Phoenix Phire

A huge black paw scooped more sand from the medium-sized hole at the edge of the surf. The soggy bear cub tilted his head to one side as he examined his handiwork. "Is that enough?"

The surf pushed toward them, effectively filling the hole before retreating. Without speaking, the red gecko slipped into the water and floated their contently in the mid-morning sun.

Morti watched him for a moment before flopping down in the surf. "I'd stay an play longer, but I'm needed at the Leader's meeting."

Lubo replied by opening one eye for a moment before he returned to basking.

Morti was halfway up the sand dune leading to base camp when he heard the persistent buzzing of dragonfly wings. "Looks like Wilo will keep you company."

After fusing with the Aura puppet created by Puppet Master Kellix Warden, her strength had grown exponentially. She buzzed the Titan cub's head playfully before continuing toward the beach. "Bye, Morti!"

[Bone Fortress, 1215 hours Ice Faction: 8,884 Undead: 412]

Everyone was in their Skelly forms a short while later as Nix stood quietly with Elan Mtui and Sharl while Wind summoned Bensic. Morti and Alpha team waited close by just in case there were complications of a violent nature. Although the Graveyard ring's rules should shackle Bensic, it was best to be prepared.

Nix gestured toward the tent. "Get in the tent and take a seat." The Inferno Leader opened the tent flap, making it clear that the invitation was mandatory.

Bensic went in without issue and took a seat at one of the chairs surrounding Alpha team's domino table. Nix, Mtui, and Sharl followed him in.

The chair creaked in protest when Bensic shifted his enormous girth. The former Burrough Commander stared at Skelly-Nix while ignoring the other two. "You already took Fury, Peril, and Courage." It was a statement, not a question.

Nix nodded and used the table hud to display the territory map. "What can you tell me about the Honor Burrough?"

"I can tell you it's a trap." Bensic leaned forward slightly, his over-size elbow resting on the table. "Multi-layered traps with ordinance and witch circles. Once the first trap is sprung, no one is getting out of Honor alive."

Nix pointed to the bordering Burroughs. "We already know that. How big are the forces waiting for us?"

"Just over three thousand." Bensic scowled when he spoke, it was obvious that he disagreed with the plan.

"That many?" It was Mtui who had spoken; the horns sticking out of his skull made him look like some ancient Norseman. After learning the rules in the Bone Fortress, he began strategizing with Semmi and Jun Li. "That doesn't leave much for the remaining Burrows."

"It doesn't," Bensic agreed. "If somehow you defeat the ambush, the rest of the Burroughs will hold about two hundred fighters each."

"Until we run into the Keep, where they have about four thousand." Nix smiled slightly."

Bensic nodded.

/Inferno: Nix: Leave us alone for a bit.

/Inferno: Sharl: Sure, be right outside if you need anything.

Nix waited while Elan and Sharl exited the tent; Del watched him with curious eyes from his bunk. "Cyra Yun, since you share a last name, I assume she is important to you."

"She is." Bensic stared at him with emotionless eyes. "Or should I say was?"

Nix shrugged at the play on words; from his actions after Inferno defeated him, Nix was aware that Bensic had some method of recalling Cyra Yun. "There is a scenario in which we let you recall Cyra and then release both of you to continue on your way."

Bensic's face was like stone, strong and devoid of any emotion. However, his voice was not. "We were mercs to start with. Selling our skills to the highest bidder. At this point, our lives and freedom are paramount to monetary gain."

"Prove yourself in the next few days, and you'll be given a chance to earn your freedom, far from the Bone Fortress."

/Inferno: Wind: We're done with Atilla and Shur'icon. How's the Bensic questioning?

/Inferno: Nix: All done. You can desummon him along with Atilla. Officer meeting in an hour.

Nix stretched his arms and waited until Bensic disappeared before looking at the Orion laying on his bunk. "What'd you think, Del?"

"He's desperate to save Cyra Yun. I believe he will accomplish whatever task you put in front of him."

Nix nodded in agreement. "I think so too. Going to have to talk with Mtui and see if he can get a message back to Deidra."

"Aren't his Breach Commander skills disabled, same as yours?"

"Yes. However, he is the spawn of a dragon. Deidra may be able to contact." Nix continued to stare at the table's hud while considering the trap that is Honor.

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

A short while later, the Inferno officers were seated around the round table in the large tent that was serving as their Tactical Operations Center (TOC). A large map of the Honor Burrough and the Bordering territories of Dawn, Misery, and Agony were on full display. Rabi and Sasi had painstakingly labeled both the mines and witch circles that had been uncovered.

