n

n

nYou have received the Blessing of Water.

nYou have learned Deep Abyss.

nYou have learned Waters of Life.

nYou have learned Water Seeker.

nYou have learned Mariner.

nDeep Abyss Water: Up to 5 targets.

nEnclose your enemies inside

nof a water orb.

nDuration: 20 seconds. Cool Down 2 minutes

nWaters of Life Water: Self Only

nRestores all your mana.

nDuration: Instant. Cool Down 1 day.

nWater Seeker Water

nA simple spell that

nleads you to the nearest

nwater source.

nMariner: Water Self only.

nYour hands and feet become

nwebbed and gills form on your neck.

nDuration: Lasts until you exit the water.

nYour Air Rank has been upgraded from Spirit to Lord.

nYou have learned Air'Voilla.

nAir'Voilla Air

nCreates a Wind Tunnel to Air'Voilla

nAir Aura Air

nForms an Aura of Air around you.

nYour Ice Rank is ready to be upgraded.

nYou have learned Ice Shield.

nYou have learned Fields of Ice.

nYou have learned Ice Aura.

nIce Shield Ice Self Only

nCreates a Shield of Ice around

nyou. Absorbs damage equal to

ntwice your current health.

nFields of Ice Ice Area Effect

nLays down a field of Ice on your

nenemies that causes Ice damage.

nDuration: 30 seconds Cooldown: 3 minutes

nIce Aura Ice

nForms an Aura of Ice around you.

nNix slowly dressed, his entire body felt like it had been frozen and thawed thousands of times. The fog that hung on the marsh seemed to vanish, making it possible to see for miles. Fey's silver wings could be seen in the distance, still circling the area.

n

"Ready to go, Nix?

" Mina's expression was neutral, but her voice was filled with warmth.

n

"Yeah, it's time to head home.

"

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

nNix let Nightmare carefully pick her footing as they made their way out of the marsh while Fey continued to keep watch overhead, keeping an eye out for trouble. Mina rode behind him, both of her arms wrapped around his waist.

n

"Explain to me why you can't ride your Vilas Min?

"

n

"I'm exhausted Nix, what if I fell off?

"

n

"Makes sense, I guess.

" Nix's tone told her he wasn't buying it.

nMina had the side of her face pressed against his back; her lips were curved in a smile.

"There's no need to be awkward. I asked Shae, Fajii and Hyaii months ago if they'd be okay with this.

"

n

"Please stop talking now.

"

n

"Okay.

" Mina smiled against his back.

"The Oracle said our daughter would be born in the spring.

"

n

"I thought you were going to stop talking.

"

nAn hour later, they exited the swamp and entered the flatlands where several fields had been planted with seed. A cloud of dust coming toward them caused Nix to pull off the road.

n

/Spire: Lu Ban: Is that you, Nix?

n

/Spire: Nix: Yes.

n

/Spire: Mollie: You okay? We thought we saw your dragon carrying you this way.

n

/Spire: Nix: Yes. I am fine.

nNix squeezed Mina's hand and leaned back against her.

"Owe ya one Min.

"

nMin shook her head.

"Not even close.

"

nThey arrived back in town a while later; Nix headed to the Market Square to talk with Tanner Benton, with nothing better to do, the rest of the group tagged along.

nTanner was easily recognizable from across the market; his bright orange-colored hair painted an easy target on him. Several bundles of pelts were stacked high enough to block Tanner's work area from the rest of the market.

nNix whistled softly.

"You get a shipment of pelts or something?

"

nTanner Benton smiled when he saw him.

"Several shipments actually, take a look at my manifest and choose your reward.

"

nNix grabbed the manifest and started scrolling through it.

"What's a Sea King?

"

nTanner peeked over his shoulder.

"Medium-sized blue sea turtle.

"

nNix looked skeptical,

"why is it called the Sea King?

"

nTanner shrugged.

"Want them or not?

"

n

"I'll take them.

"

nFive crates of Sea King leather has been sent to your inventory.

nThe Tanner smiled and started closing up his shop; his glance moved to Mina.

"You can accompany me to the town hall.

"

nWhisper: Nix to Mina Why would he want to take you to the town hall?

nWhisper: Mina to Nix Because I am Enu Bak.

nWhisper: Nix to Mina I'm not following.

nWhisper: Mina to Nix I assumed the position of Enu Bak when I accompanied you. Had I not been there, the Water Sprite would have been your helper.

nWhisper: Nix to Mina My helper? Cute... You're the NPC in my quest then.

nWhisper: Mina to Nix Yes, but only because I am stronger than the Sprite. The default seems to be the strongest water ally in the area.

nQuest Updated

nQuest: Curse of the Ice Goddess

nObjective: The Provincial Council

nof Neva is meeting to appoint a

nnew Prefect.

nObjective: Wait for the results.

nMina hugged him close for a moment and then left with Tanner.

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

nIt was sunset when Nix returned to the Turtle house. The outside lights were on, giving the small home a warm glow. He entered through the backdoor and stowed his things in the closet before stepping into the bathroom.

n

"Dinner is ready, Nix, going to get cleaned up first?

" Hyai's warm voice put a smile on his face.

n

"Just a minute, I'll wash my hands.

