Published at 28th of February 2026 7:09 am

Chapter 339: Stupid Games

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Serrins entire focus was aimed on what he heard with his ears and felt with his Soul. Voices and movements as Sythera and what sounded like a single aide moved around the chamber. He was pressed tight on all sides and his head was bent to the side, the spot he was hiding in forcing his body into odd angles.

The Wolf Bugs were still snarling and snapping and his whole focus was on that. If Sythera realised he was here, hed try and rapidly push through to the half-between. That would generate a lot of ripples and it would become very obvious both that someone had been here, and how theyd escaped, but that was still likely preferable to being caught.

He wasnt sure what Sythera would do if she found him. She probably wouldnt kill him but he couldnt say for sure. Either way, best avoided.

Sythera didnt seem concerned by the Wolf Bugs, snapping back at them to be quiet. Gradually they settled down. His worry then was the alarm system. He hadnt had time to reset it, and if she checked it shed quickly realise someone had messed with it.

She could check it at any time. All he could do was pray she wouldnt.

Apart from all that, he was also really hoping she wasnt here to get any tools of war. He was currently hiding inside the large cubby messily packed with her armour and weapons.

Because of these worries, at first he didnt even really hear what she was saying. It was only when a few of the words caught at him that he started to pay more attention. They were talking about Nicolai.

At first their conversation didnt make much sense to him, but after a while he got the gist. Sythera was not happy about the Queen recruiting Nicolai, considering it an insult, and that all humans were useless anyway. That was all fairly normal for her, but, unusually, she seemed concerned.

dont trust that slippery creature! I only talked with it once and already I can see that. It reminds me of Arcritch.

But began her aide, hesitant. Arcritch is the Queens advisor.

Serrin could feel her sneer. A position one not of our kind should never have been accorded. That spider is playing its own game, Im sure of it.

Arcritch definitely did have his own aims, but even so the spider was possibly the only other individual Serrin felt at all kindly inclined towards in the whole Hive. If Sythera thought Arcritch and Nicolai similar, that sounded like a pretty good thing to him.

So absorbed in these thoughts was he that he almost flinched when the ripples and noises of Sythera suddenly peaked, and a hand shot past him.

I will talk with Thryss, Sythera added, only a foot away from him, her grasping hand settling around the handle of an Artifact mace and dragging it rattling free. Her Soul Sense was touching his own and his whole awareness collapsed to ensuring his Shelling was absolutely perfect.

Even so, he was surprised when she pulled away without noticing him. It was lucky hed had this as a hiding place. All the Imbued and Artifacts around him, all sending out their own passive ripples and emanations, meant this was probably the best hiding place in the room.

He squeezed tighter into the corner behind the suit of armour in front of him, listening to the rattling as she seized other things.

Thryss? the aide was muttering, in a disparaging tone.

I know. But we have put aside our rivalry before. Now seems a fitting time to do the same. This human is a threat to both of our aims, if he becomes too useful to mother

Her voice faded as she moved away. The light dimmed and the door closed, leaving Serrin alone in the cubby. Sythera and Thryss, allied against Nicolai? Not good! He peered warily out then crept from hiding. The door was quite tempting. It was connected to the alarm system and thus he could probably open it, even without the key. But due to its sealing, there was no way for him to know what was outside. Sythera often had two guards stationed either side of her door. Less risky to go via the Spiritual Realm.

Once more he seized the bowl, ignored the Wolf Bugs, and began to phase through into the half-between. Just before he vanished he reached out to the alarm system and reset it.

The moment Serrin phased into the half-between he was burrowing deeper, pushing into the First Layer. This time he took pains to lock his position, expending more energy to ensure he wouldnt be shifted around and thrown through Sytheras defences.

Soon hed punched through, into the First Layer.

But this time, the sense of being watched was instant and powerful. Coming through with the locking was like screaming out his position to everything near.

He was already moving, finding the same hole hed made earlier and digging through it. The further he could get from here the better. Once hed found a decent bit of fungus to hide in, hed be able to stay out the way of the spirit hornets that would swarm through here.

Serrin didnt see it. He just felt a sudden spike of danger, a bone-deep certainty that something wasnt right. Head turning every direction at once he stared around the fungus-choked corridor hed emerged into. No spiritual emanators. He made out the flashing forms of spiritual hornets far away down one side.

