The hivemind is conquering for me? Chapter 820: Delphic Garden

Tamara folded her arms and looked at me teasingly. "Oh, is that how it’s going to be huh? Ok, I see how it is." Her teasing demeanour then instantly switched to embarrassment as she gave way and I could now see what was on the table.

It was a picture of Sigfried and her when they were kids. Probably about ten to eleven. It was crumpled up and looked slightly damaged, which Tamara explained.

"Francesca and I had a small disagreement after the siege assault the other month. She told me I was too good for her brother and that I should discard everything I had that reminded me of him... And I did, for a few hours. However, I... I just couldn’t. He might hate me, but I... My life has changed too fast, I don’t like it.

The little party today made me remember his last birthday, it was just the three of us on a scout mission... It was nice... I... Sorry, I shouldn’t bother you with this today of all days, I’ll go."

Tamara then proceeded to try and get past me, but I put my hand on her shoulder and held it firmly. "I empathise. To love so hard that it hurts. You are handling the situation better than I would do in your shoes, that’s for certain. You cannot control who or what you love. You just love. Now I will be here for you today, but as your leader, you need to get a grip on this by tomorrow, ok? I can’t have your thoughts clouded in the field."

Tamara smiled at me before looking at the hand on her shoulder, prompting her face to turn red. Realising her anger might have spiked, I pulled back at which point she got control of herself after a few deep breaths.

"Thank you Apollo. It’s nice to know you care. Your words aren’t just meaningless, I feel them deeply, so... Take it." She said, it being the picture she had crumpled again and held out in her hand.

"I can’t have distractions during the mission, my Psionic crutch cannot handle it. So please, take it and burn it."

"Tamara-"

"-No. Please. I need you to. Please." The last please was weak, desperate. It was taking all her effort not to snatch her hand away. Taking a deep breath, I sighed at Tamara and took the picture and held it in my hand for a moment.

As I did so, I saw Tamara’s shoulders visibly release tension, the picture clearly had metaphorical weight to her.

"Hah~ Thank you. Now, birthday boy. Since you were so cruel with that gift comment, why don’t I bring you another drink since you have already inhaled that one?"

Surprised by her comment, I looked at the drink in my hand, or rather, lack thereof. "When did I? I trailed off, prompting Tamara to laugh.

"Well, you are a heavyweight, even with the Psionic stuff, so it’s no surprise. Wait right here, I’ll be back in a moment." She said, seemingly cheerful now.

...

After my next drink, the room began to fill up again. Glad I wasn’t being avoided, I went to say something funny to liven the mood, but before I could, there was an announcement.

"Excuse me everyone. Can we have a moment of your time?" Rhapso suddenly declared, standing next to Nerissa.

Once she had everyone’s attention, she spoke once more. "As you all know, we Praetorians are considered the elite warriors of the empire. But we are also encouraged to take up an artform of some kind.

While Nerissa and I are not experts compared to others in our order, each of us can play a few instruments and with the lack of amenities in this place, we thought we could perform a few songs for you as a present not just for Apollo, but also for you, brave men and women who have become our friends and combat brothers and sisters."

"Oh wow. That will be amazing, you two, thank you." I spoke on behalf of the group and sat down excited.

The others swiftly followed suit and I watched as Nerissa materialised two instruments. I recognised it immediately. A lyre. However she didn’t seem done as she then pulled out another two string instruments that I didn’t recognise, but suddenly began to levitate next to their heads. My Telepathy instantly recognised a tendril connecting the instrument to their minds and my mouth curved into a smile, beyond excited for whatever was about to happen.

Nerissa must have noticed my expression and behind her face covering, I could tell she was smiling at me recognising a Psionic instrument. I was fortunately not the only one in the room that had no idea what it was though as Morrgan asked.

"Whats that instrument?"

Nerissa placed her Lyre down for a moment and took hold of the instrument floating by her head. It was a rectangular instrument with three strings across its flat body. I could see no chords or anything of the like. Other than its fancy decoration, it looked pretty basic.

However, as she began to strum it softly, I felt like my mind was being kissed with waves of enticement as more than one sound began to fall from the instrument. Not just string sounds either, I could hear a soft tapping of a drum and a flute for a few seconds before she stopped and explained.

"This is a Psialtherion. I won’t bore you with the details of how it works right this moment, but the summary is that using this, we can create an intricate song in our minds and with the correct positioning and Psionic manipulation, the music flows freely. Honestly with the way it’s taught, it allows you to play it as your mind becomes lost in the song. It is a liberating, but taxing experience."

Rhapso then added on. "Honestly, playing it requires more Psionics than what I would usually expend during a battle, so we rarely play it, mostly on special occasions such as tonight."

Hearing that, my excitement grew even greater. I loved music after all and judging by the fact that these were instruments and not the beep boop stuff that was popular in modern Spartari. I felt I was going to hear something truly special.

I don’t think my thoughts were alone in this regard as no one uttered a peep as the two Praetorains got prepared.

The two of them took a moment before suddenly coming to a freeze in two very off looking positions, as though they were stuck in a dance move. It was at this point Nerissa spoke once more, looking directly at me.

"This piece is called Delphic Garden."

The moment she finished speaking, the room roared to life as the duo began to play their lyres. The plucking of the strings was slow at first, teasing the song into existence. My mind instantly felt an itch of familiarity. Not for the piece itself, but the ’time period’ I associated it with. Not quite Greek like I was expecting. But a bit further east. Where arid desert met lush oasis.

Just as their Lyres were already hitting my mind with that feeling, the Psialtherion began to play the sound of violins, or some enchanting string instrument, began to fill the room, but despite what a crutch an instrument that can play whatever is in your mind could be, the duo and their lyres kept the tempo. They were the highlight.

The beat was jumpy, yet soothing. The effect of the Psialtherion as the waves of music crashed into me made my heart race. I loved it. Not just the music itself. The act of the duo playing it. It felt so personal, so instinctual. Like they were telling me something a secret of their hearts, their souls.

It was like seeing them in a way I never have before. A way they have never let themselves be seen. So I just watched, trapped in the feeling, not trapped. Lulled. I wanted the feeling to wash over me. I enjoyed it. Every string, every beat. Every movement.

I was transfixed.

...

Before I knew it, I felt something was missing. Feeling a wetness on my eye, I reached up and realised tears were falling, confused I suddenly realised what was missing, the music. It had stopped.

What was replaced was the crashing rhythm of my friends as they applauded Rhapso and Nerissa.That was before Gabrielle suddenly rushed to my side and exclaimed with worry. "Apollo? Are you ok? You are crying!"

I chuckled as I became the undeserved centre of attention. "Heh, yeah. I am fine. Don’t worry, these are happy tears. I was just moved by the music."

Turning to Neriss and Rhapso, I gave them both a heartfelt smile. "That was beautiful. Thank you both. Such an amazing gift."

I could tell Nerissa smiled hearing that and replied.

"I am glad you like it, I am sure you will enjoy the others we have planned aswell."

Hearing there would be more, I felt ecstatic and sat up straight, desperate for them to continue...