Mimi

It was a thirty minute stroll to the next dead-zone. While a few bugs did take notice of our movements, they stayed well away thanks to the fire. Those that did fly through, or attempted to fly over, were easily dealt with with a dart of fire. The new dead-zone had less of an infestation, but also held wards that kept my escort on the other side. It was strange given that this wasn't an issue before. I quickly found what was responsible and crushed it to powder.

The moment I did such, a small army moved forward from behind the buildings. Lizardmen of various shapes and sizes, tribal markings on their chests. It was clear they knew I was coming. I had my escort fan out, ready to intercept the enemy's magic, with their own. There were maybe fifty of the creatures in total, all armed with different weapons, all of them crude. The best weapon I saw, was a chipped scimitar that wouldn't do any damage to my armor. Not unless they had a talent, but I had no intention of being hit. I stepped forward, letting them know I was not afraid of them in the slightest.

They backed up, as the group parted, to let an elderly shaman walk forward. They held one hand up, asking me to stop. I crossed my arms, curious as to where this would go. Their largest warrior stepped forward, well built and scales almost glistening. The elder pointed to them, then to me, while growling and hissing in a language I did not understand. The warrior approached, cracking his knuckles, and rolling his neck. He slammed his tail on the ground, before taking an interesting stance.

Argus fell off my shoulder, falling to my lower forearm and clinging to it. Scix marched, to let the enemy know who I was fighting with. Argus' stripes turned from orange and red, to blue and light blue. Attempting to establish a connection to the warrior. It looked into my eyes nodding, as we made a connections. |"Greetings, bringer of death."|

I raised a brow, holding my stance and watching the movement of the others. They all stood still, merely watching. |"I take it, that you have a reason for calling me this?"|

The warrior nodded, |"Yes, the Elder has seen your person in his dreams. The Bone Claw tribe seeks to appease you with the offering of myself. You may take my memories if you see fit, and eat me after my defeat. It is our hope, that you will allow my tribe to live instead of devouring us all."|

I began taking his memories for a better understanding of the situation. It appeared that their elder was the leader guiding them through dreams he had of the future. They were abandoned here, when dead-zones popped up around them, and spent a few generations fighting for survival. While their scales and markings showed how decent they were at magic, they did not have the weapons to continue like this for much longer. They were growing more desperate, until the Elder had a vision that shook him while he slept. He saw me killing them. They tried to prepare, but night after night, it was the same dream.

That was when the Elder decided to build an idol to try and appease me, as some kind of spirit of death. The tribe was at a loss, as their elder seemed to be going insane. Others followed, praying for a swift and merciful death. Then as if to answer their prayers, the dreams started to change. I was of course skeptical of these dreams, as were their younger generation. To remove all doubts, I was to be challenged to a fair fight. This warrior, who was named Drak'al, spoke to the Elder in private about this fight. I was allowed to do anything I wanted, but it had to be clear I was overwhelmingly powerful to stop others from offending me. To those that made idols and hoped I would give them salvation, this was the best choice.

I learned their language, their rules, how they conducted themselves, and even the talents and magic they could do. It would be easy enough for me to crush them, but they went through all this effort. They were accomplished warriors by their own right, having grown here in a dead-zone. I weighed the potential risk to reward ratio and found it better to take them in. I spoke in their language, which was a bit slurred on my end. After all, they had muzzles and longer tongues. "I shall accept your challenge, as you have clearly prepared a proper sacrifice." Scix was marching his wings, as I gave him the talent I got from the one Fukuma that severed my arm.

My declaration was met with surprise, as the elder bowed his head respectfully. There were a few that seemed unimpressed, but stepped back as I held out a hand towards Drak. Scix quickly flew to the tip of my finger, eager to prove himself worthy of the talent I bestowed upon him; Armor Slicer Render of Flesh. "Your strongest warrior shall fight my smallest assassin (they did not have a word for officer). If your strongest can defeat him, then I shall bring you new weapons."

The warriors that did not join the elder's little cult, started to laugh. After all, it was only one bug. Surely it wouldn't be hard to squish. Drak'al lowered his head. "It is an honor to fight for my tribe. I accept your challenge, bringer of Death."

I nodded, "The fight begins when he leaves my finger. I hope neither of you disappoint me." Scix raised his mandibles clicking them for the glory of the Hive, and myself. Drak'al adjusted his stance, opting to try and swat Scix.

