Mimi

The training lasted for hours, with different patrols and other sets of recruits coming and going. As time went on, even the older Guard members decided to join in. Wyatt naturally saw this as a wonderful thing, since the Guard would become more familiar with me. I allowed the older members to land 'decisive' blows on me, to make myself appear weaker regardless. None of them could hurt me with the training gear we had, but that didn't mean they didn't have access to weapons that might harm me later. It was simply better to to appear as dangerous as a fiend at most.

That was the goal initially, but the instructor known as Charles held a talent that could how much effort someone was putting into something. Because of this, he was expertly withdrawing recruits that were hitting a certain threshold, and replacing them with others. While fun at first, I started to feel incredibly overwhelmed as he just kept calling more and more participants into the training. I was being pushed back, because I didn't want to leave anything beyond a bruise.

Then one hot headed youth decided to summon fire out of thin air. I saw it coming, and quickly jumped into the air, avoiding the attack. My battle form showing itself, as I hissed at the man from above. Some of the recruits started to run, while a few braver ones quickly restrained the red haired man. The more experienced guards moved to protect the recruits. I flapped my wings, to move backwards away from them, holding my hands up to show I was fine and did not wish to press on. Still the older guards did not relax until I had my feet on the ground, and my battle form was no longer at the ready.

Charles reprimanded the youth, whose name was Eren. Wyatt came towards me, with a few other guards surrounding me. I took a few deep breaths before Wyatt rubbed the back of his head, "Are you alright?"

I nodded slowly, keeping an eye on Eren. "Yes, but I am hungry and tired. I'm going home." I had to wait for the guards to move out of my way still.

Wyatt frowned a little, but nodded. "Yeah, I think we have enough to say you passed. Don't let it get to you, okay?" Eren was forced to do push-ups from what I could make out. Wyatt looked at the guards surrounding me, "You heard her right? She's moving away from the problem, so make room!"

"Yes sir!" The older guards quickly moved out of my way.

"Thank you Wyatt." I passed him, saying such. I made my way past the gate, before I felt Wyatt coming after me.

He held out a piece of paper, "Here, this is a map that will take you to your new home. I have some things to deal with here, but I'll try to meet you there okay?" He smiled at me a little, trying to be nicer than usual.

I gently took the paper from his hand, "Thank you again. You might want to just go to bed, I'll probably take the rest of the night to move. I'll see you here tomorrow night, how does that sound?"

Wyatt let out a small sigh, "Sure, just stay out of trouble okay?"

I gave him one last nod, before heading back to Oswald's estate. It wasn't hard to figure out that the 'training' exercise served more purposes than it let on. The best I could figure was that it was a way to familiarize myself with the recruits and older guards. This way they were less likely to panic when they saw me. Then there was the fact that they were actively testing my range of motion and how I might fight. It was annoying to try and figure out all the subtexts, all the hidden meanings. What made everything worse, was that it was very clear I was being watched.

I could see figures watching me from rooftops, moving towards the estate, but never coming closer. It was a display of power, that left me feeling suffocated. Everything felt much different from the time I first arrived here, where I had some room to breathe before, to move about without being watched. Now there were eyes everywhere, a few letting off magic to let me know they had not lost sight of me. I started to wonder what exactly changed, and why this was happening now.

It couldn't be Wyatt's report, otherwise this would have happened sooner. Oswald potentially sent a report last night, but I probably did not change enough to warrant this level of caution. There were Banshee in the Underground far worse than myself, in that they could do much more damage. Judging by how they moved, and did not talk to each other, I could only conclude these were elites or potentially a Herald. They did not talk, they did not whisper, which unnerved me even more. I saw the divine magic linking them together, potentailly some form of telepathy more than likely.

I was half tempted to confront them, and ask what they wanted, but decided against that. It was more likely they would out right lie, or hide the truth. There was nothing to be gained, so I tried my best to ignore them. I swiftly arrived at the estate, to see that Richard had already found a wagon for me to use. I smilled a little, before knocking on the door. The trap sprung, and the door unlocked as usual. These little things helped to take my mind off those watching me.

