We set off again and leave the temporary Hive Complex behind us. We are lucky and make good progress. I guess my Hive Commander accompanied by my Hive Warriors scares off most predators. They look for easier targets if they can. This didn't seem to apply to the stone golem, I guess, but it doesn't exist anymore either. I continue to stay alert though because we're not safe yet.

I walk along with Karina in the middle of my swarm. I would like to chat with her a bit but now is not the right time. She seems to be of the same opinion and marches silently. In the end, my tension was probably unnecessary, as we successfully leave the deeper areas of the Everglade Forest without further incident. But I would react the same way in such a situation, according to the directive: safety first.

From here on, we are back in safer territory. The creatures in the outlying areas are not particularly dangerous. Even Karina, with her broken weapon, should be able to handle herself here. But we have a solid escort that can take care of everything even without our intervention. Therefore, I order the accompanying hunters to fan out to the sides of our formation and search for food. This should at the same time help me to find my way around better.

A while later, Karina and I have something to eat. We take a short break so Karina can cook her share of the meat. On the other hand, I prefer it raw and immediately dig in. I have noticed that the rate at which I extract new Strains has slowed down a bit. I suspect this is because I have already accumulated a lot of Strains. The effect is not very strong and I am not too worried about it. The biodiversity around here is big enough to supply me with new material for quite a while.

While Karina prepares her food, she asks me about my human family. I enthusiastically relate how Elise found me alone in the forest, abandoned by any other Sylv. I go on to say how I was warmly welcomed by her family, how they took care of me, and that I learned a lot from them. This is also the primary reason why I have such a good relationship with people and through that decided to immediately help Karina when she came across me in the woods back when she was running away.

"It sounds like you were very lucky to be found by such an understanding person," Karina comments at the end of my story. In the meantime, she has eaten her meal and is ready to leave again. I agree with her and continue reporting as we continue on our way. Shortly after, I can sense the presence of my old Hive Complex, located right next to Elise's house. It is still in hibernation and I send a signal to wake it up. It is still some distance away, but we should make it before having to rest again. I'm already so excited and can't wait to get back home!

Around half an hour later, my accompanying Sylv swarm notices a presence ahead approaching us. I stop my conversation with Karina and turn my attention to the approaching encounter. I cannot yet make out the figure through the senses of my drones, but it appears to be a human. I think about what Karina told me about a normal reaction towards my person and the accompanying Sylv escort. On the other hand, it could be Elise, since we are already pretty close to her house and she likes to hunt in the forest around it.

"What's going on?" asks Karina, as she notices me focusing on something. I answer her, "A person is moving toward our position. I'm not completely sure who it is.". Therefore, I decide to proceed cautiously and order my escort to stop moving. In order not to appear threatening, I position myself together with Karina at the head of the formation and order my escort to make themselves as small as possible. Thereupon my Sylv sink to the ground and pull their limbs closer to their bodies. Karina remarks, "If you don't recognize the person, you can leave the talking to me," and pats me encouragingly on the shoulder. This gives me a little more confidence and I eagerly await the meeting.

I don't have to wait long and shortly after I find myself face to face with a woman wearing a green cloak and carrying a bow. She flips back the hood from the coat and I recognize Elise underneath with a radiant smile and tears in her eyes. With quick steps, she hurries toward me, whereupon I meet her. "Sylvia, is it really you? I was so worried about you!", Elise speaks. I answer her, "It's good to see you again. I missed you very much!". Shortly after, we embrace warmly and I enjoy the close contact extensively with a contented purr.

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After Elise regains her composure, we separate and she looks interestedly at my companion, who is standing indecisively behind me. I take the opportunity to announce, "This is Karina, I found her deep in the forest and helped her get back safely …", after which I point to Elise and continue, "… and this is Elise, whom I've already told you about extensively."

After introducing them to each other, I look around at them with anticipation. Karina extends her hand to Elise in greeting and introduces herself, "Nice to meet you. My full name is Karina Siegesmund. I'm an adventurer and a good friend of Sylvia."

Elise replies, "Pleased to make your acquaintance. I am Elise Sternensucher.", then glances behind us where the other Sylv are still quietly waiting and turning to me stating: "Your Sylv swarm has grown considerably."

With a proud grin, I reply, "Indeed it has. I wouldn't have made it back without this Sylv escort," then pointing to the Hive Commander behind me, who slowly stands up, I continue, "This is my first Hive Commander and leader of my escort. He is intelligent just like me and has protected me from danger in the deeper parts of the forest!"

Elise backs away a bit as the Hive Commander straightens up to his full height. I can understand that since unlike me, he was made for battle and warfare. However, I am confident that he will get along well with Elise, given some time.

I take a step toward Elise and gently take her hand to reassure her. "I haven't named him yet because he is still young and his personality has yet to fully develop. He can't talk like me, so he'd rather not. You don't have to be afraid of him, he's actually quite nice, which Karina can confirm!", I assure her and look at Karina with a prompting facial expression. She clears her throat awkwardly and then confirms my statement: "It has always protected me and Sylvia well. Whereas Sylvia doesn't exactly hold back in fights ..."

"What?!?" interrupts Elise with a concerned look in my direction, "Since when can you fight? Are you injured?".

I answer reassuringly: "I'm fine. I've grown in multiple ways since the last time you saw me. Besides, I didn't have a choice at first, that is, right after I was carried off by the massive bird of prey."

Elise's eyes scan me anxiously for injuries, only now noticing the many small changes. "You've definitely gotten bigger. I'm glad you're okay and that you found your way back to us," Elise says. Then she continues in a slightly nervous tone, "We will also find a solution for the Hive Commander and the other Sylv in your company. That was quite a lot at once, I need some time to process it all."

Karina takes the opportunity to suggest, "How about we continue this conversation later at your home? I'm feeling exhausted and I'm sure it's not far."

"That's a good idea. Follow me, this way.", Elise replies and we all continued our march together. As the rest of my escort starts moving again, this seems to unsettle Elise slightly. Having spent a lot of time with people, I can interpret all the little subconscious signals, which humans emit when feeling unwell. To distract her from that, I ask Elise, "How did you find us so quickly? It's still nighttime and I thought humans usually sleep at this time ..."

She replies, "Yes that's true, but I placed some magic wards as an extra safety precaution some distance around our house after the incident. If a large creature enters their area of effect, I get warned. After I received such a warning, I left as quickly as I could to check it out. With True Sight active, I immediately recognized you through the magical aura you give off. "*

"I see, that is quite clever indeed. I'm already looking forward to seeing Mark and Erik again!", I reply. A few minutes later I can finally see the house. My first Hive Complex right next to it is also fully operational again and starts to create additional space underground for my escort. This will take a while though and I instruct the Hive Commander to support the operation with his Hive Warriors. This will allow me to concentrate on what is going on inside the house and not have to worry about the accommodation of my escort any further. I finally made it back and now everything is back in order. Mark and Erik will surely be thrilled that I returned. With a short, satisfied purr, I enter the house.

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*Reminder: True Sight is one of the spells Elise is proficient in (see f.e. chapter 1)