Mimi (Vivi)

Richard was gone, the connection between my ring and his completely severed. The gate opened and it was time for me to tread into the Arena and fight. I sent an order to Gray, letting him know that we are to proceed as initially planned. Informing him that Richard was either dead, or potentially going to be used as a hostage. I knew this might happen, I prepared myself for this event. I expected it, but why does it hurt?

|"Do you want us to watch the church, my Queen?"| Gray's voice came in, filled with patience. He was cautious for some reason. I felt a few tears sliding down my mask, realizing I was broadcasting my grief to the Hive.

I needed to focus, Richard was expendable. Everyone was expendable, they could be replaced and trained. The announcer was speaking while trying to get the crowd excited. His words weren't important, the sooner I got through this, the sooner I could make my moves. |"Have Argus or Scix watch the Church for movements. I wish to know his fate, and where his body might be. We proceed as planned, if we rush through this, we might fall into another trap"| I kept my voice steady, taking more focus away from the Hive, so that it could slowly run itself.

|"Understood, I have relayed such a request to both of them. A question if I may?"| Gray must want to ask me for Argus' talent directly this time, but I allowed him to continue. The announcer displayed the board for all the monsters and beasts I was going to have to fight. I looked about the crowd for familiar faces while Gray worked up the nerve. I noticed Midnight was there, Cheshire beside her. |"How would you feel if Richard died?"|

The question caught me off guard, and pain came from those words. Time slowed down as I focused on how to deal with the emotions that question provoked. I spent all of last night with him, because I knew the risks. It shouldn't matter if he died, it shouldn't matter that I sent him to his death. I wasn't the one that killed him, it's not my fault. I couldn't prepare for what I didn't expect. Still why does it hurt so much, like there is a hole in my chest? I dulled my perceptions back to normal, to finally respond to Gray. |"I would not enjoy such a result, I might even admit it would potentially be among the worst possible outcomes for us, considering how useful he is."|

The first gate opened, a pack of five whispering wolves with red tips, coming out to play. If Richard lost his ring, it was for a reason. That must have been a choice he made. I pulled the ring off my hidden hand, before crushing it while my prey surrounded me. I couldn't afford to risk one of the hags putting that ring on. Gray replied, |"I suppose that is far enough for me to push it for now. My Queen, with your permission I would like your permission to connect with miss Nina. I promise to do everything in our power to bring sir Richard back to you safe and sound."|

I dodged the tongues with easy, able to alter my senses and reaction speed through magic. My perception honed to the point that I could hear the heartbeats of the wolves around me. It was foolish, to risk any part of the plan for Richard. It might help the Hive if our children are strong, but that was something without evidence or a firm understanding. I killed one wolf before responding, |"Very well, you may do everything you need to do. Though we will properly attack after I am done with the Arena. Do not forget that your task is to secure the designated warehouses, and ensure everything runs smoothly."|

|"Of course, my glorious Queen. Best of luck in your tournament, and thank you for the privilege to prove my worth."| He dropped our direct connection, letting me focus. Still, the hope was there, that Richard might be saved without me having to lift a finger. At the very least, I would be aware of what we were going into just a little more. If needed, Gray could even give me a connection to Nina to clarify a few things. Though, I felt slightly better after tearing out the second wolf's heart.

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Gray The Great

It turned out that hunting the Fukuma with the trio was the correct call. While they had felt next to useless during the burrow worm, all it took was me being caught unaware by the teleporting beasts. They were quicker to open up after they put their lives on the line, moving to keep each other safe. A white lie about me using too much blood and that my digestion took longer than normal vampires. I was able to match their skills as a baseline with my movements.

It was during our banter, that I started to understand what Richard meant to our Queen. How Beru could say such bold lines as to Richard being more valuable to her than a single hive. To some degree, I even understood why Scix didn't like this outcome, or the conclusion that could be drawn. Richard had become a vulnerability, in that his absence was affecting our Queen. The best way to hurt her, was through him, and the Hags had exploited that.

It was why so many of those working under us wanted their children safe and secure, versus keeping them in a riskier spot at home. We offered safety for what could destroy our workers, what could destroy their reason for living. Mark had his pet, Sky. The Bo'sun and Helmsman had each other. Our Queen, she had the Hive, and she had the only being that saw her as something beyond the Hive itself. The mind behind it all, the personality that started to emerge from the depths.

