Mimi

Argus didn't make it, something in the Cyclops broke. Red had pushed the gnomes hard, and in a mere hour after her passing, the body was ready. In a single hour, everything would have been fine. To make matters worse, there was still no sign of Gray. Any attempts I made to peek in on the war were met with interference. I didn't even bother trying to keep up the monthly meeting with Charles, not after everything that happened since his plans undoubtedly caused my Hive to suffer so.

I was left alone to brood, while Pandora played outside. She had taken to bringing a few shady men to the warehouse we used to live in. She was working out how to get our bugs to safely knit flesh together and help scabs form. It was a painful process for those she brought, but they were rapists so no one missed them.

At the very least, Don understood how to work efficiently. I had one of his private homes closer to the ports. His people were doing various tasks for me, and tonight was the night we would secure one of the smuggling ports. My bugs had filtered to the area, the people were mapped out. A fresh group of slaves was being brought in, that was what I had been waiting for. Nothing was quite as special as freeing people, if only because they didn't question the monster that saved them.

Red spoke to the gnomes while I waited. A quick clap of my hands had the attention of everyone in the room on myself. "Everyone, please wait outside this room for a few hours. Guards, please keep others from attempting to listen in."

A chorus of, "You got it, boss!" echoed as the ten individuals quickly left. I slumped on the chair made from anchors and metal. It was the only thing capable of supporting my weight, without using the shadows to push back. Even then, the metal groaned from my shifting as I sighed to myself. Red knew the gnomes weren't going to stop panicking unless I addressed one of their leaders personally. A teleporter was arranged, as I let my disappointment show.

The one in charge of making the homunculus arrived with his red cap. He quickly took it off to reveal another hat just underneath it. He folded it in his hands as he made distressed movements. "M-mistress, I'm sorry." He couldn't meet my eyes, as I looked down at the tiny being. "W-we did everything we could."

"I'm well aware." I let some of the frustration and grief leak into those words, watching as he froze. "Calling you here was for your benefit, the cleanest way I could think to do this. It is no exaggeration to say that Argus was a daughter to me." He gripped his little hat, knuckles going white as he continued looking down. "The process could not be rushed, yet the results remain unfavorable."

He swallowed audibly, barely breathing as he clenched his eyes closed. "I-I'll do better! It won't happen again!" He quickly half-shouted. Unsure if he wanted to yell it or squeak the words out.

"I understand what you are thinking, you failed me. The figure above your boss has taken notice of your work. You're searching through your memories for anything said about myself. Praying, hoping that you might fight something to appease me. There is an instinctual fear screaming in the back of your mind. Argus had her moments where she made it clear she was powerful. Yet, in your most vivid nightmares, you never considered the presence before you."

The poor gnome shook like a leaf in the wind. Resigned to his fate, yet still standing in the hopes that I wouldn't turn my attention to his brothers and sisters. "W-what else am I supposed to say? I'm sorry!" He fell to his tiny knees, hands clasped together to beg forgiveness.

A reluctant sigh escaped my lips, "I am not unreasonable, I am aware that you set the vats up before preparing your cauldrons. I know how many of you stayed up, watching for any bubble that might indicate something was wrong. How you scrapped your knees and carved the runes until your fingers bled. I am hurting because I have lost someone close to me, but I will not lash out against those who displayed such loyalty." I let my tone become much softer. "Argus may be lost, but I have enemies to take my frustrations out on. You are not my enemy, nor is anyone in your community."

He hesitated, as he struggled to comprehend what I was saying. Slowly he looked up at me, "Y-you mean it?" He looked at me as though I might change my mind at any moment. I kept myself from scowling, knowing that deep down he was comparing me to the hags that punished them unjustly.

I gave him a nod, "Yes, but I feel you require some form of punishment to feel safe. You and the other leaders are to break bread with the people of Whe'Di. You will be living there for some time, it will make you uncomfortable to meet strangers that know very little of your kind. Teach the runesmith a few of your secrets, learn a few of hers in kind. Continue with making more bodies, as I would hate for Argus to not be the only one that cannot come back to us. Do you understand?"

The gnome teared up as he smiled. Snot was flowing into his beard as he looked torn between trying to throw himself at me for a hug or thanking me for my understanding. "I-I'll tell the others so you don't have to!" Eh, it was good enough. I had more pressing matters to deal with than gnomes making mistakes because they were worried I was going to end them while they slept. I dismissed him with a gesture, making sure he saw the teleporter. A curt nod was all he got as I went back to brooding.

