Stone splinters erupted out of the walls as a deafening guitar screech echoed between them. Footlong fissures and cracks appeared, shooting down along with the source of the sound.

Irwin watched with a tiny bit of satisfaction as the stone table cracked, then shattered apart under the initial barrage of his soulstrum guitar's power. The rest of him only wanted one thing: for these three diamond-ranked Niox to become dead so he could go to his children.

Two of the Niox reacted as he'd hoped and expected. They clasped their heads with both hands, letting out screams that were drowned in the guitar's howl. The third one did not. His head, covered in a pale mark with scuff marks, snapped up, and a red glow behind the slits burned brightly as whatever eyes lay beyond locked onto Irwin's.

Irwin slammed into the ground a few feet from the table at the same time as the odd Niox raised both his hands.

All sound ceased. The guitar's howl, which had overpowered all others, vanished- muted as something silenced it instantly. Irwin's hand stopped strumming as he saw all of the soundwaves hang in midair, seemingly frozen there by whatever the Niox was doing.

For a short moment, Irwin looked around in stunned awe. The chaotic motions of the sound waves that he had become used to, sometimes even barely noticed, hung still in the air, like the light gleaming off the ripples and waves of an ocean. Like a beautiful but crazy painting, the intensely sharp shockwaves of his own soulstrum guitar looked like interconnected, repeating bubbles and jagged lines, their previous almost impossible fast movements locked into a single moment.

Irwin forced his attention back to the Niox, whose masked head was still pointed at him. The slightly growing fear that the Niox was totally unharmed by his attack quickly vanished as he saw the bulky, pale figure shake itself and take a halting step around the table.

He stopped all sounds, Irwin thought. That meant he knew Irwin had a sound-based card, and the only way he could imagine it was that whoever had sent them had information from his time on Granvox.

He shoved his growing worry away and unsummoned his soulstrum guitar. There was no time to wonder about this. He had to take care of these bloody mercenaries and head back to his children!

Two hammers appeared in Irwin's hands as he quickly looked around to assess the situation.

The Niox that had done something to the sound was still staggering toward him, seemingly shrugging off the sound attack. The other two were lying on the ground. One had its head sideways, and Irwin saw cracks running across its mask and thick, viscous blood leaking between the edges, pooling on the ground. It was motionless. The second one was still rolling on his ears.

Irwin jumped forward, eyes trained on the still-moving one.

Life and some of his friends - like Daubutim - had taught him many things over the years, and one was that when fighting multiple enemies, finish off the wounded as fast as you can.

It took him two steps to reach the downed Niox, during which his otherself rapidly brought the people in his soulscape up to speed. As he brought his hammers down on the Niox, he saw the other one raise its hands again. The frozen sound waves pushed against him weakly, and although they were growing in strength, it wasn't nearly enough.

Too late, Irwin thought as he used every bit of his strength, ramming one hammer into the Niox's back, the other atop the mask.

The Niox was slammed back into the ground while the mask, already cracked from the sound-based attack, was shattered. A nightmarish, noseless face appeared from behind it: heavily lidded eyes with angular pupils above a round, oval mouth that seemed like it couldn't possibly close. Reminder Irwin of the wyrms on Scour, the maw-like mouth had multiple rows of teeth, and he saw a tongue-like protrusion loll in the back.

As horrible as all that was, Irwin was more shocked that his double strike hadn't killed the Niox. Although stunned, its eyes were rolling around, and the wounds across its wounds were already closing up.

Shit, it's healing!

Irwin took a step back and ejected all but the wounded from his soulscape with a final message: Kill the one on the ground. As he did that, he saw Coal appear beside the third and unmoving Niox, his front paws on its back. It looked dead, or atleast heavily incapacitated, and he had ignored it, but as Coal bit down on its exposed neck, one arm flailed around, trying to grab the hound that was holding it down.

They will have to take care of that one, Irwin thought as he focused on the one approaching him.

