Richard Adams, Butcher of The Ball

Everything hurt, like an unending stream. It felt as if every cell of my body was on fire. The times I managed to open my eyes, to try and see around me. I saw visions of my worst fears. A dream of Oswald dying in my arms again, and again. Mimi torn apart by the Count, while I couldn't do a damn thing.

I wasn't in control of my body, I couldn't see or hear anything other than these nightmares. It was the worst pain I had ever been in, but it was a familiar pain. Each time I watched them, it was like it was fresh and new. Whatever was doing this to me, whoever was making me suffer. They were relying on me never having a shitty day.

There were periods where I couldn't take it, and curled up waiting for it to pass. I had to start all over, reliving everything. The burning pain never went away, but it was a state of being at this point. So damn familiar to when I first set my arms on fire for the Arena. I learned to deal with that pain by cutting off the nerves in a band before spreading it downwards. To work smarter, and not harder. Still that's all this was, every nerve in my body on fire.

I opened my eyes, gathering myself. I knew the vision before me wasn't real. I clung desperately to the journal I read. Oswald was out there, he left a note for me. Mimi wouldn't die to the Count, she was too good for that. I steadied myself, picking myself up off the floor of the ballroom. The world spinning around me, to Oswald disowning me. The pain in my heart, making me lurch and turn away. The patterns were random, making it impossible to guess what was next.

Mimi was fighting the Fiend now, back when she was weaker. The fear washing over me, as she was torn apart limb from limb. The monster eating her while I ran into the Cave. There were ways to get past these nightmares. I had to assert it would never happen. That this wasn't real, and find the right response to the situation. None of this was real, but it was my own personal Hell.

I collapsed, the wind knocked out of me. The branch the Fiend threw, piercing my body. The hopelessness of it, the creeping sensation of death coming upon me. My vision turning black, as I grit my teeth. The impotence of having to suffer through this. I couldn't let this one beat me again, there was no telling how much time had passed outside. It might have been minutes, or even hours. Everything was brutal torture, but I wasn't going to sit here doing nothing when someone I cared about needed help!

I felt my heart burst, in the black inky void. Falling to my knees, but I crawled forward despite the darkness. Visions of the Hags toying with Mimi, as if she was a doll. Forced to obey their every order. I couldn't tell if this was real or not, but I refused to believe it regardless. I balled my fists, rage washing over me while my body couldn't move. I felt a nudge from behind me, a warm comforting sensation as I fell to me knees. The pain lessening. I smirked, jumping at the smaller hag, their head twisting the wrong direction. The fat one bellowing, before its chest exploded from my fist impacting its chest.

I heaved a deep sigh, looking at the fake Mimi. I wasn't sure what to do, but I walked out of the room. I found myself home, my body smaller. As if I were a child again. The bottles littered around the apartment. Crates filled to the brim with the empty things, refuse and old sheets covering up piles of the stuff. I remembered this one, the day before he died. The only man I had in this world before I met everyone else. I hated this memory, because it showed him at his worst.

My father wasn't always like this, he slowly became like this. Years of raising me, while being kicked out of the Minotaur because I wasn't born a girl. His nails turning black, and his skin sagging. It was clear that he was cursed, looking back. Still, as a kid, I didn't know better. I relied on him for everything, even when he couldn't give me what I needed. His kindness declining with his health, while he forced me to work jobs. The few friends he had, abandoned him, making him worse every month.

I knew how to get past this one by now, but I still hated it. I either had to set fire to the place, or kill him with a shattered bottle. I swallowed hard, the pain had lessened a bit. I was reluctant to burn the place down, since I would probably feel that all over. I shattered a bottle, and the world spun as if I killed him. This was different...

I looked around, staring at the fire in the orphanage. Everyone outside the place I called home before working under Oswald. They weren't burning, or in pain. No body was dead, but my cheeks became wet regardless. It must have been raining, despite the lack of clouds in the sky. I felt genuine fear again. It wasn't supposed to be like this, things were going to go back to being shit again. The pain would come back. I took a second to steady myself, to prepare for it.

