Chapter 629: Heart of Stones

Nix sat peacefully in the shade of a large oak tree planted in the Heart of Stones. Sensing her gaze, he looked down at the redhead that had been sleeping with her head on his lap. "Good nap?"

Shae nodded and sat up slowly. "Already past mid-day? I slept longer than I planned."

Nix leaned closer and kissed the top of her head. "Naps can't be planned; they just happen."

The redhead considered his words before nodding in agreement. "Did I miss anything?"

Nix scratched his chin for a moment. "Let's see... Nicky sent Gil to the Nether before turning into a Phoenix and traveling to Eidengal. Our lovely daughter electrocuted her three dragonling brothers, and Deidra says Sigh is a bully."

Shae's lips curved in a smile. "Is that all?"

Nix nodded and used the oak tree to stand up. "Guess we should see if we can turn things around."

Shae followed as Nix made his way through the Heart of Stones, an endless number of statues that had sat in place for nearly six and a half years. Finally, after a minute of walking, they arrived at a small pavilion. Of all the statues in the Heart of Stones, this was the only one that was covered. "Still beautiful..."

Nix nodded in agreement. The stone woman lay peacefully with her arms crossed over her chest; the scent of fresh flowers filled the air. "Form them up."

/Inferno: Shae: All Inferno members report to the Heart of Stones.

/Inferno: Jun Li: Really? Is it time?

/Inferno: Semmi: Cross your fingers; we're on our way.

Nix waited patiently in the shade next to the pavilion while the members of Inferno gathered. In the six-plus years since the fall of the Ice Goddess, the original members of Inferno hadn't taken on any serious raids. Instead, he spent his days working on his ranch while developing more advanced puppets. Occasionally he would take on a quest with Alpha team or Chiba. But, although still the Inferno Guild Leader, the only real responsibility he had was his Stewardship of Ionova.

[Whisper: Gideon to Nix] Don't start without me.

[Whisper: Nix to Gideon] You know I won't.

After Khione was slain, the 12 Pillar Alliance was disbanded and absorbed into the Inferno Guild. Sub-Commander Sulane took over as acting Raid Leader when most of the original Inferno members took a step back. This influx of new members helped populate Haven to the point where a city was started. Gemini City was built on the lakeshore directly across from Union City, the Aquarion settlement. After Glory, Gemini City was the second-largest player-built town in Colonial.

A flash of white approached through the statues, moving faster than most creatures could manage. It spotted the couple under the pavilion and leaped over the remaining three statues that separated them.

"Hey!" The Slayer skidded to a stop before changing into a beautiful Ain'Dhassi ranger. Del smiled at the pair before hugging Shae close. "At least it's warm here!"

Shae frowned slightly, grabbing the ranger's hand before she could step away. "Shouldn't you step away for a while?" The salamander's eyes drifted down to the slight bump on the ranger's belly.

"One more week, and Cora will assume my duties." Del leaned closer to Nix, brushing her lips against his. "I'm a bit nervous to tell you the truth. What's Raine going to say about my condition?"

Nix shrugged slightly, his eyes scanning the thousands of friends that had been killed fighting in the Deep Winter War. He stepped away from the two women while contemplating the results of the last time he tampered with death. A few weeks ago, he had been invited to New Dharta to attend a city-wide celebration of life. An odd event considering many of the town's friends and families was about to die within a few days. It was something he couldn't understand; thousands of people at the end of their life were smiling and laughing. The Inferno Leader had been treated like a hero for giving the once-dead citizens a half dozen years of life. "I guess I don't get it."

/Inferno: Semmi: Everyone is here, Nix. Whenever you are ready, Deidra, Tai, and Sinfaya are standing by to break your petrify curse if this works.

A warm hand on his shoulder pulled Nix out of his thoughts. Hyai smiled at the Inferno Leader. "It's going to be fine, Nix. By the way, make sure to have a word with Nicky later."

Nix nodded and put on a serious face when he noticed the culprit peaking around his mother's waist. "We'll talk later, young man."

Hyai rolled her eyes at the comment; Nix was more likely to help Nicky than scold him. "Thanks, Nix."

"Sure." Nix pulled an object from his inventory and equipped it.

/Inferno: Nix: Not sure what's going to happen; everyone back away from the nearest statues.

