The Tiefling sorceress stood in the moonlit clearing, her crimson skin glowing faintly in the silver light as she chanted an incantation. Wisps of energy swirled around her, coalescing into a protective barrier. She was a veteran player and did not fear any single enemy, therefore, she felt confident in her solo training within the woods.
Darian watched her from the dense undergrowth, his body pressed low to the ground, hidden among the roots and moss. His purple eyes reflected the scene before him as he calculated his movement. Around him, the hive's drones waited in silence. The prowlers clung to the treetops, their spider-like limbs tensed and ready to leap. The hunters crouched behind thick tree trunks, their segmented legs digging into the earth as rows of spines along their backs quivered in anticipation. The workers were a mass of seething bodies, waiting to overwhelm."It is time," Darian commanded, his voice resonating through the hive's shared mind. The first prowler launched itself from the canopy, a blur of dark chitin and fangs. The Tiefling's head snapped upward as she sensed the movement. Her barrier flared to life, a shimmering dome of radiant energy that sent the prowler skittering off harmlessly. The creature hissed as it landed, circling back into the shadows, but it had done its job—it distracted her.Another prowler leaped, this time from behind. The sorceress spun, a bolt of fire erupting from her palm to incinerate the attacker in mid-air. The creature sprawled to the ground, flames licking its limbs as it tried to put out the fire. So far the ambush was less than effective.From the tree line, the hunters emerged. They anchored themselves, legs bracing as their chitinous spines launched in rapid succession. The sorceress raised her hands, weaving a second layer of shields, attempting to fend them off as she tried to send a message to her allies.Darian observed the battle unfold, his mind piecing together the weaknesses in her defenses. The barrier was strong, but it flickered each time she cast a spell. Her concentration wavered when forced to deal with attacks from multiple angles.He gave the next command.The prowlers leaped again, this time in pairs, their movements erratic and unpredictable. The Tiefling shouted in rage, her hands moving in fluid arcs as she unleashed waves of fire. The prowlers dodged and feinted, forcing her to waste energy while the hunters continued their ranged assault.Then, the workers surged forward. Dozens of them poured from the undergrowth, their chitinous bodies forming a living tide. They rushed her from all sides, their hammer-like claws scrabbling against the ground as they closed in."Enough!" the sorceress roared, slamming her staff into the earth. A pulse of raw magic erupted from her, scattering the first wave of drones like leaves in the wind.But Darian had anticipated this. He knew that she was immensely powerful, honestly, she was likely the primary thing standing between his hive and unlimited growth.As her magic rippled outward, the workers reformed, surging over one another. The hunters fired again, spines streaking through the air to force her attention away from the wave.And then came Darian.He moved swiftly, a blur as he sprang from the shadows. The claws on his feet dug into the earth as he lunged, closing the distance in seconds. The sorceress turned, her eyes wide as she raised her staff to cast another spell, but it was too late.Darian's claws slashed forward, slamming into her shield until it inevitably broke under his impact. He struck the sorceress's arms and legs, crippling her before she could complete her incantation. She fell to her knees, snarling in frustration as tried and failed to stand to her feet.The workers swarmed her then, piling atop her until she was completely immobilized. Darian approached slowly, his purple eyes gleaming with curiosity as he crouched before her."Such power," he murmured, his voice a low hum that resonated in the back of her mind. "You will teach me."The Tiefling glared at him, defiant despite her predicament. "I'll teach you nothing, monster."Darian tilted his head, his mandibles clicking softly. "We shall see."He turned, signaling the workers to carry her. The drones lifted her with ease, her crippled form keeping her restrained as they began the journey back to the hive. The hunters and prowlers fell into formation, guarding the perimeter as Darian followed his prize.Back at the hive, the sorceress would be secured and studied. Her knowledge of magic was the key to unlocking new capabilities for the Vescarid, and Darian would not let such an opportunity slip away.Much like Fayne, he stored his prize away in what he believed to be a glorified living chamber, with animal fur, raw meat, and several sprouts of moss, exposing their mushrooms to be consumed for nutrients.The in-game days had passed as he tried to communicate with the strange humanoid with red flesh and natural weapons. He offered her food, he offered her knowledge, but she resisted every attempt he made. Darian spoke with the sorceress and