“Well, this is it.” Aku announced as we all halted in front of a blank wall.

I scratched under my lower lip at this. “Let me guess, is this one of those secret door thingies that every Indiana Jones movie has?” I questioned, which in turn made Aku nod.

“Well, I may not know what an “Indiana Jones” is, but yes, you guessed right.” Aku answered which made me purse my lips in interest.

“Ooh, a perfect moment to play the Indiana Jones theme then… oh, wait, I don’t have that song in my cellphone. Curse past Alex and his inability to remember downloading the Indiana Jones song.” I randomly commented, flailing my fist angrily in the air.

Aku, on the other end, didn’t waste any time in feeling out the surface of the sandstone wall in front of us, for some indentations, most likely.

He began to mumble to himself as his hooves moved over the rocky surface. “The first stone must be here somewhere.” I heard him quietly mutter.

He eventually managed to come across exactly what he was looking for as his ears perked up. He pressed down against a sizable block, which caused it to recede into the wall. A couple of clicks and clanks echoed through the hallway afterwards.

He repeated this action a couple of times in some kind of a pattern. Each and every block he pressed made the same mechanical clicks and grinding sounds as the first as each and every block slowly receded into the wall. Making it look like a giant block of cheese with rectangular holes instead of circles.

Now there is an idea for the future. Cheese made with square holes instead of round ones. This idea will surely make me rich.

Either way, soon the entire wall shook and rumbled as dust and debris were shook off of its cracks. Nothing happened afterwards, then the entire wall began to recede into itself before splitting in the middle and sliding away to opposite sides. Similar to your basic sliding doors at your supermarket, only more primitive and a lot dustier.

The sight that greeted us just made me frown. “More bloody stairs?” I exclaimed with two outreached arms. ”I already had to climb a bunch just to get here.” I complained, waving my hands above me.

And that was just for DESCENDING the stairs, mind you. Imagine me having to CLIMB all of them back just to reach the kitchen or bathroom up at the above ground floors.

Elevators. Elevators shall also be on the to-do list of innovations to introduce to these horses. How will I power them, someone might ask? Easy! Magic, that’s how. No confusing science or overengineering required, just whip out magic wand from your pocket and spray some well needed magical goo on it. BOOM, working elevators finished.

Bakuss, for the first, time could only agree. “I have to agree with His Royal Highness here. These underground dwellings have a very unhealthy number of stairs just to reach all of the underground vaults. Try to carry some Idols, relics and whatever else treasures placed down here on a daily basis with nothing but stairs to lead you. A bit inconsistent in terms of practicality.” He commented, which in turn made me think.

“Never really thought about those interesting issues myself, but whatever, in either case, he actually has a point here to point at with his big pointy point.”

That is one good pointy point, I tell you, better than any knife tip or needle.

Aku just raised an eyebrow at the captain. “Well, if not stairs, then how would you try to get to the lower levels, then? Ramps, lifts?” He questioned.

Bakuss immediately shook his head. “Never mind, my apologies, High Shaman Akunezzar, for my inappropriate comment. I guess, I have still a lot going inside my mind, thanks to the Battle. I really haven’t had enough of time to just sit back and reflect on myself and my actions back then.” He explained with a low bow at the end.

Aku just waved it off. “It's fine, I understand. Taking so many lives for the first time is never easy. Even if it is your duty to do so.” He reassured, which in turn just made me mentally note to give poor ol’ Bakuss a vacation too.

AFTER all of this here is done, of course. Then I will send him off to a tropical island to gather his thoughts just so he can return later with a much more focused mind and a much better desire to do all of my work.

It’s all about scattering the responsibilities, peoples. The less I have to do myself, the better… for me and Penelope, who has at some point fallen asleep in my arms, not to mention dropping her pillow somewhere on the way here. Which is good, less nibbling and more focus on watching my steps. I almost tripped and fell because of her.

I would have clapped my hands right about now, but I obviously couldn’t, so I just opted to be the first to move down this foreboding descent into the abyss, forcing everyone else to follow. Even the two Gazelles we blindfolded and took with us to the vault.

Why blindfolded? Well, because Aku didn’t want a pair of outsiders to know the locations of the underground vaults. I was far too occupied trying to keep Penelo from nibbling my good nice shirt to really pay him any attention at the time.

Priorities, peoples, priorities as they are dictated.

“Wait, Your Highness, won’t you be needing a torch to go down there?” Bakuss quickly called out as I took my first couple of steps into the unknown.

