n

n

nYou have learned Rock Fiend.

nRock Fiend Earth

nSummons a Rock Fiend

nthat will defend you.

nYou have learned Stonefist.

nStonefist Earth

nOne or both fists become

nencased in stone. Melee

nabilities are doubled while

nStonefist is active.

nYou have learned Rock Shield.

nRock Shield Earth, Self-Only

nYou are protected by the

npower of Earth.

nYou have learned Pelt Air, Earth, AoE

nPelt Earth, Air

nSummons a storm of pebbles

nthat pelt the area around your

ntargets.

nYou have learned Mire.

nMire Earth, Water

nYour enemies become

nmired in a field of mud.

nWhen Nix emerged from the mud-pool a long while later, the mud ran off him easily, and by the time he returned to his clothes, it was gone entirely.

"Nice trick.

"

n

"I understand her fascination with you, Nix,

" Tai spoke from her pool; only her head was above the bubbling brown mud.

nNix laughed at her words; he knew that she referred to Deidra.

"It's a mutually beneficial agreement; she has never done me any favors for free.

"

nTai favored him with a smile.

"On this day, I have made my first human friend.

"

n

"Shae will visit you today with Deidra, I've tasked her with collecting the eggs.

" Nix nodded in agreement.

nTai's expression grew more serious.

"That's your mate? The Irridescent Salamander?

"

nNix nodded.

"Don't worry, although I want viable eggs, I will make an exception in your case.

"

nTai breathed a sigh of relief.

"Thank you, Nix. Did you grant an exception to Deidra?

"

n

"Nope. I'm still pissed at her from dragging me off to Dragonvale for an entire week.

" Nix frowned at the memory; then, she had confiscated his Treehouse.

nTai laughed at his expression,

"Deidra has been known to be a bit heavy-handed.

"

n

"Come visit us in Ionova. You can construct a mud-bath for me.

"

n

"You'll definitely need one.

" Tai watched him for a moment; the guild leader of Inferno was nothing like she imagined.

"Do you really have a Turtle house?

"

nNix finished dressing.

"Yes. Could you send me back to the Control room in Inferno City?

"

nTai nodded.

"Going to finish uniting the cities?

"

n

"I am.

" Nix wanted to get it done; it was an unlock for flying mounts.

"How did the Fallen Dragon City Masters move their cities to the other planes?

"

n

"Opening up a City Breach can only be done by a dragon. When the time comes, let me know, and I will assist you.

"

n

"My Breach abilities are suffering the effects of Khione's Curse again, but once it lifts, I will definitely ask for help in moving the remaining cities.

"

nTai opened up a breach so that he could return to the Inferno City Control Interface.

"I will take you up on your invitation to visit Ionova. If you need help, don't hesitate to ask.

"

n

"Thanks, Tai.

" Nix stepped through the breach Tai created and reopened up his Control Interface.

nHe spent the next four hours reuniting the Dragon Cities, Solomon City was the second one that he brought in, but after that, it was completely random. By the time darkness settled on Inferno City, all eighteen dragon cities were linked to Inferno City in a large connecting circle. The uniting would have gone much faster, but he conversed with each of the Dragon Masters for a few minutes after each connection was made. He now had eighteen Dragon Masters on his friend list.

nWhisper: Shae to Nix I'm about to start collecting the eggs with Deidra's help. I plan on bringing them all to my Fire Palace world unless you have objections.

nWhisper: Nix to Shae Sounds good, when you visit Tai'Qui, don't take one of her viable eggs. We have made a deal.

nWhisper: Shae to Nix Okay, Nix. I've already claimed the Salamander

/Dragon hybrid egg from Deidra.

nWhisper: Nix to Shae How did that go? I can't imagine Deidra was happy.

nWhisper: Shae to Nix Fine, we've come to an understanding the past few days.

nQuest Updated.

nQuest: Unite the Eighteen Dragon Cities

nDescription: The once-powerful Dragon Nation has been slowly weakening. When the dragons started to falter, instead of working together, they separated their cities so that only the weakest would fail.

