Mimi (Currently Hive Mind, while body rests)

My body was complete clean, as every speck of dirt or dust was picked off it. The rest of the Hive was done with moving the food and the larvae. The Breeding room was still being built, but that was fine. The Breeders could birth all three hundred of their larvae in a matter of hours. It truly was relaxing to be apart of the Hive like this. To see through so many eyes, to just observe everything from all the different angles. I ordered the scouts to watch the entrance of the door frames. The curtains were magic, but I still was unsure what they did. Other scouts were ordered out into the trees, to start looking for fruit we might be able to take or anything interesting.

My workers were allowed to continue building the rooms for the Breeders, and go about their current tasks. The warriors I had moving along the walls to properly explore the entire house. There were mite nests here and there, but that was hardly an issue. The spinners were mostly finished with weaving their small ladders from the holes to the floor. This helped the workers more, as it was harder for them to fly with the extra material from outside. Comb by comb my hive was settling in just fine.

The Hive was busy with their tasks. The other Hives were busy with what they were doing. Now it came time for something I both hated and enjoyed. I made my way to the Larvae and their combs. Food was moved, as I guided the worker bodies I controlled. An almost twisted pleasure filled me as I began to experiment on the Larvae. Feeding those I turned my attention towards. Ordering their bodies to try fitting into the castes I could imagine with all the abilities at our disposal. I went by sets of five, observing the changes, feeling how the larvae were changing. I took their pain, and felt their pleasure. Every thing they felt, I processed to see where it went wrong.

Every bug in my hive might only last a few months at most. The larvae could remain as such for up to two weeks, before they died. I could force individual larvae to change if there was enough food, and I put focus on them in particular. Still, it was better to use the ones I had already counted, the ones ready to change before the next batch came. I had nine thousand larvae to play with, but I would need to stop before I ended up with five thousand. That was my goal at least.

Hundreds of the larvae had exploded from the changes I tried to give them. Those same changes that were more stable went onto the next set of five, counting literal milliseconds in how much longer they lasted. They only needed to last five seconds, and they would become whatever caste I decided for them. The problem was getting them there. Feeling through my Hive, we had none that could heal. The same issue I constantly ran into when I was younger.

If I could recreate my healing stinger with my Hive, then I could easily expand my influence. It didn't matter if the one hive member died, nor if hundreds were to fall. I was at a much more stable number now. Hundreds were nothing at this point, and yet I couldn't create a healer caste. Even eating the white termites had not given us the ability to potentially use a healing magic. I had to give up on that line of caste until I could figure out why. Though I felt the answer ultimately was buried in my body. Perhaps it was in the elven blood my body had.

I noticed it when I drew blood from the half elf man last night. His blood was thicker than the others. It clotted more readily on contact with the air. Going through Alice's memories helped to confirm this, as elf blood was referred to as 'milk blood.' Different from the sap blood wood elves had, the dark elves, and light elves both had the same kind of blood. It explained why I couldn't make my healing caste, despite frustrating me. Even the longest I managed to make a larvae of this type stable was 2 seconds at the maximum.

Discarding that line, I moved onto the next. It took me a few hundred more larvae to realize something I overlooked. To my embarrassment, I finally understood that I was trying to rush out newer stronger variants of the caste I already had. I would need more resilient larvae if I wanted to make stronger versions of those already in the hive. Right now everything was safe, but I needed my hive to become stronger to better protect itself. I simply couldn't just make the castes already here any stronger. It was impossible without making the officers, and I had set requirements for those that could become such.

I needed elite variants, that could potentially function as officers, or even turn into such. Molting was out of the question, as it left too much waste, and would not serve to help very much. I needed my new generations to have the potential to cocoon themselves. To encase themselves in silk, or be encased by the spinners. Yes, that would work much better as the silk itself could be eaten or reused as needed. I could even alter the bodies while they were cocooned, versus being limited if they were to only molt.

With this new idea, I gave up on the old concept of just having elites pop out from larvae right away. It could be earned, or used on those that were injured. Liquefying the entire body to rebuild it was better than molting, and hold far more potential. It minimized the waste, and would allow me to better control everything potentially changing castes as needed. A spinner could become an elite worker, and so on. The only issue was what to do with the breeders?

