Free Web NovelChapter 233: Going Back Home
After the human intruders had gone, the Mantis Queen remained in the middle of the wrecked and devastated area.
On the ground, the shattered remains of the mutants gradually moved, reconnecting slowly, gradually returning to their prior condition.
They lacked individual consciousness and personal feelings. If the Backbone in the area was still functioning, they would eventually recover their original shapes and then sink into the ground for a deep sleep.
Afterward, a quietude would envelop this region once more, broken only by the whispering breezes and the sporadic buzzing of insect wings. This cycle remained unchanged, year after year.
The two humanoid mutants were sprawled on the ground, their eyes fixed vacantly on the sky above. The female mutant’s neck wound, which had been severed, was healing, while the male, with both legs cut off, clearly needed more time to rise again.
The Queen observed them momentarily before instructing, "Try again, follow the task I had previously assigned to you."
The female mutant sat upright, adjusting her blood-soaked neck. Approaching the male one with shattered legs, she bowed her head and kissed his shoulder. With emotionless expressions, they mechanically exchanged kisses for some time. Soon, she began to undress the prone figure below her, while he remained still, allowing her actions without resistance.
"Enough, enough," the Queen urged, stretching out multiple arms, one shielding her face, the others signaling to stop. "Cease this, both of you retreat."
Despite the familiar actions, the feelings they generated were starkly different from the experiences with the two humans before.
The Queen began reminiscing. The human named Kestrel had once labeled this feeling as "love." She explained that without it, individuals would lose their sense of identity, not knowing their location or direction in life.
Within the deteriorating walls, the two mutants ceased their emotionless engagement.
The female mutant rose and ventured a few steps forward before pausing. She turned around, bent down, and lifted her legless companion onto her back.
The Queen observed this unexpected behavior, realizing it was not commanded by her.
"Why have you come back to carry him?" the Queen asked.
After a brief pause, the mutant replied, "I think it’s because I have grown fond of him. I desire to enter hibernation together."
Closing his impassive eyes, the male mutant settled on the female mutant’s back.
As she stood amidst the wreckage, the Queen watched their slow departure and suddenly commanded, "Wait, do not return to the soil. From now on, both of you exist in the outside world."
The two halted, turning their heads in anticipation of further instructions.
"There’s no other commands," stated the Queen, "simply dwell here. Close to the fortress, amidst this meadow of blossoms, live unrestricted. I am curious to see what you will eventually become.
...
Perhaps Ren wasn’t aware that his final utterance had kindled Kestrel’s entire being.
"I want your hug." Like a lone spark in the hay, it perfectly ignited a chain reaction, unleashing the sentiments Kestrel had buried deep inside her.
"Hug me," the words acted as a magical incantation, instantly sending a surge of energy racing through Kestrel’s fingertips, piercing her heart and grappling at its core.
Kestrel’s golden eyes suddenly shimmered brightly.
She had always perceived herself as emotionally detached, her passions only ignited perhaps on the battlefield, where life and death danced in a precarious balance. Yet now, she stumbled upon another phenomena capable of stirring her dormant passions, something undeniably magnificent.
Kestrel fixated her gaze on Ren.
His raven hair dampened, a haze mirroring in his eyes, and a pronounced scar gracing his nose bridge. The top of his attire was partially ripped, exposing snugly wrapped white bandages.
White bindings paired with marred flesh.
Kestrel could notice the subtle motion of his muscles and the bobbing of his Adam’s apple.
Witnessing this, a fervor ignited in Kestrel’s soul, a longing to claim him entirely, to cradle him, yearning to witness every nuance of him, eager to explore facets of him untouched by others.
Kestrel realized a perverse fascination resided deep within her – a desire for ownership. She was drawn to dominance, lusted for control. The deeper her affection for something, the more she aspired to engulf it, to wholly dominate it. She desired for him to be unequivocally hers, all his joys and anguish to originate from her, his every high and low at her behest.
Kestrel acknowledged this strange fixation, even its abnormality.
Within her psychic landscape, tendrils floated and swayed in the oceanic abyss. They reveled in encroachment, entangling and firmly securing what appealed to them, a vivid manifestation of Kestrel’s intent.
For others, this trait might paint Kestrel as somewhat fearsome. Yet, when confronted by Ren, it was met with acceptance and forbearance. What he admired and craved was the fierce desire housed in Kestrel’s core.
Ren sought a hug, Kestrel aimed to ensnare him – a harmonious union, a seamless fit.
Kestrel glanced around, noting their adequate surroundings, a secluded space furnished with a plush sofa and adorned with a variety of unfamiliar blossoms.
However, presently, the vase lay overturned, its contents strewn across the floor, creating a melodic splash, with petals and liquid scattering wildly.
Their bare feet moved erratically upon the petals, their movements frenzied, mercilessly crushing the fragile blooms beneath them, painting the ground with sullied hues and marks.
The tendrils eagerly emerged, covering every inch of the ground, rooftops, and walls. Everywhere, their viscous and odd limbs made the surfaces wet and slick.
No one could see through their embrace. Only they and the orca knew what happened within, and, at the time, the blade lying on the ground.
Within Ren’s psychic landscape, the orca darted through the deep sea, pursued and captured by the Kraken’s long tendrils.
Its powerful monochromatic body was ensnared, bound layer by layer. Ultimately immobilized, it was forced onto the rocky reefs, revealing a human torso with a fish tail. Its long black tail constantly struck the seabed, emitting melodic whale songs.
This time, Ren adapted quickly. Whenever Kestrel kissed him, he would cradle her cheeks, seeking more.