Entering the main lobby, I could hear Richard lightly snoring in the dining room. I made a mental note to adjust my hearing before opening doors in the future. I proceeded to the dining room to find Richard resting with his face on the table, a small bit of drool on his forearm. I could tell that my hive was already fed thanks to Richard, and ordered them to prepare to leave. I gently picked Richard up, making him feel a little more comfortable than sleeping on the table. I silently carried him up the stairs, placing him in the bed.

He stirred a little as I placed the covers over him. "Huh? Mimi?" His voice was drowsy.

I quietly shushed him, "I already ate before coming here. You do not need to wake up." He did promise to make me something, but my response seemed to make him frown. He nodded a little before falling back asleep. It really was too late at night for him. My body needed proper rest soon, so I needed to make this quick. Richard would only slow me down, and if the groups following me decided to attack, I was better off not defending him as well.

"Ah... okay, sleep well. Help you move tomorr..." He feel back asleep before finishing his sentence. I tucked him in, and left for my hive.

I entered my room, opening the window for my Hive to begin the move. Workers carried breeders, while warriors helped to move the comb that had honey inside of it. The carpenter workers replaced what needed to be replaced as far as the wood went. The scouts guided the workers to the wagon below, which made things easier since it was left below the window of my room. Once all the comb we could use was placed on a sheet, I picked it up and began walking to the walkway.

I looked out over the city once more, the view was exactly the same as the time I snuck out. The only difference were the groups now following me from a safe distance, watching me. If they were still following me tomorrow night, I would do something, but for now they were passive. I closed my eyes, to take a moment and breathe. I had time, my hive wasn't in danger, there was plenty of food here, everything just felt better, safer.

I looked up at the silver moon that was always there, no matter where I went. Just like our red sun, that came during the day. I came here to analyze a potential threat to my hive, and potentially overtake it. Now that I was whole, a certain wrongness struck me over that thought. With the memories I now held, I understood the people in this city were all endlessly complicated, all unique individuals. Everyone had their own goals, their own motives. Yet, the closest thing I could consider to be my goal; was keeping my hive safe.

Everything I did was for them, I lived and breathed for them. I would die for my hive, if it meant they would be safe. With the memories I now had, I understood that dying wasn't an option I could afford to take. With my death, it was likely groups like the ones following me would be dispatched to destroy my hive completely. That there were other Kingdoms out there, far older than this one. That there was a monster king that could potentially command me, and break my will through a talent.

This world had far too many talents, and everything could go so horribly wrong. Edna's greatest memories were those before she met the Raven. The dark cloud over Dark Fall, that made the entire place seem like another world entirely. There were so many fragments of these memories, that I couldn't imagine it properly. If I needed to ever flee Eclipse, that is where I needed to go. I would not be protected by the monster king, but I could stay away from his influence and grow stronger.

I felt my hive was slowly finishing up, and so I silently glided down towards the wagon. The hive was my purpose, my reason for being. I softly set the sheets in a spot to the side of the wagon. They would give their everything for me, and I would give my everything for them. I grabbed the handles on the wagon and waited for my hive to complete their task. As I waited, I started to consider the ways to go about protecting my hive for years to come. With the laws in place, and the absolute power the king held, I needed to stay on the good side of the Guard. If I was useful to this city, they would allow me to live in peace. I could gather wealth and protect myself by swaying the people to my side.

If I hid, it would only be a matter of time before one organization or other started looking into me. I needed the protection of a strong organization, with close enough ties to the king. I needed to be valuable enough that they would at least buy me time to escape if the worst came. The Guard was ideal for this, and I could use the church to grow my reputation. There were many other benefits to joining the Guard, on top of likely being the most effective way to secure my the future of my hive.

The last of the larvae were made comfortable. Which shook me from my musing, as I gripped the handles a little more firmly. The wagon creaked, as I slowly started to move forward. I paused, deciding to cover the wagon with the tarp provided, before continuing on. The map Wyatt gave me, showed the best paths to take from moving along the streets to my new home. I had it memorized by myself and the hive, since knowing were anything I might need was important.

I walked along the larger streets, as the wagon creaked along behind me. There was no need to hide my face behind my combat form. The people looking at me needed to assume I was the same dark elf noble they saw in the morning. I could hear their hushed whispers, as a few did consider I was a monster. Though the law clearly stated a monster needed to be escorted through the streets by their tamer, or the Guard. Which I technically was with those figures still moving along the rooftops.

