Richard Adams

It took three days in total for Mimi's next 'step' to be complete. She was 'aware' for a few hours, quietly sending out some of her Hive to hunt and bring back fresh meat. I only got to spend an hour with her, before she went 'dim' again. My hands were still shaking as she brought the paralyzed critters to me. She made me kill them by separating their heads from their bodies with my bare hands. I think she would have stayed aware longer if I hadn't cried at the end.

It was my fault though, I hadn't gotten any more flesh while she was dim. I was still hesitating, even when I could have her send out her bugs to take care of the hard part. I just had to kill them, it was nicer than letting the poor things suffocate while the venom kept them from moving. My reluctance was making the little critters suffer more. The silence was getting to me, the days were blurring together.

The bark of the trees were duller now, most of them gray, even the leaves that littered the ground were gray. I was starting to see more death around us. Songbirds were hunted by larger screeching creatures. Piles of tiny bones held between the roots of large trees. I didn't even notice when those songs had stopped. I felt like we were being stalked by something, but Mimi never found anything. Yeah, the days were to get up and move. The forest here just felt colder, despite it being summer.

When I was a kid, I was told that adventuring was supposed to be something great. You go out, you see the world. There were sights you wouldn't believe existed. There was supposed to be adventure around every corner, something new to discover every single day. Sure there were supposed to be a few scary fights, but those could have been avoided. It sounded amazing, but it wasn't supposed to be like this. Just walking through the woods, uncertain about where you were until night came.

I had a companion, but somehow that made this worse. I might have handled this better if I was by myself, but Mimi was right there. She wasn't really able to talk to me or carry on a conversation. She was a constant reminder of how dangerous this place could be. The hours of silence wore on me, as I wondered how those few merchants traveling by themselves managed it. There was no adventure here, nothing amazing to discover. Just walking for days on end, and killing small critters to make sure you got through the next day before food became a problem.

It made me feel terrible for all my previous exiles. All those times I felt it was kind of like a camping trip. Each exile I had gone into with enough repellent to make it through without any issues. I had enough supplies to take care of myself, and foraging helped with my alchemy. I had even enjoyed it because it was just time I could spend cooling down and figuring out how to not get exiled again.

There I go again, thinking about the past. I didn't have much else to do. I couldn't think of anything to ask Mimi about, without crossing some kind of line. All that was left was hunting, and I hated that feeling it gave me. I couldn't befriend the critters the bugs stung. There was no plucky little squirrel to chitter away with. There was no songbird that would just start singing and gather sides to lift our spirits. It was just their death to make sure we wouldn't go hungry while we continued on.

According to the map, there was supposed to be a village nearby. Mimi hadn't asked about the change in our course when she was aware, so I took that as it being okay. I was going to sell most of the repellent there since we didn't really need it. I'm sure they'd enjoy having it, especially if it was sold cheaply. I could get Mimi to show off her bugs, and spend a few days convincing them to let her set up a small hive to protect the place. Then I'd have a talk with Mimi about something. Anything really, I just wanted to hear some emotion in her voice again. This was just cruel, having her right there and being unable to do anything.

"Richard." There it is, she probably smells people.

"Yes? What is it?" I smiled to myself, we might be able to make it before night comes.

"Storm. Coming." My smile dropped.

"A storm is coming?" I looked up at the clear sky peeking through the branches.

"Yes."

I wanted to tell her she was wrong, but then I remembered the first storm we struggled through. I regretted not listening to her back then. It was so easy to forget the weather could change quickly outside the walls. You didn't have weather in the Underground, and in the city, it was just predicted by the soothsayers walking on the streets. When it did rain, the clouds would peek over the walls, or the sky would be gray. I swallowed hard, "How long?"

"Tomorrow. Morning." We still had time then, we could make it to the village and set up there.

"Keep going then, please. Is there anything you need to prepare for the storm with our wagons?"

"Understood. And. No." It had been a surprise she could answer two questions at a time now, but I felt she was less dim with each step she took. I nodded at her answers, staying the course.

"Any idea how long the storm will last?"

"No."

I sighed internally, as we continued on. I told myself I'd try to do some hunting today, but we might be in a hunter's territory now. I had to ask them if it was okay first. They could teach me how they hunt, and they might just explain how to get through that sick feeling I get when I kill something. I knew Mimi wouldn't be the right person to ask about it, but a hunter should be perfect. They should understand what it's like.

