I sighed with relief as the Nymph leaned back on her wooden perch with a radiant smile. She then consoled the pouting dark fae perched on her palm and I tried to relax as they exchanged a few words.

However, I could not focus on her beautiful appearance at all, as the furthest edges of the stream were lined with enraged tree spirits, all glaring at me in their wet flower garments, and I felt like they would tear me apart in less than a second, if I was to part from the Nymph.

Scary!

And after the Nymph was done talking, she shifted over to sit beside me. And as soon as she touched me, the glares intensified and I heard several disgruntled whispers.

It was uncomfortable.

Technically, I was their ally now, so shouldn't they at least stop glaring?

But the Nymph pretended not to notice anything and simply leaned against me, with her slender legs crossed, as if to say, 'What's next?"

Not only was she their leader, she was also now my pit member, and so were they by proxy. Her previous order kept the tree spirits from coming close, but should she be so nonchalant?

If the tree spirits got any more angry, I could see myself getting attacked by groups of them, whether I was their new ally or not…after all, only the Nymph had acknowledged me so far.

This also forced me to remain beside her, which was the last thing I wanted to do.

I half expected the system to 'ding' when she joined my [Pit], but nothing happened.

Instead, when I looked at her, there was now the option, floating above her head.

There was also one for the pouting dark fae.

And now that I looked closely, I saw there were several notices above the heads of every angry tree spirit. But it didn't seem appropriate to name any of them, especially the Nymph, after all this was only temporary.

I sighed in defeat.

I was truly a dead snake slithering.

The Nymph in question was now nuzzled against me, her silvery hair pressed against my lowered stingers so tenderly that I felt myself twitch in irritation.

Did she care nothing for her safety?

"So what now?" I asked Sensei, as I scooted away from the Nymph, only for her to reach her arms around my coil to keep me in place.

«She's a member of your pit now, and so are they.» Sensei declared. «You can command her as you wish.»

Haa…

I could ask her to release me, but I didn't think commanding her when she was so much stronger than me was a good idea.

"Would [Commander] even work?" I muttered.

«Why don't you try it, unless you want to remain confined here forever?» Sensei replied.

"Hmph! Of course not!"

Was it just me, or did he seem angry?

I began to hiss out a command, but the Nymph cut me off.

[Now that we are bound together.] She sighed as she nestled even closer. [You must visit here more often.]

My hiss turned into a nervous laugh. That was never happening again!

I wriggled even more in a bid to free myself.

[I guess I'll consider it.] I replied. [But for now…I have to go...so, er…release me.]

The Nymph looked up, her ruby eyes flickering with disappointment as if to ask why, before eventually letting go of my coils.

However, it was the dark fae who complained loudly.

[You said you would play with me! You can't leave now!]

I wanted to smack her to oblivion. Did she not see all the angry spirits!

[I have to return to my cave.] I told them both. [I can't leave my nestlings alone for long.]

The dark fae nodded in understanding, her dark eyes pooling with tears.

[Do you really have to go?] she muttered.

I scowled at her – since when was this brat so attached to me?

The Nymph on the other hand, leaned back on her perch and crossed her arms, as if to show she wasn't concerned but her blush was even fiercer than ever.

[You're just going to leave?] she grumbled with a pout. [After treating me so roughly?]

Why did she make it seem like I'd mistreated her?

I did not fail to miss the stirrings of the tree spirits at her words, and I glared at the blushing Nymph.

[Stop saying things that could be misunderstood!]

The Nymph looked away with a shrug, and the frowning dark fae buzzed over to my head to fuss some more.

[I'll be back later again.] I consoled her. [So stay here and wait for me.]

[You promise?] The dark fae huffed.

I sighed. [Yes, yes, I promise.]

That made her cheer up and I was glad she was off my back. She then flew over to the Nymph and they both sat down to watch me.

I was surprised the Nymph was letting me go so easily.

I thought she would put up more of a fight, but she seemed to be trying to pretend she wasn't worried, all while avoiding my eyes. Perhaps, seeking to form a 'bond' with her had shaken her up more than she admitted.

Well, my business was concluded here.

I would go visit her estranged daughter, while she would protect my [Pit] until my return. She had already started discussing the details with the loud-mouthed dark fae, who would reveal my cave's location to her.

I listlessly sighed.

With the tree spirits waiting to strike, I decided to bid my farewell to both and go find Sylrin - without the dark fae, of course.

It was best she stayed here with her family, and maybe I could come back for her when it was time to go find the Nymph's daughter.

And as expected, the dark fae began to complain again about being left behind.

She seemed to have convinced herself we were now two parts of one being and she insisted on tagging along much to my annoyance. It didn't want to risk taking her with me and I told the Nymph as much.

Due to his playful nature, I wasn't sure how Sylrin would react on seeing her.

She was so small he would probably think she was some sort of food and either squish her flat or try to eat her, like Ophelia had nearly done.

[Is this Drake also part of your Pit?] The Nymph asked.

I nodded.

She seemed more curious at the fact that he wasn't a snake. And I had to wonder if it was really that strange?

[And, did you force him too?] The Nymph smiled in amusement, making me scowl at her.

I remember it to be the opposite, I had no say in it and he joined all on his own – but what was she trying to say?

Nevertheless, I spread out my wings in preparation to take off and rose high in the air, watching the figure of the Nymph, the stream and the leaves of the pink forest getting smaller and smaller.

None of the tree spirits tried to snag at me with their branches, neither did I get attacked on the way up, and I flew away as fast as I could before the Nymph changed her mind.

In the air, I was stuck wondering about something very important.

Just how many members did my [Pit] have now?

Even if I were to count all the eggs and other creatures in my cave, the Nymph would still completely outnumber us with the forest she had been growing for countless years.

Hm.

Perhaps merging with the Nymph wasn't exactly the best idea – she seemed like someone who was prone to some troublesome behaviour I was sure I wouldn't like.

And the tree spirits also seem to despise me now.

Well…it was only a temporary alliance, and we could always relocate if our relationship went sour.

But as I pondered this, Sensei spoke.

«Why did you speak in such a pessimistic way? Are you so comfortable with dying that you no longer care?»

"Hmm? What do you mean?" I asked.

«Why are you so ready to die for others? I don't like you having such a defeated attitude.»

Tch. What was his problem?

It wasn't like I was really going to die, I only said that so the Nymph would agree.

"But it's true, if I happen to die, I do want them to be safe." I admitted after a breath.

After dying once already, I'd stopped caring so much about such trifle details. It was simply an exchange.

But Sensei's tone was cold. «Who cares whether the nestlings die? They were never important. You should always prioritize your own safety first before anyone else.»

He seemed quite upset. Just where was this coming from?

He didn't like me being pessimistic, but so what?

My forehead knitted in confusion. "Are you trying to pick a fight with me?"

Why else would he mention this, if not to argue. He knew I'd only just started to like my nestlings.

"I don't see what this has to do with you." I coldly retorted. "You won't die either way."

We were flying over the misty forest and I could see Sylrin's cave in the distance through the gaps in the trees and I rushed towards it.

But Sensei relented. «I may not die, but that doesn't mean I will stand back and watch that happen to you.»

My breath seized for a moment and my wings plummeted in my disbelief.

What was this bastard saying now?