Chiba has joined the Inferno Guild.

/Alpha Team: Semmi: Welcome back Chiba.

/Alpha Team: Chiba: How bad did my academy scores drop while the scamp was playing me?

/Alpha Team: Pon: Not good.

/Alpha Team: Wind: Barely adequate.

/Alpha Team: Chiba: And no one thought that was odd?

/Alpha Team: Semmi: No, not really.

/Alpha Team: Wind: I think we were all surprised at how pleasant you had become.

/Alpha Team: Chiba: The hell you say...

/Alpha Team: Beta: Commander Mtui has me joining another strike team Nix. The intel we thought we had from three weeks ago has compromised an ongoing mission. We'll be in a different part of the Nether but don't hesitate to call if you need help.

/Alpha Team: Wind: You should rest some Beta.

/Alpha Team: Beta: We'll take some time off when I get back.

[Beta has left Alpha Team channel]

/Alpha Team: Nix: Let's go then.

[Create Breach: Lake Blood: Prisoner Wing]

Alpha team stepped into the hallway just outside of the prison block where Beta and Chiba had been kept. Nearly an hour had passed, but since it was the middle of the night, the sounds of patrolling guards told them that the alarm had been raised.

/Alpha Team: Semmi: It seems like you have a knack for escaping prison Boss.

/Alpha Team: Ain't that the truth. Find the Overseer for us while we head upward. It's a safe bet that he isn't on the lower floors.

Nix activated his stealth package while both Semmi and Wind retreated in opposite directions.

/Alpha Team: Fajii: Ronnie passed the Planar trial while you were here, so did Captain Locas.

"I knew she would." Nix was probably the only one who thought Ronnie would pass on her first try. Captain Locas had asked to do it as soon as he was told that he was eligible.

/Alpha Team: Chiba: We'll have a party right? We had one when Mina and Milat passed.

/Alpha Team: Pon: You just want an excuse to drink.

/Alpha Team: Chiba: Shut up old bastard.

/Alpha Team: Nix: We'll have one, we are stepping closer to raising a Greater House.

/Alpha Team: Wind: Come to the third-floor Nix, we found the Overlord.

Alpha Team headed up the stairs, footsteps could be heard echoing in the halls, but no guards were visible. After a few minutes, they stepped into a large empty room. There was no sign of the Overseer, nor of their two scouts.

/Alpha Team: Nix: We found the empty room. Now, where?

/Alpha Team: Semmi: Step on the 2-way.

/Alpha Team: Nix: How come I'd never heard of these before three months ago and now everyone has one?

Nix stepped onto the mat and was instantly transported into a large dome-like room. At the center of the dome was a large basin. A large demon with dragon-like horns sat comfortably in the liquid.

/Alpha Team: Pon: There's no way that's water.

/Alpha Team: Chiba: F*ck... That's liquid Nether.

/Alpha Team: Nix: Never heard of it. What is it?

/Alpha Team: Chiba: It's Nether that has been condensed in blood tanks, the vilest liquid imaginable. Having this much is crazy.

/Alpha Team: Nix: Define crazy.

/Alpha Team: Chiba: I'd be less surprised if it was a basin full of dragon blood. You don't want to know the complete process.

The Nether Overlord stood up slowly, the thick black liquid ran off his skin. "Company? Mind if I get dressed first?"

/Alpha Team: Chiba: Normally I'm all for nudity, but I'll never unsee this.

[Flashblade]

Nix moved in without warning, his form blurring as his scimitar flashed toward the Overseers' throat. Belchi produced a blade from thin air and moved to block the attack that never arrived, instead, Nix spun the opposite direction and sliced low. A blood-curdling scream followed by a loud splash drowned out all sound when he retreated.

Nix has landed a Significant strike.

"....." Pon.

"...." Wind.

Chiba's loud cackling laugh could be heard as she followed up the attack.

[Dual Chains: Perfect Strike]

Chiba has followed up Nix's attack with a Significant strike.

[Dual Chains: Rock Slam]

Fajii has followed up Chiba's attack with a Significant strike.

[Dual Chains: Execution]

Nix has followed up Fajii's attack with a Significant strike.

Overseer Belchi has been mortally wounded.

[Balefire: Advanced]

Pon has landed a critical hit on Overseer Belchi.

Overseer Belchi has been slain.

Nix turned to see most of Alpha Team sitting on the hard rock floor, struggling to breathe.

Pon's old face was beet red, he had killed Belchi from his spot on the ground. "Well... that was a significant strike alright. Cut his damn peni$ right off."

"Mine!" Chiba splashed through the disgusting liquid and fished out the rather large appendage that was starting to sink. Her old face broke into a disgusting grin when she held it up. "Found it!"

/Alpha Team: Semmi: The hell do you want that for?

/Alpha Team: Chiba: Kidding me? I'll have Nansu process it for me, the extract you make from these things is worth millions!

Nix dragged the dead Overseer to out of the basin. "Why was he so easy to kill? Zeta's team described him as much smaller.

"Looks big to me!" Chiba laughed at her own joke before storing the item away. "Crap... get out of the basin Nix."

Chiba staggered onto the floor, her pale face breaking into a sweat. Nix shook his head to clear it, he glanced up at his team and gestured for them to move away. A moment later he collapsed backward into the basin with a splash, the black liquid swallowing him up.

"Nix!" Fajii moved before anyone could stop her. She grabbed him by the arms and pulled him out.

Chiba's face looked at her apprentice, her hand reaching out before she passed out next to him.

/Alpha Team: Semmi: Fajii? How are you feeling?

Fajii shook her head and knelt to vomit onto the floor. She glanced up at her team, her eyes were completely black and unfocused. "I can't see anything."

The sound of fighting in the hallway drew their attention. Wind and Semmi moved toward the entrance while Pon stayed with the three unconscious members.

/Alpha Team: Semmi: Who is fighting?

/Alpha Team: Wind: Did you see Fajii's eyes? They were completely black!

The air in front of them distorted for a moment and a Breach opened up. Pon stepped away from his position, both of his hands glowing with fire. He lowered them a few moments later when no one exited.

/Alpha Team: Semmi: Is that meant for us?

/Alpha Team: Pon: Let's drag them through.

/Alpha Team: Wind: I agree, three of us are down and we're about to have company.

Alpha team exited through the breach, dragging the unconscious bodies of their teammates. A moment after they did a woman stepped into the doorway, her face etched with concern. She walked toward the basin and used a vial to sample the dark liquid.

[Direct Contact: Ducky]

Ducky's holo appeared in front of her, the Water Witch smiled pleasantly. "Leva! How is the battle?"

"We'll destroy the keep and I'll add to my forces. I'm sending you something important Ducky, Nix and his friends were exposed to something very dangerous. This is a sample of it."

Ducky's face grew serious. "Is Nix hurt?"

Leva nodded. "I sent them to Loki."