Phoenix Phire

In Nix's first visit to the Tembai Academy, he assisted Una in claiming two dragonlings. Besides the Arena, he hadn't been able to see much of the place. The Rat King appeared suddenly, standing on a well-padded seat against the wall with a dozen other similar chairs. Two younger men were kneeling in front of the group, their eyes moving toward the once empty seat.

The room was a massive hall, with red throw rugs covering a gold-veined marble floor. Six large pillars soared twenty meters in height supporting a vaulted ceiling that displayed a detailed painting of a large-scale battle. The once empty space had three chairs to the right and eight to the left. All eleven of the occupants were staring at the Rat King.

"The Adjunct Council seat has been reassigned?" A tall, dark man with broad shoulders stood up at one of the center seats. His black hair was cut close to his scalp, the two long horns extending from his head marked his existence as draconian. "What is the new Adjunct's name?"

Nix peered over the arm of his chair while considering his options. The man facing him wore chainmail underarmor, two crescent-shaped blades hung on his belt. Rat King cleared his throat. "I am Nicholas the Destroyer."

An awkward silence followed the statement as if the listeners were expecting the Rat King to elaborate. When he didn't, both of the kneeling youths stood up. Since they had their heads against the floor, Nix hadn't noticed that the two men were also dragons, ones that he had met before.

Although the circumstance was odd, the youth addressed the rat politely. "Adjunct Councilor Nicholas? It's an odd-sounding name."

"Nicholas the Destroyer," Rat King corrected. "I don't disagree." Nix sat back on the soft cushion, an action that caused the other seated council members to straighten up so they could continue to watch him. He hadn't expected to gate directly in front of thirteen dragons. "Unfucking lucky," he muttered, feeling sick at the thought of losing the puppet. Peering around the room, he noted that the seated individuals were equally divided between male and female with his arrival.

"Welcome, Adjunct Councilor Nicholas the Destroyer." A humor-filled voice spoke from his right; the speaker had dark hair that was weaved with white flowers, her skin was pale and tinged with the slightest amount of blue. Gold bands adorned her horns, decorated by small bells that hung from finely linked silver chains. She tilted her horned head to one side, a movement that was accompanied by a soft ringing sound. "I am Iriset." Her green eyes released the Rat King and turned toward the tall dragon. "I suggest we continue the meeting. As an Adjunct Councilor, it is his right to remain anonymous."

The tall dragon considered the statement before nodding and resuming his seat. "Let's continue. The Adjunct Councilor will have to catch up as best he can. Please continue."

The two dragons that had been kneeling resumed their previous posture and began speaking.

[You may now access the Dragon Council Menu.]

A slender hand reached in front of Nix and activated a hud menu, favoring the Rat King with a fanged smile before returning her attention toward the front.

Nix read the menu in front of him; the two kneeling dragons were Tristan and Roz Yor. The same dragons that had awarded him the ornate chests that contained the dragonlings. The Inferno Leader noticed there were three topics up for discussion; apparently, they were already on the second. The Dragon Council names were available, so he quickly went through; they were listed by chairs starting to the far right of him.

[Dragon Council]

Akris, Cavani, Crahz, Picoli, Bravis, Yuba'Vi, Gharon the Black, Quinoit, Adjunct Counselor, Iriset the Blue, Tierna, Oliviet.

/Inferno: Nix: The fuck is going on here? Anyone in Tembai?

/Inferno: Una: I am. Do you need anything?

/Inferno: Nix: Yes. What's the Adjunct Council position?

/Inferno: Una: It's a temporary award given to the dragon with the largest current contribution to our race. It is updated every six months. It's been vacant since the last Adjunct stepped down.

/Inferno: Nix: Why did the last one step down?

/Inferno: Una: Marrow curse. The previous Adjunct was Jargon Kane.

/Inferno: Nix: I see... I guess it's my destiny to take all his shit.

/Inferno: Una: I'm here to bring my old house members into Verynzai. Is something wrong?

/Inferno: Nix: The new Adjunct Council member is me.

/Inferno: Una: Pardon?

Nix muted guild chat and studied the menu. The first thing on the agenda had been the curriculum for the Academic year. He skimmed over the second topic before stopping at the third.

[Dragon Council]

1) Academy Curriculum

2) Greater Spell contribution

3) Fey the Silver

Nix ignored the discussion and opened the third topic.

[Fey the Silver]

The human known as Nix has avoided all interactions and discussions regarding bringing Fey the Silver to the Tembai Academy. Her pre-draconic abilities have been steadily climbing, and we must take the necessary measures to ensure that Fey the Silver doesn't become a threat.

[Rat Vanish]

The Rat King disappeared from his council chair and quietly hopped onto the marble floor. He cut the distance between himself and the kneeling youths by half before turning to face the council. Eleven sets of eyes glowed brightly as they stared at the empty chair.

Iriset reached a hand over the arm of her chair and patted the empty cushion. "It appears that the Adjunct Counselor has left."

The only exit from the council chambers was a large set of double doors that were open. The Rat King scurried through the opening, pausing on the half dozen steps that led to an impressive-looking courtyard. Dozens of youths sat on benches while talking or studying. Nix turned guild chat back on.

/Inferno: Nix: Tembai Academy is a school?

/Inferno: Una: Yes. Did you say that you're the Adjunct Councilor?

