/Alpha: Semmi: We're going into the camp?

/Alpha: Nix: Yes.

/Alpha: Pon: Hard or soft?

/Alpha: Nix: Softish...

The Striker Graveyard was nothing like the one in the Sandcrab Precinct. It was much larger and was surrounded by a stone wall. A makeshift camp had been set up after the sudden retreat from HQ. The sheer destruction that four dozen teardrop bombs caused was enough to convince the diluted leadership to retreat.

Pelos spotted the group flying in, once again ignoring the rules about landing in camp. His narrow face twisted in a scowl. "Where do you think you're going? You'll take charge of the offensive! I'll give you the 1st company and keep the 2nd and 3rd here to protect the graveyard."

Nix frowned and pushed black ice into his sword hilt. Without pausing, the blade flashed toward the Precinct Commander's face; the soft plop of an ear hitting the rocks of the courtyard seemed loud despite the din of background noise. "Your incompetence is to blame for this. The scouts mentioned no invading forces, yet you retreated while Bensic and Cyra engaged the enemy camp."

Pelos face paled in shock. "ARE YOU CRAZY? MY FUCKING EAR..." He grabbed for his staff that had dropped onto the ground next to him, only to find someone standing on it.

The woman's tan face and verticle irises marked her as alien, but that was common in the Ice Faction. "He's colluding with the enemy. We've been a step behind the entire time." Fajii glanced at the nearby fighters who were watching the interaction. "He should be killed."

Pon nodded in agreement. "Smug fucker... What do they call him at the Bone Fortress?"

"Pisshead Pelos." Semmi volunteered, inwardly groaning at not coming up with a better name.

"Calm down." Nix motioned for Fajii to let Pelos up; she did so after taking possession of his staff. "Let's not jump to conclusions." Yellow eyes focused on the mage's purple ones. "This comes straight from Bensic, 'tell Pelos to bring a force to back me up. If he refuses, then have him bound until I return."

Orange flames erupted from Pon's aura, causing the surrounding area to warm up considerably. "Let's just bind him now. I'll lead the team to rescue the Commander. Save this idiot for Bensic."

"I am not a traitor!" The thin mage extended his hand toward Fajii, leaving it until she returned his staff. "I'll leave the 1st company here with you and attack the enemy camp with the rest."

/Alpha: Pon: Aren't we going to kill this bastard?

/Alpha: Fajii: He needs it.

Nix shook his head slightly while scanning the garrisoned fighters. "Nothing to see here! Carry on with what you were doing. How many are in the 1st?"

Pelos produced a broom and stepped his leg over it. "Nearly a thousand, you should be able to hold with that."

Nix nodded in agreement. "Our last view of the enemy showed them forming south and east of us."

*This is Lieutenant Pelos; I want 2nd and 3rd Company to form up; we'll circle west and come at the enemy from the coast.*

/Alpha: Semmi: We should tell Jun Li.

[Whisper: Nix to Jun Li] We're sending two companies of fighters toward the front line. They'll be coming from the coast.

[Whisper: Jun Li to Nix] Aren't you suppose to be on our side? How many is that?

[Whisper: Nix to Jun Li] Around two thousand, but I doubt if half of them make it that far.

[Whisper: Jun Li to Nix] Can you come back to camp? Bensic became untouchable when his health dropped to 1. He wants to talk.

[Whisper: Nix to Jun Li] Sure.

/Alpha: Nix: I have to head back to our camp. Bensic dropped to 1hp and surrendered.

/Alpha: Pon: Hell with him... Kill the bastard and be done with it.

/Alpha: Nix: Unfortunately, he can't be targeted. Hold down the fort. Sharl should be on her way with the melee.

/Alpha: Semmi: We'll handle it, Boss. Hurry back.

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

"I wasn't expecting you. The last of the Coven went through months ago." Hooper held a lamp in one hand and opened the trapdoor entrance hidden in his office.

"Unexpected complications have arisen." Ducky followed the Innkeeper down the ladder to an unlit hallway. Despite the temperature outside, the corridor was quite warm. "I need to go through; I assume you have the key?"

"I do," Hooper admitted.

/Pathfinder: Gideon: What's our play here?

/Pathfinder: Jiggs: Undercover Op?

/Pathfinder: Ducky: Yes.

/Pathfinder: Nebs: Nix always has the best missions.

/Pathfinder: Ducky: Only I'm going in. The rest of you will kill Hooper and secure the Coven. This will enable you to send reinforcements to the Bone Fortress.

