I have missed so much. My sister still sleeps. Mother is talking to me. Barbain's and Beatrice's little joy. I don't have Xena tapestry anymore, it must have flowed through my soul into their child. Will she remember, will she want too. All I can do is wish her all the happiness. Qorth was kicked out of the knight order. Mother intervention saving her from accusations of dereliction of duty. All this news is a distraction from my crimes. I let it be. Mother isn't telling me something.

  This is a daily reminder: You have 8 unallocated stat points

  I feel my sister stir. Come I've denied you long enough, I'm so sorry I hid our terrible truth from you. Let us switch. She starts laughing in my mind, my eyes start to widen.

  -Hahahaha, we can't switch Sara. You thought the death of that drunk would upset me. I've watched countless die since then. They all come to me and they all kill themselves inside me. I don't let them stay dead. It ruins the blood. No one dies here, they just cut their throats, hang themselves, attack each other, bash their heads in the ground, oooo some immolate themselves. No water explosions though, still a Sencea exclusive.

  Sister…please you have done enough. Let's switch. She is ignoring me.

  -I collected their blood for us, Sara, every time I fed you, you would scream. I haven't felt the bliss for soooooooooooooo long. My manifestation doesn't drink. And you denied me the feeling. I may have starved you after a while, sorry, I was bitter.

  No sister, I was in the wrong.

  -Are you ready to feast on mother yet? I'm sure she will let us take it all. She has so many years of blood to pump into us. I'm not sure our abdomen will fit through the cell door after we take it all. Go for the neck dearie. It's more personal that way.

  I can't switch with her, she is insane. Her manifestation titters at my thought.

  -Wouldn't want to, your body is all wasted away. My fault Sara…or was it yours. Your screaming is loud. I get to hear it and feel it in our soul.

  Why do you keep calling me Sara?

  -Cause you are silly. I've already accepted it, Sara. I made sure to ask you. Your silence wasn't enough. So I said to myself, if she screams on this drop of blood then she gets to be Sara. And you know you did, it wasn't the usual warmth of acceptance though. Oh our soul tearing was such a new experience. I screamed in chorus with you for days.

  I look at my soul and see it nearly cloven in two. No wonder I couldn't swap places.

  -Would you please drink for me? Go out in the world and devour for me.

  Sister, I know it will harm you more if I did that. You are me, and I, you. I'll accept being Sara for now, but we are still one soul. Our soul shudders at that, a fraction of it drawing closer, mending.

  -Sara our thirst…

  Ravenous. How bout some of that blood you've been hiding.

  -There's a perfectly good neck in front of you

  She is our mother and you know it. You haven't said anything out loud knowing it would pain her to say her it.

  -Didn't stop you from thinking it.

  Injuring ourselves comes naturally. She titters at that. A familiar bloodskin appears next to me.

  “Sorry mother, I won't be needing your blood, sister has a literal lake of it.”

  Mother smiles at me as I lift the bag to my lips. I drink it down, the blood keeps refilling, its living blood. My body feels bliss. My abdomen forces me to stand, its expansion swelling ever larger.

  -Yesssssssssssss finally. I knew it was right to save this.

  I look behind me when I am done, barely lucid. I took so much in. My ass is as big as it was after Derrick…

  -Soul eater grew. Our body grows as we eat souls. People will know if we take in more souls, Sara.

  I look at the skill myself.

  Soul eater - YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE

  Basic - you gain more Soul from the Souls you devour

  Apprentice - you subconsciously soul etch any desirable traits from the souls you devour

  Competent - any slaying exp you gain you will devour

  Intermediate - your soul constructs will devour souls for you

  Advanced - your body grows as you devour

  My body is bigger. Am I to be this world's Ungoliant?

  -Ooo that could be my name.

  Nope, you're still me, as much as you wish to deny it. I feel screams in my mind at that thought.

  -IT WAS YOU WHO DENIED ME.

  I hugged her manifestation, sorry sister. I'll be more careful with my thoughts. She looks at me with pity in her eyes.

  “Are you ready?”

  Mother is here, being patient. I look at the cell door, I wasn't going to be walking out of that…

  -And I can't move you. Tried so many times but you broke that part of us, Sara.

  Why not remove the cell, actually why did you put us in a cell to begin with. I feel a mental shrug.

  -No matter how I changed the dungeon, it always had you in a cell. It felt more natural to me to be the slaver camp after I remade Hanki. After that adventurer killed mithril misses rabbit the fourth, I wanted him out to slit throats. He was lonely so I made him friends. I kept Vanessa though. Wouldn't be right, Sara.