Yet, it didn't come. I saw the world around me falling away, revealing everything else I had endured. The time thugs beat me within an inch of my life for stealing food to eat. The time I found a fox lady begging, and offered some food, only to have her steal it from my hands. The fears of what my child might look like. How it might be an abomination that I needed to kill. I wasn't prepared to do that still, but this wasn't real, none of it was.

I had to do it, I had to kill them. To end my child, that was the missing link. I walked into the dream, everything grainy and wrong. I needed to protect Mimi, to save her and my real daughter. The disgusting thing writhed like a worm, its limbs disfigured. It's face a mix between mine and a bugs. There was a tool on the table, a scalpel to end it quickly. I picked it up, grabbing the crying thing. It hissed and chittered while I pulled it to my chest, to stop it from moving.

I fell to my knees, crying, while my hand shook. This was the last thing, the one that kept throwing me back to the start every time. I turned the blade towards this fake creature of mine. I knew it wasn't, it couldn't be, but my mind told me it might be when I get out. I took a shaky breath, looking down at the disgusting thing. I couldn't do it, not without that feeling lingering on me. I couldn't sacrifice any child of mine, even if they weren't real. Just like I couldn't kill Mimi, or Oswald, no matter how long I was here. The nightmares didn't require it this time, so there was still next time, or the time after. I will eventually get lucky.

I set the fake child down, getting back up and leaving. My shoulders slumped, as I walked outside the door. I blinked, the pain completely gone. The visions of those nightmares suppressed, or outright destroyed. Stars shining above, while I stood on some kind of crossroad. The left option had what appeared to be Mimi, while the other seemed to be death. Something deep down told me this was real, that I shouldn't doubt what I saw. There was only one choice to make, as I ventured towards the path leading to Mimi.

The path was short, but pleasant. I came upon an open meadow, with two Mimis, Mimy? Mimie? I shook the thought of her plural from my head. One had black chitin, the other white. I narrowed my eyes, feeling this was some kind of test. Though I couldn't be too mad, because she did save me from that hell. The two were talking, before they noticed me strolling towards them. I put both hands up, "Mimi, you don't have to change yourself or make me chose which parts of you I like best. You're perfect the way you are, so please don't change that. Also, thank you for saving me." I smiled at them both.

They looked at each other, blushing a bit. The white one giggled first, putting her head on the table, laughing. The second one coughed into her hand, "Thank you, but neither of us are the Mimi you know."

The white one slammed her fist into the table, still laughing. "The best part, is that we did think about doing that to him though! My name is Alice by the way. At least you can call me that."

The black one shrugged, "Just call me Beatrice, to keep things simple. Though I am the one you did name Mimi originally?"

I blinked, confused for a moment. Then I remembered she said something about her soul fusing, or something. I nodded slowly, "Welp, I'm not where I'm supposed to be. I'd feel bad poking around here without permission."

Beatrice shook her head, "It's fine, our daughter is poking around your head right now. More like, it is only fair to give you some answers."

Alice grinned, "Before you ask, no we aren't controlling the one you love. We help her where we can, offering guidance, but she's the one doing most of everything. We don't actually have power, beyond assigning bodies to the bugs, and telling the Larvae how to come out. Though the officers are starting to take care of that themselves."

"Okay, but were you the ones that rescued me or not?" I looked at them both.

Beatrice crossed her arms, "Tch." She shook her head disapprovingly, "Were you not listening? We just deal with the bugs that make their way here. Why aren't you upset that Mimi is going through your memories?"

I shrugged, "I kind of thought that was needed for making a bond or something with her. I didn't really question it, because I knew she'd do it eventually?"

This made Alice light up, and bounce in her chair. "See! I told you, he's smarter than we think he is!?" She clapped her hands, "No offense."

