Sally pov:
The skirmishers and I waited along the path that crosses the forest.
< Any signs>
The skirmisher shook its head. < The path is oddly quiet today...> That’s not great. Has word reached about what we're doing already? I don’t think so, we only just started 2 days ago.
2 days prior, just after the defeat of the silkwrith queen
I opened the door to my mother's room. As usual, she was lying in bed, eyes closed. However, this time, black and green mana swirled around her body. I guess her magic is back.
<Mother?> I asked timidly.
Her eyes suddenly blinked open.
<Oh Sally, you are here for your reward, aren't you?>
I nodded expectantly. I know I should feel some shame for being so eager, but… I just can't help myself.
Mother rolled out of bed and slinked towards me. Her body was amazing as ever. A masterpiece of chitin mother is-
<Are you ready> I glanced up to see her. so fast, when did she- it doesn't matter. I nodded. Mother grabbed my chin. I closed my eyes, braced myself for her lips, when suddenly I felt something warm on my forehead. I opened my eyes to see her kissing my forehead. This is new, maybe she’s trying something or-
<There we go, well done> And with that, she pulled away.
<Mother- that was- I didn’t> I couldn’t find the words. This isn’t how it usually goes.
<Not the usual reward, isn’t it? I know, and I'm sorry, every part of me would love to bend you over and take you to heaven, but I can't afford to have you pregnant at the moment.>
I opened my mouth to say something, but my mother immediately put her finger on my lip.
<I promise to make it up to you. In the meantime, there is something more important I want you to do.>
I wanted to argue, but I managed to keep my mouth shut. Annoying as it is, mother wouldn’t do this if it wasn’t important
<as you know my strategy has changed and I want to strike the iron whilst it's still hot. So your mission is to secure me more breeding stock. You know the road that goes through the forest, right?>
<Yes, the long one.>
<that one. The hive needs to expand, and for that, we need more breeding stock. I'm sure you can see where I'm going>
<You want me to kidnap traders and travellers> I said. Mom nodded.
<quick as usual. Focus on travellers and traders, and any non-combatants
<What about military and adventurers?>
<only take the fight if you're confident you can win. Your mission is to capture people alive; however, if killing them is your best option, you may do so.>
<I understand, but isn't this very risky?>
<Yes, but nothing worth having doesn’t have risk. The hive is expanding greatly. From my count, I think we are close to nearly 1000 units. We will be discovered, it's inevitable. If that is the case, the hive must be strong to defend itself. To that end, I want you to also prioritise people with strong magic.>
<Strong magic? Any reason why?>
<Another way for me to increase the hive's strength. Eggs I put inside hosts have a chance to inherit their hosts' magical powers. My theory is that those with stronger magical powers are more likely to create those kinds of units.>
I nodded my head. <I see.> Her theory makes sense. Mother has impregnated so many people, but she has never managed to produce a single modified unit from those people.
<Understood. I'll head out and->
<One more thing> She interrupted.< you wont be alone for this assignment. I'm assigning you to a team, based on what I observed; you worked well with the skirmishers. Their use of speed over pure raw strength works well with you. I think a squad of 7 will work well with you. I'll also throw in some scouts and spitters and a squad of nature workers who can help you with logistics and any sort of terraforming you need to do>
<Mother. That's...are you sure you can trust me with? I have no leadership skills
<don't sell yourself so short, Sally. Just do what feels right. I trust you.>
<If you say so, mother.>
New Title Added
Squad Leader
The hive queen has selected you as the leader of a squad of her children. Don’t fail her.
(Any experience earned by your squad is shared to you directly)
<That’s quite the title. Don’t waste this opportunity.>
< I'll try, mother. It's just what if I fail or my decisions cause my brother's to die how will you ever forgive me if-
<dont worry about my children dying> she cut in. <That is a weight I carry. Just focus on doing your best>
My head snapped up to see my mother. What? Is she....mother loves her children fro her to be so….
<Mother….>
She let out a sigh < it's not favourable, but the path ive chosen is one that will have a lot of bloodshed, both of the enemies and our own. If the skirmishers die. It's a loss. But they are replaceable. However, you are not Understand?>
<Ill keep that in mind, mother.>
<Good. Get out there as soon as you can. Your deployment will be for around a week. Once the week is over. You can come back and claim your actual reward>
My face lit up. < Really?>
She nodded.