No, not them turning to look the opposite direction, he saw the world breaking into something nonsensical. The walls and ceiling of the corridor were normal around him but as they extended away from him they grew wider and wider, like he was at the bottom of a funnel.

Some great spiritual weight was deforming them. Distantly, he made it out. An amorphous mass of energy, something he couldnt quite make sense of.

Either way, he knew what he was seeing. A being from a deeper Layer, drawn to this Layer for one reason or another, drawn here specifically because the powerful ripples of him pushing through had caught its interest.

Serrin threw himself at a nearby wall and tore into it in frantic motions. He burrowed through the wall and lunged across the space, tearing fungus-strands out the way.

He could feel it coming closer. He wouldve gone further, gotten more distance away from Sytheras rooms, but there was no time.

Stilling, he forced himself out of the First Layer, back into the half-between. Pain wrenched his whole body as his spirit clawed free and the world shimmered into the misty lines of the half-between.

Guh, he grunted, putting a hand to his face. There was blood coming from his orifices. Rising out of the Spiritual Realm too fast wasnt easy on body or Soul.

But there was no time to worry about that. He activated his wings and puffed through walls, slicing through corridors in the direction of his rooms. He could safely emerge there, where he knew there was no one to see him.

The misty corridors shook, almost losing their form, as something burst into the half-between.

The thing from a deeper layer had followed. Whirling, Serrin saw it bearing down on him. A mass of pale feelers and gnashing mouths, blanketed by a Soul Sense coloured an unnaturally vibrant blue.

The half-between slid around him as his Soul worked its way desperately free. The creature appeared before him, reaching.

Serrin burst free of the half-between, stumbled into the Material and clutched at the reassuring wall of the Hive.

Where am I?

He peered around, half in a daze. Not his rooms, he hadnt reached them. A corridor. He could feel the echoing ripples of Hornets speaking nearby. With ripple-speak, voices could be preserved for a little longer than was typical with spoken words. The ripples grew smaller and smaller but would remain present and discernible for a time.

In this case, emerging while a conversation had been ongoing, he immediately heard both all the most recent ripple-words, and those being spoken at that very moment. It took him a moment to work out which were which.

knew we were coming?

Who made all those ripples?!

Not in his rooms no sign at all.

may be nearby. Or, with Arcritch,

It is said he is friendly with

There!

His strained mind comprehended the fact the ripples were coming from around a corner not far from him, a corner which led to his rooms. He also realised the voices were those of Highspawn. And he realised that they had felt the powerful ripples of him ripping his way messily out of the half-between, and must be at that moment charging down the corridor toward him.

And finally, he knew that Vexira would not be happy about them seeking him out, nor whatever they had in mind for him. But she wasnt here right now, so that didnt matter.

He couldnt let them catch him. Serrin shoved off the walls and lunged down the corridor.

###

Nicolai returned to the Hive much as hed left. Flitting between the trees under the cover of his Cloak, the loaned Symbiotes back in his Nodes and the Quiet Knife nestled between his ribcage and skinsuit.

His invisible form was consumed by the Hives monstrous shadow, stretching over the jungle, and he pierced to its very depths. Until he was nestled against its side, down at the bottom.

Nicolai dropped low then beat his spiritual wings and moved smoothly to the entry point. Hed been practising with these on the way and was increasingly fond of them.

They worked differently from Pegasi rings, but they werent like actual flying, either. There was no effect on the air around him when they beat. It was as though they pressed on something else, though they didnt produce particularly powerful ripples, either. However they worked, they allowed for fast, smooth flight, and would also let him hover if desired.

The tunnel, which had sealed itself, responded when he tapped at it. The Hive-stuff drew away, opening like a sphincter. After checking the tunnel with sonar, he dove in.

Nicolai hadnt been waiting long when he sensed the Queens approach.

She was preceded by her anger, rolling through the Aura.

The door exploded in a crack of light. Nicolai stood impassively as splinters pinged off his body.

Serrin is gone! she snarled from the remnants of the doorway. Gone! They have seized him! Likely killed him! She took a few pacing steps, furious eyes flicking from corner to corner as though hoping to find Serrin.