/Inferno: Nix: Yeah. I'm kind of a big deal. None of these students have horns. They aren't dragons?

/Inferno: Una: Only faculty members are allowed to display them at the Academy.

Nix found the only empty bench in the area and studied his surroundings. Tembai Academy was similar to the Sky Kingdom in that it was in the air. A slight breeze blowing through the courtyard gave respite to what would otherwise have been stifling heat. Since everyone was draconic in origin, he doubted they were bothered. The Rat King shook his head slightly, according to Hara, the next expansion would start here.

******Author's Note*****

Sahara or Hara is Shae's real-life name. She referred earlier in the story that the next expansion would be the 'Flight of Dragons.'

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

Loud voices drew his attention to the edge of the courtyard, where two students were squaring off.

/Inferno: Nix: Are students allowed to fight at the Academy?

/Inferno: Una: Duels are fairly common, but only lesser magic is allowed.

Nix noticed that a vote popped up on his hud.

[Fey the Silver]

Attempt to abduct Fey the Silver?

Nix voted against, making the tally six to six. "Sneaky fucking bastards. That's it! It's Rat War!"

/Inferno: Nix: Tembai Academy must have a control room, right? What's the energy source keeping it in the air?

/Inferno: Una: I have no idea where it is. Please don't steal the Academy.

The Rat King's sharp ears pricked forward as a crowd started to form near the arguing pair. The constant din of gossiping students told him everything he needed to know. Perot was the instigator, a student who regularly picked fights with others. He was one of the stronger Fire Mages in the Academy and had targeted Maric, someone who was not born a dragon but confiscated a dragonling body.

/Inferno: Nix: Do those who take dragonling bodies have to attend the Academy.

/Inferno: Una: Yes. Both myself and Tharaka are exempt from this rule since we were originally dragons.

Nix weaved his way through the crown before scurrying up a vertical wall and sitting comfortably. Perot's voice was elevated as he continued to berate his opponent. For whatever reason, Maric seemed unwilling to engage.

"The pretender doesn't want to fight?" Perot had a deep voice and dark good looks. His raven hair hung down his back, swaying slightly as he made exaggerated gestures with his hands. His face reflected a cruel nature that Nix found intolerable.

[Whisper: Rat King to Maric] Looks to me that you will end up fighting this idiot. Summon me, and I'll give you a hand.

[Whisper: Maric to Rat King] Seriously? How am I supposed to do that?

[Whisper: Rat King to Maric] Try chanting something and wave your hands around.

The Rat King leaped down from the wall and moved to Maric's side.

[Whisper: Maric to Rat King] Fine. I hope you can fight.

Maric backed a few steps away from his opponent, who seemed surprised at the sudden change of events. "I guess you won't give me a choice..." His fingers traced imaginary symbols in the air while his hands glowed with black flames; he ended the chant with a loud clap that sent the flames outward. Nix dropped stealth immediately afterward.

"You summoned a rat?" Perot's disdain was clear as he sent a bolt of fire at Maric's new companion. The orange flames enveloped his target and bathed him in an inferno for several seconds before fading away.

The Rat King is immune to fire.

The gathered crowd went suddenly quiet; an aura of flames clung to the rat for several seconds before disappearing. Its yellow eyes focused on Perot. "Here's where we fuck you up..."

[Rat Vanish]

The Rat King vanished from sight and darted towards his target with speed similar to the Ravager puppet. Rat claws struck at his opponent, slicing through the thick boots and both Achilles' tendons. The student collapsed to the cobblestones with a blood-curdling scream, striking at the Rat King with a flaming sword.

[Whisper: Rat King to Maric] Cast something at him...

The Rat King remained a close range, easily dodging the sword that swiped recklessly at him.

Maric has cast [Fevered Pox][Gut Rot]

Combination Successful.

Perot's flaming blade extinguished itself as he clutched his stomach with both hands. Ugly pus-filled welts sprouted from his skin. The Rat King's form blurred in as Nix's claws slashed vertically, exposing the bone in a long wound that extended from forehead to chin.

"STOP AT ONCE!"

The Rat King noticed one of the faculty members' arrival and promptly returned to Maric, climbing up his side to perch calmly on his shoulder.

"What is the meaning of this?" The speaker's long horns marked him as someone important. His dark eyes showed anger as he cast a spell on the downed student.

Maric cleared his throat. "Student Perot forced me to duel, even though I stated several times that I wasn't interested."

Several voices erupted at once.

"That's right! Maric refused to fight, but Perot kept pushing.

"Perot always starts fight!"

"Perot had it coming!"

The Rat King nodded in agreement, a gesture that no one noticed. He lowered his voice to a whisper. "What kind of element do you have?"

"Pestilence," Maric stated simply, his voice filled with regret. "Unfortunately, it doesn't hold up well against fire."

"The fuck you say... We just kicked his ass." Rat King nodded happily at being able to vent his anger.

[Whisper: Rat King to Maric] Gotta go! Where can I find you?

[Whisper: Maric to Rat King] I'm in the freshmen dorms, room 212 on the second floor.

Rat King noted the location and disappeared from sight.

Hyai smiled at Nix as he sat up from his place on the couch. "Just in time for dinner."

Nix returned her smile, noticing that both his dad and Vooni were sitting at the island with Shae. "Thanks for cooking!"

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