Sadly, a perceived dark elf noble moving from Oswald's estate with a wagon was too tempting to pass up. A small group of thugs that could not make it in the Underground began to trail after me. The thought of killing them slid past my mind, but was quickly dismissed. Doing such with witnesses would not help me further my goals. Knocking them unconscious would render them more useful as I could simply take a detour to drop them off with some guards. The main problem was that I did not know what magic or talents they might have.

I did not stop moving as I considered my options. Ultimately it was more beneficial to dispose of them through the Guard, as it would show I could control myself. It would serve to show that I could move around without being watched, and not kill anyone when threatened. I altered my path a little, to make my way towards a large alley that should be quiet this time of night. I ordered warriors into the shadows, where they could not be seen. It was unfortunate they could not hide within the shadows like I could, but perhaps that would come to them later.

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I paused at the dead end of a suitably dark alley, my trap set. I slowly began turning my wagon around. The scene itself was perfect, as the five thugs stood at the end of the alley. I tilted my head towards them, speaking in the tongue of Alice's village. "Greetings fellows, I seem to be a little lost." It was a last minute decision, in case any of them knew it. It made me an even more tempting target, as well as allowing me to confirm they truly wanted to harm me. What surprised me, was that I felt divine energy being used on my words.

The leader of the bunch stepped forward, "What did she say Robert?"

One of the thugs sighed, "She said; 'greetings fellows, I seem to be a little lost." The man with the talent rubbed the back of his head.

The leader laughed a little, "Well shit, you think she knows how to speak right? Not like it matters, they all scream the same." He laughed, causing a couple others to laugh with him. "Robert, make sure you translate for me okay?" The leader started to approach me, as I watched. "It's a damn shame you got lost, you're lucky the Raven isn't around anymore. This used to be his territory, but with him gone that doesn't matter anymore."

The leader would pause, as if waiting for Robert to translate. I looked at him, and he shook his head, "She understands what you're saying boss."

The boss looked at me with a nasty grin, "Ah, some noble dark elf bitch thinks she's too good to speak our language then?" I looked down at the man, who was smaller than his companions. The rest of them slowly starting to move closer after their boss.

The largest one spoke up, "Hey boss? Aren't dark elves like super rare and stuff?"

The boss snapped his fingers, "You're right Charlie!" He did a small twirl, before smiling at me, "Practically worth their weight in gold. Most of your kind died when the hordes came. Though that was before our time. Tell you what, if you spread your legs we'll find a good place to sell ya."

I looked past the man, as two of the group drew their weapons. A set of knives, and a metal pipe. The other two just took a step back, Robert, and some half elf from what I could tell. I looked back at their boss, "If I refuse?"

The man shrugged nonchalantly, "Then I'll just have to use you, until you learn your place." The fact that this man exuded such confidence meant he likely did this before to some other unfortunate people. I reached for his neck, as he held up a hand. He looked into my eyes, divine energy flaring up. "Obey me." I stopped at the energy washed over me, but it ultimately did nothing. He grinned, "Kneel bitch." The two with their weapons out seemed to smile, while the other two seemed to relax.

I felt the temptation to just grab the man in front of me, and slowly strangle him. I pulled my hand back regardless, before falling to a knee. This was merely the better way to ensure less of my hive were lost. It would keep the other four from running. The big guy laughed, "Gee boss, your perk is just too strong." I could see the groups following me starting to slowly close in. It was comforting to know they would move on my behalf if needed.

The boss laughed, "You fucking know it. I could probably dominate a vampire at this rate!" The others moved closer, all pretense of tension gone. I was left in shock at the fact that he probably just announced his talent like that. "Bitch didn't have much will or resistance. She's definitely broken since I couldn't even feel the fight with her." It was based on one's will power then? There very likely wasn't a struggle, because his talent likely saved him from being destroyed in that case.

"You know with the proportions of those arms, and how tall she is. The elves would probably just eat her up." The one of the groups was using some kind of backwards magic that seemed to flow into one of the members. It was a strange thing to observe, but more interesting then the people in front of me. "She even has the skin of the usurper, which makes her even more valuable."

The boss shrugged, "Elves are fucking weird dude, how can you guys like the arms and legs more than the face and tits?" He started to undo his pants. That was when I had my warriors march in the shadows.