nObjectives: Find a way to bring the cities together.

nLocate the lost city of Elynmoor. Completed

nDefeat Yandro and take the Master City Key. Completed

nFind an alternative energy source to power the Dragon Cities. Completed

nBecome the City Controller for all the Dragon Cities. Completed

nReward: Flying mounts are unlocked for all of Everspire with the completion of this quest.

n

/Everspire: Announcement: Flying Mounts have been unlocked for the Everspire continent. A new stable that features Flying Mounts has been constructed in Free Trader City.

nBy the time Nix returned to Ionova, the sun had already set. A familiar face was sitting at the kitchen Island when he walked in.

nVooni stood and greeted him with a hug. The dragon descendant had been working hard at the academy while wrapping up loose ends.

"All done, Nix. From now on, I can join Inferno full time.

"

n

"Go spend a few days at Haven, Rico has been asking about you.

" Nix tried to keep a straight face when he said it. It wasn't common knowledge, but his dad and Vooni were spending quite a bit of time together.

nVooni's pale face flushed slightly.

"I do need a few days off.

"

nHyai nudged him with an elbow.

"Need to get cleaned up before dinner?

"

nNix shook his head.

"Had a mud bath earlier.

"

n

"I just popped in to say Hi Nix. Going to head back to Haven.

" Vooni ran her fingers through her short dark hair, and the three suffered through nearly a minute of awkward silence.

nHyai's light laughter broke the spell.

"Just go, Hun.

"

nNix took a seat at the island and watched as Hyai put the finishing touches on a private dinner.

"Fajii isn't coming back tonight?

"

nHyai shook her head.

"She's on some sort of quest. She took Mina, Milat, and the death squad with her.

"

nNix whistled softly. The death squad consisted of Sori Dah, the Chief Acolyte of the Scorched Earth temple, and a half dozen of her strongest followers.

"That's a lot of firepower.

"

nHyai nodded in agreement.

"I was asked, but I need to figure out this companion possession ability first.

"

nNix moved behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist from behind.

"You looked like a human torch, very hot.

"

nHyai leaned back against him.

"Why do you smell so nice today?

"

n

"The mud-bath was probably scented,

" Nix admitted.

nThey sat together at the kitchen island, chatting while they ate. Hyai had enlisted the help of her daughter to run her Inns while she was in Everspire. Nix told her about Dragon Master Tai'Qui and how he was able to help her with her son.

nHyai leaned against him, clucking her tongue.

"How far did this go?

"

nNix laughed at the innuendo.

"Not that far, she granted me the Blessings of Earth.

"

n

"Fajii will love that.

" Hyai pushed her plate away and put an arm around his waist.

"Don't you get tired of always running around?

"

n

"The long quests that take up multiple days are tiresome, but I don't mind the daily quick-quests.

" Nix grabbed her hand and pulled her toward the living room.

"I'll clean up the dishes after, let us relax a bit.

"

n

"Before I forget, you received a message from Zinu.

" Hyai handed him a small piece of paper with a short note scrawled on it.

nNix frowned slightly when he read it. Zinu was the Krayven cleric that he brought in during the Ashobel quests.

nNix,

nCould you meet me at Free Trader City tomorrow?

nZinu.

n

"Trouble Nix?

" Hyai had received the message second-hand through Pon.

n

"Not really,

" Nix stowed the note in his inventory and then took out the items he had taken from the Taxidermist.

"We messed up today, but I did manage to grab a few items.

"

nHyai hid a smile; she had heard that all the crafters disappeared when the doors were opened.

"You had no way of knowing Nix. According to Chiba, every crafter you guys killed caused the room aggression to rise.

"

nNix shrugged.

"I guess, even so, we already have great armor.

"

nHyai watched as he placed the items on the floor next to the table. The last item was a beautiful reddish-orange bird.

"You haven't heard since you were gone. Those smiths in the Armory are not only making the guild a set of armor but from now on, they work for us. On commission, of course.

"

n