Cetyz pulls me along a curving tunnel which spirals upward, the turns growing sharper as we climb further up inside the hill. Fenyz follows at a measured pace. We come across a few Princesses who don't salute us with spoken words but pheromones and gestures that my symbiont returns.

“Sister, calmer after you hold.” Cetyz tells me. “But need more, she worry.” “What is she worried about?” I ask, smiling at Cetyz' compassion, placing her sister first even as she barely returned to her Hive.

“She not tell me!” Cetyz replies, sounding vexed.

“That weapon, can you use it?” Fenyz suddenly asks.

“You should be able to spot a wound on my back, self-inflicted because I swung it while holding it too close to the middle.” I admit.

“Did humans make it?” Fenyz questions.

“Found it, I think it belonged to a Lisilese that died in the institute.” I tell her.

“What more do you know?” She presses.

“Why?” I ask, curious.

“...” Fenyz remains silent, apparently trying to choose her words, which is a bit suspicious.

“'Nough!” Cetyz interrupts. “Elzbth need rest, not int... inte...”

“Interrogation?” I suggest.

“Yes! Elzbth need sister!” Cetyz nods squeezing my wrist.

“Wait, that's not what I said.” I blink.

“Not words, core speak.” Cetyz says with a grin in her voice.

“I...” I pause, throat tightening.

“Give her time, Cetyz.” Fenyz declares, exhaling from all her breathing holes, making her Vuskyt helmet vibrate a little. “But you are correct, she needs to relax, she remains tense from battle.”

“Am I?” I throw a look at Fenyz.

“Look at your left hand.” She replies.

I glance down, finding that my symbiont's fingers are spread out and holding the liangi by their tips, allowing me to strike out and change grip as I choose. I make a grimace and set the weapon back in my palm.

“Sorry.” I mutter.

“There is no offense to be had, the kinds of battle you likely went through have an effect. Princesses experience so as well, you should recover shortly.” Fenyz explains.

“I hope so.” I groan. “It feels like I insulted the Hive by entering it ready to fight.”

“Sense, non!” Cetyz exclaims with a chuckle. She definitely knows she said that wrong. “You, ready defend home! Beat mad Qu... King!”

“Hm.” I mutter noncommittally, hoping that our sisters will explain to her that they're leaving.

“It would be beneficial if this ordeal taught...” Fenyz pauses. “We are here.”

I sense a circular door with a few small handles arranged in a circle around the center beyond the curve ahead. Cetyz lets go of my wrist and rushes up to it. She seizes the handles with her tendrils and makes the door roll into a small opening in the right wall.

I catch sight of Celyz standing tall in the middle of a large circular room with a round opening at the top that lets bright sunlight in, looking beautifully foreign. Her tendrils are spread out and the tip of her tail rests on the ground.

There are odd vertical curved pieces of wooden furniture displayed around the entire circumference. Those seem to be seats designed for Princesses as the feet leave plenty of space for their tails and reversed knees at the bottom while allowing them to rest their backs on a firm structure.

Celyz breathes in. Her tail perks up and she suddenly turns around, tendrils twirling in panic for a moment. I incline my head to the side, silently asking her what she's so surprised about.

“Just, I was thinking of you and then you appeared.” Celyz admits. Her core temperature rises in some kind of blush.

“Two, cute.” Cetyz comments.

Cetyz makes her way to one of the chairs and settles into it, sighing in relief. She likely ran around too much. I smile but don't let myself relax too much. I walk up to one of the chairs, setting my weapon against it somewhat reluctantly. I turn my back on Celyz to start removing my two shirts and unstrapping the sleeve glove.

“We should leave them alone.” Fenyz speaks up.

“Ih! Sorrry!” Cetyz almost purrs as she rises up.

“No!” Celyz and I exclaim a bit too quickly.

“We do need to talk.” I add more calmly.

“Before the meeting.” She nods.

“Very well.” Fenyz acknowledges.

“Yes, battle plan!” Cetyz agrees, settling back into the chair.

“Meeting?” I ask, slipping the short-sleeved white shirt back on now that I have the glove off.

“With Leomi Lance, Roisia Urnan, and Edusa Hetlan.” Celyz tells me. “Now that you are here, you can speak for the Izla.”

“I can?” I blink, turning around.

