I awaken to Yvonne shaking me with a worried look on her face. I immediately jump to my feet and assemble a few lion steps. I throw a look through the tower's tall door and use my symbiont's sense, my primary fears being that we're sinking or that we're under attack.

“What's going on?” I ask, a bit late.

“There's a damn army on the shore and...” Yvonne trails off. “Well, see for yourself.”

I head up the stairs instead of going outside. It isn't a conscious decision but a combination of things, first being that climbing seems to be the thing to do in case the platform is about to flood while second is that I can detect Celyz up there and she always makes me feel safer.

The two sisters are huddled together, using their full height to peek above the guardrail. I walk to their side and reach up to the rail's the border and lift myself up to take a look.

“Elzbth!” Cetyz exclaims. “Yone say Mother!” She adds, pointing at the North-west with her tendril. “Tell true!!

“Ah.” I sigh and smile. “It's Elizabeth and Yvonne.”

“Same.” Cetyz replies with a tendril shrug.

I squint my eyes. The mass of land ahead looks like a dark patch of land but not much more even with the sun to the east in my back. I enhance my sight, distinguishing a tall shadow on the shore surrounded by a big black tide which is likely to be an army of Rykz.

“It does seem like it.” I confirm.

“Mother should not have come.” Celyz says, grumbling. “A Queen is not supposed to leave the safe confines of a forward Hive in times of war.”

“How did she?” I ask. “The passes are blocked right?”

“They are, that does not stop Mother from walking over the mountain.” Celyz replies.

“Ah.” I nod. “Do you think Idali will be there?”

“...” Celyz inhales. “It is likely.”

“We aren't like that.” I hurriedly tell her.

“But you immediately thought of her.” Celyz says, almost pouting.

“Celyz.” I warn her shortly.

“I am aware, but you seem to somehow always surround yourself with females receptive to your charm.” Celyz mutters.

“I am very charming after all.” I reply jokingly.

“That you are.” Celyz grunts.

I let go of the guardrail, dropping back down. I dismantle the eyesight enhancing construct and throw a look at Yvonne who still seems worried, and tired now that I'm paying attention. I give her a smile before picking my mask out of the inside of my shirt and setting it on my face, just in case.

“It seems excessive.” Yvonne tells me.

“Did you stay up all night?” I ask.

“Mostly, slept a few hours when it was too dark to see before sunrise.” She replies.

“Well, you have time before we land so go rest.” I tell her.

“Good idea.” Yvonne nods.

She heads downstairs and settles in a corner without taking her chain-mail off. She merely unfastens her swords from her waist to set them next to her and pulls a small blanket from her travel bag.

I take my messaging construct out and present my work to Celyz. As we review it, Cetyz keeps interrupting with cheerful exclamations that Celyz doesn't share. The two of us decide to head down and out of the tower.

We spend the morning going over my simplified shredding construct. Celyz showers me with praise but they seem forced and she seems to be rather distracted. I finally confront her.

“What's the matter?” I question.

“We are out of time.” Celyz responds in a depressive tone.

“Why is that? I still have a week or two.” I reply.

“Because I cannot delay removing the symbiont, there is no reason to with Mother here.” She explains with a sigh.

“But is there a reason to hurry?” I ask, concerned.

“Yes, and not merely because of the continuous toll on your body.” Celyz replies. “I simply do not know how long it will take for you to recover.”

“It's just removing it, isn't it?” I question, rather unsettled.

“It is but I have made the mistake of making assumptions before which I will not repeat when it comes to you.” Celyz replies gravely.

“Okay.” I mutter. “That's good, then.”

“Good.” Celyz whispers. “Good, yes.”

She slowly stands up and leaves without another word, returning to the tower to join Cetyz. I should have stopped her but her demeanor makes me hesitate and it's too late when I realize I've made a great mistake.

Celyz clearly remains worried about how I'll react to her without the symbiont. That won't change no matter how many times I say that my attitude won't be any different until I prove myself.

I sigh, unable to conclude I made a mistake with this decision no matter how much I want to hold and reassure her right now. I try to focus back on my work but don't make much progress so I decide to train the various constructs Celyz taught me.