Rose had recovered enough to oversee the Winter crops being planted. It would likely take her another few weeks, at least, to even attempted what she managed against the Passion Slayer. Clarice was keeping tabs on the Minotaur, in that strange town. I knew something was planned for it, yet I couldn't think about the place for some peculiar reason. It was unnamed, to the point that I couldn't even assign it a name. Red managed it in my stead, yet it was obvious there was an issue to be addressed later.

Thanks to a portion of the Fire Kingdom's army going into the Underground, Brick had reclaimed a loose selection of zones. The beasts and monsters were settling into their territories, while he reclaimed spots closest to his network of tunnels. Prince Berry was aiding him in keeping the Underground secure enough for both of them to grow.

Scix was advancing East, as Rose deserved time to rest and tend to her flowers when they bloomed. It made sense for him and the elves following him to make first contact as the Hive continued its expansion in that direction. The Chorus was helping everyone in their own way. It might be better to divide them into groups based on which personality they followed, though it didn't particularly matter. They were simply everywhere doing whatever was required.

I had no idea what Silver was doing at this point. He snuck into the teleporter going to supply Gray, then I lost contact. Given the fact that we already lost Argus and Berry, I was hoping he could somehow ensure both he and Gray made it back safely. I'd have to give him a stern lecture when that time came. I hated how the uncertainty was making me grind my teeth with worry.

The only distraction I had was puzzling out how to get my bugs to adapt to underwater conditions. The Writhing Worms came about as a first failed attempt, yet were repurposed after the potential was seen. A teleporter brought me more live fish, as I allowed my bugs to kill them and start the feast. I snagged a few myself, doing my best to focus on the potential of the newest cast. I would grieve for Argus soon, but I couldn't right now. I had to secure food for the others, I needed to make certain everyone else in the Hive was secure.

Genetic material wasn't an issue, I had enough live prey to ensure that. I even had trappers in a couple of nodes under a few docks. They were able to catch other bugs that came out of the water with nets of silk. I even managed to get them to skitter with balls of silk attached to their legs, yet I couldn't get them to suddenly breathe underwater. The answer was there, yet I couldn't figure it out. Did I need to start with an amphibious caste? Did my bugs need to have gills before they even went inside the water? A dangerous risk if they couldn't get in there in time before suffocating.

I chewed on one of the fish, as though it were the problem in question. A knock came at the door, one of the guards poking their head in. The others were allowed back in, as they retook their positions. The other personalities were equally stumped, as we tried to puzzle out the best way to manage what we were missing. Perhaps breeders that laid eggs?

The activity on the dock we were watching got my attention. I smiled at the distraction, as a crew of pirates sailed closer under the cover of night. Their ship rocked back and forth with the waves, as those working the auction tomorrow were creeping out of their hiding spots. A loose collection of gangs united under one banner. The Deck Worms as they were called. Listening in on their conversations revealed they were crewmates of pirates on their island further out at sea.

An entire faction made just to corrupt one man. He wasn't here to observe the more thorough aspects of the trade he allowed. He was too 'soft' as they put it. Such a shame that a young man was being corrupted. Would be a bigger one if a monster just happened to need to vent on a few key members. Truly, such a shame.

My giants were brought to the edges of the pier. Teleporters floating as buoys as they crawled out in the darkness. Fire flaring where none could see it, let alone sense it. A small part of the sea slowly boiled, casting a wonderful fog that caught the moon just right. This was a distraction, a few more vampires for the Don wouldn't hurt our budding relationship. Some of the pirates were spooked by the sudden fog.

The slave ship came in on a larger wave, one made by magic. The pirates called out to each other, as they slurred. Not all of their slaves were docile, though quite a few were probably broken beforehand. My screamers chimed as a bell would, giving this whole situation an eerie feeling. I melded my form with the shadows, silently moving through the cover the fog gave me. I decided to pick them off, one by one.

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My sleeper ghosts clung to me, as I gave them targets. Then a screamer did its best impression of being murdered. All eyes suddenly turned towards the noise, as even the slaves were spooked. I peeked at them while a few dozen individuals fell. The crew was diverse, a mix of humans, elves, and even beast kin. More than a few were missing one limb or another. They fell to the sleeping poison, all the same, a quick stumble before dropping.

The tier-three Speakers (evolved screamers) began to sing the Catcher, while those still standing pressed their backs together while the slaves cowered behind them. A warrior took out one of their eyes, making him scream about its loss during the correct verse. My combat form was prepared as I jumped from thin air in front of them. Their hands were shaking, as any of them that thought about using magic was brought to their knees by mental suppression. Their noses bleeding, as I strode towards them.