I clicked the mandibles of those I controlled with joy. The breeders could become a new caste all together. One that I had always wanted, but worried about the cost and knew it wasn't possible. Now it was, because I could just cocoon a fat breeder, and have them emerge as a giant. The only downside, was that I wouldn't know if it worked until a new generation was cocooned and emerged properly. Even then, I had no idea how to tell if something was going wrong inside the cocoon since it was unknown territory for myself.

I did a few mental calculations through those around me, and felt this was the best way to go. If everything went well, then the Officers could be remade down the line, to make something even better. The hours flew by after that, and thousands of my loyal larvae laid dead, or exploded. I was able to make bombers, even if their explosive output was lacking. They would leave a small impact if they exploded on someone, but this was perhaps strong enough to leave a bruise. They could become great distractions in the future.

Then there were the ghosts, which had my pale yellow stingers. It was a relief that I was able to make them, since it was hard getting the mixture to stick inside them. While their poison was as potent as my own pale stingers, ten of them would need to sting something for it to be enough. Though if at least two stung a limb, or small creature that would keep what they stung from moving.

Looking at all the dead larvae, and counting those that were left. I found that I may have gone a little farther than I had wanted. The hive was left with four thousand larvae ready to grown by my command. Which I naturally split between five hundred bombers, and the rest as ghosts. I gave the information to the other hives, as well as my new system. Now I didn't have to worry about eating something especially useful and leaving them unable to defend themselves for a few minutes or even hours. With everything done, I saw that the sun was just past noon, and moving towards the horizon. I sent a message to Beru about my plans tonight. It was time for my body to wake up, and for me to go about my day.

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Officer Beru

The Queen's message came in clear. I moved through the hive until I was once again in the attic. I slept for a few hours after my Queen told me to rest, and now I felt much better. The information she learned from doing experiments on her hive was a bitter sweet thing. I knew what it meant for those poor young souls that would not have the chance to grow. Still, the new castes would be extremely useful.

I braced myself, as I could finally make out lady Cynthia and her small tyrant. The little one was sleeping, and I felt a tiny bit of relief tinged with sadness. Lady Cynthia laid next to the sleeping youth, half asleep herself. I almost felt bad, when I reached out a connection to her. The lady moved a little, but accepted it without much hesitation. |"Is this Mimi or Beru?"|

|"It is me, Beru, my lady. My Queen has sent me a message to explain she will be coming here tonight. She would like to know if you are able to find someone with the skull shakes. She has just tested it on another individual last night. She is able to cure it."|

Lady Cynthia got up, her eyes wide. She looked around, and found me on the ceiling. |"She can cure the skull shakes?"|

|"Yes, lady Cynthia. She will only be able to heal two people tonight, because she has other plans. My Queen has explained you will provide food to those that will be treated. After all, her remedy will leave them unbearably hungry. She herself is famished, and would prefer to have food prepared for her as well. I will protect your child while you talk to the Father. My Queen can come and wait for a few hours after Sundown, or she will come after midnight. Please let me know if this is okay."|

The lady got up with a quick nod, |"I'll talk to my grandfather right away."| She hurried down the stairs past the small gate that was installed so Drake would not fall down them. I had some of my hive in the room so I could watch them from where I was. The Queen was rather happy with what I told her, and I knew she took an escort with her today. From what I understood she was going to check on Richard for some leftovers.

Some time passed, and I saw that the lady and the Father were discussing what to do. I also saw that Drake was tossing a little while he slept, likely realizing his mother wasn't there. He started to sniffle with a few tears coming out of his eyes. I flew down to his chest, to drum my wings quietly. He placed one of his hands over me, smiling a little as I softly drummed for him. It was strange to see such a large creature enjoy hearing our marching. To feel more secure for us being there.

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I knew how others looked at our Queen. I understood most were right to fear us, but deep down I knew my Queen was just and fair. She was bothered by the guards she sparred with last night. She was worried about many things, and yet she still wanted to befriend them. She needed those like lady Cynthia and this little tyrant to support her. To help her feel this was the right choice.

