n

n

n

"For Pete's sake... Why are you dragging your feet?

" Nix pushed against Mortimer's side trying to get him to move faster.

n

"It looks scary. I don't wanna.

" Morti sat in front of the entrance of the Embassy, refusing to budge.

nThree days had passed since the construction of the Palace of Fire and Air. Mortimer had finally woken up. When he was told about the Colonial Embassy, the curious bear demanded to be taken there.

n

"Hey, Nix!

" A young woman with pink hair and a big smile called out to him. She ran toward them waving before skidding to a halt.

"Who's your friend?

"

nNix resisted the urge to kick him.

"This is Morti, he's a chicken.

"

n

"Bear,

" Morti corrected.

n

"Fine, a Chicken Bear.

"

nMorti turned his head toward Pinky.

"Just a regular bear. I like your hair.

"

nPinky grinned up at the bear, she was shorter than him even though he was sitting.

"A brave bear I bet.

"

n

"I'm very brave,

" he agreed.

nPinky gestured toward the door.

"I'm going into the Embassy, you coming Morti?

"

n

"Yep.

" Morti stood and waddled to the door, it was a tight fight but he squeezed in.

nNix frowned at the pair of them and followed along.

"Take a left and go into the office.

"

nThe first man behind the counter was writing something on a notepad.

"Stand on the line pl...

"

nMorti stood his hind legs with his feet on the line, his head only a few inches from the ceiling.

"Here?

"

n

"Perhaps sit on the line sir,

" the man amended.

nMorti sat down while the man took his picture.

"This my good side Nix?

"

n

"It's your fat side.

"

nThe second man grabbed the picture and nodded approvingly before sliding it into the pad.

"Place your right hand on the pad please.

"

nMorti placed his gigantic paw on the pad, the entire counter seemingly disappeared.

nAfter a few seconds, the man patted his paw.

"That should do it, sir.

"

nThe third man reached over and slid a small card from the pad. He lowered his spectacles and read the card.

"Mortimer the Cave Bear. Is that you?

"

nMorti nodded.

"Yep.

"

nThe man slid the card in front of him.

"Please verify that the information is correct.

"

nMortimer Titan Cave Bear: Spirit Companion

nRank: Lord Redacted

nLevel: 1

nStrength 911

nEndurance 450

nIntelligence 38

nAgility 15

nCharm 85

nAbilities

nGround Pounder: Stuns all creatures within 10 meters. Duration: 3 seconds

nAbsolute Defense: Blocks half of all incoming damage from one target.

nAbsolute Challenge: All enemies are forced to change their targets to the challenger.

nBear Intentions: First Strike.

nRage: Unknown Effect. (Use of Rage results in companion sleeping for three days.)

nBad Memories Past experiences have made this companion immune to fire.

nCharmless Immune to all charm effects.

nFearless Immune to fear and control effects.

nMorti stared at the tiny card.

"I like honey... it doesn't say that.

"

nNix leaned in and snatched the card.

"Thank you, this is perfect.

"

nPink smiled at Morti.

"Do your best on the test! You can join me on the 41st floor.

" She glanced at the leaderboard that hung over the elevator, there were a dozen people on the 40th floor most of them were from Inferno.

nNix handed the card to the elevator attendant.

"He's gonna do the trial.

"

nThe attendant took the card and nodded.

"From now on I will keep your card here with me Mr. Mortimer.

"

nMorti squeezed into the elevator.

"You gonna wait for me Nix?

"

n

"Don't be such a baby. I have a few things to take care of.

"

n

"I'll wait, Morti.

" Pinky waved until the elevator closed.

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

n

"She's waiting for us.

" Shae smiled from her throne, her eyes watching the glowing stone that signified the presence of the Air Temple.

n

"I thought for sure you'd go in.

" Nix held out his hand and pulled Shae to her feet.

n

"Not without you.

" The Salamander's red hair brushed against his arm. She lowered her voice to a whisper,

" Rhy is very excited.

"

nShae lay a hand on the stone, immediately Nix felt the air sucked out of him as a vacuum pulled them into the Air Palace. He shielded his eyes, the bright expanse of blue skies coupled with the glaring sun made him squint his eyes.

n

"She has a sun.

" Nix glanced at Shae who seemed mildly surprised.

nThe dark dreary court had been replaced with colorful gardens that filled the air with the scent of flowers. Many of the air elementals relaxed in shallow pools while dozens more raced through the clear skies. The white robes and head wraps seemed to have been replaced with barely anything.

n

"Do air elementals typically wear...?