The forest was getting darker, the bark showing a few black patches. The leaves were no longer there, but the branches interlocked in a strange pattern. Almost like they were woven together. It felt like they were trying to block out any light, and a cold chill was lingering in the air. "Mimi, is there anything nearby?"

She sent out some bugs, as I looked around. The night was creeping closer, and we should be closer to the village now. She should have told me she smelt people. Were we farther than I thought? The branches were going to make it difficult to get a good idea, but at worst Mimi would take me to the top.

"Found. Death."

"What do you mean? What is death?" I couldn't see anything.

"Decay. Zombies. Wisps."

I felt my heart freeze, was a Wisp Mother about to attack the village? This was just a small place in the forest, barely even marked on the map. Wisp Mothers could be reasoned with, it could even be orphaned wisps looking for another mother. They shouldn't attack the village, I prayed they didn't attack this village. We were so close to Eclipse, just over a week away compared to the average travel time. "Mimi, I need you aware."

Mimi stopped walking, her bugs immediately spreading out. "Richard, are you okay?"

I slowly nodded, "I think so, I don't see anything. We need to get to the village Mimi. We have to let them know there is a Wisp Mother nearby."

"I fear it is much too late for that, Richard." Her voice was soft, even though those words hurt.

"What do you mean?" I couldn't see any wisps, we shouldn't be too late.

"There are already zombies in the village, they are walking around, and the buildings themselves have broken windows and doors barely clinging to their frames." Each word was like a blow, there had been so much potential in this place. There were so many people that could have made something of themselves. All the stories they could have shared, all the banter I could have had with them.

"W-what about the children? Wisp Mothers don't kill them, and wisps only move into dead bodies. There are loads of stories about there being one survivor in a situation like this. If we hurry..."

"Zombies typically eat the children so their bodies last longer. If they manage to eat enough they turn into ghouls, there are also situations where they might eat their own child and become revenants. These are undead creatures, Richard. I may be able to end them, but I do not know if I can protect you while I do such. A storm is coming, and it might take all night. That's assuming there isn't a Wisp Mother, since I do not know if I could even kill one."

I swallowed hard, "W-what if I help you? I'll take some haze and back you up. We have to make sure there are no survivors Mimi. We can't just let anyone still alive rot there."

"There are no benefits in doing this. Even if there is a survivor, they will go to the city. It could end with us being stalked by an angry Wisp Mother for killing her children. The potential cons far exceed the benefits. It is better to take the fastest route out of this area and weather the storm." Mimi started walking.

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She was right, this didn't involve us. It was safer to just walk away, someone else would clean this mess up. Any village Eclipse had didn't have nobles in it for this reason. Banshee wouldn't be created, and only the weaker undead would rise. There might even be a few cursed weapons and armor that make it worth clearing out for some adventurers. I gripped my fist with the other hand. I couldn't leave it alone, it might take months before someone else comes. Any survivors would be long dead by that point. "Mimi, the haze please."

"No." Her voice was cool and low, not allowing any argument.

I stood up before walking into the back of the wagon. I grabbed the ax, and mace while Mimi stopped walking. She was facing me when I stepped back out. I felt the sweat on my forehead, as I stared back at her. "I'm going with, or without you."

She smirked, "Have fun then, I'll show up after I get the wagon out of the territory."

I blinked at her, "I could die, you know?"

Mimi tilted her head, "You could, but to rush in there would involve fighting. I have the haze hidden in the shadow of my wings. I feel it is better to let you see what you are about to face yourself. My bugs will lead you back to me, after you lose your resolve."

I swallowed hard, nodding at her. I hopped off the wagon, walking towards where the village should be. I heard the wagon creaking as Mimi started walking in the other direction. She thought I was bluffing, that I'd run back to her after we were far enough away. That I'd turn around when I saw how bad the village was.

I couldn't say she was wrong, a part of me was screaming to turn back and apologize. My hands were shaking, and it felt like there was a pit in my stomach. We could leave, and nobody would ever know I ran away from this. No one except for Mimi and myself. I let out a slow breath, I wouldn't even hesitate with the haze. That was the me that Mimi needed on this trip. I walked through the trees, before hiding behind one at the end of the treeline. I could see the houses with their shattered windows, a church at the center with the double doors broken inward. I could see at least ten zombies lumbering around, with maybe another five crawling on their stomachs. Blueish green wisps were circling through the empty air, looking for something they wanted to possess.