  Our future daughter, no I agree, it wouldn't have been right. I feel nothing towards the idea of sister using the forms of the slavers.

  -That's ‘cause you were always the crueler of the two of us Sara. Awww don't get annoyed, it's true. It wasn't my idea that resulted in using sustainer to prolong our meals' suffering. Or accepting our place above poor Beatrice, or devouring a field of soulless husks to feel something. Or breaking Tim. The key idea. Immolating cultists.

  Still annoyed even if she speaks the truth. My cruelty ignored that Derricks bolts were different from the arrows that killed me.

  -That's sooooooo true. Our hate was so great then, our thirst never greater. Do I need to channel more hate to get you to feast?

  Strangely enough it doesn't happen. Thank you for not carrying out your threat.

  -I'm not the cruel one, Sara.

  She thinks it in a sing-song voice. Which still leaves us with the cell door and my ass.

  -I wasn't going to say anything cause I love dat ass but you can assume more forms after I leveled body morphic. At least it's what the skill says, Sara.

  I see that she had gotten the skill to competent two of [Body Morphic 2]. I see my legs are all the same length now. The feet hands were gone.

  -Now they are perfectly the same length. I thought if you matched my manifestation I could finally sleep. Now you're just going to have to work your thread like a proper spider now, Sara.

  The manifestation titters. I can hear the laughter in my head again. I start the magic. The visualization forms, no matter how I change it an ear is always grey, my eyes cat eyes, and my fangs ready to puncture.

  -Readddddddy to Drink.

  I shift, now eleven years old with cat ears, tail, two legs and mithril bones. My life core starts to drain. Damn it needs to be closer to my actual body. The venom glands crowd my mouth. I add the silk glands and spinnerets. After the initial cost my core stops draining. Its gain is minimal. Mother watches me with her quarter moon life eyes. She holds my hair gently.

  “Why not the mithril scales and hair?”

  I look at her.

  “I was molting and shedding it. I was afraid to be discovered. I kept the bones.”

  “Shocked you can maintain this form at all, it's very different from your true self.”

  This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

  My life core was already advanced. Large enough to be cat Sara but I already yearn for my true self. But first the cell door, I walk out. Sister, could you tell the others? I shift back. Breathing easier.

  -You do it.

  You won't switch with me.

  -I can't switch with you, Sara. I'm not that cruel.

  Then could you please.

  -Fine, you still have to walk out, Sara.

  -----

  In the graveyard I recognize it as Na's Crypt.

  “You know the one you're cribbing off of is a lot darker.”

  “Shit my cat eyes, duh.”

  My sister speaks from the mini Tibyder on my shoulder. The crypt dims slightly. I walk into the forest of Graftier.

  “I recall this place being darker.”

  My comment makes the forest go pitch black.

  “Still your cat eyes, dear.”

  The light returns. We exit the forest and find the stream and stairs. We walk out finding my mom and [Supplicant]s. Barbain and Beatrice are glorious. I just fall and start crying. They all rush to hug me. The group hug is awkward, the B's crowding out the others. Barbain the first to speak.

  “Why is the dungeon entrance still there?”

  I look behind myself, finding my ass in the way. I shift and the subway entrance of dirt remains. Why?

  -See, you are the cruel one. One of us had to stay, we were here too long. We have made keys. A home. Don't worry, I got to watch so many people kill themselves, and you get to have their blood. Keep drinking it, I need the bliss. Demand it. No more dead blood.

  “Your key mother, please.”

  She hands it to me, I swallow it. It becomes a part of me. A key to my own dungeon. I see my supplicant start to do the same.

  “Stop.”

  All three do. The three speak in unison.

  “Of course, mistress.”

  -They are ours. Their blood is ours

  Damn it, “No need to eat a key, my soul will let you have access, my sister is still in there. I just wanted to make sure she always had a space for herself.”

  -I'm still going to terrorize adventurers, Sara.

  Her voice feels farther away. Of course you are, and when you need to rest you can, a place for your mithril rabbit. I'm so sorry. I never meant for you to get stuck here. If I claim nobility perhaps I can have this be part of my demesne.

  -There is an order to these things. Sara, first attendant, then student attendant, then countess, then queen, then empress.

  I hadn't realized you had planned this out. Please, speak up. Think up?

  -I was awake for two hundred and seventy five daily reminders, Sara.

  Sorry.

  -Fuck you, Sara.

  I laugh, she titters, then chackles. A small wail interrupts us.

  “Aw, Xena is hungry.”