found that he made more ground with her than he did with Fayne. The young woman seemed almost eager to learn what she could about the Vescarid and was willing to share her own information, but only to an extent. It took countless days before he could glean even the slightest bit of information from her.Darian crouched low in the cavernous chamber of his hive, his clawed fingers tracing arcane symbols into the fleshy floor that he recalled the woman using as she blasted fireball after fireball at his hive. The glow of bioluminescent moss cast a shifting purple light over the scene, making the shapes flicker like living things. Before him, the Tiefling sorceress sat motionless in her 'cell' observing his actions, eyes watching his every move with a mix of curiosity and disdain."You'll never succeed," she scoffed, leaning back against the chitinous wall. "Magic isn't something you can brute-force with claws and these ridiculous drones."Darian didn't respond. His focus was on the sigil he was crafting, a spiral of sharp lines and sweeping curves copied from her staff, which now lay propped against the far wall of the chamber. His head tilted as he reviewed the pattern, his mind racing with half-formed ideas, Vescarid instincts merging with the fragments of knowledge he'd gleaned from observing her.He extended one clawed hand, palm up, and willed the energy within him to rise. For days he had watched her, though she refused to weave spells, there was something about her that beckoned the mana to her form. He had experimented in isolation, trying to mimic her gestures and whispers, but the magic resisted him like a locked door.The sorceress arched an eyebrow as Darian's claws curled slightly, his purple eyes narrowing in concentration. "You'll burn yourself alive if you keep this up," she muttered, though her voice lacked its usual edge of contempt.The air grew heavier as a faint hum resonated from Darian's hand. A spark flickered to life, barely more than a glimmer of light, and then vanished.Darian's mandibles clicked in frustration, but he didn't stop. He tried again, and this time the spark lingered for a breath longer, casting a brief glow over his ominous form.The Tiefling's eyes widened ever so slightly. "You're actually doing it?" she whispered, incredulous.Darian glanced at her, his gaze flickering with pride. "I am learning," he said, his voice low and resonant, tinged with both determination and challenge.Her lips pressed into a thin line as she looked away, clearly debating with herself. Finally, she let out a long sigh. "You're still doing it wrong," she said, her tone softer than before.Darian froze, his claws lowering slightly. "Explain."She chuckled dryly. "You've got brute force down. That much is clear. But magic isn't just about raw power. It's about intent, and focus. That spark you made? It's because you wanted it to be fire. You wanted it to exist. But you're fighting yourself, your mind, and your instincts. You need to let go and feel the flow, not just force it into being."Darian studied her, his features inscrutable. "Why would you help me?"The Tiefling's eyes narrowed, a sly smirk tugging at her lips. "Because watching you flail around like a blind hatchling is more entertaining when you're not failing entirely. Besides…" She leaned forward as much as she dared. "If you can figure out magic, maybe I'll find my own way out of this mess. Consider it a… gamble."He nodded once as if accepting a silent agreement. Without hesitation, he turned back to the sigil. This time, his movements were more deliberate, his claws tracing the lines with precision."Slow down," she said. "Rushing it won't help. Start with something simple. Fire. You're trying to force a bonfire into existence when all you need is a candle flame."Darian inhaled, steadying himself. He visualized the spark again, not as a burst of raw power but as a delicate ember. His claws shifted slightly, the gesture softer now, and he murmured a low hum, imitating the rhythm of her chants.A flicker.Then, a flame.Small and weak, it hovered above his palm, trembling like a newborn creature, but it was there.Darian stared at it, awe flooding his Vescarid features. The flame danced for a few precious seconds before sputtering out, leaving a faint wisp of smoke curling into the air.The Tiefling let out a soft laugh, her voice tinged with something close to admiration. "Well, I'll be damned. You actually did it."Darian turned to her, his purple eyes gleaming. "You will teach me more."She gave him a wry smile. "We'll see. If you keep this up, maybe you're worth teaching after all."For the first time, Darian felt a glimmer of something unfamiliar—a connection, perhaps. The Tiefling was no ally, but in that moment, she was something close to a teacher. And for him, that was enough.The chamber buzzed faintly with the hive's vibrant life as many more drones, hunters, and prowlers hatched, eager to assist the hive with their forms. Darian stood near a natural hollow in the hive wall, his purple eyes locked on the flame dancing above his palm. It was stronger