The Niox's staggering gate was rapidly improving, and as it closed in, Irwin felt the sound waves that were still frozen in midair begin to push against him. As he raised his hammer, it felt like his movements were being constrained.

Fine, let's see how you like not breathing, Irwin thought as he summoned his steam, pulling from the always present water in the air. Within moments, steam began forming around him and the Niox, rapidly thickening into a seemingly impenetrable wall that split them off from the rest of the cave.

With no sound, Irwin had no way of knowing what the others were doing, but he trusted them to take care of the two wounded Niox. Instead, he focused the steam around the head of the one approaching him. The soundwaves around him began pushing even more on him, and with a sickening counterintuitive motion, the surrounding landscape of soundwaves began flowing towards him. At the same time, breathing became harder, as if something was squeezing his chest.

The Niox froze a step from him, an arm raised to his throat and another lowered to his belt, where nullifying manacles dangled.

Irwin forced himself to move, but he only got a few inches before it felt like he was moving through solid rock. Breathing was nearly impossible, the air seemingly unwilling to flow into his lungs.

He unsummoned his hammer, which seemed unrestrained by the pressure exerted on him, and focused his full attention on his steam. The area around the Niox's head turned into a shimmering ball of steam, drips of water dropping down to the ground. Each hit was silent as the sound waves froze at the point of contact into thick layers.

The Niox's second hand reached up to his head, and both hands were now hidden by the sphere of steam. Irwin split his attention, pulling on his flame, which, like his hammer, showed no adverse effects from the frozen soundwaves. Elongating it from his locked-in-place hands, he created a spear that jabbed into the Niox's chest. The pale skin that sat taut around the heavily muscled chest initially didn't even react, then, very slowly, the skin turned a shade darker as tiny hairline cracks appeared.

By now, Irwin could barely breathe, having to struggle for every tiny sliver of air, and his vision was slowly turning dark around the edges. He focused on the point where his flame was touching the Niox, trying to push as much heat into it as he possibly could.

The Niox was shaking, his fingers digging into his neck as if trying to open up a path for air to flow.

Die already, Irwin thought, glaring at the Niox, the area around the pale figure now dark.

Sound returned together with motion, and Irwin shot forward against his will, slamming shoulder-first into the Niox just as the figure was slumming. It felt like slamming into the hull of a ship, a dull ache coming from his shoulder, while the Niox was hurled back, out of the steam, and onto the ground.

The sounds of screaming and weapon clatter came from all around him, but the steamcloud was still obscuring most of it.

Irwin drew in ragged gulps of air as he summoned his hammer and ran to the downed Niox. It was trying to push itself up, the skin around its mask covered in pale blisters from which a clear liquid oozed. Irwin struck him on the side of the head, causing the masked head to bounce from the ground with a sickly thud. Then he dropped to a knee, grabbed the soulforce nullifying manacles, and ripped them free of the other's belt. Unsummoning his hammer, he grabbed one wrist and slammed the manacle around it. There was a deep, painful groan and curse from the Niox, which he ignored, grabbing the second, weakly flailing arm. He shut the other half of the manacle pair around it, then struck the Niox with his fist for good measure.

It took three hits before the Niox stopped moving, and Irwin rose to his feet, staggering slightly. With a quick focus, the steam dissipated, revealing the Blademaidens standing near the entrance to the dug-out base, fighting with a small pocket of mercenaries. Zender stood between them, his whip snapping around, cracking in faces- ripping out eyes. Within moments, it was clear they needed no help, as they didn't seem to have suffered any losses while numerous mercenaries lay bleeding and unmoving on the ground.

A few dozen feet to the side, Scintilly and Greldo had backed up another Niox into a corner. Scintilla was dashing in and out of range, leaving long, thin slashes in the Niox's skin as all of his attempts to grab her failed. Greldo moved each time the Niox took a step toward Scintilla, vanishing into the shadows and reappearing behind the Niox, both daggers jabbing into the base of his neck and back. Still, for all their efforts, the Niox's wounds closed and healed almost as fast as they made them, and his flesh seemed as sturdy as wood, their weapons seeming unable to pierce more than a few inches deep.