The air-needles are the most difficult to make by a large margin because of the complex internal structure but the shredding construct has many variations to apply it to arrows, ballista bolts, and regular blunt or bladed weapons.

As we approach the Izla, it becomes clear that Queen Grikyz is waiting inside a fortified camp atop a rocky beach with at least thirty thousand scouts and workers. Yvonne awakens as the floating platform starts slowing down.

It seems like my estimation that we would arrive during the afternoon was off considering we're almost to the Izla and it's a little past noon. Yvonne heads to the front of the platform to inspect our landing, I don't as I would rather keep my distance from the edge of the platform.

Grikyz starts moving closer as we near the rocky beach, her steps audible over the sound of the waves crashing. Her ten to twelve-meter tall figure is as impressive as I remember even though the tendrils covering her torso and neck are set around her trunk instead of waving to the wind.

My symbiont awakens as the platform stops, communicating to me warm feelings that I associate to those of a safe home. I suspect the Rykz Queen is the one communicating with us.

“Mother!” Cetyz exclaims from atop the tower, reinforcing my conclusion.

“We are going to set anchor for a few minutes away from the shore as it is rock bound.” Celyz calls out from there too, without directly addressing me. “The drones will then row further north to beach the platform.”

“Alright.” I reply awkwardly.

While the Rykz to throw crude iron hooks into the water, I grab the long rectangular case holding my liangi. I then head to the front with Cetyz and Celyz. The Little one is growing excited, its tendrils shifting along my back and front ribs.

I don't have the heart to tell it to calm down even if it's really uncomfortable for me, even if it feels like the tendrils camouflaging the absence of my left breast are unraveling. I'll have to face that at some point.

“I freeze, come!” Cetyz suddenly exclaims.

The Princess jumps off the platform without waiting, the sea turns black and freezes a second or two before her feet make contact. The issue is that the waves and her powerful toes are shattering the ice behind her, which means we can't follow.

Celyz sighs and waves her tendrils at a few warriors who swiftly use their claws to cut off the ropes keeping a section of the platform attached to the rest. A group of workers grab oars and steady the raft for us to board.

I keep my eyes on Cetyz, worried that she'll slip or fall. Grikyz sets one foot on the very edge of the water and extends a couple of tendrils out to snatch her up by the waist.

“Rhy, rhy.” Cetyz squeals in delight as her Mother lifts her up in the air.

Grikyz brings her up to level with her large head, making few sounds apart from that of breathing. I slowly make my way to the raft with Yvonne by my side but pause when I realize I'm going to have to jump a small distance.

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“Do, um, do you mind both going first?” I ask awkwardly.

“I don't, why?” Yvonne questions.

“I just don't want to get wet so catch me if I slip or fall, okay?” I respond, looking mostly to Celyz.

“Of course.” Celyz agrees.

The two hop over and prepare to receive me by spreading arms and tendrils. Celyz in the middle while Yvonne closer to the edge. I throw the rectangular case over first before making my attempt.

I hang back and run the short distance to lion step over the mere two meters of sea. I land straight into Celyz' tendrils. She secures me and keeps holding me for a long while, until I catch my short breath. I nod in thanks and rest my hand on her chest, enjoying her warmth.

A deep black shadow suddenly spreads out into the sea, originating from Grikyz. The water rises, picking up our raft. I grasp at Celyz, unable to help the fear that seizes my stomach.

The large wave brings us to shore in mere moments to then recede, leaving the raft atop a series of sharp rocks close to the beach. I remain frozen, held by Celyz but trembling like a frightened rabbit.

“Shh. You are safe.” Celyz says in a low rumbling tone, blowing air into my long hair.

“What's the matter?” Yvonne asks me.

“I'm not a very good swimmer.” I reply shortly.

“Oh, okay.” She nods.

“Hm. You may wish to hold on tight.” Celyz tells me.

Grikyz' foot slams into the ground not far from us, making the raft shake under my feet. I barely have time to grip at Celyz' waist before the Rykz Queen deploys tendrils to pick us both up at once.