"

n

"Nearly nothing at all?

" Shae finished his question.

"As far as I know, although if they leave here they will put the robes on, probably.

"

nNix tried not to stare, there was something mildly disconcerting being dressed among a bunch of scantily clad air creatures.

"Probably should make sure Pon doesn't come here.

"

n

"Welcome Shae, welcome Air champion.

"

nYou have designated as the Lord of this Palace

nNix bowed his head slightly,

"Thank you, Nemesis Rhylia.

"

nRhylia's dark eyes seemed to find his words amusing.

"No need to be formal, please address me as Rhy.

"

n

"Show us your new abilities Nix.

" Shae could sense the changes, but she had refrained from asking until now.

n

"Yes, show us please,

" Rhy agreed, her dark eyes watching him closely.

nFire Burst: Fire

/Air Ability

nDescription: Five spheres of superheated flames shoot instantly from your hand.

nTarget: Single target up to 200 meters.

nNull: Air Ability

nDescription: Remove all the air surrounding your opponent, immediately canceling any spells

/abilities. Duration 5 seconds.

nTarget: Single target, line of sight.

nFlame Throw Fire

/Air Ability

nDescription: Superheated flames shoot from your hands, bathing nearby targets in fire.

nTarget: Single target up to 20 meters.

nGusting Flames Fire

/Air Ability

nDescription: Summons a wall of flames that engulf your targets and follows them. Duration:30 seconds.

nTarget: Area Effect, Up to 5 targets, line of sight.

nVacuum Air Ability

nDescription: Summons your target.

nTarget: 20 meters, instant.

nShae's eyes shone while she examined his new abilities.

"Fire and Air are natural allies.

"

n

"With my support, Sogon wouldn't dare challenge you.

" Rhy had been hiding from him for a long time, it felt good to be relieved of that burden.

nWhisper: Chiba to Nix I need your help apprentice.

nNix suddenly cringed. Neither Nemesis noticed, they were considering how they could work best together.

nWhisper: Nix to Chiba If you can't handle it, who could I possibly bring?

nWhisper: Chiba to Nix If you don't come, I will most likely kill King Brahmi.

nNix cursed silently.

n

/Inferno: Nix: Pon, Wind, and Chael. Meet me at the Guild Hall immediately.

nRhy cocked her head to one side, Nix had brought her into Inferno, she still wasn't use to the chatter. He had shown her how to silence it, but she found the interactions interesting.

nNix turned back toward the two women and bowed slightly.

"Something has come up.

"

nHe ported directly to Guild Hall; Pon, Wind, and Chael were already waiting for him.

"Special mission. We're taking the portal to Espana.

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

nTwenty minutes later, the group was flying over Hova City, the location of King Brahmi's palace.

nWhisper: Nix to Chiba We are in Hova City.

nWhisper: Chiba to Nix Follow the smoke. There's a large sky window, you'll have to break it.

nNix pointed to the southern wing of the palace, it was completely engulfed in flames.

nFey dived straight for the glass, talons extended she crashed through the window and skidding on the marble floor for a dozen meters before stopping. The rest of the group floated down gently on their Manta.

nThe sound of sword fighting drew their attention to a large set of double doors. Nix ran down the hallway and stepped into a large room, Chiba was guarding the door against a half dozen guards, more than twice that many already lay on the ground dead.

nGusting Flames

nFive of the guards burst into flames, their screams echoed in the room as they desperately tried to put the fires out.

nNix drew his hilt and pushed his flame into it.

nVacuum

nNix targeted one of the men he had already torched, dumbstruck the man appeared in front of him, the look stayed on his face as his head bounced across the floor.

nThe rest of his group had already put the stragglers down.

n

/Inferno: Pon: The f*ck... What is Chiba doing here?

n

"This way Nix.

" Chiba led through a narrow hallway that was littered with bodies.

"Watch your step, I didn't have time to remove them.

" She came to a large reinforced door.

"Open up, it's me.

"

nThe door opened up and the group followed Chiba inside. All four members of Inferno froze suddenly, their eyes showing surprise.

n

/Inferno: Pon: I take back every bad thing I've ever thought about you Nix.

n

/Inferno: Wind: Thanks, boss.

n

/Inferno: Chael: Woah... Best mission ever.

"

n