There was no sight of Coal, but the third Niox lay, almost decapitated, a few steps away from Irwin.

If they send one of these to the base… Irwin thought, his worry and anger burning bright as he ran toward where Scintilla and Greldo were fighting.

--

Glow stood with the others, his sword in his hand, glaring at the door. Soot was behind them, his face pale, and anger in his eyes at being relegated to hiding behind the others. The angry shouts and constant sounds of battle kept ringing from above, muted by the layer of stone and the door.

"Do you think Boohm will be alright?" Zan whispered.

Glow didn't bother answering as he tried to focus on the sounds above. The only way they would know was if the sounds died down and someone headed toward them.

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They continued waiting quietly, sometimes sharing worried looks when what Glow had dreaded happened. With a final, thundering roar, the fighting above died down. Only the muted sounds from beyond the building remained.

"Did he win?" Zan asked, her voice so soft Glow barely heard it.

"I hope so," he muttered, sharing a look with Flux and Mia.

The sound of footsteps came from the stairs leading toward them, and he took a deep breath.

"Flux, Mia, go behind the door," he hissed. "Remember what Dad said about his time with Daubutim? If the door opens, whoever comes will be focused on me. If it's not Boohm, and he attacks, I'll draw his attention. You two backstabbed him."

"Be careful," Flux whispered as he and Mia did as he said.

"What about us?" Ti asked.

Glow looked at them, not sure what to do. Ti could fight. He knew that much, but Zan…? Although she was faster and more agile than all of them, she froze up during even a spar.

"Stay with Zan," he whispered, giving her a half smile and noticing Soot's scowl. His brother seemed more than willing to fight, even without a card, but Glow knew it would be suicide.

The footsteps reached the door, and Glow heard the others hold their breath.

A loud crack burst the door open, causing it to fling off the thick hinges his Dad had made and almost catching him in the chest. Glow dodged to the side, feeling the whiff of air as the door passed him and hearing the startled curse from behind.

He wanted to check if the others behind him were alright, but his eyes were locked on the hulking pale figure that pushed himself through the door opening. Nearly the size of his father, it was covered in bruises and deep wounds, bleeding a pale, thick ichor.

Niox, Glow though, his hands shivering as he saw the narrow slits staring directly at him.

"So, the rumors were true," a dull rumble came from the figure. "Good. This will make things easy-"

A spasm moved through his body, and the Niox coughed wetly, his hands lowering slightly. "Damn that Onyxian," he finally growled, leaning against the inside of the doorframe with one hand. "You four, come with me," he snapped.

Glow swallowed, realizing the Niox hadn't seen Flux and Mia yet. They were just out of his sight, but he'd definitely see them if he took another step.

A soft crying came from behind, and Glow recognized Zan. He was glad she was alive, and he hoped it meant the same for the others.

"Move, brats, or I'll knock you unconscious and carry you!"

Glow's mind spun as he imagined attacking the Niox. He was definitely wounded, but if he'd been able to kill Boohm… Glow remembered how Boohm had sparred with the Blademaidens, and he was far stronger than they were.

Seeing the eyes behind the mask narrow, he took a step forward, raising his hands.

"You don't need all of us," he quickly said. "Why don't you just take me? They will just hold you back."

"No, Glow, you-" Zi's voice came from behind, silenced as the Niox directed an angry glare at her. Then, the hulking brute let out a small chuckle before coughing for a few seconds. When he finished, he growled.

"Move. Last warn-"

A deafening explosion rang from above, and the entire building shook.

"Ugh, did they lose already?" the Niox growled, shaking his head. "Useless… Fine! You, little hero brat. Follow me nice and quiet, and I'll leave the rest here!"

