Mimi

I felt his fear, his regret, his love, his compassion, and so many more emotions through our bond. He was hurting, and yet his focus was unwavering in his task. He refused to look away from me, baring his determination and resolve. He was managing two different lines of magic at once. One for compressing the fire in his arms, and the bomb on his waist. While the other was actively expanding the vapor to sort through the impurities to provide water. His focus and will were improving.

This was something worth celebrating, but I couldn't let him know I was happy at his growth. He likely would have let us run out of food before sending me out to hunt. He didn't call for my aid, or ask my opinion on helping this town. That much was disappointing as well as mildly painful. Hurting him more might cause a relapse. Pushing him too hard might make him lose this confidence. These people and vampires meant something to him. Enough to risk my anger, and openly defy me.

The words he chose sent a shiver down my spine, something so delightful and pure. He wanted to remember the names of every person he killed, to know who they were. It wasn't for the information their memories held, nor to endear himself for mourning with the families around him. Those were a consequence of his actions, even if he himself didn't realize it. At his core, Richard just liked helping others. He was a good man with every fiber of his being. Which is likely what made it so hard for him to kill.

I could see it now, as the memories from my dim state started to come to me. The Hive was always watching, and recording so I would know exactly what was going on with a couple seconds of processing. He was imparting meaning to the lives he took, trying to make them mean something even after death. This nearly dead town meant so much to him, and in time he would forget it. In this moment, my decision would define our relationship for the foreseeable future.

I wanted to punish him for what he did. I wanted to make him apologize at the very least, he should have asked me. Neither of these options would benefit either of us. Knowing this, I took a step back for another approach. If I couldn't fix him, then I needed to work around what I viewed as issues. I couldn't address why he didn't ask for my opinion in front of others, but I could wait to do so privately. I would let him know it hurt me and build on his idea of intimacy. His line of thinking wasn't what made the most sense or was efficient. It was human and therefore went for what made him feel the best about himself when he felt guilty.

I turned away, forcing him to take a step towards me. His focus was still flawless, and such filled me with pride. "Mimi..."

"Fret not, Richard. You have people to address as to why I am acting this way. You are handling their water needs, so I shall handle food. I will blow off my frustration with some light hunting. Perhaps I'll find something enjoyable to fight. We'll discuss more permanent solutions to this town's problems after I return." I stopped the bugs in the wagon from marching. The prismoid spores in the area were lower than outside the walls, so my Hive would be fine if I was gone for an entire day. Though depending on the hunt, it might not even take a few hours. In the worst case, I could teleport back once the first bugs began to succumb and fix it.

Richard nodded slowly, "I'm sorry, please stay safe." He sat back down, almost sulking.

"Do not apologize. That suggests that you regret helping these people, and I know you do not. It may well be my fault for forcing you to do this without asking me. I shall return sometime during the night or sunrise. Feel free to send a few vampires to pick up the bodies." I walked by the Hive, gathering my escort before heading the opposite way of the swamp. I never liked hunting in such terrain.

A few jumps and I was high enough to fall into the shadows of the trees, moving faster than any could hope to chase. Richard was left to explain that I had to 'work' this out of my system from time to time. He wasn't foolish enough to tell them the truth, and we both knew if they tried anything I would be there. I traveled hours in mere minutes, the wagon hive's connection becoming less. I could sever it now, but it would be pointless. I stretched my hands, as the forest around me grew silent. The tainted dirt was miles away, and I was surrounded by life.

I spread my wings, letting my scouts fan out in search of prey. Richard sought to save this town? Very well, it shall be done this time. It was wonderful that he was growing his focus, that he was becoming more useful. His independence was welcomed. So, why did it hurt so much that he didn't ask me to join? I felt something I hadn't before, emotions were surfacing that used to be buried under all the voices of my Hive. It wasn't even night, and yet I was already hunting.

My scouts found the first fluff squirrels, and their bodies hit the ground as ghosts stung them. Ten, then twenty, then forty. All of them tried to hide, but their scents gave them away. The fall wasn't enough to kill them, so the meat carvers went for their jugulars. They wouldn't feel a thing, this was the best way to kill them, wasn't it? I put two hands on a tree to steady myself, feeling sick at the doubt I suddenly felt. I gnashed my teeth while letting my escort feed on a few of the bodies.