The thugs quickly turned around towards the noise, as I made my move. I grabbed their boss as his pants fell to reveal his boxers. He let out a startled grasp as I flung him into the wall with enough force for his ribs to crack. The larger man, and the half elf both turned towards, but far too slowly as I grabbed them by their necks. The one able to translate saw where this was going and put his hands up, as I threw the half elf into the quiet man. The larger man was slammed face first into the ground, his nose breaking as he groaned. The quiet man caught his comrade, but caught off guard when I kicked their larger companion at their feet. Both fell before being able to use any magic, while the large man groaned a bit more.

These people didn't deserve names, but the translator could be useful later. I walked over to the three that were groaning, while their boss was already unconscious from shock. Those groans turned into screams, followed by silence as I broke their one arm and leg each. Robert was absolutely shaking, with a fresh stain between his legs. I smiled at him warmly, "My most sincere apologies. I am unfamiliar with the customs of this area. If we were still in my home land, these individuals would be dead and we would eat well tonight." I was going to use this man, and fear was the best tactic to achieve this.

Robert swallowed hard, still shaking like a leaf, "P-please don't?" It was great that he didn't see me as a monster yet. I was just some dark elf with dark armor and a peculiar cloak.

"Ah, such a shame then." I dropped the smile, to stare into his eyes. Taking note of every reaction I got, to make certain I was doing it right. Edna's memories on the Raven doing this kind of thing helped quite a bit. "Take their valuables and give them to me. Pick their pockets, and I won't kill them tonight." I moved to the wall to lean on it, while ordering my hive to make room for the four about to be placed upon the wagon. My hive needed time, and having the man do this served to diminish any resolve he might have of going against me. After all it isn't wrong to steal from your friends if it could save their lives.

Robert nodded, and quickly set on the closest of the three. He was muttering curses while bare able to keep from crying. I watched as the other groups returned to their distance. Kneeling was the right choice, since it showed they were likely to help me. If they had moved later, it was more likely they were trying to capture me. Now that I knew where we stood on that front, my night was turning out rather fortunate. I let out a small yawn, which served to make Robert work faster. Soon I had five coin pouches with fifty copper and one silver between them. My warriors moved back to the hive, which only served to terrify Robert more.

I grinned at him, and placed the coin in the corner of the wagon. "You have done well, your friends will not die tonight. That said, I have been slighted, so you will be my escort as I take these individuals to the Guard."

Robert shook his head, tears in his eyes. "Please don't. They have a family!"

I narrowed my eyes at him, which caused the man to stiffen. I began picking up the unconscious people, and placing them on the wagon one at a time. "That doesn't matter to me, unless you want to lead me to this family so I can eat them. I feel no sympathy for a slaver and his ilk that were fine with attempted rape. Your only potential use is as a translator with your talent. Tell me Robert, how many people have you ruined?"

He looked at me, before looking down, "This... this was my first job. I was a part of the Flock, before the Raven left. I... I couldn't leave my wife behind. She's sick, so please don't turn them in."

I started to pull the wagon, "What would you do, if your wife could be healed?"

He followed to the side of the wagon, "Anything, but the Circle only wants coin. Enslaving is the fastest way to make that happen." He kept his head low, not even looking at me.

"What reasons did your friends have for doing this? Clearly they were more experienced." We had quite the walk before getting to a jail. Robert at least seemed convinced I was reasonable, even if he was terrified. "Oh, and don't even bother lying. I have a talent that can detect such."

This made him wince a little, before slumping a little. "I see, yeah we don't all have a family. Things aren't too bad right now, since most gangs are wary the Raven might come back. Those of us that saw him leaving though... we know better. The Raven will never come back, unless he has business to deal with. You're kind of like him, intimidating as the hells."

"Flattery will get you no where. Tell me the answers I want, why are the others doing this?" I kept my voice level, to let him know he doesn't have all the time in the world. It was likely that he wasn't lying about his wife, since he was a part of the Flock. Even if Edna never noticed this man, there was nothing to be gained by lying about being in a gang that left. It might be even worse, since he was essentially left by a powerful gang and chose to claim ties with them.