I just scoffed. “Nonsense, just follow the stairs down, and you don’t have to worry about getting lost. It’s one way, anyway.” I casually responded while continuing my descent.

“Plus, a torch won’t really do much good for two blindfolded Gazelles, anyway. So, just follow me, so that we can find this whatever doohickey, and be one our way for the next assignment. Time is money, after all.” I quickly added.

I could hear Bakuss groan behind me, before a set of hooves quickly followed suit. Him and his guards herding the two Gazelles down the set of steps much to sisters’ displeasure.

“If you all didn’t want us to see where this super special vault of your is located, then why the heck didn’t you just left the both of us back in our rooms? That would have been way better than this stupid nonsense.” Mystic Gem complained as I continued my lone descent.

I simply grinned.” Well, then it wouldn’t be nonsensical and funny.” I thought to myself.

“Well, okay, I shall just wait up here and wait for your return. I am obviously not the young fellow anymore to be climbing so many steps.” Aku called out, which sounded like a really basic excuse to me than anything else.

You can’t fool the king of excuses, my dear old Aku, no, sir.

Either way, the trip down into the underworld was certainly a little bit darker then I would have personally liked. Seriously, who designs underground passageways and NOT adds any serious methods of illumination in it? “pfusch am bau” is what this is called.

Eine anzeige, Eine anzeige an der bau agentur ist fällig.

“Well, here we are, I would guess that this is the vault door.” Bakuss suddenly perked up.

This, of course, brought me back into the moment, as I was swiftly greeted with another of those big metal doors that looks way too heavy for anyone to pull but this Zebras, anyway. I didn’t really paid as much attention back during my first vault trip to see how opening such massive doors would actually work. So, maybe NOW I should do that and see if this metal door is shit that can actually be moved physically.

“Alright, you two go and pull the doors open, I will keep close to the king and the two prisoners.” Bakuss instructed.

The two appointed guards nodded, before stepping over to the huge ass door and grabbing the handles with both of their hooves.

I was fully focused, with Penelo just snoring away on my arm, and with Bakuss actually lightening up some wall torches with a flint, there was nothing that shall prevent me from focusing on the door and learn all its “Eiserne” secrets. No, wait, I am doing it again… focus, damn it!

And not a moment too soon, as the two studs immediately began pulling on the door handles which caused a… ahhh, so THAT’S how they can open these huge ass doors. From all the clanking, grinding and springing, it obviously sounded like that these doors are mechanically assisted.

That very much explains the hidden strength of opening these thick metal doors. Now I want to know the mechanism as well. Wonder if Aku has something is his big ass library of his. I need to ask him when all of this crap is done and when I can finally enjoy my break before the next ass has to come by and ruin it.

Anyway, the anticipations were all sky high as the doors were slowly pulled open. Images of more gems, gold and the last resting of the Arch of the covenant were flashing through my already giddy mind. You can never be too rich, in my opinion, more loot means more room to breathe and more “experiments” to do and to fund. Not to mention improving infrastructure, trade, blah, blah, blah, you get the idea.

My enthusiasm immediately shattered when I was allowed my first glimpse into this new and unknown vault.

I think I even heard actual glass shattering somewhere within this room. How strange indeed.

“What the heck, this bloody thing is just as poorly illuminated as the rest of this place.” I openly complained which in turn caused little Penelo to stir in her sleep.

Bakuss stepped up next to me with a light held in his hoof. How this works with hooves I will most likely never know, but hey, I have completely different problems to fry at the moment than questioning the physics of a creature’s stub ending appendage. Like… how about the fact that there is a good chance that nothing golden or shiny is stored within this underground bunker? If there was, then this entrance wouldn’t be as depressingly black as it is now, all of that gold would have started to shine and shimmer at this point. Similar to the treasury vault up above when we first opened it. Granted, the halls above were WAY better illuminated than this whore’s dark asshole, but still, at least a tiny twinkle of gold would have been nice, or anything that can make me feel even more future proof than I already do. I can be quite horrible with money when I see something that I so desperately want.

Just look at my mug and this shirt as an example.

“Well, seems just as dark as the rest of this tunnel.” Bakuss threw out the obvious, which in turn caused the less mature side of me stir.

“Indeed, that’s what she said.” I answered before stepping closer to this dark mess.