You have equipped the Crown of Bones.

The area around the pavilion darkened suddenly, summoning a swirling vortex of shadow that enveloped the area around Nix. The crown on his head squeezed down, pulsing painfully as it responding to the thousands of corpses.

Nix grimaced in pain. "Shit... It didn't hurt like this last time." He put down the feeling of dread that threatened to overcome him; perhaps their deaths had been too long ago. Instead, he equipped another object from his inventory and opened it up.

You have opened the Book of the Dead.

"Damn..." Names flooded crossed the open pages of the book. The vortex around him expanded while the shrieks of dead souls caused the hairs on the back of his neck to stand up. Thousands of names scrolled across the pages of the opened book. The white parchment of the opened book turned black as night when he touched it. "Inscribe all the names in Haven."

9, 354 names have been inscribed into the Book of the Dead pages. You must provide a suitable energy source to finalize this process, or all the inscriptions will be removed after they exhaust their personal resources.

Nix removed the Heart of Khione from his inventory. When he attempted to scribe the dead of Dharta, they had already been drained of their life force by the Dark Druid. "Please... Give them more than a few years." He held his breath and placed the object against the opened book.

[Use the Heart of Khione as the energy source for the chosen inscriptions?]

"Yes," Nix jumped slightly when the crown on his head contracted around his skull; he staggered against the statue of Raine but somehow managed to keep the book open. The chilling screams wrapped around him; clenching his teeth to keep from screaming, he gripped the book tighter as it fought against him to close itself.

The book slowly began to close, despite Nix's overwhelming strength. Before it could slip from his grasp, a gnarled set of hands jammed itself into the binder of the book, prying it apart.

Pon grimaced while tiny shadows swirled around his arms. "This old man has your back. Let's finish this!"

The darkness spread outward for a few minutes and then rushed back to the book as if being recalled. A column of white light burst upward through the pavilion's roof before disappearing into the clouds of Haven. The effect lasted for several seconds before slowly fading away.

The Book of the Dead has revived 9,354 fallen warriors from the battle of Deep Winter. They will remain this way for 317 years. Afterwhich, they will vanish from Everspire forever. No additional energy sources may be added.

The book of the dead slammed shut in Nix's hands just after Pon released it.

[The book of the dead may not be reopened again for 317 years.]

/Inferno: Nix: Cast the spells...

Three dragons immediately began a group casting, positioned in a triangle that enveloped the entire Heart of Stones; a large rune began to take form in the sky above them.

On the far side of the Heart of Stone, a small group of Su'Dhassi stood in a circle that included both Ducky and Leva. The former Fallen Chancellor had assumed leadership of the Nether under Nix's orders. Ducky would often act as a liaison between her and the human kingdoms.

/Sandkillers: Toxin: I hope this works...

/Sandkillers: Eri: Quiet!

The rune that formed overhead slowly began solidifying before starting its descent toward the ground. The air filled with the power of Dragon magic while the spectators watched in awe.

The stone that had been covering the statues slowly cracked and flaked away. The area that the Sand Killers were standing in was where their Su'Dhassi kin had been brought. Without warning, the nearest dhassi sat up while their stoned skin drifted into the air like ashes.

/Sandkillers: Toxin: It worked! That's Gai'Bo!

Without any sort of plan or organization, the spectating members rushed forward to help the once fallen heroes of the Deep Winter battle in Oasis. Under the now roofless pavilion, Nix hugged the Fir'Dhassi Clan leader tightly.

"Nix?" Raine smiled at the Inferno Leader; warmth flooded her features when she saw how happy he was to see her. "What happened? Did we win?"

Nix nodded and brushed some of the ash from her pale cheek. "We did, but that was six and a half years ago, Raine."

"Six years?" Raine eased into a sitting position, leaning against Nix while she struggled against the weakness that had permeated her limbs. "You used the Book of the Dead on me?"

"Yes, more than 9 thousand Dhassi fell in the Oasis raid. All of them have been revived." Nix helped the dhassi to her feet, keeping an arm under her for support.

Raine walked slowly, smiling at the group that approached when they exited the pavilion. "My master?"

"Delyn Xai is being helped by the Ain'Dhassi." Del's voice spoke softly; her blue eyes stared at Raine with conflicting thoughts.