The molten pool continually bubbled, crackling loudly as escaping gases made sharp snapping noises. The circular container was twenty meters in diameter with a depth that extended into the Flame Temple's infernal bowels. The walls and floors were made from carved granite as if a superheated being had created the passage and room in a single walkthru.

A swirling of colors existed on the pool's surface, ranging from glowing red to cooling gray. Whenever the top would darken too much, it would slowly disappear beneath the surface to be replaced with brighter flames.

An epicenter formed near the pool's edge, a pinpoint-light of bright orange that slowly expanded until it reached one meter across. The area calmed for a moment before a hand punched through. The clenched fist emerged, slowly giving way to an entire arm; the skin was reddened slightly and covered with fine intricate scales. Slowly he rose up from the molten pit; thick white hair that topped an angular face was overshadowed by eyes that glowed a deep red. His wings were adorned with bright red feathers that ended in wickedly curved talons.

He pushed his way to the edge of the pool and climbed up with great effort; the melting rock ran off of his skin and splashed onto the granite floor like water.

Pon has activated his bloodline [Third Form: Dread Mage].

The old man's white hair glowed with flames as he scanned the room; the smell of sulfur and brimstone hung in the air like a morning fog. "Nix?" The voice was raspy and exhausted. "NIX!" His shout echoed in the small chamber; swearing under his breath, he walked toward the only exit in the room, a set of stairs that led down.

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

The beast wrenched its head once and tore the flame wurm in half. It ignored the carcass and turned its malevolent yellow eyes toward the last occupant, a wyvern that had retreated to the far side of the cavern. It stood motionless on the surface of the white-hot pool as if afraid to move.

"A Dread beast here? I don't wish to fight." The wyvern was covered in bright orange feathers, but its form resembled a thick serpent. He and his three companions had foolishly attacked the newcomer when it arrived. Two of them were killed and consumed on the spot.

[Balefire: Dreadflame]

A concentrated beam of green flame pierced through the Wyverns face before continuing through the back of his head. It died suddenly, its body floating on the surface for a few moments before gradually sinking. The place where it died was marked by a glowing scroll that hung in the air.

The creature's bright orange wings extended slightly and flapped once before furling against his heavily armored body. The bright green flames that engulfed it slowly changed into brown. The yellow eyes closed as if sleeping, while its breath turned loud and raspy. The dark fire flared outward before brightening considerably.

Nix had refined the brown flames into [Dread Flame].

After several minutes, the brown flames faded away, and silver took its place. The silver fire raged and engulfed the surface of the white-hot pool. Silver waves of molten rock washed over the beast, splashing against him without any reaction at all. For several minutes a silver storm buffeted the area as if trying to tear the room apart. Finally, it flared with a blinding flash of light and withdrew into the beast.

Nix has refined the silver flames into [Dread Flame].

"Nix?" A tired voice called from a nearby chamber, coming closer as if sensing the presence of dread flame.

The Dread Beast studied the Mage; when he entered the room, he had a bright orange aura that the creature recognized as Dread flames. However, he felt no threat from this man.

Pon sighed heavily. "Found ya, Punk Bastard." He kept his tone carefully gentle; he had seen Nix's Dread Beast form before. The key to surviving was to drop all thoughts of aggression. "I think this Temple's purpose is to refine flames."

Nix's large yellow eyes blinked at him before he yawned widely, exposing dragon-like teeth.

Pon chuckled softly. "Is that the temple deed hovering over the pool?" The old man walked across the surface of the molten rock, his orange wings dragging slightly while creating minor wakes in his path.

The Dread Beast stood suddenly when Pon reached for the scroll; instantly, the old man backed away with his hands held palms up.

"You want the scroll?" Pon took a step backward as Nix's dread form advanced. "Just don't eat it."

It nudged the scroll with the blunt tip of his snout, causing it to vanish suddenly. [Create Breach: Temple of Flame, Haven]

Without giving Pon a second look, the Dread Beast stepped through the breach. The old man froze for a moment but then followed quickly behind.

/Inferno: Pon: Shae, are you in Haven?

/Inferno: Shae: Yes, I'm at the Ranch house.

/Inferno: Pon: Better come to the river!