It was just nothing. Nothing was even remotely visible from where I stood. Again, killing any notions that this place is harboring more gold for me to make it roll. But I digress, there are many more aspects of valuables that can be considered besides just hard on coin. Like secret scrolls or more of that magic sapping crystals that Liuanda first had. The possibilities are endless here, especially when it involves things that would make life a lot easier for me. Maybe I will find a dwemer like robot butler in there, built by the previous Ape kings.

“Wait here. I shall check this vault out myself and see if we can bring some more light into this matter. You two, on the other hand, keep an eye on our two friends here and His Highness.” Bakuss first suggested and then instructed, which in turn caused a certain doe behind us to scoff.

“Friends? Well, if this is how you Zebras treat friends then I clearly wouldn’t mind skipping to see what in Tartarus you would do to your enemies. Certainly nothing as pointless and degrading as this, I am sure.” Mystic Gem complained as she rattled her neck chain a bit to make her point.

Ah, yes, they were also linked together with those neck chains besides JUST blindfolded, forgot about that.

Anyway, the two appointed guards again just noded at their captain’s request, while Bakuss did his thing and directly challenged the darkness with his dinky little torchy.

At first there was nothing, until a very ominous click sound echoed through the halls, followed by the turning of gears or any other mechanical doo-dads. Everybody froze, especially Bakuss as he looked down at where his left hoof landed in front of him.

I, on the other hand, just shook my head. “Tch tch tch, rule number one, always watch your steps when exploring long forgotten places. Something I always knew thanks to Indiana Jones, Tomb Rider and the Uncharted series.” I openly criticized.

I was seriously expecting some kind of spikes or a massive turd ball to roll out of from the shadows, when something unexpected happened instead.

Lights suddenly began to appear from the far end of the vault, some kind of lamps, if my sharper eyesight isn’t joshing me. One source of light eventually became two, before becoming three and rapidly continuing on as row upon row of lamps began to light up in sequence, getting faster and closer towards the entrance before one final flash forced all of us to shield our eyes. Not the Gazelles, though, for obvious reason, and not Penelope too, because for an infant she is quite the heavy sleeper.

Again, no fucks given from her.

Brilliant, I wonder what other similarities she will learn next. Maybe a deep love for cheese or coffee like her old man? The cheese would be fine, but coffee would have to wait until she hits puberty, or something. Last thing the staff needs is a hyperactive flamethrower.

“Well, that certainly solves the light problem.” Bakuss openly commented as we all, minus the drake and the does, opened our eyes to have a first proper glimpse into this new world.

And wouldn’t you know it, it is exactly how I originally imagined it to be, minus the piles of gold and gemstones, of course.

“Oooh, es ist eine rumpelkammer” I commented out.

Truth be told, it really was more or less your basic storage room, only WAY bigger and with much more natural looking walls that looked more chiseled out then mined.

The chamber was full of shit, ranging from pedestals upholding something behind a glass dome, ordinated boxes, trunks, crates, or just random clatter on the floors and huge ass shelves lining up the walls that were stacked to the brink with either scrolls or ancient looking tomes. So many scrolls, in fact, that I am pretty sure that this room was first conceived as an underground archive before someone had oh so clever idea of using this space as his personal hoarding ground. The mess is clearly visible, even from here, and ESPECIALLY from here.

I certainly required a much more in depth look at all of this dusty junk, in hopes to determine which of these countless crates and boxes are holding either ancient secret weapon, or maybe even the launch codes for some hidden hydrogen bombs.

In fact, what the heck I am waiting for, it is high time to finally let the dogs loose as well.

I turned my attention to the still lost and confused sisters behind me. “Well, this is it, the secret underground vault under the other secret underground vault, which is secretly hidden underneath the Palace. Let these two loose and guide them into the vault. It’s their Idol so let THEM search for it. Plus, they might actually know what that thing looks like, unlike us.” I instructed two guards.

The aforementioned guards just gave me a quick bow before executing their given task. It was then when I heard the telltale sign of Bakuss’s hooves stepping closer to me, right as these two were in the middle of unlocking their neck braces.

“Not going to lie, I am not really into this idea of yours in letting these two outsiders roam free inside a super-secret vault that hold gods knows what.” Bakuss commented to me.

I just scoffed. “You worry too much, Bakuss old house. When has any of my previous decisions and choices ever backfired?” I answered which in turn made Bakuss just sigh.

“That’s the thing, how long will your blind judgments last before something DOES eventually backfire on you? You cannot keep the fates challenged like this forever.” He explained.

He might have a bit of a point there. Wonder how long I can keep this train rolling without having to shovel more coal into the boiler.

Yeah, I am going with the old style trains here.