"

nWhen Nix walked into the kitchen a few minutes later, he was surprised to see Gil and Scarlett sitting comfortably.

n

"Good evening Nix.

" Scarlett stood and hugged him.

"How's Ever Flame?

"

n

"Eventful.

" Nix was too tired to go into details and was thankful when Hyai sat a plate in front of him.

nScarlet pushed her food around with her fork before picking out a piece of meat and popping it into her mouth.

"Nix... You know about the difficulties Morti has been having with the Chevalier we chose for him?

"

nNix nodded.

"Want me to talk with him?

"

nScarlett smiled slightly.

"I'm not sure that would help. He's stubborn... a trait he inherited from his father, I'm sure.

"

nNix covered a smirk by taking a bite out of his steak.

"I'm sure.

"

n

"The duties of a Chevalier are somewhat flexible. Morti needs to learn discipline, battle strategy, and teamwork.

"

n

"All good things,

" Nix agreed.

n

"I would like you to take over as Morti's Chevalier. He's far more advanced than any of his peers, and honestly, he doesn't really listen to anyone other than you.

"

nNix felt a smile start to threaten his neutral expression.

"He is still adjusting to things here.

"

nScarlett nodded in agreement.

"Know what he tells his trainer when he asks Morti to wait while he demonstrates?

"

n

"Prey waits?

"

nScarlett's warm eyes narrowed slightly.

"So... you're the culprit.

"

nNix laughed suddenly, and a bit of the fatigue from the day seemed to drain away.

"Fraid so.

"

nGil watched Nix's expression; his human friend was always remarkably composed. Being asked to be the Chevalier for Morti was a considerable honor and showed a tremendous amount of trust.

"Hurry up and answer, Nix! We've been waiting all day.

"

nNix patted Gil's arm,

"Soup went back to Haven?

"

nGil nodded.

"Dunno what's so great about that place, she's got a great pond right here.

"

n

"I accept, of course. I love Morti. He's part of my family.

"

nScarlett breathed a sigh of relief. She was certain Nix would say yes, but at the same time, she understood he was very busy.

"Thank you, Nix.

"

nNix shook his head while scraping the last bit of food from his plate.

"It's my honor to be associated with your family, Clan Leader.

"

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

nAn hour later, Nix was sitting next to the fire working on the Orion puppets. Fajii had returned and was having a conversation with Hyai; the two of them were sitting on the adjacent couch.

n

"Nix?

" Fajii's voice pulled him away from his task.

nNix glanced up to find both females watching him.

"What?

"

nHyai's warm eyes were filled with humor.

"We were talking to you.

"

n

"Really?

" Nix started a new Orion queue and closed his hud.

"What did I miss?

"

nFajii had a large stack of dried plants on her lap; her hud was also open.

"I asked if Tintin and her helpers could assist me. It will be a while before the local plantlife recovers.

"

nNix nodded.

"Great idea, I'll assign them to you and Nansu.

"

nHyai offered him a smile and switched to his couch.

"You going back to Ever Flame tomorrow?

"

n

"Nope. I need to accomplish a few things here. I haven't seen the City Center yet, and I have to get started with Morti.

"

nFajii closed her hud and joined the two of them.

"How are you going to thank Nebs?

"

nNix shrugged,

"I'll probably make her something nice.

"

n

"Can you help me with my Djinn, Nix? I'm having trouble deploying him properly.

" Hyai's expression said she already knew what his answer was.

nNix dimly remembered the Djinn that dropped from the Gemini Temple.

"The 5th tier companion, right? I can try.

"

n

"Hey Nix...

" Fajii slipped a hand through his arm.

"Something bothering you?

"

nNix shook his head.

"Not really, I should tell you about my day.

"

nHe carefully described the events of the day, trying to remember every detail. It took several minutes, and when he finished, he felt much better. Neither woman spoke for a few minutes; Nix took it as a good sign that they were still sitting next to him.

nHyai finally broke the silence.

"It sounds like she saved your life, or at the very least prevented the curse from disabling you.

"

nNix nodded slightly.

"Accurate, I guess.

"

nFajii squeezed him arm slightly.

"You did promise to give her a daughter.

"

n

"Nix... What happened at the Black Gate?

" Hyai knew that the people who took part in that raid were all significantly affected.

n

"We were brought into an illusion, or in my case, three illusions. I no sooner broke free from one before another took hold.

" It had been several months; he could finally discuss it calmly.

n

"One of the illusions he shared with Mina, in it, the two of them had a daughter named Lisa.

" Fajii filled in the story for Hyai; Mina had obviously shared it with her.

n

"And I was forced to destroy them to break the illusion.

" Nix gritted his teeth at the memory; it had been difficult.

n

"Was I in the illusion too?

" Hyai must have suspected that she was, Nix usually confided in her.

n

"Yes. We had a daughter also. A dark-haired girl named Nia.

" Nix understood that the illusion targeted his love for family and his weakness for kids.

nHyai smiled suddenly, her freckled face lighting up.

"I like that name Nix. I wish you would have told me.

"

nQuest Updated.

nCurse of the Ice Goddess

nQuest: The council has chosen

na new Prefect. You are to report

nto Ever Flame for the results.

nWarning: Do not report to Ever Flame until you are ready, the road ahead is dangerous.

n