Nicolais sense of his body and control peaked, mind sliding closer to the Modules. He had to be very, very careful.

That is not good, he said, with a show of the kind of wariness and unease that would be expected. But not the guilt or dread that someone in his place, who had given Serrin the task whichd likely seen the Hornet killed, would have felt. He was forced to grip the Mask exceedingly tight as he felt that exact guilt arising in it.

Not good?! Her gaze snapped onto him and in an instant she was across the room. She seized him by the neck.

Nicolai engaged his suits joint-protection and kept his body loose. He also tilted his head forward a little and tensed his neck. Thus when she slammed him into the wall, he was able to dissipate the force on his head in a controlled movement and the rest of his body was barely even jolted.

I told you to watch over him! she hissed.

He gazed back, the expressionless expanse of his helmet his only answer. So long as she was unaware of the task hed given Serrin, then there was no reason for this to be his fault. If she was aware that would not be good.

But she released him, and sighed, and stepped back. But of course, I sent you away, she muttered. Im sure thats what youre thinking, hmm human?

I wouldnt be so trite as to say so. But, yes.

You will search! I am putting my Daughters to the task. The Highspawn cannot be found, but wherever they are they may hold sway over some of my sons. I want everyone out there, searching!

Nicolai simply nodded. Following after her he found many Tier 2 guards, her Hands, clustered around and peering into every corner and behind every door. Then he saw Thryss and Sythera, waving and rippling loudly to the mass of Hornets around.

Nicolai decided it would be best to be less visible. A job like this was best performed from the shadows, and apparently he was trusted to do as he wished.

Ducking down a side corridor, he was thinking on what he might learn with a bit of focused exploration of this place. He prepared to engage his Cloak, when the Mask spoke up.

This isnt about exploration, you need to find him!

I intend to. Fear not, these goals align.

There came a sudden eruption of ripples from right beside him, and Nicolai spun, reaching into his suit to grasp the handle of the Quiet Knife. A bloodied, ragged figure emerged. For a moment Nicolai thought he was hallucinating, as the world around the figure warped like the world viewed through one of those curved mirrors. Nicolai released the Knife, recognising this individual from their spirit.

Serrins armour was cracked and covered in fine cuts, and he almost fell but Nicolai was beside him in an instant, reaching out a steadying hand. The Mask was practically melting with relief within him. What happened?

The Highspawn, theyve been chasing me I was forced into the half-between. I thought thatd be the end of me, but the deeper Layer being was gone His voice wavered and Nicolai pressed him over to lean on the wall.

The deeper layer being? he asked, nonplussed.

Serrin fumbled at a pouch in his belt and pulled free a small silver bowl. But I got it! he seethed, holding it out to Nicolai, his eyes gleeful in his otherwise exhausted features. I did it!

Nicolai pulled it gently away. Well done, Serrin. My trust in you was well placed. Can you stand?

Yes, yes, huffed Serrin. Just give me a moment.

Good. Taking a few steps away from Serrin, Nicolai dropped the Artifact on the ground. Then he raised his foot and stomped heavily down on it, putting his Soul into the motion.

Hey, hey! HEY!

He paused, cast a questioning glance at Serrin. The Hornet had taken a few limping steps and was now frozen with his hands half extended. In response to Nicolais glance he raised those hands in a gesture of horrified astonishment. What are you doing?!

Breaking this.

One more good stomp resulted in an expensive crunch. As the ripples of its destruction faded he picked up the broken chunks of it.

Itsyou! Do you know how hard it was for me to steal that thing? Serrin cried. Why!

Nicolai patted him on the shoulder. And you did very well. He waved one of the chunks of broken bowl. But this isnt for you, or me, or anyone else to make use of. Stealing this aids our position, breaking it aids us further.

Serrin settled back, wings tense in a way that seemed like a frown. Youre this is all some kind of sneaky, duplicitous scheme?

Nicolais Soul emanated approval. Exactly right.

I dislike this kind of thing, the Hornet muttered sourly, staring at the shards of broken bowl in Nicolais hand. My kind are always playing these stupid games. I didnt imagine you would be so eager to do the same.

Nicolai slid close. Remember, Serrin, when among monsters you must act however necessary to survive. Best keep that in mind. We go now to meet your mother.

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