Conflict and Resolution

Alright, top priority is making sure the Empress doesn't see me as one of her pawns that she can push around however she wants. You finally land close to the hive, not missing the constant buzzing at all.

"You got some nerve coming back here." Graul struts toward you, flexing his hands and readying his claws.

"Shouldn't you be taking care of your new pup? Isn't that what you dogs do?" You step closer, not even bothering to conjure a blade.

"You really think she'll see you after yesterday?" He cracks his knuckles as you both stop in front of each other. He's not that much taller than you, but his intimidating glare shoots daggers into you.

You cross your arms. "Yeah, I do. I have something she wants."

He growls, and can't hold himself back, scratching and pushing your face into the dirt. It's so fast that you're barely able to put your arms between yourself and the ground to mitigate the blow. "You can see her, now." He turns to walk away, but not before you cast recompense, unleashing a torrent of dark energy upon him. The wolf-man is thrust a dozen feet away, and while it's a lot harder to see him with the blood in your eyes, you left more than just a scratch.

You stand, beginning to heal yourself as you walk past the groaning therian. "Now, I can see her." You don't bother to look, but can hear a deep growl as you enter the hive.

[[Translated from elvish]]

"Are you sure we're cut out for this?" Kristhyra anxiously carries the slime out into the forest, away from the prying eyes of Camilla's recruits. "It doesn't seem happy about the hero being gone." Did he already form some kind of bond with it?

"I'm not the happiest either, but...we both need a bit of a distraction." Rinavahl leads the pair deeper, keeping a lookout for predators, be they man or beast.

Kris sighs. "I can't say you're wrong...but is this really the way to go? I can...feel it sap away at my mana."

"I can take it if you want. I think I might have more mana by now, anyway." The goblin stops suddenly. "Here we go. Nice reminder of home, right?" She pats the trunk of an oak. "I can't say it's the same as the one in Tresduin, but I think it's the closest we'll get around here."

The brunette smiles softly. "Yeah, a nice, sturdy center. It's a shame we couldn't bring a tree with us..."

Rina stops and stares for a moment. "Why not?" She turns to her friend. "Why couldn't we bring a sapling here and use your blessing to make it grow faster?"

"I... Does that mean you want to stay here?" She doesn't want to go home?

She turns away. "Nosiel...look at me. I don't belong with elves anymore."

"That's not true!" Kris sets down the slime in her hands. "You're just as much of an elf as you were when you were born!"

"You know I'm not, Kristhyra. I'm not even the same person I was a month ago. You...saw what I did in that weird dream..."

The elf blushes, remembering her own dream from last night. "I...yes, but people can change over time... You just...changed a bit more than most..."

Rinavahl turns around, tears in her eyes. "I'm a fucking nympho that wants to throw myself and my own family at the biggest dick around! I lose control of myself every hour and I assaulted you in our sleep!" She sniffs, her voice dropping. "You can't call me the same person you grew up with, Kris. I'm staying here, not because I don't want to go home, but because I belong here."

Kris steps back, shocked as a silence falls over the pair. "No." The elf steps forward. "You are my family, Rina. I'm not...I'm not going to stop you from staying here if you want, but I promise...I'm going to make sure you're always welcome back home." She wraps her arms around the goblin. "We're family, Rina. Forever, and always..."

The sentimental moment is made slightly less so when the slime wraps itself around one of each of their legs, seeming to hug both of them.

"You're late." The Empress sits on her 'bed' of leaves, staring down at you.

"Apologies, Graul had something he wanted to discuss." You rub your face, glad you were able to prevent any scarring.

She hums. "I see you've gotten stronger, as well."

"I needed to prove myself worthy of you. I may have passed your test, but we are leagues apart. However, my power grows by the day, and one day I may finally be a match for you." Barf...I could probably beat her right now if the slime and Graul hadn't used up most of my mana...maybe... You use God's Eye, trying to be less obvious about your 'reading', as Camilla put it. She's not that powerful on her own, as you thought, but still much more powerful than your average hornet.

She hums once more. "I see. And what of yesterday's outburst? Graul told me you had quite a fit."

You gulp. Yeah, should've seen that coming. "My liege, imagine if you will, our situations reversed. Would you not be upset that I hadn't given you warning of my inability to meet with you? It takes over an hour for me to get here, and another to return to Riverbend. That is much of my day wasted simply because none of your hornets could share the news with me. Congratulations on a healthy delivery, by the way. I'm glad to see you unharmed."

The Empress huffs. "It was nothing one of my capability couldn't handle."

"Of course not! Apologies, I didn't mean to imply-" You stop when she raises her hand. Ugh, hopefully only a little longer...

"As for your anger...I suppose, it is justified. However, should you cause such a scene again, I won't be as merciful." Her cold stare turns into a **** glare, before brightening back up. "Now, why don't you come over here? I feel a desire to...reward you, for your patience..." She reaches behind her and unclasps her bra, which now that you think about it, raises a lot of questions about how she got her current attire.

Yeah, like you're not just trying to use that as an excuse to get pregnant with another hybrid queen...or maybe you'd care about having a dildo more, who knows with Carn. You smile. "You do me such an honor, your highness..." You walk closer, eventually stopping as you bend down in front of her, your face inches from her own. "I'll make sure you enjoy this." You guide her mouth to yours, wondering how such a cold-hearted person can feel so soft.