Mimi

The sun peaked over the horizon, as Azera woke up first. He groaned, looking around before his eyes settled on me. A good number of my bugs were having trouble with the butterflies. They appeared to be immune to poison, and their fires suddenly started burning them. It was good practice, and it was a great way to pass the time. Azera shuddered when he saw the teleporter with the note on it for him to grab whatever he wanted to eat and drink from inside.

He didn't say a word as he quietly grabbed some bread and a water skin. After a few bites, he came behind me, "Why am I here? How did you bring me here?"

I closed my eyes, letting the sun's warmth wash over me. "You were dying, and Pandora was going to be very upset by it. As for the how, I have found a very clever use for vampires and Fukuma glands." Bugs were moved to watch the kid so he didn't overhear us.

Azera let out a small sigh, "Don't think that I owe you my life, I would have been fine once I made it back to the Underground."

I shrugged, "You wouldn't have made it, but you are free to say what you want. You at least acknowledge that you owe me something, so it's a start."

Azera crossed his arms, "Yeah, darn shame I don't see any scars to remind me of that."

I let out a small sigh of my own, "A darn shame we only have a verbal contract that prevents me from assassinating the leaders of your tribe. Do you truly wish to play this game?" I looked at him.

Azera rolled his eyes, "What do you want? I don't enjoy being in the debt of others, especially not someone I don't fully trust."

I shook my head, "I swear, you and the Raven are just bigots. I come in and solve all your problems, then you have the nerve to say you don't trust me. Not only that, but you have the audacity to be pissed at me for saving your life."

Azera squinted at me, "I can trust the other two because I know their goals. Not to mention they didn't force me into a position I didn't want. Oh, let's not forget that our first 'talk' involved you threatening to poison the entire Underground with black blood from your bugs. So, yeah, I'm a bigot for seeing the potential you have. I'm the asshole for understanding how grave a threat you pose. You need me, and we both know it. I make your plans more likely to succeed, and I win if you kill me. You can try to be offended, but I'll take my chances. Now, tell me what you fucking want for 'saving' my life."

I pursed my lips, staring at him. "I want to read what you managed to get out of the castle. I also want you to take a vacation in your office, and tell Pandora what to do in your stead. An act to make others think you are suffering from a near-death experience while my daughter nurses you back to health."

Azera rubbed his chin as he thought it over, "Only if you tell me the range of your little teleporters and how many you have."

I looked out at the ruined village, illuminated by the still-rising sun. "Their range is whatever my hive can see. From the Raven's little village, all the way to the forests to the East of Eclipse. I won't tell you how many I have, but they are made from vampires and can be destroyed easily with sunlight. Meaning the Underground is perfect for them to be stored."

Azera gave a curt nod, "Does that mean Gray is back in your Hive, or do you not need him to make this happen?"

I tilted my head, "Who told you?"

"If you want my help, you'll answer my questions." Azera crossed his arms.

Gang leaders were quickly becoming my least favorite entities to deal with. I think I'll just remove any that might be in Fis'Ton and see how that works. "I don't need Gray to make vampires and mold those vampires into teleporters. The only reason I'm not forcefully taking your memories is because I know Kyu will be able to perceive anything I do to you. You should tread carefully, otherwise, I might stop caring about the ramifications."

Azera shrugged, "I'm figuring out the lines, and I'm going to walk them like a catwalk. What are your overall goals?" He looked past me, taking in the ruined village, "Did you do this?"

"The village was like this when I got here, and my goals haven't changed. I'm going to become the strongest so I can protect those I care about."

Azera rolled his eyes, "We both know you aren't that dumb, what are you really after?"

"The strength to do anything I desire, it's complicated, but I doubt you truly care." I rested my eyes to prepare another answer if he decided to ask again.

"A multiple victory sort of situation then. Have you thought about what comes after?" He looked at me.

I raised a brow, "What do you mean? After I'm able to do anything I desire, then all that I desire shall be fulfilled."

"Where do humans fit in that dream of yours? What about the other races?" He stared down at me, his face schooled.

I hadn't truly considered it, it was something to think about when the goal was in view. "Everything will have its place, but at worst I will ensure the survival of other races before my own."

Azera tilted his head, "I beg your pardon?"

I smiled to myself, "For me to live, I need other races. If the situation devolves to my Hive being the only creatures alive, then I will slowly kill myself off. I might lock a bit of myself away to resurface at another point in time, but for the most part, I do not see an outcome where it is only my Hive as something to strive towards. I've already lived through that hell with having to eat my bugs and self cannibalize. Keeping people as cattle is an option, but that isn't much different."

