Chapter 118: Woman vs Team-Building

Chapter 118: Woman vs Team-Building

It had been a day and a night since the Incursion began.

Greeces sky remained a shining circuit of golden pathways and eldritch energy. The light did not dim no matter the hour. Day and night alike had lost all meaning.

But it wasnt the sky above her head that worried Vasi Yaga. It was the ground beneath her feet. It hadnt stopped shaking every few hours or so since the party had left Thessaloniki, opening rifts across the countryside and raising large waves battering against the Mediterranean shores. After a narrow encounter where a large part of the coast fell into the sea, the group had retreated deeper inland.

On the morning of the Incursions second day, Steve stopped under the ominous shadow of Mount Olympus to rest. The green aurora at the mountains top indicated that its summit had been turned into a dungeon, though fortunately no portal opened above the mountain; Vasi guessed Ashok ensured that as few rifts as possible would threaten his turf. The Bohens had lost their pursuers along the way and disposed of the creatures in the area, so they should have a moment of peace.

They needed it.

As she finished her tour of the sky in search of potential danger, Vasi landed back at the camp to find Basil hard at work cooking breakfast. From the smell, he was preparing crepes with eggs, pesto, cheese, and a slice of bread.

All with a disappointed look on his face.

Having gone steady with him for over three months now, Vasi was starting to understand how her boyfriends mind worked. Though he had mellowed out over the course of their journeys, Basil was an angry man at heart. When wronged, he retaliated with extreme force and prejudice. And when he failed, his fury turned inward. So Basil Bohen kept his mind busy through work.

Vasi had tried to reach out to him by offering him a shoulder to cry on, but by now she understood Basil wasnt the kind of person to confide or talk things out. Manual labor was therapy for him.

The best she could do for now was to give him space until he reached out to her.

Vasi landed among the rest of the team, who had spread around the Steamobile. Shellgirl was typing on that strange machine the humans of Earth called a laptop while Plato and Rosemarine were playing a Board & Conquest game; the latter was rooted in the earth in her nymph form and welcomed a distraction when she produced her miraculous fruits.

As for Bugsy

Bugsy, are you reading a book? The scene of the giant centipede monster carefully flipping a small manuals pages with his enormous pincers was so incongruous that gave Vasi pause. I think this is the first time Ive seen you do that.

Ah, yes it is. Bugsy cleared his throat, slightly embarrassed. I figured I needed to.

How so? Vasi checked the books cover. The Red Queen: Sex and the Evolution of Human Nature isnt that one of Basils books?

I, uh, I borrowed it from the Boss, yes. Bugsys startail wagged sheepishly. I mean, Im strong, but you and Shellgirl youre smart. I figured that since battles will only get harder from now on, I should strengthen my mind.

A wise choice, Bugsy. Though Vasi wasnt sure if this book held secrets that would enhance Bugsys battle performance, everyone should read a book now and then. An open mind was stronger than a narrow one. What is this grimoire about?

Ive just started it, but its fascinating. Bugsys embarrassment turned to enthusiasm as he shared his discovery. Did you know that many species develop new traits to maximize reproductive success? Breeding is one of the main factors of evolution!

It is true that Basils werebear evolution played a role in us getting together, Vasi joked.

Exactly! Bugsy nodded happily. Im sure this book contains insight that will help us in battle!

Vasi smiled. She was starting to understand why Bugsy picked this book. It did appeal to his strange obsession with romance in general.

Does it tell you how to win Board & Conquest games too? Plato asked as he stood atop a cushion and pushed a Vanir Cat Chariot figurine closer to one of Rosemarines Fafner Dragons. From the shape of the board, Plato was desperately trying to exploit an opening in his rivals formation as a last-ditch effort to escape encirclement. Cause I need help right now.

I sacrifice five resources to summon a Treescarred Dwarf Shaman next to my western fort, Rosemarine said as she moved the appropriate figure on the board. It gives my dragon a shield token, so you cant kill it next turn.

No, no, no! No, you dont! Plato cursed, slamming his cushion with his paws in his rage. Curse this cheating Nidavelir expansion!

I do not cheat, Mr. Plato. Rosemarines expression turned into a smug grin. I win.