<ILL DO YOU PROUD MOTHER!>
The present…
<Big sis Sally. We see something east, it looks like a carriage with what looks like an escort>
<Perfect. Everyone, get into position>
The skirmishers quickly moved into position whilst I set the trap. I quickly drew blood from my finger and flicked it onto the road.
<Perfect.> I've been practising this technique over the past few days, honing it to the point where I can use it with minimal collateral damage. It wasn’t easy, and there were a few mistakes, but we are finally here.
< what's there formation>, I asked the scout.
<30 total, most of them are wearing what looks like armour and spears; however, there are 4 at the back that look different>
<How so?>
<I can't explain, but my instincts say these are more dangerous than the others. Should we abort?>
The idea crossed my mind, but the chances that those guys are mages are very high. If we let them pass, it could be days before we see anyone again. We can't let this opportunity pass.
<We attack, our priority is the mages, slaughter the rest. signal mother to let her know the situation. We may need reinforcements.> the scout flew away from the group back towards us.
Time passed by slowly as we all waited expectantly. We waited and waited until a familiar sound hit our ears—the creaking and cracking of a horse-drawn carriage. T. I lay low in the bush line as we waited for the go-ahead from our aerial scout. I looked to my sides; two skirmishers lay eagerly awaiting their next kill. Whilst the others waited on the opposite side of the road. This day has been a long time coming, and they can't wait to sink their blades into something.
<Now.>
My fingers snapped, and suddenly, there was a large thunderous roar of dust and
Debris as the explosive blood went off. Instantly, we leapt into battle, not even letting the dust settle
“WHAT THE HELL JUST HAPPENED?!”
“ARE WE UNDER ATTACK! CAN-“
“BATTLESTATIONS EVERYONE! WE CAN'T AFFORD TO-“
In that split moment, 3 of them were silenced, causing his head to roll to the ground like a flash 3 more heads leapt into the air, turning their bodies into fountains of blood. The nexus drew the blood in, ballooning to the size of a cow. I kept going, slicing, maiming, and decapitating as I moved. Panic ensued among the soldiers as their ranks quickly shrank. The sound of hardened chitin clashing with steel echoed across the road as the rest of the skirmishers 7 skirmisher joined the fray.
<5 of you stay here and handle them, the rest follow me >
I charged forward, ducking and weaving between the humans and breaking out into an open space.
I got ready to move when suddenly a large gust of wind hit me. The wind blew the smoke and dust, revealing an upturned carriage and chaos. However, this didn’t top the skirmishers as they slowly made quick work of the weaker ones.
<Mage ahead, 12 meters.
My eyes snapped onto the group. They all wore a mixture of light and heavy armour, except one. This mage had a tiny frame and wore a black cloak from top to bottom. Something tells me that one is one to watch out for.
<Ill take the robed one. Keep the others off my back as best you can.> The skirmishers acknowledged the order, and we started moving. As we did, the group instantly clocked onto us. And in a flash, they shot into formation. The robed one and a man clad in silver armour in front, whilst the other 2 stayed close together at the back.
<Don’t drop your guard, especially with those 2 at the back. Now, on my signal, we rush them. Play cautiously; this attack isn’t to kill them but to find out what their abilities are.>
<Yes, big sis>
<Good, I'll be relying on you.> Before they could respond, I took off with skirmishers in tow.
“They’re coming! Do it, Brodie!” the armoured mage yelled. He quickly glanced at one of the mages at the back. Before we could react, green magic erupted around one of the mages at the back. I braced myself for an attack when suddenly he launched a green orb into the sky. It flew for a moment before it exploded and spread out into a large green dome around us.
“No, you’ve got nowhere to run”, said the robed mage. She quickly undid her gown and threw it aside, revealing a feline-humanoid hybrid wearing light leather armour.
<Dammit! Spitters get involved and try to find an opening.> I charged towards them, shrinking the gap down to around 6 meters, 4 meters, 2 meters, my blades quickly dropped out. I got ready to swing, but as I did, something started screaming at me. Something wasn’t right about this. Why hasn’t she moved? Or cast any spells. Was I wrong about her being a mage? I swung my blade down, 1 meter, just what are you hiding? Suddenly, she raised her head, revealing a sly smile.