“You are a Councilwoman, Elizabeth.” Celyz chuckles.

“Ah, right.” I make a nervous chuckle. “I'm... that.”

“You forgot.” Fenyz notes with a smile in her voice. “I am told humans often do that.”

“Not... exactly, I just don't plan to fill the position so I just don't think about it.” I reply awkwardly.

“Hm.” Celyz hums happily. I guess she'd be happy that I don't plan to tie myself up in human society. I feel my stomach twist up in a knot.

“Can you take a look at the Little one and its effect on me?” I ask.

“Of course, I planned to. Is there something urgent?” Celyz questions with worry in her resounding voice, closing the distance with by taking two long steps.

“I'd... like your assessment first.” I reply. “Someone else told me something but I don't want to paint your findings with her opinion.”

“Who?” Fenyz asks.

“It's...” I hesitate. “I had to let the Director take a look to gain access to the institute.” I admit, shivering from the memory of being exposed to her examinations.

“Oh.” Celyz exclaims in a surprisingly human sound. “I'm so sorry, Jessica.”

Celyz extends her tendrils out and wraps them around my torso, pulling me in for a tight hug. I shift my mask up, laying my right cheek against her warm torso, breathing her in and bask in the safety of her embrace. We remain like this for a long while, a moment of utter peace for me.

“It okay, Elzbth, Sukhxen dead!” Cetyz says in support.

“We should leave.” Fenyz notes. “You can have a few hours or more for yourselves.”

“No.” I shake my head. “I'm okay.”

“The meeting is not urgent.” Fenyz insists.

“But it needs to happen.” I say firmly, unwilling to delay because I'm cracking at the seems.

Celyz slowly pulls her tendrils back to wrap a couple around my symbiont and slip one under my shirt, curving it to touch my belly. I take a deep breath as I sense her flow expanding inside the appendages.

The connection I feel to her isn't as intense as last time, I only catch vague emotions like concern, affection, and a certain uneasiness, likely because she is focused on my health instead of us. The fact that we're not alone helps a lot. A construct infiltrates my flesh and segments extend out inside my body.

“This...” Celyz whispers. “Wh, what, have I done?” She stutters in horror.

“What is it?” I ask, worried but able to remain calm as I am already aware.

“I...” She starts but finds herself unable to continue.

I set my right hand on the side of her neck, gently touching her rough yet smooth rubbery skin, feeling the guilt that is making her tremble in my heart and under my palm. She takes a short breath, recovering somewhat.

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“Explain it to me, take your time.” I say.

“Your organs, they are struggling to keep up.” She mutters after a long while. “I, the symbiont is not... I did not even consider that the fact it changes host could mean it does not have mechanisms to preserve its host from the damage it inflicts, only camouflages it.”

“That's what she said.” I nod. “Can you rem...”

“I can fix this!” Celyz desperately interrupts me. “I, I can. You just need, to, rest. A lot. You cannot keep fighting. I will figure it out.”

“Sister, you could...” Cetyz starts.

“No!” Celyz snaps. “With this, it would be even more dangerous.”

“What would be?” I ask.

“It is not an option.” Celyz shakes her head. “You were right Cetyz, I did not think this through enough before. I will not make the same mistake.”

“How bad is it?” I question.

“Your heart has lesions, your liver is overworked.” Celyz replies, sounding like she's choking. “Your muscles show signs of wearing out from repeated damage and healing. It is, bad.”

“Okay.” I take a deep breath. “What was that option Cetyz suggested?”

“...” Celyz doesn't reply, she shakes her head.

“Merging the two of you.” Fenyz speaks up. “Celyz could attempt to put you through the process that resulted in the Rykz, but accelerated.”

“H, how would that work?” I hesitantly ask, very much aware that this might result in something a lot like Suxen's ambition. I trust the Rykz but...

“We do not know.” Fenyz shakes her head. “It would be dangerous but, with your short human life span damaged further...” She trails off.

“I agree try if Elzbth and Little one, but no else.” Cetyz declares.

“I cannot, it would be irresponsible. There is no guarantee that the symbiont wouldn't devour her, and no way to know if their brains would even be compatible, one might entirely replace the other.” Celyz denies. “But I swear on my Hive that I will find a solution.”

“Don't, Celyz.” I shake my head, unwilling to let her dig into the same darkness Suxen has. “You've already found one. If the problem is that the symbiont is damaging the host, then remove the symbiont.”