This was crazy, there might not even be a survivor hidden away. Even if we saved them, it was too dangerous to have one around while Mimi was dim. They might not even manage to make it back to the city. I found myself turning around before I stopped. How could I call myself a dwarf if I ran away just because of a few zombies? We were supposed to be stubborn damn it! I said I'd do it with our without Mimi's help. I gritted my teeth, letting out a deep breath. How could I call myself a man if I just walked away after seeing this? Knowing that no one else might save any poor soul hidden away.

I was frustrated with myself, at the fear I had. It was still there, but I overcame it whenever I was pissed enough. I slammed the mace into the tree, trying to get myself riled up. The crack was louder than I expected, as it echoed through the open air. The wisps stopped their dancing, the zombies slowly turned towards me. I gulped, as the zombies began to shamble towards me, the wisps going in circles again. I could outrun them still, I could get Mimi to back me up.

No. This was my choice, Mimi wouldn't let me die. The last of the sunlight left as darkness descended. The zombies stopped their shambling, as each step became more certain. The wisps grew bigger until the ghostly forms of children without features began to dance in the darkness. The zombies shrieked before charging at me in a full sprint. "Fuck me," was all I muttered as I scrambled up the tree's trunk. I wasn't going to die to a mob of zombies tearing me apart. I could face them one at a time, and force them off the branches. The fall would break their limbs at the very least.

I made it ten feet up, when the first zombie lunged, jumping just a couple of feet below me. They were definitely fresh, maybe two weeks old tops. My claws of Eclipse caught the bark well, while my ax made it easier to pull myself higher. The mace wasn't helping, and the zombie was gaining. I threw it at the undead's face, throwing the thing off-balance enough to fall without much damage. More zombies were jumping onto the tree, trying to climb up after me. I used my headstart as much as I could.

I was twenty-five feet (7.6 meters) high when the next zombie caught up. I kicked it in the face while my ax was buried in the bark. It started to fall but managed to grab the bottom of my boot. It was slowing me down enough for others to start catching up. I tried shaking free, but its other hand grabbed onto the strap around my calf. I kicked my foot against the bark, before using the free one strike the zombie in the head. It wouldn't let go, even while I looked around desperately for Mimi to help me.

Her answer was bugs. Twenty of them bunching around the zombie's elbows. I barely had time to realize they were bombers, as I kicked the zombie's head again. The bugs exploded in time with my kick weakening the tissue keeping its arms together. My kick sent the zombie plummeting towards the ground, hitting another below it on the way down. The others were about to grab me when I moved just out of reach, two hands still gripping my leg. I finally managed to reach a low-hanging branch when another grabbed the same boot.

My ass was planted firmly on the branch, even as the zombie tried its luck with the metal of my boot claw. I felt teeth crunch and break before burying the ax deep into their head. The zombie went limp before I could pull my ax free. Their weight threatening to take me down with them. I winced before letting go of it. The body fell with a splat, while the next two zombies reached for me. I moved back on the branch, catching one in the face with the hook of my boot. The other managed to dodge, before clamoring onto the branch with me.

I could see the crawlers at the bottom now, some of them starting their climb. The first few I stopped weren't out of commission, so seven more were making their way to me already. I at least wanted to use my straps to wrap my feet to the branch so I wouldn't fall, then I would just have to keep throwing them off as they came up, but time wasn't on my side here. I raised my fists in a guard, spreading my legs out in what little I knew of fighting. There was no running, this was do or die. I couldn't count on Mimi saving me, since I couldn't see her. Eight zombies in total to deal with right now.

The one on the branch with me lunged in an attempt to take me down with it. I was glad the branch was as wide as I was, giving me enough room for footwork. I decked it in the side of the face, fire erupting out of my elbow from what I had stored. The force was enough to bat it away without giving it time to grab me. I couldn't feel any pain since my arms were filled with nothing but compressed fire beneath the skin. My sleeves were burning, as another clamored onto the branch.