“Gotcha bitch”
“GYaghaaa!” Suddenly, something hard hit me in the chest, sending me flying backwards. I dug my blade into the ground and slowed myself. I snapped back towards the sly cat what the hell did she do?
“Did you think I was some defenceless cat? If that’s all your bringing then you might as well give up now.”
“You talk to much” I snapped as I lunged forward. 1st we need figure out what she is hiding so no stupid risks
“You must have a death wish,” the mage raised her hands in the air and with one diagonal slash, the air twisted and ruptured and formed into a nearly invisible blade.
“I see” 2 spurts of blood suddenly launched from the nexus. Mimicking her motion, the spurts turned into slashes that collided with her attack, stopping it easily
New spell added
Blood slash
“tchk’ you think imitating me will save you! Guess again!” the mage sent more slashes of wind that I easily met with my own. At the same time, the spitters finally arrived and immediately got into action, sending an unending barrage of acid at the green barrier, but unfortunately, none of it went through.
The two skirmishers, seeing that the wind mage was distracted, charged around me towards the other mage.
The skirmishers quickly closed the range to the armoured mage. However, just as they were about to attack, the mage's body glowed a bright purple before splitting itself into 2 copies. A loud clash of blades erupted as the skirmishers engaged this mage in a rapid dance of blades. I wanted to support them, but this wind mage was persistent, constantly slinging her magic at me, keeping me pinned. Dammit, I hate this. I'm a close-range fighter, not a mage. Casting spells like this is not what I do, and besides, unlike her, I can't keep this up forever. I glanced towards my blood nexus; it has shrunk considerably now, only ¾ of its original size. At this rate, I'll run out of blood, and then I'll really be in a sticky situation.
<Guess I'm really going to need to improvise.> I sent another blood slash towards the mage at the same time, I pulled out a large portion of blood and launched it towards her. Her hands moved to launch another slash, and at the same time, I snapped my fingers; the large ball erupted into a small fireball before unleashing an ear-rupturing explosion in front of her.
The explosion drenched the air in a thick cloud of smoke. Quickly, I bolted through the dense cloud. I'll have a short window before she.
*WHOOSH*
Wind whipped past my head as I burst into the daylight right on top of the mage.
“Dammit!” she cursed, the air ruptured around her hands as 2 wind blades erupted just in time to collide with mine.
“Let's see how you fare in a close-range fight”, I pushed her blades away, easily breaking her defence. In that moment, I could see an opening with one swipe of my blade; I could decapitate her. But sadly, my mother wants her alive. My blades instantly sank into my arms. At the same time, I stepped forward and delivered a jab to her face, causing her nose to explode with blood. I quickly followed with a shot to her liver and the final one to the centre of her mass, finally finishing her off.
“DARCI! Damn it!” He tried to get to his friend, but the skirmishers had other ideas. The skirmisher swung its sabre towards his neck; however, the mage was able to only just intercept the blade with his. Suddenly, the mage's clone came around to try to catch the skirmisher of the guard, but just in the nick of time, the second skirmisher intercepted the clone. The same back and forth repeated over and over. They were both equally matched. However, the humans had one disadvantage to the skirmisher. Humans get tired.
The skirmishers never once slowed down, constantly attacking and constantly putting pressure on the mage. It wouldn’t be long until he eventually slips up. The mage raised his blade to defend an overhead attack from a skirmisher. Suddenly, his clone appeared behind the skirmisher, ready to finish him off, when at that exact moment the second skirmisher drove his sabre through his chest. His eyes bulged before his body suddenly turned a deep purple before disappearing in a cloud of magic.
“Dammit”, the real one yelled. He tried to make a second clone, but I wasn’t having it. I leapt into battle, catching him off guard with a side swipe of my blade, which he narrowly dodged. The skirmishers countered by launching an attack of their own. Their blades were about to hit when suddenly a dark shadow appeared across me. I was about to swing my blade when a dark shadow suddenly covered me. Suddenly, something strong sent me flying backwards, and then there was an almighty loud thud! And a dust cloud the size of a house
<What was that!> I yelled. I managed to just catch a glimpse of something large breaking through the dust cloud. It looks like… a hand?