I smiled back at her, "None taken. I'm used to being the slowest in the conversation."

Alice ignored my words, continuing on. "Still, we can't be here for too long. His soul might eventually merge with Mimi. You can sense it as well, right?"

Beatrice nodded slowly, "Three questions then?" Alice grinned repeating it with a nod.

She got up from her chair, with a flourish. "Foolish dwarf man, you have trespassed into the land of a mighty dark elf. The soon to be Queen of all monster kind! The terror, of terrors, the monster that eats all other monsters..." She was posing while she rambled on with her speech. I looked at Beatrice, as she cleared her throat. Which fell on deaf ears for Alice.

Beatrice let the girl ramble on, but started speaking herself. "You get three questions, since you can't stay here for too long without consequences. Either of us will answer them honestly, as fully as we can. Then we will send you on your way to your old body."

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I tilted my head, about to ask about that. Then smirked, "What happened? Old body included." I never thought paying attention to nobles would be useful, but here we are.

Beatrice smirked back. "You were cursed by the hags, your soul kind of inverted and made subservient to them. Essentially it was a curse meant for a network of mages, to make them yield from pain and submit. You took the entire brunt of that, and since it was meant for more than just you, your soul was inverted. Mimi took out the hags, and rescued your body. You saved her a lot of difficulty and pain, so thank you for that. After you were rescued, Mimi used the knowledge she gained to figure out a way to counteract the curse."

Alice finished her dramatic speech, and interrupted. "Hey! I want to finish it!" Beatrice nodded, as Alice continued on. "Your soul had to transfer the curse to a new body, to activate the multiple target part. Which helped us invert it again back to normal. Mimi felt it'd be a dick move to let you feel better, before sending you into that hell again. So you were kept there for the ten seconds it took to transfer you. Right now your soul is in the Hive mind passing between bugs while Mimi makes certain everything is fine. We basically broke the curse, because how could the soul have two bodies? That's where it gets complicated."

I nodded, noticing they weren't going to continue. I figured they didn't want to waste their time explaining a process I didn't even stand a chance of understanding. "This all sounds time consuming and expensive... may I know why she did this?"

Alice smiled gently, "Because she loves you, dummy."

I felt my heart skip a beat, as I smiled back at her. Beatrice shook her head, "You possess many benefits to the Hive, because of your status in Eclipse. Your genetics are agreeable, and you smell the best to Mimi. That might change if we meet a dragon, or some other potent creature with powerful genetics. Point is, you are the best for Mimi in the moment right now. Otherwise we have to wait on Drake, a dragon hybrid you were not aware of."

Alice blew a raspberry, "No fun! You make it sound like she's using him. That's just sad!"

I let out a small laugh. "Rule ten of the Underground ladies. Everyone is using you in some way or another. What matters is if they have your best interests at heart. If Mimi loves me, then I will return it. Otherwise it doesn't matter, because she's important to me. I don't get to dictate what others feel, just as much as they can't tell me how I feel." My response left them stunned, both of them appraising me all over again. I wasn't sure why, but without a body everything just felt clearer. I smiled back at them, "I'm going back to her regardless, but I need to grow stronger. How do I manage to do that? How do I protect those close to me?"

Beatrice grinned, "Technically two questions, but we can't give you definite answers. We have confirmed that coming into contact with individuals with powerful souls will make you stronger if you reach them. Like how you gained strength from truly reaching Oswald at the ball. It explains your growth, compounded with the strife you have endured. Richard, you touch the souls of others and that is your strength because they touch you in turn. Bond with Mimi, and grow strong enough to be her king."

I smirked, "If that's where she wants me, I guess I need to go then. Ready to leave when you two are."

Alice sighed, "He's a monster in people skin. Still, I can't help but admire that philosophy." She snapped her fingers, and everything faded away. All of it fading like a dream.

