Phoenix Phire

Chapter 91 - Cave Bear

"Let's head back to the mole." Nix turned without saying anything further, both Ducky and Fajii frowned at him.

Fajii carried the fox, he seemed to shrink slightly to make it more comfortable for her. Her brown hand stroked the soft fur on his head, Eron's half-closed lids showed his contentment.

When they arrived back at the cave, the fox had hidden his head in Fajii's hair, nuzzling her ear with a wet nose. The Aquarion was all smiles as she bonded with her new companion.

/Guildchat: Nix: Ask Eron about the mole's spirit Fajii.

/Guildchat: Semmi: Oh god... It's Eron the spirit snatcher? Do you realize what you have there?

/Guildchat: Nix: Another rat, this one is black. Tell us later Sem.

/Guildchat: Pon: BOOM! New Fire Spell for the win!

Fire-Nado: Parchment

Description: Learn a spell that

wraps up to five players in a whirlwind of

fire. Fire-Nado lasts thirty seconds and drains

10 percent of its target's health. This health is

then siphoned to the caster.

/Guildchat: Wind: Damn... That's really nice, its a vampiric spell. You can use it to self-heal.

/Guildchat: Semmi: Awesome Pon!

/Guildchat: Jun Li: I'm so jealous.

"Eron... I am trying to make Mortimer's spirit whole." Fajii continued to stroke the fox's head. "Can you help me?"

"Of course." Eron stared at Mortimer, his tiny black eyes started to glow.

After a few moments, a ball of light the size of golf ball appeared in front of Eron, it moved slowly until it hovered in front of Mortimer. It descended and touched the huge bald head, it bounced once and then rolled into the dirt.

Mortimer covered it with a huge paw and pulled it back to him. "It's mine!"

The fox continued to watch, "I'm sorry Fajii. They have been apart too long."

The bear no longer cried, but lay there calmly, one paw covered his splintered spirit and the other was over his eyes.

"Let's get going." Nix glanced one last time at the bear and turned around. "There's nothing else to be done here."

The bear lifted his huge head, watching them as they left the clearing. "Thank you, this lessens my pain."

NIx slowed his step and then stopped. The letter his family had received after the civil settlement said the same thing. "I hope this lessens your pain." It was accompanied by a large check, but in reality, did nothing to lessen their anguish. "Wait for me at the river, I will catch up."

He waited until the group left then he approached the bear and opened his bag. "Let me see what I can do for you." He sent Mortimer a friend request.

The bear sat its head on one big paw. "You want to be my friend?"

"Yes, let me use your spirit splinter. Do not worry, I will return it." Nix pulled the spirit from under the bear's paw and placed it in slot Two.

[Mortimer] [Spirit] [Kraken Leather, Leviathan Leather, Lamia leather]

He looked at the queue, impressive line-up with three legendary types of leather. Nix shook his head, there was nothing bearish about it. "Oh, that's right." He dug into his inventory and pulled out Bulo's pelt. He had wanted to make something nice out of it, but never got around to it. "Do you like this Morty?"

The bear sniffed the air. "That is a fine fur."

"One of my first groups, it was even bigger than you." (Bulo was the bear Nix helped Nes, Donri, and Sila kill.)

[Mortimer] [Spirit] [[Bulo's Pelt] [Kraken Leather, Leviathan Leather, Lamia leather] [Dragonbone needle] [Camel Hair Thread]

You are using three legendary items, one epic item and an Infinity Spirit to craft Mortimer's Fur. Do you wish to continue?

Nix looked at the recipe and counted the zeros necessary to create the item. It had more zeros than Nix could count. "Shit... That's way more than I have." He was just about to start over when he received a message.

[Notice: All crafting costs in Shangri are waived.]

"Maybe I should remove one of the legendary skins?" Nix shrugged and hit the create icon. A moment later he felt like someone hit him with a pillow and then he blacked out.

/Guildchat: Fajii: Nix? Where are you?

/Guildchat: Mina: Something wrong?

/Guildchat: Fajii: The entire area we were in exploded. Ducky, Eron and I were all killed.

/Guildchat: Mina: He isn't with you?

/Guildchat: Fajii: No... We were waiting for him to catch up.

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

The entire forest was flattened as far as the eye could see. A large black bear stood on his back legs, he radiated power as his keen eyes scanned the surroundings. In the distance, he spotted a booted foot sticking out of a pile of trees. The ground echoed with the lumbering gait as the giant bear ran toward the pile.

"F*ck me... that hurts."

[Combustion]

A soft green glow settled around Nix, healing his dangerously low health.

"Nix?" A deep, powerful voice spoke his name, the debris he was covered in was torn away as powerful claws pulled the rocks, tree limbs and dirt away from him.

Nix stood up slowly, although his health had recovered his ears were ringing and his vision seemed slightly blurry. He squinted his eyes at the huge bear in front of him, soft fur from its enormous head nudged against his chest.

[Mortimer has requested a Spirit Bond with you]

"Fine, okay."

Nix saw the light settling on them, it grew bright and then finally dimmed.

[You have bonded with a creature ranked substantially higher than you. His abilities will be mitigated to your level.]

"Higher than me?" Nix shook his head, the cobwebs that seemed to cover his senses finally clearing. "You are big." The bear's shoulder was at Nix's head. "Were you this big before?"

Mortimer nodded, "Of course."

"I'm going to inspect." Nix scratched the bear's ears roughly.

Mortimer: Spirit Companion, Lord Ranked.

[Abilities]

Ground Pounder: Stuns all creatures with 10 meters. Duration: 3 seconds

Absolute Defense: Blocks half of all incoming damage from one target.

