Chapter 158 Gemini Temple

"Greetings Nix. This old Fire Lord has missed you." A young version of the original Severance smiled and placed a hand on his shoulder, immediately her face became serious. "Your strength is growing fast, and you've been tempered."

Nix nodded. "Doesn't seem like you should call yourself old with that form." Ever since Nix, Shae, and Severance restarted the dormant volcano at the Lapu Crater, Severance regained her lost youth. Her dark blue hair flowed midway down her back, and light blue armor completed the picture of youth and vitality.

"I'm old on the inside Nix." Severance smiled and placed a hand on his head before closing her eyes. She stayed like that for nearly a minute before releasing him.

"Rhylia is correct, your flames are erupting with power. I'm not sure what can be done."

Nix waited patiently for an explanation. His closest friends were gathered close by and listening to Severance every word.

Severance's face turned grim. "We have to release the excess energy, Silver flames are above even brown flames. A Lord Class Salamander like me would be killed in a few seconds."

"Let's come back to that. How do we release the energy." The normally quiet Fajii spoke from Nix's side, none of her normal cheerfulness was evident in her manner.

"If it were any flames other than silver, we could take him into a dormant crater and let him light it up. Even then it would be dangerous."

Fajii moved closer to Nix and gripped his hand in hers. "Dangerous how?"

"Silver flames can't be discharged recklessly, there's no estimating the amount of destruction we are talking about." Severance pursed her lips while she considered the problem. Lapu Crater might have worked if they talking about Nix's emerald flames. "No place in Colonial."

"The Gemini Temple." Semmi's voice was quiet but it carried to everyone in the group.

Pon's old face cracked in a smile."Oasis is different than Colonial, the world is meant for higher-tiered powers."

"A conduit is necessary for releasing the flames as he becomes a Nemesis." Severance had never heard of the Gemini Temple, but she was certain that if a Salamander didn't accompany Nix, he would be burned up and his flame lost forever. "I cannot go to Oasis, nor would I wish to at my current rank."

"I will do it." Fajii voice held the certainty of complete confidence. "As a Scorched Earth Mage, I have the same immunity to flames that a Lord Salamander has."

"I'm in." Wind said quietly. "Been wanting to check out the Temple again anyway."

"Settled then." Pon clapped his hands together, he could feel the hairs on the back of his neck standing up. Being close to Silver flames was amazing and horrifying at the same time.

Within a few minutes, Alpha Team was formed and they were heading toward the Embassy. Most of the officers from Inferno had decided to go as far as the Guild Office in Parliament. After saying goodbye, Alpha Team stealthed and left the protection of Parliament. They traveled single file through the neutral zone and into Fir'Dhass territory.

Nix was struggling to keep walking and maintain his stealth, his flames felt like they were overflowing. He activated Deep Blue and chose the Gemini Temple platform. The Temple was a bit north of the platform, they had to circle around a few predators but they arrived safe and sound at the entrance after a few minutes.

/Alpha Team: Semmi: This structure seems like it should stand up to pretty much anything.

/Alpha Team: Nix: At the center where we saw the Gemini Altar, that should be our best bet.

Slowly they made their way toward the center of the temple. The wide corridors were regularly patrolled by 100 lvl + garbage mobs, but they weren't something Alpha Team could handle. The gray stone walls had torches mounted every ten meters, the damps musty smell of a dungeon permeated the air.

/Alpha Team: Semmi: This temple must have really been something at one time. Why's it so rundown.

/Alpha Team: Nix: The Temple Lord was probably slain by the Fir'Dhassi.

/Alpha Team: Semmi: Makes sense, they wouldn't allow an outside power to thrive in their territory.

/Alpha Team: Pon: It must have taken a big effort, the named mobs here are beyond any boss I've ever seen.

/Alpha Team: Semmi: I'll check the Parliament Library, I should have thought about that earlier.

/Alpha Team: Pon: We're a good team, Sem.

/Alpha Team: Semmi: I'll agree if you let me call our beer 'Semmi Beer'.

/Alpha Team: Pon: 'Pon Beer' has a better ring.

The group finally arrived at the Gemini Altar. It had previously been uninhabited but now there was a single Acolyte praying at the Altar.

/Alpha Team: Wind: We're f*cked... What's option two?

/Alpha Team: Semmi: 115 lvl, Gemini Priestess... Looks like we have to find someplace else.

/Alpha Team: Nix: Sorry for the wild goose chase. Let's gate out of here.

/Alpha Team: Fajii: No... I can feel your flame fluctuating Nix, any longer and you may not be able to rank up. I will deal with this Acolyte.

/Alpha Team: Semmi: She'll wipe us all Faji, just give it up. There's nothing...

[Fajii has unbanked her levels]

The Scorched Earth Mage glowed with power as a vortex of Earth enveloped her. The energy around her increased for several seconds before exploding outward in a cloud of dust and dirt.

Fajii: Scorched Earth Elemental [4th Tier]

Level 100

/Alpha Team: Nix: Fajii...

The dark-skinned Aquarion smiled at Nix. "The Mermaid Tower is Mina's quest, not mine. Inferno will be able to finish it without me."

[Wind has unbanked his levels]

Wind glowed with power as his strength spiraled upward, after a minute it stopped. He nodded in satisfaction and then pulled out a stone from his inventory.

[Wind has activated The Gemini Stone: Thief Class]

Wind's feet raised off the ground as he was enveloped in a swirling mist of green and blue smoke. Flashes of light illuminated the cloud before a final surge of power burned the cloud away. Wind's feet touched the ground a moment later.

Wind: Gemini Thief [4th Tier]

Level 100

/Inferno: Pon: F*ck it... Mermaid City can be done without a few of us babysitting them.

[Pon has unbanked his levels]

A swirling firestorm enveloped the old Fire Mage. The heat made both Semmi and Wind step back. The old mage may not have posses a high tiered flamed, but he had spent years refining it.

Pon: Fire Mage [3rd Tier]

Level 100

/Inferno: Jun Li: What's going on over there Sem?

/Inferno: Semmi: There's a mob here that wasn't here before. Wind, Pon, and Fajii have unbanked to kill it.

/Inferno: Jun Li: Can the three of them handle it?

/Inferno: Semmi: Not sure. I think so.

[Whisper: Jun Li to Semmi] You know how important Nix is to Inferno. Mermaid City is doomed to fall if we have him with us. Do it...

[Semmi has unbanked her levels]

Semmi smiled widely as she felt her strength spiral upward. It had been a long time since she leveled up. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the feeling of power surging through her. After a few minutes, it was complete and she opened her eyes.

She glanced at Wind. "There's no way I'm letting you get ahead of me." She pulled out her Gemini stone and activated it.

[Semmi has activated The Gemini Stone: Thief Class]

The same cloud of green and blue smoke enveloped Semmi as her feet left the air. The blonde scout closed her eyes when the flashes of light started. She spun dizzily inside the cloud, a feeling of nausea nearly overwhelmed her before it finally subsided and sat her gently on the floor.

Semmi: Gemini Thief [4th Tier]

Level 100

[A second Gemini Thief has been located in your vicinity. Wind:Semmi Gemini bond has been enabled.]