Helmsman (Formerly Greg)

It's a beautiful day outside, the birds are singing. The flowers are blooming. I could only smile to myself, as I stepped out past the walls of Eclipse for the first time in years. Bo'sun tilted his head a bit, to take it all in, no doubt feeling the same. I felt a new respect for the people of the Underground, and how seeing a sight like this could leave them so amazed.

Mark spoke up, "Geez, it's good to finally be out of there. Looking around, you wouldn't be able to tell there is a war going on, right?" He laughed a little, his fancy cloak and shawl shimmering in the sunlight, that made it all the more eye catching.

Dem'neh our newest addition, nodded his head slowly. An elf from the elusive bug gang, and one of Douglas' friends. He only spoke to Robert, and was brief when he spoke. Though I felt it might be that he didn't understand our language.

Bo'sun stretched a little, "Tell me about it, Helmsman and myself were stuck in the Underground for years. You have no idea how divine the music of birds is. You have no idea how much you could miss such simple things."

We kept the wagon moving, as the walls of Eclipse grew more distant. Mark spoke again, "Oh yeah? It's only been like a week, and I feel that. If Sky were here she'd probably go about eating a few birds."

I cracked a smile, "What Bo'sun means is shut up Mark. This is the first time we've been outside in years, and it might be the first time for Dem here." I peeked over my shoulder, at the elf helping us push the wagon. He nodded, quiet as always, his ears flicking back and forth. I could see him smile a little as his eyes darted towards the birds moving between the trees.

"Ah shit, sorry. Look, let me know if you have any questions Dem'neh. I'll do my best to answer it." Mark coughed a little after he was done, when Dem didn't make any response. Coming out of the Underground, and leaving Eclipse in one day might be a little too much stimulation. Though it was a request made by the boss so we just had to manage.

A few hours passed, as we continued our march in the direction we were supposed to head. Robert was kind of vague about what needed to be done, even if our boss was the one that had him tell us. We had a wagon full of bugs and supplies to make a trip there and back. A trip that might take a couple weeks, or a month since we had to tote a wagon without a beast to help push it. Still it was nice to walk along the trees, their massive trunks forcing us to go around them in a sort of meandering path. It was relaxing.

Well, as relaxing as it could be, I suppose. The wheels would creak and squeak over roots or bumps. Bo'sun's armor was constantly clanging, and he refused to take it off while on the job. Dem's arrows rattled in the quiver, and Mark was just a heavy breather. We weren't exactly subtle, and despite the bird songs, it was clear we were being watched by the beasts that claimed some of these woods. I might have been worried, if not for the fact that Bo'sun and me were probably able to deal with anything that might come out.

Mark coughed in the way he usually did when he was about to say or ask something. "So Dem'neh, how do you feel about the vice leader's pet monster?"

Bo'sun and I both knew who was our real boss when compared to Robert, and Richard. Mark was left out of the loop, or didn't believe a monster could be a leader for whatever reason. Dem'neh was just stoically quiet as always, which prompted Mark to seek someone else to talk to. "What about you Helmsman? You've been in this 'gang' the longest. I'm sure Dem'neh might want to here what you think."

I let out a small sigh, as I knew we were about to have the same conversation we usually did when Mark felt it was safe to voice his opinion. "I already told you, she won't do a thing to you or anyone you care about, so long as she doesn't have a reason to."

Mark shook his head, "That's probably what they want us to think, you can't trust monsters. She's probably drooling over the fact that Richard is knocked out, hoping whatever curse got him. That it will kill him, so she can be free."

Bo'sun spoke up, his voice calm and cool. "You might be right, but what Helmsman said still stands. For all we know, she might be free now and is dutifully waiting for her master to wake up. As I understand it, she came to the Tribes in tears, carrying him. I would also like to advise you that, my sources are trustworthy."

I chimed in, "He's saying don't doubt Richard's pet, or her actions. It was also kind of a threat to get you to stop that line of thinking. I still don't know what your problem with her is."

Mark spat to the side, "My problem isn't with her specifically. Monsters are dangerous, and they want to kill everyone. The worst ones, are those that can think and plan ahead. You haven't had to fly around, trying to evacuate villages when the hordes came. You haven't seen a village brought to ruin because they accepted one. By the hells, you haven't seen the slaughter the Count has left behind."

