The hivemind is conquering for me? Chapter 780: Goofy Juice?

"Come again?" I repeated, my eyes blinking numerous times. I tried desperately not to look at Nerissa’s body, but I failed almost instantly.

My attention was diverted, however, by Rhapso exiting her armor.

Rhapso was shorter than Nerissa, standing at only six feet tall, but my eyes widened at the sight of her petite yet powerful physique. She was adorned with only a few strands of fabric.

She was also strikingly beautiful, emitting an uncanny allure much like Nerissa, and had a subtle green complexion. Her face possessed a magical quality, featuring a sharp jawline, a delicate thin nose, heart-shaped red lips, and long, flowing blonde hair. Her eyes were a vibrant neon white, and her gaze was incredibly lively, clearly enjoying my perusal.

As a man, my instinct was to relax and let these 'aliens' have their way with me. Yet, Nerissa was my friend, and I felt compelled to ensure she was comfortable with this one more time.

"Nerissa. I know we are close, but beyond admiring your beauty, I’ve never considered you in this way before... Are you certain you wish to do this for me? I’m not a masochist, but if you desire it, I don’t mind experiencing the pain... Especially if performing the act after the ritual would cause you or your friend here any discomfort."

Rhapso seemed about to speak, but Nerissa shot her a stern look. She then turned to me, and to my surprise, she embraced me. I concentrated intensely, trying not to focus on her body against mine, and listened to her words.

"Apollo, the reason I am choosing this path is because you would readily select the more arduous option for my benefit. You would put yourself in peril to aid me. I want you to comprehend this. I am doing this because you are my friend, because I created this predicament, and I will resolve it... Also, because I desire to. I am... Intrigued."

My curiosity piqued, I then shifted my gaze to Rhapso. The closest I ever came to a one-night stand, excluding Kat, was with those two lesbians, Alannah and Evie, aboard the Opulence en route to Euc 1, but I declined because it felt odd to engage in intimacy with strangers.

"What about you, Rhapso? Why are you participating in this? I owe you nothing. In fact, if you were to do this, I would be indebted to you."

Rhapso approached me once more and guided my arm into her embrace. "Oh, I’m here for the sheer joy of it. I’ve never experienced either of these things before, and Nerissa is my favorite sister, so I readily agreed when she asked for my help. Don’t stress about it, handsome. I’m actually quite exhilarated... Besides, I live to serve, 'Apollo.' Hehe~"

Nerissa then nudged Rhapso sharply in the ribs before turning back to me with a smile. "Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, though. Rhapso and I must first perform the ritual. To achieve this— Wait, did you bring the required components?" she inquired, looking towards the second praetorian.

Rhapso gave a nod and stomped on the ground. Moments later, three chalices brimming with a viscous blue liquid materialized. "You two were taking your sweet time arriving; it’s not as though a war is raging outside this glade... So I had ample time to prepare the concoction while I waited."

"What does this mixture accomplish?" I asked, as Nerissa handed me a chalice. I took a whiff, and its aroma was unlike any 'blue' flavoring I had encountered before.

Rhapso answered before Nerissa could. "Oh, well, for my sister and me, it will unlock the inherent Psionic capabilities within our bodies. It will elevate our consciousness to the Psionic plane, transforming us into pure conduits of natural Psionics. As for you... You’ll likely experience an intense cosmic journey."

I was about to mention my resistance to poisons, but Nerissa seemed to anticipate my thought. "Apollo, this substance renders Psionic alcohol insignificant in comparison. Believe me, you are in for quite an experience."

"Very well... May I pose a few more inquiries before I partake of this peculiar elixir?"

Nerissa gestured with her hand, granting me permission.

"Alright, first—and I'm quite certain I know the answer, considering my current sensations and the presence of the moon—this glade gate is not currently active on Lleon T1, is it?"

Nerissa shook her head. "Yes and no. Only we nature Nymphs possess the unique Psionics and cosmic connection required to open these gates. The Drakoshi are incapable of entering, rendering us completely secure as they cannot utilize Psionics. Consider it a quasi-Psionic plane sub-realm, similar to what Xy’oi’la’py’re described to you."

This revelation brought me a sense of relief. I had no desire to be incapacitated while under the influence should a horde of Drakoshi decide to attack. Facing the blue lamps with dignity would be impossible then... If I ever got another chance to encounter them...

"Okay, one concern alleviated. Now, I presume you requested Onyx and Sapphire to depart from my Mindspace either for privacy or because my Mindspace needs to be clear? You do recall that I harbor... other entities within there, correct?"

Nerissa’s eyes widened, and Rhapso’s did as well.

"Whoa! What? You keep entities inside your Mindspace?!? That is so dangerous and absolutely badass! No wonder Nerissa likes you so much! Do you have room for another praetorian follower, Apollo? Hehehe-" *BONK* "Ouchy!" Rhapso held the top of her head and pouted as she looked at the stick Nerissa materialized in her hand.

Nerissa then turned to me, then to Rhapso, and then back to me. "Hold on a second, Apollo. I trust Rhapso, but to be sure."

She then turned back to her sister and, in a stern voice, demanded, "Rhapso, vow on your existence that what you are about to see will stay between us. Breaking Apollo’s trust will be breaking my trust, and I will never forgive you if you mention what you are about to see to any other living being."

Rhapso seemed quite the joker from our short interaction, but as she looked at me, I saw a seriousness in her white eyes. "I vow never to break your trust about whatever I am about to be shown. May my existence perish if I share this information with anyone you do not give consent to knowing."

I suddenly felt a thrum of power resonate around the glade after she finished saying that, but right afterward, she returned to normal and asked, "So what goodies do you have in your Mindspace? Whip it out! Whip it out!"

I started off simple with Zircon. Rhapso didn’t seem impressed with my flying sword. ’If I told her a big sexy hive queen was inside, she would think differently,’ I thought to myself, and as a result, Zircon began to vibrate so hard her blade started to sing.

For the next one, I then gave Nerissa a look, and she took a step back. A moment later, I felt a great relief in my mental faculties, followed by:

"Bleughh!" Rhapso dry heaved instantly upon seeing my stick. I could feel its intent. I wasn’t exactly happy about the lewdness about to commence after the ritual, but understanding it was my tool and it would prevent me from turning into a mega tree, it maintained its aura.

"A-Apollo." Nerissa said with great difficulty, remaining neutral. "Can you take it to the very edge of the glade and then come back… Better yet, can you throw it out of the glade? It should be able to breach the Psionics considering its nature?"

I looked at the stick and felt its agreement. It then fell from my hands before rolling away.

...

The stick understood its master well. The trust the master had shown it, since its betrayal by possessing his mate, was fathomless. It cared for its master in a way the lewd bringers never could. It should have smitten them all with its just bonks long ago, leaving the master pure and uncorrupted, but that would have left the master unhappy.

The stick was the master’s tool. As such, it would follow the master’s wishes, especially now. The master did not wish to become a tree, so it would not hold ill will against the two antithetical beings of its existence. It would allow them to cure him of the condition with lewd actions.

It arrived at the edge of the Psionic ring. It felt the master’s gaze upon it. The master trusted it, and it trusted the master. It would wait.

It knew it was only a matter of time before the master needed it to ward off the scourge known as horny once more. And when needed for more than the scourge, it would provide the master with its purifying flame, empowering the master’s Psionics with its antithesis.

For only the master was worthy of blending the two forces together. Only the master was worthy of doing the impossible…