Completely dumbfounded by the small ball of light hovering before me, I lost myself for a moment, finally snapping back to reality.
"Is this my soul? Or at least a part of it?"
This ball of light was so much more than it appeared. I could feel an otherworldly connection to it, as if I were gazing into a mirror that reflected a version of me, different yet undeniably the same. It’s hard to explain—this tiny sphere is me! But at the same time, is it merely a copy? A fragment of my essence, like a photocopy of an original artwork?
"Hmm… at least it didn't hurt to extract it. I thought it would be really painful."
It seemed that tampering with the soul was akin to meddling with the brain; neither could feel pain, yet both were far too important to treat carelessly.
With the small ball of light still cradled in my mother’s hands, I stood up calmly and moved closer to the crystal containing Muck’s “false soul.” I attempted to place my soul fragment into the crystal. However, the moment the fragment neared it, I watched in shock as Muck's essence was drawn out, swallowed by my fragment.
"Damn! This wasn't the plan—"
For a moment, I thought I had inadvertently destroyed Muck's soul. But something astonishing happened. Before my eyes, the shimmering golden sphere transformed, pulsing with streams of vibrant lime green energy. As the green began to spread through the ball of light, it deformed, morphing into a small being resembling a lime-green slime.
The connection between us intensified. Whereas before it was a mere thread binding us, now it felt like powerful currents, akin to the roaring tides of an ocean. I had no doubt that this mysterious little creature, resembling the natural spirits of the world, was Muck—my lazy, mossy feline companion.
So small and delicate, it fit snugly in the palm of my hand.
"This is incredible…"
Staring at him, a wave of dizziness washed over me, as if I had been weakened by some unseen force. Quickly, I opened my status screen, and it soon became clear why.
[Status] [Information] Attributes Name: N/A Species: FeyWeaver Life:38.4 Def: 7.7 Level: 1 Class: Queen Vit: 52.4 Int: 13.7 Sex: Female Stamina: 12/111 Dex: 1.8 Wis: 14.8 Mana: 49.4 Affinity: Life Spr: 16.5 Str: 0.6 Talent: Vital Weaving
[Effects]
{Shattered Soul} - ∞
Your soul has been split, reducing your status by 5% permanently
{Soul Exhaustion} - 23:58:48
Your soul has suffered great trauma, rendering her momentarily unable to gain MP and XP.
-100% Xp/MP gain
“DAMN! My stats have been PERMANENTLY affected?!”
I had my suspicions that tampering with my soul wasn’t a wise choice, but it turned out to be an extremely bad idea. No matter if I were a world destroyer capable of creating galaxies with a single breath—if my soul is inin pieces, then what’s the point of having a lot of power?
A 5% debuff each time I split my soul? Or does the size of the fragment determine the severity of the debuff? If it’s indeed a 5% reduction per split, then can I only do this nineteen more times before I risk losing my entire soul? Or is there a limit to how many times I can divide it? Are there any other consequences aside from the 5% penalty to all my stats?
Without wasting any more time in anxiety, I gently placed Muck’s true soul into the crystal. As Muck's essence slipped from my fingers, it seamlessly entered the small crystal, causing it to shimmer with a stunning shade of delicate lime green.
Suddenly, the crystal began to swirl with a miniature tornado of sparkling energy, transforming the once simple lime green stone into something extraordinary. It morphed into a gem resembling a diamond, reflecting a dazzling array of prismatic colors, with light lime green hues dancing within.
[Description] Name: Soul Cristal Rarity: Epic Quality: Perfect
A crystal created with the energy of life intertwined with the power of spirits, making it capable of perfectly storing souls in their purest form.
“This is incredible! A crystal capable of containing souls?! But how on earth was it created? Did Muck’s essence react with the mana crystal to forge this soul crystal, or was it something else entirely?”
It felt unrealistic to assume that simply tossing a soul into a mana crystal could somehow cause it to “miraculously” transmute into something new. There had to be a process at play that I wasn’t aware of, or perhaps some factor, cause, or entity that interfered with its creation.
“Could it be the spirits? No... those glowing entities don’t seem to have had any impact. So, was it Elixya? But I didn’t receive any notification... Maybe it’s a natural process? Perhaps every time a soul enters a mana crystal, it creates a soul crystal? Or maybe I just got lucky... Ughh... I don’t know!” I exclaimed, tugging at my hair in frustration.