Glow didn't hesitate and walked forward, afraid the Niox might change its mind. As he stepped up close to the Niox, he felt his fear grow as it grabbed two manacles from its belt.

"Hold out your hands," the Niox growled.

Glow shivered but did as asked, and he felt his first and only card's ability dampened. It wasn't all of it, though; it was just a part of the hit, and he immediately knew that he could still run as fast as he had before.

"The rest of you brats, tell Irwin that if he wants his only good son again, he will do as we say," the Niox growled. He tossed a paper on the ground before them, and Glow saw at a glance that there was a map on it. "Tell him to come there, alone, and to bring all his cards. If he doesn't, we will send him parts of this brat until he does."

Glow saw Ti and Zan kneeling beside Soot, who was unmoving and partially below the stone door. He had a bleeding gash on his forehead but seemed to be breathing.

Before Glow could say anything, he was yanked back as the Niox walked up.

"Let's go," the Niox growled, pulling him up until they were back in their living room.

Everything inside was destroyed, with cracks and holes covering the walls. Four figures lay unmoving in the center of the room, heads bashed in and, in one case, missing half of their upper bodies. A few steps in front of them lay a familiar shape.

No, Boohm, Glow thought, trying to see if the Onyxian was still breathing. It was impossible to know, but as he was pulled past Boohm, he saw that one of his arms was bent at a wrong angle, and his entire body was covered in blood.

"Filth," the Niox growled as he kicked Boohm in passing.

"Don't hurt him!" Glow snapped, unable to stop himself.

"Hah, you have guts," the Niox growled, yanking on the chain, causing it to chafe against Glow's skin.

As they came outside, it became clear that the battle was far from over. Screams of rage and the clatter of weaponry came from behind one of the buildings, and Glow saw a figure hurling through the air, slamming into the ground- unmoving.

"They should have told us there were more Fiz'rin here," the Niox growled. "We would have brought Loydin to counter them."

"There's no way you are going to win," Glow said, hoping he was right.

"Brat, we might have lost this little group, but with you, we will win in the end," the Niox growled. "It's what you fools get for being so emotionally connected to your offspring. Weak. Still, you are right…"

Glow swallowed as he heard the hilarity in the Niox's voice.

"So, let's just get out of here, shall we? There's one benefit that I don't have to bring those weaklings," the Niox continued, and Glow could almost sense his grin maliciously.

The Niox rose to his full length, and he pointed into the distant sky above the wall and the forest. His finger began to shine a dull golden, and then the world around Glow shimmered and vanished. The next thing he knew, he was falling through the air. His arms snapped taut as he dangled from the Niox, which was hovering midair as if standing on solid ground. The brute let out a pained growl, coughing for a bit.

"Bah, you have some good cards there, you brat," he growled. "I guess that makes sense with a smith as a father. Perhaps we will force him to make us some cards before delivering him."

Glow felt the growing pain in his shoulders as he dangled at the odd angle, and he groaned. Still, he looked around to get a sense of where he was and hissed. There was no sight of the hamlet, but he recognized part of the forest - a large cluster of oddly burned trees- from where his father had killed a group of Scaledapes.

"Well, enough of a break," the Niox growled. "We're going to go back in a burst now, so prepare, little brat!"

Glow barely had time to clench his teeth when the world swirled around him.

--

Irwin sprinted forward, building up his kinetic energy, and three steps away, he teleported across the sound waves. He appeared on the side of the Niox, swinging down with a big, two-handed hammer, using every ounce of kinetic energy. The hit struck the Niox on the top of his head with the sound of a hollow gong, forcing it to its knees. Greldo appeared next to it, snatching the nullifying manacles dangling from its waist, while Irwin grabbed both its arms and pulled them out.

As strong as he was, when the Niox tried to pull back, Irwin had to use every bit of his strength to keep his hands outstretched while Greldo put the manacles on. When the second one snapped shut, Irwin fully expected the Niox to weaken- but nothing like that happened.

Groaning to keep the powerful being's arms spread, he cursed.