The blindfolds and chains were removed, which in turn finally gave the two sisters the freedom that they so demanded. Well, mostly Mystic, as Steppes hasn’t said or complained even once since this whole trip started.

Their eyes immediately went wide as they, for the first time, gazed at the now opened and fully illuminated grand “Rumpelkammer”. That’s what I dub it now, similar with the treasure vault above, being now dubbed as “the stationary wallet”.

I grinned before gesturing towards the large mess. “Well, go crazy, you two, it’s your Idol, so that means it is YOUR job to go and find it. I certainly won’t bother to do it myself.” I announced with a raised finger.

That didn’t do much for their part, though, as two simple continued their goldfish like impression for a couple more moments, before both of them seemed to reorient themselves back to their mammalian state.

Because a goldfish isn’t a mammal.

Mystic Gem was the first to fully collect herself as her gaze pretty much fell onto me. “Wait… so let me get this straight.” She began while stealing a quick glance back at the vault before focusing back on me.” You are telling us that we can just choppily doo freely inside that oversized storage cave of yours in hopes of finding the lost Idol that have been stolen from our tribe almost a millennia ago?” She questioned.

I just nodded, while Penelo unconsciously began to nibble on my shirt again, which I also unconsciously thwarted. "Well, yes, as I stated, I can’t possibly be bothered to sniff through all of that junk myself. I am a far too comfortable individual to be bothered by such a time killer. It’s your doohickey, so go fetch it.” I answered, being fully and brutally honest about my thoughts for a change.

Seriously, just the thought alone just makes me want to crawl back into my bed. Just look at the size of that room, let alone all of the shit that occupies it. I can’t be bothered to search through all of that. I still have to give a certain baby dragon her late afternoon dinner. Not to mention getting mine as well.

I am in the mood for some Mushroom soup today, a desire that has been blatantly ignored after I came back from that battle. Had to get all of the soldiers back to the city with their fallen comrades piled on large wagons, even though I wanted to first visit the mushroom cliffs myself and grab a couple of samples for me to take home.

Even I am not immune to the “Think with your stomach” syndrome.

The two Gazelles seemed a bit hesitant at first, before Bakuss pulled one interesting idea from his sleeves.

He sighed. “Listen here, if you two go search through the vault yourself and possible find your missing piece, then there would obviously be no more reason for you two to be imprisoned here. You two will be free to go, even with some added compliments of rations and gifts from the king to take with you on your journey.” He suggested which in turn caused me to quizzically look down at the stud.

“I am?” I asked, which in turn caused Bakuss to nod.

“Well, yes, I mean, it’s part of your usual random and unorthodox ideas, is it not?” He curiously asked, looking up at me.

I just rubbed my chin and pursed my lips in thought. Truth be told, this does sound like something I would do.

Bakuss is learning, dangerously quickly. I need to dial up my nonsense to 44 if I want to keep him on his toes, or hooves in his case.

Why 44? Because I like the number 44, followed by the number 8.

I raised a finger. “Indeed, as Bakuss has stated, you shall receive all of that and whatever else he has cooked up in his little tin can of a head. Your ticket to freedom is your own Idol, so skedaddle.” I instructed.

Little Steppes continued to seem a bit unsure, but her sister seemed certainly a lot more enthusiastic. She didn’t waste any time in trotting past us and directly towards the vault. Steppes swiftly noticed that as her eyes and ears went high.

“Wait, sis, we can’t just trot into the king’s vault like that. Hey, sis!”

I simply grinned before turning myself around on one heel and casually making my way towards the vault myself. Bakuss, of course, followed me as vigilant as ever, after he instructed two reminding guards to watch the entrance. To be honest, I am not even sure if the Idol was even in our possession. I just wanted to have an excuse to further dodge my responsibilities before dinner. Plus, and I just figured it out, these two would secretly do me a favor by searching through all of this junk and seeing if there was anything interesting down here that might pique my curiosity.

I will most likely just look at a couple of crates and pedestals before getting bored again. Remember, I still can’t read any of their shit here, so those scrolls might as well be worthless to me.

Where is Google Translate when you actually need it?

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
(Somewhere in one of the Guestrooms inside the Palace.)

“I can’t believe that we have to keep guard while a mare and the thing are having a… intimate relationship in there.” A random ass guard commented with an annoyed sigh.

The faint and muffled moans penetrated the thick wooden door, despite the fact that his ears where pretty much covered up by his own helmet.