Our Queen saw us as weak, something to be protected. The individual personalities given more responsibility, but always giving us the chance to fall back to her. There was no risk of failure, no true success. The only times she truly relied on us was; for Beru defending the children, myself keeping her from going berserk back then, Argus testing magic, and Scix finding and dealing with targets. Which was what led to Argus and Scix leading this war, while I was starting to fall behind. My use rendered to side line support and offering advice if needed.

Miss Nina accepted the connection after my talk with the Queen. After confirming that she, no the Hive needed Richard. If I could help her emerge as the person behind the Hive, then she will use us more. Rely on us more, give us more to do! Midnight responded first, her worry showing in her voice. |"Are you okay, Alice?"|

|"My humble apologies, but this is not the Queen. I am an aide to her, and it is my regret to inform you that she is not okay."| There was a few seconds of silence, while I moved to a body top side to do some hunting for my hive.

|"Who am I talking to exactly? What do you know about Alice?"| She was a little suspicious.

|"I am Gray, the Great."| I looked into memories the Queen had stored on her conversation with Nina before. |"Yes, the spider that turned into a vampire. You were in the Arena, did you wish to say something? Our Queen is a bit busy with trying to get through her fights quickly."|

|"Yeah... Cheshire said he dropped Richard off, and peeking inside he saw the man on the ground curled into a ball. The surrender was a trap, and we wanted to make sure you guys were aware."|

|"Indeed, we realized as much when his ring was no longer active. Will you aid us?"|

There were a few seconds of silence, as she likely had to talk about it with Cheshire. |"We want to know what you intend on doing first. Do you have a plan to rescue him?"|

|"Currently thinking about that actually. Your aid will move the process along, but ultimately I was ordered to not move until the Queen is ready. It might be better to say that we are forming two separate plans of action without jeopardizing the initial plan."| I took great care to sound calm.

|"I see, Cheshire said he would help, but he's too busy forming a council and Jacky is busy as well. We can pass the information along to Isaac and see what he'll do. They do plan on starting their raid in the afternoon, but that's still a lot sooner than you moving tonight."|

|"I gladly accept your aid in the form of informing Isaac as to the predicament. Though I do not expect much to come from it, every little bit helps. In fact his raid means I can move up my plans. Why were they moved up exactly? I thought Gerald was supposed to be in charge of it."|

|"I don't know all the details, but he let it slip that he spoke with Gerald last night, according to Cheshire. Cheshire also says thank you for the Burrow Worm this morning."|

|"He and the tribes are welcome. We hunted it last night, and it was a good excuse to have our giants where the need to be for the next step."| I sent a message to Argus, letting her know to go ahead and move them since Gerald's raid was happening sooner than expected. She confirmed that she got them moving. I wasn't allowed to move unless a warehouse we needed was at risk of being destroyed, or worse, someone else was attempting to take it.

To that end, it was time to properly stretch my legs. I was the highest ranking subordinate under our glorious Queen. I finished up the hunting that needed to be done top side. The trio here would only get in my way during a proper hunt with Fukuma, and I couldn't risk eating anything new. At least if doing such might make our Queen undergo changes, and that was not yet confirmed. What I could do however, was swallow the glands of a few, and teleport top side, to allow each body the ability to teleport down here in the worst case.

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A grin formed, as I silently left with my two bodies. I was never going to lose my title, and I would help our Queen become her best self. There was always something that could be done after all.

The hours had passed, while I hunted the packs of Fukuma closest to our convoy paths. Argus had the reserve forces where they needed to be, and Richard had been moved out of the Church. The Hags decided to take him to a safe house, and that was where our Queen would strike. Scix himself had the dubious plan of 'accidentally' knocking over a lantern and starting a fire. Something that could be used to get the Giants moving to put out and kick off our attack. Though I convinced him to wait until the Minotaur started their raid.

My bodies were ready and able to teleport if needed. The only one I was using was the one with two charges left, but the others could come at any point. Our Queen had been relentless in the Arena, slaughtering the beasts and monsters let out, refusing to go back to her cell to take a break. Mild frustration eating away at her, since she couldn't eat the newer ones that she wanted to. To make matters worse, she finally killed a couple Bew. Though at least it was the afternoon now, and Gerald finally came into sight while a small army of twenty individuals fanned out through the alleys.

