The hivemind is conquering for me? Chapter 789: We Have Company

Nerissa flanking my side, I took the lead into the darkness. Soon after, purple crystals began to appear, embedded in the walls and ceiling, ranging in size from pebbles to massive structures towering like buildings.

"So, all of this will be utilized for communication purposes?" I inquired.

Nerissa confirmed with a hum. "Indeed. The larger crystals are gathered by conglomerates of galactic scale, such as Kun-co. They integrate these crystals into a closed network, even incorporating others through a fascinating blend of Psionics and modern technology. Communicator manufacturers also purchase them, grinding them into fine particles for inclusion in public communicators."

"However, the smaller crystals, those that fit in a hand, are surprisingly the more valuable ones."

"Really? That's unexpected. I had assumed larger meant greater profitability."

"For the average consumer, yes. That would be the logical assumption, and it's why tech corporations favor the large ones. But with the smaller crystals, any fracture becomes easily noticeable. The number of times it's been divided is evident. Achieving a clean cut is more challenging. Consequently, if a gem is split in two, only two individuals can utilize it, enabling contact only between themselves."

"But if the crystal remains intact, it becomes a fully encrypted device, virtually untraceable. It requires some Psi-tech to activate, but that's the fundamental principle."

Nodding along to Nerissa's explanation, I mused, "Hmm~ Yeah, that completely went over my head. All I understood was: big crystal, many people; small crystal, fewer people. Technology is still too baffling for me. I prefer to stick with my genes and my science, leaving the technical intricacies to the tech enthusiasts."

"Hmm!" Nerissa emitted a squeaky laugh behind me, the sound so charming it compelled me to turn. She then remarked as I met her gaze, "Have I ever told you that your mind is an enigma? You possess vast knowledge in certain areas, yet are lacking in others? It endlessly amuses me."

I chuckled, interpreting her observation as a polite way of calling me a simpleton. "Yes, but I don't mind. I concentrate on what brings me joy, and I excel at those things. If I were proficient in everything, I'd likely grow bored or depressed quite rapidly. Thus, I accept my limitations and have decided that when it comes to technology, I'm perfectly content remaining 'unga bunga'."

"A what?" Nerissa asked breathlessly, clearly entertained by my analogy.

"An Unga bunga. You know, a cave-"

*ROAAAARRR*

Nerissa and I instantly adopted defensive postures as a roar, or rather a screech, echoed through the cave system. The reverberation lingered for a few moments before I relaxed. "What was that?" I questioned, glancing in the direction we were heading.

"I'm uncertain. My armor's database contains no information on such a sound. However, I can confirm it is definitely not a Drakoshi."

"Should we regroup with the others?" I proposed.

"While the curious part of my mind urges me to press onward, the logical side has prevailed today. Regrouping is the prudent course of action. We must proceed this way regardless. Therefore, if that roar signifies a threat, it's better to confront it collectively."

...

*ROAAAARRR*

Upon reaching the upper reaches of the cave system, Nerissa played an audio recording of the roar for the assembled Nymphs.

"Hmm, that sounds rather menacing," Marnes stated, more as an observation of fact than an expression of fear.

"Well, this might just turn out to be interesting then. Menacing often implies deadliness. It will be enjoyable to get the Psionics flowing again, since Nerissa rather dampened the excitement." Aeteos added.

"Phoebe, do we have any records of local fauna matching this sound?" Nerissa inquired, and Phoebe shook her head.

"No. So, remain vigilant. Little can survive on this planet given the intense gravity. We are likely facing either a remarkably noisy small creature or a significant megafauna encounter."

"Such a pessimistic outlook, sister! There's a considerable chance we won't even encounter the roaring entity. Let us prioritize our primary mission: collecting the Praedoxite and any geodes of it we can find for transplantation to another suitable world," Rhapso declared before turning to me.

"These Nymphs can be rather somber at times due to their immense age. Do not worry, Apollo, I remain brimming with optimism, as you will soon discover."

"Old!" Marnes exclaimed in shock.

"We are merely two hundred thousand years older than you!" Aeteos joined in, following the prevailing sentiment. "I mean, Nerissa and Phoebe alone are..."

The atmosphere suddenly grew heavy with a sense of danger, yet I remained unfazed, suppressing the urge to rub my eyes from the sheer stress.