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I woke up, gasping and coughing. My muscles ached, my body felt sore, but I was alive. I saw Mimi standing over me, a curious look on her face. Her eyes tracing over ever inch of me. I looked down confirming that I didn't have any clothes, but at least it was just her here. I saw the scars that crisscrossed down my body. They were fading, but it might take years for them to disappear. I started to sit up, but Mimi gently pressed against my chest.

I took stock of the room, lingering memories of that hell I was put through. It all felt so distant, so far away. Mimi's eyes were glowing, and it was clear she was helping me suppress them. To help me move past it all, and truly recover. I continued looking around, catching a body on a table beside me. The homunculus body next to me, looking exactly like my own. I closed my eyes, letting out a small breath as she focused.

I watched her as she worked, trying to see if she changed in any way. Her emotions were still subdued, but I saw the faintest smile on her lips. A glint of pride, as she managed to rescue me. Some kind of joy, tempered with relief. She didn't change physically, but there was something in her eyes. I'll have to watch her, and figure it out later, since that was something I didn't want her to think about right now.

I craned my neck, looking behind me. I saw a strange egg with a bunch of workers tending to it. I thought it weird at first, until I looked back at Mimi. "How long have I been out?"

She smiled a bit, pulling her hand away. "About a week, but yes, that is our child."

I swallowed hard, feeling a bit giddy. I shrugged off how quickly she laid it, sitting up. "Are we done? Can I move around?"

Mimi nodded, "Argus will be bringing you clothes shortly. You are aware of how long we'll keep our child after she hatches?"

I frowned a bit, hopping off the table. "Yeah. Just long enough to make sure she can handle being around Cheshire. The Tribes are the safest place for her, and we need to get into the Underneath to hunt... right?" I couldn't keep the quiver out of my voice, even while I walked towards the egg itself. I pressed a hand against it, feeling the warmth, the heartbeat inside it. I could almost make out the black outline of our daughter. She looked humanoid enough, to not cause problems.

"Yes, I know this is harder for you. Though you have free reign to raise our next child as you see fit. At least we know she will be safe. I haven't even eaten any of the recent kills, because I decided to see if there is a time limit on my kills. They are frozen for freshness however."

I smiled, lowering my head. She was lying, but didn't want to admit she was keeping herself from advancing because of little Pandora. She must be able to hear us, or at least talk to Mimi. At least, if she is watching what she says around the egg itself. "You meant what you said, right? That you'll watch her growing up, and let me know how she's doing every day? That you'll tell her what I say, and talk to her for me?"

Mimi placed her hands on my shoulders, "Yes, and every time she asks about you, I will let her see you. I will let the two of you talk through me, if she requests such. That you can talk to her if you desire. I can assure this, so long as I am connected to her through the Hive."

I slumped a little, pulling away from the egg. I turned and hugged Mimi, while she gently patted my back, slouching to comfort me. A figure opened the door without knocking. Long curly red hair falling out from her hooded robe. The orange thing, with blue stripes along the sleeves. I saw the freckled face, with heterochromatic eyes that seemed to shift and change their colors. She grinned at me, holding a folded stack of clothes. Mimi used her wing to give me some modesty as the well endowed girl bounced towards me.

"I-I thought Argus was a beetle!" Mimi smirked a bit, "She was, but now she's an elite officer."

"Yep!~ I got a promotion, but I'm mad at you." She tossed the clothes at my feet. "I was supposed to get the first homunculus body! Then you stole it." She stuck her tongue out, before bouncing away.

I was left blinking, and speechless. Mimi moved her wing, helping me get over my shock. "She's also a bit upset that I am allowing her new bodies the ability to produce offspring. There is quite a bit I need to catch you up on."

I let out a small laugh, while Mimi moved towards the door, allowing me to get dressed in peace. "Yeah, I can only imagine the trouble you've been getting into after letting your bugs have actual hands." I finished putting my clothes on, before walking behind her. "Hey Mimi... can you promise me something?"

