The hivemind is conquering for me?

Before I could register the sudden hug I was hastily put down and Thespius took a step back.

”I knew no other way than a true show of gratitude to thank you, Apollo Lambdason, for what you have done for Nerissa.” Thespius declared, prompting me to look at Nerissa.

’What did I do?’

Thespius then continued. ”Nerissa achieving bloom through proximity to you, that was momentous. Words alone couldn’t give my whole feelings on the matter, so I felt compiled to indulge you, breast to breast. Plus, the hug gives the other Praetorians more than enough evidence you are our ally. Our true ally.”

Rhapso then spoke up. ”Ohhh! That’s why you hugged him! I was genuinely scared for my life then. Thespius, that was weird!”

”Really?” Thespius seemed taken aback by his body language. He then turned to Nerissa for a second opinion.

”When was the last time you hugged one of us? Very out of place, leader.” Nerissa stated and I then jumped in.

”I didn’t mind it. I thought you were going to attack me so I’ll happily take a hug. Just ease up on the lightning next time? I can taste metal.”

Thespius looked at his armour, the golden trails of his power jutting off him passively. ”Oh! Hahaha! My deepest apologies Apollo, Nerissa was correct, it has been a very long time, I forgot. Either way, nice to meet you once more.”

”Likewise.” I replied, a smile on my face, glad the guy wasn’t an ass.

Thespius gave us a short nod. ”So, what can I do for the three of you? Apollo, I am surprised to see you standing. I was at Amberrock after your return from your heroic killing of the Warlord. The fact you are well enough to be standing, to be fighting, is rather intriguing.”

Nerissa positioned herself before me instantly, prompting Thespius to let out a cackle. ”Haha! Look at you, your blessing of the man has really made you close, hasn’t it? Don’t worry, I am intrigued, but I won’t be pulling what you did, I’m not that intrigued. You can have him all to yourself until you are satisfied. Perhaps I should have used a less intense word?”

Nerissa just proceeded to stand there for a moment, silently unmoving. Paralysed by embarrassment. She just acted so possessive over Apollo, in front of her family.

”Oh, big bro. I am pulling a Ness also. Apollo is like, really freaking cool. Not like any other human I’ve ever met. I wanna follow him around for a bit and see what type of shenanigans he can get into. Is that ok?”

Thespius paused for a moment as he just stared at Rhapso. After a few moments he spoke up, ”Rhapso, are you alright? You feel... Different.”

Panic.

”I think so? I feel fine. No blooming yet, but just you wait. Before long I will be more powerful than even you! Then all you oldies will feel my wrath!” Rhapso replied, jovially, making Thespius chuckle.

Calm.

”Heh, I see. Very well. I will never stop my sisters from pursuing what they wish to do, in fact. I am glad you are. We have been stagnant for a very long time. So for this human to have such an influence on not just you two, but Phoebe and the rest of her kill squad? I am very curious about what else could be capable in the coming years.”

Rhapso giggled. ”You have no idea. Apollo is awesome. In fact, I recommend all the Nymphs should have some alone time with him. To learn what he is really like.”

Panic.

I turned to Rhapso and gave her a glare before laughing it off. ”Stop buttering me up. I’m just a man with Psionics, who just happens to be fortunate enough to have made two very good friends that just happen to be Nymphs. Nothing more, nothing less.”

”Hmm. Is that so?” Thespius spoke before proceeding to just look at me uncomfortably for twenty seconds of silence. He then broke that silence by turning to Rhapso.

”Very well. Give me your cloak and remember the moment you wish to join us once more, you are free to do so. Just like your sister.”

Rhapso then unceremoniously ripped off her cloak and chucked it towards Thespius, shocking him before turning to Nerissa.

”Nessy-Bear~ Can you make me a new cloak like you have?”

Nerissa swiftly turned to Rhapso. ”Don’t call me that!” She yelped defensively before looking at Thespius, her cheeks turned hot and proceeded to silently create a simple purple cloak and handed it back to Rhapso.

As Rhapso clasped her new cloak into place, Thespius looked at the reaction and couldn’t help being shocked. They were both acting differently. So little time had passed yet they had changed so much. It was bizarre to say the least, but he wouldn’t interrogate them on it right now.