It was so easy to provide for the humans, to keep them healthy. I already had the wagon hive making more larvae. Richard knew I could make pollen collectors, testers, and purifiers. He even asked me about the types while I was dim, and he didn't bother trying to use them. I laughed, as the realization hit me. He didn't understand, that's all it was. Some of the frustration started to dissipate.

Of course, he didn't understand. How could humans process using monsters to filter monster blood? It was wonderful that this happened away from a populated city, I had to let him control where we went, how we acted. He was the tamer, and I was his tamed monster. The charade would fall apart with an outburst like this. I know he didn't plan it, but this turned out to be a better choice than either of us imagined. Even the humiliation he made me endure.

Why yes, Mimi is my pet monster. Look at how much she can lift, she's only good for manual labor. I crushed the bark I was gripping, as twenty more bodies hit the forest floor. The minutes ticked away as tiny lives were lost. I moved on, not wanting to overhunt one area too much. I needed something to fight, I needed the challenge to feel alive and forget these emotions. I could feel my power growing inside my body, it was contained without overflowing.

I jumped between the trees, my wings allowing me to glide higher with each kick. The vampires had to be useful for something, maybe I'll make a personality like Gray out here. The wisp clusters were blank templates begging to be used, I could make the vampire parasites easily. All it would take was a couple of workers flying next to their ears while they slept. Then the living population would be safe. The undead would be under my control. It would be far safer than letting them keep their wills. I might even call this new personality Gary, in the hopes, they'll live up to the expectations I hold for their predecessor.

I reached the top of the trees, looking out at the forests around us. I could see white trees in the distance signifying snow. I could see patches of dead trees, where the Count's army marched. There were a few raised trees in the distance showing hills, but most of the forest was unclaimed. It was such a shame since that meant I needed to adapt to the cold environment for fun. The sun would set in an hour, its shining form slowly dipping towards the horizon.

With a sigh, I waited for the rest of my escort to catch up with me. It was similar to the sunset we watched before we left Eclipse. I was still frustrated, but I knew I could talk to Richard about it. He probably needed to talk about his first kills as well. I remembered flying with Wyatt over the forests closest to Eclipse. We were supposed to keep the skies clear for the dwarven airship, and we almost killed each other. The wind blew, and the treetops swayed, like a prickly ocean of mixed hues.

I swayed back and forth, deciding to launch myself higher. I might see something interesting while in the air. There were so many beasts in the sky when I was younger, so many things to hunt. I angled my swaying to get the tree ready to launch me, then with perfect timing I jumped higher than I ever went before. I circled in the air, gliding and picking the next tree to use for my next ascent. I was pleasantly surprised by how much more beauty there was when looking down at everything.

My ears flicked at the sound of something careening towards me. Of course, it was using the sun so I couldn't make it out. I spun to make myself a more inviting target as my bugs fanned out to land on whatever was stupid enough to try. My wings shifted colors, as I sent out the mental impulse to the foolish beast, 'do it.' I heard a screech and recognized the Wyvern as soon as its talons tried to grab me.

I teleported onto its back, twenty scouts splattered against its chest while the other eighty headed back to the treetops. Sky blue scales, and a sunset pattern on its wings. It was a beautiful creature, even if it was going to be eaten very soon. I hadn't evolved in a while, and that always made me feel better. The Wyvern in question half squawked, half screeched in surprise as I was on its back. We were about the same weight, even with it being thrice my size.

It was flapping its wings, desperately trying to keep us in the air. I gripped its neck spines with my lower hands, disappointed at how easily the bony protrusions broke. It rolled, trying to drop me off it, but I just grabbed onto the right wing and pulled. The satisfying feeling of bone being pulled out of the socket greeted me. It cried out in pain as the ligaments tore. We were careening towards the trees now. I tapped the scales, convinced they'd survive a few branches easily enough.

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Just in case I held its broken wing to help guide it away from the worst as I donned my combat form. Elastic chitin covered my face and my wings stiffened. I laughed as the branches broke around us the Wyvern trying to use its wings to block most of the damage. It spat acid at a larger branch, the goo working just enough to soften the blow. I hopped off it just before we touched the ground, the poor thing rolling as I glided past it. I caught it with my foot, its ribs breaking as I skidded back a few feet with it.

I let out a soft sigh, mildly disappointed at how easily it was. It wasn't anywhere near as tough as a dragon, and all it had going for it was wind magic. Its chest was still rising and falling as it struggled to breathe, its body covered in gouges and scrapes. Wyvern scales were nowhere near as tough or resilient as dragon scales. Its bones were pretty disappointing as well since they broke from the fall. I walked to the front of it, the poor dying beast looking at me with defiance in its eyes.

