Alice

My feelings were properly sorted, though I had no idea what caused the outburst earlier. I know, that I did not intend on calling out to Wyatt like that. It did not matter in the end, because everything should be settled tomorrow. We had an early dinner, about an hour after the sun set. It was unnerving that Richard seemed to be half asleep. He looked absolutely terrible, but still managed to make wonderful food. If anything it improved tonight, but without company I couldn't enjoy it. Even Oswald was extremely silent, while we ate. I understood he would never hurt Richard, but still.

After dinner I carried Oswald back to his lab, where he gently grabbed my arm before I left. "Lass, I will protect Richard. I am teaching him a few things that will help him out a lot. It might end up being a little too much for the boy though... Can I count on you healing him when you get back?"

I raised a brow at this, looking at the old man, who did not dare look at my face. "What are you doing exactly?"

"Alchemy lass. I'm teaching him how to control his body, but he's still young and doesn't know enough. I'm rushing him, because we don't have time." Oswald sounded sadder as he looked at his hands, "He's straining himself, and might lose his ability to focus on anything else. If that happens, you'll need to sting him when you get back. Whatever is in there, it makes new cells lass. It can force his focus away."

"You did not have to ask, I would have done it anyway." Oswald let go of me, as I walked to Richard's room. He was snoring while he slept. If he was still out of it in the morning, then I would sting him and make him promise not to strain himself so much. I was about to leave the room, when I saw him shiver slightly. I moved to his side, feeling relief that he wasn't sick or suffering. He was just cold. I smiled a little, before pulling the blankets over him. It was odd, seeing him like this. I wasn't sure why, but a part of me wanted to hold him, and sleep with him through the night.

I blinked, to find my hand on his shoulder. Frowning at this, I pulled him into a hug while he continued to snore. Wrapping him in the blanket, so he could struggle to get out of it in the morning. A small prank, because he made me worry earlier. Leaving the room, I realized where the feelings came from. He was the first person to find us, he accepted us without question, then went out of his way to make us happy. The part of me that belonged to Alice clung to that, wanting to be saved. Wanting some interaction with anything that would at least talk to her. Now those feelings belonged to me, the feelings of a girl who was alone far too long.

I shook those thoughts from my head, while walking back to my room. My hive was expanding wonderfully, and we even found another nest of termites. These ones were noticeably different compared to the first ones. While the first ones actively moved and ate away at the floor beneath my nest. These ones had harder shells, and were much less coordinated. Perhaps a talent was at work here, much like how I started as a bug with a talent. Still they were only an actual threat to my workers, and the warriors were able to tear this second colony's legs off at the joint, rendering them an easy meal. They made it to the queen in minutes, dragging her out while I had a fantastic idea.

I saw people growing crops outside, and now that I had Alice's memories I understood farming. I could keep this termite queen, and feed her wood. She would continue to lay eggs, and we could cultivate such. We could literally turn wood into flesh, which was great since this queen's hive was particularly tasty to mine. The workers immediately set about making a proper nest for a slave queen, while my warriors finished off the rest of her hive.

Smiling at this, I went to the walkway outside my room. I stood there for a moment, enjoying the pleasant warmth this kingdom provided. I could see a light mist around the barrier above us. Something that was remarkably beautiful because I did not need to squint. I could see the silver moon peeking over the wall in the distance. The light it cast more than enough for me to see this amazing city as if it were day time. The ambient light from houses and people seen in the distance like stars that had fallen to the ground. I could make out people hurrying home for their own dinner, or leaving for work that was practiced at night.

I understood that I was not supposed to leave Oswald's place without Richard. I understood that there were many things that could go wrong. Still, both sides of me would have gone. What was I to do? I went back to my room, a small smile on my lips. I held every intention of going out tonight, and it was a perfect time to test my personal escort. Calling the warriors and scouts I had chosen earlier, I let them bunch on my back and around my neck.

I stepped back onto the walkway, that held just enough space for me crawl out, and move onto the top of it. I moved into the shadow of the building, taking a few seconds to observe the city. Sliding the chitin over my ivory flesh, I decided it was best not to stand out and cling to the shadows. I eyed the building where those large spiders were, smiling under my mask. I spread my regrown wings, and jumped. I could not fly, but I could fall with grace and style. I glided quickly towards the darker side of the building. I landed silently on the ground, the fur on my wings changing to the proper shade of darkness.

