The hivemind is conquering for me? Chapter 779: Come Again?

"Could you repeat that?" I inquired, my eyes fluttering open and shut several times.

Rhapso erupted into giggles. "Hooray! You’re glowing! You look absolutely radiant! Has the baby started to kick yet? What’s your due date?"

"Sister!" Nerissa’s voice cut through the air, laced with annoyance, causing the jovial Praetorian to freeze and stand at attention.

"A-he he. Well, as I mentioned, Apollo, ‘pregnant’ is the closest human term, yes."

"But I’m a boy?" A wave of disbelief washed over me as I removed my armor and performed a quick check. Mr. Johnson and his crew were still comfortably residing where they belonged. Then, I glanced to my right. Rhapso had started to follow my lead, but quickly averted her gaze towards the moon, a faint whistle escaping her lips.

"Is this some kind of prank? Because if it is, it’s a masterpiece. You dragged me out here for two days, only to tell me I’m somehow pregnant, despite knowing I lack the necessary biological equipment. Let me just confirm... Yep, nothing down there but intestines."

Nerissa took a step closer, her trembling hands reaching out to grasp mine. In that instant, I knew she wasn’t jesting. "Apollo... Within the blessing I bestowed upon you, could you try to focus and see if there’s anything minute, perhaps resembling a seed? It will require time and concentration, but please, give it your best effort."

I met Nerissa’s gaze, her usually vibrant purple eyes now fixed intently on me. I simply gave a small nod before closing my eyes and concentrating. Her blessing had been with me since the beginning of our college days. It had pulsed faintly a few times, particularly when our bond deepened, but otherwise, it remained dormant, merely enhancing my strength and rectifying minor physical imperfections.

So, I focused. Employing my psionic aura internally, I extended my senses throughout my entire body. Even with my body being a veritable crucible of psionic energy, I could still discern the blessing’s presence. It was an alien psionic force that had achieved symbiosis with me.

Tracing the energy, I noticed it felt more potent. However, I had already suspected this surge was related to my enhanced scent and healing abilities, as Nerissa herself had once mentioned that blessed humans could sometimes emit an aphrodisiac-like aura. I had assumed her second bloom might have involved another blessing.

Yet, considering her current request and her earlier astonishing statement, the 'seed' she mentioned implied something far more profound...

Opening my eyes, I looked at Nerissa and nodded. "Yes, I can see a seed. Or, at least, what fits your description within the blessing... So, am I going to be a mother? But we haven’t even-" I couldn’t help but blurt out, prompting another wave of laughter from Rhapso.

"Hahaha! Nerissa, you neglected to mention his comedic timing in addition to his cuteness!"

"I’m beginning to regret inviting you along... I’m quite sure I could have persuaded Phoebe to undergo the ritual if I had pleaded…"

"No, I apologize, Nerissa! I’ll behave… It’s just… You understand. It’s *him*!"

Feeling left out of the escalating banter, I interjected, "Alright, could I please get some clarification on what exactly is happening here?"

Nerissa immediately shifted her attention back to me. "Yes! My apologies. That seed... it is a result of our energies intertwining. Our emotional and spiritual connection has manifested life. Psionic life."

I blinked in astonishment. "Are you suggesting I’m growing a nymph?" My voice was laced with bewilderment. Fortunately, Nerissa shared my confusion.

"W-What? No, certainly not! It’s a seed. I wasn’t born from a seed. We... we simply came into existence, *poof*! No, this is something far rarer. Maia, the eldest among us Nymphs, has only witnessed it a handful of times. Nymphs rarely interact with humans; our existence was dedicated to serving our gods. However, there were instances when... fraternization occurred, and well-"

"To put it succinctly, because you psionically ‘connected’ with Ness here, you’re about to transform into a colossal tree-man unless we extract that seed from your body!" Rhapso declared abruptly, encircling me in a bear hug.

...

"Could you repeat that?" I inquired, my eyelids cycling through several blinks.

"Worry not, we won’t allow you to become a Woad. With your powers and strength, you’d likely grow to the size of a planet, and we must maintain absolute secrecy."

"A Woad? Like a male Dryad?" I asked, sensing the inopportune timing as Nerissa and Rhapso exchanged glances before Nerissa refocused on me.