”So. Is that the only reason you have come to me? To declare Rhapso’s future absence?” He inquired and Nerissa shook her head.

”No. Apollo- Sentinel Lambdason is requesting requisition. He needs an untraceable communication crystal. We should have some in reserve, no?”

”We? You currently are not part of the order, Nerissa. We do. You do not.” Thespius said, prompting Nerissa to lower her head.

”Sorry. That sounded harsher than I meant it. I was trying a joke. It didn’t work.” Thespius admitted, prompting Rhapso to snort.

”Leave the jokes to the young ones, old man. That was just mean.” Rhapso declared, jabbing me in the elbow to signify that ’we’ were the young ones.

I wasn’t sure how I felt being declared the same ’youngness’ with a being over three hundred thousand years old, so I just remained silent.

”Yes. I agree. I was trying to help our human friend be looped into the conversation. Jokes help with that. I digress. No, I don’t have any communicators I can spare with me right now, but I do have some Redoxuite with us. Give me a moment.”

In a flash of lightning. Thespius ceased being in front of us and reappeared in front of the Other Nymphs.

”Woah.” I vocalised.

”Yeah, he is really fast.” Rhapso stated the obvious, prompting me to ask the obvious.

”So, his powers are lightning and he is your leader? Is he a Nymph of Zeus?”

Nerissa’s eyes went wide as she turned to Apollo. It was hard at times to tell just who Apollo was in the past for him to know this stuff. He admitted what he was, but there was still not enough to go on. Of course, she had her hopes, but nothing concrete.

Meanwhile while she was lost in thought, Rhapso replied without shock. ”Yep. Thespius stewarded for the first king. It’s what makes him such an effective leader. He learnt from the best.”

I nodded my head. That was pretty cool to know. But what she said, left me curious about something.

”First king? Zeus wasn’t first though was he? What about Kronus?”

”Who?” Rhapso asked, confused by the name.

I then turned to Ness, the older of the two. ”Kronus. You know that name right?”

Nerissa shook her head. ”No. That name holds no significance to me. Should it?”

”Are you two serious? Kronus. Zeus’s father. Or am I remembering the wrong name?”

’Or am I trying to connect the past world with this one again... Shit.’ I thought, realising I might have just made a mistake.

”Apollo, who is-” Nerissa began, but was cut off by a bolt of lightning crashing before us and a figure appearing before us.

”My ears are burning. Did someone mention Zeus?”

Rhapso then spoke. ”Yeah, we did. Hey, have you ever heard of someone called K-”

”-We were just explaining to Apollo about who your God was. With him having met Artemis’ Vessel during this war and knowing about our true nature. I thought it was best that he knew who our leader was created by.” Nerissa cut off Rhapso, just in case...

Thespius paused for a moment as he looked between the three of us. ”Fair enough. Though you have brought up a good point, I should go and speak to Artemis’ vessel myself. To see if she has any orders for her own Nymphs.”

Thespius pondered something to himself for a moment before suddenly addressing the three of us once more. ”Here. We didn’t have a crystal small enough for just Sentinel Lambdason, but Velithica did her best work on a bigger one and split it into three. That way you can all have one. She also created the connection, but it won’t have any capacity to store communication lists. So you will have to know the exact number you need to call.”

I nodded at the Praetorian and lifted up the communicator slightly. ”Thank you for this. I appreciate you going out of your way to help me.”

”You are a Sentinel of the Empire, Apollo. It would be improper of me not to aid you in this request.” Thespius spoke formally before chuckling. ”Though I would have helped out anyway. You have proved trustworthy to us after all, even if a few of the Nymphs are still cautious of you. Anyway, we have lingered here long enough, my retinue has more Drakoshi to hunt, you three are of course welcome to join us.”

I smiled hearing that. ”We will catch up then. I just use this thing first.”

”Of course. I shall see you all soon then.” Thespius said and turned to walk away.

”εὐτύχει ” I replied, through my Linguakinesis, prompting Thespius to turn on his feel with alarming speed. He then looked at Nerissa and Rhapso and let out a single laugh at them teaching him that word.

”I do not need luck for defeating Drakoshi, Apollo. But I shall gracefully accept. Thank you.”