Elite vampires teleported into the fog as featureless shadows that dragged the bodies away. One of the female pirates raised their scimitar towards me, "W-what are you!?"

I tilted my head at her, walking to the tip of the blade. I grabbed her hand and let the metal press against my armor. She tried to pull away, but froth started to form in her mouth as she hyperventilated. "Where is your captain?" I politely asked, my voice echoing inside my helmet to make it just a tinge more unnatural.

More than a few of those staring at me soiled themselves, as the metal rolled onto itself with a sharp sound. My chitin wasn't scratched, as the pirate's eyes darted to the ship itself. I slowly turned my head, breaking her wrist as she tried to use magic against me. Her scream made the others take a few steps back as I left her kneeling on the ground, holding her mangled appendage. At least one of them needed a proper hook.

I pretended to take a step towards the ship, only to teleport mid-stride. I landed atop it, my weight threatening to break through the boards as the ship lurched before I pushed against the shadows. Each step was silent, as my sleeper ghosts knocked any pirate that dared to point a weapon at myself. My ears flicked as I heard a very drunk individual stumbling towards his cabin's exit. "FUCKING HELLS! DID YOU DOLTS CRASH INTO THE PIER!?"

He tried to open the door, he reached to push it open in his drunken rage. Only, my fist crashed through the wood to meet him. I grabbed the foolish man by the collar and pulled him and the door so that they were in front of me. He suffered a concussion, mostly limp as I threw him onto the deck. His tricorn hat was knocked off him, falling towards the ground as I caught it with a bow. "Fair pirates, you are in the presence of a demon. I was contracted to free the slaves and apprehend those responsible. As pirates, you are not bound to the laws of this city."

Confusion was written on the faces of the few left standing. "What?" One of them helpfully asked, voicing the opinions of their fellows.

I spread my arms out in dramatic fashion, "The slaves are no longer yours, they belong to my contractor. You and your captain may leave, save for those that foolishly stepped onto the pier. My contractor has claimed this territory, you are free to tell others about this wonderful news!"

They looked at each other, "What!?"

A wave of ethereal blue flame spread out from me, silencing them. "Attacking me will be met with quick apprehension. Those of you on the boat may trade the remaining slaves for your fellow crewmates that stepped foot into my contractor's territory. I do not have all night, either you comply or I burn this ship down." I looked at the mast, "Starting with the sails, of course." I conjured an orb of fire that started to grow.

"OKAY! THE SLAVES ARE YOURS!" One of them shouted, finally growing a spine. It was likely the first mate, judging by the superior quality of their weapons.

"Excellent, two crewmates for every five slaves. I will be watching from the shadows. All attempts to cheat myself will result in being apprehended." I didn't wait for their response as I spread my wings and hopped back into the shadow of the fog. I could have just used teleporters to move all the slaves where I wanted them, but I needed time for my bugs to infiltrate the ship and find the perfect spot for a node.

Only one giant needed to be hidden on the ship, with a breeder, they'd start to spread among the pirates. Even if Entomancers managed to take them over, they wouldn't gain anything important. My bugs were too good to pass up, so they'd grow and spread until a Cyclops was made. Then my orders would guide them to make more nodes on every ship. Eventually, a string would be formed for me to teleport and claim their islands. Provided, I didn't manage to get there with the water caste. A navy caste?

I contemplated what to call it, while idly observing the pirates do as they were told. None of them could see my sleeper ghosts, so those that tried anything were simply knocked out. My Speakers were used to convey a few words, though that was kept to a minimum. It was far more terrifying to be the silent demon watching within the mist, than the talkative one. A Screamer buzzed in Don's office, as he cleared his office of those not in the know.

The man pulled out a map and pointed to the warehouses I could use to store the pirates and slaves respectively. He then spoke of sending a few people to communicate properly. Don was the face of his group, the others needed to think he was still calling the shots after all.

Muzzled beast kin were brought out first, followed by elves with runic shackles. A few human slaves made completed the scene, then I saw them. Three dark elves happily followed along with silk ribbons tied around their wrists. My bugs found the cells in the boat empty, as a node was still forming. The pirates quickly moved back onto their ship, leaving those that were passed out.

My excitement grew, as I watched the dark elves press their backs against each other. I watched as the orange one discreetly used their magic to pull moisture from the air. The yellow one looked around, ears flicking as they pinpointed one of my Speakers. The green one watched the ship sail away, ears drooping as she watched it go. They spoke to each other in their native tongue, lamenting the 'husbands' that were leaving them.