Sadly there was no door on this side of the building, and the windows on this level were boarded up from the looks of it. I could see a few of the large spiders watching me through the cracks in the window. One of them raising their legs to warn me that this was their space. I started to reach for it, when my ears flicked. I heard frantic running, similar to when I first met Richard. There were others chasing after someone. The spider lunged at my hand, attacking it. I tickled it's stomach for a moment before pulling away. It could not harm me, and it was close enough to my current home. I would investigate this place later, for now I was more curious about who might be running and why.

More spiders seemed to pour out of the window, but I ignored them. I jumped a few stories, unfurling my wings as I grabbed the corner of the building. My new strength easily letting me cling, as my fingers bore into the wood. From my vantage point, I could better hear the sound. I was hoping to see it, but it was either blocked or two far away. I recognized the direct as the alleys that Richard kept us from yesterday. I jumped off the side of the building, gliding to the dark side of the next and the next. It was easy enough to move in this city, no one really knew how to look up from what I saw. Even when I jumped from the top of one building, over the mildly busy street below. I was not seen, and soon I was looking down the alleys where I heard the frantic noises.

There was a woman dressed in dark gray robes, carrying a small sack to her chest. I could smell blood on her, and see small fresh stains on her hips. Then there were five individuals that had fanned out to try and cut off her escape. I could hear skittering around us, as it seemed there was another spider nest in this area, it truly felt like they were everywhere. I quietly lept from one building to the next to watch the woman. My antenna rising as it seemed she was emitting some kind of signal. She was calling for help, and trying to rouse any bugs in the area. The spiders were already responding. More than a few attacked three of the men, but two slipped through. The woman was likely running where she felt the most bugs. I set my antenna back down feeling more curious about her and the sack she clung to.

She rounded an alley that put her on track to finding one of the men. While the other had stumbled where she had been. They had unknowingly set up a pincer, by closing both sides. I did not know if this was planned because they knew the alleys better, or if it was pure luck. Still, the spiders were occupied with the other three. I walked off the side, where the woman was about to be intercepted. Flapping my wings just slightly before I touched the ground. A few scouts sent to keep track of the other man, while two were sent to the woman to cling to her back. I would not lose them, or risk them being harmed.

Predictably the man spun around when he heard me flap. He wore a cowl and looked every part of a rouge. His face covered by a fabric mask, his eyes going wide as he saw me. "What the fuck!?" I lunged forward, grabbing his neck as the sound made the woman stop for a moment by the corner. The man struggled as I carried him by his neck, quietly jumping between the walls to ascend quickly and quietly. I let out a low hiss to the man which seemed to make him struggle more. I didn't understand it one bit, it was clear I could kill him easily. Yet, he still struggled. He pulled out a silver dagger, trying to stab at my chitin, only breaking the weapon in the process. I squeezed a little harder, as he choked and began to pass out. The woman peeked around the corner to find it empty.

The man behind her noticed this and slowed down. It seemed he wanted to sneak up on her. A scout stung his neck, making him cry out in pain. The woman was alerted to his presence and ran where this new spider nest most likely was. It was convenient to have someone guiding me where I wanted to go, especially without knowing. The woman would be safe with the spiders until her magic stopped, then she'd be in a den of the spiders and likely attacked. Though, I felt she had more than an hour before that happened. Which was plenty of time for me to clear out this nest and save her.

The man I held went limp, passing out as I loosened my grip on him. The other one below threw his dagger at the woman. I saw it was going to miss, before the man used magic to correct it's course. It struck her in the shoulder as she cried out, a new stain starting to show on her cloak. I clicked my tongue as the girl ran, stumbling a little. The man casually walking after her, as she used the walls to keep her from touching the ground. "There's no use running bitch! That dagger was coated in wyvern venom! You and your abomination will die tonight!" The man was probably calling for his friends to make sure the mother didn't get away.