“There’s not much I can do about it, then. Thank you, Elixya, if it was you. This time, you were a great help! Or whoever assisted me with this—be it fate, the god of souls, or some bored entity—thank you!” I said aloud to the empty space before me, my hands pressed together in a gesture of prayer.
Turning back to my creation, I tapped the soul crystal gently with the tips of my nails, and it emitted a peculiar wave of energy that flowed harmoniously through the root circuits of the crystal shell.
Nodding in approval, I began to assemble the entire Muck core, fitting the pieces together meticulously. I glued some components and screwed others until I was left with an intriguing object resembling wood, adorned with “veins” of green vines and ports similar to USB connectors for external charging.
Theoretically, this new Muck core should be capable of storing all the energy generated by Muck's body. However, if it proves insufficient, or if Muck produces excess energy that can be harnessed for other tasks, I deemed it essential to create these “USB ports” to simplify operations. With this setup, we only need to connect a root cable to Muck for input and output.
Additionally, the core features an input for crystal disks. I plan to test whether Muck can read these disks containing pre-recorded spells. There’s also a "DVD" input designed to accommodate crystal disks filled with various magical commands, allowing Muck to analyze the information and transform it into useful insights.
This new functionality could enhance Muck's abilities significantly, making him not only a companion but also a vital asset in our adventures. I could already envision the possibilities—Muck may very well be the perfect prototype, the beginning of a sustainable way to create artificial life, a way to create expendable battle units that can fight in my children's place while we all relax in the safety of the hive.
[Description] Name: Living Heart Rarity: Epic Quality: Good
An artificial cristal heart created by the Queen FeyWeaver, this artifact is capable of serving as a receptacle for souls, spirits and the like.
“Wow! I created a vessel for souls!”
It's astonishing when you stop to think about it. This "core" acts as the heart of a true body, while Muck's moss serves as the "flesh and bones," and the "soul crystal" is essentially Muck’s own soul, making him practically a complete living being. Muck has always felt somewhat unreal to me—like a toy or a semi-conscious plant. But calling him a “real living being” seems misleading. His body is made of plants, which are indeed alive, so by extension, Muck should be considered a living being.
However, his "true" body is the core that provides the energy for movement and grants him a [Status]. This core, constructed from wood, glue, and crystals, hardly resembles a real living organism. I often find myself at a loss for how to refer to Muck. Sometimes, I think of him like Pinocchio—a being that shouldn’t be alive yet can walk, "eat," and even fight.
I also noticed that transforming Muck into a familiar seemed to make him more sentient, as if he had upgraded from a robot with a basic neural system to one with advanced AI. Holding Muck’s core in my hands, I realized it was now significantly larger, about the size of my palm, which meant Muck's body itself would also grow.
Without delay, I dashed to my special garden, where I conducted experiments with plants. I placed Muck’s core directly on the ground, atop the magical moss I had used to create his body long ago.
Theoretically, I could use other materials to give Muck a different body, but I wasn’t sure how this might affect his abilities—positively or negatively—or even if it was feasible. Muck had been linked to the moss for so long; his skills and talents were all derived from it.
As soon as I stepped back, the moss began to grow rapidly around Muck's core. Earth, mud, rocks, and roots surged from the ground, integrating into his form. Soon, I could see what appeared to be eyes, legs, paws, and a head materializing from Muck's body. It astonished me—Muck had always been a shapeless blob of moss, but now he was taking on a distinctly different physical form.
In no time at all, Muck's shape began to resemble that of a fat cat. His “fur” was composed of thin green moss leaves, with sprigs of flowers scattered across his body. His tail was a large fern, lazily swaying as he moved. His paws were made of earth and stone, providing a different coloration from the rest of his lime green body. His eyes and snout were fashioned from small stones, gravel, wood, and roots. This new incarnation of Muck made him look like a Siberian cat crafted from moss, roots, and dirt, which filled me with delight.
After all, I’ve always loved cats! Maybe my fondness for them influenced Muck's transformation. I had often joked about him being a "fat cat," and now he truly was!
Once Muck's body was fully formed, he looked up at me with his big black eyes, sitting on the ground with his hind paws. His mossy fur was beautiful, though it needed brushing. I thought about getting him a collar and maybe even giving him a bath! However, considering he was partly made of dirt, I wondered if running water would be a suitable option.
