I focus again on my inner self and try to integrate the maximum number of Strains into my body. This sounds simple, but it is not a small thing for my complex inner structure. After a while I confirm my selection, which falls on Optical Camouflage, Ceiling Runner, Heat Vision and Razor Claws. This selection is not final and can be altered if the need arises, but it would take some time to change again. This combination of Strains should allow me to hide myself and ambush enemies from behind.

With my selection done, I start the transformation and a cocoon forms around me. I instruct the hunters to continue their activities. They should be able to manage without my control for some time. However, I put the drones near me into a dormant state for the duration of my transformation. This should only last two to three hours and consume some energy, which I can regain by increasing my food intake. As the cocoon begins to close, a great tiredness overcomes me and I sink peacefully into a deep sleep.

When I awake again, I feel different. First, I reconnect with my swarm and signal the drones to continue their work. I try to catch up on what has happened in my absence and notice that some hunters have returned with prey, which is already being processed by the Digestion Pool. Then I open my eyes and take in the inside of my cocoon. I barely have room inside and my feet are standing in the remains of the viscous substance that formed during the transformation. Through the thin layer of the cocoon, I can faintly make out the heat signature of Karina, who is sitting relaxed on the floor with her back against the wall. I assume that she is asleep, since she is not moving.

I begin to carefully free myself from my cocoon and shortly thereafter can confirm my assumption. After the transformation, as expected, I am very hungry and therefore go to the food niche, whereupon I start eating the processed biomass contained there. This reminds me that my swarm will need a lot of biomass to grow to the level I need for my return home. To help in this matter I am commissioning more fungus farms. These are a good addition to the biomass supply from my hunters.

When I am full, my body surprises me with a newfound Strain I name "Venom Production", which was extracted from the food. My hunters seem to have killed a creature that uses venom, which was processed by the Digestion Pool and then transferred to the Queen's Hall, where I am right now. The new Strain can be used to make either the claws or the bite of a creature poisonous. It must be used in combination with a venom type. This unlocks me the new feature to start the collection of different kinds of venoms. The first one I start with, which I call for now “Starting Venom”, uses Necrotoxins.

I take the opportunity that Karina is still sleeping and go to the new hunters that are in production to adjust them accordingly. It is important that I fulfill my role as queen and support my swarm. The most sensible thing would probably be to pursue these very activities here in the safety of my Hive Complex until I am ready to leave. However, I doubt I can keep Karina busy down here for days or weeks. I know that we Sylv like to live underground, but humans like to go outside. The problem is that I would have to accompany Karina in such a case, since I don't think that she would interact well with my swarm yet.

I conscientiously complete the tasks ahead of me and have an idea. I could go hunting with Karina on the surface. That would also shorten the time until we can leave. On the other hand, it is quite dangerous in the environment we are in. It would be better if I could call on the support of my swarm for this endeavor. But this leads me back to the problem that I have to get Karina used to it first. So the best thing to do is to start with short excursions to the surface, where we stay close to the nest, and start with the first hunt only when Karina gets along with my swarm.

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With my plan ready and the tasks at hand completed, I make my way back to Queen's Hall. After arriving there, I notice that Karina is still asleep. To use the time wisely, I continue to work on my magic skills with the goal of gaining better control over my two new abilities.

(POV Karina)

I wake up and feel uncomfortable. The ground isn't exactly soft, but it's not exactly hard either. The problem is more this steady dim light in the chamber. Down here I lose all sense of time. I have no idea how long I've been asleep and whether it's even light outside. Sleepily I look around and notice another figure next to me in the room.

I think for a moment and remember what situation I am in. At last Sylvia has started some kind of transformation. She explained to me beforehand what was happening, but it still shocked me. This strange cocoon formed around her. After a while waiting for it to open, I must have fallen asleep. "Hmmm"

The cocoon has disappeared by now, the remains seem to have been removed as well. The figure in front of me looks a lot like Sylvia, but her skin looks different. Its color has adapted to its surroundings, as if it were camouflaging itself. However, since there is nothing else in the room and I am not far away I can see her clearly. I wonder if this is Sylvia, changed by the transformation in the cocoon. However, it could be one of her conspecifics, which she mentioned. I still have not encountered these, so it is difficult for me to judge.

After I have finished my observations, I clear my throat and draw attention to myself. The figure turns to me and greets me, "Good morning Karina, I hope you have recovered well?"

Based on the answer, my suspicion that it is Sylvia is confirmed and I answer: "Good morning Sylvia, I feel a little better. Thank you for asking … wait a moment ... Is it morning at all?"

Sylvia replies, "The sun is shining on the surface right now, but it won't be for long. Normally I would be asleep right now, since like all Sylv, I prefer to be active in the dark."

"That's interesting. I'd like to learn more about you and the Sylv," I reply. In response, Sylvia's antennae wisp anxiously through the air. I wonder why this makes her nervous. Is there something she doesn't want to tell me? What I've heard so far casts the Sylv in a rather mysterious light.

She answers timidly, "Um, we Sylv are different...", she pauses for a moment to think and then continues, "We naturally live underground to protect ourselves from the glare of the day. We live in groups, which are led by a queen. I am a queen and I lead this Sylv group here. I am called a queen because I am different from the other Sylv in the group. There are certain functions that only I can perform that other Sylv cannot. As you have already noted, I am still very young and my group is small. I was found by humans left alone in the forest. They took care of me and taught me many things. The misfortune which brought me here has separated me from them and I am working to return home. During my preparations I met you. I would like to help you as I have been helped."

That's a lot of information for me to process. As I think about it, Sylvia looks at me expectantly, while keeping her nervous demeanor. I notice that there are topics that Sylvia has deliberately not addressed. Her answer has actually raised more questions. On the other hand, I can now understand her much better and she seems to really want to help me. Considering these circumstances, I can overlook the fact that she is hiding a few things from me. She seems to be afraid that I might reject her. That's disturbing, but when I think about the fact that I'm sitting down here in safety and being fed, while up in the forest I would probably fight for my life ... it doesn't seem so bad. Besides, Sylvia is such a sweet kid, even if she does look a little strange. So I decide to wait patiently until she opens up to me more.

I start to move slowly towards Sylvia, who is watching me intently. When I am close enough I embrace her tenderly and tell her in a calm voice: "Thank you for taking care of me. I am very glad that you helped me and that you are keeping me safe down here. I know it is uncomfortable for you to talk about some things. I didn't mean to push you. Take all the time you need."

Sylvia begins to cling to me more tightly, emitting a soft muffled squeak. We sit together for a moment until she regains her composure. Then she says, "Thank you Karina, I feel a bit better now. Can we stay like this for a while longer?"

"Of course.", comes my answer and so we stay a little longer together ...