He was bolder now that we were outside the walls, I'll give him that. I kind of understood why he had to leave his pet at home, since he'd probably have just run away by now. Bo'sun tilted his head, "Should I tell him, or do you want to, Helmsman?"

I grinned, "I'll tell him, otherwise I'll have to summarize. Besides, getting this out of the way is better in the long run." Mark tilted his head back, laughing a little. I continued, "I don't know what you've seen, but I promise Eclipse has it a lot worse. Settlements aren't allowed to build to the West, or North because of the hordes. They tend to gather every two or three years. Typically they attack in the winter, since the summers don't get too hot. It's a whole thing, and a lot of people are probably worried since Oswald died, and the Count is out fighting a war."

Mark scowled a little, "An unjustified one, that has left a lot of good people dead. Though I guess that's just what happens when the King of Eclipse lets his pet out to play."

I rolled my eyes, "The Fire Kingdom sends assassins every other month to try and kill the king or some noble. Most of them end up Underground, and there's a support group for getting over it. How is that unjustified?"

Mark shook his head, "No they don't, the fire lord is too busy trying to help the elves."

I groaned a little, "Right, by fighting over the land-bridge to the East. Also, yes they do send assassins. Ask anyone where the assassin support group is, and they'll point you to it. The gangs don't mind because they get a decent body guard at the very least. The building is right by one of the damn pillars since it's the spot most of them have to go through to get top side."

"Wait, hold up. There's an assassin support group? How the fuck did I miss that?" Mark shot me a smug look.

It took me a second, before I started laughing. "Oh fuck, you can't read can you?"

Bo'sun let out a loud laugh, as Mark turned red. He looked away, "We don't have time to read, pictures and signs work well enough."

I shook my head, "I forgot that assassins are taught how to read, since they deal with poison and shit. Even the slaves in Eclipse know how to read. I didn't realize how much of a dig that was until now. That's just too good."

Mark swallowed hard, "You guys are kind of assholes." He rubbed the back of his head."

Dem'neh shook his head, "You come to our lands, and attack our people. Then you state that it is you, who are the victims. Even children are more self aware."

We were all quiet for a few moments after that, while Mark just opened and closed his mouth. I snickered a little, but couldn't bring myself to say anything. Bo'sun was the one to break the silence, "It is good to hear your voice finally, Dem'neh. May I ask why you didn't join our conversation sooner?"

Dem'neh flicked his ears a little, "Your language, is slippery. Like a snake with a beak. Chirping and hissing. Harder to speak."

I saw the sun was starting to set, nodding my head at his words. "Then let's go ahead and set up camp, and we'll try talking."

We were quiet while we set up for the night. The bugs on the wagon fanning out, while Dem'neh followed after them. Mark was sulking a little, while Bo'sun was getting a fire going. I decided to help Mark pitch the tents. He let out a small cough as usual, "You know... I was hoping you guys would be different. I heard you came from one of the villages around the sea, but we were country men right?"

I shook my head, "Most of the villages along the sea are their own thing. It's why there are so many pirates. We never really got help from the kingdom, and when the hordes struck we were on our own. You know what makes it crazy though?"

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Mark tilted his head, "What?"

I smirked, "A monster saved our forefathers, and protected our village when needed. The Bo'sun keeps the black pearls because we offer her worship, in exchange she gives us protection. It's her symbol, but we rarely see her. I think people kind of huddle around whatever can keep them safe. What about your people Mark? Where are you from exactly?"

Mark swallowed hard, looking away. "I'm from the mountains of Raiden. We were kind of isolated with our cloud runners. Then some started to turn into monsters, that were able to infect others. The Fire Lord himself came to our rescue, but the cloud runners weren't able to recover. All of this... it wasn't supposed to happen. The mission was simple, we drop off soldiers and go home. Indigo... she wasn't supposed to try and attack the Count."

I narrowed my eyes, "Indigo? Do you want to talk about it?"

Mark looked away, "No... Indigo was Sky's mother." He held his shawl, "These are her scales... do you think Sky is safe there? With that monster?"

I walked over to him, clapping him on the shoulder. "We'll talk about it when you're ready. As for Sky, I promise she's safe where she is. Can't you feel her through your bond or something? I'm not a tamer, but I thought that was a thing."