The two below seemed to reach an agreement, and the lady came back with a small smile. |"Beru, please tell Mimi that we'll try to have two people here after midnight. Also ask her to please let us know a day before she plans on coming. It... it usually takes time for these things."|

|"Understood, I have just told her."| The Queen's response was near instant, |"She says that she will be happy to see you and Drake at night as well. She will also let you know going forward."|

|"Thank you Beru, and tell her I said thanks as well.| Lady Cynthia smiled warmly, before slowly getting back in bed. She gently offered me her finger, which I used to crawl away from the tyrant's grasp. I flew back to the ceiling, as Drake cuddled his mother.

|"You are welcome my lady. There is one more question, do you know why the clouds are like this?"|

Cynthia looked at me from my spot, |"What do you mean?"|

|"My Queen sees the clouds growing darker by the day. They should have rained by now. They keep growing darker and more ominous by the day."|

Cynthia thought for a moment, |"I believe we're going to have snow soon. There are magic users that are able to control the weather. Despite how warm it is here, they will let that warmth drop a little to welcome Winter with the first snow."|

|"Snow... my lady?"| I was stunned, and hurriedly told the Queen, who explained it to me. I could feel her fear at the white death. It may have been my own, but seeing such on the ground was always terrifying.

|"Yes, do you know what snow is?"| She smiled at me, but that just made it worse.

|"We are aware, we will not go out into the snow my lady. Our Queen may move through it, but it scares us."|

It took some time to properly explain how scary snow was for us. How cold it felt, and how it would kill us. The Queen was upset herself, as she did not understand that snow would be allowed anywhere close to us. Thankfully lady Cynthia understood the issue, and had a few heating crystals brought into the room so we could start building proper rooms for the hive to rest by. The Queen's hive had their own heating crystals, which left Gray and Rose to find their own solutions. They were told about what was to come either tomorrow, or the next day. I could only hope it would come the day after tomorrow so we could properly be prepared.

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Gray the Great

I received the most terrible news today. It would seem that snow was to come in our future. As it melted, the cold air would come down here and the water might rise fast enough to hurt us. We had a day, maybe two to prepare for the worst. The Queen sent me memories from her original hive and how terrible snow was for our kind. That she herself would struggle in the snow, and I felt a hint of fear from her for the first time. It was a shame the Captain of the Guard was unable to properly explain everything that was to happen. Everything could have been planned for.

Thankfully if my hive was to fail due to the snow, we would be allowed a second chance. However, that would upset the Queen! My hive started to march their wings as I felt anger rising up through us. We would march into the territory of the rattle rats, and take everything they had!

Then the wall where we were opened suddenly. "Who the fuck is knocking on my door!?" A tall pale man with dark curly hair looked around before spotting us. His eyes were red, as he glared down at us, and we stared back at him. "Bloody fucking bugs." He moved with surprising speed, and kicked the nest we made killing hundreds with the force of the kick, and the ones that fell into the water.

I recalled memories of Guard talking about these creatures. How they were supposed to be rumors. How there was no way actual vampires would hide inside the sewers. Yet, here we were being attacked by one. The same one that had made me experience death over a hundred times just now. Those that were not dead clung to his pants and shoe moving to bite his ankle, and sting him. He was undead so our poison would do nothing to him.

The goal was to only annoy him with the pathetic attack on his ankle. He tried to shake us off, only to receive a face full of fire. "MAGIC!? WHO!?" He was blinded as I hit him in both eyes, and lit his hair on fire. He screamed frantically, "There has to be some kind of mistake! Who sent you!?" He kept trying to kick those of us on his leg off. The rest of us retreated away, as the vampire called out to what he assumed was a mage hiding. "MAL!? Why are you doing this!? Tell me!"

I offered him a connection, while explaining what happened to the Queen. I could see the vampire smirk as he accepted the connection readily. |"Even you should know vampires can dominate people easily Mal."| I felt a powerful will washing over me, as the vampire attempted to dominate the Hive. As if on reflex, every connection to the Queen lit up as she glanced towards the vampire's mind. That will was shattered when meeting all of our own.

The vampire jerked, before falling backwards on his ass. His fingers trembling as he was forced to stay still. The vampire's mind was broken because he bared his fangs towards us. The Queen took his memories, before deciding he would be very useful to my Hive. After all snow was coming, and we just found the perfect spot for our nest, as well as making a new member of the Hive.

My Queen gave me a copy of the vampire's memories to digest. The fool had been sleeping in a stupor, but made plans to go against his creator, the Count. He was placed here for his crime of creating more kin, and would not be missed. He was a foolish young vampire, and his mind no longer existed. It was the perfect new body for me to have and ensure my hive would thrive in these sewers. Sadly, it meant we needed a fresh supply of blood going forward, but there were plenty of rattle rats.

As I went through the memories, I discarded the silly notion that a true vampire should drink from people. Blood was blood, but it had to be from a beast or person. So many more problems would come from drinking the blood of people. There was so much more here in the sewer just begging to be claimed. I could feel the unending hunger as my perception changed. My mind now inside the vampire's body. I could feel the hunger, the need for blood and I smiled. I had the others move into my room, while I took the first hour trying to move this new body properly.