Yvonne has no opportunity to help as she is forced to jump down to the beach to avoid Grikyz' rather large appendage. I lose sight of the sword-sworn as I am brought up at level with the Queen's neck.

Cetyz is already standing on the narrow ledge of the gigantic Rykz' shoulders, waving her tendrils at us. Her root-like toes are actually grasping at her Mother's flesh to hold herself steady.

“Don't, let me go.” I grunt at Celyz, rather scared of the height.

“Worry not.” Grikyz replies with a voice like an avalanche.

The Queen sets us down next to Cetyz but does not let go of us. Cetyz turns her ovaloid head to us, angled in such a way that it makes me feel like she's standing triumphant. I should feel at least on edge, but the Little one is in a literally contagious good mood.

“Cetyz, Mother only wanted to hold you.” Celyz sighs.

She seems to be suggesting that Cetyz told Grikyz the same she told her and Fenyz, to stop holding her by the waist like a child. It feels odd to have this tendril, which is a as thick as my biceps, supporting my back.

“Your sister has been restricted enough these past years, I will not deny her will to plant roots in earth of her own choosing.” Grikyz intervenes. Celyz' tendrils twirl pitifully. I press my mask against her chest, hoping to comfort her since I can't do much else right now.

“Can I step down, though?” I ask, very uncomfortable about the way the Little one's feelings overwhelmed my fear as soon as drowning stopped being an immediate danger.

Grikyz doesn't respond but she loosens her hold over me, which only makes me grasp at Celyz even tighter. She isn't complaining at all even though I would be suffocating her if she had lungs.

Within a few seconds, a second tendril arrives and splits me from Celyz. The Queen carefully, slowly, and rather gently, sets me down on the ground. I breathe out in relief even though I would rather have had Celyz along.

The Little one protests, communicating its desire for safety. I throw a quick look around the area, finding no human apart from Yvonne and no one in the camp.

It's clear to me that checking is rather useless since the Rykz would never allow even a fox to approach their Queen so I quickly take my shirt off and untie my sleeve glove's straps. It is rather damaged from when Fenyz went a little nuts but the leather is holding together.

I angle to the side as I take it off to block Yvonne's sight of my left shoulder since I myself don't look at the way my flesh grew over the symbiont, finding it disturbing. I then move closer to the Queen's roots which are almost entirely buried in the sand to place my bare nail-less left hand on top of her foot.

“Daughters, I understand well your wishes for this one to be treated as of our Hive but the human has refused.” Grikyz suddenly says. “I am willing to make a unique exception but not to treat the human as Rykz.”

“What's going on?” I ask.

Grikyz bends her reversed knees and slower lowers herself towards me, blocking the sun with her trunk. She curves one of her appendages to briefly brush it along my symbiont's forearm.

“They both demanded, not asked, that we attempt the merging of the parasite to you in case the removal threatens your life.” Grikyz explains.

“At least Mother is making the effort to speak to you directly, she's usually a lot ruder.” Celyz comments spitefully.

“You have earned the affection of two daughters of mine in such a short amount of time.” Grikyz notes in a humorless voice. “Perhaps it would be wiser for me not to once more offer you the opportunity to join our Silver Hive.”

“There is no need, Queen Grikyz.” I speak up. “I would refuse.”

“But!” Cetyz and Celyz exclaim.

“This is settled, perhaps now I will be able to properly reunite with my daughters.” Grikyz utters, drowning their protests with the sheer volume and presence of her voice. “Human, know that I did not refuse out of ingratitude but because they are deaf to the dangers inherent to accelerating a process that took our ancestors millennia down to mere days.”

“The risk of the parasite growing out of control is negligible, Mother!” Celyz protests.

Grikyz doesn't respond, she merely turns around, causing small quakes in the sand. The Little one whines at me for losing its safety and soon urges me to seek food out to eat under the Queen's shade.

I shake my head and watch as Grikyz heads back to the Rykz' fortified camp with her daughters on the right side of her neck, each waving their tendrils at her. I can feel each of the Queen's steps on the ground.