Mark nodded, "Yeah, but if I tug on it... she'll try to come to me. She's too young, and I just want her to stay safe. There aren't many cloud runners left." The man wiped his face before he even started crying. He was holding back some emotions.

I rubbed the back of my head, "Hey look, I'm sorry for digging into you earlier. You need to learn that saying the wrong thing to people will piss them off though." The people that lived on any mountains tended to be a bit sheltered.

Mark shot a look at me, "Even if they're wrong?"

I nodded, "Especially if they're wrong. The Underground is a place where people would sooner sink a dagger between your ribs for those scales, than admit they were wrong. By the hells, they might use you calling them out as an excuse to do just that. Listen, if you have questions about how things work, we'll help you."

Mark nodded, and we finished the tents. We sat by the campfire, while Dem skinned some small animals he managed to hunt. We had plenty of rations, but it was nice to eat fresh meat. We ate a decent meal, giving our scraps to the bugs, before spending the night in shifts. We moved out in the morning, continuing our banter as it was the first time we really got to talk to each other.

The strangest thing about it all, was just forgetting how much life there was above ground. There were bugs everywhere, birds flying in every direction to eat them. Snakes would jump or glide from the branches to catch the birds, and giant razor mouth toads would hop to eat them. Then there was the weather, something that was constant and enjoyable in the Underground, that just changed by the hour above it. Just living in Eclipse, you could hear criers announcing the weather, and what it was going to be. You start to forget that everything can change, and your senses get dull because of it.

Dem'neh made a few comments about how the beasts on this side were not very large compared to the ones on the East. When pressed to talk a bit more about it, he struggled with the words. Though from what we could understand, he felt it was the result of some natural predator that was in the area for years. We joked about never wanting to see whatever might have eaten the giant snakes and centipedes.

Dem'neh became more unnerved as we kept moving deeper. Initially we settled on blaming the guards for just keeping the peace, and killing anything too big. That maybe the hordes that came now and then just kept things from getting too big. Still as the days went by, the forest was growing quieter, the bird songs more reserved. The unsettling feeling, that we were walking into the territory of some kind of monster that picked its territory clean.

Dem'neh stopped pushing, holding up a hand to stop us as well. The bugs flew out of the wagon, a swarm of them flying through some trees. Everything was silent in this area, and Dem'neh readied his bow. We spread out, readying our weapons as well. The entire swarm disappeared, as if they went past some kind of illusion. Dem flicked his ears, before letting an arrow fly. It struck a monster razor mouth toad, that had just appeared out of thin air.

A few more jumped onto the trees, as Dem swallowed hard, "We need to run. Now. Grab supplies, and go!" The wagon began to rock, as the bugs inside started to move as if angered. Immediately we grabbed what we could, and started rushing away.

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Bug Mother

It had taken me by surprise when I was no longer a part of my body. I spent days brooding, wondering if it was the inner voice that betrayed me, or perhaps that strange creature it fought me for. I went dormant during the coldest season, coming back once it finally warmed up. So much time lost, just sitting inside the darkness. All that time spent feasting on the brute we killed a season ago. It became clear after the first couple days, that I desperately needed a body. I needed to find out what happened to the other one, to see if that inner voice stole it from me.

Days passed, as I struggled to lure anything I could into my cave. It took precious time, to finally anger one of the bark hoppers enough to charge into my home. We stung its body, treading a fine line between killing it, and leaving it with enough strength to hop away. Thankfully the commotion had more bark hoppers coming to aid its companion. With five of the creatures to test on, I was able to determine that their blood needed to be black before I could properly enter its nose and chew through the bone. A week had gone by, before I had my first replacement body.

I was no longer able to keep any of the best workers or warriors, their souls slipping away. The Hive became quiet, with only my voice echoing through it. This was acceptable, since it could be fixed once I got a better body. Once I had everything back, I could still grow my Hive, and recover from this. I used my bark hopper body to capture the feather fliers. I was back to feeding the Hive, and doing what I could to keep us all fed.

The week turned into two, as I captured more bark hoppers. It was easier to turn them, if I gave them a wound, and smeared the blood of my current body into it. We needed food, we needed to eat. Still with so many bodies, it was becoming easier to hunt. I even started taking over the feather fliers, just to scout with them myself. I almost became happy that I lost my old body, I was able to use these new ones I had never thought about before. Slowly, but surely I was growing my presence again.

