"Impossible!"
"Impossible!"
Both Chrysalis and I uttered the word simultaneously, though with vastly differing context. "You were destroyed after the failed invasion!"
"You cannot disobey the will of the hive!" she screamed via pheromones. Nohbodi stood wide-eyed, having little understanding of the situation without changeling senses. Chrysalis stalled, confusion evident as she glanced at him and queried "What species is this?"
She did not know? A direct connection to the Hive would have granted her all the knowledge contained therein. This could only mean that she has been here since the failed invasion, and that new information was not being given. If she did not know, then the Hive still retained some degree of autonomy. She held sway over the power in this land, but not the complete reservoir. The Hive was withholding information. This was a powerful advantage. However, to make full use of it, we must relocate her. She still held far too much power for me to contend with, as well as a physical form that could counter Nohbodi. Our greatest change lies with taking her far away from this area. Perhaps with distance the link to the Hive will be broken, and Chrysalis significantly weakened. Even if the link is not severed, surrounding her with opponents she has no chance of controlling will be a boon.
This was a tremendous risk, but no other options presented themselves. A direct assault would be futile. I looked at Nohbodi and winked, being certain to use the eye facing out of the line-of-sight of Chrysalis. Turning back, I began to 'explain', speaking with a voice that Nohbodi could understand. “I sense vague notions at best. Please, speak your wishes.”
Chrysalis was struck by the idea. “I spoke to you with the language of changelings. How do you not understand?
“Such a language has been unused for hundreds of years. No doubt any implications of it are archaic, if not mistaken. Who are you?”
She stood with a degree of hubris rarely seen. “I am Chrysalis, queen of the changelings!”
I felt something within me that defied explanation. Yes, the Hive itself was connecting. A sensation of… optimism perhaps, washed over me. It understood. I desperately hoped that the Hive was capable of clouding her mind. “You… You were thought to be of legend! Our mighty queen has returned after a millenia!”
The degree of jaw-dropping was unfitting for a queen. “Millenia?”
“Yes! You had become as legend, told alongside Nightmare Moon to frighten youth! Quickly now, we must appear before the triumvirate to announce your new ascendancy!”
Chrysalis stood still, digesting this false information. “Of course! Onward, my subjects!” She was undoubtedly too caught up in her delusions of grandeur to question such a course. Or perhaps the Hive has subtly influenced her mind. The latter was most likely. Regardless of the reason, she followed us as we marched to our entry point. I desperately hoped that we could exit with ease, or at least that it was enough distance to weaken her, should the reach of the Hive be less than anticipated. “Now, I must be informed of the current state of my world.” She looked at me, having only seen the armored hybrid body since her exit. “Such an unusual form. These new bodies must be explained to me as we travel to this triumvirate as I take my rightful place. As well as this drone.” She shifted her gaze to Nohbodi. “So soft-shelled and silent...”
“Is this one defective?”
Nohbodi grunted in annoyance. She still reads the signature of Intricate Compass, thinking it was some sort of mutation. Without the focus of Chrysalis, I was able to return to my human body. Chrysalis looked on and studied the forms. “Curious forms. What purpose could they serve?”
“They are key to surviving in our modern environment. The world will appear much the same as you may remember, yet the atmospheric pressure has shifted. Such forms serve as a counter to the world outside this enclave.” I should be mindful not to say too much. She will notice quickly that the world has not changed greatly in these twelve years since her defeat. I watched as she studied my body and assumed the exact duplicate. Of course that would happen. She does not know of my being trained to adopt a secondary ‘true’ form. Though I have an extreme distaste for sharing an appearance with her - as though her mere continued existence was not enough - it would serve well. We could travel with less interference for at least part of the distance. Most importantly, it is only capable of sensing the nearby changelings, and cannot influence or control them via pheremones. Should she return to a changeling body, the others would unconsciously expose the farce.
“Why don’t you answer?” Chrysalis angrily demanded, though she had not said anything. It quickly dawned on me that she was attempting to use pheremones in that body.
“Your majesty, “ I found referring to her in that manner absolutely sickening. “We now speak as you hear us. The old language is no longer used, being incompatible with these bodies. Please, we must arrive at the capital with all haste.”
Chrysalis looked down at her form. “I don’t like this body. It’s not nearly functional enough. Once I’m back on a throne I’ll experiment with replacements. Obviously you all need me. Take me to this temporary triumvirate, immediately!”
If Chrysalis was as well-versed in these bodies as Nohbodi and I she likely would have better sensed the emotion. The Hive was dulling her senses further. We traveled to our entry point as quickly as possible. The javelins remained in their place on the ground, being the only sign of us being in the correct place. One issue remained.
How were we to escape?