The Wyvern made a gurgling noise, as I brought a wing to block the acid it spat at me. It sizzled, more cleaning the spores and gore off than anything else. Even its acid was disappointing, it was kind of hard to imagine it being compared to dragons in the stories. 'Epic' tales of one of these creatures fighting off packs of fiends. I sighed, "All you have going for you, are your horns." I approached it, as I saw terror and apprehension appear in its eyes.

I decided to eat the head when I got back to the wagon, I still wanted horns and it was a sore point that Pandora got hers before I did. The Wyvern flapped its broken wings, trying to bite me in one last defiant strike. I grabbed both parts of its jaw and opened it wide. Knowing my luck I'll get to spit acid, it wouldn't be the worst, but it wasn't very appealing. I blocked the spray with the same wing, before tearing off its lower jaw. It made pained noises as only a jawless creature could.

It was time for a mercy killing. I grabbed the neck and quickly twisted it until I felt a series of pops and a few cracks. The Wyvern went limp, right as the sun finally set. I smiled to myself, Richard should have a cape! Then we'd match! It's a great way to show I'm mostly over our little spat, he can't say no to a gift after all. He wanted to be a hero so badly, he gets to dress like one now. It's the perfect punishment if he doesn't want to. I might even get to see him squirm, as he reluctantly wears it to every backwater town or village we stumble across. The songs the bards will sing. I started humming a few tunes wondering what would be the best.

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Richard Adams

A shiver ran down my spine right after sunset. Mark stood behind me to my left, "Is everything alright, sir Richard?" I hadn't noticed him appear there, but he seemed a little worried.

"Yeah, you came straight here after you couldn't see or hear Mimi, eh?" I turned to give him a smile.

Mark just shrugged, "Yeah, I heard there was some kind of a spat between you both? She's acting differently?"

I looked back at the water vapor condensing in the buckets, the black blood falling into a separate one. "To make it simple, she woke up for lack of a better word. It's kind of boring walking through the forest without hunting, so I let her go into a half-sleep state of sorts. She was a little upset I didn't wake her up when we got here and found you guys. Do you know if anything big or dangerous is around?"

Mark started to say something but stopped himself. He coughed, "I think if there were any fiends in the area, they were probably hunted by the vampire army. Griffins tend to stay more towards the mountains, or even the hills. We had a tribe of orcs come through before maybe a few days before the Count's army showed up. We had an agreement that a few women would bed them for taking care of the frost forest that was creeping closer. Though I honestly have no idea what happened." He snapped his fingers, "One of the people sent to fetch water from the swamp did report a stray Wyvern in the area. No idea where it might be nesting."

I nodded slowly, that left the frost forest. Mimi would probably want to go there after we were done with this. If I remembered correctly, it was where I ended up the exile before Mimi. Crazy to think I missed this town without a map, but I was just a little dumber back then. "Mimi can't really fly despite the wings. They're more like an extra layer of protection, she can glide though. If she sees a wyvern she might try going after it until it flies away."

Mark just nodded, "Should we be worried if she returns while frustrated?"

I shrugged, "It'll be fine, as long as no one attacks her. Might want to send some vampires in the direction she went, Mimi's really good at hunting."

Mark blew his whistle, getting four vampires to run in that direction. We made some small talk before I got up and started cooking. I found out that the people wanted to spend an hour with their turned relatives, and we came to an agreement that they could be drained after they ate. The anxiety everyone had was starting to disappear with everyone just talking to each other. The walls being halfway completed certainly helped, as well as not having to make the trek to the swamp.

I spent the hour cooking, watching as everyone mingled. My little helper was doing her best to learn how I cooked, though she was still too young to use magic. It was shaping up to be a nice night. The hour passed, and everyone was eating stew happily. The people finished their meals, before heading indoors to let the vampires have their own. Mark stayed beside me, choosing to not drink until the others returned. He started up a conversation, "How far away do you think she went?"

I tilted my head, before gathering the dirty dishes and leftovers. Mark grabbed a few so it would only take one trip as I headed to the wagon. I really should have let the bugs do the cleaning, but I was a little out of it. "Maybe a day away tops? She tends to stick around our wagons because her Hive is there. Though she can move really fast when she wants to. I think she said the limit was how fast she could fall if there were shadows around."