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Scix

I have dedicated my life to our Queen, and our Hive. I have sent reports of those, outside our Hive, that would do her harm. I have personally trailed the scent of those creatures she has declared to be in our Hive. I have watched them grow, and become useful to our Queen in interesting ways. She has acknowledged my service to the Hive, and bestowed a gift upon me. Though my wings may be frayed with age, and new bodies await me at home. I will not fail her here. She has decreed, that I am to fight in her stead, and it brings me no greater honor.

I stood on the tip of her finger, marching my four wings. My three stingers at the ready. As she evolved today, so did my poison. I dared not try out the new substance, without our Queen testing it first. The point was to make the fools that did not see her superiority. I was to make an example of this Drak'al, so that they might understand the glory of our Hive. I am one small ghost officer, facing a scaled beast many times my size. The tip of my sharp stinger felt powerful and sharp as I flexed it.

My marching done, I leapt from her glorious index finger. My wings spreading, as I flew in a spiraling path towards the upright lizardman. His eyes focused intently on me as I flew closer. I was not racing towards him as fast as I could, as the key was to make my opponent underestimate how fast I could move when I needed to. I entered his range, and my compact eyes saw his hand coming to grab me. I spun my body and adjusted my wings as it came closer. My stinger glowing with the talent I was given. I felt the air displaced by his palm, and caught it with my wings. My stinger digging itself into his scales, rending the flesh underneath as I spiraled along his forearm.

Ribbons of scale and flesh falling behind me, as I saw his other hand coming to squish me at the bicep. I slowed my flight, adjusting my wings again, and flew above the strike. With the sound of his palm clapping against his scales, came another gust. I rode it straight to his cheek, to his eye to blind him on one side. He let out a sharp pained gasp, quickly trying to crush me again. He struck where I was, as his frill popped up. He was finally taking me seriously, but it was far too late for him.

I glided over the top of his head, as he rolled his arm to try and make me stop. I stopped on his arm as he panicked. He flailed looking up as he brought the arm I stood on down to hold the other bleeding forearm. He exposed his neck, so I jumped towards it with my stinger ready. I flew as quickly as I could, cutting open his throat as his red blood spilled out from the wound. He gripped the wound, choking on his own blood. This fight was over, and so I flew back towards my Queen as he finally lost enough blood to fall backwards spasming. She disappeared before I reached her.

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Mimi

The fight between Drak'al and Scix was as expected. With his talent, the scales of the Lizardmen became something for him to use against them. His stinger, effortlessly cut through their armor, and tore out the flesh beneath in a display that left the others gaping. Drak'al fell unable to touch Scix, his body bleeding out as it was clear he lost. As Scix made his way back to me, I saw two young warriors on opposite sides attempting to throw a volley of fire at him. An extremely poor choice considering Argus, and the others were able to work together and suppress it. I teleported and appeared in front of the first warrior. I grabbed them by the neck throwing them above the other. I teleported ahead, to grab that first warrior again, and the second before crushing their necks. The other Lizardmen saw this display and backed away out of fear. The two new bodies tossed on top of Drak'al. I walked back to Scix, petting him gently and congratulating him. He puffed up with pride.

I picked up Argus, who was sulking where I dropped her, and thanked her for keeping Scix safe from the fire. Argus felt better, and made me promise to let her handle the next duel. I agreed since she was the second best magic caster in the Hive, after Gray. The Lizardmen were watching my every move, as they stood at attention. They were uncertain as to whether they should drop their weapons and run, or make one last stand in fight. Thankfully for them, their Elder lowered their head. "I apologize for the shameful display of our young warriors."

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That was three jumps out of the four I could use today. They didn't need to know how many I could use, and the fact that I used two right after the other, just made me seem able to do it constantly. The others followed their elder's example, and lowered their heads. I waited until Scix and Argus were back on my shoulders, before addressing them. "There is no need to apologize for the actions of those now dead. I shall grant your tribe mercy, for these offerings. Despite this mercy, death will come for you without my aid. Will you serve me and thrive, or do you choose to let the creatures around your tribe eat away at you?"

The Elder prostrated himself on the ground, "Did our offerings not please you? Tell us, what we have done wrong please!" The others threw down their weapons kneeling with their heads low.