<The other mage has appeared to enlarge his hand.> one of the scouts had chimed in.
Suddenly, a skirmisher burst through the dense dust cloud, skidding to a stop just next to me. I looked around, waiting for the other one, but there was no sign of him. The cloud of dust began to clear, revealing a large hand covered in green alvearix blood where I had stood last.
<Just before it hit, he kicked you out of the way> the skirmisher said. I looked the pool of blood with confusion.
<Why did he……we’ll dwell on it later. Right now, we need to focus on defeating these idiots.> I looked towards the last remaining 3 mages. One was channelling green mana around his body, whilst the other stood guard. I'm guessing he has a more tank-oriented role. I quickly glanced behind me. the remaining skirmishers eagerly scratched their bloody blades against the barrier. In the time it had taken us to deal with those 2 they had quickly dealt with the remaining soldiers. Dammit, we need to get rid of that barrier.
< thanks to that stupid dome, we can't get help from the other skirmishers and our air support. If only we had a way to deal with that dome.> This is becoming really tedious now.
<Big sis Sally. We have a problem.> the skirmisher pointed its sabre towards the mages. The other one was still channelling the barrier, but his body was shaking more and more violently with each second. I have a bad feeling about this.
I bolted forward towards him. I have no idea what he is planning to do, but my instincts are screaming at me to stop him. As I got closer, the shaking increased until, suddenly, the ground shook and the mage grew his body to the size of a house.
“I'll crush you all like the bugs you are!” he bellowed. He swung his foot towards. The sheer action kicked up a stupid amount of dirt and debris that I only just managed to dodge. This is bad, being trapped with him in this enclosed space, we'll be dead in no time.
<The barrier mage is now a top priority. Kill him if you have to!> the skirmisher and I bolted as fast as we could. However, the giant had other ideas. He swung his massive hands and feet towards us. I was just about able to dodge his swing, but in doing so, I was sent to the other side of the barrier. Dammit, this is not good, not good at all.
The skirmisher landed right next to me as he just managed to dodge its attack.
<This is hopeless. We can't get anywhere near him> I looked around for any sort of option but nothing came to mind. Nothing that we can do quickly in this moment.
<Sorry, mother. It looks like I failed you again.>
<I think you're calling it a little bit too soon> Mothers voice echoed into our heads.
<Mother… what are you->
<Bah- bah- bah. You can save the questions for later. Look up, I'm sending something your way> My head shot upwards just in time to catch a black streak heading towards before we could react. The black streak collided with the barrier, causing a mass of black sparks to spread across the vibrant green barrier. I watched the barrier mage look around in shock as suddenly his barrier started to crumble.
“WHAT WAS THAT? WHAT DID YOU DO! JOHAN, WHAT'S HAPPENING?”
“eughhaaaa! I DON’T KNOW!” The other mage panicked as what remained of the barrier finally crumbled
<Now, children give them hell.> Mother's voice was like a dinner bell being rang in front of a pack of starving dogs. The skirmishers tripped over each other to attack the mages. The giant tried to swing at the incoming skirmishers, but as he did, his hands were met with a volley of acidic venom from the spitters. The giant groaned in pain as the remaining spitters sent a volley of venom at his hands.
“Gyaghhhhaaaa Dammit! " Curse you,” he bellowed, holding his hand in pain. The smell of burnt flesh wafted across the battlefield from his hand. Suddenly, he took a swing at the spitters with his good hand, but they were more than ready, easily dodging it and moving, unleashing hell onto his good hand.
Whilst this was happening, the skirmisher dawned on the other mages. Purple magic erupted again from the clone mage, however, before the clone could even see the light of day. The skirmishers were on top of him. He tried to block the flurry of attacks, but it was hopeless 2 skirmishers were a lot to deal 4 was a death sentence. He screamed as the skirmishers cut him up into tiny chunks of meat.
<that’s one. Like Sally ordered to kill the barrier mage as well; however, the one who changes sizes must survive.> The skirmishers instantly turned their attention to the barrier mage. Their bloodlust was so thick I could feel it from here.