Absolute Challenge: All enemies are forced to change their targets to the challenger.

Bear Intentions: First Strike.

Rage: Unknown Effect. (Use of Rage results in companion sleeping for three days.)

[Bad Memories] Past experiences have made this companion immune to fire.

[Charmless] Immune to all charm effects.

[Fearless] Immune to fear and control effects.

"How did you help me reclaim my spirit and fur?" Big brown eyes stared at him before the head lowered and bowled into him. "You're my friend. My very best friend."

Nix struggled to breathe as the enormous head butted into his ribs. "Easy there Morty, I'm more fragile than you."

"My fur is mine again. Although it's a bit darker now."

Nix scratched his head, "well... I'm not sure about that one. I'm going to have to research using spirits as enhancements."

/Guildchat: Nix: Fajii? Where you guys at?

/Guildchat: Fajii: Dead Nix. The entire area blew up.

/Guildchat: Nix: I'm kinda done here I guess. Do you need any help Min?

/Guildchat: Mina: Yes, I could use a Fire mage right now. There's only 20 minutes left.

/Guildchat: Nix: Holy crap... How long was I out?

/Guildchat: Fajii: It's been a few hours since we exited.

/Guildchat: Nix: Just summon me, Mina. You have one too right?

Allied Spirit:

Ring: [Trial of Strength]

Description: Call Filamina to your

side in times of need.

/Guildchat: Sharl: Where'd you get that?

/Guildchat: Jun Li: That's from the trial of strength?

/Guldchat: Mina: Yes. Thanks, Nix I forgot about that. Bringing you in.

Nix glanced at Mortimer. "Call you to my side in a bit."

You have been summoned by Filamina. Do you accept the summons?

"Yes."

A cold blistering wind hit Nix in the face, the temperature was below freezing. "Holy crap... Warn me first!"

[Aura Ignition]

Emerald fire bathed Nix in flames, instantly warming him. He spotted Milat and Mina. They were standing in front of a huge black rock. "What's the mission guys?"

Mina couldn't keep the smile off her face, Nix was someone she adored. "We already retrieved one item for Milat, however, the trident I want is encased in that." She pointed to the large black rock.

Nix examined the rock closer. He could see the image of a trident inside. "How come I can see through this rock?"

"It's black ice." Mina sighed heavily. "It's immune to every type of damage we have. Since it's a type of ice... I thought perhaps you could melt it."

Nix took a few steps back.

[Balefire]

The object is immune to Fire damage.

"This is going to be a tough nut to crack."

Mina frowned at the object. "Let's just go Nix. Sorry to waste your time."

Nix shook his head. "We haven't tried everything. Let's see if it's immune to bear.

[Summons: Mortimer]

A moment later a 12-foot bear appear on his hind legs, sharp claws extended as he roared loudly. He stopped after a moment when he didn't see any enemies. "Was I scary?"

Nix nodded, "Very." He pointed at the black ice object. "Can you open that?"

Mortimer dropped to all fours and lumbered up. "It's cold here. I like it." He sat on his enormous butt and swiped at the ice with one huge paw. An instant later a cracking sound like glass breaking could be heard.

"Wow... You are strong." Milat had struck the block several times. He watched as the bear pulled its paw back again, this time the block of ice shattered into countless pieces and the trident tumbled to the ground.

Mina grabbed the trident and stood up. "I'm Mina, thank you for your help."

Although the big bear was still sitting, it was taller than all of them. "I'm Mortimer. Are you a Water person?"

Mina nodded, "my people are called Aquarions."

Sea Scepter: Legendary

Description: While this is equipped you are

protected by a water shield that blocks

30 percent of incoming damage. All Water

abilities are enhanced by 30 percent.

/Guildchat: Ronnie: Score! Look what I got!

Corvette: [Gunship: Legendary]

Description: Very fast and maneuverable,

this ship has 24 guns and has berths

for 50 crew members.

/Guildchat: Nix: Wow... that's really nice princess.

/Guildchat: Ronnie: Just call me Captain.

/Guildchat: Nix: Aye Captain.

The event ended after eight hours, a few of the stragglers like Pon were finally forced out. Nearly everyone came back with something but there were a few unlucky ones. Morgan said goodbye to everyone and with little fanfare sent them on their way.

All of Inferno opted to gate back to Glory, leaving the captains and crew to return with the ships. Nix unsummoned Mortimer and ported directly to the Fire Palace.

Shae had resumed her human form and was soaking in the hot pools. She looked up when he approached. "Were you successful?"

Nix nodded, "I brought home a nice tank pet. I thought I would introduce him."

Shae walked out of the water and equipped her salamander suit. "Is it a bear?"

Nix smiled.

[Summons: Mortimer]

Mortimer appeared once again with a deafening roar. He stopped when he saw the Salamander. He sat down on his butt. "You're very strong."

Shae hid the alarm she felt. "So are you. I rule here, my name is Shae. I require you to make an oath of loyalty if you are going to remain on Glory."

Mortimer glanced at Nix who only nodded. "I promise to take good care of you and everyone here. And do my best not to break anything."

Shae laughed at his words and approached him. "That's a very good oath. In return I shall aide you whenever I can, you may consider this your home."

Mortimer stuck his foot in the nearby pool, immediately he yanked it back. "That's way too hot Shae."

"There are some cooler pools south of here." Shae pointed in the general direction.

Nix watched him waddle away. "He's awesome right?"

Shae waited a few moments before replying. "Nix... You do realize he's a Titan right?"

"A Titan?" Nix thought back to the crying bald thing that Mortimer had been a few hours earlier. "Are you sure? Isn't he a bit small for a Titan?"

Shae nodded, "of course. He's only a cub."