They weren't giving me time to think, as this one lunged like the first. I hadn't recovered from the last strike, so I barely managed an uppercut with my left. Then I felt hands on my boot. One cheeky fuck had crawled beneath the branch and grabbed me from the side, trying to use its weight to drag me down. I fell to my knee, quickly burning the straps so the zombie only took my boot. The other recovered from the uppercut and jumped on top of me. I let it bite into my arm, letting flames blast its face as both fell. Five more left.

I was terrified, doubts swirling in my mind about what would happen if I fucked up. I bit back tears because I was scared, yet here I was. Standing above certain death, fighting off zombies one after the other. I quickly got back on my feet, feeling another two climbing under the branch. Two more were in front of me, and I couldn't see the fifth. Black blood was leaking from their mouths, ready to poison me so a wisp could have my body. I just wished I was better at this kind of thing.

The two in front of me lunged either one getting a mouthful of gloved fist. I wasn't good enough to only sacrifice my gloves and keep my hands. I blasted the two with fire down their throats and jumped forward before the other two could grab me this time. I saw their hands grip the bark before they started to pull themselves up. My hands were gone, leaving me with a smoking nub for a wrist. Where was the other one?

I heard an explosion above me, as the zombie fell to my side. I laughed when it hit the other one taking it down as well. Just me and one more left, I peeked behind me to see the crawlers were still struggling. I had gotten lucky to this point because zombies went after the most vulnerable areas. My arms didn't have armor on them, so it was either them or my face and neck. They weren't smart, but they could learn, some of their memories lingering from life.

This one was wary of me, having seen its brothers fall to their doom. It was missing an eye, the nose was torn off, and it had no lips. It bellowed out a hiss as it came closer. My back to the bark. I felt how much fire I had left, and realized I needed more soon. I dove my wrist into the branch letting out the last of the fire in that arm. The flames cut through the branch, as the zombie tried to lunge at me. Gravity worked against it as it lost any footing it would have had and fell down to meet the others.

I let out a deep sigh, burning the area my flames had caught fire. I spread the flames, directing the heat and taking half into my nubs. The rest spread in a line down the branch and in a circle along the bark. I was careful to snuff it so that the zombies wouldn't even see any smoke. As soon as I felt them put weight on the bark I burned, I let out a jet of fire to throw them down with the others. My nubs were still shaking, as I was soaked with sweat from all of my concentration on controlling the fire.

I laughed, as tears rolled down my cheeks. I knew I could have died there, I knew I would have died had Mimi not helped with the bombers. She was watching the entire thing, and here I was. It was all so terrifying, but maybe we saved someone. I smiled when I saw Mimi had pulled the wagons into the village. I couldn't see her, but I only needed to keep the zombies occupied while she did her thing. Her bugs were in the trees nearby, so I should be fine.

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Mimi

Richard's fight was sloppy and almost painful to watch. He should have left handholds of fire as he climbed to keep the zombies off of him. It would have saved him much of the trouble and allowed him to do much more. Now, he was effectively stuck on his branch while waiting for the zombies to come to him. If he was smart about it, he'd realize he could control the fire on the zombies, and just burn them to ash, but I couldn't help but feel a little pride towards him. He made his decision and stuck through with it. It wasn't elegant, it wasn't efficient, nor was it effective, but it was uniquely his.

He was crying and smiling, his emotions a mix of; pride, fear, accomplishment, terror, and satisfaction. This was the bravery he was trying to teach me. It was a foolish concept, but if a Wisp Mother was hiding somewhere he already upset it by slaying a few zombies. Which left it to me to deal with the mess he got us into. The last of the light from dusk was fading. Richard's sight would grow shorter, and the monsters of the night will begin prowling. Every second I waste is another I have to spend on getting to the next step. I could feel the excess power I had from the main Hive still bleeding.

I was going to lose most of it, but I would be stronger than I was when I first entered Eclipse. Even stronger than when I was with the original Hive in the cave of my territory. It was frustrating, knowing that I needed to get stronger, and feeling that strength leave me. The wisps took notice of our wagons, and my Hive marching. It was a challenge for any creature leading this circle of wisps. If they didn't meet me here, then I would scour this lost village searching for survivors and something to make this disaster worth the hassle.

There was no roar, no sudden appearance of some unseen power. The wisps stopped their dancing, their tiny featureless bodies pointing at me in unison. I bowed towards them with a smile. "May I have this dance?"