Mimi, The Hive Queen/ Vivi, From the Underneath

The Arena was turning out to be a bigger boon than expected. From recruiting the Bo'sun, to acquiring an individual that could show us new creatures that I could devour. It almost made up for having to waste my time with these battles. Almost was the key word, since we didn't come here expecting to have to fight for the right to fight even more. All of this just for; a talent stone that Richard no longer wanted, the corpses of monsters that I needed to kill tomorrow, and to keep the dreaded princess off our collective backs.

It was mildly frustrating, but there was nothing I could do about being forced into this position. Ignoring the princess would only make her come back more, while failing to meet her expectations would make her rally smaller gangs to fight us from the shadows. Then there was the Fiend's Eye, which used their information network to take good bits of land that we wanted. With every move we made, after we first started growing a month ago, they settled another gang right where we planned on going.

At first, I was willing to consider it a coincidence. I had been willing to negotiate and work things out with them. That changed, after a couple groups of homunculus razed a couple of our spots. Even under the guise of different gang names, or using other gangs as fronts, they knew exactly which shops, brothels, and other sellers were ours.

It would have been impressive, if the week before we got here they didn't reduce everthing to char in Robert's home. Naturally Robert wasn't aware of the news until a few days after, since he had been relocated to our warehouse with others. The place had been abandoned, but it was a very clear message that they desired a war. These memories had been stored with the hives above ground, and now they were waking up. The emotions and feelings coming back in waves of activity as Spring was finally arriving.

The homunculus were susceptible to mental attacks, and over the past couple weeks I was able to test all kinds of different connections. The time I spent with Richard, was spent training both of ourselves. He learned to fight, and protect himself against threats. How to use his alchemy to turn his arms into flames, and use such to fight. I ordered Scix to assassinate, infiltrate, and steal everything we would need. He was grateful for the chance to redeem himself, and was looking forward to rejoining my side with Argus. Argus herself was now able to take control of the homunculus, and use their bodies as her own, as proven with the fight against Gerald.

I gently stroked the giant in question, while she focused on taking the small group back to where they were supposed to be. To report that the agreement with Kobe had broken down, due to past grudges. The good bit of news, was that they found the man with the fist of fire. The one that could spare them, since I was listening very closely to their soothsayers and prophets. To use what they ordained against them. Scix just finished planting Gerald's seeds next to a base that made the homunculus. A place near where he was going to be heading anyway.

I happily chewed on the food Richard handed me, after he went to the stands set up outside the Arena. He was happily chowing down on skewered meat, while I was enjoying a small jar of various crawling insects. I could only hear through my concealed ears, and feel the area around me through the tremors that were made by motion. Everything to sell the illusion that I wasn't the creature above, or the only one of my kind.

In reality it would be painfully easy for the Minotaur to end both the Wraiths, and the Fiend's Eye in one fell swoop. He did not end up aligning himself with the Fiend's Eye. My attempts to spy on him through my bugs, were met with some kind of interference. Which I was unsure was caused by the princess, or his talent. He seemed reasonable, but my instincts told me that he was dangerous in the same way the Count or Oswald was.

After the snack, we got to see who would be fighting who in the next few matches. Helmsman would be fighting the panther girl in the next fight. Which worked well for our plans. He was to yield, to save the strength he had left. After the fight he was to walk around certain points, waiting for some of the homunculus to follow him. I was aware that they knew he was skilled given how his fight with the Bo'sun went. Right now he was weak, and was suitable bait to weaken our enemies even further. He was aware of the risk, and was more than happy to take them given he was reunited with his brother, who I healed recently.

The enemy seemed to be aware of their numbers having been whittled down during the past hours. Their greatest asset turning into a liability against them, slowly but surely as my blue giants worked on outright converting and taking over the homunculus. Individuals were dispatched, while a few giants were sacrificed to them to give the illusion that they were freeing their homunculus. Slowly, but surely we were creeping ever closer to their soothsayers.

The ghosts were planted in the room already, the newer ones with enough poison to kill the individuals in question. The homunculus needed to kill the ghosts, after they completed their jobs. To give the sense that killing my giants had truly set them free, and giving us more free reign inside their facilities. I barely even noticed the gong sounding while Greg exclaimed he yielded.

