"The amount of Vila in my stable dropped from 40 to 30." MIna frowned at the number, they had worked hard to get the Vilas.

"Maybe the Sea Devil will make up for it?" Nix stood up and headed for the side ladder. "Brief me on the way Min."

Min followed closely behind him, "our spies have discovered that the Matriarchs are seeding the G.o.d's path. Our recent progress may have alerted them."

"Seeding it with more Vila?"

"Doesn't matter. They are placing them on the 7th floor. In order to do that, they access a hidden entrance on the second stage of the 6th floor."

"We've already cleared 6.2." Nix grabbed Min's hand and chose the 6th-floor staging area in Mermaid City.

They stepped onto the 6th-floor platform. It was completely empty, none of the mid-tier guilds were even close to Inferno.

"Yes. We follow them through and then clear the stage. That jumps us to the 7th floor."

Nix nodded. "They both stealthed and then stepped onto the 6.2 platform, a few minutes later they were swimming down a long hall.

/Inferno: Nix: Where's the door located?

/Inferno: Mina: Turn left at the next intersection then it's halfway down the hall. A small discoloration on the stones marks the entrance.

/Inferno: Fajii: What are you doing in Mermaid City Nix?

/Inferno: Mina: Special Mission Fajii, please clear the channel.

/Inferno: Nix: We'll talk when we get back Fajii.

They arrived at the discoloration a few minutes later. They moved closer to the ceiling and maintained their stealth.

[Whisper: Mina to Nix] I keep thinking about the Chaos Gate. Why do you suppose we were married in the illusion?

[Whisper: Nix to Mina] You want a daughter, seems like they should be a package deal.

[Whisper: Mina to Nix] Makes sense I suppose.

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

Nix and Mina waited nearly two hours before moving down the hall could be seen. Two Matriarchs moved swiftly toward them, they stopped near a mark on the floor and one of them pointed a device at the wall. A moment later a small portion of the wall slid open.

Nix and Mina flashed through the opening before they had time to close it.

Nix raised both hands and shot six flame strands toward each Matriarch, the emerald flames wrapped around their torso, pinning their arms. Mina summoned her Vilas and turned them on the Matriarchs. A few months earlier this would have been an even battle, but not any longer.

With the Matriarchs easily disposed of, Nix picked up the device that had opened the wall while Mina salvaged the Ricoli Devices.

Nix paused while she retrieved the second one. "Doesn't this seem like a rather menial task for a Matriarch?"

Mina nodded in agreement, "it does. There should be a round chamber up ahead. We will need to start clearing mobs from then on. "

Nix nodded and they both stealthed before continuing down the hall. Tentatively they entered through the archway that led to the round chamber. The room was completely empty. "This right Min?"

Min shook her head. "It shouldn't be empty." A second archway on the far side of the room was the only other exit from the chamber.

Nix and Min started toward it when they heard the grating sound of stone on stone, a moment later two large doors slammed shut over the archways.

"Filamina... So nice of you to visit us again." A female voice sounded near where the entrance had been. A tall Aquarion woman, dressed in light armor and carrying a staff, walked toward them.

/Inferno: Mina: NIX! Gate out now!

Nix grabbed Min's hand and activated Deep Blue.

[You may not gate out of this location at this time]

Two other Aquarion's appeared near the first. "They moved forward slightly, flanking Nix and Mina.

/Inferno: Nix: Three Matriarchs, we've handled harder.

/Inferno: Mina: No Nix... These are Elder Matriarchs, the strongest of our kind.

"Filamina... You seem a bit distraught." The Elder Matriarch continued to walk toward them. All three of them summoned their creatures at the same time.

Mina had her 30 Vila move in front of them. "Three Elders, to deal with me?"

"You?" The Elder Matriarch laughed loudly, a sound that mimicked 'nails on a chalkboard.' "Why would I need help dealing with my own Grand Daughter? We've come to deal with the Archon before his strength grows beyond us."