We actually make it a good way into this forest.

The trees aren't so close to each other that they would be difficult to pass through.

If I had to state one negative point then it would be the lack of orientation.

In this environment, I can only assume that we’re still walking roughly in the right direction.

I feel how nervous Kyska is, which in our current situation as escapees seems well-founded.

Yet there's something else on her mind.

I just feel it.

(E)

(K)

(E)

(K)

I can understand her.

Her whole existence is about being a good servant.

This means, being the cause of my capture would make her feel bad.

(E)

In some way I love her.

As family, a trusted friend, a positive thing in my life.

I don't want to leave her behind.

(K)

Suddenly, she grabs a branch from the ground and points the pointy end at herself.

I can just in time sprint to her side and rip it away.

(E)

The remaining four bugs feel my agitation and stir in erratic patterns.

(K)

Shit!

Shit, shit, shit, shit, shit!

If she's like this I can't control her.

Okay, maybe I could knock her out, but there's no way I could carry her the whole distance.

The flying will already be hard enough, as I’ll need to take frequent breaks.

(E)

(K)

She's literally dead set on this.

Well, she has a point.

I'd rather see her as a hostage than dead so she bargains with what she has.

Her life.

So I can only signalize acceptance with pheromones.

One of the few times not being able to hide my emotions works to my advantage.

At least, I don't have to convince her that I'm being honest.

Though, she probably wouldn't have settled for any less than this.

At least, we can continue walking now.

I don't really like to stay for too long in one place in our current situation.

(K)

(E)

(K)

Right.

Makes sense.

The bugs can fly and won't be followed and two should be enough to spread out so it's more likely to meet a friendly patrol and send them in our direction.

So I do my best to choose two of the remaining four to fly ahead of us.

(E)

The big, flying bugs immediately act on my request and fly north, where they'll hopefully remember to separate so they can cover a greater area.

I also contemplate if I should send the other two west and south in the hope that they might alert any allied forces looking for us.

They are able to fly, but would have to move directly through enemy territory and might get shot down.

Not only this, but it doesn't need much imagination to deduce our location from their flying direction.

I'd basically tell everyone who's there about my current position.

On the other side, that’s not too much of a secret so shortly after my escape and I plan to move a bit further.

Also, I don't even know if the Formicea are scouting any areas close to us.

(E)

(K)

I don't like how she's planning that I should abandon them when it's convenient.

Yet she makes sense.

Albeit not all too common, it's possible that monsters dwell in this forest.

In this case, being on my own would be bad.

And if our pursuers reach us, they could fly around and harass them.

It's not safe to assume they'd perish.

Now that I think about it, I don't even know what kind of creature they are.

While walking, I decide to simply ask Kyska about them.

(E)

Or where they came from.

Or what their role is.

I only can tell from the scent that there must be a connection to me.

(K)

(E)

(K)

This sounds like a quick dispatch unit for dire situations.

Just what I needed here.

They certainly have their use, yet might not be as useful for a developed hive with standing forces.

Yet for an establishing one, it could prove essential to have them if suddenly foes show up.

Still, it's fascinating that Kyska would know about them.

(E)

(K)

Am I fine with Kyska belittling them in their presence?

(E)

From what I can gather, those two remaining ones like it that I'm trying to appreciate their existence.

I mean, just as with the hunters, it's strange to think of them as my children, but this isn't a reason to ignore their unconditional devotion to me.

They even sacrificed themselves for my sake, something that I still have a hard time dealing with, but this little bit of acceptance is the least I absolutely have to grant them.

(K)

And Kyska just had to shoot them down again.

Now I feel even guiltier than before.

To think they're this kind of cursed existence.

Single usage lives...

Damn, if I could just make it up to them.

At least I should say something.

(E)

If I could change anything, I would. However, I can't.

Some of them are dead and the others the way they are.

Yet it seems like my thoughts were at least appreciated.

That's what I gather from how excitedly they are now flying around me.

(K)

Well, is now the time to tell her that this wasn't me, but supposedly the strange voice in my head I heard?

(E)

(K)

I can't deny that I killed those men.

It's still weighing on my mind, but it's not like I, as their kidnapping victim, was morally in the wrong.

(E)

(K)

Necessary action?

(E)

Promptly, Kyska gives me a glance and according pheromones, which can only be translated as 'Are you serious?'.

(K)

I... don't think I like where this is going.

(E)

(K)

Implanted?

Oh my god!

Did I seriously do this?

Just now I remember how Kyska warned me the first time about my ovipositor!

Its original purpose was to sting prey for the offspring to feed on it from the inside while growing.

That's, that's a bit too gruesome.

I think I'm growing sick.

Okay, that guy was an asshole, but it's still hard to justify this kind of death even for someone you don't like.

(K)

Like killing a man in the most horrible way.

We walk a little further until my wings stop feeling strained.

Now I can make use of them just as I originally planned to do.

(E)

We left enough trace to make them believe we're heading west while in truth our destination is north.

(K)

(E)

Different from last time, I don't princess-carry her, but we manage to make her hug my torso.

This way, it's a bit more balanced to move around.

Lifting off from a standing position on the ground proves to be difficult, yet it’s far more difficult to maneuver around the branches of the forest.

It takes a while till we can leave them behind us and rise till shortly above the trees, where hopefully nobody will be able to perceive me.

And so we fly further northward.