Hyai looped her hand through Nix's arm and huddled close as they strolled down the boardwalk towards the Kindled Spirit's old plot. "I can't believe Trista put up another Inn where my old one was."

Nix grinned when he saw the sign, a plain whiteboard with the silhouette of a voluptuous woman painted on it; above the image were three words, 'Cold Bitch Inn.' "At least she got the name right. Hey... Do you know Trista?"

Hyai raised an eyebrow at him. "Very well, we met through Sila."

"Sila?" Nix knew that Sila and Hyai had a storied history and that Sila shared a similar history with Trista. He didn't ask the question in his thoughts, although from the smile on her lips, she seemed more than willing to tell him. "This won't take long."

Hyai watched as Nix opened the door; he had told her beforehand that he had business in the Cold Bitch and that he'd appreciate her waiting outside until he was done. "I'll head across the street to the General Store."

The blonde Innkeeper looked up from behind the bar when the door opened. A smile lightened up her attractive face. "Hey, Stranger!" She wrapped him up in a big hug, her lips near his ear as she whispered softly. "The six in the corner are Trifecta; all of them are officers."

Nix patted her on the back and handed her a heavy leather purse. "Should cover everything."

"Just a sec, please." She disappeared into the kitchen only to reappear a moment later with her waitress. "Glory City, please."

Nix nodded. "Cya Bitch."

Trista winked at him. "Back at ya, Noob."

[Create Breach: Cyphix, Glory City]

Nix waited until they stepped through before closing the breach, well aware that every eye in the place was watching him. "If you aren't part of Trifecta, or one of their allies, leaving now would be a great idea."

"You're Nix." A lean man with short dark hair got up slowly from the chair he'd been sitting in; a simple hand gesture caused the others who had been sharing the table to do the same and spread out. During this time, the rest of the customers walked hurriedly for the door.

"Nix? I don't recognize the name." Emerald fury flames erupted around him suddenly, causing everyone to jump slightly. Nix fixed the speaker with a yellow-eyed stare. "I've seen you before."

The lean man's scarred cheek twitched slightly as he decided to play for time. "Have we met? Let's have a drink and talk about it."

/Trifecta: Sloan: If you're in Cyphix at the moment, get your ass to the Cold Bitch; Nix just walked in.

/Trifecta: Lucius: Raptor group is a few minutes away, be there in a bit.

Nix nodded slightly. "You're the birdman from the Bone Fortress." He chuckled slightly at the memory. "Should have streamed that; you flapped your arms all the way down."

/Dagger: Benzo: Let's just take him now, Sloan.

Sloan's face stiffened slightly, but he forced a smile. "Must have been funny to watch. Gotta say, though, the sex was worth it."

[Flashblade][Execution]

Combination Successful!

Sloan has received a mortal strike.

The top half of Sloan's head slid off of his skull just above the mouth; his body stood motionlessly for a moment before slowly toppling to the floor with a loud thud.

Sloan has been slain.

Nix flicked a black hand onto the convulsing corpse and then dodged to one side as gunfire erupted within the room. A rogue appeared directly in his path, without pausing Nix slammed his fist into his face before he was able to stealth. Two quick strides and the Inferno Leader dived over the bar.

Apparently, most of the occupants of the Cold Bitch were gun wielders; bits of wood and glass filled the air along with the deafening sound of gunfire. Nix pulled himself to a sitting position and grabbed the bottle hiding behind the bar. No one heard the sound of a cork popping as he inhaled the contents of the bottle before taking a long swig.

/Inferno: Hyai: You okay, Hun? /Inferno: Nix: Yep. Just drinking with the boys.

/Inferno: Hyai: Well... Try not to stay out too late.

Nix grinned and slipped on his gloves.

Ashobel Clawz [Faction Based]

Must be an ally of the Ashobel.

Description: A soft brown leather

glove that is both comfortable and

durable.

Activation: Upon activation, the user's

primary path temporarily becomes melee

and the gloves become the hands of an Ashobel

warrior.

[Enhancement: Miniature Animation .25] Desert Basilisk

Nix has activated [Desert Basilisk]

A large serpentine head slowly peeked over the edge of the bar with large yellow eyes brimming with malice. Almost immediately, the gunfire stopped.

[Petrify]

Benzo has been petrified.

The wall behind the bar collapsed into the kitchen as the thick coils of the basilisk moved forward. magic

[Viper Strike]

Hazo has been slain.

The fangs of the basilisk punched through the armor and torso of the Trifecta tank like he was made of paper, his skin instantly turned green, and he died within seconds, frothing at the mouth and convulsing.

[Phoenix: Totem Enhanced]

Nix has activated [Phoenix Fire].

Orange flames exploded outward from the bird as the inside of the Cold Bitch Inn turned into an Inferno of flames and death.

Yiro Davib has been slain.

Morsyn Qeri has been slain.