“Little one is not doing purpose!” Cetyz protests. “You more us if do.”

“I'm sorry but I don't want to become...” I pause, about to say monster. “I'm not ready to give up on my humanity. I wouldn't even become like you, I'd be something much different. Celyz and I might not even be able to...” I hurriedly cut myself off, coming way too close to expressing this hidden desire of mine. I very carefully avoid mentioning that it would mean entirely giving up on my Lady, which I do not have the strength to do... on my own. “You're silent.” I tell Celyz. “What are you thinking?”

“I, do not want to lose this connection to you.” She pauses, shivering. “Yet, I cannot let you, die.” She finishes, her resounding voice breaking. “But, you are not in immediate danger.” She continues, finding renewed strength after almost agreeing. “You can't give it up because you need it to survive in human society, meaning it would slowly harm you while, if you come with us, you won't need to give it up since we can supply you with enough flow to mitigate the damage until I find a way to fix it. We could...” She trails off, likely about to say we could be together but I can tell she's afraid of pushing.

“I have ways to make a living among humans.” I tell Celyz, unwilling to entirely refuse the offer. “And I have friends to rely on if my ideas don't work.”

“With us, you'd be cared for.” Fenyz says carefully. The words warm my heart, especially coming from her.

“Removing the symbiont would take a heavy toll on you.” Celyz argues in a tight voice, obviously holding back her emotions.

“Keeping it would do more damage in the long run. It would be wiser to pay the price now.” I counter. My symbiont chooses this moment to send a wave of uncertainty.

“Little one, not understand.” Cetyz says sadly.

“Then let us stop talking about it.” Celyz hurriedly says.

“Celyz...” I start.

“It is a personal decision, is it not?” She asks.

“It is.” I admit.

“Because of her.” She utters while taking a deep breath.

“Her?” Fenyz intervenes.

“I misspoke.” Celyz hurriedly corrects. “I meant her friends.”

“I don't want to split with them.” I add.

“But they treat you wrong. Come with us, find out what life would be like, and then make a decision. Give me time.” She pleads.

“Elzbth Hive, she come.” Cetyz says with uncertainty.

Celyz and I both exchange a look, me with my eyes, her by angling her head at a specific angle. We silently agree that it would best not to have this discussion with her sister present.

“I'll think on it.” I tell Celyz, giving the time she asked for.

“We need to have the conversation.” She starts.

“Alone.” I finish before allowing myself to rethink this call.

Celyz straightens up in surprise at my suggestion. I feel terrorized that she'll demand that I make a choice between her and Lance but wish for her to force me to confront my feelings as well, and so I am giving her the opportunity to.

It is odd, I never thought that the decision to keep or remove the symbiont would be so tied into my relationships. But perhaps it isn't so surprising, I've long since started seeking the thrill of danger and this is no different, placing my life in my lovers' hands makes me feel alive.

Celyz holds my health, Leomi my mind. The difference being that my health isn't in danger if I'm not with Celyz, while my mind is at risk with or without Leomi. And Celyz wouldn't hold me hostage. Is that a plus or a minus?

“Elzbth, not listen mad human... side. Listen core, listen Little one.” Cetyz tells me. “Listen feelings.”

“I am.” I assure her in a kind voice. Celyz droops down, looking defeated. “Which is why I'm giving it time.” I hurriedly add.

Celyz slightly rises in hope. If you want a chance, you need to push, Celyz, Princess. I project with all the strength of my thoughts. She pulls her tendrils away from my belly and symbiont, seeming confused.

“You mentioned flow.” I say. “Why do I have more access?”

“We pledged our regeneration to you.” Fenyz replies when she realizes Celyz is lost in thought. “We thought it would benefit you more than Cetyz or our drones since you reached her. Celyz had been pushing to do it for weeks, I apologize but the Hive is in enemy territory and inferior in access to Caeviel so it was deemed too much of an expense by Queen Grikyz.”

“Yes, enemy!” Cetyz nods. “Plan battle soon.”

“You would be best served training yourself for situations like the one you found yourself into, the battlefield is unpredictable.” Fenyz berates. “The training plan I proposed to the First Queen should never have been rejected. It is not like Princesses are going to rush into fights because they obtain some melee skills.”