As I contemplated the possibilities, I approached Muck to examine him. In response, he suddenly fell to the side like a brick, which genuinely startled me.
“Muck?! His core couldn’t handle the pressure?! He should be perfectly stable! It’s fine, it’s fine— as long as his soul crystal is intact, I can always create a new body for—”
Looking closely at Muck, the moss cat, I realized he hadn’t broken anything; he was simply lying on the mossy ground, lazily dragging his tail along while purring contentedly.
“You... bastard!!! Don’t scare me like that!” I exclaimed, scooping him up by the waist and lifting him into the air. Muck was heavy—really heavy. About as much as a fat Siberian cat raised by your grandmother. He appeared sleepy in my lap but was also incredibly comfortable. His mossy fur felt softer than real moss, and his purr was remarkably soothing.
“Hehe... I guess it was all worth the effort. After all, I’ve got a cat!”
----------------------------------------
I sat on my throne, listening to Yan's report. My long white dress, adorned with ruffles and embroidered with golden flowers, cascaded down to the floor. The semi-transparent sleeves extended to my wrists, and a delicate choker of the same sheer fabric rested between my neck and breasts, making me appear like a saint from a fantasy tale.
A green cat, Muck, comfortably perched on my lap, as I gazed down at Yan, who was reporting with an exuberant smile.
"We will be able to leave by the end of the day, Queen Mother! The palanquins have been loaded, the non-combat troops have been evacuated, and the 'Downfall' project is ready to begin!" he said, beaming at me.
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We had been planning our "Strategic Escape" for some time. I refused to remain in this wretched place, facing dangers every day for nothing! It was infested with dangerous monsters, and now I knew that humans were encircling the area. I didn’t want to spend another day here!
The "Downfall" project Yan mentioned seemed unnecessary to me, but the others insisted it was crucial. The plan was to incinerate the entire tower after our evacuation. Incendiary pits would be placed throughout, and the structure would be drenched with highly flammable alchemical liquids, ensuring that anyone searching for information about the towers would find nothing but a city of melted wax.
It required immense effort, but we had managed to clear the stocks, securely seal ongoing projects in shipping crates, and place them under the care of the transport club. The farm creatures had been slaughtered, and only the most promising eggs would be transported to the new settlement. Buck and his assistants had harvested the crops and selected the best seeds and seedlings. Jasper took charge of the potions, powders, pastes, and other delicate items, all of which had been properly stored.
We even arranged a palanquin solely for Ken and Keb. Ken had returned to his duties in the infirmary, but I wouldn’t allow him to overexert himself again. I made him choose between the infirmary and the nursery, and he opted for the nursery, deciding to care for the eggs and larvae of the entire hive, while Keb would manage the infirmary.
Ken was visibly upset about the decision, and I suspected he harbored a bit of resentment toward Keb for "stealing" his position. You couldn’t leave the two of them alone without them arguing. Not that their fights were threatening—both were as strong as a water flea—but their loud bickering could be heard even from my quarters.
"Alright, how are we progressing regarding our destination?" I inquired.
"To the east, we have a river flowing south. Our plan is to avoid the forest and follow the river’s course to the demonic lands far to the south. According to our scouts, there’s nothing on the explored banks of the river. Based on the explorers' discussions and analyses, there’s a strong possibility of human cities to the far south, or something similar," Yan replied clearly.
"Hmm... And how do we plan to evade humans if we encounter them?"
"We'll fly above cloud level to avoid detection, and in the worst-case scenario, Jon and Zack's team will stay behind to delay any potential enemies from approaching the main herd," Yan stated seriously.
This plan wasn’t perfect, but it was the best we had for avoiding danger and keeping a low profile throughout the journey.
"Hmff... What about our offensive capabilities?"
"We have potions, single-use weapons, mages, poisons, and skilled users at our disposal! If we come across hostile forces, we’re prepared to fight!" Yan assured me.
"I see... Finish the final preparations; we're leaving."
Yan bowed elegantly and exited the room, leaving me alone with Muck. I quickly lifted him to eye level, eliciting a groan of displeasure from him.
"Oh... Who's that cute little thing? It’s you, Muck! I hope you're ready for our trip!"
I said to Muck as I opened his Status screen.