Tayla Benkor has been slain.

An instant later, the Phoenix disappeared, only to be replaced by the Inferno Guild Leader. He tagged the rest of the corpses with black hands before pausing in the middle of the room and opening up a breach. One by one, he tossed them through. "Enjoy the hospitality of the Gemini Temple."

After using his Ice Flames to ensure the entire building didn't start Cyphix on fire, he stepped into the street. Immediately he felt the presence of overwhelming power. A second group of Trifecta was lying in the street; in front of them was Tai'Qui.

Nix glanced at the bodies, none of them were injured, but it was obvious that they couldn't move. "What are you doing here?"

Tai shifted her weight slightly and glanced toward the General Store. "Protecting Hyai."

Nix frowned at the Dragon before putting black hands on everyone. "Was she in danger?" Tai shrugged slightly and pulled her coat tighter around her shoulders, a gesture that was obviously for show since dragons aren't bothered by the cold. "Aren't these people your enemies?"

Nix nodded as he opened another breach and started chucking them through. "Yes."

"Do you think they'd strike at her if they knew who she was?" Tai approached slowly, waiting until he closed the breach to continue. She lay a brown hand on his shoulder. "I don't mean to overstep."

Nix only smiled in reply; a twinge of guilt told him she was right. It wasn't a stretch to believe Trifecta was aware of his inner circle. Leaving Hyai exposed, even if there wasn't any danger, was unacceptable.

"All done, Nix?" Hyai exited the store a moment later; from her expression, it was obvious she'd been watching.

"Yep... Let's head back."

[Create Breach: Cyphix, Haven]

He grabbed Hyai's hand and stepped through the breach; the dragon followed an instant later.

"Going to make some lunch." Hyai stepped out of the breach and onto the balcony of Nix's ranch house. "You staying, Tai?"

"She is," Nix answered for her and waited until Hyai stepped inside. "Thanks, Tai."

Tai's warm brown eyes showed the beginning of a smile. "Been a while since you were nice to me."

"Really?" Nix moved to the railing and leaned against it. "Did you use an offensive spell?"

Tai shook her head. "It's a very strong healing spell. However, it makes lesser creatures fall asleep."

"Lesser creatures like me?" Nix smiled when he said it, Tai'Qui was his favorite dragon by far, mostly because of her humble nature.

Tai ignored the obvious baiting while removing the green bandana she was wearing. "Where did you send those men?"

"Lower levels of the Gemini temple, there's a small zone there where Inferno once fought. Been using it as a prison of sorts."

Tai stowed the bandana before bringing out two others, one yellow and the other light blue. "Preference?"

"Nope, I like them both. Going to give Hyai a hand with lunch."

Nearly three hours later, Hyai and Nix stepped into the Earth Dragon's nursery. If pressed to describe it, he would have called it a dome made of smooth brown rock. A comforting glow from the ceiling gave just enough light to navigate between the half-dozen large mud-pools. The temperature in the nursery was quite warm, with only the barest hint of moisture. Most of the pools were empty. However, there were a few that were not. "Thanks for the invite, Tai."

Tai pulled Hyai toward the center pool that was completely empty. "Please enter."

Nix was used to seeing the Earth Dragon in all her splendor, but having Hyai standing next to her was definitely more interesting. He joined them at the edge of the pool, slowly easing a foot into the warm mud. "This pool feels different."

Tai nodded, her skin slowly growing blurry as an aura of brown flames surrounded her. She moved to the center of the pool and then sat down, leaving only the top of her full breasts visible. "I've been prepping this pool for the Krelandur egg. It acts as a storage for elemental energy. I would like the two of you to contribute."

Hyai's light red hair was pulled back in a bun, because of her height, her bountiful gifts float gently on the surface. "My elemental strength is minimal; it's Nix that you want."

Tai shrugged slightly. "I'm curious about your Djinn form. I've heard that you can hold any flame. Is that true?"

Hyai nodded, a slight motion that caused her breasts to move. "A hand here, Nix. The Emerald Fury flames."

Nix laughed and shook his head slightly. "Trying to start an orgy? You know what happened last time I lit you up with those."

Hyai favored him with a sexy smile. "I can't remember. Refresh my memory."

Nix glanced at Tai, who was watching the interaction with interest. "Those flames have a definite effect on fire elementals."

"I know, Nix. You used them on me during the Krelandur." Tai moved until she was sitting shoulder to shoulder with Hyai. "It is also a dread flame, the strongest I've ever seen. Do this favor for me."

Nix stared for a moment, his eyes going from one to the other. "Was this planned? You two perverts just want the dread flame."

[Whisper: Tai'Qui to Hyai] What's a pervert?

[Whisper: Hyai to Tai'Qui] Not sure.

Hyai's sexy smile widened. "Why are you hesitating, Nix?"

"I don't fucking know..."

[Burning Aura: Emerald Fury flame]