Robert swallowed hard, before nodding. "Charlie... he was a bouncer at a few of the clubs. Well, the clubs will get more dangerous soon, so he felt this would be safer... easier. Stu, the half elf, he was the boss' partner from when we started. They did a few jobs before, and kind of stuck together. Gary, the guy that didn't say a word, he's here because he wants to start a family with a slave. As for the boss, well he's been working under the Minotaur for months as a slaver. We were supposed to just see if anything was left behind in some of the Raven's warehouses."

"Won't the minotaur be upset that I'm turning in his men?" I cut him off, which made him consider the question.

He shook his head finally, "No, the Minotaur doesn't care if his guys are put into prison. He only gets annoyed if grunts like us die. Anyway, if things had gone well, we could have picked some stuff the Raven left behind. That would have gotten me in good enough to be protected by the Minotaur, and then I could make the money I need for my wife."

"I see, would your wife not be upset over you trying to ruin lives to help her?" I took a small glance at him.

"Lady, we live in the Underground. I've seen people die for what little coin they had on them. My wife doesn't give too shits where the coin comes from. If we want to feel better, we don't ask questions. That's all there is to it." He balled his fists a little, but remembered who he was talking to. "S-sorry."

"No offense was taken, I am unfamiliar with the Underground and the names of these gangs. You stated earlier that your wife was sick, what is wrong with her?"

He looked at me wide eyed, before shaking his head, "I thought everyone knew about the gangs in the Underground. My wife is sick with the skull shakes. Her whole body shakes every night, and her brain will rattle around. I don't know a lot about it, but I have to buy sleeping syrup to keep her from shaking. The stuff is cheap, but it's also addictive..."

"Why don't you just abandon her? Let her die, and move on with your life?" I watched as he stopped moving, his face a mixture of anger and pain.

I had to stop, as he sorted out what he wanted to say, "It's because I love her. She's always been there for me ever since we were kids. Please lady, don't turn these guys in. If you do, then I can't go back to the Minotaur. I'll have to find another gang, and we both might die." He prostrated on the ground of the empty street.

I looked down at him, "The world is unfair, as you are familiar with. You stated earlier you would do anything to save your wife. I may have a cure for the skull shakes, but there is nothing binding you to me after I make the attempt. The only use you have to me is being a translator for certain situations I might find myself in. What is your talent actually called?"

He looked up at me, his lip quivering. "I don't know, it costs money to find that out. They'll do it for free if you sell it, but it's all I have. I can't even do magic ma'am." Clouds moved above, suggesting some kind of rain or snow was coming in a few days. The beams of moon light started to fall around us, as I knelt holding out a hand to the man.

The fur on my wings started to sparkle from the beams bouncing off it. The clouds opening up just right to put it into this man's mind that I was his savior. "Serve me, and I will save your wife. A life for a life, you have something useful to me. You have the potential to repay me. You can struggle and fail without me, or you can be protected and work under my power." He took my hand, unable to say a word. His eyes wide, and mouth agape. I stared into his own with a passive glare, as if judging him. "If you betray me, I will tear out your wife's intestines and hang you with them."

The man nodded, as I helped him to his feet. "The Raven was just like you lady." I was glad to hear that, because the threat came from a memory. He dusted his knees off, "You plan on starting a gang or something?"

I stood up myself, before moving back to the wagon. "Potentially yes, but mostly no. I'm joining the Guard for their protection, but I will need someone to be aware of what is happening in the Underground. Information is key, and you have enough freedom and brains to survive." I took the map out, and tore off the part in the outer walls that showed my home. Then I drew blood from the boss to draw the location of a safe house that Edna knew about. "Grab your wife, and bring her to this location. It's a safe house I found while exploring during the day. You can run if you want, but this is the best chance for your wife to be cured."

I handed the map to him, before going to the handles of the wagon. Robert nodded, and ran off. I took a few seconds to put about twenty copper in one purse. Then I tossed it at the wall he was running past. He stopped and picked up the coin with a nod, before running off. It would take him a few hours to come back up. If he ran off with the coin, that was fine as well. There were other options beside him, but his talent could be very helpful.

I made it to the Guard station about ten minutes later. It took a few moments to drop off the thugs, and explain what they attempted. After I left, one of the groups following me went into the station themselves. It was likely they had to make their own report. I milled about for a few moments before finally heading towards my new home. The sun would be rising in an hour, and I felt tired. Still there was more to do before I could really go to sleep.