[Status] [Information] Attributes Name: Muck Species: Shroudriguen Life: 10.3 Def: 5.6 Level: 2 Type: Etheral Moss Vit: 136.3 Int: 1.2 Mana: 74.7 Stamina: 54 Dex: 0.3 Wis: 0.9 Talent: Converge Affinity: Life Spr: 1.2 Str: 0.4
[Skills]
{Photosynthesis} - Lv 5
Use sunlight, moisture and nutrients to create MP
{Regrowth} - Lv 2
Regenerates lost parts quickly using Sp.
{Verdant vitality} - Lv 4
If the damage received is less than the points of your [Vitality] it will be ignored.
{Familiar} - Locked
As long your creator remains alive, you can be revived indefinitely by him at the cost of MP.
{Mirrored} - Lv 1
When you suffer any type of damage, you can reflect it back to your enemy at the cost of Mp.
{Serenity Eyes} - Lv 1
Enemies who look into your eyes will gain the [Tranquilized], [Pacified] effect
{Creation Bond} - Locked
Your soul was created from the soul of your creator, making you eternally linked to him.
{Soul Whisper} - Lv 1
Your close contact with souls allows you to interact with souls.
Muck had become surprisingly powerful. When I first reviewed his status, I nearly had a heart attack, but upon closer inspection, it was clear that Muck was nothing more than a very resilient punching bag.
He lacked combat skills, couldn’t run away, and had no quick reflexes. His only saving grace was his ability to negate any damage below his [Vitality] status, and to reflect that damage back onto his “attacker” at the cost of MP.
True, his [MP] and [Vitality] had increased significantly, but everything else remained so low that it felt like a cruel joke. However, the most impressive aspect of Muck now were his new skills!
{Serenity Eyes} was a fantastic skill, perfect for calming someone we didn’t want to engage in conflict. Yet, I found it a bit dangerous to let the target know that Muck was "forcing" them into a state of tranquility.
{Soul Whisper} seemed somewhat useless for Muck, but it had its applications. It functioned like my [Spectral Resonance] skill, allowing Muck to perceive “The Other Side.” However, Muck had little use for it other than occasionally playing with spirits.
Curiously, the brown spirits of this place seemed to "hate" Muck, avoiding him at all costs and fleeing whenever he approached. It was strange, but amusing to see Muck chase after those little, farting orbs as if they were mice darting away from a cat.
Undoubtedly, the best of all his new skills was {Creation Bond}. This skill established a bridge between us, enabling strong communication. If I wanted Muck to perform a task, I could simply send the request, and he would do his best to fulfill it. Unlike before, I could now assign him more abstract tasks, and Muck would find creative solutions to the problems I posed.
For instance, when I asked him to bring me exactly three round stones, the old Muck would have returned with a handful, but this new Muck executed my request flawlessly, with no effort. He could even cast spells now! Unfortunately, he couldn’t create them from scratch like I could; he needed a "Manual" of the spell to imitate each step and cast a half-baked version. Fortunately, Muck also had a [Spells] tab, albeit limited to just one spell he could use whenever he wanted.
Just in case, I had assigned the [Healing] spell to Muck’s spell tab. You never know, right? And I doubted anyone would expect a mossy cat to know a healing spell.
Another change I couldn’t overlook was the shift in Muck’s [Species]. I wasn’t sure why this happened, but I suspected that altering the body and soul of a living being affected its fundamental nature in some way.
Cradling Muck in my arms, I rose from my throne and prepared to leave the room. Everything here was about to become just a memory. The resources that had built this place would be lost, the structures irretrievable, and worst of all, our entire history would fade into mere fairy tales. The beasts of this forest wouldn’t bother to remember the strange creatures inhabiting a peculiar tower in the middle of the plains, and I doubted anyone would believe the kobolds if they claimed, "We were helped by sacred beasts! Fairies sent by God!"
As I stepped out of the room, I cast one last glance back, tinged with regret. Change was always difficult; the memories and time I spent in this place would never be forgotten. This was where everything began, shaping us into who we were today. These walls had sheltered us from rain and strong winds, providing a reliable refuge.
"Goodbye... And thank you for everything. I’m sorry for what I must do... I can’t leave any traces behind."
This place would soon be set ablaze. Perhaps it was unnecessary, even excessive, to destroy the tower, especially since it would likely kill the tree at the center of the main tower, the "Heart" of our home. But the others were right; if we left behind an "advanced" civilization made of wax, wood, and other natural resources—something that shouldn’t be "common" in this world—it could invite significant problems. The best course of action was to obliterate everything and leave any curious onlookers to ponder the remnants of our home.