I let out a low angry hiss at this news. I knew what venom was, and the man seemed extra confident she would succumb to it. I had to deal with him, before the poison itself. The man started to round the corner as I walked off the ledge once more. My scouts biting into the back of his neck as he jumped. "Fucking bugs!" The scouts flew from his hand by my orders, returning to me. Their buzzing causing the would be assassin to look behind himself. He saw me, holding his comrade in my other hand. He took a step back, trying to do magic. I was having none of it, I stepped forward grabbing him by his neck. This did not stop his magic and I tilted my head to avoid the air that tried to cut me. I felt him trying again, and threw him against the wall, his ribs cracking. That was enough to stop his magic, but he started to try again. I put my foot on his freshly broken bones. The pain making him lose focus. I pulled away to let him breath for a moment, "Why are you chasing that woman?"

The man was panting on the ground, "The fuck are you?" His panting turned into screaming as I crushed his foot.

"I'm asking the questions, now answer or die." I allowed the man to cradle his now broken foot, as he cried softly.

"We were hired to kill her." The other man began to stir a little. I tossed him up, to grab his neck again, never letting my eyes off the whimpering man.

"How long before the poison kills the woman?" I applied pressure to his comrade's neck, to keep him asleep.

"T-ten minutes at most, I don't have the antidote. She's as good as dead." I could sense the whimpering man gathering magic again. This was followed by a sickening crack as his knee bent the wrong way from me stomping it. Sadly, the pain appeared to be too much, and he passed out as well.

I picked the two up, dragging them after the mother. The mother did not have much time, and somehow I felt these monsters probably hurt the child as well. I saw blood on that sack, and thought it was her own, but things never worked out that nicely. Besides, if the spiders were hungry, I had two fresh morsels for them to occupy themselves with. Thinking about it, I probably should have let the woman see me earlier. I hope she won't be to terrified when I try to help her.

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Cynthia

The guards died soon after we snuck into the kingdom. The assassins already had a couple set up around the church. They had seen me, and I ran away. I am sorry grandfather, but I may not make it to your church this night. I ran wherever I saw men following me, I couldn't trust the guards of this foreign kingdom. I entered without permission, my options were running out. I held Drake close to me, one of the assassins had struck at him first. Managing to cut into his thigh. I held him tighter to keep his blood in, the little one fast asleep. He felt cold, but at least he was breathing. I called out to every bug in the area. Using all the power I could, praying they would respond. All I could feel were spiders everywhere. Likely the Harpers that I heard so much about.

I could sense many of the nests nearby, but the closest ones were too small to help me. I ran towards the largest nest I could feel, while other nests began to stir. It was strange, that I felt one large group of bugs that did not seem to respond to my call. As if another was already talking to them. I ran towards the Harper nest, needing protection more than anything else. Drake wouldn't die to a small wound, even if he was a baby. He was his father's child, and by motherly instinct, I knew if I could just keep him safe. I should have time to find someone, anyone to get him to my grandfather.

The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

The buildings grew worse as I continued towards the large nest. Windows boarded, everything seemed to be made of wood. As if it were built in a hurry. Some of the houses were slanted due to improper framing and seemed to face different directions. The worst one, had to be the large building that seemed to be multiple all put together. A terrible smell, coming on the wind from that direction. Thankfully, I did not have to go that way. I continued to move through the crowd, afraid that any one of these people might call the guards. To be thrown out, was certain death for me right now. I could not ask any of these strangers for help, and it hurt so much.

I walked into set of dark alleys that seemed to criss and cross each other. Thankfully, I saw webs above me, and the Harpers were already in position to keep those assassins off Drake and myself. Still, I could not risk them hearing me, so I jogged towards the nest. These alleys were a maze, but I knew the general direction I had to go. Moving between them, I could feel the spiders stopping three of the assassins. Though they were having trouble themselves. I tried calling for more help, to find that a smaller cluster of what I noticed earlier was among the roof tops. Another Entomancer was likely in the area, we might be able to talk. I could probably trust them.

I started to round another corner, only to hear something like flapping. A man yelled in shock, and I stopped to see what was going on. I could sense the Entomancer around the corner, but as I started to peek they were gone. It worried me that this individual had not tried talking to me properly, but they probably took care of an assassin. I thanked them silently, before realizing they had two strange bugs on my back, and more behind me.

