The hivemind is conquering for me? Chapter 751: Purifying Flame

After a solid ten minutes of hurling curses at Serena, Gabrielle had finally chilled out and was now perched with arms folded tight, emanating a fierce aura that screamed to everyone nearby, 'Speak to me and you're dead meat.'

I thought it was downright adorable, her fierce protectiveness over me. She acted just like a daughter safeguarding her parent's welfare—except she happened to be the older one.

Their dynamic was downright bizarre.

Once I'd managed to simmer her rage, I glanced around and located Iilr. Heading his way, I questioned him after realizing our team was still missing some folks. 'Where's the rest of the group, Iilr?'

Iilr gestured toward the path they'd just traversed and answered, 'Skaja caught sight of Drakoshi forces from the air while we headed to meet up here. She grabbed some soldiers and went to handle them. They shouldn't take much longer.'

Moments later, a golden silhouette streaked across the sky toward us at full speed. Trailing beneath her, shapes emerged from beyond a undulating hill. I knew those figures right away, so spotting one being toted like an injured soldier made my heart skip—especially since she'd joined us willingly.

Skaja touched down before our group, spread her wings wide, and slipped off a gadget from her neck prior to briefing us. 'We got jumped in a heavy gravity zone. Worse still, half those bastards burst right out of their armor during the clash. We crushed them anyway, but Lena caught a blade to the belly after veering into a brutal gravity trap. Francesca's got her steady now, and Greg patched her up best he could before burning out his reserves. Her Thermokinesis makes infection a non-issue too. A short rest and she'll recover fine.'

Having exhaled my pent-up worry, Skaja scanned the area and grew puzzled. 'Why are we loitering outside the boundary like a pack of wanderers? What went down?'

I shook my head. 'Nothing major. The centurion insisted on verifying his outpost was secure from our Psionics. But the guy's dragging his feet reaching us.'

Skaja rolled her eyes at the news. 'Classic. We're here willingly, yet these idiots distrust us over our Psionics... Glad you're still kicking, though. How'd your covert mission pan out? Did you rescue the elites?'

I nodded. 'Yep. Nerissa and I took down three silver pauldrons along the way and made them retreat.'

Skaja arched a brow, her eyes flickering green briefly before snapping back to the golden hue of her powered armor. 'You dropped three of those? Even factoring in the Praetorian, that's no small feat sans heavy firepower. Color me impressed. Nice work. That'll disrupt Drakoshi command for days until some hideous brute bulks up to claim the role. Anyway, off to inspect the team. Thrilled you're aboard, Apollo.' Skaja flashed a sincere grin and clapped my shoulder before striding away to tend her unit.

I pivoted then, striding from the outpost toward the arrivals who'd finally crested the hill.

Tamara supported Lena, who grimaced at every stride, while Francesca kept a water-shrouded hand pressed to the injury. Spotting me, Lena beamed and stretched her arms for a lift.

'Apollo! That bastard got a fluke stab on my gut. Mind a hug to ease the ache? And hey, no sweat—once the prick nailed me, I coiled my whips round him and torched him to bits.'

Francesca shoved Lena back toward Tamara and scolded sharply. 'No way. You must let me finish healing. Your body's rejecting my Psionics, costing me extra energy to make it stick.'

A sudden idea sparked in my mind at those words, and I stepped up, easing Francesca aside gently. She guarded her healer duties fiercely and nearly snapped at me, but I clarified.

Psionics conflict. I could wield Cryokinesis, yet my Pyro dominance hampers it. Lena mirrors me—Pyro and Thermokinetic. You're wasting power by flooding her with clashing vibes. Let me aid her.'

Recalling chats with my Sol on fire's dual nature—ruin and cleanse alike—I summoned it, flames erupting across my palm. Lena's eyes bulged, but with joy, not dread.

Francesca wasn't convinced. 'Absolutely not! You're not searing her wound when I can mend it scar-free. Step back before—'

*TSSSS*

Flesh sizzled and popped beneath my touch as Lena's frame convulsed. Francesca checked her expression, bracing for agony, yet Lena wore an expression she'd glimpsed in private moments—never linking burns to such bliss.

'Ooohh~ Fuck yeah! Feel the burn!' Lena groaned deeply. Tamara grimaced at the sound, muttering 'Eww,' and tried dumping her. I deployed Gyrokinesis to suspend Lena mid-drop, scooped her up, completed the cauterization, and withdrew, leaving her gasping.

She arched in my hold and burst into laughter. 'Hahahaha! Screw a duck and name it Chuck! Never figured a warzone burn from my bestie would rev me up like this, but damn, those flames rock! Ah~'

I chuckled, sweeping stray hair from Lena's face as she grinned at me. 'Happy you're good now. Up for walking yet?'

Joy drained from Lena's features instantly; she glanced about and winced.

'Tssst! Wait, thinking on it... Ouchie. Hurting bad~ Can't believe you scorched me, Apollo. Already self-conscious over my arm scars, now another forever mark? I'm devastated. *Sniffle* Fair's fair—you owe me a carry.'

Francesca advanced to inspect the fresh sear and noted, 'This new burn? I could erase it completely, no scar left—'

Lena vaulted from my grasp with her signature nimbleness, ducking behind me, then raged at Francesca. 'Hands off! Touch it and I'll violate your mouth! Hear me? I'll wreck your damn mouth! Can't you sense Apollo's fire's power?!? Pure as hell! Flawless! Erasing a burn from his blaze—a gift this epic from my closest pal? Sacrilege! Like—'

She froze abruptly, jerking still before gazing up at me stiffly. 'I-I mean. Owie~ Burn stings bad!'

…

'You falling for that?'

…

As we rejoined the crew, Lena pouted when I eyed her, though sidelong glimpses caught her beaming at the mark. Her reaction amused me plenty, but I was relieved to assist.

Back with the group, Cockburn dashed up at top speed, halted short, and wheezed before saluting. 'Sorry, Sentinel. Tied up with command. Your team's cleared for the base. My bad on the delay. Mess hall's firing up chow—dig in, all of you. I'll guide you there.'

Skaja advanced commandingly. 'Centurion, this Sentinel reports to me. I'm the warband chief. We'll hash out joint ops soon, but food first. Show us.'

Centurion Cockburn dipped his head, excused the mix-up, and led us to the chow tent. The aroma slammed me first... surprisingly appetizing.

Nerissa sat inside already, spoon nudging past her sheer veil. Seeing me, she waved lightly and slid an extra tray onto the table from beside her.

I grinned, claiming it was mine, ditched the queue fast, and plopped next to her. But eyeing the plate as I settled, a familiar frown hit me, déjà vu strong.

A hefty slab of dubious meat. Better than home's version, at least with veggies on the side.

'Requested their highest-calorie option, got this.' Nerissa clarified.

'Tried any?' I probed, curious. She just laughed before slurping more stew.

I shrugged it off. No biggie—devoured mystery meat back home plenty. Here'd be the same. Grabbed it, bit in, eyes popping wide. Flavor exploded, no doubt.

'Lord almighty, is it nothing but salt?'