a dead end.

nCirca had both of his knives out and looked relaxed.

"So, a straight-up melee fight?

nNix nodded.

"Lu should still be able to use his bow. The rest of us will be melee.

"

nMollie took out her staff and leaned on it while she watched the scanned the forest.

"Maybe you should retreat into the woods a bit, Lu? Take them by surprise once they get in range.

"

nLu nodded.

"You two work together and follow Nix's lead.

" He retreated into the woods without speaking further.

nYou are now in a dead zone. No enhanced items, artifacts, or magic-related skills are useable at this time.

nThe pursuit rode their horses casually out of the woods to the edge of the clearing where Nix and his team had taken their break. As Nix guessed, each of them was a huge melee fighter with bulging muscles and sharp weapons. The Inferno leader applauded the choice; if you were going to pick a team to fight a completely unenhanced fight, this was the group you'd bring.

nIn the middle of the group rode a black-haired woman dressed in white; even from a distance, her beauty was evident. She rode her horse side-saddle, her arms and legs were shackled with a golden chain. Her tanned skin seemed to glow with health and vigor; she wore a wreath of yellow flowers around her head.

nThe bandits dismounted, except for the Intrepid who stayed in her saddle. As soon as they did, Nix gripped the sapling he had been leaning against and pulled it out of the ground. With dirt and rocks still clinging to the roots, he propped it on one shoulder and walked toward the enemy.

n

/Spire: Mollie: Um... Is that Intrepid thing working on you?

n

/Spire: Nix: Yep.

nNix stopped a few meters away from the bandits at what he estimated Lu Ban's maximum range to be.

"You're following us. Why?

"

nThe bandit leader was a younger man with long brown hair that hung loosely under his metal helm. The man's muscular shoulders seemed to skip his neck and connect directly to his head.

"I follow orders; that's why. I bring you in, and suddenly I'm no longer just Captain Faex.

"

nNix nodded knowingly.

"I doubt it; there are probably other reasons you're just a Captain.

"

n

/Spire: Mollie: I'm ready, Nix, but is this a fight we can win?

n

/Spire: Nix: Easy fight actually, they've misjudged something.

n

/Spire: Circa: What?

n

/Spire: Nix: How big of a bastard I can be.

nNix shrugged, causing chunks of dirt and rock to fall from the roots of the sapling he carried.

"Mostly, I'm guessing its bec...

"

nNix darted in, dropping the sapling low; he swung hard at Faex's legs. The Captain was ready and lowered his ax to block when Nix spun and jumped upward, the bandit leader cussed loudly. Too late, he realized that he wasn't the target.

nThe 10-inch sapling struck the Intrepid right where the crown of flowers sat, crushing her down onto the saddle. When the horse bolted away, the corpse of Delia the Beautiful fell limply to the ground.

nDelia, the Beautiful has been slain.

nAll previous limiters on gear, skills, and artifacts have been lifted

nWhite fire enveloped Nix an instant later as he pushed flames into Wrath and targeted the bandit group.

nTides of Flame

nFaex charged toward Nix, his ax swinging toward him.

nDaisy Chains

nLightning erupted from Nix's outstretched hands, branching off into several different directions.

nRendel has been stunned.

nBone Cracker has been stunned.

nHyatt has been stunned.

nKrensi has been stunned.

nYathiz has been stunned.

nTrueshot: Burst

nLu Ban has landed a strike on Yathiz

nLu Ban has landed a critical hit on Yathis.

nLu Ban has landed a critical hit on Yathis.

nBackstab

nCirca has landed a mortal strike on Yathis

nYathis has been slain.

nNix raised his hands and a dozen strands of Fury Flames wrapped around Faex, he pulled back with all his strength and then tossed the Captain toward the river.

nThorned Feet

nHundreds of barbed vines erupted outward from the ground; in an instant, they completely encompassed Mollie's target.

nOrman has been rooted in place.

nClear Shot

nLu Ban has landed a critical shot on Orman.

nFirst Strike

nCirca has landed a critical hit on Orman.

nNature's Wrath

nThorns erupt out of the ground and impale Mollie's targets. AoE

nOrman has been slain.

nMollie has landed a strike on Rendel.

nMollie has landed a strike on Bone Cracker.

nMollie has landed a strike on Hyatt.

nMollie has landed a strike on Krensi.

nMeteor Storm: Incinerate: Fire Burst

nTriple Combination Attempt Successful.

nRendel has been slain.

nBone Cracker has been slain.

nHyatt has been slain.

nKrensi has been slain.

nNix scanned the area, verifying that Ducky had Faex and that everyone else was down. He rejoined Mollie and Circa, who was standing in front of the charred corpse of the Intrepid.

nMollie's pale green eyes were visibly upset.

"Nix... This seemed a bit ruthless.

