[Use your own blood to bond the blade]

"Huh?" Nix stared at the scimitar in his hand. It was unlike any blade he'd ever wielded. It was curved slightly and had a spiked handguard that was obviously meant to strike opponents with. It resembled white silver, his own reflection stared back at him when he held it. The edge looked sharp enough to cut through stone.

He touched his thumb lightly on the keen edge, it took only the slightest bit of pressure to make his blood down the blade. Nix held tight to the blade, a sudden sandstorm kicked up around him. It slowly extended until a small tempest about 20 feet in diameter swirled slowly in a mass around him. The sand disappeared and was replaced by green flames, the flames faded to silver, then to Gemini flames and finally Ice flames. The sudden build-up in power took Nix by surprise, he blacked out when the blast tossed him into the air.

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

Captain Locas shared some of his lunch with the blond human, he found her to be incredibly smart and quite charming. "Who is the old man watching us? Your father perhaps?"

Pon heard the remark and stood. "I'm your father you pointed eared..." He trailed off when he felt the massive release of power, out of habit he tossed up a fire shield, everything around them was instantly snap-frozen into ice. He shared a glance with Semmi. "Nix..."

"Watch your step!" Semmi walked carefully on the rocky path leading to the beach, the several inches of ice that covered it was already melting in the afternoon sun.

Wind nodded and stepped onto the beach, the sea was frozen solid for nearly a hundred meters. The massive waves were already breaking up the ice and tossing it onto the shore. "Shit... it's Nix"

Wind found a block of ice lodged against the rocks. An unconscious Nix could be seen clearly inside.

"Stand back, I've got this." Pon placed his hands on the block and they glowed orange with fire. Slowly it melted away, the ice was bluish in color, the old mage recognized it immediately as the aftereffect of Ice Flames.

Nix woke up slowly, his back soaked from the rapidly melting ice.

[Combustion]

He healed his own wounds, although they weren't bad.

Bali Zend was watching him with a confused look. "You're a fire mage, right? How come you are covered in ice?" She extended a small hand and helped him to his feet.

Nix shrugged at the Ain'Dhassi ranger. He looked around, glancing at the ground. "Seen my sword?"

Bali pointed to his forearm, "it's a Soul Blade right?"

Nix held up his arm and examined the Blood-red Tattoo. It was a perfect replica of the sword he had been given by Beta. "Guess I got inked... Any idea how to draw the weapon?"

Bali nodded, "Snap your fingers and say Ni'Elisio Anji."

Nix snapped his fingers, "Ni'Elisio Anji"

A moment later Locas slapped the small ranger on the back of her head. She wore a big smile and backed away with her hands raised in surrender. "Sorry Commander, just try to picture the blade and it will appear."

"I see... What did I say then?"

"You professed your love for farm animals," Locas said it with a straight face, although he scowled at Bali.

Pon cackled loudly. "Love it!"

/Alpha: Semmi: Can I keep her?

/Alpha: Wind: No way, I call dibs on the ranger.

"Hmmm..." Nix watched the tiny ranger, she was giving him an innocent smile. He pictured the blade in his head and instantly it appeared in his hand. "It made a loud humming noise when he swiped it on the air, most of the blade was red with the exception of the edge which was black.

Hell's Vengeance [Soul Blade]

Scimitar: Breach Commander's Weapon

Description: This blade doubles the effectiveness

of all fire abilities.

+100 to All Stats

20 percent chance of a critical hit

[Damage is based on Strength X Agility rating.]

[Fire Shadow]: Become immune to all damage for 10 seconds.

[Sudden Death]: Instantly slay someone who is mortally wounded.

A movement from the iced over sea caught Nix's attention, Fajii was returning to the beach. A familiar face was following her.

"Lord Nix." Ishna bowed slightly, "I did not expect to see you again so soon."

"No? An odd statement since you settled right next to our territory." Nix noticed she was accompanied by a younger female. "Panyu right? How are you feeling?"

"She is with child, although it is still too soon to tell the gender." Ishna paused for a moment, "I wanted to tell you Nix, do not attempt to destroy the Cai'Song Artifact."

/Inferno: Nix: Ishna is visiting us on Loki. Shall I bring you in Min?

/Inferno: Mina: No. I'm still too angry to speak with her.

"Too late Ishna. We already destroyed the Cai'Song artifact. The three Archons and the dozen Grand Elders guarding it are all dead." Nix let a lazy smile across his face, he knew he was being petty but she could have mentioned the Archons.

/Alpha Team: Wind: Papa Pon... I like the sound of that!

/Alpha Team: Nix: Kinda catchy.

/Alpha Team: Semmi: No it isn't.

"Destroyed? Then it's truly over." Ishna looked more relieved than sad. "Nix, I wish to set up a trade agreement with Loki. Would that be possible?"

"I think so, you'll have to contact the territorial Governor, she should assume her duties in a few days." Nix decided not to mention that the governor was his very protective older sister.

"Also, if it turns out that Panyu is having a girl, we'd like to make arrangements for that also." Ishna's voice was steady but inside she was controlling her fear. All of them gave off a feeling of extreme strength. Even Fajii, who had only been an Alchemist seemed to have a dangerous edge to her.

Nix shrugged. "This settlement will be the home of 12 Guilds. I'm sure you will be able to make proper arrangments."

/Inferno: Jun Li: We are waiting in the Gemini Temple Nix.

/Inferno: Nix: On my way.

Nix stowed his weapon with a simple thought and then activated Deep Blue.

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

A few minutes later, Nix opened a breach to the Ranger camp and brought the rest of the raid in.

[Raid Sheet]

Jun Li: Tank

Sharl: Tank

Tess: Healer

Rhylia: CC

Nix: CC

DPS: Semmi

DPS: Wind

DPS: Pon

DPS: Ronnie

DPS: Shae

DPS: Mina

Buffs: Fajii

300 Ain'Dhassi Rangers

/Inferno: Jun Li: We bringing all the Rangers?

/Inferno: Nix: Yep. We don't know what's in those buildings.

/Inferno: Shae: To build a House in Solomon City, requires the foundation stone and 5 really strong fighters. Those fighters are also called the foundation.

/Inferno: Ronnie: My research into it says that the next step after that is the 12 pillars.

/Inferno: Semmi: That's the name of our Alliance.

/Inferno: Ronnie: It's also the second step, The 12 pillars are also individuals of extraordinary strength. If all the pieces are in play, we could be looking at 17 Archons.

[Whisper: Shae to Nix] You've been considering our own Foundations?

[Whisper: Nix to Shae] Yes. We'll talk about it after we speak with Commander Mtui tomorrow.

[Whisper: Shae to Nix] Sounds good.

[Whisper: Nix to Bael] I believe Zar is about to kill Umi. I'm going to try and stop him.

[Whisper: Bael to Nix] What? Why would he do that?

[Whisper: Nix to Bael] He sent her into the Vale after the Foundation Stone, she wasn't able to find it.

[Create Breach: Inuit]