"You offered me what I could take easily. I have others that follow me, but they are weaker than you. You will train them in how to fight. In exchange, I shall bring you weapons, food, water, and heal your sick." I really hated the fact that this was quickly becoming another cult, but judging by Drak'al's memories, this was the best way to do it. "You are not to kill them, and if a single one dies I will raze this tribe to the ground. Your women will lose their legs, and only bear eggs for me to eat. Your children will lose their frills and be turned into hives for my bugs. The few men that survive will be used to breed your women. They will be blind, and without arms, their tongues cut out and tails cut off. Am I clear?"

It really was overkill, but from those same memories, they would only respect harsh gods. Which I just set myself up as by playing into the Elder's idol worship thing and coming in person. The Elder quickly nodded his head, "We accept, we accept! Thank you dark one! Thank you!"

I grabbed the three bodies, tossing them on my escort with a flourish. I didn't glance back at them, since they were supposed to be so far beneath me. Argus did watch them, and waved since they were technically going to join our Hive as well. We went back to the warehouse, my mood a little sour at a new cult to worry about. I really just didn't like the idol worship, or the fact that they might kill themselves if they thought that was what I wanted. I had to watch every word I said around them, lest some new doctrine or rule popped up. Thankfully I made Cynthia the defacto leader of the other one, and she managed to make it work out. I had no one to guide this lizard people. No one except Robert with his talent, but I needed him doing other things.

I made it back to the warehouse, in time for dinner. Robert met me outside after one of the giant's tugged on his pant leg. He smiled seeing me back without a scratch, then looked curiously at the lizardman bodies. "Busy day?"

I let out a long sigh, "Robert, I started a cult again." I covered my face, looking down.

Robert tilted his head back, "Ah, I see. The lizardman tribe wants to worship you now?"

I nodded in response, because I talked to Robert about the whole cult thing before. It's why a couple of people were not allowed in our gang. Not since I found out what Eric was doing after drawing pictures of me. How he'd burn some incense, before tending to his bodies carnal needs. They were just extremely hard for me to deal with, since they clung to every word I said. There might be hope for the lizardmen, since they are a different race, but I doubted it.

Robert shook his head, "Well, you left them alive for a reason. Let me hear it, and I'll deal with them as your acolyte."

I smiled a little, feeling a bit better. I could just let Robert handle it, then get a tamer to act as a translator later. Then I wouldn't even need to show up again, since I'm their goddess now. I'm busy, and I shouldn't be bothered with trivial things. "That could work very well. I'll be establishing another branch of the Hive there. You'll go tomorrow, with anyone that wants to train. I'll come along, since I said I'd heal their sick. They are a warrior race, so they admire power above all. I'll make sure everything gets settled in just right with my Hive, and you work on a way to deliver food and water to them. We have weapons stored away, correct?"

Robert nodded, with a small smile. "I see, you're going to have them train our people, until they are at that level. Lizardmen are known to be brutal fighters, even in the arena. We'll get them used to training weapons, then switch to real weapons later. I'll leave Douglas in charge here, since he can get word to your Hive if anything important happens. Then you can tell me, or send a code through a giant later. Unless something big happens, then I'm sure you'll just take care of it quickly."

I nodded, "Sounds good to me. I'll take these bodies to my room and eat them. I'm pretty sure I won't go through another episode like earlier today. The only thing they have, that I might get, is a tail. Which wouldn't be too bad, but I'd probably want something that can sting. Thanks for making me feel better, Robert."

He grinned back, "Not a problem. I'll let everyone know, so you get some rest. I'll wait until after everyone does some training. That way I can wait in private, since they need to think I'm strong enough to be your acolyte and all that."

I moved past, him carrying the bodies. "That's perfect. I doubt they have too many sick in their village. Especially since food was scarce, and they hardly had even sticks and bones to fight with. They are likely tougher than those you saw in the arena."

Robert followed after me, "Sounds great." He went to the dining table for some dinner with Eris, and the little ones. Richard was eating with them, and waved at me. I smiled back, before flashing the the bodies I covered with my wings. A quick way of saying I wouldn't be joining them. He understood, as I made my way back to my room.

Thankfully I didn't go through another evolution after eating the bodies. I laid back on a bed of silk I weaved from all the supplies I kept in my room. If this kept up, I'd have more than enough to try making silk armor for the others. I knew it was stronger and lighter than leather, but it didn't actually beat metal since a knife could just pierce through it. Then there was the fact that it could be dyed, and potentially enchanted if the first set I made gained anyone's interest.