The crowd booed at him angrily, while cooler heads understood. He was tired, and exhausted from his fight with the Bo'sun. No bets had been placed. Greg was allowed to simply walk away, while I ordered my bugs to move to their new spots. A few were predictably seen, prompting the smaller gangs to report the activity to other agents. I idly wrapped a wing around Richard, enjoying the warmth of his body, and his scent. It was becoming harder to ignore lately. After this was all over, I was going to enjoy some proper time with him.

I mentally shook those thoughts away, while looking through the eyes of the others. The homunculus we controlled were reporting on the movements of the bugs, while more individuals were dispatched to deal with them. The groups I wanted found, were, and they were properly sacrificed for the glory of the Hive. For every group of bugs that were slain, there were hundreds more to take their place. While the individuals that were attacked, were unable to be replaced.

In truth, I had invested too heavily into the giants. They ate a lot, and took up a vast amount of space. While they were the most useful in terms of using magic, and keeping the burden of ordering the entire Hive minimal. I would not be able to feed them all in the near future. Which is why many of them had to be sacrificed in this and tomorrow's battle to keep the new individuals and tribes fed. An army of beetles would raise more than a few brows, but if they were slain, people would forget. While the tribes were an untapped resource that could be used to hide the movements of the Wraiths in the future.

|"My Queen, we have relocated our Hive to the sewers closest to the portal. We are ready to join you once the sun sets."| Gray's voice came in calmly, and with a bit of excitement.

|"Very good, refer to Beru for the time of day, and Berry for the foot traffic in the area. You are not to be seen. If you see any of the people we have as targets, you are free to experiment with their blood."|

|"Understood, I shall give you the results of my experiments if all goes well. We will not be seen, and best of luck in your fight."| I could almost hear him laugh in a good-natured way, knowing I didn't need luck. If the experiments went well, it would explain why I wasn't gaining more magic from the humans the Hive ate months ago (Pedo group). It would simply mean that the race mattered more than it should, and while that left a bitter taste in my mouth, it should be possible for Gray's vampire bodies to at least borrow the magic of humans.

Richard got up, and I gently rubbed his hair, tapping his scalp once to let him know I was going to fight this battle. I felt that he understood through the ring, but wanted to fight the next battle. After a bit of back and forth, we decided to play it depending on who he was going to fight. We entered the Arena, while the announcer praised Jacky, and Firefist Ace.

I ignored it, while the crowd began to get fired up. I poked Argus on the head, to gently tell her to stop telling Gray everything. Though the two really enjoyed each other's company. She clicked her mandibles in a light apology, but didn't feel it was serious. I smiled a little under the mask, enjoying her playful nature. Jacky began to speak, "Just so you know, I won't go easy on you Ace." I could hear him swinging his staff around.

Richard adjusted his pants, pulling them up a little and tightening the belt. He tilted his head, "Who said I was going to fight you?" I could hear him putting his hands on his waist, before thumbing towards me. "I'm one of a kind bud, but this girl here? Well we have a few, so if you want to gauge our strength so bad, why not take on one of our newest members?"

Jacky tilted his head, "How many is a few exactly?" I could feel his eyes on me, while I let out an eager chirp. I handed Argus to Richard to keep her safe.

Richard grinned, "Well there weren't many of her tribe left when we found them. I have to say four in total, but hey I could be lying. Might be more, might be less." He shrugged, after putting Argus on his shoulder. "I mean really, you think I'm going to tell you the exact number of these guys?"

Jacky let out a small laugh, as the gong sounded. "Fine, as long as we get results. Show me how strong the Fire Starters really are!" He grinned, before I felt his magic wash over the Arena. I began walking towards the half breed, a high pitched sound starting to come from his illusions. It grew louder and higher, as I started to feel pain from it. "Just so you know Ace, most blind creatures have super sensitive ears."

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I put my hands over my ears, but that didn't stop the noise. It was scrambling the senses of my ears and their echolocation. It was more annoying when Richard felt worry towards me, as I simply blocked my eardrums. To my dismay, that didn't actually stop the noise. I had to respect how clever Jacky actually was. Even if I could see him through the bugs I had placed in the crowd. His ears were flicking, with that of other beastmen, and elves. It was clear that they were slightly annoyed, while I was the focus of this attack.

I fell to my knees, letting Richard know I was fine. That this was an act, to get the man to lower his guard. I felt the divine energy of his talent making it feel more, and more real. That this attack was more than simply relying on the talent, but using the talent itself to amplify the effects of his magic. I resolved not to kill the man, even as I knelt on both knees letting out pained chirps.