----------------------------------------
"Alright, is everyone here?" I called out from atop a cloud of soldiers, all armed to the teeth.
"Yes, my queen! The entire hive has been evacuated, the resources stored, and everything is ready for the trip!" Yan replied from beside me.
Before me stretched a vast cloud of bees. Enormous wooden boxes floated in the air, buoyed by dozens of bees working together. Inside those boxes were unfinished projects, machines, parts, resources, and potions. Accompanying these boxes were palanquins made of wax, wood, and roots, designed to carry the hive members who couldn’t fly. The palanquins were arranged by "importance," with members of the communication club positioned closest to me—easier to defend—and those from the cooking and entertainment club on the fringes of the massive swarm, the most perilous spots.
"Hmm... Very well, light this thing and let’s go. I want to reach the river's end and find a place to rest until sunset," I commanded bluntly.
"Sure! Set it on fire!" Yan exclaimed, adding a dramatic flair.
Soon, I watched as several ceramic bottles plummeted from the sky. Upon impact, blue flames erupted, prompting the hive to retreat even further. The fire quickly spread through the hive, following a path of fuel, until the entire tower blazed like a massive bonfire. Even from a distance, I could feel the heat radiating from it, and I sensed the hive's tension; they absolutely despised fire. It was a primal fear ingrained in them, a fear I had unwittingly passed on, shaped by my last memories as a human—suffocating under debris, smoke burning my lungs, and flames melting my flesh like wax.
It wasn’t an ideal situation, and I still felt a twinge of fear regarding fire, but I couldn’t let my past dictate my choices. Fire had its benefits—without its "discovery," we’d still be clobbering each other with sticks and making grunting sounds. Fire was heat, energy, and a powerful tool. Yet, like anything potent, it required careful handling to avoid harm.
As my home melted away before my eyes, anxiety churned within me. Was this truly the best choice for us as a family and society? If everything went awry and we had to return, we’d have no home left, and we’d lost so many resources in the process. I struggled to know if I was making the right decisions; I was only trying to do what I believed was best for my family.
We couldn’t remain in this wretched place; it was fraught with too many dangers. If I could live in isolation, surrounded by resources and simple creatures, I would be the happiest being alive. We wouldn’t have to worry about outsiders encroaching on us or powerful entities meddling in our lives. But life was not a fairytale, and I knew I would never find the "Perfect Place," only the "Least Worst" option.
"Come on, everyone, we need to go," I said, gathering everyone’s attention.
"Yes! Hans will lead the way!" Yan declared, signaling to Hans.
Hans nodded and took off towards the south, and soon the entire hive followed him, moving as a yellow cloud across the sky.
I was flanked by several key members: Yan, Steve, Ken, Radyo, Piper, Emi, Levi, Max, and Jon. They were the "main force" of the hive, the glue holding us together, except for Jon, who served more as a "Chitin Shield" for all of us. I was seated upon a makeshift floor constructed from the backs of several [Royal Guards], [Knights], and [Protectors], stacked to create a shelter for me. Given my size, I resembled a child being carried by a swarm of insects.
'I hope they evolve quickly... This is kind of embarrassing.'
----------------------------------------
Beneath us stretched a vast expanse of clouds—endless clouds. We were drifting downriver when a few keen [Shepherds] detected potential threats. We decided it was best to retreat to a quieter location. Individually, we might not be worth much as a meal or for XP, but an entire hive on the move? Now that would be a feast of XP and nutrients. We had to stay vigilant, watching everything that stirred along the riverbanks.
At one point, a large bird swooped down, intent on snatching a few of us for itself. But as soon as it got close, it was bombarded by a barrage of magic projectiles, rendered lifeless by poison-soaked thorns flung by Zack and his sniper bee squad. While the bird was stunned, Aldy and his group of toxic bees latched onto it, injecting as many paralyzing and hallucinogenic substances as they could muster. The bird plummeted to the ground, and let's just say the landing wasn’t pleasant. Picture a melon dropping from a high building—no good could come of that.
After the incident, the journey resumed with relative calm. Strong winds buffeted us, and we encountered a few pesky insects and small predators trying to snag a piece of us. Those unfortunate attempts only resulted in a boost of XP juice for us. Now, we sought temporary shelter for the night, a safe haven.
