n

n

n

"Yes.

"

nDemons have tainted your blood.

nYou have learned Battle Foresight.

nYou have learned Quartered.

nYou have learned Blood Bond.

nYour surname has been changed to Qi.

nWind grimaced as the smallest of tendrils connected him with the Tempest demon. A sudden shooting pain in his head made him stagger back a step.

"Fuck, that hurts...

"

nRabi seemed mostly unaffected; he yelped slightly when a rune burned itself onto his upper arm. He stared at it for a moment before deciding that he liked it. He grinned at the Gemini Thief.

"I learned a few new tricks!

"

nWind smiled and brought up his hud.

"Me too.

"

nSpirit Companions 2

/4

n1) King Lubo

n2) Atharabi Qi

n

"Looks good, by the way.

" Rabi's stepped away from the edge of the circle and waited for his summons.

n

"What looks good?

" He rubbed his aching head, stopping suddenly when he hand brushed up against something.

"Oh, God...

"

nRabi gave him a thumbs up.

"Horns are best.

"

nWind scowled at the tiny demon. He could feel two slightly curved horns protruding out of his head; they were only a few inches long.

"Should this have happened?

"

nRabi shrugged.

"Yours are curved; Rabi is so jealous.

"

n

"I'm so dead.

"

nSummons: Rabi

nThe tiny demon appeared in front of him a moment later, his fanged smile flashing in the low light. A moment later, the circle that he'd been in erupted into flames. Rabi shrugged slightly.

"Not good.

"

nA loud grinding noise pulled their attention to the doorway through which Wind had entered just as a steel portcullis slammed shut in front of it.

nRabi was skipping happily; finally, he was out of the circle.

"What we doing now?

"

nWind glanced once more at the blocked exit.

"Run and fight!

"

n

"Rabi likes to run and fight!

" The dark demon bolted down an empty passageway, leaving his companion by himself. After a short pause, the Gemini thief followed.

nThe duo ran silently, trying their best to avoid any groups. Their luck held for nearly a minute coming face to face with three running figures.

nRabi has shared Enemy Information.

nWind dodged to one side as his hud was filled with enemy data. They were numerically marked with glowing numbers over their heads.

nI Yama Ter Kill: Sorcery, Heals.

nII Bria Wizin Detain: Sorcery: Offensive.

nIII Tripsi Fay Detain: Sorcery: Crowd Control

nFlareQuarteredBackstab

nTriple Combination successful.

nYama Ter has been blinded.

nBria Wizin has been blinded.

nTripsi Fay has been blinded.

nYama Ter has been crippled.

nRabi has landed a critical strike on Yama Ter.

nCritical Chain

nWind has followed up Rabi's attack with a critical strike.

nSudden Switch

nRabi has followed up Wind's attack with a critical strike.

nCritical Chain

nWind has followed up Rabi's attack with a mortal strike.

nYama Ter has been slain.

nSpiritual Bond Attack Linked: Critical Chain & Sudden Switch

nBria Wizin has resisted Blind.

nWithout knowing why Wind dodged to one side. A moment later, a bolt of energy blazed past him.

nYour Battle Foresight has advanced to 2

nShadowed Assassin

nWind faded into the shadows and appeared behind the caster; his blade plunged into the base of his target's skull.

nBria Wizin has been slain.

nTripsi Fay has resisted Blind.

nInstead of continuing to fight, the woman turned and ran down the hallway. Her voice raised in a blood-curdling scream.

nQuarteredBackstab

nDouble Combination Successful.

nTripsi Fay has been crippled.

nRabi has landed a critical strike.

nCritical Chain: First StrikeBackstab

nWind has followed up Rabi's attack with a critical strike.

nWind has landed a mortal strike.

nTripsi Fay has been slain.

nThe duo stared at the intersection; the din of footsteps was getting louder behind them. Wind pointed to the right one.

"Go, right?

"

nRabi nodded and darted in that direction, his tiny form speeding down the hall with impressive speed. The hall led to a large square room; the sound of footsteps closing on them came from every direction.

"Oops... Now what?

"

nWind shrugged slightly. We fight it out, I guess.

" He patted the tiny demon on one shoulder while scanning all exits. As his spirit companion, Rabi should now be protected.

"Good job back there, by the way.

"

n

"Thanks. You did good too.

" Rabi crouched low, with a dagger in each hand.

"I'll create a distraction; make sure you escape.

"

nWind grinned at the tiny demon and shook his head.

"That's my line.

"

n

"What have you done!