"

nCirca nodded in agreement,

"I didn't want to die here, but attacking their hostage...

"

nDucky led Faex back to the group, her blue eyes not bothering to look at the Intrepid.

"We don't know everything. Why would they be willing to use such a valuable asset?

"

nLu Ban nodded his head in agreement.

"She's right. They wouldn't unless they were ordered to.

"

nDucky faced Faex, who was calmly staring at her with a smile on his face.

"Who is running things in this region?

"

n

"Vega,

" Faex answered calmly and without hesitation.

nDucky's soothing voice continued to ask questions.

"Are there any more Intrepids?

"

n

"Not that I know of, she was brought to our main camp last night.

"

nDucky glanced at Nix.

"Anything else we need to ask?

"

nNix nodded.

"The location of HQ and how big their force is.

"

nFaex listened to the questions and immediately looked to the Water Witch for permission to answer.

"We moved our HQ to the Mountain Pass; they aren't taking any chances that Nix will slip through. At this point, we number around ten thousand, although that number will climb higher once reinforcements from the Four Corners arrive.

"

nNix nodded and knelt next to the intrepid; the golden chains still bound her charred corpse. He gripped them in his hands and ignited his aura, causing them to fall away like liquid.

n

"Where are you taking her?

" Mollie wrinkled her nose at the stench of charred flesh; Nix walked toward the river carrying the body in his arms.

nInstead of answering, he set her down gently.

"We don't need Faex anymore, Ducky.

"

nDucky nodded and led the bandit captain away.

nNix activated his Spirit Ring; a moment later, Mina appeared with one of her Vilas. Her pale eyes fell to the corpse and then to Nix.

"You okay, Nix?

"

n

"Yes. I'll need you to do something for me in a moment.

"

nMina nodded without hesitating.

"Anything you want.

"

nNix pulled an object out of his inventory and targeted the Intrepid.

nRessurection Stone

nThis Stone will resurrect

nany corpse, even if the timer has expired

nRessurection: Delia the Beautiful

nA moment later, the young woman's eyes blinked open, they showed surprise and then confusion before she slowly moved to a sitting position.

"I'm no longer bound.

"

nNix shook his head. 'Nope.

"

nDelia's eyes were light brown orbs filled with warmth.

"You killed me.

"

n

"I did,

" Nix admitted.

nShe accepted Nix's hand and stood up slowly, maintaining a grip on his arm.

"Why am I here? My kind cannot be resurrected.

"

nNix shrugged.

"Some rules can be broken.

"

nDelia has requested a spirit bond with you.

n

"No... sorry.

"

nDelia has requested a spirit bond with you.

nNix scratched his face awkwardly.

"I already have four companions.

"

nMina placed a hand on her arm and gently pulled her away from Nix before she could request again.

"That's enough of that.

"

nNix stared at her for a moment before speaking.

"Inferno offers you sanctuary.

"

n

/Inferno: Mina: I'm here as transport?

n

/Inferno: Nix: Yes. Take her to HQ in Ionova; I want Semmi to debrief her.

n

"You make interesting choices, Nix.

" A soothing voice spoke from behind them. An older woman dressed in a long blue robe walked barefoot from the edge of the woods.

n

"Bor Na, the Oracle?

" Nix said it as a question, even though he already knew the answer.

nBor Na nodded.

"That is me.

" She walked gracefully toward them, not stopping until she was directly in front of him.

n

"I'm Nix, but since you're an Oracle, you probably already know that.

" Nix managed to say it with a straight face.

"

n

"What choice would you have made if you hadn't possessed the Ressurection Stone?

"

n

"The same one,

" Nix replied honestly.

"Since our enemy is using their trump cards, this isn't a fight we could afford to lose.

"

nBor Na's wrinkled face was expressionless, her bright blue eyes staring at Nix for several moments before speaking.

"You have my support. Seek out, Enu Bak, the Water Sprite.

"

nMina grabbed Delia's hand in hers.

"I'm going to take you somewhere safe.

"

nDelia seemed more curious than afraid.

"I can't stay with him?

"

nMina frowned slightly.

"Definitely not.

" She was about to activate Deep Blue when the Oracle held up a hand to stop her.

nThe old woman's lips curved in a warm smile.

"You carry your worries like a weight around your neck. There is no need.

"

nMina's pale blue eyes glanced from Nix then back to Bor Na.

"I'm not sure what you mean.

"

n

"Your daughter will be born in the spring of next year.

" Bor Na placed a hand on the Aquarion's shoulder and stood there a moment before walking back toward the woods.

nNix didn't speak until she vanished into the woods.

"Take her back to HQ, we'll..

" He trailed off and stopped talking. Mina's beautiful face radiated happiness; tears dripped slowly down her face.

nAfter a moment, she activated Deep Blue and disappeared with Delia.

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

n