Azera took a deep breath, "You're saying that you would be willing to die to preserve this world?"

"It is an option since I enjoy finding answers and considering things that I hadn't thought of before. Even if I said I wanted to help the other races be the best they could be, you'd just look at me and say that was terrifying." I got up, looking down at Azera.

Azera nodded, "Yeah, a world where your bugs take care of everything is the worst. I mean even if you feed everyone, train them, and so on, it's still like cattle. Maybe at some point, it might devolve to them merging with your bugs in some kind of supermind where you allow them to live in a world you create. All you have to do at that point is pull them out and all that we were would die."

I nodded back, "When I am left with no one to challenge, I shall raise others to rise against me. Eventually, I shall be defeated, or I will find something else to do. It's pointless to have this conversation while I feel my goal is so far away."

"Yeah, but I think I understand you a little now. What is your relationship with the King?" Azera walked outside into the sunlight. He noticed the butterflies but said nothing.

"He has my daughter, and I want her back. I am willing to work with the leaders of the Underground and make that happen. In a perfect world, I would take this into my own hands and deal with it myself."

Azera nodded, "But you don't trust the king. You have no idea how long until he either kills your daughter, indoctrinates her, or whatever might happen." He lowered his head, "Will you betray us if we make a move?"

"Yes." I didn't bother hesitating, "Once my exile is over I plan on making moves of my own. I am currently expanding my Hive within the walls and Underground. I will control the lesser nobles that have an iron grip on the farmlands. The fields will be mine, which means the food shall belong to me. It was one of the steps in my plans, but even a year is a long period of time."

Azera nodded, "Thanks for the honesty, which means your daughters will be pivotal to what needs to happen. What happens after we rescue your daughter? Will you betray us then?"

"Only if I feel we cannot win, and escape turns out to be impossible. We will leave Eclipse and the area around it until we can regain our strength. If you secure my daughter, I will offer teleporters to get everyone out. The Fire Kingdom will attack Eclipse, and slowly we can whittle away at the King's reserves until we gain an advantage or equal footing."

Azera nodded, "Kobe is going to be king?"

I nodded back, "I don't wish to lead Eclipse, but I will help from the shadows. Other kingdoms won't accept a monster such as myself, and I feel Kobe is the ideal figurehead."

Azera pulled out a few books, "Let's start reading then. I want the Underground." His grin became wider.

"You can have it, I'm more interested in hunting strong creatures and monsters. My Hive will stay alive so long as they continue farming so it truly is beneficial for all of us." I sat down beside the gang leader, as we pored over the notes and books. The biggest thing Azera managed to grab was the king's grimoire that told us some very interesting details about what he perceived. I knew it was a fake, but the king's plans became more clear to me. This was just another step towards his goals. He had expected everything so far, and it bothered me.

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We were going to be given the kingdom, so long as we followed his plans. The whole facade annoyed me, but I couldn't say no to what was offered. Di'Lee eventually woke up, while we ate. I revealed my idea for summoning the Passion Slayer, and the two agreed. The afternoon came, and we put on an act where Azera 'dismembered' Di'Lee with his portals for my amusement. It was enough to piss off the Passion Drinkers and they merged before dying to summon the Slayer.

A massive creature, bulkier than Kobe and just as tall as myself. It had dark grayish-greenish skin. Its head was like that of a goblin but almost devoid of flesh. There were no lips as its ivory teeth hissed with steam coming out of it. The muscles threatened to tear out of its skin, while its long ears flapped like wings. I licked my lips as Azera and the child were taken to my teleporter to go back to Whe'Di. Red would get Azera home, and I smiled giving the monster a bow.

Steam was rolling off the Slayer, as crimson eyes took me in. It cracked its neck, crimson tattoos flaring up as ghostly fire erupted from its back. "Where, where is the child!?" It screamed, likely unable to talk any quieter.

I grinned, "Oh? You can talk?" I clapped my hands, "How wonderful! My name is Mimi, what is yours?"

The Slayer took a step towards me, "Answer, answer!"

A small tilt of my head, "What child? All these children are dead." I could see the remnants of the ritual buried in the monster's skin. Some kind of magic to suppress it from the looks of it. That explained why it was so difficult to make the big guy come out. They were a Hive mind, much like me. My smile grew more as the Slayer took another step towards me.

