n

n

nFajii was leaning against the side of the craft when Pon and Nix arrived a few minutes later. The Aquarion smiled at the two Fire Mages.

"We're going to ** ** up?

"

nNix bit down on a smile.

"Well said. That's exactly what we're going to do.

"

nWind and Semmi arrived from the opposite direction; both had been taking part in the battle for Tribunal.

n

/Alpha: Nix: Thanks for coming.

n

/Alpha: Semmi: Looking forward to stepping into the keep.

n

/Alpha: Sasi: We're here too.

nThe two ravagers darted toward them, circling the group once before perching on the sidewall of the craft.

n

/Alpha: Nix: I'll summon Shae.

n

/Alpha: Fajii: Is Shae coming?

n

/Alpha: Nix: No. She's delivering some aquatic gear for us.

nNix summoned Shae a moment later, relieving her of her package before wrapping her up in a hug.

"How's Hyai and Min?

"

n

"Both good.

" Shae glanced at the craft behind them.

"Be careful; I don't trust that thing.

"

n

/Alpha: Nix: Gear up, we're heading out.

n

"It takes some getting used to,

" Nix agreed.

n

"Del around?

" Shae noticed the two Ravager additions, but not the Ain'Dhassi Orion.

nNix shook his head.

"She's with the Main force. Why?

"

n

"Hmm... You're going to make her a new puppet when we're done here?

" Shae's expression told him she was hiding something.

n

"Something I should know about, Shae?

"

nThe salamander shook her head.

"No. Cya soon!

"

n

/Alpha: Wind: Woah. She left quickly.

n

/Alpha: Pon: Trouble in paradise?

n

/Alpha: Nix: What? That's crazy talk. Let's get going.

nA few minutes later, the Dark Watercraft bobbed on the surface of the sea. They could have accessed the lower levels directly; however, given the entire area was submerged, there would have been no way to disembark without flooding the craft.

n

/Alpha: Nix: It's fine. I'll set the nav-point to return to the Turncoat Bay. Everyone out! It's time to go.

nNix eased over the side of the craft. Darkness had fallen since their departure. In single file, they followed the Inferno Leader into the murky depths.

n

/Alpha: Fajii: This reminds me of the Cai'Song raids.

n

/Alpha: Wind: Good times.

n

/Alpha: Nix: Keep it tight and watch for predators.

nAfter a few miscues in the dark, Alpha was able to find the entrance to the lower depths. Zhava appeared in front of them from his hiding place just inside the entrance. He waved good-naturedly before greeting Fajii personally.

n

"It is good to be working together again.

" Zhava placed a webbed hand on her shoulder while they talked, a common occurrence among the Aquarions.

nFajii squeezed his hand slightly.

"Be careful today! Let me know if you need backup.

"

n

"Same here.

" Zhava moved away from the group and entered the passage. It hadn't been that long ago since Fajii was just an Alchemist with no combat experience. Like Mina, she had become someone that the rest of her race looked up to. Although, she probably didn't realize it.

n

/Alpha: Semmi: Tribunal should be done by now. Nine minutes until they start on Tempest. With all of our forces coming from both sides, they aren't going to hold up long.

nNix entered the lower keep right after Zhava, the Aquarions, were gathered near the place where Glacia had died. They looked ready to fight.

"Milat!

"

nMilat smiled warmly when he saw the Inferno Leader. He waited until Alpha came to a rest before he approached.

"It will be good to fight alongside you again.

"

nNix did a quick count; there were thirty in the Aquarion group, including Ducky and Pradi.

"Once Tempest falls, Ducky will take you to just below the current waterline.

"

nMilat nodded.

"How will we know when to start?

"

n

"When Deya opens up with the Golems, it should be pretty clear.

" Nix paused when he noticed Soup approaching. The sea turtle's evolved form circled him once before stopping in front of him.

n

"Everything okay, Soup?

"

nSoup's round face smiled happily as she gestured toward her lips.

"Nix.

"

n

"Hmm? What's that mean? You want to talk to me?

"

nThe quills on her head and neck stood on end while she shook her head and made a chewing motion.

"Nom, nom, nom!

"

n

"You're going to eat me? Soup eat Nix?

" Nix darted toward the Sea Turtle, who dodged easily, then squealed happily when the Inferno Leader pursued her.

"Nix eats Soup!

"

nDucky clapped her hands, laughing when Nix chased Soup around the room for a few moments.

