Chapter 258
Without hesitation, Kyle extended tendrils of Parasitic Resonance. The shrikes’ body language was unfamiliar, and if they were here to attack him, he’d need to move quickly. He was incredibly thankful that the Adaptive Anatomy upgrade this time had no nastier side effects than the headache he was fighting, and while precision surgery was off the table, he could still use his skills if necessary.
That was important, because his body was still fighting to recover from the Matriarch’s attack. He’d probably be fine within the next hour, assuming he didn’t take a lot more damage. Storm Shelter had recharged, and Kyle’s right arm was in good enough condition to unleash Repel if he needed to create an opening.
“C.H.A.D.D., if they attack, we’re going to run,” Kyle whispered, eyes focused on the approaching alpha.
[UNDERSTOOD, DR. MAYHEW. I WILL ASSIST AS NECESSARY.]
As the drone replied, Kyle felt a subtle shift in the weight of the pack as C.H.A.D.D. began to summon vines from the World Tree Seed. It would take a while to replenish the pre-built resources used up defending the Matriarch’s attack, but the vines could still prove helpful.
The brightly colored alpha appeared, head low as it let out a soft trill. The undulating sound carried a mix of sorrow, anger, and relief. The alpha met Kyle’s eyes for a moment, and its thoughts came through, crystal clear. Give us time with her. Please. Help after.
Kyle did a double take at the sudden shift in the alpha’s communication, then nodded, stepping aside and allowing the procession of shrikes to pass. As they did, he felt a mild stirring of hunger gnaw on the edges of his mind, though the Core of the Parasitic Devourer stayed blessedly inert.
He walked to the outskirts of the shrike nest, where C.H.A.D.D.’s map confirmed that there were no other shrikes lying in wait. With a moment of relative safety, Kyle entered meditation to see what he’d gained.
KYLE MAYHEW. ARTHRO-HUMAN CHIMERA (PARASITE), SURVIVALIST. LEVEL 87 (D)
CORE OF THE PARASITIC DEVOURER 67%
ADAPTIVE ANATOMY – 11/? – ENHANCED CARAPACE (FERRIC AUGMENTATION), AURIC PERCEPTION (SYNAPTIC BARBS), EXOSKELETAL STRENGTH, CEASELESS VITALITY (TENACIOUS VIGOR), INSTINCTIVE INTELLIGENCE (PACK LEADER’S INSTINCT), COVERT DEXTERITY, UNBREAKABLE WILL
VITALITY: 1196
ENDURANCE: 1397
STRENGTH: 473
DEXTERITY: 942
WILLPOWER: 1731
INTELLIGENCE: 1731
PERCEPTION: 1243
FREE ATTRIBUTES: 72
With a thought, he distributed his free attributes, then focused on his Adaptive Anatomy. He was surprised that he gained an Intelligence adaptation rather than a Dexterity-focused one. Surprised, and a little disappointed. While the upgrade was the likely culprit for his clearer understanding of the shrike alpha, the benefits seemed lackluster. What good was his communication with the shrikes once he left Er’Mithren?
He planned on working alongside C.H.A.D.D. to better understand the physiological changes, as usual, and hoped the drone would help him find some other uses. Still, Kyle was more than satisfied with his progress. The death of the shrike Matriarch was bittersweet, but undoubtedly helped him along his path.
As he was reflecting on her, he felt another stirring of hunger. It calmed almost as soon as it came up, and Kyle focused his attention on the Core of the Parasitic Devourer. It was slowly rotating, as usual, and Kyle could see wisps of mana playing across its surface. The mana was of unmistakable quality; the Matriarch. Bit off a bit more than you could chew, huh? Kyle thought, watching as a small mote entered the core.
He received the briefest sense of indignation in response. Wait, could you hear me? Kyle asked, directing his attention back to the Core of the Parasitic Devourer. After a few moments of silence, Kyle turned his attention away, exiting meditation. He didn’t think he’d imagined it, but he wasn’t exactly running on a lot of rest.
His eyes opened, and he looked at the warded wall nearby. Already, the mana infusing the wards was beginning to fade, its connection to the Matriarch severed. Not far away, he saw a solitary shrike alpha waiting, its eyes focused on him. It wasn’t one he was familiar with, its heavy build carrying sword-like blades on its arms and back. Seeing Kyle’s attention on it, the shrike approached. It let out a low rumble, which was accompanied by a thought. Thank you. Do you have instructions for us?
Kyle considered the shrike’s offer for a minute. Looking into this alpha’s eyes, there was clear hope, tinged with desperation. It was used to receiving orders, and the others likely were as well. Thinking back to his own experience after the Central Authority fell, he understood the need to find a purpose when everything around changed so rapidly.
Focusing, he brought up the memory of the locations of the shrikes he’d defeated. Can you show me how to get here? Kyle asked. He expected the distance to be navigable, and he was eager to get going. If the shrikes could help, all the better.
The alpha let out another low rumble, and a path out of the canyonlands played through his memory. Only gone this far. Right direction, hope it helps?
Kyle nodded, sending his affirmation telepathically. The path the shrike sent would get him closer, and with the directions left by the Matriarch, he was confident in making it the rest of the way. The alpha let out another rumble and a quick wiggle, an odd choice for a creature nearly 4 meters tall and weighing the better part of a ton. He grinned at the sight, unable to keep himself from picturing an oversized puppy.