Now was as good a time as ever, so I teleported to the spot Scix planted those seeds yesterday. Gerald rounded a corner, while I held up both hands. "Greetings, champion Gerald. How do you fare?"

Gerald raised a brow, but poured some focus into the seeds buried in the ground. "May I ask why the leeches are making a move on the Fiend's Eye?"

I tilted my head, recalling what memories I could about such a group. A gang of vampires that moved and secretly abducted members into their little cult. Why would he... I hit my forehead with my palm. "My sincerest apologies, but I am with the Fire Starters. I'm here to warn you that the Fiend's Eye has something we desire in this warehouse."

Gerald had the seeds grow roots, and I paid close attention to how he was using his magic. "Let's say I believe a race that lies with every breath, since your kind doesn't even need to breathe. I have twenty fighters, and I doubt you'll be able to convince us to leave this place."

I shrugged, backing away from the sprouts. "Honestly, I felt you'd like to know what I'm stepping aside to let you fight. A warehouse filled with gnomes, that used to be dwarf slaves under the Minotaur."

This got his attention, as he walked closer. "You're telling me that this is where our smiths went? Are you saying that Marcus has been working for the Fiend's Eye this entire time?" His voice was lower now.

"We don't have any evidence for that, but I understand that dwarves have a high fatality rate when exposed to monster blood. In exchange for this information and letting you know what you should be looking for, do you mind leaving the vats alone? If you claim them that is fine, we'll try to buy them back. We would truly prefer if those weren't harmed."

Gerald grit his teeth, "This is where the homunculus are made? The place where those slaves were forced to die?"

I held up a finger, "Actually this isn't, they needed different warehouses for parts of the process. One to house the slaves, including those they stole. Another to prepare their souls with perverse rituals. Yet, another to house the crystals and prepare the proper cuts. This is actually the final stop in a series, and we'd actually like the bodies over the soul gems."

Gerald hesitated, staring directly at me. "What do you intend to do with the rest, and the process? What has happened here is a tragedy that shouldn't be allowed to go on!"

I put a finger over my lips, telling him to be quiet. "We agree, but what if we gave the empty shells inside to bugs? We have plans to test what might happen in that event. We haven't secured the soul gems or the other means yet, but this is the only warehouse in the line we care about. If you agree to our terms, I'll see if we can't get the slaves escorted to the Arena. We can't just give them to you, without revealing your connections, as well as Isaac's little cover up with those vials hidden in your room."

Gerald balled his fist, understanding just how much we knew. He would be tempted to go down as a martyr, but then he would be dooming those slaves to whatever we wanted. He let out a slow breath, "Very well, I'll make sure the others know to not damage what you want. Can you promise the same?"

"The Fire Starters will not harm any slaves or non-hostile creatures during our raids today. If needed we'll try to help you where we can. I don't know how dangerous gnomes are, but keep in mind that we would like a few alive to find out how this place grows the bodies." I smiled at the man, keeping my demeanor pleasant.

Gerald nodded his head, the seeds budding and ready to burst. Naturally preparation for the fight to come now. "I look forward to working with you." I could tell he was lying, but that wasn't an issue so long as he did what he had to do. I bowed, wishing him luck, before climbing the building behind me to watch from afar.

Reaching the top, I found Isaac of all people already there. He was sitting on a chair, with another one right beside him. He smirked, before shrugging and offering me the seat beside him. I took it, while he took a swig from his gourd. "May I ask how you got here without me noticing?"

Isaac shrugged, "Only if you'll tell me what a vampire is doing here."

I tilted my head, "I'm wearing a cloak and a mask are my hands really that much of a give away?"

Isaac shook his head, "It's a kind of instinct we have. You run into enough vampires and you feel it subconsciously, a feeling that something isn't right with the body in front of you. Now, are you going to talk, or do I assume the worst?"

I held up my hands again, "I'm not a full vampire in the sense that you understand it." I slid off my hood, allowing the old man to relax as he put two and two together.

"Those are some very defining features you have there. I take it that you're proof that the Fire Starters have more than one Vivi?" He grinned, laughing to himself.

I looked away, watching how a raid by the Minotaur was supposed to go. How they filtered through the alleys, while Gerald carried a banner. The twenty fanning out in a circle to surround the building. "You're correct, do I still need to tell you what I'm doing here?"