'Only two hundred thousand years, he says... By Jewels' tits, I still genuinely cannot comprehend living that long.'

"Enough!" Phoebe declared with a stern voice. "This is hardly the time for jokes, particularly not in such esteemed company. Apollo might be aware of our race, but that doesn't give us license to abandon all decorum in his presence. This is a warzone, and he deserves our utmost respect since we extended the invitation for him to join us."

"Oh.. Right, yeah. My apologies." Marnes sheepishly rubbed the back of his head.

Aeteos mirrored his action. "Indeed, I confess I forgot he wasn't one of us. Fully armored, unfazed by a close-range nuke, and no complaints about residual radiation afterward..."

’Hmm? Now I find myself contemplating the effects of radiation on my own body... Perhaps some tests will be in order for the future... *Gasp!* Could I possibly gain superpowers?’

...

My introspective musings were brief, as our movement resumed. I presented my spheres to all present, and each of the Praetorians seemed genuinely intrigued by their unique nature, eager to examine them. With the aid of firelight illuminating our path, we proceeded downward for miles. The distinct roar echoed a few more times, but no tangible threat materialized.

Even with my heightened auditory senses, the roar seemed to originate from such a vast distance that pinpointing its source proved impossible.

As our descent continued, a profound sense of familiarity began to wash over me. Despite an eighteen-year weariness with caves, my homeworld still felt like home, and being underground possessed an inherent rightness.

It felt as though any moment, a magnificent colossal insect might emerge from around a bend, ready to perform a celebratory dance upon my arrival.

*Sigh*

A sigh escaped me as I reminisced. ’I hold such deep affection for the hive.’

"Are you quite alright, Apollo? That was a rather audible sigh," Marnes inquired from my side.

"Ah, yes. My apologies. It's just that being underground evokes memories of home. I spent nearly my entire life, up until eleven months ago, underground with my sister and my caretakers. It feels profoundly natural to me."

"Oh, is that so?" Aeteos interjected. "You would find yourself quite in sync with some of the other Nymphs then. His name escapes me for a moment... *snap snap* Cocytus! A rather imposing water Nymph. His physique, I daresay, rivals that of certain deities... yet he possesses an intense fascination specifically with subterranean water. The way it erodes rock over millennia, creating tunnels such as these. I recall overhearing a conversation he was having with..." Aeteos suddenly faltered, a look of confusion crossing his features before he turned to the leader. "Phoebe, my dear, whatever became of the Lampades? I haven't encountered any of them in decades, now that I give it some thought."

Phoebe continued her steady pace without turning, responding, "I am uncertain. Rumor has it they all announced their departure on separate missions, within a month of each other. I haven't seen them since. I distinctly remember Orphne being among the last to leave. In retrospect, she did seem rather peculiar. Her complexion had visibly faded... Enough discourse, I detect a shift in the echoes ahead; we are likely approaching a cavern."

After another five minutes of relentless walking, Phoebe's prediction proved accurate. The tunnel we had been following downward opened abruptly into a vast cavern. While its width was comparable to the tunnel we had traversed, its height was considerably more impressive, suffused with an unusual bioluminescent glow emanating from above.

The remainder of the cavern floor was blanketed with small, delicate flora and a sprawling expanse of crimson crystals stretching as far as the eye could possibly perceive into the distance.

"By the gods..." Rhapso whispered in awe. "There shouldn't be this many... is there?"

"N-No... The last time we ventured here, two centuries ago... Th-There were merely six. A significant find, to be sure... but now there are thousands..." Phoebe's voice trembled with astonishment.

A collective gasp of shock rippled through the group. Meanwhile, I surveyed my surroundings, a disquieting sensation prickling at my awareness.

As I scanned the immense vertical expanse of the cavern, the unsettling feeling of being observed persisted. My gaze then fell upon a section of the wall above, which appeared to be shifting... only for the realization to dawn a moment later: it was not the wall itself that was moving.

Following the discernible pattern now etched into the rock face, I directed my gaze hundreds of feet upward, my eyes widening as I beheld a pair of compound eyes, each larger than my own body, fixed upon me.

Without hesitation, I drew Zircon, assuming a defensive posture, and issued a warning.

"Um, everyone... Could you perhaps postpone your astonishment until later? We appear to have company... directly overhead."