n

n

nHoot's old face creased in a wide grin.

"You look a bit better off than you did last time you were here.

"

nNix nodded in agreement. He glanced toward the middle of the lake where the floating city of Bachoni was located. Although the settlement wasn't within visual range, the glow of an anomaly hovered where he knew it to be.

"Might have to rebuild the town when all this is done.

"

n

"It was an ugly place anyways.

" Hoot's old eyes glanced at the expanded anomaly that was clearly visible in the distance.

"That light started expanding a few hours ago. Was that your doing?

"

n

"Probably.

" Nix stared at the veil of light that extended upward toward the clouds and spanned the entire width of Lake Bachoni.

"We'll rebuild everything that the Ice Goddess destroyed.

"

n

"Hmm.

" Hoot watched as the Inferno Leader activated his Archon bloodline and shot into the air without speaking further.

n

/Alpha: Pon: The curse is broken?

n

/Alpha: Nix: Sure as **. Everyone on me, we're heading to the Titan Base Camp.

nThe cold of Everspire seemed substantially less brutal that than what Inferno had seen in Colonial and Oasis. Perhaps the Ice Goddess was weakening due to the efforts of the Alliance. Nix climbed to an altitude of a thousand meters before leveling off and scanning the horizon.

n

/Inferno: Jun Li: You close, Nix?

n

/Inferno: Nix: Yeah, Alpha is heading to base camp now.

n

/Inferno: Jun Li: Meet you there.

nPon whistled softly, a sound that was completely erased by the swirling winds. The vast expanse of snow and ice was darkened considerably by the army that was camped outside of the veil.

"How many fighters do the Titans have?

"

nNix banked slightly and started to descend toward the camp.

"More than thirty thousand, not counting the ones we helped evolve.

" The veil that acted as a barrier was semi-transparent. Forms could be seen moving on the other side, but the details remained a mystery.

nAlpha landed near the central tent a few minutes later, each of them dropped their Archon forms immediately. A large perimeter of about thirty meters had been cleared out for a singular command tent. There were no guards posted outside the entrance, but perhaps that was a moot point since they were surrounded by an army.

nThe tent flap was pulled aside suddenly by an overly large hand. A mountain of a man walked out; his step was light and agile despite his enormous size.

"Nix!

"

nNix nodded at the Titan Warleader, who managed to cover the distance between them in two large strides.

"We've come to the end.

"

nMortimus gripped the Inferno Leader's shoulder like he would a younger brother.

"I heard about the Oasis raid. Those of us that are here will fight to the end. No matter the cost.

"

nNix nodded in agreement.

"We need to put her down.

"

nJun Li arrived with the rest of the Inferno Officers a few minutes later. They followed the Titan Warleader back into the tent and took seats around the large fire at the center.

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

nA slender hand gripped the arm of the Ice Throne, Khione's crystal blue eyes stared at her remaining General.

"The enemy forces have gathered?

"

nVorn nodded his head.

"We still outnumber them, but I believe when their reserves are brought in, we'll be evenly matched.

" Shapeshifter Vorn bowed his head slightly. Although his appearance was similar to that of an Ice Howler, his dark eyes brimmed with confidence.

"Nix is a problem; I feel like we should concentrate on killing him.

"

nThe hand that gripped the throne relaxed and strummed playfully.

"His death has already been foreseen. Fortunately for us, he cannot avoid this destiny.

"

nVorn considered her words. Unlike other Ice Howlers, his body was covered by a fine velvet-like blue fur. His slim appearance gave off a predatory type of pressure that made others avoid his gaze.

"Because he is the Cora'Zai?

"

nKhione smiled slightly, her cold face taking on an astounding beauty before withdrawing back into frozen countenance.

"Cora'Zai or if you want to believe the dragon version, DraCora'Zai. I will have to deal with him personally even if your army fails.

"

n

"When will you activate the mole?

" Vorn had confidence in himself, but he also understood the strength of his opposition. Through a series of unforeseen events, one of Khione's people had found their way into the Gemini Temple, the holy ground that lay at the base of Inferno's strength.

n

"Not until Inferno's reserves are on the battlefield. With all of their fighters in Everspire, my spy will open a gate into Haven. At that point, you and your shifters will exit into Haven and raze it to the ground while our remaining forces continue to fight here.

"

n

"And the dragons?

" Vorn was confident that he could deal with Haven's residual forces, but rumor said that three dragons now resided within the Inferno stronghold.

n

"Once the gate to Haven has been opened, I will leave the Everspire battlefield and kill those three pests.

" Khione's cold laugh echoed in her icy chambers.

"Haven will become the new capital from which I will dominate the planes.

"

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

nNix stood with Alpha in a small circle that included Morti, Ducky, and Soup. A second team consisting of Ronnie, Sharl, Chiba, Beta, and Donri sat nearby while listening to their conversation. This group of just over a dozen had a somewhat different mission than the rest. As soon as the Ice Goddess appeared on the battlefield, they would ignore fighting and kill Khione.

n

/Dagger: Sharl: Ronnie will be with the snipers until Khione is spotted; she will make the call one way or another.

n

/Dagger: Ronnie: Count on me!

nThe dark archer smiled brazenly at Nix.