I truly hadn't expected to see more dark elves like this. Those born outside Dark Fell didn't count, their lives were too soft compared to Alice's kin. Screamers began to drum, as the fog started to thin. My elite vampires continued their task of carrying away the pirates, while more were brought in to guide the slaves to where they needed to go. All of them except the three dark elves that I walked towards. A cocktail of various emotions going through my mind.

They were fiddling with the silk ribbons that kept their wrists together. A joke that the demon tribes played, while the silk was too fine to risk breaking. Young dark elves, that didn't know the way of the world outside those harsh lands. They took note of my vampires, yet their attention never fully strayed from myself. Deep down, they knew how to identify the biggest threat. Each of them whispered that I was no demon, they must have been captured months ago at most. None of them knew the local tongue.

My combat form fell, as I stood at a respectful distance. "A lone huntress greets the three on a pilgrimage."

It was enough to break the ice, as all three of them excitedly fidgeted with their bindings. I approached, helping them with the knots before returning to my spot. "We greet you, miss huntress!" Green grinned fully, as she sent a blade of wind my way. I let it wash over my armor with a smirk.

The orange one gleefully used their magic to make spears of ice that whistled as they came towards me. It shattered, only for the splinters to quickly form a mist. "Greetings, one that stirs trouble. False demon."

Yellow sighed, "I need fire." My giants provided a few sparks as she quickly fed Aether into it to keep the flames going despite the humidity. "Thank you!" She then cast the orb onto one of the stray ropes laying around. It caught fire, with more sparks flitting into the air as she threw darts at me.

The three were in awe as their magic didn't leave a scratch on my chitin, their manic grins growing as I summoned a single blue flame on one of my fingers. I flicked the ghostly thing at them, letting them watch it float effortlessly through the air as they quickly chattered away. Once it was close enough, I had it explode in a small nova. The three quickly used their magic to defend themselves. They suffered a few burns, only to clap at the display.

"Follow me, if you wish to learn. You may gain what your tribes seek." These three were going to be a delightful distraction from my grief. All three of them were just as capable as Midnight, even as they happily followed.

Questions were asked with every step, as they switched between excitement and frustration. They were happy to learn from a lone huntress, but they were upset I chased their husbands off. They asked what my talent was, before asking more questions when I showed them my black blood. My bugs saw Don's men moving in to secure the pier. I avoided them so that they could do their work.

I tried to be mysterious for the three, answering every third question. Some of my answers were more vague than they needed to be, but there was a stigma attached to being a lone hunter. They told me everything they could about their tribes, letting me know how their elders would welcome me. At the casual mention that my tribe was no more, they dropped the invitations. A certain understanding from our culture.

Just listening to them scratched an itch in my soul. It gave me a deeper understanding of who Alice was before she became one part of myself. It helped her jumbled memories realign, as I started to understand more. Those that Alice loved had died, she watched as they were torn apart in front of her youthful eyes. She had been betrayed and only orphans were fortunate enough to make it to Eclipse as it was just starting to form.

Understanding the tragedies of what she went through, feeling the emotions she felt during that time. It helped me push my mindset away from my monster side. The pain of loss was still there, only it was duller. A constant ache to be endured, while I continued forward and carried the memory of those lost. They only died when they were forgotten, just as the tribes of Alice's homeland shifted among the black sands.

Upon returning to the warehouse, I got a few looks from the men guarding the place. I gave them orders to acquire some nice clothes for my new companions as I ushered them into one of the rooms to start the wonderful discussion of language. We practiced magic, as we continued speaking well into the morning.

Orders were given to my elite vampires on how to deal with the people we gathered. The slaves were told they were free, that they could leave and try to survive in this city with a few coins. Or, they could choose to work under the demon that saved them and have a better chance. They were questioned about what they could do, separated into groups based on their knowledge, then told to get some rest after they ate and drank their fill.

The pirates that were captured enjoyed a pleasant introduction to the Writhing Worms. Their minds were invaded by the chorus as memories and ideas were copied to be processed by the Hive. Those fortunate enough to have a talent were turned into vampires and given an elite training course to join the ever-growing vampire army. It ensured that the others would stay in line.

Ironically, it was one of the Entomancers that helped me solve my problem with underwater bugs. I needed to make Larvae that could survive in the water, then the rest would naturally evolve from there. My Trappers began to make a nest of silk as new breeders were being formed. In two weeks I'd have the highest chance of success as I puzzled out what to call this new caste. The other personalities agreed to simply call it the Navy caste since they were likely going to be wholly different from the rest of our bugs.