“Enough!” I hear her yell in frustration after a while. “It is not as if I would allow the human that freed you to succumb.”

“Did you...” Yvonne starts.

“No, I never told them they could do this if I was about to die.” I shake my head.

“Do you think they wanted their Mother's permission first?” Yvonne asks carefully.

“I think they didn't ask me because the risk of me refusing was too high.” I grunt, rather angry. “It's better to ask for forgiveness than permission.”

“I think the saying is about it being easy, not better.” Yvonne corrects.

“Obviously not since...” I pause. “Celyz is supposed to act in my best interest, not hers!” I shout in fury with the full force of my lungs, making the sword-sworn flinch.

“They were only afraid to lose you.” Yvonne hurriedly tells me.

“I would rather die than become a monster for my Lady to hunt down.” I spit out.

I don't give Yvonne a chance to respond and head out to follow Grikyz among the thousands and thousands of drones doing the same. She hesitates for a few moments but decides not to follow.

I find out why a few minutes later when she catches up with me at a spiked log wall surrounding the Rykz camp, she went back to get the case holding my liangi and her small travel bag.

“Leomi wouldn't do that.” Yvonne says quietly.

I shake my head, feeling ashamed that my reason for refusing Celyz once again revolves around Leomi. Yet, I won't change my mind as it isn't the entirety of it. I fear that the being who would emerge from this would no longer be me, as I fear the symbiont's influence on me.

Even though I denied Suxen's words about the fact that people die and are reborn every second with every thought, every heartbeat. Just because I think she's wrong doesn't mean her opinion is absent of truth.

“Elizabeth!” Idali's voice startles me as it's coming from close by.

She's to my left, sprinting at me with wide open arms. I hesitantly open mine, baffled that she is all smiles, in no way angry about how she almost died because of me. Yvonne's right hand moves towards her short sword while her eyes inspect Idali.

She's wearing a single layer of the Rykz' simple gray clothes, which makes me feel cold for her even though I'm not wearing any more than she is. She isn't armed, and that's about all I have time to ascertain before the woman impacts me with full force.

I topple over and hit the ground with a grunt. Idali flicks my mask aside and kisses me full on my lips. She tastes like spring flowers. She pulls back and grins at me before I can even pull away. Her black pupils are dilated and her smile looks crazed.

“I soooooooooooooo...” She pauses to inhale with her nose. “... glad to see you.” She finishes.

“Get off of her.” Yvonne orders coldly.

“It's okay, she's no threat.” I hurriedly say, finally catching up.

“I was so bored! You have no idea.” Idali complains.

“Are you alright?” I ask.

“Nope!” She exclaims cheerfully. “I want to eat and fight and fuck. All, the, time.”

Yvonne steps in and grabs Idali by the arm with her left hand, lifting her up to her feet in one swift movement without taking her right hand off her short-sword's handle. I quickly get back up and set the mask back. The Little one is pushing for me to search Idali, to smell her. It's a really weird sensation.

“Okay. First, don't skip meals. Ever.” I tell Idali.

“I haven't.” She enthusiastically shakes her head.

“Is it really all the time?” I ask.

“It feels like it.” She pouts, brushing her long blond hair back into place.

“You're playing me.” I sigh. “It's not that bad.”

“Worth a try.” She says, settling down some. “But, it's still pretty intense.”

Her pupils are still as large as they were and she can't seem to help the fact that her gaze keeps turning down to my breasts. Well, she was an active city woman, I can't blame her if she's been isolated for a month.

“It'll settle down, I think.” I say. “It depends on your own state a lot, I think it reinforces impulses and suppresses others. You'll learn to get along.”

“That explains why I find you irresistible right now.” Idali nods, licking her upper lip.

“Hey!” I exclaim, frowning.

“I think she just put you down, hard.” Yvonne grins.

“What? No!” Idali protests. “You were always attractive, just not really my type?”

“Enough.” I growl at the both of them. “Are you okay?” I ask Idali.

“I just, kind of really, really, want to take my pants off now.” She tells me, rubbing her right thigh.