I jumped, when a man suddenly cried out. I turned to find an assassin had snuck up behind me. As I turned to run, I found a dagger in the back of my shoulder. My arm hurting, as I started to run again. My vision blurred, as I started to see doubles. Words of victory slurred by the assassin. I needed to get Drake to the spiders, if the rumors were true, they would keep him safe until the Entomancer rescued him. I wasn't afraid of dying, only that my son would not make it through the night. I ran, even as I heard a scream moments later, from the same assassin.

I was panting, when I finally reached the main building. Many Harpers gathered in one place, all sitting about the room to welcome me. I bowed my head out of respect, letting them know how grateful I was to them. They wanted me to rest against the wall by their leader, their queen. I stumbled as I walked to the silk covered wall, my body feeling like it was on fire. My vision swirling, as I held Drake to my chest. "Ish go na be alritz (It's gonna be alright)." I cried, holding my son who felt cold even as I felt hot.

Then the Entomancer entered, the Harpers reflexively seeing them as a threat. I did not understand why they didn't communicate with the Harpers. I asked them to stand down, figuring that this Entomancer probably practiced for monster bugs. It would explain why their bugs were strange. I held Drake out to them, betting everything on this person that was dragging two assassins into the room. I could hardly see anymore, the shapes blurring to formless blobs. "Pleash sav me chi hild... (Please save my child.)"

I felt a sharp pain as the dagger was yanked from my shoulder. I could appreciate that they were kind enough to save my body. Then I felt like I was truly burning once again. Pain creeping everywhere, even where I was stabbed in my hips by the assassins earlier. My vision clearing almost instantly, as I felt true hunger. I blinked, gasping for air then coughing when I took too much. I saw a monster kneeling in front of me, it's ebony face radiating in the moon light casting rays through the spaces between the boarded windows. That same face seemed to break slowly and recede, to reveal a young dark elf with silver glowing eyes. I started to pull drake from her, but she careful took him. "You can talk to spiders? Tell them to get all the food you can, I will save your child."

The calmness of her voice, had me breathing a sigh of relief. I asked the Harpers to do just that, and they set about bringing whatever they could. While a few were tying up the assassins with strong threads. I watched quietly as this dark elf laid my son on the ground. Gently unwrapping his swaddle. Then I teared up, when I saw his fingers had grown black instead of the brilliant crimson they had been. His scales slowly changing color to show he was dying. I started to pray to any god that might listen. Begging any of them to save my child. The Harpers began to play their song like the rumors told.

It was slow and melancholy, because they knew what I knew. If there was no divine intervention, my Drake will die. When a dragons scales changed color, it meant their body was breaking down. Drake was a hybrid, but it still meant the same thing. I just wanted to cry, but still I prayed. My hands clasped together to the point that my knuckles started to bleed. If the gods would not help me, then I should offer everything to the demons. Then I heard him crying.

My eyes sprung open, as I looked at Drake kicking and flapping his wings. He was crying loudly while the Harpers attacked the dark elf's legs. Thankfully this did not seem to bother her, as she pulled two stingers away from Drake. The black scales falling off like they were shed, still leaving dots at the tips of his tiny fingers. The dark elf smiled at me, "I didn't expect him to be so greedy, he needed three stings worth before he got better. My name is Alice by the way. Want to be friends?"

It was a childish smile, innocent and pure. I blinked before I started to process what her words meant. She healed Drake? How was that possible? Thoughts and questions running through my mind, as Alice picked Drake up, rocking him slowly. "He's probably more hungry then you are right now. You better feed him soon, I don't much like crying babies." She held him towards me, as I gently took him back. I almost tore my cloak before managing to get it off and letting Drake drink. The poor boy was starving, though I wasn't in better shape myself.

I was thankful that I had ample milk for him. Looking back at Alice, I saw her flicking a spider off her waist. I asked them to stop attacking her, and they seemed okay with this. I stared at Alice, unsure of where to start. She tilted her head smiling, waiting patiently for me. Finally I worked up the courage to say something that I really needed to. "Thank you Alice."