"P-Precisely correct, Apollo. Akin to a male Dryad..."

The prospect of transforming into a gargantuan, planet-sized tree-being was hardly appealing. Trusting that these two knew what they were doing by bringing me here, I asked.

"Alright. What is the solution?" If I’m just removing a seed, I suppose I’m not against having it removed... It will continue to live after, right?" I asked, perhaps my motherly instincts were taking over as the life inside of me grew... Even if it was going to turn me into a tree...

Rhapso nodded her head. "Oh yeah, it won’t be a problem. We are going to plant the seed in some special soil and it will turn into a beautiful apple tree with golden fruit. I can’t wait, the last one died before I was even amalgamated yet so I am so excited to try these fruits in a few thousand years!"

"Nerissa?" I inquired.

She then shrugged her shoulders. "A few thousand years is worth the wait... They are really good. So juicy and-"

"-Not that, I mean so how are we going to get this out of me then? It’s inside my blessing are you going to take it away?" I asked, a bit saddened.

Nerissa must have heard the sadness in my voice as she walked up to me and stroked my hair comfortingly. "While there is a method where I can do it that way, it involves also cutting you open and well... You are my friend, Apollo. I wouldn’t do that to you... Plus I like the fact you walk with my blessing inside you. It makes me feel closer to you, even when we are apart."

I reached out and cupped Nerissa’s cheek, taking her by surprise as I smiled at her. "Well, I appreciate that. I like my blessing too. So, what’s the other option?"

*Smooch*

My eyes widened as her newly red lips touched mine for a moment before pulling back.

Rhapso gasped overdramatically before Nerissa explained. "Sorry, I have been wanting to do that for a few days like my boops. Please think nothing of it. It was an impulse because what I am going to say next is... Embarrassing."

I turned to the third party present and stated calmly. "Rhapso. If I ever 'think nothing' about one of you gorgeous Nymphs kissing me on the lips. Hunt me down and kill me. M’kay?"

The fellow Nymph began to giggle again before I turned to Nerissa. "Just tell me the embarrassing thing. Don’t worry about it. If it will cure me from turning me into a walking tree, I will do it."

’Maybe. I am sure Jewel could always fix me anyway.’

Nerissa cleared her throat once more after looking at me for a few seconds.

"W-Well, you see. Given WE have created life together. Your body is highly attuned to nature Psionics right now. I... Know a ritual that will remove the seed from your blessing by... Transferring that seed into another ’seed’ you carry naturally in your body."

I tilted my head in confusion. "Another seed? I don’t have ano-Oh shit!" My eyes went wide. Not being dense for once, I think I understood what ’seed’ Nerissa was referring to.

"So what? You do this ritual and then what? I tug one off and the seed comes out?"

Nerissa shook her head. "No, when the seed is... transferred to your seed. It will become diluted. It will take a day to complete the ritual then, judging from what I hear from sharing a home with you, another day to release all the seed in its entirety..."

Nerissa then began to blush even more. "Also, your own touch will not be enough to coax out the seed... It is attracted to life energy... Such as Rhapso and I. So we will..."

"We will be literally sucking the seed from your reproductive appendage." Rhapso chimed in and moved forward to hold my arm. She then patted it.

"Now, now. I know what you are thinking. ’But Rhapso, we have just met. Are you sure ab-’ Yes. I am sure. Don’t worry, I know who you are Sentinel ’Apollo’ I am honoured to help aid you in this little endeavour. Besides I have never done anything like this before so I am kind of excited. Plus it takes at least two Nymphs to do the ritual to make sure no raping took place and its a consensual removal of life, so yeah."

I then turned to Nerissa to make sure what I was hearing was actually... Happening. As I did, Nerissa removed her armour. My eyes instantly widened upon realising she was not wearing her skinsuit and I got to see the sight of all her greenness in all its splendour. Her frame was on the smaller side despite her capabilities in combat, but if I went blind at this moment it would be worth it...

She then walked towards me, her face blushing still and placed her hand on my chest and looked directly into my eyes.

"I told you I would never intentionally bring you harm, so let me fix this mistake. And don’t worry... I am excited to try this too."