/Officer: Jun Li: All three of our intel sources said basically the same thing. Something nice is waiting in Honor for us.

/Officer: Mtui: Can you use golems to trip the traps ahead of time?

/Officer: Jun Li: Possibly. Shuri said that she could most likely walk through Honor unaffected because of her witch blood.

/Officer: Semmi: The golems are worth a try. However, if they don't trip the traps, then our own element of surprise is gone, and we're back to square one.

/Officer: Nix: We can send a minimal force into the edge of Honor to give us the Burrough. Then avoid entering Honor by implementing a coastal attack on Dawn and Agony from the west and east.

/Officer: Semmi: Fly in over the water?

Jun Li rotated the map to zoom in on the Dawn Burrough. "A team could go up the coast and create a beachhead in the northern area; if we timed it right, we could catch them looking southward."

/Officer: Mortimus: I volunteer to lead the eastern team into Agony.

/Officer: Nix: The Agony shoreline has many rocky terrain, so the fighting will be primary melee.

[Whisper: Mortimus to Nix] Could I bring Mortimer with me?

[Whisper: Nix: to Mortimus] Sure.

/Officer: Jun Li: Going to start a roster. We can't leave our position here unprotected, so not everyone will be going.

/Officer: Ronnie: I'll hold down the fort, but leave me some ranged fighters.

/Officer: Semmi: Give us a moment to form the teams.

[Team Agony]

Sharl (Bravo)

Nebs

Morti

Mortimus

Gil

Jun Li (Charlie)

Fey

Gideon

Edi

Paco

[Team Dawn]

Nix (Alpha)

Semmi

Fajii

Wind

Pon

Mtui (Delta)

Beta

Chiba

Sasi

Rabi

/Officer: Nix: We'll come in low and head inland until we make contact. Two quick bombing runs, and then we're on the ground for team tactics.

/Officer: Mtui: We're going to need a healer in Delta.

/Officer: Wind: Mimi should be able to do it.

/Officer: Mtui: Mimi?

/Officer: Sasi: That troublesome demon isn't here.

/Officer: Rabi: She's good for heals.

/Officer: Semmi: Got some way to bring her in, Wind?

/Officer: Wind: Yeah. She and King Lubo formed a spiritual bond.

[Summons: Demon King Lubo]

A tiny red gecko appeared on the table in front of Wind, its dark eyes scanning the crowd before darting toward Nix. The King marched up Nix's arm before coming to a rest on his shoulder.

Nix stroked the King's tummy with the back of his finger. "Going to need Mimi for a mission today. Can you summon her?"

Lubo nodded.

[Summons: Mimicry Zul]

The appearance of the leather-clad demon had two distinct impacts on the Qi family. Rabi clapped excitedly while Sasi scowled like she ate a bad rat. Although she was in skelly form, she still carried the distinct air of a seductress.

Mimi glanced around the room, noting that not only was the House of Tempest represented, but so was Inferno and the House of Dragons. "This is the Bone Fortress?"

Nix couldn't help but smile at the varied reactions in the room. "Yes. We need a healer for a mission. Can you assist us?"

/Officer: Sasi: Why is she bound to your companion?

/Officer: Wind: Long story...

/Officer: Semmi: We'll draw up an assault plan for the two Burroughs. Should we plan on a Night mission?

/Officer: Nix: Yep. I'll be working on Golems until then. Let's aim for 0200.

/Officer: Pon: I'll join you. We'll need some teardrops for the bombing runs.

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

Nix dipped the red clay in the water, moistening it slightly to smooth out the component before using his own flames as a kiln. He had nearly three dozen miniature golems lined up on the river bank. Pon was working diligently a few meters away. It was a spot where they worked regularly; both crafters had their [Thine Enemy] rings on.

"I'm feeling left out." Del lay on a nearby rock, sunning herself in the warm sun. "Can I follow Alpha?"

Nix paused what he was doing to look up. "Honor is only broken up into four precincts. The Honor graveyard is in the Thorn Precinct."

Del sighed discontentedly. "And?"

"And I want you to sneak into Honor and activate the Graveyard." Nix placed another Booming Bob on the ground before scooping up more clay. "Follow Alpha until we engage. The graveyard is in the northern sector of Honor, right across the border from Misery."

"Find the graveyard and activate it. Then what?"

Nix shrugged slightly. "Hide and try not to get my puppet killed."