/Inferno: Semmi: Like Combo hits... Thanks to Nix.

/Inferno: Bali: and Shapes.h.i.+fter armor, also thanks to the boss.

/Inferno: Nix: Don't be nervous about experimenting with different methods.

/Inferno: Ronnie: Darsi made an optical device that can fit on both rifles and bows; it nearly doubles range damage.

/Inferno: Jun Li: That's the kind of stuff we need. I want all members to take up at least one craft; there's plenty enough downtime to make it happen.

Nix grabbed Fajii and handed her Deep Blue. "I would like to see Sori Dah."

Fajii gave him a surprised look. In the past, Nix had often gone out of his way to avoid speaking with the Lamia Acolyte. "She'll be happy to see you, Nix."

Nix tried not to frown at the comment. "Tell her to bring the Death Squad."

Fajii nodded. The Death Squad referred to Sori Dah's top fighters; Nix would often spar with them in at the training grounds in the Gemini Temple. "Anything else?"

"Esta...I want to see her." Nix hadn't seen his Storm Warden for a while. As the Chief Acolyte in the Gemini Temple, she was tasked with training the Air'Voilla.

********

Nix whistled softly when he saw it. "Now that's beautiful, Nebs."

Nebs and Gideon met up with him at the new town gates; it was an unlikely looking procession with the three of them leading the way and Morti waddling behind with his pa.s.sengers.

Two Earth Temple acolytes greeted them at the gates; they were both in their Lamia forms and had black bows that hung loosely over their shoulders.

Instead of proceeding past the gates, Nebs led him up the stone steps that ascended to the top of the stone wall. The stonewall surrounding the city was fifteen feet in height and six feet wide, not as big as the t.i.tan sized wall that protected Glory, but Ionova was a rural settlement and not equipped to fight off hordes of invaders.

The Salamander cleric was smiling widely when she showed Nix the view. "I experimented a bit with the layout. The City Center and the shopping district are the actual centers of the town. The residential area, which is currently empty, will eventually completely encircle it."

Nix could see a large, three-story building rising up from the shopping area; it was much bigger than he would have imagined. "How many shops are in the City Center?"

"As of now, there are a lot of empty s.p.a.ces still; this is a bit more city than Ionova can support at this point." Nebs brought up a hud layout of the City Center while the group walked along the top of the wall.

"You leave me room for a Tailor Shop?" Nix thought he would tease her a bit; she had obviously planned out everything.

Nebs nodded, her smug grin told him that she guessed he would ask. "Second floor of the City Center, where the best shops are going to be."

Nix stopped at pointed to the large open area around the base of the city center. "What's with all the open s.p.a.ce?"

"The area around the City Center is referred to as the Market Courtyard. This is where the street vendors and day-shops will set up. On the first floor of the Center is room for twenty or so shops; the shops on the second floor are slightly bigger."

They stopped at a second set of stone steps that descended near the edge of the Market Courtyard. Up close, the Center was even larger than he imagined. "What's on the third floor?"

Nebs gave him a sly smile. "An Inn and a residence."

Nix pretended he didn't see her expression. "Guess I'll have to find someone reliable to oversee the development of Ionova."

"Hey..." Nebs grabbed his arm, completely stopping his progress. "You're not gonna ditch me now, right?"

"Hmm... well, I don't know." Nix couldn't keep a straight face; his train of thought was suddenly derailed. "The h.e.l.l..."

"Wind Tunnel." Fey slid off of Morti's back and moved next to Nix.

An elongated tunnel formed out of thin air; a moment later, a dark-winged woman staggered through. She looked exhausted and worn, her eyes showing relief when she saw him. "Nix..."

"Rhy?" Nix was shocked at her appearance; she was covered in minor wounds. "What's going on?"

Rhy shook her head and looked back at the wind tunnel. "Come with me; the tunnel is already collapsing. It took five of us to open it."

Nix nodded. "Morti, you guys stay here, but be ready."

Rhy grabbed his hand and ran back into the wind tunnel.

Gideon stared at them for an instant and then charged after them. A moment later, the tunnel disappeared.

Nebs stared at the empty s.p.a.ce, the surprise on her face evident. "Was Gid suppose to follow them like that?"

Fey shook her head. "I don't think so."

/Inferno: Ducky: Nix just disappeared through a wind tunnel with Rhy and Gideon.

/Inferno: Jun Li: Of course... Guild meeting at HQ.