Phoenix Phire

/Inferno: Mina: Nix? All the air elementals have suddenly vanished.

/Inferno: Nix: Rhylia summoned them into the Temple.

/Inferno: MIna: All of them at once? Did she decide to join us?

/Inferno: Nix: Yes to both. Gate back to Glory, I'll see you there.

/Inferno: Mina: Can you meet me in the Sea-World?

/Inferno: Nix: Sure Min.

Nix stepped into the Sea-World, the warm breeze off the water made him stand in place for a moment. "Gulls... we need some birds here."

Mina was standing next to the door of the cottage when he walked up, she had removed her hood and the tie that held her white hair.

"You never wear your hair down Min, looks nice."

She didn't reply, only stared at him with her pale blue eyes before opening the door and walking in. Nix followed behind and eased the door shut.

"I misspoke." She stated softly and then sat on the couch. "My words sound sour, even in my own ears."

Nix sat down next to her. "You're jealous, it's a common feeling between men and women."

"I'm jealous." She sat there staring as she considered the words. "Would you stop being my friend if Fajii asked you to?"

"Fajii wouldn't ask me something like that."

"No... I guess she wouldn't." She moved closer and leaned against him until her head rested on his shoulder. "I see Fajii as she is now, There's a happiness that wasn't there before."

"She seems the same to me, perhaps the Scorched Earth path has made her emotions more stable."

"Please forget my harsh words."

"It's fine Min." He stroked her hair softly. "The mantle of leadership can be heavy."

"I cannot calm myself."

"We could always exchange pointers."

Min sat up, her pale eyes looking intently at his face. "It would be difficult with such an ugly man."

"Right... I could just turn you around, then you wouldn't have to look at me."

A smile cracked on her alien face before she laughed loudly. Nix joined her and they laughed together for some time.

*************

/Inferno: Sharl: Floyd just shapeshifted...

Nix was walking toward the Fire Palace when he heard the comment. Floyd was the name that she had given the Naga boy.

/Inferno: Nix: Into?

/Inferno: Sharl: A regular boy.

/Inferno: Fajii: Don't worry, it's normal.

/Inferno: Sharl: He can't even speak yet.

/Inferno: Fajii: He should be able to turn into a regular snake also although that might take longer.

Nix shuddered, anything but snakes.

/Inferno: Sharl: Can I come to see you Fajii?

/Inferno: Fajii: Yes.

[Whisper: Pon to Nix] You will be leading a man's group into the embassy later.

[Whisper: Nix to Pon] Let me guess... You want to see the 40th floor.

[Whisper: Pon to Nix] Of course we do!

[Whisper: Nix to Pon] Fine... Only if you guys make it into the 30s on your own. I don't want to repeat all those floors.

/Inferno: Pon: Wind, Banz, Milat, Chael... Our mission is a go. Meet at the Embassy.

/Inferno: Wylie: Such motivation, I like it.

/Inferno: Ronnie: A suspicious amount of motivation.

Nix entered Shae's elemental world, he had expected to find her in her favorite pool but she wasn't there. Morti was still sleeping soundly although he had actually moved enough to turn on his back with his huge paws in the air. Nix patted his fat tummy and kept walking.

Nix stopped when he finally found her, she was sitting next to Fajii and the two of them were tending an enormous garden plot. "This is way bigger than I remember."

Shae looked up when he spoke. "We planted more peppers Nix, Fajii says I am good with plants!

He nodded and accepted a hug from her. There was dirt smudged all over her face. "Wanted to talk about the Air Nemesis.'

Shae frown, "she still refuses?"

"No, she is in the Doppelganger Stone with all of her air elementals. She has agreed to join us."

Shae grabbed his hand and pulled him into the freshly planted rows. "Help us for a while."

"Sure... let's put the stone in place first."

Shae sighed, "you'll come back and help us plant after?"

"For a bit, I already promised Pon I'd give him a hand.

Shae waved and all three of them appeared on the altar. She held out her hand and Nix placed the Doppelganger Stone in it.

He watched as Shae held it up, to Nix it was just an ugly brown stone. It looked like a topaz. "Is it okay to leave them in there while you do this?

Shae nodded and placed the stone in an unmounted slot on the altar.

A near-deafening sound of rushing wind surrounded them, the Fire Palace shook while the stone shone brightly. After several minutes it stopped. Nix dropped his hands from his ears and glanced at Shae.

The Salamander smiled and shrugged at him. "She is a Nemesis after all."