Jacky himself was just content to stand there, not risking anything. "You know, I can stop it whenever you want to fight me yourself, Ace. I don't like seeing things suffer. Even if they are monsters."

Richard put a hand on my shoulder, "Hey, are you sure you can handle this? If you feel like you're going to die, just back off." Jacky let up, showing he was a decent person. Naturally I shook my head, before standing up and crossing my arms. I let out a defiant chirp, as if realizing how to deal with it myself. After all, the point was to look less competent than Richard. I was his 'pet' after all.

Jacky let out a sigh, "I'll try to knock her out without it being too rough then. You're not the type to hold a grudge right?"

Richard took a step back, "I'm not, and her tribe actually respects the strong. She won't do anything against you, or your people. Just do it quick, but be careful she might have her own trick up her plume."

Jacky slowly nodded his head, and doubled the illusion and the sound. It was intense pain for a couple milliseconds, before I convinced my own mind that it was deaf. I couldn't beat the illusion itself, but I could control what I felt or heard. I stood there with my arms crossed, unable to see or hear anything. I let out a laughing chirp, while Jacky was confused. I could see him through Argus and all the others, but my body couldn't sense him. He took a step forward, the tremors telling me where he was and how close. I advanced, stomping the ground to have a clear idea of where everything was in terms of this battle.

Jacky put up a decent fight, whacking at me with his staff, and attempting to keep his difference. He was unable to break my stride, and I caught him to lift him up. Richard sent the emotion that signaled the fight was over. I let out a victorious chirp, allowing myself to finally hear again. Jacky was talking to Richard, asking how I was able to do that.

Richard grinned, "Her race is able to ignore pain of all types, once they get pushed far enough at least. Trust me, it's all fun and games until they charge at you, while on fire and extra pissed. Kind of like berserkers, but naturally strong."

Jacky rubbed his chin, "I see, how many times a day can they do that?"

Richard shrugged, "Haven't exactly seen a limit on that. My guess is that the things in the Underneath are so varied in how they kill you, these guys just sort of adapted to it for the chance to kill whatever was killing them for their tribe. Good fight though."

Jacky laughed, "Yeah, I was helpless against her. I can see why you're so confident about the promise earlier. I look forward to you fulfilling it by the end of the week. See you around, Ace." He walked away, as we left to return to the regular room. It was actually nice to have fought against the man, since it gave me an idea for some new bugs. Though I wasn't looking forward to having to test them on myself to get it all just right.

I turned my attention back to the war going on outside the Arena. Of the fifty groups of giants I started the day with, only twenty two remained. Only ten of them had lizardmen with them, and they were perfectly safe and fine, despite the lizardmen feeling bored at the lack of fighting. The assassination on the soothsayers had been a success, and my homunculus were properly killing the ghosts.

Looking through their eyes, I finally saw them. A short and hunched forward looking creature, wearing a red cap, with patches of long white hair falling in knots down to her shoulders and the small of her back. The other creature was huge, and lumbering. Easily twice the size of a man, while also twice the weight. Both gray skinned, with warts and boils on their bodies, and completely ugly in every way. Both female, and creatures that I learned about from Oswald's manual. These were the two hags that led the Fiend's Eye.

The red cap started to glow with sigils and glyphs, before the homunculus in the room began to burn. Their soul crystals exploding, while curses were sent towards my Hive. We immediately cut all connections to the homunculus we controlled, not giving the wave of curses anything to follow or go by. Argus was upset that she didn't get to enjoy her new body anymore, but it was much better than being cursed by whatever those souls were used to fuel.

Truly it was a well thought out, and nasty trap. Something that would ruin a network of mind mages, linked together and inhabiting the minds of the homunculus. Thankfully everything we needed to be done, was already taken care of. The important information already given to the right people within the smaller gangs.

Still, I did not expect two hags to be working together. It is possible they are planning on making a coven, and waiting for a third member. That, or they already have one, which makes things more difficult going forward. For now, it was far too dangerous to establish any links with the homunculus. It was also likely that they decided to destroy all those that were compromised, to allow the curse to linger in case we were foolish enough to take them over again.

I sent out the order to everyone in the Hive, to not connect, or accept links with anyone not already connected. The sole exceptions being Douglas, and Cynthia. The officers understood, and sent me their reports on how their Hives were doing. Gray was naturally standing by, waiting for night to come. Beru was watching over Sarah, and Drake, while Cynthia attended sermons. Brick was in the Underneath using bones as material to practice fortification for the Hive in the future. Argus was helping me lead the Giants, while Scix was watching the building the two hags were in, ready to trail them if needed. Berry was still monitoring the foot traffic above ground. Rose herself was just enjoying the flowers with the main hive.