He turned his head towards his colleague for any input on this, only to find him still standing next to him as if he hadn’t heard him.

The stallion frowned before giving his better half a soft clang against his helmet. This did the trick, as his partner finally turned his head to look at him.

“Huh… was there something you said? Sorry, I have stuffed my ears full with some cotton while you were trying to listen in into the action.” He answered casually.

His partner’s frown just deepened before he shook his head, letting him know that there was nothing to say.

It is hard to be the only single one of his division.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

“Don’t worry, Princess, your mother might be the Queen, but we are personally loyal to you. So don’t worry about us selling you out when you still decide to leave your room.” A changeling guard instructed as he and a couple of others escorted the young Princess to her chambers.

The Princess, on the other hand, has mostly kept to herself while still rubbing the sore spot on her cheek.

She knew the risks, but it still didn’t reverted her belief after her confrontation that what she did was the right thing. She just felt the need to sympathize with those who have been forced to abandon everything that they ever possessed under her mother harsh policies. They obviously had nothing to gain anymore within the hive, so allowing them out to try their own luck up in the outside world just felt sensible, and who knows, maybe by letting them roam freely up above might get them some well needed inside of the ongoing events in the upper world. Such insights would certainly help when trying to slowly introduce her hive to the races that live above.

For millennia her species has been living deep within shadows, deep underground, hidden and isolated from the rest of the upper world, only ever interacting with the upper races with the use of drones to collect food and resources for the Hive. Her kind has been constantly seen as nothing but animals, monsters with no sense of intelligence or culture. A great misconception that can be easily debunked by just looking around.

Finely carved and chiseled walls, banners hanging from the ceilings and artistic paintings on the walls and pillars that depict the tale of this hive. These are all obvious signs of an advanced and sophisticated society.

They were far from savages. They are a very interconnected and cultural bound people. They may be feeding on the emotions of others, but still, she wanted to prove the world that they can also be reasoned with, and the opportunity of a new major ruler up above might grant her that. She knows that her people were in a desperate need of food, and only the upper world could provide that. If first contact goes well, then she could certainly build a relationship with them and maybe even ask Zebras for help with the ongoing tyranny of her oppressive mother. She may be her daughter, but even her own fealty towards her mother’s was slowly deteriorating from her ever decreasing sanity, which only got worse when she tried to tap more magical energy from a strange looking statue that had been in the Hive’s possession ever since she was a nymph.

It wouldn’t take long for her to connect the dots. The dots of her own slowly lead to treason.

The Princess finally looked to her guards as they reached her chambers. “Thanks you for your understanding, Sergeant. But I don’t want you or your fellow changelings to risk your position or even your lives just for me. I know what I am doing.” She explained as a yellow hue enveloped the stone made door handles as they approached.

The door slowly opened which finally gave the Princess access to her own chamber. She stepped in, giving her escorts a kind smile before closing the door. Once she was all alone, she could finally let her mask fall.

She slumped down against the door and began crying. The pain in her bruised cheek finally registering within her clouded mind. And it wasn’t just physical suffering, her own emotions were branching from this heavy burden she now has to carry around as well.

The burden of having to go against her own crazed mother. All because of some weird and unknown Statue that was thought to be able to generate magic from nothing, a statue that her mother needed to overthrow the previous Queen.

She continued to cry for a couple of minutes before she finally managed to collect herself. She needed to stay collected, if not for herself then for at least her own changelings. Granted, her say so in the eyes of her own mother and even the nobility were extremely limited, but that doesn’t stop her to at least try. Try to make a difference and try to do what is best for her people… for the common changelings as those are the only ones for whom she is more than just a trophy.

All of those different courting encounters she had to suffer through with some nobles, just cringeworthy.

She got up from the floor, wiping her eyes and brushing her wings clean of some dust before looking around. The many moments she had to spend here thanks to her mother were just depressing, but not discouraging.

The fine chiseled rock walls, the decorative carpets hanging from them, and the smooth stoned and also carpeted floors. There was also her bed at the center, as well as a desk with some personal knick knacks she collected over the years behind her mother’s back. Items that are mostly came from the outside world far above her. A world with open skies for a changeling to fly around with no care in the world.

It was then when she realized once more how truly isolated she was right now, with her mother getting madder and more paranoid every day, with all of the changelings she came to know and shared some love with having either been cast out by her mother for alleged treason or were forced to escape to the above world. She even heavy heartedly assisted one of them to the exit of the Hive. A childish, but still simple male drone named Talltale. Named as such for his constant rambles of made up stories and explorations.

