Phoenix Phire

Fey extended her wings and banked into a thermal updraft that sent her rocketing upwards, the tiny voice of Sasi could be heard squealing with excitement. There weren't many places to port into the Fir'Dhassi territory of Inuit, but taking the air was only slightly slower.

/Qi Family: Sasi: Oasis is so nice. How come Dhassi hate humans?

/Qi Family: Nix: It's not that they hate us, we were strangers not that long ago.

Nix remembered when Inferno first arrived in Oasis, at the time the Fir'Dhassi banned all humans from exploring Inuit. That ban was eventually lifted and now the members of the 12 Pillars quested and explored all over the continent. Nix's reliance on the human guilds in several breach battles resulted in the 12 pillars having top-end gear. None of the Dhassi went out of their way to cause trouble for the human alliance.

Rabi has joined the Qi Family channel.

Pon has joined the Qi Family channel.

Chiba has joined the Qi Family channel.

From their vantage point on Fey's back, Nix could see three small figures on the shores of the peninsula far below. "What were you doing when I summoned you, Fey?"

"I was in the Infirmary with Captain Locas and Jaro."

"Damn..." Nix meant to visit the infirmary but the business he was on was too pressing. "Locas was still there??"

"Yes. He told me if I run into you, to say thank you."

Nix smiled at her words. "Nix the matchmaker strikes again. Put us down on the shore, Fey."

Fey banked into a steep dive, she leveled out about ten meters over the water and landed gently after she cleared the surf. "Want me to wait?"

Nix climbed down and then helped Sasi, the demon woman was reluctant to let Fey go. "Could you pick us up something at the Parliament market?"

Fey's silver head nodded slightly. "What do you need?"

"Cave Skiver eyes, last time I checked the market carried them. Half a dozen will do."

"Cave Skiver eyes. Got it, want me to come back?"

Sasi nodded her tiny head. "She could stay with us Nix. What if we need to fly out of here fast?"

"No, it's fine. Send them to me." Nix placed a gentle hand on Fey's silver head. Because of the large sky predators in Oasis, Fey was one of the few flying mounts that didn't have to worry about being attacked.

Fey morphed into her human form, a beautiful girl who appeared to be around 16 or 17. "I'll head to Parliament then, there are a few things I want to pick up."

After Fey left, Nix and Sasi found their companions. They were huddled around a single Fir'Dhassi corpse. Sasi immediately knelt to inspect the body.

/Qi Family: Sasi: This is Rabi's kill.

/Qi Family: Pon: How did you know that?

/Qi Family: Sasi: His work is obvious.

Nix watched while Sasi continued to examine the corpse. "Do we know who this Fir'Dhassi was?"

Chiba shook her head. "He used some sort of stealth to ambush us. Rabi saw through it."

Rabi nodded in agreement and pointed north. "He came from that direction."

/Qi Family: Pon: Seibel surfaced in the Parliament market. He spoke with this Dhassi and then they both gated out.

/Qi Family: Nix: If they gated, how did you know to come here?

/Qi Family: Pon: Rabi shadowed them while they were talking, Seibel mentioned a placed called Pensive.

/Qi Family: Chiba: Our hud map has this place labeled as Pensive Point, figured it was worth checking out.

Nix glanced at the sky, it was nearly sunset. "Check his teeth, Sasi."

Sasi peeled up the Dhassi's lip, his teeth appeared normal. "No fangs." She turned his head to one side and pulled his shirt back to expose two old puncture wounds.

Nix knelt beside her to study the wound, there was some discoloration around the marks. "Have you searched the area?"

Pon shook his head. "Haven't had time yet."

"Fan out and search the entire area. There must be something here." Nix incinerated the corpse and took a seat on a nearby rock.

The old mage nodded. "What are you going to do?"

"We'll need masks. You and I are known in Oasis, let's not give the Xai Clan a reason to suspect us." Nix opened his crafting interface.

[Whisper: Pon to Nix] This is a good group.

Nix looked up at Pon who hadn't moved yet. He brought Chiba and the Qi siblings because they could be cold-blooded when they felt it was justified. With Pon and himself added, it was the perfect group for wholesale slaughter.

[Whisper: Nix to Pon] We'll get the job done. How's Panyu?

[Whisper: Pon to Nix] She'll recover.

/Qi Family: Nix: Sun Devils are resistant to fire, freezing their heart and then destroying it works.

/Qi Family: Chiba: I'll use ice blades.

[Whisper: Nix to Fey] Are you at the market yet? I need those eyes now.

[Whisper: Fey to Nix] Sorry Nix. I seem to have forgotten my credits. Can you wait a few hours?

[Whisper: Nix to Fey] Damn... I'll send you some.

[Whisper: Fey to Nix] Just kidding. Sending them now.

[Whisper: Nix to Fey] Funny... Thanks.

By the time Nix set up his crafting queue, his hud buzzed with the delivery of the skiver eyes. He took one out and examined it before placing it in the enhancement slot.

Cave Skiver Eye

Description: A small rodent found

in dark areas. They use their enhanced vision

to elude rats while hunting for prey.

[Nightraid Mask] [Material: Camouflage Fabric V] [Enhancements: Cave Skiver Eye] [Needle: Silver][Thread: Bonded Spider webbing]

Nix doubled checked the slots and queued up six masks before selecting the crafting icon

Night Raider Mask

Description: The perfect masks for Night Raids.

This mask hides the wearer's identity while granting

them enhanced Nightvision and suppressing any sounds

they make.

/Qi Family: Sasi: Sasi has found cave entrance.

/Qi Family: Nix: On my way.

/Qi Family: Pon: You should skip the flame strands Nix, they are too well-known.

/Qi Family: Nix: I'll use my Ashobel Claws and Ice Attacks. Neither is traceable to me.

/Qi Family: Rabi: Nix has claws?

Nix linked them in group chat.

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.

By the time Nix arrived at the entrance to the cave, the rest of the group was already there. He handed everyone the masks that he made. "Put these on, we want to make sure we aren't easily recognized."

The entrance was only a few feet high, a wall of stones had been stacked in front of it to hide its location. Nix slipped his mask on and then glanced at the pink-colored sky.

/Qi Family: Nix: It's a few minutes until sunset. We go in hard. If we find Seibel he stays alive long enough to tell us where the baby is.

/Qi Family: Pon: Her name is Ayla.

/Qi Family: Nix: Ayla is our priority.

Nix entered the cave first, he was forced to crawl the first few meters before it grew larger. He took a moment to activate his stealth package, the combination of thermal and night vision would ensure nothing crept up on him.

/Qi Family: Nix: Scout for us Rabi.

Rabi nodded and trotted soundlessly down the corridor.

/Qi Family: Sasi: I like the mask. Now I don't have to sneak so much.

Several minutes went by with no report from Rabi.

/Qi Family: Nix: Rabi?

/Qi Family: Rabi: Follow.