Fenyz speaks passionately but I do notice that she's changing the subject once again, trying to spare her sister the fact that they're retreating, and perhaps Cetyz' relationship with me since I'm the one that made the deal. I'll stay out of it, Fenyz and Celyz know ou... their sister better than I do, they'll slowly ease her into it.

“It not my nature.” Cetyz shakes her head.

“Battle wasn't in Elizabeth's nature either.” Fenyz counters.

“It's... true.” I agree uncomfortably.

“I not want kill with stamen.” Cetyz shivers.

Fenyz falls silent, her back growing rigid at the comment. Cetyz falls quiet as well, her breathing becoming more discreet. Ah, she probably said something wrong. I give Fenyz a smile. She notices and responds with a small wave of her tendrils.

“I will need to read some books about human biology again.” Celyz says hesitantly. “You can put your glove back on.”

I nod and turn my back again to remove my shirt and strap the sleeve glove back on, getting fully dressed up. It doesn't mean much since she can 'see' me whole but there is definitely something more that isn't there when I'm bare. I detect Celyz making a signaling construct on the tip of one of her tendrils and send it at my back.

'Is Director Suxen dead?'

I close my eyes, having hoped that she wouldn't ask. I flip around and extend my left wrist so she can take hold of it, allowing us to directly exchange signaling constructs.

'Maybe.' I send.

'Cetyz said that she has died, but your response makes it obvious she has not.' Celyz replies.

'Then you don't need me to say any more, please don't ask, I don't want to have to lie to you.' I open my eyes, looking at the center of her ovaloid head with a pleading gaze.

'The war will rage on whether she lives or not.' Celyz argues, easily seeing through me.

'But you'll keep fighting longer if you have a firm confirmation that she's alive. You'll demand her to be handed over and I don't think you would believe Rasaec if he told you she died, and I doubt he would hand her over if she lived. It is a dead end, Celyz.' I explain.

I swallow, feeling torn as I watch her grow more and more agitated reading my response. I wish the Emperor didn't need her, I wish he was better, that he could just do away with Nobility, that such being like Suxen wouldn't exist. Wishes don't make reality.

'Do I need to act like Leomi Lance does to get a clear answer about the monster that attacked our sister, Jessica?' Cetyz sends, her anger and spite obvious from the construct's words. She's throwing what I tried to communicate to her back at me.

'I'm sorry.' I apologize. 'It wouldn't work.'

'I truly did not know the symbiont would damage you so.' She tells me.

'I know, I trust you.' I reply.

'But she is above me in your core.' This signaling construct's segments are disorderly, showing Celyz' pain.

'No, maybe?' I remove the words and start again. 'I feel safe with you, that's why it wouldn't work.'

'Of course, you'll forever be safe with me, no matter what.' Celyz responds with a hurried segment arrangement. I melt as I read the sentence. 'But I need to know if Suxen remains a danger to my species, Jessica.'

'...' I struggle to find a response to that so I look into my heart, seeking out whether or not the Empire is worth my silence, especially since it puts the Rykz in danger. I find that it does not. 'She lives. I am almost certain of it. I have a book she kept with her at all times on me, there are many things I don't understand but perhaps you can get a human to copy it and it'll help you, or at least provide proof when you negotiate with the Emperor and also leverage because most humans would not approve of the contents within.'

'Thank you, my lov... friend, Jessica.' Celyz responds.

I bite my lower lip as my heart leaps. I take deep, slow, breaths, glaring at her while I do, intimately aware that she could have corrected herself. Celyz lowers her head, yet doesn't seem at all apologetic.

She did push, but... she's leaving the ball in my court. Celyz takes the liberty to pull my shirts up with her tendrils and takes the book. She is very careful not to brush the scarred flesh of my belly with her appendages, yet I still shiver.

“Cetyz, let us go. Give them a moment alone.” Fenyz declares firmly, walking up to her sister to take hold of her by the waist with one of her tendrils.

“Not child!” Cetyz utters stubbornly, blocking the appendage.

“I am not treating you as a child. I have simply dearly missed you, my sister.” Fenyz replies.

“Ih.” Cetyz squeaks, completely embarrassed.

I smile, finding myself at peace with these beings despite the hard conversations I just went through with Celyz. Perhaps Leomi could be convinced to visit their Hive with me... Not a chance.