n

n

nNix poured his will into the hilt that had flamed out, the spellsword cut easily through the shaft of the spear. He frowned at Ducky.

"Pull this out please.

"

nThe Siren nodded and moved behind him, with an easy motion she pulled the spearhead all the way through.

"It's close, but I can't pinpoint the exact location.

"

nHe stepped closer to the Aquarion, her eyes were absent of expression and she stared into space unmoving. Nix looked down at his shoulder, the wound was already closing up.

"That strike should have been reflected back to her, perhaps it was because she's an ally who has been charmed?

"

n

"Found it! There NIx!

" Ducky pointed to a small patch of flowers, a beautiful turquoise colored butterfly fluttered its wings from a stem.

nAura Ignition

nNix's flames exploded outward, scorching the nearby vegetation. The butterfly floated quietly on the air, unaffected by the flames.

nCaptured Spirit

nVeridian has attempted to charm you but has failed.

nFlame Snare

nVeridian has been slowed.

n

"Release her at once, I won't ask again.

" Nix heard the sudden intake of air as Fajii collapsed to her knees.

nVeridian has requested a spirit bond with you

nNIx shook his head,

"no chance of that happening.

"

nDucky cocked her head to one side like she was listening.

"This is Veridian, she says she is sorry for the attack.

"

nFajii climbed slowly to her feet, the anger on her face was evident.

"You made me attack him, I will never forgive you!

"

n

"You okay Fajii?

"

nShe shook her head,

"I am not.

" Fajii stared at the ground, suddenly unable to make eye contact.

"I am sorry Nix. I will return to the docks.

"

nNix waved the idea off.

"You are taking it too hard. I knew it wasn't you the moment I saw her expression.

" He scowled at the butterfly, her expression had shown cruelty. Something that Fajii was incapable of, it had looked completely alien on her face.

nThe Aquarion stepped closer to him, her hand reaching out to hold his.

"I let my guard down while we were talking. I will do better next time.

"

nNix pulled her into his embrace. He felt an overwhelming desire to scorch the butterfly. He stayed like that for a moment, stroking her hair the same way Mina liked to do to him.

"We should continue.

"

nFajii's smile returned,

"you stroked my head.

" She laughed when she said it.

nNIx nodded in agreement.

"I did. Let's keep going. Any bears here Ducky?

"

n

"Yes, there is one bear, only...

" Ducky gave him a pensive look.

n

/Guildchat: Wind: We're done, the three of us just wiped.

n

/Guildchat: Pon: Heh! Young punks should have come to the casino with me.

n

/Guildchat: Wind: I guess.

n

/Guildchat: Semmi: I guess. Be careful everyone, so many hidden dangers.

n

/Guildchat: Jun Li: Damn it... I wanted something nice.

n

/Guildchat: Nix: We were just attacked by a butterfly.

nFajii bent down and picked up her broken weapon.

"You broke my spear Nix.

"

n

"It was too long for you anyway. Fits better this way.

"

nFajii took a few swipes in the air with the two-foot length.

"If you say so.

"

nDucky led them northeast on a narrow trail that wound its way through the thick forest. They had walked for several minutes when they heard a deep wailing.

nNix turned his ear toward the sound.

"Is that the bear? Maybe he's fighting something, let's check it out.

" He broke into a trot, Fajii followed on his heels while Ducky slowed down.

nThe Siren followed them at a slower pace, shaking her head sadly.

"He's not fighting,

" she muttered under her breath.

nNix skidded to a stop in a small clearing next to a large cave.

"The hell is this?

"

nA large creature lay on the ground in front of the entrance, he was blubbering like a child, huge tears running down his face from his bloodshot eyes. The animal was completely devoid of any hair.

nWhen Ducky joined them a minute later, they were still staring in silence.

"This is Mortimer, the cave bear.

"

n

"This bald wrinkled thing is a bear? Bull **! That thing is a mole.

"

nMortimer looked up, his droopy skin followed him as he made an effort to stand. After nearly a minute he managed to climb to his feet, he was wheezing like he had been running for an hour.

"I am a bear!

"

nNix glanced at Fajii who only shrugged at him.

"Nope... You're a fat, bald mole.

"

n

"Bear!

"

n

"Mole,

" Nix disagreed quietly.

n

"BEAR!

" Mortimer reared back on his hind legs and slammed his front paws onto the ground sending a wave of sheer power in all directions.

nYou have been stunned.

nFajii has been stunned.

nDucky has been stunned.

nMortimer turned his back on them and sat back on the ground, after a moment he resumed his crying, this time a little quieter.

nThe group recovered after a few seconds, their surprise was evident as they glanced at each other.

n

"Don't cry, Morty.

" Ducky walked closer and stroked his enormous back with her hand.

"Perhaps we can help you.

"

n

"I don't want his help! He called me a mole.

" Mortimer's deep voice caused a cloud of dust to rise into the air.

n

"Hmm. What if he says he's sorry?

" Ducky continued to placate the bald bear.

nMortimer turned to face Nix, his reddened eyes staring.