Some thought that he was just crazy and acting out of his age and position, but she kind of found his attitude charming. Certainly something completely different compared to the more common changeling.

But anyway, with all of this, it was pretty clear that she was all alone now, more so when she finally became of age only for her mother to deny her honor. Which is why she still has the same simple changeling eyes every changeling has instead of the pupils of a future Queen.

What was even her position now?

She just sighed, moving over towards her desk and plopping her flanks down on the large pillow in front of it.

She reached out to one of her personal items and examined it like she always would just to pass the time. The item she plopped of its resting place was nothing more than a small stone carving of some upright looking ape, but to her it was more than that. She always harbored a healthy interest and curiosity of other cultures other than her own. The sheer diversity of the outside world always intrigued her. Especially since she had only been up there for at least 3 or 4 times of her entire life, and now, with unexpected events happening up above, this particular ornament was of the greatest significance to her.

She knew the name and looks of many races that populate the upper world, thanks to her tutors and moments spent reading scrolls and even having personally seen some of them during the few times she sneaked up to the surface. But this, this certainly is a creature that she had never read about or ever seen before. Neither personally nor in any illustration. The local Zebras up above seemed to know the most about it, though, similar to her mother, as she tried to get rid of one of such beings in fear of his presence alone ruining all her plans.

She didn’t know how a single creature can move the wheels of change so dramatically, but who was she to know. The locals above are (or so she heard) very keen about this creature. Claiming it to be some kind of a leading figure of their past. Truth be told, she does know that during her great grandmother's rule the Zebras possessed a much larger domain then they have right now.

She is just generally in the unknown about these beings, what powers they might possess and what role they had to play in Zebra society. None of these questions even remotely diverting her fascination with all of it.

She sighed again before returning the small statue back to its resting place. Granted, she had more items and tiny pieces of art from other races cluttering her desk, but considering her current situation, the ones related to the Zebras are obviously the most interesting right now.

As much as she wanted to look more into her own theories and ideas, she obviously had other things to do first. The first ever physical hit she received from her mother was very much a sign that a point of no return has been reached. Not for her mother, but for herself. She might still be her mother, but even she isn’t blinded by the path that her mother is trying to steer the Hive into.

If she isn’t restrained or downright stopped soon, then there really wouldn’t be any victors, and certainly not the Hive. The above dwellers would just get an even greater reason to shun and hate her kind, something that would make getting food even more difficult.

She knew that Changelings feed on love and love alone, but her mother’s idea of permanently fixing the whole food issue forever just seemed unethical at best. Such sudden… emptiness of a land would surely involve other cultures and races noticing, which in turn would eventually lead back to her Hive and possibly its destruction. There is a clear reason why her kind has been “secretly” hiding in the shadows for as long as recorded history existed.

The Princess once more felt the fresh scar that her mother gave her. The pain, the denial of her honor and the ever growing threat of a possible civil war? At that point she made up her mind. She needed to somehow confront her mother without risking the lives of more changelings. She needed to do something, and she needed to do it quickly.

She may be little in power, but she was still the traditional heir of the throne. Most of the nobility might be entranced by her mother’s ideology, but she knew one changeling noble that would listen to her pleas.

“Cyrus” She thought to herself before getting back up.

She immediately cleared her desk, stashing her collection into a hidden compartment behind her desk before making her way back towards the door. She opened it with her magic, allowing the rock heavy handle to unlock itself before pushing the door open. The guards stationed on the other side gave her a curious look.

“Well, this didn’t took too long, now did it? We heard you cry in there, Princess Palmyria, was everything okay in there?” The guard questioned, which caused Palmyria to shake her head.

“I am… fine, Sergeant.” She responded before continuing. “I need to talk to Cyrus, any idea as to where he might be confined at?” The Princess questioned.

The guard tapped his chin in thought, before looking back at the Princess. “Well, I think he is momentarily occupied back in the Hive Archive. I know so because he usually go there after every throne room meeting.” He answered.

Palmyria smiled. “Thank you, Sergeant, I shall be on my way, then. Just act as if I am still inside in case my mother strolls past these halls. I won’t be gone for long, I am sure.” She assured.

The guards just nodded before resuming their usual guard post.

Not wanting to tempt fate, Palmyria immediately took to her hooves and made her way directly to the Hive Archive as pointed out.