"Talk! Talk! Tell, tell me! I, I will tear you apart!" Aw, he didn't like being outside his realm.

"I'm going to eat you~" I smiled back at him, as the ghostly fires surged with more force. Then he disappeared, causing me to raise a brow. My scouts saw him right behind me, a fist coming at me with an incredible speed! I barely managed to lean out of the way, my elbow going back towards the big guy. Then he disappeared again! He appeared where one of the passion drinkers had been, fiery wings allowing him to sail into the air.

He could teleport, so long as a passion drinker was nearby. He could fly, he had overwhelming strength and speed. Those fires appeared to be a part of him. How hard could he truly hit though? He was coming at me, and I moved my upper arms to catch him as he came closer. His mass was even greater than mine! His skin was incredibly tough as I skidded along the ground, my muscles almost buckling before I used blood magic to force them to stay where they were.

The Slayer tilted his head back in surprise, no doubt confused I wasn't bloody pulp. He teleported away as my upper arms fell limply by my side. My regeneration kicking in. "Show me more~" Oh, this was going to be wonderful. I was loving every second of this fight. I sent out a mental connection towards him and his butterflies, only to find that it wouldn't take. His mind was too different, and the butterflies were outright immune. The monster was switching places with the butterflies as if he was a part of them.

No, they were him, a creature that existed in two different realms. He'd go home, then come back with another butterfly that he could see through. His body was turning into more, as he brought more of his being to play with me. It explained so much about why my bugs weren't gaining anything from eating his butterflies. They were the same creature and I needed to kill the Slayer before anything would stick. He grabbed some debris and chucked it at me. I used my lower hands to break through it. I didn't see the butterflies clinging to the back of it.

He emerged from thin air, his fist catching my right shoulder and tearing it off with my upper and lower arm. I was surrounded, as he teleported behind me, driving his fist into my back. I teleported to a spot where there were no butterflies, most of that damage mitigated since it hadn't connected fully when I got away. I cracked my neck, my combat form surging. I let out a laugh, as more butterflies flew towards me. A healing stinger was used while I used the shadows to move away from the creatures.

My arms reformed, before the flames of the butterflies brought me out of my little spot. I emerged with a twirl, splattering dozens of tiny bodies against my chitin. Their flames were sticking to me now, I was burning, but I couldn't stop smiling. The Slayer's fists came from all directions, his teleportation and speed barely outpacing my movements. His attacks were coming in patterns that I was starting to predict. I was able to mitigate the damage, but being in the heart of hundreds of butterflies gave me little room for error.

I was on the defensive for the first time in far too long. This was a real battle! The overbearing strength of my opponent pushed me back and past my limits. How was I going to win! How could I turn the tables!? I laughed as more of the butterflies were destroyed. "More! Show me more!" His strikes were coming from all directions, each hit hammering into me at different angles. My Chitin was groaning from the grazes, my wings shredded as I bled more.

Fire surged in a nova around me as I clapped my lower hands together. The butterflies were blasted back, a few of them killed by the shockwave, but far too little to matter. I had some room as the Slayer hadn't expected such from me. The other butterflies spread out, as the Slayer stood from a distance observing me. He was panting, just as I was. Fighting him was like fighting myself, but he had the advantage. I burned the spots where the ghostly flames took root, smothering them with my flames.

My body was more damaged than it had been in a long time. It just wasn't a fight unless a few limbs were lost. My opponent eyed me wearily, "Have you calmed down?"

He blew out steam, "Where, where are the children!?"

"They are dead." I slowly said each word, making certain he heard me.

He let out an awful bellow, "I, I can't see! Where, where are the bodies!?" He made aggravated movements.

I started flexing one of my explosive stingers, "They are in the building over there." I pointed at it, and he suddenly launched towards it.

"Children, children!?" He called out, stepping on the very bodies he would have tried to avoid. I walked through the door, "Where, where are you!?"

I tilted my head, seeing the magic of the ritual react as he looked at their bodies or stepped on them. "You really can't see them?"

Fire flared out again, forcing me back. "Liar! Liar!" He glared at me.

I shook my head, "I'm not lying, you're stepping on their bodies right now. Do you feel the ritual? It's a part of you."

He screamed and bellowed, charging at me. His fist came right at me, and I leaned forward to dodge the blow and strike his stomach. He teleported behind me, but I expected as much from the butterflies around us. My explosive stinger met his fist, drawing blood from his knuckles. He recovered quicker than I expected, grabbing for my stingers. I teleported away.