I laughed happily, understanding my eyes would heal with blood. My hair no longer on fire as I extinguished it with my hive. My body was still hungry, thirsty for blood. That need was nothing compared to the thousands in my hive. It was just another drop, and it briefly made me understand just how selfish people could be. I sent my understanding of how to make new bodies to Beru so he could do the same. I wasn't going to be selfish, I was going to be great! There was an entire sewer system with so much more to discover, so many new bodies to find.

First, I needed fresh blood. I could see through the others, and I could control all five of my other bodies at once thanks to this huge brain. I could see perfectly, and with every passing second I understood my new body more. I stood up, walking towards the rattle rats that bared their fangs at me. I grabbed them, tearing them in half to squeeze their blood down my gullet. The dried bodies were tossed to my hive to be eaten. We would thrive for our Queen!

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Rose The Scout

Berry died to our Queen's experiments. I was grateful she did not use me for them, and thankfully he was happy enough with sugar as a reward for being a good subject. He now had a new body, and would be the first to cocoon as a worker. I was going to die as well and switching hives with Berry, who was already here. It was all really confusing, but the best part was that after I died, I would get to be around as many flowers as I could count, and then more!

I was explaining what Berry would have to do while here at the hive, but he wasn't understanding much of it. We needed to figure out how to prepare for the white death that was coming. The spiders did not seem too worried about it, but it was a good thing they let us cuddle with them now. The Queen had her escort with her, and dropped them off to make another hive with some guy named Robert. Gray was happy about something, but wouldn't say. He did report to the Queen, which she already knew apparently. Oh look! The little ones brought more flowers this time!

I happily moved into the flowers playing with them a little. The small ones giggled, as they liked to see me crawl in one flower and pop out of another. I wasn't sure how it worked, but it was silly and fun. Berry enjoyed the sweet nectar that was in the very back of the flower itself. I just wish he wouldn't chew on the petals so much. Still, I was supposed to die somehow.

Night came, and our Queen was supposed to read a book. She was finished before the other people, once again showing her glory to them. Her escort was dropped off before the sun went down, and now she had plans to go see Beru and his hive personally. I would like for her to visit, but I'll see her as soon as I figure out how to die here. Then it happened, the rattle rats seemed to be in a small panic as Gray asked what time it was out here. I told him it was dark, so night. Rats were pouring out from a manhole, then this large dark figure emerged. I felt the connection and cheered. The spiders were wary, as Gray went around in his new body killing the rattle rats.

|"Gray? How do I die?"| He paused for a second and looked at me.

|"Dying is easy."| He stroked a non existent beard, |"I can't be out long, but your hive can have all these rats."|

|"Gray, it's not my hive anymore, it's Berry's. The Queen said I need to die so I can get to the flowers."| The others were starting to move to help Gray finish off these pests.

|"Ah, I see. She wants you to figure that out yourself. To help you think a little more. There are a lot of ways to die however. I'll help you when you figure one out."| He moved very quickly, tearing rats apart as his hands turned into claws.

I drummed my wings a little, thinking about it. |"I can die by getting old."|

|"That is true, but it will take too long."| He tossed a rat at me, and it was half dead already.

|"Oh! I can die in battle!"| I attacked the half dead rat, which seemed to pass out after the first sting. I moved to the next one that was still twitching.

|"Yes, that is another way, but this battle will be over soon. What then Rose?"| The spiders were watching him warily.

|"Why is this so hard Gray?"| I clicked my mandibles angrily.

|"It's because you aren't an officer Rose. We get to think better, and understand things more clearly. Don't worry, you'll become an elite Scout which will be like an officer on their own."| His hands were covered in blood as he licked them clean.

|"I don't want to be an officer, I want flowers."| I flew towards his head to give him a pinch on the nose.

Gray laughed at that, |"You won't be an officer, you'll be the best scout. As I understand it, you'll be in an area with more flowers than even an officer can count."|

|"Really?"| I flew right in front of his face, clicking my mandibles happily.

|"Yes Rose, and attacking something bigger and stronger than you is another way to die. For the glory of our hive!"| The five different Gray on his shoulders clicked their mandibles in unison.

The others in Berry's hive did the same, as I did as well. Then I barely saw the two hands coming towards me. squish