n

n

nThe hunting pair stopped just before the summit of the frozen ridgeline. Heavy, wet snow in the shape of large flakes continued to limit visual acuity to within fifty meters.

nNix has activated Dragon Eyes.

nThe Inferno Leader's eyes glowed orange as both man and cat crouched low to the ground in the unnatural blizzard. Nix muttered a curse under his breath while he scanned the immediate area.

"Anything on Track, Del?

"

nDel's senses had become more heightened after spending months in an Orion puppet. Some of the skills that she had learned as an Ain'Dhassi ranger were starting to resurface in recent weeks.

"Just that they are called Ice Howlers and that there are nearly a hundred of them.

"

nBefore leaving the Thieves Guild a half-hour earlier, the sounds of howling beasts had echoed through the snow-covered landscape. Nix and Del had decided to investigate before returning to Haven. Their detour took them into the forest north of Mocai. Once they left the woods and entered the foothills, the din of many creatures howling in unison put a grim expression on the Inferno Leader's face.

n

"Not good, Del.

" The Howlers ran in a large circle, perhaps two hundred meters in diameter. Nipping and snarling at each other's heel as they circled a beast that could only be called formidable.

"That big one show up on track?

"

n

"Yes, but it comes back as unidentified. I don't like this, Nix.

" Del felt real fear in the presence of the center beast. The circling Ice Howlers were the size of men. They walked upright until they began to run, at which time they used their arms in primate fashion. They had light blue fur with wolf-like faces. The beast in the center stood close to twenty feet in height; his blue skin was devoid of hair, yet his bare chest showed no discomfort when exposed to the bone-chilling cold. The handle of a war ax protruded over his right shoulder. His only other clothings were boots and a loin-wrap.

n

"Retreat; for now, we'll talk to our dragon friends about this. Perhaps they know what sort of creature we are dealing with.

" Nix opened a breach and followed Del into Haven.

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

nAll of Alpha team were sitting around his Kitchen island when Nix and Del breached directly into the ranch house.

n

/Inferno: Shae: Nix is back.

nThe Orion padded over to the fireplace and took a seat in front of the flames. Initially, the Orion's were killed in droves because they were unable to adapt their white fur to non-Ice terrain. Nix shook his head in dismay; perhaps the Orions knew what they were doing.

nThe smell of fresh bread caused Nix to put off the hot shower he'd been planning.

"Can I get some of that?

"

nHyai was already cutting him a thick slab before he was able to ask, she lavished it with honey and butter before pushing a plate in front of him.

"How was Mocai?

"

nNix eyed his friends; something was definitely up.

"It's been snowing non-stop for half a day; temperatures have dropped below freezing. It's a storm like none I've ever seen.

" The Inferno Leader took a large bite of the fresh bread and waited for someone to give him the news.

n

"The Parliament has fallen,

" Semmi spoke calmly from her seat beside Pon.

"There's been no word from any of the Dhassi factions.

"

nPon stopped him before he could ask any questions.

"Both Loki and Glory City have been attacked, they are holding for now. The Ice creatures are everywhere.

"

nNix continued eating while he considered the news. A winter storm was raging over Oasis, Colonial, and Everspire. Bloodthirsty creatures seemed to appear from out of nowhere by the thousands.

"What's been done so far?

"

nSemmi shook her head slightly.

"Nothing yet, Boss. Inferno has been getting contacted from nearly every government in Colonial, requesting sanctuary in Haven.

"

nNix frowned at the blonde officer.

"We'll take care of our allies first. Evacuate key members of Glory to Haven; this means family and close friends only. Ducky will have to clear everyone. Where Bela and Bane?

"

n

"At the Kindled Spirit in Glory, Bane won't leave anyone behind,

" Hyai answered from the stove where she was slowly stirring a stew.

n

"We do have two Dragon Cities. We'll see evac Glory to Inferno City.

" Nix opened up his hud and sent messages to the 12 Pillar Vice Commanders.

"Loki residents will fall back to Avalon.

"

nPon's hand slammed on the counter.

"I hate running from that Ice Bitch!

"

nNix nodded in agreement.

"Fuck running; we're preparing. We're facing an all-out offensive on two different planes.

"

nDel stood up from her place by the fire and approached the group. As a native of Ain'Dhassi, many of her family members could be in serious trouble.

"The Ain'Dhassi won't have problems fighting in the Ice; we are used to it.

"

nNix stared at the Orion for a moment before opening up his Breach Commander Interface.

nDirect Contact: Dark Priestess Xia

nThe Dark Priestess bowed immediately when Nix's holo appeared in front of her. The undercover Cabal member had been secretly turned into one of Nix's minions by Leva the Fallen some months earlier.

"Commander Nix! How may I serve?

"

nNix ignored the eyes of his teammates.

"Gather.