The halls were eerily empty as the Princess strolled through them. Besides a few guards stationed here and there, there really weren’t any other changelings traversing these halls. It was, again, quite depressing to see just how lifeless things have slowly became here. She still personally remembered how ordinary changelings and drones just used to traverse these tunnels on a daily basis when she was just a nymph. Those days, though, seemed to be long gone, as most of the common citizens are just too afraid of the Queen’s ever increasing anger and madness to step out of their dwelling. This is just further proof for the Princess’s mind that things need to change or her Hive might truly end up starving itself to death if no emotions besides fear and depression are being circled around.

The trek to the Archive took a lot longer than the Princess would have liked. Having spent most of her time making sure that none of the loyal nobles were nearby, or, even worse, her own mother. Going as far as to mask her mental signature to not accidentally enter the hivemind which her mother has full control of twenty-four seven.

Her own thoughts would be as open as a book if that ever happened.

She eventually reached the mentioned Hive Archive after having to descend a long and wide set of stairs. The Archive halls themselves were separated by a rather large set of two granite doors that again can only be opened by magic.

Palmyria lit her horn up and focused her attention firmly on the double handles. She gently pulled on them, which caused certain runes to light up around it before the two sets of doors began to rumble and shake quietly. The doors began to slowly part ways and recede into their respective sides of the wall.

Once it was all done, the Princess continued on and finally entered the Archive. The room was looking as grandiose as an Archive should. The walls were all carved out into shelves filled with scrolls and old tablet stones with all sorts of records.

Again, there was nobody here as well, which was to be expected. The Archive was generally only accessible by either the nobility or the Queen and those related to her. Which is good, as finding the changeling she was looking for would make it a simple breeze. Not that there are any breezes felt deep underground, anyway.

Truth be told, she did manage to quickly spot a single changeling. And judging by its mane and longer tail, it certainly was a noble if she ever saw one… and she damn saw a lot of these ‘lings in her entire life.

She approached with care at first, trying to determine if this was truly Cyrus or not. She could have also used her hivemind link to probe his consciousness but that would obviously risk her getting noticed by her mother, so the more traditional method was her only option.

When the changeling suddenly turned and revealed a scar on his left eye, she sighed in relief. There was only one Noble she knew of that has a scar on his face, and that was none other than Cyrus.

She knew from his stories that he once used to be a forward Obsidian guard during his younger years. Exploring and exploiting the deeper cave system that lead further into the underworld that is rich in precious minerals, but also housing some of the nastiest creatures that you can find in these parts of the world.

Cyrus got his scar by covering his squad’s retreat.

She approached the early middle aged changeling as he was busy reading a scroll that he held in his magic. Palmyria almost jumped out of her wings in surprise when Cyrus suddenly began to speak.

“I am truly sorry for what has happened back in the throne room. I heard the scolding and slap from our Queen. It must be hard to be treated like that by your own mother.” Cyrus commented, still keeping his gaze focused on the scroll.

Palmyria shook her surprise out of the system before focusing back on the old ‘ling. From his tone alone, she knew that she could trust him.

“Sir Cyrus, I… I have came here to talk to you about something.” The Princess began, which ust caused the veteran to roll his scroll further down to the next section.

He nodded. “Sure thing, what can this dear old changeling assist you with, Your Highness?” He responded while again keeping his gaze fixed on the scroll.

The Princess sharply inhaled through her nostrils. This was it, this was the moment to decide, if she does this, then there would obviously be no more turning back at that point. She would be dedicated, losing everything if it somehow backfires on her. But really, what was more for her to lose, anyway? She is just seen as a trophy for most, and she would just have to spend the rest of her life living in depression and existing in this awkward situation of being a royal changeling… but not really, at the same time.

And then there where all of the common ‘lings… still hungering despite her mother’s grand goal to eliminating that issue for good.

No, she has to give this a shot.

“Sir Cyrus…” She began. “I want to somehow stop my mother from causing more damage to our Hive. I need help to do it, though. I obviously can never even dream about standing up to my mother alone. I know that you are noble, Sir Cyrus, so please… if my decision goes against your ideology, then please, just keep this situation between us.” She pleaded, already imagining some form of rejection or downright criticism from her nymphhood godfather.

She was almost at a brink of panic when Cyrus immediately froze after she explained herself. She thought of the worst, that she made a mistake, that he was still going to sell her out to her own mother simply because he was secretly loyalist, after all.

All those thoughts, all those ideas and feelings of dread immediately evaporated when she saw him slowly turn his head towards her with a curious, but, surprisingly, also knowing look in his crystal like eyes.