I closed my eyes, just enjoying the time to properly relax for once. Richard was feeling better and moving. I didn't have to watch over him anymore. Then Robert was taking care of any human affairs we needed, that related to the gang. With three groups of four members moving through other gangs to keep tabs on them. Everything was starting to go well, and I felt there was a lot of growth to be had down here. It was just so much nicer than the snow covered ground above, with all the cold air. There wasn't any glare from a sun, since the light came from crystals. Which meant I didn't have to worry about not seeing because it was too bright. Overall, I really could get used to being down here.

I had workers come and clean me again, since it felt so nice to be clean constantly. I even took the time to test how strong Argus' chitin was, finding it comparable to my abs, which made it just slightly stronger than my chitin. The workers of course cleaned my bed while I did my little test. The best part had to be the fact that I learned a couple rituals from the Lizardmen thanks to Drak'al. They mainly focused on purifying water to drink, repairing broken weapons, and even cleaning without the use of water. It only required bones etched with certain symbols, and the proper incantation to use. I'd have to test it out tomorrow, to see if I could use it as well.

All that was left to do, was rest up for tomorrow's little adventure with the Lizardman cult, and wait for Richard and the Alchemist to tell me what they discovered. A few moments later, there was a knock at my door.

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Richard Adams

"Come in." Was the response Mimi gave me after knocking. I entered to see she made a bed made of silk in the time it took us to eat dinner. She really did work fast.

She smiled, when she saw the bowl of stew in my hands. I entered the room closing the door behind me, "I helped them cook, so I thought you might want to try it." I smiled a little at her, bringing the bowl over.

She took it happily, and started eating. "I really did miss your cooking while you were gone. I don't know why, but your food was always the best."

It warmed my heart to hear her words of appreciation. "This should be about as good as I can make it. I might be a little rusty, but give me some time and I'll polish my cooking skills back to normal." I felt a little awkward standing next to her while she ate.

She noticed, and pulled me down to sit on her bed beside her. It was strange how it seemed to move and form to my curves, almost as if she managed to trap air inside it. It also wasn't sticky, as I ran my hand over the fine threads feeling how durable they were. I looked up seeing Mimi staring at my reaction, clearly wanting a bit of praise for the work she did.

"This... isn't sticky?" I smiled, unsure as to what to say.

Mimi pouted a little, "Of course not, I expect the little ones to play on it when I'm not around." Clearly that wasn't the right thing to say.

I coughed into my fist, "It's really durable, have you thought about making armor out of it yet?" I gave her a nervous smile, hoping that's what she wanted to hear.

She parted her wings, to let me see her cross her lower arms. Clearly I made the wrong choice again. She just silently ate, giving me one last chance. I bounced on it a little, feeling how springy it was. I swallowed hard, hoping to get it right this time. "It's floaty, like sitting on a cloud. I never felt anything like it before."

This was close enough, as she smiled a little. "I made a flap, and spun around quickly to trap some air inside it. Then I sealed it with more thread. How does it feel?"

I laid down beside her, but there wasn't much room. My back ached and hurt in ways I never felt before. "Honestly? It hurts me when I'm laying down. I'm not used to something so soft." I quickly sat back up, rubbing my back. "I don't want to imagine how I'd feel if I slept on it, if a few seconds is enough to hurt."

Mimi nodded slowly, "That's fine, I am going to make you sleep on it tonight though. I want to see if it's safe for the little ones if it can hurt you."

I blushed a little, "You want to sleep with me? There isn't very much room."

Mimi smiled, "I know, you'll be sleeping on it by yourself, I made it just big enough for me as a test. Two people should fit just fine on it, or all the little ones. Also, I did think about making armor out of it, but it can't stop punctures or stabbings too well. So, I figured I would try making a bed instead. At least until I hear if my silk can be enchanted or not. It's worthless to just have it setting here in bundles, so I might as well use it." She finished her bowl, before getting up. The whole thing sprung back, causing me to bounce onto my feet. "I'm going to put the bowl in the Hive room real quick. I'll be right back."

I nodded, looking at the bed while she left. It was more like a slightly deflated sphere, with a clear flap sewn on the bottom. Pushing against it didn't do too much, as there was a lot of air pressure inside from what I could feel. I climbed back on it, to find it a little softer without Mimi on it. Shrugging, I laid down on it to find it was how I imagined a cloud might feel. My back ached, and I felt a pain I never thought I could feel. I closed my eyes for a few seconds, and was out like a light crystal.