now—steady, controlled. The Tiefling sorceress watched him from her cell, her gaze focused on his every move. She had little to do throughout the day and found an odd sense of accomplishment when her captor managed to push himself through to another stage of spell-casting."Not bad," she said, though her tone carried a note of reluctant praise. "You've gotten the hang of it quicker than I expected. Maybe there's some real talent under all that chitin."Darian didn't reply. He had spent hours practicing, refining the flicker into something useful. Now he turned his attention to a bundle of raw meat the drones had dragged into the chamber. A worker drone skittered over, its clumsy pincers depositing the dripping hunk at his feet.The Tiefling wrinkled her nose. "Great. Because nothing says five-star cuisine like raw, whatever that is."Darian tilted his head, a faint hint of amusement in his expression. "You complain," he said slowly, "but you still eat.""Yeah, because starving's worse," she shot back, though her stomach growled softly, betraying her hunger.Darian crouched by the meat, his claws deftly slicing off a manageable portion. He extended his hand, summoning the flame once more. It flared to life, crackling softly as he held it beneath the slab of flesh, carefully turning it to ensure an even cook.The Tiefling blinked, her smirk faltering. "Wait… Are you actually cooking that?""Yes," Darian said, his voice calm but firm. "You are no use to me if you suffer."Her brow furrowed, and she leaned forward slightly. "That's… surprisingly considerate for a giant bug-man."The chamber filled with the scent of charred meat as Darian worked. His movements were deliberate, almost methodical, as he adjusted the flame's intensity with small flicks of his claws. When the meat was browned and sizzling, he withdrew the fire and let it cool slightly before tearing a piece free with his clawed fingers.He approached her cautiously, holding the cooked meat out like an offering. The Tiefling looked at it, then up at him, her expression unreadable."I do not need cooked food," Darian said simply. "But you do."She stared at him for a long moment before sighing and nodding. "Alright, bug-boy. Let's see if you've got a future as a chef."With some effort, she tilted her head, allowing him to place the meat near her mouth. She bit into it cautiously, then blinked in surprise. "Huh. Not bad. Better than raw, at least."Darian watched her eat, a faint sense of satisfaction flickering through his mind. "You will teach me more," he said after a moment.The Tiefling licked her lips, savoring the warmth of the cooked meal. "Maybe," she said, leaning back. "But this is a good start. Keep this up, and I might not hate you as much."Darian tilted his head, processing her words. He didn't fully understand the significance of the gesture he'd made, but he could see the subtle shift in her demeanor. Trust wasn't something he expected—but a moment of peace between captor and captive was certainly a strong step forward.As she finished the meal, Darian returned to his sigils, the flickering flame once again dancing in his palm. The Tiefling watched him quietly now, a glimmer of reluctant respect in her eyes.Darian was uncertain as to her intentions, and as the days passed he grew ever curious. "Why you... not attack?" he questioned."What good would that do?" she retorted, "If I strike out at you, one or fifty of your hundred minions would turn me into the steaks you fed me, am I not right?" she scoffed, though her presence was still peaceful and calm."True" he replied. "The hive would use you as sustenance before you could kill me," he looked around at what was likely a dozen beasts laying in wait to murder the sorceress should she take hostile action against their master."There you have it," she said matter-of-factly. "I'm stuck here as your hostage until you decide to let me go," her words hit hard as Darian remembered his captivity of Fayne."I... Sorry," he whispered empathetically, "I do not want to keep you... hostage," he continued, "Just want... Magic," his appearance lightened as the thought of casting filled him with joy.The Tiefling sighed, "I get it, it can't be easy to learn this sort of thing on your own. I don't want to make you too powerful, but if I can teach you how to cast offensive spells, will you let me go?" she was stone-faced, not letting the creature know just how desperately she wanted to leave. She knew she had been here for days, and that meant that her body in the real world was suffering. She had to get out of here, and soon, or she would die in her capsule."Teach me... You go free," Darian confirmed, as he worked over another spell with little success."Sure, why not," she responded, "You don't seem as bad as they make out, and if it means I can leave, I'll teach you how to launch fireballs." the woman chuckled as she sprouted flames from her palm and danced them around before her, showing off her ability to manipulate the flames.The days turned into a cycle of study and practice, interrupted only by the hum of the hive's