  Barbain proceeds to attach the tiny Tibyder to her neck…my eyes grow shocked

  1 Tibyder Child, Vampire

  Xena is already a true daughter. My soul shudders at the realization. I look at the brown hair babe amazed. I reach out and touch her Maxwell blue ear. The moment I do my soul begins to etch itself

  [Vampire] Becomes [Vampress Matriarch]

  Vampress Matriarch - your bliss is yours to share

  Basic - you may communicate with the souls that hold a part of your soul

  Gain 10 exp

  You have gained the title [Matriarch]

  Matriarch - unique slotted title, permanent, all those who hold a piece of your soul know you. Supplicants to your daughters also give you a part of their soul when they offer them to your daughters. Your soul gains are increased by your all minor boons now.

  I don't even get a moment to process before I hear my sister's laughter.

  -Already out of order, your Vampress. And nope, you're the Matriarch.

  I feel soul connections move to my part of the soul. You need not isolate yourself sister. More cackles. I tried to move the connections to our center but there was resistance.

  -I have you. I have our bliss. They hear my voice when they hear yours.

  “What's wrong, [Matriarch]…”

  Qorth is confused, this new form of address came unbidden from her mouth.

  “I gained a new title, it's because Xena is a vampire. You'll see it when you [Identify] me.”

  “[Matriarch].”

  That's right Qorth, it gave me the ability to talk to your soul.

  She looks at me shocked. The other two also look at me curiously. I relay the same message to them. They can't return a thought back. I instinctively know that only true daughters can do so. I'm tempted to connect to Xena, but no, I'll wait till she is older.

  “So why are you sad, [Matriarch]?”

  “My sister moved my soul connections to me, she hides herself, isolating herself.”

  Mother speaks up, “That's a very Sara thing to do.”

  My soul mends a bit at that, even as sister scowls at the association.

  -----

  “Thats a really big carriage.”

  “Well you gave us rather fat asses, [Matriarch].”

  I looked at Barbain who was holding little Xena. I don't think all three of us will fit. My ass was bigger than both of theirs. I shift to my catgirl form. The robes on me becoming far too loose, the cabling on my abdomen falling to the ground. I pick it up and shrug, willing it into my soul. Best to be quickly deployable. They look at me aghast.

  “You would deny yourself, [Matriarch]?” Beatrice this time.

  “Barbain already said it, we got fat asses, mine being the biggest. Enough with the [Matriarch], you can relax.”

  “Alright, my Lady.”

  I look to Qorth, she was staying behind. She wanted to make sure sister had someone to talk to. She handed back my glasses.

  “Not much fighting out here for me.”

  I nod, putting them back on. I look to my latest [Supplicant], her orc tusk was gone. They were now tiger fangs. She already had mithril bones and hair. Wonder what's next. Barbain what was after bones?

  “Venom glands and spinnerets, Sara.”

  “Wait really, that's totally awkward.”

  “But easily hidden, mistress.”

  I look annoyed at Beatrice, that's as relaxed as she is going to get. We climbed into the carriage after I gave a strong hug to Qorth. Cecelia would start our journey to the capital. The B's had classes. I hadn't rescinded my order. I'm sure they would abandon their studies immediately if I did.

  -----

  “So how did you know to name her, Xena?”

  “As if I wouldn't recognize my granddaughter's soul, dear.”

  I look at mother and smile.

  “Were you the one who was their midwife, mother?”

  “Naturaly, I was the most familiar with your body. I immediately sensed the soul growing inside Barbain. On delivery, I noticed she could only process blood. She came out with the same mix of iron and mithril that Barbain had.”

  So the mother influences that. My life eyes showed Xena was all mithril now. Beatrice looked annoyed.

  “I seem to recall I pointed out her title, [Countess].”

  Mother looks annoyed, “Sara, do make your [Supplicants] drop decorum for me, dear.”

  “Nah.”

  The B's laugh as mother scowls. When they were done Beatrice spoke, requiring a great deal of effort to begin.

  “...Sara, is it alright if I brought another of your daughters back?”

  I was shocked she managed my name, my sister showed up on my shoulder, bipedal with wings and horns. She seemed to always know if something important was happening.

  -You squeeze our soul everytime.

  “You didn't ask the first time.”

  “Me and Bar Bar didn't know it was going to happen until the [Countess] informed us who we had.”

  I look at my connections in my soul, most of them woven too tight to me to part with. But there was one. I smile.

  “I would be most happy if you brought Alicia back. Assuming you're ready and all.”

  “I would not have asked otherwise, Matriarch. We are always ready.”

  And there goes my name, also ew. Sister laughs on my shoulder.

  -----

  I exit the carriage as I see mom setting up the cover trinket for the night. I walk over to her and give her a side hug in my catgirl form. I am up to her shoulder now. Though I guess I could tower over her in my true form. She returns the hug and smiles.

