Chapter 573: The Divinity Sound
Hive mind Precio-Us didn’t calm down, but they—at least all the two dozen bees I saw in front of my astral projection—nodded.
’We are more than alright! Although some of our bodies got bruises from the quake effect, they will recover in no time. We also have directed half of us to help our sisters and this workplace. The other half can explain this amazing, one-in-a-lifetime breakthrough to you! We don’t want you to stay worried and curious, Father.’
They couldn’t empathetically sense my mood or see my face, so did they calculate my emotions? They were spot on, though. Despite my worry, I had some curiosity... Even trepidation.
The "sound" they were researching—how powerful was it if they just accidentally blasted an entire region of the Bee Empire? Judging by the distance affected, there were perhaps hundreds of sub-hives in the area of effect...
It was really bad, even if the damage to each of them was surface-level (as I hoped it was). Enough droplets of water would fill an entire ocean. And we already had this ash cloud over our heads...
’Well, if you aren’t hurt badly... Go on. But explain very briefly. The time is of the essence, Precio-Us.’
The bees around me began nodding again. Another show of their intelligence—even without releasing their own astral projections (they couldn’t, anyway), Precio-Us located my position perfectly. Probably by triangulation...
Their telepathy was much weaker than mine, after all.
’We approached closer to the true form of the "mysterious sound". Before, it could only stun creatures that were forced to listen to it, but couldn’t comprehend it. This was only a fraction of its actual power. It’s... Able to change reality at will! After this breakthrough, we decided not to call this a "mysterious sound". We now call it a "Divinity Sound",’ Precio-Us announced.
’A reality-changing power? Divinity? What even gave you this idea, girls?’ It was not a concept bees held a lot of familiarity with, especially those that didn’t come in close contact with humans.
’Because... It elevates those who comprehend it to a higher level. Like a "god-creature", but better. We asked Researchers studying humans and found this word. It’s used for all good things. We should use it for you more often, too, Father. "Divine"...’ Precio-Us bees paused in their movements, then shook their heads. ’Anyway, Father, you must let more bees join our hive mind! Then we could comprehend the Divinity Sound even better and learn how to control its power instead of letting it out like we just did.’
’I will think about it all later. Right now, all our power must be focused on fixing the damage this breakthrough created... This means you, too! Use your mega-brain for simple things right now, alright? No more explosions!’
Precio-Us had enough conscience to feel ashamed.
’We didn’t want to harm our sisters... We will put our full attention on helping them, Father!’
’Yes. Do well! And I will see you later. The Bee Empire needs me!’
***
This was an understatement.
When I returned to my body, I was immediately engulfed in a complete chaos of orders being given and replied to, both telepathically and out loud.
I wasn’t in my living room anymore, but on a landing pad on the ground near the hive—in case Hive Supremo fell apart, I assumed. Bees were swarming around in numbers too much to count, but a circle of bodyguards blocked most of them from my sight.
Still, I could see immediately that they weren’t flying randomly. Some were carrying items out of the hive and carefully putting them together, others were doing what looked like counting of people (both of which looked like an evacuation effort).
Meanwhile, a third group was carrying items TO the hive... Repair-bees, I realised. Builders and Cleaners who were going to mitigate the damages. A few of them were already putting large tents over our landing pad to protect it from all the falling ash.
The bodyguards perked up when I rose to my feet and saluted me.
"Hey, girls. What’s going on? Where’s Amby?" I asked loudly, forcefully blocking my ability to read minds. I couldn’t make out anything in this clamour.
"Mother-Queen is speaking with the Advisers over there," Destroyer, my leader of personal bodyguards, pointed to the side.
I couldn’t see, hear or smell anything past the swarms of bees, so I just believed Destroyer’s word.
"How are things so far?" I asked, looking around.
Past all the bees, I could see that there was something wrong with the hive and its surroundings.
It clicked a moment later—the lights!
There were a lot of electric lights built, especially after the ash cloud covered the Hive Supremo. They should’ve been visible in the eternal evening—especially signal lights on landing pads that were created to guide dragons and bees.
Now they weren’t working.
Just like the lights inside the Hive Supremo, and even in Precio-Us’ working camp... I didn’t pay attention to it earlier, because I had darkvision and could see anyway, but this was a face.
"There were no more quakes yet. The calculation of damages is in progress, and the Builders are checking that the hive is structurally stable. It’s been standing fine for now, but Mother-Queen ordered not to bring you inside until they finish."
I grimaced.
"The hive better not fall apart, that’s for sure! This one or any other."
I and bees and even many things could be evacuated, but... All the larvae and even eggs were as good as dead if they fell! The climate in the brood cells was very precise, and undeveloped bees died rapidly if they left it. Even those who weren’t pupating—larvae and eggs.
But since I really couldn’t do anything for them, I had to steel my heart and focus on the things I could do. Same as Amby was certainly doing right now.
"All of you can go for now—join the other soldiers who help with the evacuation. I’m going to join the Empire Council and help them!"