The slayer glared at me, "Where, where are the children!?"

"Do you hear them? I doubt I can help you with the curse unless you let me look at it. The child you heard is safe, I didn't hurt any of them."

He shook his whole body, tearing the foundation of the wall away from the main building where the ritual happened. "I, I hear them! I, I did not hear one recently! Heard, heard a terrible noise, something wrong!"

The ritual must keep him from hearing them as well as seeing them. "I need you to calm down, and listen to me."

"Child, child! Inside, inside you! I, I hear you! Let, let them go!" He jumped towards me, as I blew a jet of fire at his face and rolled out of the way. He crashed through another building while Red informed me that Richard felt there was something wrong with Di'Lee. I promised to inspect the bodies later, since I was a bit busy right now.

The slayer rose from the debris, "Can't, can't see you! Your, your face! What, what monster are you!?" He growled at me, anger still in his eyes.

I rolled my own, "You wouldn't know what I am. I'd rather fight you at your best, and you're intelligent enough to talk to. Tell you what, meet me here tomorrow morning and we'll end this. I'm going to burn the bodies of the children that were used in the ritual. I just hope you haven't destroyed the book they were using. I might be able to reverse this, but either way, I'm going to kill and eat you."

The slayer slumped, "Truth, truth from your words. Did, did you eat children?"

I crossed my arms, "I haven't eaten a single one, there is no benefit in doing so. I'll let you know what I find tomorrow, but I expect you to be ready for a fight to the death. I'll even bring one of my elites to make it fairer." I just didn't feel like losing more of my bugs to the butterflies. |"Rose, I'm going to need you tomorrow morning."| I sent her the relevant information.

|"Okay~ You bring the flowers and I'll bring the powers."| She giggled, rather happy to try out something she's been working on with her talent. At worst, I'll just have some Giants brought in via teleporter and annihilate the butterflies.

The slayer cracked his neck, grunting at me, "Caterpillar, caterpillar." He left without another word.

My hive was sent out to gather flower petals for Rose to use tomorrow, as well as hunt some of the local wildlife. I used what was left of my bugs in this village to search every nook and cranny for any books or anything amiss. I reinspected the bodies of the children, finding that most of them had died weeks ago. This information was sent to Red, while I pursed my lips.

I moved to the well to find its water was fetid, but there were no signs of any fire used to boil it. I was mulling over the fact that if we had arrived weeks ago, we could have saved more of these children. Any sickness Di'Lee had gained would have been cleansed with my healing stinger. It cleared away all infections and illnesses. I moved to where I found the youth, looking at the bodies. More than a few of them had been bitten into.

Desperate times called for desperate measures, and I didn't want to bring this up to the little one. It was important to not ostracize the sole survivor for doing what needed to be done to survive. These were all things I found with my bugs earlier, so why was Richard wary of the brat? I asked Red to get Richard to clarify what exactly was strange.

Richard explained it as the kid just seeming off to him. It made perfect sense that the brat was acting strange. Richard didn't understand what the kid went through just to survive. The important thing was that he smelled just like a kid, and I didn't see any black veins. I shook my head, not wasting any more time on Richard's paranoia.

What was left of my escort had found the book used for the ritual. I picked it up and started thumbing through the pages. The new formations and ritual details were promptly memorized and added to what the hags had known. I would eventually need to give this information to Carter, but he was still poring over all the other texts he had been given. It took a ritualist to properly understand this field of magic and improve upon it. I could guess at the results, but Carter would simply get a 'feeling' as to what would happen if he added certain components to what was happening.

A message was sent to Argus to let Carter sit in on the Gnome-making ritual and see if he could help them out. She responded positively to the notion and agreed to get such an experiment going. The few seconds it took were frustrating compared to how it should have been instant. I got over it and moved to pick up any flowers too big for my bugs to carry. Tonight was going to be spent on making preparations for tomorrow's battle. I lacked the supplies to fix the slayer's curse.

It was unfortunate that I couldn't help him, and enjoy a proper battle, but death should free him and the souls of the children trapped inside that awful tattoo. I understood what had happened more clearly, and regretted jumping straight into the fight without finding out everything about this situation. I just hoped this fight was enough to sate my battle lust and give me a few new things to play with. I hated feeling as though I wasn't getting stronger.