" A familiar old man entered from the North corridor; at the same time, dozens of cloaked figures entered through the other entrances.

"You've bonded with the demon!

"

nWind did a quick count.

"Only about twenty or so, get ready.

"

nRabi gave him a blank stare before turning back to the speaker.

"You have ** on your face! Rabi escaped your stupid circle! It's your fault for not bringing me my rats!

"

nWind observed the group. They were all casters.

"You're all witches?

"

n

"And warlocks.

" The trio from the circle room moved closer. Two of them carried carved symbols in their hands while the third held a long staff.

"Kill the thief, but make sure the demon survives. Our coven will rise once we have secured his backing.

"

nRabi spat towards the old man.

"You are stupid. Rabi will give you a stab in the backing.

"

nWind felt the stir in his cloak pocket; a moment later, the tiny gecko crawled onto his shoulder.

"Shit... That's wicked.

"

nThe tiny gecko glanced from Wind to Rabi; he had changed slightly. His greenish skin had turned slightly red, and two curved horns peeked out from under his gold crown.

nFear the Demon King

nScreams of terror filled the room, as the coven scattered like brainless mice. Wind grabbed Rabi's hand and dragged him down the hall that the elders had come from.

"Let's pick them off!

"

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

nA warm body shifted against him, causing Nix to open one eye.

"I told you to stay off my...

" His words filtered off when he caught the telltale glimpse of red hair. Shae tucked her head under his chin and pulled the blankets up. Instead of questioning, the Inferno leader drifted back into slumber with a smile on his face.

nWhen Nix woke two hours later, he was by himself again. Shae's presence next to Semmi let him know that it hadn't been a pleasant dream.

"Why are you here?

"

nShae shrugged and stood up from her chair long enough to greet him with a kiss.

"I missed you, so I popped in for a few hours.

"

nSemmi frowned slightly; it was the sort of thing that Pon wouldn't even think of.

"That must be a nice surprise. Right, Nix?

"

nNix gave the blonde officer a suspicious glance before nodding in agreement.

"Very nice. Can you stay?

"

nShae shook her head.

"I'll be helping Tai today. She's going to stop in and see you tonight.

"

nNix grimaced slightly; he forgot that the Earth Dragon had asked to see him.

"Damn... It slipped my mind. We're heading to Free Trader City in a bit, have her meet me there.

"

nShae nodded and stood on her tiptoes for another kiss before looking expectantly at Nix.

"Gemini Temple, please.

"

nCreate Breach: Mocai: Gemini Temple

nNix waved as the salamander stepped through the breach. After the breach closed, he took the salamander's seat at the table.

"Where is everyone?

"

nSemmi pointed out the doorway.

"LuAnne is briefing them on the trial. She isn't happy with us.

"

nNix summoned Sphinx Soup and placed her on his shoulder.

"Why?

"

n

/Alpha: Del: She says that none of these petty criminals will pass.

n

/Alpha: Semmi: I gave them the rings already, don't worry.

n

/Alpha: Nix: They should be fine then; if they can't pass, then it isn't our problem.

nDel padded into the room from the hallway; the Orion's sky blu eyes stared at Nix.

"I need to tell you something.

"

n

"I'm listening.

" Nix shot a glance toward Semmi, who was pretending not to listen.

n

"My tracking ability has returned.

" Del walked slowly toward the table, stopping when she was directly in front of him.

n

"Track is up? Holy crap... Anything else?

" Nix shifted closer and examined Del; as the creator of the Orion puppet, he could pick them out fairly easily.

"Interesting. I wonder if that's a good thing.

"

nThe Orion stared at him with unblinking eyes.

"And I'm feeling hungry at times.

"

n

"Really?

" Nix leaned back in his chair and glanced at Semmi, who was definitely paying attention. Puppets could eat and taste things. They should not feel hunger or thirst because they didn't need food or water to survive. It was the same thing with sleep.

"Your case is slightly different. When was the last time you dropped this puppet?

"

n

"Since I came here, more than a month.

" Del pushed her soft snout against his leg while purring loudly.

nWhisper: Semmi to Nix Her actions seem puzzling at times. Are the Orion's instincts leaking in?

nWhisper: Nix to Semmi That should be impossible, but this is somewhat unique. Del is in a dragon egg back in Oasis.

n

/Alpha: Nix: Do you want to release the puppet?

n

/Alpha: Del: If you think I should, then after this mission, I will do so. Just as long as you provide me with another.

n

/Alpha: Nix: Don't worry, we're used to having you around. Let me know if any of your other abilities start to recover.

n