n

n

nPon coughed painfully while blinking dust from his eyes.

"Sem?

"

n

"Here.

" Semmi's voice sounded from nearby.

"I'm okay. Fajii is freeing us.

"

nThe old mage squinted in the darkness; he could see the dim glow surrounding the Scorched Earth mage.

"Should I melt my way out?

"

n

/Alpha: Wind: Please don't. This place has been shifting and collapsing constantly.

n

/Alpha: Semmi: Fajii is strengthening the area around us. How long, Fajii?

n

/Alpha: Fajii: Half an hour.

n

/Alpha: Pon: How are any of us still alive?

n

/Alpha: Semmi: If I were to guess, I'd say the Bone hardening we were awarded. Alfie said it would make even you stouter.

n

/Inferno: Fey: Alpha team?

n

/Inferno: Semmi: We're trapped, but Fajii will free us.

n

/Inferno: Fey: We'll continue rescue operations then. Let me know if you require help.

n

/Alpha: Pon: Fey is running things?

n

/Alpha: Wind: Guess so. Just about everyone else is down.

n

/Inferno: Nix: We're back!

n

/Inferno: Pon: Punk Bastard! Did you get him?

n

/Inferno: Nix: Does a bear ** in the woods?

n

/Inferno: Morti: Yep. I think so.

n

/Inferno: Nix: We got him.

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

nLet me try one more time, Nix

nNix scowled at the black object in his hand. He'd been given the Key of Chaos and the Ball of Enigma when he completed the Well of Du'Wei. He thought perhaps the ball has some real use; it did not.

"Fine. You have to sound mystical or sometimes funny if you want people to buy it.

"

nAnd people will believe me?

nNix nodded and leaned back in his chair.

"If you can't get it right, I'm leaving you in the river.

" The Inferno leader recast his line and placed his fishing pole across his lap.

nI understand. No more shaking, please.

n

"How about a rub? Like a genie lamp?

"

nI've never been rubbed. Please be gentle.

n

"Now you sound like a pervert.

" Nix rubbed the ball with the palm of his free hand.

"Will I catch a big fish today?

"

nYou have a thirty-two percent chance of catching a rare Golden Bass today.

n

"Really?

"

nNo. You told me to make things up. The rubbing was much better.

nNix chuckled and sat the ball down.

"This could be your calling, Enigma.

"

n

/Go Fish: Semmi: Are we late?

nNix looked up to see Semmi and Jun Li approached with fishing poles in hand. It had been two days since the Fall of the Keep, the graveyards from the Tempest and Tribunal Burroughs were a few hours from resetting.

nA warm breeze coupled with the river's slow trickling sound left a calming effect on the fishing trio. Mortimer, Soup, and Fey adorned the far riverbank, taking advantage of the morning sun to warm themselves.

n

/Go Fish: Semmi: Hey, Nix. What's that ball for?

n

/Go Fish: Nix: It's Enigma. He's an Oracle.

n

/Go Fish: Jun Li: What?

n

/Go Fish: Semmi: Really?

n

/Go Fish: Nix: Yes. Rub it like a genie lamp and then ask a question.

n

/Go Fish: Jun Li: He's teasing us.

n

/Go Fish: Nix: Nope. Give it a try; just start off easy.

nNix handed the black ball to Semmi, who immediately rubbed it.

n

"Who am I?

"

nYou are the brilliant and talented, Semmi Dow.

nSemmi's pretty face creased in a wide smile. She immediately rubbed it again.

"Will my friend Junie ever find a man?

"

nShe already has.

nJun Li's face blushed deep red; she tried to cover the fact by rebaiting her hook.

"Are you really going to listen to that thing?

"

nSemmi laughed at her friend's expression before rubbing it a third time.

"What's his name?

"

nI'm not allowed to share secrets of the heart.

nThe blonde officer wrinkled her nose at the ball before glancing up at Nix.

"Can I keep this?

"

n

"No.

" Nix held out his hand and left it there until Semmi returned Enigma.

n

/Go Fish: Jun Li: Can I try?

nNix nodded and handed it to her.

nJunie rubbed the ball tentatively.