"You're welcome." She seemed to half chirp the words back at me. "How do you speak to spiders anyway? The best I can manage is cricket. Even then I can't really talk to them."

I was stunned again by her, "Cricket? They don't really talk that well. They aren't good bugs to call either. Are you... you are an Entomancer right?"

Alice seemed to put her hands together, rubbing the thumb against her palm, with a few fingers almost scrapping. I realized that she wasn't wearing armor, but that it was chitin. Then she made a chirping sound with her hands just like a cricket's. "What's an Entomancer?"

I swallowed hard, barely noticing the pain on my breasts as Drake continued to drink. "It's a magic user that can call bugs and order them around? Just like the monster bugs on your back?" Was she testing me? Clearly she had to be a very strong Entomancer to use monster bugs instead of the normal ones. Though she sounded earnest and curious.

"Oh!? I didn't know that was a type of magic. I felt you calling to me before, but it was a little off. Does he like the song?" She looked at Drake, and I saw him smiling as he drank.

"Yes, he always liked crickets. I called them some nights when he was feeling cranky. How do you control your bugs? If... if you don't mind me asking?" I looked back at her, as she happily continued making the chirping noises. The Harpers were even starting to strum to the noise.

"They are a part of me, Alice was very good at mind magic. Which is why she didn't lose herself after all those years. Pretty sure she's still around, but now I'm Alice. Why were those guys chasing you?" She didn't miss a beat and the bugs on her back seemed to beat their wings in a marching tune. Causing Drake to laugh for a few moments before latching onto my other breast.

"Umm..." I looked at Drake, not wanting to say he was the cause of this out loud. I just didn't want to blame my child. "They are bad men, and they wanted to kill my baby..." I whispered the last bit, softly stroking Drake's tiny horns.

"Why?" She looked at Drake innocently, "Is it because they are jealous?"

I let out a reluctant sigh, "No... I was supposed to marry a man I didn't love. I loved Drake's father, and I never thought Drake would be a hybrid. It was seen as a great offense, and they publicly executed my father and mother. I had to run from the kingdom of fire, while my lover flew away. Please, don't report me to the guards. I can't go back, they'll kill us both."

Alice tilted her head for a second, "I see, I don't really get it. Though taking you to the guards will get us both in trouble. I'm not supposed to be outside without Richard. He's supposed to be my Tamer. I snuck out, because he's sleeping though. Want to pretend to be my guardian? I'll take you where you want to go." She gave me the same mischievous smile I used to make as a child.

I couldn't help but laugh at that, "Sure dear, where do you live currently? If you want, I need to get to the temple of Bo'chi. My grandfather lives there."

"Oh! I know where that is, I can help you get there without any problems. Richard works for Oswald as an apprentice though. I'd rather they never know I left. Keep it a secret, as friends okay?" She winked at me, smiling.

There was only one Oswald I knew about, or at least most everyone that paid attention knew. It was probably a common name here, given how renowned the Dwarf was. Still I had to ask to make sure, "Which Oswald dear? I'll be ready to go after I eat something, so don't worry. I will keep this a secret from them."

Alice clapped her hands together happily, stopping the music. "Wonderful! I only know of one Oswald though. He's the Alchemist though, oh look the spiders are bringing you bread."

"EH!?" I jumped a bit, as she openly admitted to knowing the King's right hand. Even the Harpers jumped at my response, before setting the bread down. I quickly scarfed it down, drinking what water I could. Alice just watched me laughing, and I almost choked on the bread. "I'm sorry to make you wait. J-just a minute please." If she had connections to the Oswald, then I needed to make sure not to earn his ire some how. Especially if his apprentice's monster snuck out. I could just see them catching wind of this and kicking me out on the spot.

"Oh! My brother is Wyatt, he's captain of the guard by the way. We're friends now, so I should tell you who I am close with right?"

My jaw dropped, as Alice started laughing again. "Are you kidding?" I was almost beyond words at this point. I didn't think it was possible, but neither should stinging a baby back from the brink. No matter how you looked at it, this girl was clearly a monster or some kind of ritual gone wrong.