Mark nodded and stopped once the hive marched inside the wagon. He took a step back, and I appreciated Mimi keeping things consistent. "Incredible strength, gliding, shadow magic, mind magic, what doesn't she have?" He half-joked with me.

I didn't want to correct him on shadow magic, since Mimi liked her secrets. He'd probably lose it if I told him she could get stronger by eating things she killed. A few magics weren't too abnormal so long as a talent was involved, but three would start to raise brows. "A beard, or horns." I joked back, "The former is my personal preference, the latter is something she really wants. You know, when I got her checked, they found two talents on her!"

"Two talents!?" He looked me over, as I took the dishes from him, and set them in the wagon as well. "Are you messing with me?"

I shook my head, "Nope, she's as rare as they come. I won't tell you what they are, since I'm already in hot water." I winked.

Mark chuckled before we did a walk around town. The other vampires were working on tearing down houses that couldn't be saved, the raw material would be used to fix other homes. The local smith shop was still standing, even though it was only an apprentice vampire. He was working hard to make nails and fix tools. It was wonderful how everyone was adapting. A few more hours went by before the four we sent after Mimi came in looking terrified. "Wyvern!" They quickly called out

Mark rushed to them, as I ran after. They were explaining that they saw a wyvern stalking along the ground, making its way towards the village. I frowned a little, as Mark instructed them to discreetly tell the other vampires. The four ran off, "What was that about?"

Mark gave me a bittersweet smile, "We just drained most of the people here, they aren't in any condition to move. I'm hoping that we can meet the wyvern outside the town, and it won't catch the scent of the people here. I know a few of us will probably die, but our black blood should be enough to scare it off. I sadly haven't read up on such a beast, do you know anything about them?"

I nodded, "Their scales are like metal armor, and most wyverns use wind magic. If it's an adult then it can spit a caustic poison that can melt through a lot of stuff. The best way to deal with them is in a group with arrows, magic barrages, and shields to catch the poison and throw it away. Don't worry about armor, it's better to be mobile since it will tear through anything without runes like paper." I rubbed the back of my head, "It might be better to lure it here."

"What!? Are you mad?" He looked me over, before calming down. "We just rebuilt most of these homes! You can't tell me you're going to let it anywhere near my people." He kept his voice low.

I looked up at him, "I know, but if Mimi's still out there hunting she will probably want to kill it. Wyverns are prideful beasts, and they might not stop attacking until whatever attacked it is dead. I'll try and get some of her bugs on me, but if she's still pissed we might have to handle it ourselves. In that case, luring it to the wall and jumping on top of it would be the best way to kill it. Are the buildings we just repaired, worth the lives of your people?"

He was conflicted but finally nodded. "Fine, we'll do it your way, what about those living here? They aren't in any condition to fight, or run."

I looked at the wall, "They should be fine on the other side of it with as many vampires to help them retreat. Thankfully we got a warning, so we can prepare. Even if we don't have any weapons."

Mark nodded, "We are lacking anything beyond tools, what about your talent? Could you kill it if you're touching it?"

I shrugged, "I don't know, I'm willing to try, but that involves me touching it. I'd need a vampire to carry me and get me on top of the thing without either of us dying. At worst, it doesn't work and I move fire right down its throat. I know their scales can resist fire, but their insides cook just fine. Wyvern meat is a delicacy."

Mark nodded, quickly letting the others know the plan. People were roused from their rest, as some of the kids had to be carried behind the wall. A few were sent to see what it was doing before coming back. It was still approaching, in a straight line towards us. The vampires gathered scythes and pitchforks before climbing on top of the wall Mimi built. I could feel her getting closer, she was probably stalking the thing if the others didn't see her.

It was getting too dark to see, but the vampires would see just fine. Even despite the darkness, I saw blue scales shimmering in the light of the full moon. It looked like it was floating, even with its head tucked against its chest. It almost looked like it was sleeping, as its wings lightly cut into the ground. I could hear thudding steps and realized something wasn't quite right. I started laughing, as the vampires looked at me as if I had lost my mind.

"Mimi's back." She shrugged the wyvern off her shoulders with a loud thud that made a few of them jump. She was covered in blood, standing next to the wagons. Everyone was just staring at her with their jaws dropped. "Mark it seems nobody stuck around long enough to really see what was going on with the wyvern."

Mark let out a few slurs, before laughing himself. "It seems so, I thought you said she couldn't fly." He addressed the others while I watched Mimi lick her arms clean, workers moving to start cleaning the rest of her. It was nice to see she was feeling better.