/Alpha Team: Semmi: Don't use the strands unless you need to Nix... We don't know who is watching and it might get back to Raine.

Nix chuckled at the memory of swiping Raine's horses and sword. "No promises."

Morti walked out first, the door was too small for anyone to walk beside the huge Titan. The rest of Alpha Team followed behind him. Nix patted Morti's side and walked to the front.

/Alpha Team: Semmi: Zen is the tall dhassi in front, with the single sword. Not sure of his class, but my guess would be Nature's Wrath.

/Alpha Team: Pon: Looks like that mage has set gear... I like it.

Semmi hid a smile, the old man was shameless. "Tura Zen Dar, you requested an audience with Guild Leader Nix. I'm pleased to say I've been able to arrange his schedule to make that happen."

"Tura Dar, nice to finally meet you." Nix smiled pleasantly.

Zen's face showed the frustration of someone who had waited several hours. "That was when we were both in Parliament territory. Unfortunately, since you are trespassing in Fir'Dhassi lands and trying to steal one of our valuable assets, my role today is somewhat different than politician."

"Steal the temple? Is this Clan Dar's Temple? Are you acting on behalf of Clan Strom and Clan Zai?" Nix motioned Ducky to stand off to one side.

"All Fir'Dhassi Clan Leaders have an obligation to defend Inuit. It's my good luck that we are here first." Zen gestured for his men to spread out.

Nix held up his hand to stop Morti from moving forward. "There's only seven of us... and ten of you. In the interest of fairness, we will surrender without a fight, if the best among you can face my swordmaster."

Zen finally smiled, the Fir'Dhass had a narrow face and short brown hair. "I agree. Nina, would you come forward?"

A lean Fir'Dhass female with jet black hair and pale skin walked forward. Her armor hugged her muscled body and she moved with otherworldly grace. Her hair was cut short and slicked back, dark eyes stared at Nix. "Will I be facing you Guild Leader Nix?"

Nix shook his head. "No, this is my swordsman."

Ducky walked forward, she possessed a similar grace, her all blue eyes watching Nina carefully. "I'm ready."

Nina stared at the Siren, then back at Nix. "Is this a joke?"

"Are you giving up already?" Nix stepped away from the two combatants.

The ring of metal being pulled from a scabbard sounded loud in the suddenly quiet courtyard. Nina swiped her sword to one side. "Aren't you going to draw your weapon?"

Ducky shook her head. "You aren't good enough. Although you are very pretty."

Nina has been charmed.

"I win." Ducky smiled gently as the dark-haired dhassi walked to her side and then turned to face her clansmen, weapon still drawn.

Zen Dar's face slowly turned red. "Explain yourself, Human!"

"Prey waits."

[Archon's Armor]

Silver Fire Engulfs Nix's armor, enhancing all stats and skills.

"Attack!" Zen Dar leaped toward Nix, drawing his weapon in one smooth motion, only to be knocked to the ground by an enormous paw.

Morti has stunned Zen Dar.

Ducky has cast [Living Paradise]

Havi Dar is lost in an illusion

Mirko Dar is lost in an illusion

Weri Dar is lost in an illusion

Ducky pointed to the Clan leader and sent Nina after the stunned Zen Dar.

Pon has cast [Fire-Nado]

Aina Dar has been caught up in a whirlwind of fire.

Aari Dar has been caught up in a whirlwind of fire.

Mika Dar has been caught up in a whirlwind of fire.

[Balefire Burst: Gemini]

Vik has been critically hit by a three-round burst of enhanced Balefire.

[Critical Chain]

Semmi has followed up Nix's strike with a critical hit on Vik.

[First Strike]

Wind had scored a critical hit on Buso.

[Critical Chain]

Nix has followed up Wind's strike with a critical hit on Buso.

[Critical Chain]

Semmi has followed up Nix's strike with a critical hit on Buso.

[Critical Chain]

Nix has followed up Semmi's strike with a critical hit on Vik.

[Flashblade]

Nix has slain Buso.

[Critical Chain]

Wind has followed up Nix's critical strike with a critical hit on Vik.

[Execution]

Nix has slain Vik.

"Stop!" A badly wounded Zen Dar was trying to fend off Nina while being swatted to the ground repeatedly. "Surrender! Clan Dar surrenders!"

Nix has cast [Fire: Lance]

A long spear bathed in the twisted emerald and silver flames appeared in Nix's hand.

/Alpha Team: Nix: Hold.

Ducky called Nina back to her side and Morti slowly backed away from Zen Dar.

The Dar Clan leader's face was ashen, six of his people were instantly controlled, one charmed, two slain within seconds while he was forced to face a monstrous bear and the Dar Clan's greatest sword. "We acted rashly Guild Leader Nix and will retreat in peace."

Nix gave Alpha Team a slight smile. "Peace?"

/Alpha Team: Pon: Here we go...

"Leave your armor and weapons, then you may retreat." Nix was guessing that Zen Dar had a full set of Tyrant III or better.

Pon finally let Fire-Nado drop, the three clansmen fell to the ground before immediately jumping up. The old Mage looked at them with happy eyes. "Want more?"

"Guild Leader Nix, your request is unreasonable." Zen Dar limped away from Morti and stood in front of his people.

Nix's yellow eyes stared at him without expression. "Then we shall finish this fight and take them anyway."

Zen Dar stumbled back a step... to die here on Fir'Dhassi lands because his 3rd son picked a fight with a foreigner. The Clan leader dropped his sword on the ground and then tossed his armor next to it. He glanced back at his fighters. "Do it."

Ducky released the illusion on Havi, Mirko, and Weri. She left the charmed Nina by her side.