You should start fielding some Aesir tanks with your Vanir infantry, Plato, Vasi suggested. Playing mono-armies has never been the best strategy in B&C.

But Plato wouldnt hear any of it. I know my proud feline army will eventually pull through. Who cares if they are not the strongest? They more than make up for it in nobility of life, in the beauty of their spirit

I have my dragon eat your goddess and her little cat too, Rosemarine said as she toppled two figures off the board.

Argh! Plato hissed in anger.

I will compost every figurine you care about. Rosemarines grin turned into an unsettling smile. She was disturbingly competitive about war games, and terrifyingly good at them. Then I will lick your tears!

Hey, guys, cut down on the banter! Shellgirl chided them over her laptop. I cant hear Ronald!

Bugsy immediately raised his head from his book. Ronald?

Yes, Ronald! Shellgirl flipped her laptop and showcased the screen to the group. Say hello to everyone!

To Vasis surprise, it appeared Shellgirl had refined her laptop with parts from the Unitys holomachines. The screen was segmented like a beehive, with each alcove showcasing a different persons face. Three of them showed the shining eyes of reformed Gearsmen. Two more pictured were a pale goblin and a more brutish, orcish creature. Only the sixth showcased Ronald.

Vasi immediately identified her old ally, though he had undergone some changes. The demonic burger had grown even larger than before; the call showed him looming over the neurotower he controlled like a child over a toy. The burger creature now wore a golden crown encrusted into its bread body, and its saliva resembled acidic green sauce rather than ketchup. Finally, four legs of mismatched chicken drumsticks carried it like an elephant.

Ronald says hello! the creature waved his slimy tongue at the Bohens. Ronald glad to see you all grown-up!

Hello! Rosemarine kindly waved back. Nice legs! How many monsters did you kill to grow them?

Theyre beautiful, Bugsy commented. And theyre crispy!

Ronald now Burger King, Ronald replied. With a whooping level 70!

Plato snorted. Do trademarks still apply now that the world ended?

Vasi wondered how Ronald could gain so many levels without killing his way across the world as the Bohens did, before remembering he had tied himself to that French dungeon that they conquered a while ago. It made her feel a bit jealous that he didnt have to suffer to earn those levels.

Some of the other people on the screen looked strangely familiar too. Do I know you? Vasi asked the goblinoid creature. I feel like weve met before.This chapter is updated by nov(e)(l)biin.com

Duh, the white goblin said. We were neighbors.

That did it. In what had felt like a lifetime ago, Shellgirl held a market in the Barthes marshes of southern France to trade supplies with other monsters. Orcine had been alive back then, and they met Kalki for the first time at the gathering.

Cafaimal and Vasi drew a blank. Benny?

Benoit, the orcish creature answered. Benoit the Hob.

So romantic Bugsy whispered.

We finally received the funds Neria promised us, so we can raid Walters place for more supplies too, Shellgirl noted with enthusiasm. Were one shopping spree away from being invincible!

Dont tempt fate, please, Plato pleaded as he found his last two commanders cornered by Rosemarines army. And youre forgetting someone too.

Basil nodded sharply. Maxwell.

True, he might want to keep Kalki out of our hands, Vasi noted. She crossed her arms as she reviewed what they knew of Dismaker Labs founder which was unfortunately little. Does anyone have any idea what his abilities are?

Even Leroy didnt know. Basil sighed. We dont even understand his true nature, nor his motives.

He could be the Horseman of Conquest, Plato suggested.

This drew everyones attention. The Horseman of Conquest? Vasi repeated with a frown. Do tell us more, oh king of cats.

Am I the only one to remember what that overbearing candle told us? Plato shrugged. He said that the Horseman of Conquest had been here long before Apollyon and that was why they entered Earth in the first place. Moreover, he called him

Mammon, Basil said with a scowl. The demon of greed. I could see him infiltrate society as a morally bankrupt businessman.

But if Maxwell is with the Apocalypse Force, why let the likes of the Unity onto Earth? Shellgirl pointed out. It doesnt add up.

Maybe he wants to eat everyone? Rosemarine suggested.