The scouts reported strange scents, and we moved there. The feather fliers first, and they saw a small pack of laughing tongues (whisper wolves). Once again, they were led closer to my home. Four of the ten were able to be used, the rest were turned into food. The Hive still needed flesh after all. With that, my small army of bodies was complete, hunting became easier. It became simple enough to send in the feather fliers to distract any enemies, then use the bark hoppers to pin them and kill them. If it was something the hoppers couldn't kill, then it was time for the laughing tongues.

I had the Hive expand in the direction my body was taken. If I could recover it, that would be wonderful. If not, then I needed to know if the inner voice betrayed me, or if those strange creatures could be trusted. They left me alone all cold season, even through the breaks where it was just warm enough to hunt.

Then the day came, where I saw more of the creatures. Their bodies did not have armor, save for the shiny one. They were still weaker than my own, but I could use them. I also sensed something coming from inside their strange tree. How it moved on three circles either side, like a portable cave. I watched them through my feather fliers, chirping and pulling all my other bodies back. They were walking right towards my cave, their path set on it.

I briefly wondered if they had come to kill me, or attempt to take more of my bodies. Even if they did, there was no inner voice keeping me from eating them. These four were slow however, and I felt a strange calling to the portable cave. I refrained from entering, it was probably a trap. Perhaps these creatures had a way for distracting me? Maybe they enthralled my inner voice? It was possible, but that would make them even more dangerous than I could have guessed.

It took them two days before they finally stopped on the threshold. The trees that guarded my cave. I discovered that to truly find it, one had to be chased. This would allow us, the runner, and the thing chasing us to come through the proper trees to find this place. Oddly enough, one only needed to do this once. After that, you could enter and leave freely. Judging by the way these creatures stood outside, they did not know how to enter. I would need to sacrifice bodies to keep them from coming in, but at the very least they couldn't kill my Hive.

I began to formulate a proper plan, laughing tongues hidden behind a few trees to surprise them. My feathered fliers watching them from all angles, so I could attack. I only needed one of them to be chased into my home at a time. To split them up, and take them down. Hopefully one of their bodies could be useful to me. Then the unthinkable happened, a swarm of my own kin flew out of the portable cave.

It moved through the trees, and I allowed them home. I took them in, finding they smelled different. Some of their stingers were sharper, or outright more potent. My workers cleaned them, as I took them back in. A personality called Berry started speaking to me, and I felt a bit of joy. He addressed me as his Queen, asking if I was alright. There were more of them in the portable cave, but it was so wonderful to finally hear a voice that wasn't my own.

I still needed the bodies though, I couldn't continue on like this. The situation was just strange, and so I began moving the plan forward. Berry betrayed me, warning the others of what I intended. I silenced him for now, while more of him began to march inside the portable cave. I was forced to connect with the hive inside it, shown memories that left me stunned for precious minutes as the bodies I needed slipped away.

A nameless Queen, similar to me and the voice thrust memories onto my mind. Still, my Hive was far bigger than her own, far more grand. It seems I was truly betrayed by the Inner voice. The one that called itself Alice, and that she had grown her Hive among the nest of those creatures. The pain washed over my Hive, while I finally killed the inner voice that came to steal from me again!

Because of how this 'Alice' grew the Hive in the enemy nest, I decided to at least make it quick and painless. My Hive grew in strength, as I gained a new system for making everyone stronger. I finally had a caste to once again keep personalities from disappearing. We were going to march on the enemy nest, taking new bodies along the way. We would sneak in, and reclaim what belongs to me. This was just like how it all started, multiple queens fighting for control over the Hive. I would not lose here, I am the only rightful Queen to the Hive!

I forgave Berry, after his betrayal. I only needed to wipe away his memories of the other Queen, and he was just as angry as myself. He had been tricked, and used. He recounted all of the terrible experiments the false Queen had him endure. How much he was forced to suffer through. The petty tricks of using sugar to coax him to keep coming back. I wanted to try this sugar with him, promising no more experiments for him, or the other versions of himself. That once we dealt with the false Queen, he may enjoy all the sugar he wants as whatever caste he desired.

Long live the Hive! Long live me!