She tilted her head, looking down at me, with a curious expression. Then she nodded, as if reading my mind. "I won't curse people that do not deserve it. Most of the people that were cursed, have had them broken. You have to promise that you'll continue fighting alongside me in return. Since that will be a loss of perfectly good coin."

I grinned back at her, "Yeah, that's fine." I just didn't want to deal with curses of any kind for a long time. Not after what happened, and how it ruined lives like that. I knew she probably had access to all of the ones the hags had, but I just needed to trust her not to use them without a good reason.

She wrapped a wing around me, while we walked out of the shed. "We have a lot to talk about, and you need to get healthy enough for our daughter. She'll hatch in a couple days, and you don't want to miss a second because you were slacking, do you?"

I looked around outside, noticing the excessive amount of magic beetles scattered around the place. I smiled to myself, chiding Mimi for saying this was going to be harder for me. It was clear she was keeping the beetles around for the egg, since none of them were moving away. She really did care in her own way.

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Mimi

Richard was surprisingly resilient to the trauma he endured. Though the curse was lackluster in what it did. If all you felt was pain, that was something you would eventually get used to. It would still be enough to bother someone, but you need to switch between the carrot and the stick. Still, I am going to keep him by my side to monitor his mental health. I was pleased I made the right call, in sparing our child, despite the loss of coin.

My body has entered a kind of lull in hormone production, which likely means it is not ready to make another egg yet. It might be a month, but keeping Richard happy was important. More so, if this first born turned out useful. I will eat other creatures during the next one, to see what might happen.

Two days passed, since Richard woke up. His body healthy, as he ate his fill and exercised. The tribes gave their gifts through Cheshire, a small caravan of giants carrying everything. Richard was kept busy, so that Cheshire wouldn't know he was healthy again. Cheshire left, just in time for Pandora to start scratching against her egg. I retrieved the man, to let him watch our daughter claw her way out of the egg.

We returned to the shed, the small egg having bumps and bulges pressed against the shell. All of it pushed outwards from the inside. She was struggling, her body still weak. Richard was giddy, whispering words of encouragement, telling her that she could do it by herself. I decided to let her struggle for his sake, prepared to tear the fleshy shell open if needed.

Pandora kicked and squirmed as ordered. Her mind still young and fresh, not much different from a regular breeder. Still there was a lot of potential there. Finally, a leg breached through the shell, poking a hole out into the fresh air around us. A spider leg glistening from the lantern Richard brought to better see this. He gasped, swallowing hard, before the leg receded back inside the egg. Gray liquid started to seep out, before a clawed hand, much like my own, grabbed the hole. They tore, making it bigger, a second hand with only two fingers and a thumb, cutting through the material. I noticed something like blades between the strange hand, making it like scissors.

I sent the order to Pandora, to crawl, to fully free herself from the egg. She thrashed, her body finally exposing itself. She cried, while workers cleaned her. Her hair like matted silk, falling all over behind her shoulders. Her lower half opening up like a bell now that it wasn't confined inside the egg. She had four arms, and four legs, but no stingers. Her skin a pale ivory, like my own. She looked like a maid, wearing a dress of chitin. Her hands white like gloves, but still chitin regardless.

Then the smell hit me, a sweet scent, her scent. It sent the workers around her into a sort of frenzy, forcing me to control them directly. I focused on her more, wondering if she might be a princess that might grow into a queen. I moved forward, feeling her hunger, gently picking her up while the workers cleaned her. I needed to make certain, even despite the unconditional love I felt coming from her. The safety she felt as I held her, the hunger she had. I let her drink from me, her appetite never diminishing even while I showed her to Richard.

He laughed a little, "She's got your skin."

I nodded, looking at the antenna that looped like a kind of doily, mixing with the hair to really make it appear like she was only a dark elf maid. Her body didn't have the tools to reproduce. She couldn't be a princess, but that smell... I smiled, after realizing it. She was an ambush predator, meant to lure in her prey with a meek appearance. I am going to watch her growth very carefully.