He could be playing a double-game, Vasi agreed. From the one interaction they had, Maxwell didnt seem physically capable of loyalty. Conflict seems to be an end in itself for him. He doesnt even appear interested in becoming an Overgod.

Shellgirl frowned in skepticism. Im not so sure about the conflict part, Vasi. From what we know, hes been spending what, centuries jumping from world to world, summoning the Trimurti System, and then destroying the place?

So? Basil asked.

So if I were in his place and my goal was to have fun, I would shake things up now and then, Shellgirl pointed out. Repeating the same market strategy again and again sounds awfully boring to me.

True, Vasi conceded. Maybe Walter is right and Maxwell gains something from the process.

Maybe hes trying to impress a girl? Bugsy suggested.

The proposal was so outlandish that it drew a chuckle from Basil himself. Bugsy, dont take it the wrong way, but how would someone's dating life be related to destroying planets?

Uh, I mean Bugsy raised his book as if it were a shield. Thats what the book says! Reproduction becomes more elaborate to shake off parasites and determine a mates worthiness to pass on its genes!

Hes not wrong, you know? Plato joked. I too offer a dead bird to female cats when I want to breeeeeed.

When I have a boyfriend, I hope he gives me a dead sun as a token of love, Rosemarine chirped happily.

The comment immediately triggered Basils paternal instincts. You are too young for boyfriends, Rosemarine.

Vasi opened her mouth to tease Bugsy about his suggestion before closing it immediately as a word rang heavily in her mind.

Parasites. The witch squinted at Bugsy. You mentionned parasites?

Yes, thats what the book says. Bugsy regained confidence at the opportunity of showcasing his newfound knowledge. Evolution is an arms race between lifeforms and parasites that try to feed off them! Like viruses!

Vasi did not answer immediately. Her mind worked furiously to assemble pieces of a larger puzzle.

Basil immediately noticed her odd response. Vasi, whats wrong?

If I remember well Vasi chewed her lower lip as a hypothesis formed in her thoughts. At one point, Benjamin compared the neurotower network to a bloodstream.

Im not so sure but its an apt analogy, yes. The System does feed on blood and death. Basil squinted. Why?

Because now Vasi started to see the System not as a cold cosmic machine, but as a living creature. And from that perspective, a certain madmans behavior suddenly became quite logical.

When you met the elves of Elysium, she asked, did you confirm beyond doubt that their world didnt have a System before the Trimurti were summoned?

Yeah, things unfolded as they did on Earth. Basil quickly caught on. Maxwell never visited a world that already had a System before his arrival.

Vasi nodded sharply. She cleared her throat, choosing her words well.

Imagine, she said with a deep, serious voice, that you are a parasite,

Her entire party afforded her their full attention. Even Plato and Rosemarine interrupted their game to listen.

You are a vile, monstrous creature that feeds off the misery of others, Vasi said. For all of your intelligence, your only objective is to jump from one host to the next as you leave a trail of death in your wake. Survival at any cost. Sounds simple on paper, isnt it?

She raised an index finger for dramatic purposes.

But theres a catch, Vasi explained. Youre the picky kind of parasite. You have evolved to feed off a specific kind of superorganism that demands a lot of resources to raise in the first place. Worse, you inevitably destroy it after working it to death. And theres evolutionary pressure at work, as Bugsy pointed out. Who is the most vulnerable to infection in a given population?

Basil scowled. As the one with a background in pharmaceuticals, he was starting to understand the big picture. Children, because of their underdeveloped immune system.

Exactly. Vasi joined her hands. Adult hosts will have experience with your kind. Their immune system will recognize the infestation and purge you. But you feed on a very rare kind of host that rarely arises naturally. So how do you solve the problem?

Plato glanced at Rosemarine. You cultivate them, he guessed. Like a plant.

Yes, indeed. Vasi nodded grimly. You find a place with rich soil of nutrients, you plant a seed, and then you latch on it like a tick. And when that plant withers after exhausting all its resources

You move on and repeat the process, Basil cut in sharply. His eyes burned with both horror and anger. You hop to another planet that doesnt know any better.

That was what Bugsys book suggested: the more complex a lifeform, the more it would attract leeches and viruses to feed on it. This logic applied to everything.

Even Systems.