"Queen Mother! Our scouting team discovered a large crater in the mountain wall! It's spacious enough for us to rest comfortably!" Yan reported eagerly.
"Hmm... Is it safe?" I asked, scrutinizing the images of the location.
"It appears so! The crater bears signs of having sheltered various creatures before us! We didn’t find any traces of blood or anything that might raise alarm!" Yan exclaimed.
No blood meant no recent deaths there, which was a promising sign.
"Hmm... All right, let’s head down. Send the reconnaissance team ahead to scout the area. If it’s clear, we’ll settle in."
The "Reconnaissance Team" consisted of specialists I had gathered to assess the safety of our path. This group included [Scouts], [Shepherds], [Explorers], [Trackers], and several others of similar expertise, with Zack and Aldy providing additional muscle. The plan was to let them rest during the day and undertake this task under the cover of night. It was a more dangerous job, which is why only elite members participated—those most knowledgeable in their fields.
"Understood! We’ll secure the area right away!" Yan replied, brimming with excitement.
Soon, our cloud of bees began descending, revealing a steep mountain face, almost vertical in its ascent. The walls were adorned with jagged stones, draped in moss and wild plants. Nestled in the cliff was what looked like an entrance, obscured by leaves and vines. I could see a constant flow of bees entering and exiting, some returning with their bodies laden with pollen, while others discarded old leaves, bits of wood, and dirt from the crater.
Squeezing into the entrance, I was greeted by a surprisingly cozy interior, illuminated by several worker bees glowing with bioluminescence. The floor was spotless, meticulously cleaned and waxed to create a smooth, inviting surface. Groups of bees buzzed about, some constructing what looked like a bed, while others exchanged nectar with the cooks to prepare rations for the rest of the hive.
"Very cozy!" I remarked as I entered.
It wasn’t particularly spacious—perhaps the size of a one-room studio with a ceiling height of about two meters—but it was more than enough for me and the boys.
"Hmf... This place isn’t ideal, but I suppose it will do," Ken mused, blending into the bustling crowd.
"The accommodations may not be perfect, but we’ll do our best to make it comfortable for you, Mother! Once everyone is inside, we’ll seal the entrance, and the soldiers will stand guard," Hans declared, his tone serious.
"Thank you, Hans, but don’t overexert yourself. We still have a long journey ahead..."
"Don't worry, Mom! I’ll take care of everyone! If any intruder comes near, I’ll pop his head like a watermelon!" Trouble boasted, puffing out his chest.
"Hehe, sure, sweetheart, but do be careful. We can’t underestimate dangerous creatures, and you need to listen to your brother. He’s in charge of all the combat classes until further notice." I cautioned, gently tugging on Trouble's antenna.
"I don’t see why I should listen to him! He won’t even let me chase a creature just for fun!" Trouble whined childishly.
A muscular guy like Trouble throwing a tantrum is certainly one of the greatest challenges of this century. Sometimes, I wonder how someone like him would fit in my other world, but then I remember—there are eccentric characters everywhere.
"No 'buts,' boy! Obey your brother! I don’t want to hear about you or anyone else causing trouble during this trip. Is that clear?" I said, giving Trouble a gentle tug on his antenna.
"Ouch! Okay, okay!" Trouble whined in response.
Sometimes, I feel like I’m managing a circus with these guys. There’s no middle ground here; they’re either extremely formal like Steve and Hans or wildly reckless like Trouble. Ken, I suppose, is a controlled mix of both—neither overly eloquent nor unpleasant, but someone you wouldn’t want to chat with for too long.
After discussing matters with the boys, I joined them in helping out where I could, making wax and preparing food for our rations. The crates containing our "furniture" were stacked against one wall, while the other side was dominated by the bustling bees. They had crafted a makeshift bed for me, but ultimately, we would all be sleeping close together here.
As night fell, it was time to rest. I lay down on the bed prepared for me, surrounded by the hive members clustering together in swarms, occupying every available space—on the walls, floor, or ceiling of the small crater. It might have seemed uncomfortable to others, but for me, it felt surprisingly cozy.
"Uahhhh… Goodnight, boys. Tomorrow we’ll set off at sunrise," I called out to the hive.
"Good night, Queen Mother!" they chorused in unison.
With that, I closed my eyes, comforted by the rhythmic hum of my hive around me, knowing we were safe for now.