The hivemind is conquering for me? Chapter 747: Becoming A Limb

Rhea appeared somewhat stunned by whatever it was, yet she responded anyway. "Oh, um. We can’t really say, it’s classified, but basically we have been hopping from warzone to warzone."

Willow jumped in next, drawing nearer to me. "Our team focuses on scorched earth warfare. We destroy ground the enemy has taken so they cannot use it. Earlier today, we destroyed the Drakoshi’s major offensive arms. Tons of battle gear and munitions! It set their offensive back days! That gives us even more time to dig in and set up our defences. Isn’t that amazing?"

"Koeda! The fuck are you doing! Classified means classified!" Rhea whisper-shouted at Willow, then glanced around in worry.

Willow spun toward Rhea as if she’d just uttered the dumbest remark imaginable. "But, it’s Apollo. We can tell Apollo. Besides, he is a Sentinel now, he outranks us."

Rhea’s expression shifted to one of shock, like an unseen force had struck her, as she faced me again. "Oh yeah. What the fuck? How has that happened Apollo? The last time we met you were still a fallen Archon... And how do you have a Praetorian as your guard?"

I released a dramatic sigh, placing my hand dramatically on my forehead. "Oh, where to begin? It’s a long story so I’ll give you the rundown. After we last saw each other, I went to Euc 1 for queen Elaine’s party. While there, I ran into Valerica, cured her condition, went to the party, met your dad and Talia. Got into a fight that nearly killed me with another Praetorian. Nerissa found me interesting and followed me back. Then I got sick and went home. Came back. Valerica adopted me, your mum divorced your dad. I went to college, got enrolled in the elite program. One of my teachers summoned a Psionic being, Nerissa went to report. Blackmailed King Dickon in my place, as I just found out, for my sentinel position she came back. kept on doing college for a bit till a few days ago when we got the emergency call and now here we are. Questions?"

Rhea started stumbling over her words. "Y-You cured Grandma? Wait Did you say my parents got divorced? When the fuck was this? And- How did you manage to get a Praetorian to blackmail the civil King? And did you say Grandma adopted you? What the fuck?"

Meanwhile, Willow beamed up at me while caressing my bicep. "Sounds like you had quite the packed schedule since we last saw each other huh? I am not surprised, you are such an interesting person after all."

That compliment brought a smile to my face. "Oh, thanks Willow." I answered sincerely before shifting my gaze back to Rhea. "Oh, speaking of Valerica. Cockburn!" I bellowed loudly, prompting the centurion to sprint over immediately.

"Sentinel? How can I be of service?"

"Yeah, hi. I need some parchment and something to write with."

He snapped a salute and dashed off quickly. "Just a second." I faced Rhea and wrinkled my nose at her in a teasing manner.

Moments later, Cockburn rushed back from the facilities, clutching a folding table in one hand, sturdy paper in the other, and a pen gripped in his teeth.

"Wow, going the extra mile with the table. Thank you very much." I remarked genuinely, and he gazed at me with near-reverent eyes before saluting again and hurrying away.

"Is being a sentinel that big a deal? Jeez." I murmured quietly before starting to scribble on the paper.

"Apollo what are you doing?" Rhea inquired while observing, but no reply was needed as her eyes grew wider watching my drawing, until she pushed Willow’s face aside.

"Apollo what the fuck! How do you have that and why does it look... Different?" She fell quiet abruptly, scrutinizing the paper before her.

"Well when I went back home, there wasn’t much to do there. So I asked Valerica to give me the Hyllus family technique so I could attempt to improve on it. And I did. Getting rid of the lingering effect after using it for decades the way your grandma did. Valerica says the new one is amazing, so I thought I would share it with the rest of the family. As I think it’s mean for her to hoard it all to herself and Kathrine."

...

...

...

After several moments of quiet while Rhea examined the page with a fierce focus that evoked Valerica—’As Kathrine only gets that look in the bedroom.’—she finally spoke.

"Apollo this... Grandma really gave you the... But she barely trusted me with... Apollo, thank you." She lunged forward into a hug, which I returned warmly.