"Going to reward me if I kill Khione?

"

n

"Sure,

" Nix laughed. They'd been together since the start; his soft spot for Ronnie was widely known.

nA giant hud popped up with a holographic view of the battlefield. Nix stared at it for a long moment before dividing the groups into subdivisions. A moment later, a holo popped into view.

nA familiar form saluted respectfully.

"The forces of Mid-Everspire have gathered under one banner. We stand ready to fight.

"

n

"Chael?

" Nix grinned at the ex-Inferno ranger.

"The Four Corners have sent help?

"

nChael nodded.

"Our numbers are thin because of Deep Winter, a bit over five thousand fighters in our Legion.

"

n

"General Chael then... Stand by and thank you for the support.

"

nThe Dire Wolf that had been lingering near Alpha suddenly stood up, her ears pricked forward as she stared at the holo. Nansu had insisted on taking part in the battles with one of Nix's puppets. The lifestyle player wasn't a hardened veteran, but she wasn't running away from a fight.

"Chael is coming,

" she muttered to herself while trying to calm her nerves.

n******Author's Note*****

nChael and Nansu were a couple long before Inferno was formed. The ranger and the Alchemist parted ways after a

"possessed

" Chael tried to kill Nansu in Haven. Although the incident was defused by Nix, the pair were never able to put it behind them.

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

nYour Allies have given you control of the battle and await deployment orders.

nNix noted that none of the deployed Titan Clans were listed on his Breach Commander hud. They fell under the authority of Warleader Mortimus, the exception being the Titan Clans that Inferno had revived.

nBreach Commander Deployment Menu

nAir Forces

n1) Fey

n2) Muncie

n3) Haven's Drake Squadron

n4) Rhylia and the Arch Wing Division

n6) Titan Hawk Clan

nRanged Fighters

n1) Lamia Scorched Earth Acolytes

n2) Inferno Ranger Company

n3) Dhassi Ranged Fighters.

nMelee

n1) Lion Titan Clan

n2) Scorpion Titan Clan

n3) Tharaka and the Ashobel Clan

nNether Allied Generals

nLeva the Fallen

nGenta

nChog the Furious

nRo'Sinda

nNyCyndor

nMiscellaneous Forces

n1) 1st Division Flame Knights of Solomon City

n2) 1st Division Earth Knights of Houdinya City.

n3) General Chael and the Mid-Spire Legion.

n4) Nemesis Shi and the Haven Ice Acolytes.

n

/Inferno: Jun Li: We'll use the same setup from our Colonial Battle, plus the Pathfinder and Sand Killer groups. Here is the Raid Sheet.

nMain Tank: Morti

nAlt Tank: Sharl

n2nd Alt Tank: Banz

nAlpha

nNix: CC, Ranged

/Melee DPS

nPon: Ranged DPS

nWind: Melee DPS

nSemmi: Melee DPS

nFajii: Buffs, Melee DPS

nBravo

nSharl: Tank

nRonnie: Range DPS

nBali: Range DPS

nMilat: Melee DPS

nNansu: Melee DPS

nCharlie

nBanz: Tank

nChiba: Melee DPS

nBeta: Melee DPS

nRhylia: CC, Ranged Support

nZhava: Melee DPS

nDelta

nJun Li: Off Tank

/Melee DPS

nShae: Ranged DPS

nDonri: Ranged DPS

nSila: CC

/Melee DPS

nSasi: Melee DPS

nPathfinder

nGideon: DPS

nNebs: Heals

nRoto: Range DPS

nJiggs: DPS

nPaco: Tank

nSand Killers

nToxin: Tank

nBrell: Shaman

nEri dale: Ranger

nCorm: Javalier

nRetric: Javalier

nAinsba: Sand Shadow

nDune: Sand Shadow

nHealer Protection Group

nVooni: Tank, Melee DPS

nAja: Ranged

/Melee DPS

nNunzo, Melee DPS

nOmak: Ranged DPS

nHealers

nTess

nGypsy

nPinky

nWylie

nSaji

nNezbit

nSniper Group

nDarsi

nMoki

nDalton

nSorbie

n

/Breach Commander Nix: Give me a moment to organize the deployment. Going to bring the ground forces in and then hand you off to the other Breach Commanders.

n

/Breach Commander Mtui: Whenever you are ready.

nNix nodded to himself and brought up a holo image of the existing battlefield. Unfortunately, there was no real cover to speak of; they were fighting in the middle of Everspire's largest lake. A soft furred head pushed against his side; without pausing, he scratched the Slayer's ears.

"You should be back in Oasis with the other Dhassi. Your people have lost enough today.

"

nDel's blue eyes close while she purred happily.

"I ordered Cora and most of the Dhassi to remain behind. But, since we are companions, I'll fight with you until the end.

"

n

"You're too stubborn.

" Nix left a hand on her soft head while arranging the allied forces.

"Stay close to me today.

"

n

"Don't I always?

"

n