Skies of Fire

Skies of Fire is a Raid Event scheduled to start on December 26, 2014 at 8:00 PM (PST) and end on January, 2015.

There will be a Special New Year's Intermission period from December 30, 2014 8:00 pm to January 2, 2015 7:59 pm (PST). The Event will be unavailable, but New Year's Special Steam Chaos Casino will be open. Half-time Reward Calculation will be performed during intermission.

Feature Сhanges

 * To celebrate the New Year, there are two 20-PWR URs as Rewards.
 * New 22-PWR Animated UR also available as a Final Ranking reward.
 * Rumor says there will be special super-rare Raid Boss.
 * A new item introduced - Sands of Time, which allow to rearrange parameter points.

Raid Bosses Skill Cards

 * Mighty Shamaness Kanami (UR) Anti-Raid Boss Skill Card
 * Citadel Watcher Trudr (Rare) Anti-Raid Boss Skill Card
 * ? (UR) Anti-Hidden Raid Boss Skill Card
 * ? (UR) Anti-Secret Raid Boss Skill Card

Story


Lucas could only stare in silence at the great mass, which had once more emerged from behind the black clouds. Inside he harbored a mixture of anxiety and fear, and the white haze formed by his ensuing sigh covered his vision.

"Why now, of all times?"

Each year, Flameburst Shrine, a great temple built into the precipitous mountain peak, was the site of a unique winter festival. Inside its usually quiet halls, the end of year was one of the only time monks bustled to and fro preparing for the event.

Streaks of flame that brought joy and blessings to all who witnessed them would bloom in the skies at the festivities' conclusion. It was the temple's, and as a result Lucas' job, to make sure that part of it was held without issue. Though this year, something disastrous threatened to bring an end to the heretofore unbroken tradition. That something, of course, was the Star of Calamity.

With the appearance of the steel birds, strange monsters, and ubiquitous "mechaknights," it seemed the world was a far cry from the Neotellus Lucas had once known.

"All the more why we must hold the festival!" Lucas quietly told himself.

Neotellus may have been on the brink of a great change, but he felt confident the festival was one thing that should remain constant. He could only guess how many would be deeply worried if the fiery display did not alight the sky that year. He was perturbed, too, by the idea of displeasing the Fire Lotus, the spirit to which the temple was dedicated. The monks of the temple held an obligation to maintain the people's faith in the great spirit, Lucas thought as he pushed open the stone gate and left the terrace for the temple proper.

Lucas gazed up at the sky one more time, then said aloud, "I suppose I should get to work."

It was only natural that he feel uncertain about the continent-sized mass. With a stern look, the monk returned to his duties along with the others focused on their preparations.

A blessing from the Fire Lotus, Lucas thought on how he was thankful that even in the most frigid winter the temple stayed warm. It was as if the cold winds themselves were not permitted to enter.

Though no sooner had it entered his mind than was he distracted by the sight of a young girl, the smile on her face the very picture of innocence.

"A child? How is that possible?"

Normally, those who had not yet come of age were not allowed inside the temple. What was more, how a small child had traversed the treacherous paths by themselves and made it as far as Flameburst Shrine was difficult to imagine. Though yet again, his thoughts were interrupted by a sudden, sharp chill spreading through his limbs.

The girl giggled as she ran further into the temple grounds. It was only when she had passed him that Lucas noticed the ground beneath her feet had frozen with each step.

...

"That's strange," said Carmea, her eyes wide as she stood at the temple's altar.

A sacred aura filled the hall encircled by pillars. While it was true the monks kept the temple's halls quiet, currently she found the silence stifling. Carmea frowned as she stepped down from the plinth, newly aware of a disturbing presence.

"It's so cold..."

Her powers should have been enough to keep the shrine warm, and yet it was clear as day a harsh cold had seeped in. Realizing she was too late, Carmea felt heavy with contrition. She was embarrassed that she was unable to sense the problem until now.

"Hello? Is anyone...?"

Stepping through the stone door to the outside hall, Carmea was shocked speechless by the scene that awaited her.

The floor, the walls, the pillars, everywhere had been covered in ice. Until now the flame spirit had been unaware of what had occurred outside her chamber, and for a while she was completely dumbfounded. When she had at last recovered her senses, she felt her blood run hot through her veins and sat on the floor in disbelief.

"How could this be?"

The crimson flame that made up Carmea's hair reflected brightly off the temple's glacial walls. In the overwhelming quiet, Carmea fought the urge to return to the altar. After all, now was the dawn of a new year. She and the monks had a duty to the people of Neotellus. Carmea shivered with determination, then began her search.

"I have to find out what happened. Yet without anyone here... where should I start?"

Carmea kept talking, if only to fight against her growing sense of panic. Looking at the frozen world around her, she received the impression that all but she herself had been covered in winter's frost. Perhaps all of Neotellus was blanketed with ice.

"No, I can't think like that. I have to... I have to try and fix this!"

Hearing her voice echoing off the walls, the spirit realized anew her current alienation. Still, she strained her eyes, looking for anyone, or anything, she may have missed.

"Brrr! It-it's so... cold!"

Carmea jumped when she heard the exclamation from elsewhere in the temple. Then there was the sound of footsteps echoing throughout the halls, informing her someone was approaching.

The spirit rushed to find a place to hide before she was found by whoever or whatever was making the sounds, but she found the slick floors and residual shock made it difficult for her to act quickly.

"Where is everyone? What's... going on?"

At last Carmea had caught sight of the annoyed stranger. Or, rather strangers. The one who had spoken was a small fairy, and she was accompanied by a human.

"It looks like there's still someone here, after all."

As the fairy and her ward looked towards the spirit, she let out a sigh of relief. The eyes of the human shone with a warmth and kindness that immediately dispelled her fear.

...

You had heard of the spectacular show that lit the skies above the tall mountain's peak each year.

"I'd like to see them before we board the Arc," demanded Yvette, though this time, you had agreed to her request without much resistance.

You also felt the so-called Flameburst Shrine might offer you some spiritual support before embarking on your great journey above the massive craft. Though you were not looking forward to the difficult hike up to the temple, you could offer little reason to not do what Yvette asked. Even when you had reminded her the display would still be visible from the base of mountain, she had insisted that she would tolerate no other view than from the temple itself. It was much to your surprise to find your destination completely covered in ice.

"I told you, I didn't see what happened. I really don't know how something like this could have occurred."

It seemed no matter how many ways you phrased the question, the spirit's answer did not change. She had no recollection of what could have caused the temple to freeze.

"I don't get it. You're the spirit of this temple, and yet somehow you have no idea what's happened?" asked Yvette, clearly not making any attempt to hide her frustration.

"It's my job to shield this temple from the mountain's cold. I, too, grow weak otherwise. It was while I was performing my duties and I did not realize..."

"We came here because it was supposed to be warm! No one told me it would be an icy prison!"

The spirit hanging her head in shame, you placed a hand on her shoulder. Unless the temple was returned to normal, it would be impossible to hold the celebration.

Especially with the recent issues caused by the Origin Arc, you also felt compelled to do what you could to fix the situation at hand.

"Oh, thank you so much!"

Watching your footing as the flame spirit guided you through the frozen halls, you proceeded further into Flameburst Shrine.