"Grell, it's all passive! He isn't weakening!"

Before he could summon either his flame or his steam, Scintilla ran around the Niox and, with a hateful snarl, stabbed Leafbrand in its back. The sword sank in a handbreadth, but Greldo appeared beside her, and with double effort, they slowly pushed the sword in further. Finally, the sword seemed to pass a certain barrier point, and it slammed further in.

The Niox hadn't made a single noise so far, just struggling against Irwin's hold, but as the sword dug in, it let out a dull gasp, slumping in Irwin's arms. Irwin held him for a few more moments, struggling to keep the surprising weight of the Niox up.

"He's dead," Greldo said, stepping away.

Irwin lowered the body to the ground before helping Scintilla rip her sword back out. The blade screeched like metal against stone as it slid out, but Irwin ignored it. He looked around and saw that the Blademaidens were cleaning up the few remaining regular Deadpact Mercenaries. Zender just stepped away from a burly man that he'd choked with his whip, his eyes burning with fury as he looked around.

"Greldo, do a double-check to make sure there's nothing dangerous, then get me and Scintilla back,"

Irwin said.

Greldo vanished without a word while Irwin moved toward Sadita.

"We are heading back, but we might be too late," Irwin felt a surge of anger as he pictured one of the Niox together with his children." Prepare an ambush in case they return here, and make sure you block that portal. If they have prisoners, I don't want them able to get them off the moon in any circumstance."

He took a deep breath before turning to Scintilla and suddenly realizing something important.

He knew she wanted to come along, and he fully understood. The problem was, as he looked around at the Blademaidens, many of whom had only four or five cards, he knew that someone had to stay behind. Zender was too young and inexperienced, leaving only him, Scintilla, and Greldo. Greldo couldn't stay, and as he looked at Scintilla, he knew that as powerful as she was, she wasn't strong enough to handle another of those Nioxs on her own. If one of them had to stay here…

I should have made them all more cards, he thought, as he felt his annoyance grow, staring at the Blademaidens.

They all had such specific requirements that he didn't have the cards, but if some had just been heartcarded by now.

"One of us has to remain here," he said, gnashing his teeth. "If they return, we need someone who can take care of the Niox on his own."

As he spoke, he knew there was only one choice, no matter how he loathed it.

Scintilla looked around, her eyes lingering on Zender, but he could see from her eyes that she had come to the same conclusion. There was no way he could fight one of the Niox.

Greldo appeared beside them a moment later, shaking his head. "It's all clear- the only one alive is that one you bound," he said, nodding at the still unmoving, manacled Niox.

Irwin took a deep breath, then exhaled. "Dammit," he bellowed, startling everyone.

"There's no way you could have known this was happening," Greldo said, stepping forward and grabbing his shoulder. "Stay here. I promise, on my life, that I'll get your kids out of there safely- no matter what I have to do."

Irwin took a deep breath, then quickly nodded. "Take Zender and Scintilla and save my children," he growled.

Scintilla's eyes widened, the shock at his decision clear. Then, a dangerous gleam grew in her eyes as she nodded. "If they come here, make them pay for touching them," she said.

Irwin, his hands clenched tight, nodded. A moment later, the two of them vanished, reappearing beside Zender, who had been quietly watching what was going on. Greldo said something, causing Zender to look up at Irwin. He seemed ready to say something, but Greldo grabbed them both, and they vanished.

Irwin felt and saw a blur of soulforce resonance as Greldo shot up with them through the shadows. Then they were gone, and he was alone with the Blademaidens and the surviving Niox.

"Stack the bodies in a backroom and make doubly sure they are all dead," he shouted, barely noticing that he was using his 'captain' voice on them. "Hide guards on every entrance and find a way to block that portal!"

The Blademaidens shouted they would do as he said and began moving around, but Irwin barely noticed.

You are going to answer some questions, Irwin thought as he stomped toward the unconscious Niox. If you want to or not!

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