/Pathfinder: Gideon: Easy enough. What about loot?

/Pathfinder: Ducky: You keep everything, including the Coven. However, Inferno will probably offer payment if you find any Witch Tokens.

Hooper stopped at a large set of double doors; he opened it with an iron key pulled from his pocket and swung the doors inward with a push. "I haven't been down here in ages. I miss the days of sacrifices and blood drinking."

The group entered the circular room; a tendril of black flame burned at the center, but when Ducky approached, it roared to life. Ducky stared at the flames for a moment before taking Gideon by the hand and pulling him away. "Prepare the way, Mr. Hooper. I need to speak with my familiar."

Hooper looked at the black flames; the longing in his eyes was evident. "I was hoping to talk with you for a while before you left."

Ducky shook her head slightly. "No time for that. I have my orders."

"As you wish."

Gideon followed Ducky back into the hall, where they began to talk in hushed tones.

/Alpha: Jiggs: Being a familiar sounds fun. Can I be one too?

/Alpha: Nebs: I think you are confusing it with being familiar. Not quite the same thing.

They came back from the hall a few minutes later; Gideon's face was unreadable when he rejoined the Pathfinders. Ducky moved toward the first circle on the far side of the room and stepped inside. The black flame flashed, and an instant later, she disappeared.

In the Great Hall of the Bone Fortress, the black flames that flickered in the low light surged upward toward the ceiling. A moment later, the first reinforcement in months arrived. She stepped away from the flames, her all-blue eyes scanning the impressive hall. Her lean muscles rippled beneath her pale skin. Tiny blue-dots that started at the back of her knees and ended at her shoulders seemed to glow slightly. Her nakedness wasn't shocking; everyone arrived without clothes.

A man approached at a run, skidding to a halt when she glanced up at him. "R.. Rank, please?" He let his eyes feast for a moment before remembering his place. "What is your rank?"

Ducky ignored the question while letting herself take in the room. There hundreds of rows of seats, all facing an impressive-looking structure that resembled a Grand Staircase. Most of the seats were full; men and women of all shapes and sizes stared at the newcomer. "Take me to her."

"You wish to ascend?" The man calmed himself with a deep breath and pushed his shoulder-length blond hair behind his ears. He clasped his hands behind his back and walked to the base of the stairs. "Do you know the rules?"

Ducky shook her head; the end of the stairs was blurred to her sight. She could make out someone sitting on a platform a few flights up. "I do not."

"The end of the first flight marks the lowest rank. This will be your only test until you prove yourself." The man bowed low. "Forgive me; I am Dynmeir. Shall I get you a robe?"

Ducky shook her head. "Rules?"

"Of course. She who rules all Covens resides at the top. Whether or not you are noticed by her will hinge on your performance." Dynmeir stepped to one side and gestured up the stairs. "When you are ready."

Ducky stepped onto the stairs, her feet tingled slightly, and she felt the barest hint of pressure pushing against her. She stepped slowly toward the first platform while trying to take in everything. When she arrived a few moments later, she received her first surprise. Three men were seated in comfortable looking chairs. Before them stood a table laden with fruits and sweetmeats. All three of them were heroes. She didn't recognize two of the guilds, but the third she did, the Raging One Thirties.

"Will you be joining us?" The man in the center chair spoke; he had a peculiar accent that Ducky found interesting.

Duck shook her head and proceeded up the next flight. More heroes inhabited the next six platforms. Without a doubt, she was starting to understand how important her decision to come here was. At the seventh platform, there were four women, all of them Aquarion. Ducky exchanged stares with them and continued upward. ;Two salamanders occupied the eighth platform; a blueish glow surrounded their bodies, reminding her of Nix's Ice Flames.

The ninth platform was unoccupied; it was here she received her sternest test. Her bare feet seemed to freeze into the marble stairs, unable to proceed further. Her will waivered, and her eyes began to lose their focus. It was then that she remembered her family; Fey the Innocent, Morti the Incorrigible, Soup the Beautiful, and Leva the Dark. They were nicknames she had given them to match their personalities. She recited their names and glanced toward the last platform. "Nix, the Indomitable," she whispered to herself and forced her body to take the first step.

A few minutes later, she staggered onto the 10th platform; the moment she did, all the pressure on her faded away. Her eyes stared at the figure on the throne, and bowed slightly. "Greetings, Coven Leader."