Semmi watched as the Dar Clan dropped their armor and weapons in the pile and then approached their dead clansmen. "Their weapons and armor too."

The charmed Nina was the last to drop her weapons and armor, she walked towards her people with empty eyes.

"Release her please." Zen Dar has recovered some of his health, but his pride had been thoroughly trampled on. He felt that the slightest misstep would result in the Dar Clan fighters being buried without a second thought.

Alpha Team watched as the Dar Clansmen walked toward the woodline, unarmed and wearing under armor, they were a sad looking lot.

"Wait." Nix stopped them before they walked more than a few meters. "Did you guys come here on horses?"

/Alpha Team: Semmi: Oh god...

/Alpha Team: Pon: Heh... Punk Bastard.

The Temple deconstruction started almost immediately after the Dar Clan were out of sight. Nix had his people gather up the weapons, armor, and horses while he waited patiently. The process took less than fifteen minutes. When it was finished, one large black and white stake stood upright in the ground.

Nix picked up the stake and walked back to his group.

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

An hour later, Alpha Team returned to Haven, Semmi called an Officer Meeting to discuss recent events.

/Guild Officer: Semmi: Thanks for coming on short notice. Our mission to help Nix rank up was a success.

/Guild Officer: Nix: Thank you, everyone.

/Guild Officer: Semmi: As you can see, four of us were forced to unbank in order to complete our mission.

/Guild Officer: Ronnie: Who cares? As long as Nix is okay.

/Guild Officer: Nix: Thanks, Ronnie.

/Guild Officer: Semmi: We came back with the Temple stake, that's the Oasis version of the Temple deed.

/Guild Officer: Jun Li: You have the Temple? What sorts of benefits does it have?

/Guild Officer: Nix: The Gemini Temple has six 4th-Tier Classes and a bonding ability that enables you to share skills and chain together attacks.

/Guild Officer: Wind: Critical Chain only has a cooldown for the specific target. If Nix crits on one mob and Semmi on the other, I can follow up on both.

/Guild Officer: Semmi: The three of us were able to chain crits on multiple targets without missing a beat. I can't even imagine how awesome a group of snipers would be with the same ability.

/Guild Officer: Jun Li: You said it has Classes? How do we learn them?

/Guild Officer: Nix: Once a month, I can forge two class stones from Gladiator, Thief, Defender, Mage, Trickster, and Ranged.

/Guild Officer: Semmi: Wind and I are both Gemini Thieves, Pon and Fajii have the Gemini Mage stones. The only requirement is the possession of the stone and level 100.

/Guild Officer: Nix: Once we finish Mermaid City and start on Upper Tier Colonial content, everyone who wants a Gemini Class will have one.

/Guild Officer: Semmi: Also we were able to obtain a lot of high-end gear with the Temple mission and the altercation with Clan Dar afterwords.

/Guild Officer: Jun Li: Reserve a Gladiator Stone for me. Anything else from the Gemini Temple?

/Guild Officer: Nix: Yes. It has a library. Now sure what's in it, but Ronnie is welcome to it all. It doesn't make sense to have two libraries in Haven.

/Guild Officer: Ronnie: Really? I can upgrade my Library if I get enough books! Have you seen it? What kinds of subjects do they cover?

/Guild Officer: Semmi: We haven't seen the library yet. The last item, it has a inter-world portal. The portal can send you to any gate in Colonial or Oasis.

Semmi glanced at Nix, he had instructed them and Elune to keep quiet about the Sky Kingdom. Access to the Upper Plane would be hidden until Inferno was ready for it.

/Guild Officer: Jun Li: If you are up for it Nix, we can send a 10 person team into the 9th floor of Mermaid City tomorrow.

/Guild Officer: Nix: I'm going to place the Temple at the edge of the plateau on my lands. That will give us easier access to the Sea-World and Glory Island.

/Guild Officer: Sharl: Holy crap. We can port from here, right to Glory?

/Guild Officer: Pon: And, placing the Temple in Haven protects it against our enemies.

A half-hour later, Nix and the other officers took their mounts out to the edge of the plateau. Nix drove the stake in the ground and then walked away.

[Gemini Palace: 16 hours]

/Guild Officer: Jun Li: Palace? That's right, Nix is a Nemesis now.

/Guild Officer: Semmi: You guys storm Mermaid City, and we'll start building up the Alliance and strengthening our position.

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

A few hours later Nix was sitting as his dining room table, finishing a family dinner with Bev. His dad was too busy crafting to join them. Nix managed to talk Bev into extending into a one-year stay like his dad. She would need a few days to make lease adjustments with her apartment and put in for an extended leave-of-absence from work.

"So... Hyai is super nice." Bev smiled slyly when she said it.

"Yep." Nix didn't go for the obvious tease.

"I've heard a lot of stories about my little brother. Hard to believe you haven't had a girlfriend since Veronica Blaisdel dumped you senior year."

"Why are you even talking frog legs? You're the poster child for old maids."

"Don't be mean Stixx... I'm still looking."

Nix laughed and patted his sister on the back. "I know just the guy."

[Whisper: Gideon to Nix] Did you get that Temple from the Fir'Dhassi?

[Whisper: Nix to Gideon] No, we got our asses kicked and then the Dar Clan ran us off.

[Whisper: Gideon to Nix] The Dar Clan is filled with idiots. Any plans for Loki?

[Whisper: Nix to Gideon] We'll go in two days, that will give me a chance to wrap up some loose ends here.

[Whisper: Gideon to Nix] Sounds good. We'll meet at Phai City in two days at 1000 hrs.

[Whisper: Nix to Gideon] Perfect. Cya.