It still bothered me, that the hags know just what kind of curse could be most effective against us. Then I sensed magic again, and flicked my ears. Carter was back, likely inscribing tattoos. Though the reports I got, said that he had already done such. The magic vanished after a few seconds, and it finally clicked. The Fiend's Eye prepared for us through Carter, they knew what he knew. Carter himself was compromised, and likely cursed with some kind of magic that allowed them to see and hear through him. I didn't know such a curse existed, and so I had wrongly assumed it was just something that happened during stress.

It finally explained just why they attacked Robert's home. They weren't sending a message, they were gathering his hair, and anything else in there. They hired the Bo'sun hoping Helmsman would be killed if they had bad blood between them. The homunculus sent here weren't meant to ask the Minotaur for help, but a distraction. We weren't supposed to take over the person controlling a group of homunculus, and we weren't supposed to send Carter away. The enemy was blind for a couple hours in the Arena, and it was likely they wanted to attack during my fight with Jacky.

The soothsayers couldn't see the future past their death, since there was nothing to see. The Fiend's Eye sacrificed them, in order to kill my Hive, and myself in one brilliant move that I was fortunate enough to catch in time. Even a second later, and we would have died. I felt my muscles stiffen at the realization, the cunning tricks, and the willingness to sacrifice those under them to save more lives in the end. Given Richard's history, they probably have something planned for him. A way for him to spare them, since he is supposed to be my mate for the Hive.

I couldn't deviate from sending him into their clutches now. I could talk to him about it tonight, but with Carter here they will be watching and listening. They could not kill me with their trap, so now they might seek to resolve this in a more peaceful way through Richard. I doubt they would do such, but losing Richard means having to spend a few gold coins at the slave market for another half dwarf, half human.

Oddly enough, thinking such a thought sent a pain through my chest. I check to make certain that I wasn't cursed, but everything seemed perfectly fine. I should have gotten rid of all the Banshee emotions when it came to love, and such thoughts. Why was I feeling such pain? Ah, it was the amount of time I spent on him in particular. If he died, it would all be wasted. Still, he talked about trust and relying on others you cared about. This fit perfectly with his logic, and how he wanted to be treated. He should be strong enough to escape on his own, if anything bad happened.

Even if something really bad happened, I'd be there before dawn the next day. I could heal him if he managed to stay alive, there was little to no risk involved. Still, that pain didn't go away with the sound logic. It lingered, and festered despite me trying to get rid of it. Finally I just ignored it, knowing I had better things to do. Richard was right here beside me for the moment, so it dulled considerably.

Gray was going to reach the Underground tonight, and we were going to attack and wipe out the Fiend's Eye. Unless of course, they find a way for Richard to convince me to spare them. The giants were recalled, to make it appear that the curses truly did scare me. Negotiations were going to happen tonight, even if it was through individuals chosen by those hags.

It really was a shame, I couldn't just teleport with all these feathers and paint on me. It was a good way to get the disguise off, but then I might be recognized later. Even if the disguise itself was pointless, since the enemy knew who and what I was. It was good enough to make Cheshire's group, and the Minotaur pause with the lies we were spreading.

With nothing better to do, I decided to tell Douglas that he should prepare to hunt some burrow worms. An army of Giants would be dispatched, while Helmsman, Bo'sun, Mark, and Gray were to kill them. Douglas naturally asked who Gray was, to which I explained he was a new bloodline of vampires. Robert and Nameless were to distribute and have the lizardmen repair or smelt the weapons we stole from the Arena in the meantime. Douglas himself was naturally in charge of protecting the warehouse with the swarms that inhabited that dead-zone. While I doubted the Fiend's Eye would attack our warehouse in the dead-zone, I still ordered Douglas to move the children and Eris to the one we recently renovated in Fukuma territory.

I explained that Douglas was to only tell Robert, and no one else about the sudden move. The children, and Eris were under my protection, and if they were lost, the trust of the gang would fall apart. Robert would lose his reason to continue, and Richard was far from ready to replace the man. Finally I gave one final order to Douglas, and that was to inform me if anyone was attempting to make it to the warehouse without our beetles. I would decide what to do with the intruders when the time came. He understood, and set about the task. Everything was in motion, now we just needed to see how it would all play out.