constant activity. Darian pressed her for more knowledge, his curiosity relentless. She responded with riddles and half-answers, forcing him to puzzle through her words. Each small breakthrough earned him a spark of satisfaction—and perhaps, from her, a flicker of reluctant admiration.One evening, Darian returned to her cell with a new purpose. In his claws, he held the staff he'd taken from her after her capture. Its runes glimmered faintly, the echoes of its magic still pulsing like a heartbeat.The Tiefling's eyes narrowed as he approached. "That's mine," she said, her voice sharp.Darian tilted his head, mandibles clicking softly. "You teach... I return."The Tiefling leaned forward, her expression resigned but curious. "Alright," she said, her voice quieter now. "I'll teach you. But not because I trust you or like you. If I'm going to get out of here, I need you to learn. And if you learn, maybe you'll understand that power isn't about control. It's about balance."Darian tilted his head, considering her words. He handed her the staff, his claws lingering on the smooth wood for a moment before releasing it. "Teach balance," he said. "Teach power."Her lips curved into a small, almost imperceptible smile. "Fine," she said. "But don't blame me when you learn the hard way."And so, the uneasy alliance continued. The hive pulsed around them, more drones were born every day, but this meant little to the tiefling. A different kind of creation was taking place. Darian and the Tiefling sorceress, bound by circumstance, worked together. Each step brought them closer to something neither fully understood—a connection forged not in trust, but in necessity.The tiefling, having spent hours guiding Darian through the basics of channeling mana, finally leaned back on her heels, her tail flicking in thought. "You've done well, insect boy. I suppose it's only fair that I give you my name before we continue."Darian cocked his head, uncertain as to the meaning of her statement. "Your name?"She smirked, baring her sharp teeth. "Zaelith. Don't forget it." Her tone was teasing but carried an edge of seriousness. "Now, watch closely. If you're going to survive out here, you'll need more than claws and chitin."Zaelith stepped back and extended her clawed fingers. Heat shimmered around her as she muttered arcane words under her breath. A bright orange spark ignited between her palms, quickly expanding into a rotating sphere of flame. With a sharp motion, she hurled the fireball into a nearby Vescara-laced wall, singing the wall and causing great pain to his drone.Darian's eyes widened as he processed the display of raw power. "You hurt her. You damage Vescara," his voice became hostile as he stepped forward ready to take out the woman."What? It's just a wall, I was showing you..." she was quickly interrupted."You attack... Vescara! You hurt Hive!" he bellowed, his emotions hard to contain."Woah, woah" she backed up into her chamber. "I just wanted to show you the skill, calm down!" she begged, sensing the hostility of her captor.Darian hesitated for a moment, trying to understand the words she spoke to him. "Vescara... Human? No... Vescara, real! Real!" he shouted, "You hurt her" his voice was uneasy as he tried to explain what she had done."Okay, okay, I won't do it again buddy. I had no idea, please, just take a moment to calm down" Her hands were raised in defense, she wasn't aware that the nasty fleshy coating on the floor and walls meant anything to the bug-man.Darian took a moment and eventually calmed down. After some time he then raised his hands, mimicking the gestures he had seen. The mana within him stirred, responding to his focus. It was wild and untamed, like a writhing swarm under his control. He could feel the fireball forming—a growing heat between his hands, flickering and pulsing with energy.She finally felt safe and decided to guide him a bit, "Steady man, steady or you will hurt... The Vescara," she tried to commune with the creature, connect with him on some level. "Don't rush it. Let it build." Zaelith coached, her voice calm but firm.With a final force of will, Darian released the fireball. It streaked forward in a fiery arc and exploded against the wall Zaelith had blasted, no longer coated with The Vescara and safe to damage, engulfing it in flames. Darian's mandibles twitched in surprise. He hadn't expected it to work so quickly—or so powerfully."Not bad," Zaelith said, raising an eyebrow. "A little rough around the edges, but you've got the basics down. Keep practicing, and you'll be setting forests ablaze in no time."Darian opened his mouth to respond, but a sharp, urgent tone rang in his mind—a warning from the hive itself. He froze, his posture rigid. Zaelith noticed the change instantly."What is it?" she asked, her tone turning serious."The humans," Darian said, his voice distant as he processed the hive's warning. "They're attacking."Zaelith's eyes narrowed, and her tail lashed behind her. "Well then," she said, summoning a fiery orb in one hand, "I guess this is your final lesson—how to fight for your life."