[Fire Palace Upgrade Available]

Nix moved closer and opened the Palace menu.

[The Fire Palace may be upgraded to the Palace of Fire and Air]

Shae read the message and then nodded at him. "Go ahead Nix."

"Upgrade the Fire Palace."

[Upgrading the Fire Palace: 6 hours]

Colonial System Message: Phelinomia, Wisteria, and Espana have united to form The Central Kingdom.

Colonial System Message: The wedding of King Tu-Khat and Princess Festa will take place in 10 days, all of Colonial is invited to attend.

Colonial System Message: The Central Kingdom has entered into an Alliance with the Inferno Guild.

New Guild Options are available.

New City Options are available.

[Whisper: Cyan to Nix] Please come to Cyphix and help us!

Without a second thought, Nix activated Deep Blue and selected Cyphix. A moment later he appeared on the city platform. His nose detected the scent of sulfur and brimstone. "Damn... A Salamander Lord."

/Inferno: Shae: Nix?

He sprinted down the street, half of the temple had been destroyed already. Cyan was shielding the unconscious Ice Spirit with her body. Her long dark hair had been scorched in many places and half of her face was burned badly. "Leave us alone! This is merely a Spirit's Temple. Someone of your rank will only destroy it!"

"These two are under my protection." Nix's shouted voice carried in the empty street. The Salamander had blonde hair and a too handsome face. There was an evil in his eyes that turned Nix's heart cold.

The blonde man stared at the newcomer. "Defending this Ice bitch is worth your life?"

[Aura Ignition]

Nix armed himself, pushing his emerald flames into the hilt of his sword.

The Salamander backed up a step. "Brother... Why defend an Ice spirit?"

"You are no brother of mine." Nix walked toward the Salamander, his footsteps leaving a path of glowing rock behind him.

A flash of light announced the arrival of Shae and Fajii. The Nemesis frowned at the destruction, she immediately saw cruelty in the eyes of the other. "If Nix has told you to leave, then leave at once and never come back."

Stark terror entered the Salamander Lord's eyes when he felt Shae's aura pushing down on him. "I will leave! Forgive this one Nemesis!" The air around him started to shimmer, he gave Nix a malice filled glare and then disappeared.

Nix flamed out his aura and ran toward Cyan.

/Inferno: Shae: I must leave Nix, my existence here is too much for her in this weakened state.

/Inferno: Nix: Thank you Shae, bring Fajii back to the Palace. I will take care of things here.

Cyan pulled Shi into her arms, her body glowing while she healed her. The ice priestess wept bitterly, "she protected me, even though she knew there was no standing against him."

Nix felt his heart squeeze, this was the first person he had talked to in Colonial. The anguish in her eyes reminded him of his past. He noticed the Temple deed floating above the altar. "You can rebuild?"

Cyan nodded, "We could, but for what purpose? He will just return and you cannot always protect us."

"Come to Glory then."

"You heard Shae. Fire and Ice will not do well together."

Nix grabbed the deed and then picked up the small Ice Spirit in his arms. "Do not worry, I will definitely protect my friends."

******************

Nix returned to Glory several hours later, his step seemed exhausted as he made his way back to the Fire Palace. He entered quietly, Shae was seated on her Throne with Fajii standing next to her.

"How is the Ice Spirit?" Shae seemed genuinely worried, her presence in Shi's ice world had nearly caused her death once.

"I have taken care of it." Nix felt the sudden build-up of power, the doppelganger stone glowing brightly, changing from brown to transparent as a strong wind blew Nix back several steps. A second throne formed next to Shae's, this one was clear and made from air.

A flash of black wings announced her arrival. Rhylia seemed much stronger than before, dressed in black, her wings dragged on the marble floor while she walked slowly to her throne.

She bowed her head slightly at Shae. "Greetings Shae."

Shae smiled in return. "Welcome, Air Nemesis Rhylia."

Rhylia sat on her throne, her dark eyes finding Nix immediately. "Please advance Champion and receive the blessings of Air."

Nix walked forward and knelt down on one knee. When he did, Rhylia stood and approached. She laid a cool hand on his head. "My blessing upon you, Air Champion."

You have received the blessing of Air.

Your Champion's Medallion has been upgraded.

You have learned [Fire Burst]

You have learned [Flame Throw]

You have learned [Vacuum]

You have learned [Gusting Flames]

You have learned [Null]

Colonial System Message: Congratulations to Glory Island for constructing Colonial's first Palace of Fire and Air.