"Will we defeat Khione?

"

nInferno and its allies will destroy the Goddess of Winter.

nJun Li smiled happily at the ball before giving Nix a sly glance.

"How many wives will Nix end up with?

"

nCalculating... Nine.

nNix frowned at Enigma.

"Remember our chat about the river?

"

nRecalculating... Impossible to determine.

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

nBone Fortress, 1430 hours Ice Faction: 0, Undead Faction: 5,000

n

/Inferno: Pon: Doesn't that number seem high?

n

/Inferno: Duran: All of the original fallen have been restored.

nAt exactly 1400 hours, the smoking pile of rubble that had been the Keep vanished from the five Burroughs' convergence and was replaced with a small stone building.

nNix led the officers inside. It was the control room that housed the Spectrum.

"Didn't expect it to reset to here.

"

nSemmi studied the control menu.

"Training grounds?

"

nNix nodded.

"We'll make adjustments and use it to strengthen our forces.

"

nSemmi whistled softly.

"Remove the borders and create a central training ground where you are instantly revived when defeated in combat.

"

nNix displayed all the sub-menus.

"There are also extensive climate and terrain controls.

"

nCongratulations to the Undead Faction for their Victory over the Ice Faction.

nAll members of the Undead Faction will receive the following awards.

nBlessing of the Undead.

nBone Weapon.

nEidengal Residence

nEidengal Knighthood.

nAll members of the Inferno Guild will receive the following awards.

nSkeletal Mount.

nBone Crow Promotion.

nImproved Fortitude.

nImproved Elemental Resistance.

nAdvanced Holographic Interface.

nBone Fortress Crafting Tree.

nTier 9, Bone Hardening.

nAdditional Rewards have been given based on individual contributions.

nYou have received the Crown of Bones.

nYou have received the Book of the Undead.

nYou have received the Monarch's Soul.

nYou have received the Bone Fortress Keys.

n

/Inferno: Pon: What do you think Trifecta got?

n

/Inferno: Nix: Am sure they got boned. Losing these kinds of things is always bad.

nNix stepped out of the control building and displayed the descriptions on his rewards.

nBlessing of the Undead: The Lich King form is now part of your permanent abilities.

nBone Weapon: Based on the weapon type you prefer. Bone Hilt x 2

nEidengal Residence: Based on your contribution to the war. You now have a home in the residential section of Eidengal. House Key

nEidengal Knighthood: For your contributions to the cause, you've been Knighted. This comes with several benefits depending on your rank.

nSkeletal Mount: A bone horse, tireless and combative by nature.

nBone Crow Promotion: This order promotes your Shadow Raven to the next tier.

nImproved Fortitude: Resistance to controlling effects have been significantly increased.

nImproved Elemental Resistance: Resistance to elemental damage and

/or effects have been significantly increased.

nAdvanced Holographic Interface: A new and improved version of the HUD interface.

nBone Fortress Crafting Tree: A catalog listing of Bone Fortress Crafting skills, you may choose one. This does not count against your standard Crafting tree.

nTier 9, Bone Hardening: This is the highest tier available; you have bones of steel.

nCrown of Bones: While wearing this Crown, you are recognized as the Undead King, with all the benefits and penalties that come with it.

nBook of the Undead: 100

/100

nWhile wearing the Crown of Bones, you may scribe names within this book.

nMonarch's Soul: Higher tiered creatures will recognize your potential.

nBone Fortress Keys: You are now the Bone Fortress's Caretaker and may return whenever you wish.

n

/Inferno: Nix: Binding Points are open. Inferno members return to Haven.

n

/Inferno: Duran: Thank you, Nix. Everyone from my faction will return to Eidengal. When can we expect your visit?

n

/Inferno: Semmi: Give us a week.

n

/Inferno: Duran: Very well. Thank you, my friends.

nReturn to your binding point? Haven

nNix waited until the crowded field emptied out. There were a lot of things he wanted to adjust in the Bone Fortress. He planned to bring in the Titans that had been training in the Gemini Temple, as well as their AirPower.

n

"Yes.

"

nA moment later, the last occupant of the Bone Fortress vanished.

n