And judging from the mage's face, they could feel it. The barrier mage scrambled to his feet while the other already took off, leaving him for dead.
I watched in awe as my mother was completely able to turn the battle like that, and to think she wants me to be a leader like her….
“DAMIT GET AWAY FROM ME!” Suddenly, the giant changed back to normal, and without missing a beat, he started running. Dodging left and right, trying to avoid the volleys of venom going his way. He’s surprisingly agile.
<Are you just going to watch from the sidelines, my daughter?> Mother's voice entered my mind. She’s right. What am I doing? I need to get involved. My eyes locked onto the mage, and like a racing dog, I took off. I blitzed past the skirmishers who were devouring the other mage as I charged past. The other mage locked eyes with me as I barrelled towards him
“NO NO NO GET AWAY!” He grew his damaged arm again and swung it at me, but this time I was ready. I ducked underneath it and skidded underneath his arm. Before he could attack, I lunged towards him, tackling him to the ground.
“Get off me! You crazy bit-aghHHHHHAAAA”
I buried my blade deep into his shoulder. “Mother said I shouldn’t kill you, but she said nothing about maiming you.” My blade worked its way down his shoulder with ease, cleanly separating him into 2 pieces of meat. His agonised scream echoed across the road until finally, with one swift swipe, it flew clean off.
“Don’t worry, you won’t bleed out. I'll make sure of that.” his blood suddenly pooled around where his arm was, and as the blood left, I instantly redirected back into his body. It wasn’t much, but it would suffice until Mother healed him.
I climbed off his body and glanced around the road. The once pristine, peaceful road was now a blood-ridden cesspool of blood, insect parts and human limbs. I should be disgusted at the sight, but honestly, that was the last thing on my mind. What bothered me the most was the fact that this entire operation was messy from start to finish, and as the person in charge, that is my fault.
<I should never have been put in charge.>
<What makes you say that?> mothers voice rang out. However, this time it was real. I glanced behind me just in time to see my mother descending onto the battlefield surrounded by an army of workers and warriors.
<You achieved the goal. In my eyes, you did we->
<Don’t say that!> I snapped. <This was not a success! I had to get saved by a skirmisher, causing him to die. My orders got me separated and trapped by the enemy! If you didn’t intervene just now, I would’ve probably ended as a red smear on the ground! I can't and won’t call this a success! I…. I don’t deserve this position. You need to pick someone else.> All the frustration I had, I emptied out. This whole shit show is my damn fault.
< You're right> My head snapped towards my mother. <Yes, a skirmisher did die under your charges, yes, you did have to get saved by a skirmisher, and yes, I did have to intervene to save your life. But do you know who else has experienced that exact same thing?>
<W..who?>
<Me. Sally, I've nearly died so many times it’s not funny. Apollinaris had to nurse me back to health after nearly dying after fighting a wolf, and if you think losing 1 unit is bad, I’ve lost hundreds. Sally, everything you’ve felt, I’ve felt it dozens of times over. It sucks, but it is important that you learn from it and know yourself. You will learn from it faster than I did.>
Mother suddenly turned her attention to the man. She placed her hand over his wound, and suddenly it lit up brightly with black and green mana. I pained groan suddenly came from the mage as his missing hand closed to a stump.
<Mother, how can you be so sure about me?>
She let out a small chuckle as she lifted the man into a princess carry. < Quite simply because you are my daughter. Now lets head back home.>
I nodded <Okay mother>
30x Guardsman slain by a squad
6000xp awarded
Adrien “Barrier Smith” slain
2000xp awarded
Rourke “blademancer” slain
4000xp awarded
Congratulations, you have levelled up!
28 -> 30
8 ability points awarded.
Congratulations, you have reached the level cap and can now evolve!
Would you like to evolve?
<Evolution? Wow, congrats> Mother chimed.
<Is this what happened to you?>
Mother nodded. <Its worth doing as the strength increase is impressive. It may help you in your new role as well.>
I looked at the text box in front of me. I have reached the ceiling for what I can do here, and seeing how Mother plans to be more aggressive, I need to amass enough power to do what she needs of me.
<Yes, I would like to evolve.>
The box poofed out of existence immediately, and at the same time, a wave of tiredness wafted over my body. I felt my legs give way before everything went dark.
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