"Of course. We are family, I take great care of my family. Now as for your other questions. Yes, Kathrine and Milo got divorced a few months ago now. He moved out east and Nathanos went with him. We haven’t heard from either of them since. And I have no idea what Nerissa said to Dickon, she wouldn’t tell me that, but that makes me think it had something to do with Hailey and her Fathers relationship and Nerissa took advantage? I don’t know yet. I will try and get more out of her."

Rhea’s face took on another slapped expression. "Whoa whoa whoa." "Hailey. As in Princess Hailey Athena?"

I nodded.

Rhea jabbed a finger at me in astonishment. "You are dating that ice queen my mother fawns over? And my mother is ok with that?"

Willow cut in then. "Of course Kathrine would be fine with it. She was such a kind woman. And besides. Apollo is... Wait, did you get taller?" She veered off, comparing her height to mine.

Rhea eyed her oddly behaving friend since Apollo’s arrival, then the strangely grown man before her, who’d gained at least six inches. Still, her weary mind struggled to process after the grueling day.

She reached for the family technique, tucked it into her battle armor, and said courteously, "Apollo. While it is great you are here. And hopefully will be later to continue this discussion. The toll of the last four days has caught up with me and I am on the verge of passing out. Do you mind if I go and sleep?"

"Oh no, not at all. You get your rest. We can chat later." I assured her.

Rhea nodded, seeming ready to depart, but paused. She pivoted back, approached me, rose on tiptoes, and planted a kiss on my cheek.

"Thank you for saving the lives of myself and my squad. I owe you a debt I cannot repay." She glanced at Willow. "Willow... If you aren’t coming, behave."

Willow clung to me more firmly and giggled. "Oh don’t worry. I just want to hear more of Apollo’s stories. I’ll be following along shortly."

Rhea shot Willow an indecipherable glance before departing. Once out of hearing range, Willow faced me and embraced tightly, whispering softly, "Oh Apollo I have missed you so much. Thank you for this wonderful gift you have bestowed upon me. How is Sophia? How is Keyla? How is-

"-Oh Willow. I thought I smelled you. Long time no see." A figure drenched in guts materialized beside me. Just then, Sapphire slipped into my Mindspace.

Willow bowed deeply to Onyx. "Lady Onyx. It is a pleasure to be in your presence once more. I promise my distance from the family has not diminished my loyalty. In fact it has only broadened it. Seeing humanity for what it truly is now... I am disgusted to be a part of helping its regime expand."

Onyx grinned slyly. "I am glad to hear this Willow. When Keyla turned you so suddenly, we feared you might rebel and I would have to kill you. I am glad that is not the case."

Willow laughed lightly. "Rebel? After being shown the light where once I was blind? Never, my lady."

No longer requiring my oblivious translator Janine, I grasped the situation and blurted out.

"Woah, Hold the front door! What the fuck?!?"

I drew Onyx near and murmured to her. "Is she a ’family member?’ When did this happen?"

Onyx regarded me with surprise—rare for her, given her constant mind-reading. "Did we not tell you, my everything? Keyla turned her into a cultist. Now it was ahead of schedule and Sophia almost killed her over it, but-"

"-Well no fucking surprise there. What the fuck was that short fucker thinking?" I whirled to Willow, who looked puzzled. "I mean, it worked out, but you know her power Onyx, you were there in the starlight way when she whispered it to me. If things went awry, she could have killed the entire family in a second. Oh Keyla is getting it when I see her again..."

Willow tugged my shirt, gazing up sadly. "Apollo? Did I do something wrong? I am sorry if I did."

My fury evaporated instantly. Setting aside Keyla’s rashness, this Willow differed vastly from moments before. Jewel’s DNA coursed through her. A parasite dwelled in her Mindspace. She was evolving into one of Jewel’s extensions. Our bond had transformed from friendship to...

I wrapped my arm around her, drawing her close in a hug. "No, of course you haven’t. I am just mad at my little murder hobo for being reckless. I couldn’t be happier you are one of us now... The more people I have connections with a part of the family the better. But let’s move this conversation to somewhere more private for now. Shall we?"