"No eating family members!

"

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

nBone Fortress, 2310 hours Ice Faction: 2,218 Undead: 2,150

nDeya waited patiently in the Turncoat Burrough. From her position on a slight rise overlooking the Keep, she had a clear view of the entire Fortress. After fiddling with the controls on her hud, she plotted all 24 of the Golem shots.

nShe planned to lay down a five by five field of fire directly onto the roof. There were several cannons and ballistas already in place; the Ice Faction knew they were coming.

n

/Inferno: Deya: Battle update, please.

n

/Inferno: Jun Li: Maybe ten minutes!

n

/Inferno: Deya: Thanks.

nDeya nodded to herself. When the Tribunal Burrough fell more than a half-hour ago, the enemy forces had reinforced the Tempest border on that side. However, the Titan Warleader Mortimus was waiting with his forces in the Northern section of Turncoat. As soon as Tribunal fell, they charged in, catching the Ice Faction facing the wrong way.

nShe kept her eyes on the Faction counter. In two Burrough battles, the Undead had only lost about fifty fighters, while the Ice Faction was down nearly four-hundred.

"Junie said when the Ice Faction number was around 2,200.

"

nAs it happens, the Inferno officer was exactly right. When the numbed clicked to 2,200, the Tempest Burrough was finished.

n

/Inferno: Jun Li: All forces move away from the keep and take cover!

nDeya pushed the fire Icon on her hud. A moment later, she was knocked to the ground by a blast of hot air. Her ears were ringing as she staggered back to her feet, only to be slammed backward when a super-heated shell casing ejected directly at her.

nThe brilliant green eyes of the Che Miner were wide with shock by the time she managed to stumble back into position. Her sharp nose could smell the stench of her own singed fur. She keyed the second firing order and then set them into automatic function before covering her ears and retreating.

nThe impact area of the first round was engulfed in flames, the roof of the Fortress had collapsed into the top level. Deya watched with no small amount of fear while the Golems alternated firing. Each blast adding to the destruction and Inferno that raged on their target.

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

nThe entire Keep seemed to shake suddenly, vibrating the water around Ducky and her group. Instantly she moved up the stairs, followed by the Aquarions.

nWhile the Aquarion force moved into position near the top of the water level, Alpha team was already above the waterline in the north stairwell. Dust and rocks fell from the ceiling with each thunderous crash.

n

/Alpha: Pon: How many shots is that?

n

/Alpha: Nix: Twelve, I think. Let's keep moving. We're heading to the Commander's office.

nNix's steps seemed loud in the dim hallway, echoing between the HEP rounds' booming impacts. Three men stepped into the hall directly in front of them. The nearest one when down under two snarling Ravagers.

nNix has activated Air Burst

nA blast of air struck Nix's target, knocking him to the ground, where Wind managed to slice a blade across the man's throat. The third fighter ran into the rockfisted Fajii, who mercilessly slammed her opponent in the head until he collapsed.

nA second group of three entered their path from the opposite hall just as Alpha was finishing. Pon's hands engulfed in flames as he targeted them.

nPon has cast Fire-Nado

nChakri has been trapped in flames.

nTonga has been trapped in flames.

nEsposito has been trapped in flames.

nThe enemy forces burst into flames; their screams of panic and pain were nearly drowned out by the whirling inferno surrounding them.

nTwo flames strands shot out from Nix's upraised hands, each of them punctured into separate whirlwinds, and with a quick yank, two people were removed.

nFirst StrikeBackstab

nCombination Successful.

nSemmi has landed a critical hit on Esposito.

nSemmi has landed a mortal wound on Esposito.

nCritcal Chain

nNix has followed up Semmi's attack with a critical strike.

nEsposito has been slain.

nSasi has slain Chakri.

nRavager Rabi leaped into the next flaming whirlwind, his sharp teeth gripped the fighter's shoulder, and he pulled him out.

nPon targetted the still smoldering fighter.

nBalefire: Hex

nTonga has been slain.

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

nThe golems tilted precariously, the tubes on both of them glowed cherry-red. Deya had moved behind cover, expecting them to explode at any moment. However, they didn't. The 24th round was fired, and the Golems remained intact. They teetered slightly, the heat from them crackling in the night's cool air.

n

/Inferno: Deya: The Golems are done!

n

/Inferno: Jun Li: Good job. Bring them in Fey.

n

/Inferno: Fey: Understood.

n