The hivemind is conquering for me? Chapter 798: "I Will Ruin You For Limbed Creatures"

Spartari College of Psionics:

It was early in the morning, and Yacob was conducting his usual rounds through the exhibits. "Morning Jim!" he boomed towards the ice sculpture, which suddenly began to crack and shatter before its magnificent form animated with life.

"Are you hungry, bud? Echemus, feed him." he instructed his apprentice.

Echemus flinched from his writing on a data pad before the words registered. He then set his data pad aside, reaching into a small pouch at his waist. His hands plunged inside, up to his shoulder, fumbling for something. After a few seconds, a large white rabbit was clutched in his grasp.

He was about to hurl the creature when suddenly.

*Chomp*

"Ow! Bitch!" he cried out as the rabbit broke free and bolted. Yacob turned, witnessing the escape, and rolled his eyes. "Incompetent..." he remarked casually, just as a high-pitched shriek echoed through the exhibit.

Moments later, the trusty Jim had the rabbit secured in its talons and returned to its perch, ready to devour its morning meal. "Thanks, Jim. I can always count on you!" Yacob declared. A playful chirp answered him before Jim's beak proceeded to split the rabbit in two.

"Come on, numb nuts," Yacob said to Echemus, who was tending to the bite on his hand. "You've endured worse injuries than that. Hurry up now. We have work today, and later, if you perform well, we can begin discussing the family gift? Hmm?"

Yacob watched as Echemus's eyes widened. "Really?!? Thank you, Uncle!" Yacob smiled as Echemus resumed his duties. His methods were harsh, but tough love was the only way to mold such a stubborn individual.

For the remainder of the day, Echemus offered no complaints. From data collection to feedings to shoveling waste, the young Petrotis remained silent and dutiful.

Eventually, the main tasks concluded, leaving only a few trial exercises that were more of a leisure activity than a chore.

Entering a room clad only in a towel, Uncle and Nephew settled down, exhaling as the steam enveloped them. "Good work today, Echemus," Yacob stated, his eyes closed.

Echemus remained silent, but Yacob sensed his nephew's smile.

The two sat in quiet contemplation for a moment, allowing the Pyresnakes to emerge and greet them.

Yacob smiled as the snakes began their thorough cleansing routine, but then his expression shifted to a frown. Opening his eyes, he looked around, puzzled.

"Uncle? What is it?" he heard from his right.

"I just realized, the room isn't nearly as steamy as it should be..."

He then stood and approached the water's edge of the enclosure. Taking a deep breath, he plunged his hand in.

...

"Huh? It's barely even, ow!" He pulled back after a few seconds. "The water should be much hotter than this... It's just like a warm bath right now..." Concern etched his face. It had been weeks since he had last seen the Matriarch. Could she be unwell?

"Lady Sithrik? Are you in there? It's me, your keeper. I know you value your privacy, but your climate readings are abnormal. May I check if you are well?"

...

...

...

"Sithrik?" He inquired once more, panic rising swiftly as he turned to his nephew. "Echemus, get in there and ensure she is alright."

"W-What? Isn't this snake highly territorial about her den? If I go in there... Won't I be bitten?" Echemus asked, his voice laced with worry.

"Yes," Yacob replied before gesturing towards the water.

"So hurry up. We need to check on her; she might be sick."

Echemus gulped, then sighed, accepting his fate. His body hit the water, and he immediately winced. "Hot, hot, hot."

Echemus waded through the water before submerging. Yacob watched as his nephew remained underwater for a short period before bubbles indicated his return.

"Gahhh!" He gasped for air, stumbling out of the water, his skin noticeably pinker than before.

"Well? Is she okay? Of course, she isn't, you weren't bitten! Quickly, we need to research Pyresnake illnesses and their cures."

"Uncle, she wasn't in there. I searched," Echemus proclaimed, observing as Yacob's eyes widened in shock.

He then watched as his uncle plunged into the water, shedding his towel in the process.

His uncle stayed submerged for nearly three minutes before resurfacing. Without pausing for breath, he sprinted towards the enclosure's exit, bellowing at the top of his lungs, "Where is she! She couldn't have gotten far! Search everywhere!"

...

After further elaborating on the plan to my allies, they exited the tent. A moment later, Sithrik slithered towards me, coiling around my leg before climbing me and resting her head upon the table.

" Oh husband. How I missed you these last few days. I never thought I would pine for a mate as hard as I do for you. My whole view on life has changed. When do you plan to gift me with the warmth of your body? I yearn for you."

"Hhm!" A faint sound of a suppressed laugh came from behind me. I ignored Nerissa and replied to Sithrik.

"Sithrik, we talked about this the other day, remember?"

"Of course, darling. How could I forget? You need time to adjust to my curvaceous body, I understand... But would you just answer one question? Just one? So I can picture my future in more detail?"

Before I could say yes, I felt pressure up against my groin region as Sithrik proceeded to push herself forward, her face directly in front of mine.

"Yes or no Apollo. Right now, at this moment, do you find me attractive? Do you find me desirable?"

"Yes." I spoke instantly without thinking, catching myself by surprise. I also seemed to catch Sithrik by surprise before her tongue flicked out and caressed the edge of my lips.

"I sssee~ Then I can wait for as long as you need to come to terms with your desires. I will be ready for you..." She then got closer to my face, squeezing my body tighter as she whispered to me. "I will ruin you for limbed creatures..."

She then released me and began slithering away. "I will return to your quarters, I’ll keep your bed warm until you are ready to sleep. Like a good concubine~"

Once she left the tent I just stood there for a moment before suddenly saying. "Zip it, Nerissa."

Nerissa, her voice laced with amusement, replied. "What? But I said nothing."

I then turned to her and shook my head. "No, but I don’t need to be a telepath to know exactly what you are thinking. So zip it."

"Of course, of course... Of course."

The two of us just stood there for a moment, staring. I found my eyes narrowing as I could tell she was smirking under her helmet.

I then stood to the side as she reached out with her finger. I dodged and she gasped like I just betrayed her.

"You are becoming predictable, Ness. I can tell when you are about to go in for a boop now and-"

*Smooch*

I felt the gossamer of her face covering give way as it allowed me to feel her lips against mine, for just a moment. She then took a step back and confidently declared.

"Looks like I have something else to fall back on now then, don’t I? Look, you are even slightly stunned."

Not taking her taunt lightly, I replied. "Oh I am stunned alright. As if this is you taking things slow, I am excited about your pacing. I mean it’s only been a day since the end of that ritual and now you are kissing me again? By the end of next week we might be married if the pace continues."

I smiled, knowing I just made her blush under her helmet as she grasped onto her spear and stood up straight trying to make herself a little bit taller.

I smiled before bringing the conversation back down. "But in all seriousness, my surprising attraction to snakes aside, what do you think of my plan? I know it has some flaws, such as relying on past battle data, but I think it is solid."

Nerissa then took a few steps forward and activated the data pad, looking at the holographic image of the fortress and its surroundings.

"The current codex of war encourages rigidness. Tried and true methods that have kept the empire alive as long as it has. It is the crutch of many generals. Only true generals with tactical brilliance forgo its teachings. Though I know you haven’t even looked at it... But you don’t need it. Your mind is brilliant. Allow it to flow freely during this war. Trust it, your gut and your instincts and you will achieve the impossible like you already have."

Her hand then reached across the table and rested gently atop mine before whispering warmly.

"I believe in you."