" One by one, the life-sized Holos of the five Nether Overlords appeared in front of him.

nNyCyndor is present.

nRo'Sina is present.

nGenta is present.

nChog the Furious is present.

nLeva the Fallen bowed deeply.

"Commander Nix, all of the Nether stands with you.

"

n

"Khione has moved as predicted. Start Evacuating the non-combatants from Oasis and Colonial. Contact me. It's done.

" Nix closed the Breach Commander Interface and continued eating as if nothing had happened.

n

"Um...

" Semmi shared a glance with Shae, who was staring at Nix with a slight smile on her face.

"You're evacuating them to the Nether.

"

nNix nodded and closed his eyes while he finished his snack.

"This is Sharl's honey? We have to get some more of this.

"

n

/Inferno: Nix: In five days, the first five levels of the Guild Hall will become the Command Center for this Deep Winter. Make sure you are ready to go.

n

"Nix? How long have you been planning for this?

" Semmi was still trying to wrap her head around it. The Inferno Leader was known more for brutal beatdowns than meticulous planning.

n

"We'll discuss this at 0800, five days from now. Until then, Inferno needs to throttle back.

" Nix shrugged slightly,

"all work and no play...

"

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

nAn hour later, Nix was up to his neck in mud. Most of the Inferno Officers were present, as well as the three Haven dragons. The Inferno Leader found himself sitting between Shae and Tai'Qui. The Earth Dragon's brown shoulders were barely visible over the bubbling brown mud.

nDeidra was staring at Nix from her seat next to Pon and Ronnie.

"You dealt with Jargon Kane, but I'm not sure how.

"

nNix smiled lazily.

"I did,

" he admitted.

n

"The Dragon Council has removed him from the Tembai Academy. He has been relegated to the Provincial Dragon Academy training grounds.

" Deidrea paused for a moment.

"That's the place where you took part in the H & K.

"

nNix scowled at the dragon.

"You mean where you stranded me for a week? Why would he be sent there.

"

nTai was enjoying the interaction; Nix was obviously still bearing a grudge.

"His marrow is cursed. In the past, Cursed Marrow dragons would slowly wither away, oftentimes destroying and killing many others in the process. We've learned our lesson from this; now they are placed in an area created to contain them.

"

nDeidra seemed to have realized her misstep and smiled apologetically.

"That week was an unfortunate misunderstanding, Nix. You caused Jargon to break the conditions of his contract with Hulo?

"

nNix closed his eyes and leaned against the salamander, who pushed an arm through his.

"From what you told me, Jargon would have been required to return control to Hulo within a certain time period. I made sure he would be unable to do so.

"

n

"Fuck that bastard!

" Wind spoke from the far side of the mudbath. He was sitting with Beta and drinking steadily.

"He cost me my Ravager Armor!

"

nNix laughed at the Gemini Thief's angry expression.

"I wasn't serious about that; I'll definitely hook the two of you up with the Ravager puppets.

"

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

n

/Alpha: Semmi: I thought we were going fishing!

n

/Alpha: Nix: We are; I just wanted to take care of something first.

nNix smiled at Esta, the Stormsinger who was walking next to him along with three of her Arch Wing Acolytes and Alpha team.

"You didn't have to escort me, Esta. I do know my way around the temple.

"

nEsta shrugged slightly, her transparent visage crackling with the occasional electric pulse.

"Not my idea; three dragons bribed me.

"

nThe group arrived at a translucent barrier; the shapes and images on the other side were too blurry to make out. One by one, the members of Alpha team summoned their people. Nix placed them all in the same group when they started appearing.

nCharlie Group

nBensic (Paladin)

nLilac: Witch (CC, Summoner)

nShur'icon: Witch (Debuffs and Curses)

nCyra Yun: Shadow Ranger

n

/Charlie: Nix: Welcome back. As promised, I have a task you must complete. Doing so will result in your eventual freedom.

n

/Charlie: Cyra: How did I get here?

n

/Charlie: Bensic: I summoned you with my ring. The Undead have won the war?

n

/Charlie: Nix: Yes. The Bone Fortress is ours.

n

/Inferno: Pon: Isn't this where you tossed those asses from the House of Aquarion? And beat that Mummy down?

n

/Inferno: Nix: Yes. Also, several other people over the last half-year.

n

/Charlie: Bensic: What's the mission?

n

/Charlie: Nix: I've been using this place as a prison of sorts. I want you to go in and subjugate anyone still living.

n

/Charlie: Cyra: Towards what end?

n

/Charlie: Nix: None of your damned business. In one week, I'll send a scout in and check on your progress.

n

/Charlie: Bensic: Plenty of time. Let's go.

nNix changed the restrictions on entering and waited until the small group stepped through before adjusting the setting again.

"Now, it's time to fish.

"

n