He would run his fingers through Kestrel’s damp hair, giving a gentle rub to the back of her head. Their kisses were deep, leaving both gasping for breath upon parting.
Kestrel could feel his restraint. His muscles were as tight as iron, his movements minute, with furrowed brows as if a thread in his mind was holding back the impulse.
Initially, Kestrel didn’t understand what he was holding back, until, during a moment of lost control, Ren almost toppled her. She then realized the terrifying power of an alpha, especially when uncontrolled.
Kestrel was taken aback. If not for her battle-hardened reflexes, she could’ve been gravely injured.
She held onto Ren, even daring to bite his lip. In that moment, Ren became soft, sinking into the tendrils, allowing Kestrel to bite his lip and kiss his eyes.
He seemed remorseful for his prior actions, chastising himself for his lack of restraint as an alpha and nearly hurting his beta.
After some time, Kestrel finally heard his hoarse voice.
"Use that bracelet."
The bracelet on Kestrel’s wrist could morph according to her will. It could extend infinitely, change shape, and tighten. Tough and unbreakable, impossible to escape. Besides transforming into a sharp dagger, it was also ideal for binding.
Ren probably didn’t imagine its main use to be this when he gave it to her.
Ironically, its color matched the orca’s black and white. The extending black and white cords restrained the alpha’s power.
The implication when Ren, in a muted voice, asked her to use the bracelet, excited the tendrils.
Numerous voices erupted in Kestrel’s mind, but they all converged to one or two sentiments.
"Do it, quickly, heed him. Pin him down." ƒreewebɳovel.com
"He’s so sweet."
In Ren’s eye, Kestrel saw her own image, watching the squiggly tendrils, and realized her own eyes had turned a golden hue. She looked like a scary sea creature floating in the deep ocean. Finding something precious, she held onto it tightly, controlling it in detailed ways, not letting it have a chance to break free.
She felt herself getting closer to Ren’s ear, whispering softly, "Can I make you feel things more? Just a bit."
Ren agreed with a nod. Shortly after, Kestrel started hearing quiet noises of Ren losing his composure. Since Ren was more patient than anyone she knew, these noises felt even more special, something Kestrel found worth spending a long time to enjoy, to listen to all night.
Outside, the sky had brightened when they didn’t realize, and a strong sun was shining down on the world. In the hidden underground, the tendrils were moving slowly, with no one remembering what happened in their cuddly hold.
They had a lot of time, a large space for Kestrel and Ren to enjoy their interesting games at a relaxed pace.
After a while, it took them quite a bit to leave the sea of flowers.
When they got to the exit, Greenant and Greenwings said goodbye with a big celebration.
"It’s been ages since we saw someone take something from Her Majesty."
"We thought Her Majesty had abandoned us."
Greenwings happily held out a scythe, lightly touching the back of Kestrel’s hand to say goodbye.
But looking at Ren, she delicately put a fancy handkerchief to her nose, remarking, "Oh my, you were a nice, untouched virgin when you came in. Now, in no time, you smell like betas all over. It’s shocking they let you stay alive after; humans really pamper their partners."
In their view, husbands used on the wedding night should be eliminated afterward.
Kestrel and Ren drove a long distance, and at the end of the road, they saw Greenant in a suit, waving a handkerchief at the junction, expressing, "Please come again, we really like you."
Kestrel looked back to see the figure, which was getting fuzzy in the swirling road dust.
The friendly Greenwings now was the same creature as the mutant who had pinned an alpha to the stakes years before.
Even though by species they were always enemies of humans, through bloodlines, both sides had become gradually mixed.
Mutants mimicked humans to keep living on this earth, and now there were humans who were a mixture of alpha and beta with mutant blood.
No one knew where this world would end up going in the days to come.
Kestrel moved her eyes away, shut her lids, and placed her head on Ren’s shoulder.
Their trip went on.
Their friends who had gone ahead already got the safe note Kestrel and Ren sent on the opticomputer. So, they felt at ease and went back to the Imperial Nexus early.
Kestrel and Ren shared a kiss at a place far from the Tower, saying a temporary goodbye with a touch of unwillingness to let go.
Strolling down the street with a bag slung over her shoulder, Kestrel touched her lips with her tongue. She didn’t want to leave, continually cherishing this soft and tangled feeling deep in her heart. The sensation was kind of tart and full, but had a sprinkle of sweetness too.
This trip had given her lots of great things. She found out the truth she had always been curious about, obtained the gem for the Verity Vault, and even got help and the nod of approval from those who were against her.
Now, all she needed was to get back to her comfy home. By putting the green gem inside the box, she could find the final hint that the Verity Vault offered.
People said that this box could show what the future held for the human race.
Surely, the most awesome thing she got from this journey was understanding her own emotions, and having an alpha who was just for her.
She was really eager, all set to go home and tell Kaworu and Locky about this news as soon as she unpacked her stuff.
Thinking about this, Kestrel felt her spirits lift with each step she took.
Beside the walkway, rose branches were piled up high as they reached out from the garden wall. Kestrel hadn’t been away for a lot of days, but maybe because their blooming time was over, the blossoms on the branches hung down sadly.
Once Kestrel pressed the doorbell, a really stressed out voice responded from the other side of the solid, ornately carved iron gate.
"Who’s there?" The sound was Locky’s, unusually deep and filled with wariness, seemingly ready for a fight.
"What went down while I was gone?" Kestrel’s face became stone-cold super fast, and she hit her hand against the iron gate forcefully.
"It’s me. I’m back."