Shae looked up from the lunch she was sharing with Hyai. "Maybe Nix wants to go fishing?"

Hyai looked at her hud. "The guild lists both him and Pon as Dread Form."

"Oh! Stay here, Hyai." Shae popped up from her seat and ran for the door. She changed into her Salamander form the moment she stepped onto the deck. Her sharp eyes instantly spotted the cloud of steam rising steadily from Nix's favorite fishing spot.

The water flashed evaporated whenever it touched the creature. Fish died instantly as the water around him became superheated. The old man waited patiently, deciding that Nix couldn't really do permanent damage in the water as long as he didn't stay there too long. His real concern was the grasslands surrounding Nix's ranch; the Dread Beast could easily set fire to everything, including the horses."

"Nix!" A soft voice called from behind them, the full spectrum of colors reflected brilliantly from the smooth scales of her skin.

The effect on the Dread Beast was immediate; he approached the salamander at a slow walk, nuzzling her face with his snout.

"Nix..." Shae's voice was filled with humor. "We need to bring you someplace where you won't damage anything. Will you follow me?" Shae changed into her Archon form and took to the air, waiting to see what Nix would do. Without hesitating, it unfurled his wings and joined her.

/Inferno: Pon: Where are you taking him?

/Inferno: Shae: The Emerald Desert, he's already melted the place once.

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

Jun Li smiled at her friend as she joined the group standing around the TOC holo that displayed Colonial. "How're the boys?"

"Pon woke up last night and then went back to bed. Nix recovered in the Emerald Desert, Shae brought him back to the Turtle House this morning.

/Inferno: Sharl: We are going to take down Lessard tonight.

/Inferno: Jun Li: Perfect, we're ahead of schedule. Any word on Oasis?

/Inferno: Semmi: Nothing yet, but Gideon is due to report sometime this evening.

/Inferno: Jun Li: After Lessard is down, we'll give the Escavar War Camp a few days to clear the howlers before we go in and take down Chenzo.

****************** magic

Nix stared at the Necro-Crafting menu while absentmindedly stroking the white Stalker's head. There was already a large stack of Bone quills outside of the Turtle House. "I have to find a use for those."

[Bone Manipulation]

) Identify

) Living Project

) Non-Living Project 4) Salvage

Del watched him work; her boredom was obvious. "This takes a long time. How high is your skill now?"

"It's at 77. Open Salvage menu."

[Salvage]

At the cost of Mana, you have a chance to salvage a random component from any creature you may have slain in the past. If the carcass is present, you may choose the component.

) Rare (1,455 possible variations)

) Legendary (11 possible variations)

) Primal or Higher (4 possible variations)

Del's blue eyes stared at the hud. "Weren't there only two Primals last time?

Nix nodded. "Display Primal or Higher possible variations."

[Khione: Goddess of Winter]

[Oblivion Spider: Primal Ocean Creature]

[Barrot: Primal Demicron]

[Arcturis'Fraiza: Primal Immortal]

After spending the morning running his mana dry, Nix used salvage to gain a handful of enchantments from the bone quill. No matter how many times he tried, it always yielded the same item.

[Bone Sliver]

Arcturis'Fraiza

[Ranged One]

The first strike with your projectile weapon is always a critical hit.

[Ranged Two]

The second strike with your projectile weapon is always a critical hit.

The Stalker was definitely not impressed with the enhancement, although she did recognize its value as a ranger. "I thought it would be something amazing since it is a primal beast."

Nix shrugged slightly. "My skill level affects all parts of Bone Manipulation; I'm guessing that once it climbs higher, the Salvage skill will yield better results."

"Can we eat now?" Del pushed her soft muzzle into his side. "I saw Leva drop off a package of that AF at the ranch."

/Inferno: Nix: Need to speak with Tai and Deidra if you're around.

/Inferno: Tai: I'm at my nursery. Come by anytime.

/Inferno: Deidra: Shall I meet you there?

/Inferno: Nix: Yes.

"Go kill something! That AF is for Hyai to make a stew with." Nix opened a breach into Tai'Qui's nursery. "We'll head into Lana when I get back."

Del waited until the breach closed behind Nix and then padded silently toward the door.