He lowered his scroll. “Well… well, then. Seems it already has gone so bad that even her own daughter is starting to fully turn against the Queen. To be honest, I was actually just patiently waiting for you to finally come around after having seen you help all of those changeling escape the Hive after it was decreed to be in maximum lockdown. A quite noble and courageous move of you, I have to say, Princess. You certainly have grown to be quite the changeling when I was still looking after you at the Queen’s behest.” He chuckled, which just made the Princess look at him all surprised and confused.

Then it hit her. “Wait a minute… does it… does this mean that you…”She stuttered which again just caused the old ‘ling to chuckle.

“Well, yes, those rumors everyling are hearing about of a staged incursion are certainly not false. You do seem to forget that I used to serve under your grandmother’s rule during my guard days right before her own daughter took power by challenging her for the throne. I certainly miss the more simpler times of the past, I also have been actively helping some of the oppressed out to the surface while also still keeping in touch with them from time to time. They have all disguised themselves and are just living normally among the outside dwellers.” He again explained which was just becoming more shocking to the Princess then it already was.

She would have never guessed that someone as noble and loyal as him would be secretly plotting against the crown. But then again, thinking about it more carefully does make this concept plausible. Especially given that he used to serve under the previous Queen prior the sudden succession.

Plus, he was known to be the common changeling’s changeling as well.

Palmyria took a few moment to think this over once more. One part of her was still hesitant, but a much larger part was finally ready to spring into action and finally contribute or at least try for a possible change. Because what’s happened right now can only lead to more fractures in their already dire situation. The Hive needs food, and right now the one changeling that is, ironically, preventing that, is her mother and her madness.

The choice was clear for the Princess. “I’ll do it, even if it is my mother, I can fully understand that her ambitions and demands are too great of a strain. She focuses all her efforts for power, but completely neglects what makes the Hive truly function.” She explained with a look of determination and final resolve.

Cyrus just nodded, proud of the little nymph he once knew. She has came a long way in his opinion. From the dreaming and naturally curious nymph to a strong and possible contender for the throne, someling who truly understands the nature of changelings.

He eventually returned the scroll back to its previous resting place before giving the Princess a gesture to follow her. She just nodded, following her old father figure.

The two eventually disappeared around a corner as a yellow flash illuminated the space for just a brief second. After that there was just silence, the room devoid of any life.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

“No, No, and no again. I don’t even know what all of this junk is.” Mystic complained after having searched through another chest for like the hundredth times of the day.

She was obviously getting frustrated, a feeling that only increased when she looked around herself and still saw thousands upon thousands of chests and boxes to look through.

I was personally to busy looking at a rather interesting looking depiction of something that looked like a giant Scarab, I say giant, because it also had the depiction of a Zebra right next to it as some sort of scale. The Zebra was tiny in comparison to this insectoid.

Might have found myself a replacement for War Elephants if I could ever get my hands on those Starship trooper like beauties.

The original, not the god-awful sequels later on.

I could hear yet another chest being kicked open right next to me as I stashed the scroll into my pajamas for safe keeping. I turned my gaze to the source of this commotion and was not surprised to see that it was Mystic who smashed herself through the old locks. Ever since she opened the fiftieth chest open and was once again disappointed to see nothing that even remotely matches description of their missing Idol, she had begun to simple force her way into the boxes for speed and efficiency’s sake. Bakuss was, of course, against it, until she responded by giving the Captain the most malice filled death stare I had ever seen on her face.

Not sure if she knows, but Bakuss actually managed to forget to bring that Final Fantasy rock with him after he escorted the two over to the throne room. An epic fail on his part, but also a clear indication as to why he quickly backed off afterwards and let her do her thing.

I curiously watched her rummage through this chest as well, before her movement suddenly froze with her eyes going wide. I was honestly thinking that she had finally managed to find that old doohickey of theirs when she pulled out something long and golden.

My own eyebrows rose as I immediately noticed its overall shape and suspicious curve.

“Well, look at that, they do have dildos in this sand infested land. Even the superb expensive type as well, if it’s truly made of gold like how it looks.” I commented out loud which in turn made Mystic Gem’s cheeks go red as she viewed every girl’s best friend resting in her hoof.

It was even modelled after an equine dick as well. Must have been some kinky Queen or Princess that once owned it.

Mystic Gem, on the other hand, immediately threw the item away while going back to searching in the same chest she just found it in.

Her bad mood and overall frown fully disappeared from her features.

She can have it, if she wants.