"He doesn't look sorry.

"

nNix had to bite his tongue to keep from laughing, this was a waste of his time. A nudge from Fajii caused him to speak up.

"Sorry Morty, I shouldn't have said that. You are obviously a bear.

"

nDucky nodded in agreement.

"See? He is sorry, now tell us what is wrong?

"

n

"A spirit fox has snatched part of my spirit. I have lost my will to go on.

" Mortimer looked like he wanted to start crying again, but instead, he settled for drooling as his enormous mouth opened in a wide yawn to show some very impressive teeth.

nFajii approached the bear also, she knelt down on one knee and placed a brown hand on his bald head.

"Losing part of your spirit caused this?

"

nThe big bear nodded.

n

"Oh come on...

"How can losing part of your spirit result in hair loss?

" Nix was losing his patience, time was passing quickly.

n

"A few days after the spirit fox left, a Salamander came to challenge me. A despicable creature who could breathe fire. When I wouldn't fight he burned all my hair off.

" Mortimer collapsed on the ground and buried his head under two gigantic paws.

nNix sighed heavily.

"Ducky, what kind of creature is this Spirit Fox?

"

n

"He is a healing creature.

" Duck smiled sweetly, she understood that Nix had decided to help.

n

"Awesome, two birds with one stone maybe. Bring us to him.

" Nix glanced at Fajii, she had said she wanted a healer.

nDucky broke into a trot, continuing the direction they had been traveling.

"He's not too far.

"

nNix and Fajii followed without commenting, the bear's wailing started up again as soon as they left the clearing.

n

/Guildchat: Hyai: I need help with a riddle, its the third of three and I can't get it.

n

/Guildchat: Ronnie: I'm great at riddles, tell me, tell me!

n

/Guildchat; Hyai: I've already got the first two right. I need to answer within 10 minutes.

n

/Guildchat: Ronnie: Yeah... Spill it!

n

/Guildchat: Hyai: Okay, thanks.

nRiddle # 3

nYou are stranded on an island covered in forest. One day, when the wind is blowing from the west, lightning strikes the west end of the island and sets fire to the forest. The fire is very violent, burning everything in its path, and without intervention the fire will burn the whole island, killing you in the process. There are cliffs around the island, so you cannot jump off. How will you survive the fire? (There are no buckets or any other means to put out the fire)

n

/Guildchat: Ronnie: Summon your manta and fly into the air. Easy!

n

/Guildchat: Sharl: How did you get through grade school sis?

n

/Guildchat: Ronnie: I gave her the answer!

n

/Guildchat: Sharl: If she had a manta, she wouldn't be stranded on the island.

n

/Guildchat: Ronnie: Ask for a hint!

n

/Guildchat: Wind: Sorry... No idea.

n

/Guildchat: Nix: Grab a piece of wood and light it using the fire on the west end of the island. Quickly run eastward, when you can see the eastern end, start a new fire. The wind will cause that fire to burn toward the eastern end and then you can take shelter in the burnt area.

n

/Guildchat: Hyai: Thanks hun, you were right of course.

n

/Guildchat: Ronnie: Well yeah, that was just common sense.

n

/Guildchat: Nix: No worries. Get something nice?

n

/Guildchat: Hyai: Yep, Master Chef crafting token.

n

/Guildchat: Semmi: Cook us something nice when we get back!

n

/Guildchat: Hyai: I will!

nTen minutes of running and they arrived at a huge tree next to a small burrow. Ducky stopped abruptly and pointed toward the hole. She carefully moved closer.

"Would you come out and talk with us?

"

nNix watched as a black nose sniffed the air cautiously before its dark head peered around.

n

/Guildchat: Nix: You want this guy? The black fur is kinda cool.

n

/Guildchat: Fajii: Yes.

nFajii's voice was gentle as she approached.

"Would you like to bond with me?

"

nThe black fox exited the burrow completely and cocked its head to one side.

"Aur dilis vai coc'rais?

"

n

/Guildchat: Nix: Some help here Semmi, we have a spirit fox speaking gibberish to us.

n

/Guildchat: Semmi: The fox envy finally got to you?

n

/Guildchat: Nix: Um... No. Fajii likes him.

n

/Guildchat: Semmi: Him? Did you say him? It's a black fox?

n

/Guildchat: Nix: Yep, black as night.

n

/Guildchat: Semmi: Bend down on one knee and say. Fura dilis vai coc'rais. Do it now before you lose him!

nFajii approached and bent one knee.

"Fura dilis vai coc'rais

"

nA glow formed around the black fox and Fajii, a small web of light connected them for a brief moment before disappearing.

nThe fox leaped at Fajii, landing neatly in her arms.

"I am pleased. Your beauty has captured me. I am Eron.

"

nFor some reason Fajii's brown face blushed deeply,

"Thank you Eron, I think you are very beautiful also. My name is Fajii.

"

n

/Guildchat: Semmi: Did you get him?

n

/Guildchat: Fajii: Yes, his name is Eron!

n

/Guildchat: Semmi: Eron? The Eron?

n