Alice shook her head, "Nope~ He's my brother and it's complicated. I'm actually going out with him tomorrow. It will be a while before we come back though. How cold was it outside tonight?"

"Um... just above freezing? How can you be the Captain's sister? You're a monster right?" I blinked, seeing Alice frown for the first time.

"Rude." She crossed her arms, before pointing to the bound and gagged assassins behind her. "Those guys are the real monsters, wanting to hurt such a cute baby. Like I said, it's complicated. Anyway are you done? The night is still young, and I think you probably want to get somewhere warm if it's that cold outside the walls."

I nodded, struggling to my feet. "S-should I follow you? Where is the Church?"

"I'll lead, and pretend to be guarding you. Remember, if anyone stops us you are escorting me to the church. I'm going to keep my disguise on so the guards don't report me." To hammer in her point, she took the faceless mask over her face again. There were no real features besides divots where her silver eye shone through. Then it opened making jagged looking teeth for her mouth. "Now, I'm scary right? You can't even tell who I am~"

I only nodded, realizing how lucky I was she didn't want to eat me.

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An Overview on Hybrids -by Oswald Manfred

Extremely rare, and often never seen. The idea of the 'hybrid' is reserved for those intimate relationships between beast, person, or monster that bear fruit. That is to say a union between beast and person, monster and person, or even beast and monster. Hybrids should not be confused with the much more common crossbreeds. Since it is an easily understood concept, I shall take the time to overview both.

Starting with crossbreeds; these individuals are essentially half one race half another. Such as a half elf being half human, half elf. How they end up looking is purely up to chance. One could have an elf's long ears, another the height of a human with a dwarf's beard despite being female. Often crossbreeds are frowned upon because it they can be seen as proof of affairs that should not happen. It also does not help that a crossbreed will always favor one race on the mother's side. Meaning that a half elf, half dwarf mother might have a whole elf son or daughter, and a whole dwarf son or daughter. Despite the father himself being human.

In the instance of crossbreeds between beasts, they also share this affect. A whispering wolf can mate with a dragon, making a litter of hell hounds. Though if those hell hounds mate, they will either have a clutch of dragon eggs, or a litter of whispering wolves. Monsters are strange when it comes to their crossbreeds. The offspring of a monster will always be from their mother's race. The rare crossbreeds that do happen, often end up being an entirely new race, or subspecies. They do not share the one race or another trait that beasts and people do.

It should be noted that beasts are not called such based on their intelligence, much like people are not considered a different race because one is infirm. The way to differentiate between them is simple. Does it walk on more than two legs? Then it is a beast unless it has black blood. Does it have horns or hooves? Anything that might make it a monster despite not having black blood? If it has black blood it is a monster. Granted one could call dragons a divine beast of sorts, but that is just semantics.

One must consider that monsters always make exceptions. The Minotaur is an example of a beast that can produce hybrids, but often does not. What makes these specific cases an exception is the presence of predator sperm, or eggs. These entities have adapted in a situation where there was an abundance of non-related races with a low amount of their own species. Their means of reproduction has evolved to accept foreign genetics, and reproduce with the same offspring. A minotaur can mate with an person race, and have minotaur offspring. Regardless of whether or not the minotaur is the mother or father. In rare cases, a Holstaur may be born. These are classified as their own subrace, but they are technically hybrids. I should advise staying away from any monster with tentacles, since those types have a singular purpose.

Despite the entire Holstaur race falling into the category of hybrids, they are common enough to not be truly viewed as such. Instead the title is reserved for those very rare occurrences, as stated earlier. Typically it is most common for hybrids between beast and people to occur, given the nature of monster blood. So long as the monster is the mother in any union, things should end well if a hybrid were to occur. As for beasts or people, the mother most often dies in terrible pain and this can lead to the death of the child. I cannot give a percentage for the probability of a hybrid, given their nature. They are regarded as abominations in the kingdom of Fire and the East.

Because of the prejudice in even the more accepting kingdoms. Many hybrids most likely hide themselves away, or their mothers and fathers seclude themselves. Even here in Eclipse, we do not offer much protection for their kind. We have made great strides towards crossbreeds at the very least.

  -Signed: Oswald Manfred (Aide of the King of Eclipse)