The golem has been defeated and the work on our temporary shelter can be completed in peace. It's not far now until we leave the deeper areas of the Everglade Forest and it should become much safer from then on. On the other hand, I have lost almost half of my escort so far. Of the original thirty Hive warriors, sixteen remain, ten of them Brawler type and the rest Roach type. Like the Hive Commander himself, some are still wounded but are slowly recovering through Rapid Regeneration. By the time we leave again, all should be fully operational again.

Unfortunately, I can't utilize the defeated golem like other creatures. It is made of rocks that were previously animated by magic, so there is no biological matter to utilize. Out of interest in the creature, I ask Karina, "Can you tell me more about creatures like this one?"

Karina complies with my request with a friendly smile, "Magical constructs like this golem here can occur naturally or be artificially created. Naturally occurring constructs are usually found only deep in unpopulated areas where many monsters are active. The magical energies of these monsters over a long period of time favor the creation of such constructs. In a city where people live the same thing could theoretically happen, but since the process is slow and there are clear signs, such problems are taken care of early by a mage."

I listen to Karina with interest, as I still have a lot to learn. Then I ask back, "You mentioned that you can create a golem artificially. What did you mean by that? How does that work?"

She answers me, "I don't know exactly how to artificially create a golem. You need a mage with the proper training to do it, and you have to add a magical core to the desired construct beforehand. Before you can ask me about it - I have no idea how to make a magic core or what it is made of. In any case, if you make a golem yourself, you can exert control over it."

I reply, "That sounds promising. I would like to learn how to make golems. It would be a good addition to my swarm!"

With a nervous look, Karina replies, "I'm sure it would. I'm afraid I can't help you with that, though. For that, you would need to train in an academic school in the appropriate magical field. I'm not sure if that's even possible for you ..."

When Karina sees my disappointment, she quickly adds: "That's not what I meant. I'm sure there's a way for you to learn something like that!"

I notice that Karina herself is not convinced of this, so I ask her: "Why do you think it would be difficult for me to learn this knowledge at an academic school? I find that I learn much faster compared to humans, so what's the problem?"

(POV Karina)

Oh damn! I shouldn't have said that. After Sylvia's last words, she looks at me with an penetrating and quite serious look. I can't withstand her gaze and look away to the side, where I notice that all the Sylv in the area are also looking at me intently. Nervously, I continue to look around and notice that even the work on our underground shelter has stopped. This is not good. This is not good at all!

I become extremely aware that Sylvia is not a normal person in moments like this. She is something else, I can hardly describe. When I turn my gaze back to Sylvia, she is still looking at me more excitedly. I collect my thoughts for a moment and then answer thoughtfully: "The intelligent races like elves or humans are quite similar in the sense that they are individuals with a very similar body structure. Even small differences, for example between a human and an elf, are cause for fear and mistrust on both sides. Especially humans have a natural aversion to other races, which are different from them. There are exceptions, but I'm talking about the normal case here."

Before I can continue further, Sylvia interrupts me with a sad look: "I see what you're getting at. I and especially my swarm possess even more distinct differences from humans. What you are getting at is that most people would not accept me. That most people would be afraid of me."

I can only remain silent on this statement. Strictly speaking, I am afraid myself, even after the long time I have spent with her in the meantime. I'm ashamed of it, but I can't help it. Sylvia is just so different. I still don't know if I will report her when we successfully escape from the forest. I'm leaning towards not doing it, but I'm not absolutely sure. Before I make a final judgment, I would like to find out two things first. Namely, where she normally lives in which form and what I can find out about her species from other sources.

While I am lost in thought, Sylvia begins to cry.

(POV Sylvia)

Karina's silence is confirmation enough for me. I wonder what Elise, Mark and Erik think about me. Are they also afraid of me?

No, that can't be! It can't be! They must be one of the exceptions Karina mentioned. But that also means that most other people will reject me. My breathing quickens as my anxiety spreads to the rest of the swarm. The Hive warriors come closer protectively, but there is no danger they can protect me from.

Now that I think about it, I notice that Karina seems to have been afraid of me for a while. I didn't want to admit it and I blocked it out, but it's very clear now. Her reactions go beyond a normal discomfort at the strangeness of my race. She is afraid of me! With this realization a deep pain cuts into my chest and I feel sick. Then the first tear runs down my cheek, quickly followed by the next.

(POV Karina)

I made Sylvia cry!! I quickly take a step toward her and hug her while I soothe her in a gentle tone. She shakes and sobs against my shoulder. In moments like these, I realize that she is still a child. She learns quickly and has her swarm to support her, but in the end, she is still young and naive.

I start stroking her head lightly, careful not to push the antennae on her head to the side. Slowly she calms down again and hugs me back tightly.

"Everything is all right Sylvia. I still love you and I think you are quite capable of convincing many other people that you are a very kind person.", I respond in a warm and calm voice.

Sylvia answers me in a whisper: "Thank you Karina. I think you're right.", then she is silent for a moment and seems a bit tenser before continuing, "I've realized that you're afraid of me. Not all the time, but every once in a while. We've spent a lot of time together now and I've always treated you well. Why are you still afraid of me?"

After the last words, she clings tighter to me and waits tensely for my answer. I moisten my lips and answer, "You're right. Earlier I was afraid of you when your whole swarm focused on me. I know you wouldn't do anything to hurt me and that's why I'm ashamed of it. It's just that you are so different. Together with your other Sylv, you are pretty strong. This difference in strength combined with all your peculiarities makes me feel insecure. But that doesn't change the fact that I think you are a kind, considerate and hard-working person. I hope you can forgive me because I can't change how I feel about you. This will take much more time and I can't promise that one day you will never scare me with something you naturally do. But that is not necessary either. I see you as a good friend who is quite exotic and has great power. I hope we can stay in this manner."

With a sob, Sylvia answers me, "I also like you very much. Definitely we can remain friends and I promise to keep working on myself so that humans will feel more comfortable around me in the future … I don't want others to be afraid of me … I want everyone to be happy and get along well with me!". With her last words, she seems to have regained her composure and seems much more stable to me.

I am no longer surprised by Sylvia's naive attitude, but I don't think I should mention it now. It is enough for now that she knows that not all people will react so positively to her. I think that was enough excitement for today and I feel quite tired by now. With a contented sigh, I hold on to my hug with Sylvia and suggest: "That sounds great, you have my full support. How about you order your swarm to continue the construction of our temporary dwelling? I feel exhausted and would like to get some rest."

"Of course!", Sylvia replies sheepishly and her swarm immediately continues the work. Afterward, she asks a little shyly, "Can we stay in the embrace a little longer, like last time?". Her question makes me feel warm inside and I confirm. I think this is good for both of us.