A familiar chirping drew his attention, and the resplendent alpha he’d known the best approached from the heart of the shrike nest, where the Matriarch’s body was resting. You plan to go? The alpha asked, looking at Kyle and the larger shrike with interest.
I do, Kyle thought back, sharing his plan to return to Resistance territory. People are waiting for me.
Understood. Return to your nest. Before you leave, do you have instructions about the goblin nest? Are we to protect it, as we have before?
That was a question Kyle hadn’t considered. He didn’t want to turn the shrikes loose, though at the same time, he didn’t want to leave them with heavy restrictions.
[IF I MAY, DR. MAYHEW, WOULD IT BE AMENABLE TO ASK THEM TO SIMPLY LEAVE THE GOBLINS, TROLLS, AND OGRES ALONE? SAVE IN CASES OF SELF-DEFENSE, OF COURSE. THAT SEEMS TO BE AN APPROPRIATE MIDDLE GROUND.]
“That’s a great idea. Thanks, C.H.A.D.D. Wait, how did you –“
Before Kyle could finish, the drone interrupted. [YOU WERE DEBATING BOTH SIDES OF THE ISSUE, AND I OFFERD MY OPINIONS. WOULD YOU RATHER I NOT INTERRUPT, DR. MAYHEW? I DOUBT THE SHRIKES WILL SHARE OUR SECRETS.]
“No, C.H.A.D.D., I didn’t say anything. How did you know what I was thinking about?” Kyle’s voice was raised at this point, and the 2 alphas exchanged a quizzical look.
[ARE YOU CERTAIN, DR. MAYHEW? CHECKING MY RECORDS… OH MY. THAT IS INTERESTING.]
“What did you find, C.H.A.D.D.?” Kyle asked, already dreading the answer.
[I APPEAR TO HAVE BEEN EAVESDROPPING. THERE DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE A SOCIAL PROTOCOL IN MY RECORDS FOR INTRUDING UPON SOMEBODY’S THOUGHTS. PERHAPS A PARENTING GUIDE FOR ACCIDENTALLY READING A CHILD’S DIARY WOULD SUFFICE?]
“Please don’t. For now, just try to keep your mind on your own projects,” Kyle said. “You’ve got plenty to keep you occupied.”
[THAT IS PROBABLY WISE, DR. MAYHEW.] C.H.A.D.D. replied, a quick flash of pain crossing Kyle’s mind as the drone turned its attention, all at once, to the Knotted Vine Core it was still lovingly cultivating.
With C.H.A.D.D.’s work faintly in the background of Kyle’s mind, he turned back to the alphas. You do not need to defend the village anymore. I would ask that you leave the inhabitant species alone, save in cases of self-defense.
The brightly-colored alpha looked at Kyle and chirped. It will be as you say. Thank you, for our freedom. And for giving her rest. Travel well, Liberator. May you always find your prey.
Kyle took note of the new title, and nodded to both of the alphas. The same to you and your pack. May we meet again someday.
With that, Kyle took off into the fading afternoon light. The Resistance Headquarters was a good distance away, and he didn’t intend to waste any more time than necessary.
~~~
“Don’t lie to me, damn it!” Pall’Eth shrieked, spittle striking his personal guard who were standing in a line. “Who entered my office? Which one of you was it?”
“Sir,” the troll woman began after a moment of awkward silence. “Nobody even came to the hallway. Your office door has remained closed and warded, as you commanded, until you returned.”
Pall’Eth whirled on her, spectacled eyes wide with fervor. “Then you either missed it, or are complicit! Somebody entered my office, and I will find those responsible. Until then, you are all to watch one another. Nobody leaves this place until I have answers!”
Pall’Eth stormed back into his office and slammed the door, panting heavily. Walking back over to his desk, he took out the carefully sealed package. The pipes, the beautiful relic he’d acquired from the late King, had crumbled to dust. Just as his plans were coming to fruition, his link to the shrikes was taken from his hands.
It has to be the Resistance, he thought. Or these invaders from the stars. Enemies abounded, from outside and within. Even his own personal guard could no longer be trusted. None of them could. If only they knew what I was protecting them from, he thought. I’m all that stands between them and that monster. We won’t become her puppets. We won’t!
His breath quickened as he paced around the room, mind racing. This setback was tremendous, but there had to be something he could do to prevent Rai’Lenelat’s daughter from rising to power. He just had to figure it out.
~~~
Serenel sighed. She couldn’t place why, but a subtle shift in the village’s mana prompted her to descend to the secret chamber. The pipes that had protected her village for generations, the priceless relic of a C Grade ancestor, were reduced to broken bits of metal. The mana infusing the room was slowly waning. Her heart fell at the realization. The lineage of caretakers that had persisted for nearly a millennium would end with her.
What does this mean for us? She wondered, ascending the stairs back to the main lodge. Stepping into the large banquet hall, she spotted 2 young goblins, each holding pieces of fresh bread she’d left to cool on the counter. They let out panicked shrieks, running away before Serenel could admonish them.
A smile played across her face, remembering both of them having been fighting fevers in the infirmary just days earlier. Her thoughts drifted to the strange off-worlder who had arrived as their savior. Serenel had no doubt he was involved in the pipe’s destruction, somehow. Still, seeing the smile on the children’s faces as they ran off warmed her heart. She could only pray those smiles would last for a long, long time.