Isaac pulled out a spy glass, while I just used a couple giants in the area to look closer. "Cheshire teleported me here after I asked him to. Been here for about an hour, since I knew where the seeds were planted from Gerald himself. I was going to support him, if this turned out to be a trap, since we didn't know who planted the seeds. Now I'm here as backup if something unexpected happens. I take it you're the best person to ask, what exactly happened to the boy?"

I shook my head, "We don't know yet, he went into the church, the bond between him and our Queen broke, and I'm not allowed to act ahead of schedule unless something happens."

Isaac nodded, "Probably the best choice in this situation. Do you know if the boy is still alive?"

I put my hands together, leaning forward. "Why is this the best choice? Also, we saw him walking strangely with his hands folded over his chest. Following the two hags to a warehouse. The big hag has moved, and that one is being followed as well. She is likely heading for the warehouse where they keep her tamed monsters. Though there is a ward preventing any bugs from going inside."

"A little strange that they care more about warding a warehouse with tamed monsters, over the place they grow their actual workers, isn't it?"

"You think so? They lose this warehouse, and they are set back a couple months or years while they build another. They lose the monsters bonded with the fat hag, and she loses her strength. We just need to know what she has in there."

Issac nodded his head, "A good theory, now tell me this. Who do you think will win this battle in front of us?" Isaac gestured to Gerald and the twenty men, that were moving to each door.

"I expect casualties on both sides, but if Gerald can retreat to the patch, he'll have ample plants to work with."

Isaac grinned, "The boy does know how to put on a show, but outside of the Arena he's a little more ruthless. Speaking of the show, you're able to see through the beetles correct?"

"Yeah, no point in lying to you. Was there something you wanted to confirm beyond that?"

Isaac stroked his beard, "No, just confirming what to watch out for. Were you aware of our conversation with Richard before this all started?"

I shook my head, "We trust him, and reasoned that he would tell the Queen later. Did he make a promise that we should fulfill?"

"He said that you guys had the potential to create a massive Underground wide famine, but that you wouldn't do it unless you could benefit from it." His voice was low and calm.

I returned the tone, "I see, you are referring to the threat that was made. I'll apologize for that, but I can say that the Queen told us not to do such even if she were killed somehow. It was a risk, and it worked out. Too many bridges would be burned, and too many people would come after us. It's suicidal, but we could do it."

Isaac nodded, "I have rarely met a monster that didn't try to destroy the other races. I'd like to properly meet your Queen one day."

I looked over at the old man, "You know, if you'd like to join. I could test to see if my blood will make you into a vampire. You have a lot of experience and knowledge that could benefit us."

Isaac laughed, "If I were younger, then maybe. Though thank you for helping this old man realize he doesn't want to live forever. Tell you what though, I'll let you try it if I die tonight."

I sat back in the chair, "You said no, then offered a yes if something happens. Would you care to explain it?"

Isaac grinned, "When you live as long as I have, you start to feel that the future comes from those after us. Gerald, the boy you spoke to earlier. I bought him out of slavery when he was a sickly little boy. Raised him, while trying to keep him humble. Also Carter is my grandson. If you can keep them both safe and let them become who they want to be, then I wouldn't mind giving what time I have left. Though I'd have to die for that, or at least be reported as killed in action."

I looked back at the warehouse, the group killing most of the gnomes, but others were taken out. Golems pushed them back outside into the open while different types of magic flew out. I nodded my head slowly, "If you get yourself killed we will try to revive you as a vampire." I sent the deal to our Queen, and she confirmed that it was favorable. "We will keep Carter as safe as we can, without telling him of your relationship with him. We will also take no hostile actions towards Gerald, and if we do need to kill him. We will simply kidnap him so that you might talk to him. Are these conditions acceptable for you joining us, if you die tonight?"

Isaac stood up, walking to the ledge, as I followed behind. "Good enough, do stay behind and watch me work for now. They prepared the golems for me, and you're another card to be played if we aren't able to deal with this. Do feel free to join if we get below five." He tossed his cane in front of him, his control over the blood inside of it going against gravity. The cane sat there while Isaac jumped on it. He adjusted himself and surfed through the air while heading towards the fight. I made certain to take notes on how he was using his magic, but only so much could be gained by watching. I needed to practice that somehow.