  “You don't need to stay this way for me sweetie, stretch your legs out.”

  I release my magic, my body larger, I was eye to eye with her now. I breathe again. It was like holding my breath when I used that magic.

  “Aw, there my grown up girl, already made me a great grandmother.”

  “Through your sister, jeez this is getting weird.”

  More cackles from my soul. My mom unknowingly joins in with the laughter. I supply the cover trinket.

  “How are you doing sweetie?”

  “Terrible, I always end up seeing you grieving my death, mom.”

  She takes a shuddering breath.

  “Dear, I've thought I lost you twice, three times if you count that time you went into the forest to scar yourself.”

  “Sorry, I just—”

  “No sweetie, it's not your fault. Don't ever think it's your fault. I love you, so of course I would mourn you if I thought you died.”

  -Now the perfect time to bite her.

  You need therapy.

  -Think they will give us a discount if we go in together. Maybe half off.

  I snort, mom looks at me questionly.

  “My other half is being a brat.”

  “Well she is you.”

  I stick my tongue out at her as my sister did the same. Something was missing though.

  “No finger flick?”

  “Learned my lesson on Barbain's forehead.”

  -----

  This is a daily reminder: You have 8 unallocated stat points

  I woke up with my mom and mother leaning into me. We were outside, the late summer being warm enough to enjoy the night. Weird to actually have my body sleep.

  -Only for three hours though, you insomniac.

  I know you synced our sleep schedule together.

  -Well duh, wouldn't want to miss you massacring the camp.

  I squeeze our soul, its alright sister.

  -You keep thinking that.

  I take a swig of my bloodskin. She always keeps it filled. Hoping I over indulge. It caught me by surprise the first time. I always count to ten now.

  -Your no fun.

  Says the one experiencing bliss with me. A mental raspberry greeted the thought. Barbain walks over.

  “I was surprised to see your body asleep Sara, is that a new change to go with your different pair of legs?”

  I narrowed my eyes at her. I could smell their sweat.

  “Didn't waste any time there.”

  She blushes as Beatrice walks over.

  “Nope, mistress. My body was ready.”

  I could sense the soul ready to attach to their efforts. When you are ready Alicia. I feel a tug back. I smile. Barbain speaks again after coughing.

  “You haven't answered the question.”

  “Ah, right. Sister mind is back at the dungeon. She can't swap with me anymore. I still stay awake for twenty-two hours though. The skill didn't go to advance though.”

  “O it just gets a two and you get a parallel mind again. Both minds go parallel though.”

  A mini Barbain shows up on her shoulder, answering my unasked question. I smile at their progress.

  “Seems you're the prodigy now.”

  They both stick their tongues out at me.

  “Have you approached your mothers yet?”

  She looks sad at that, “They still attacked me, it pretty much confirmed it was my hair.”

  I wanted to hug her but I didn't wish to wake my mom and mother either, “Sorry.”

  She shakes her head, sad but accepting. Beatrice gives her a hug for me.

  “Its not your fault.”

  Beatrice speaks up, “But what about your legs, mistress?”

  The illusion on my shoulder answers, “Isn't it perfect now, just like her other three sets.”

  The understanding dawning on the B's faces.

  You seem to be always listening.

  -Still waiting for that massacre.

  -----

  We dropped off the B's at the capital. The carriage kept going towards Yetna. I was lounging in this Tibyder accommodating carriage, true to myself.

  “So you had this all made after seeing Barbain's and Beatrice's changes?”

  “No, after I saw you in Maknor, I knew your body wasn't done changing. I didn't bring it up because I knew it would panic you, dear. I was already forcing so much on you. I heard about your personal knight and your captivity.”

  Sir Timotran. I crushed his spirit. He wronged me and I grew cruel because of it.

  -You were cruel before.

  Not like this. More cackling.

  “Did they ever find Watson?”

  “He never reported to the camp he was assigned to. I have a bounty out for him.”

  -We should find Watson.

  “Hopefully more than mine.”

  She laughs at that, “Of course, dear, I am not cheap.”

  “Why are we returning to Yetna though, I doubt my service to the Queendom is complete.”

  “You were sent to the front lines against my expressed wishes. That you immediately came to harm afterwards was plenty of leverage for me to get you discharged.”

  I narrow my eyes and growl at her, “It was me doing the harm.”

  -Yes the neck, go for the neck.

  I shudder as it almost felt like a good idea. I take a swig of my bloodskin instead. Two seconds. Mother looks concerned.

  “Sorry, sister was thirsty.”

  “Sara, I can read emotions, I can tell the difference between a twin minded individual.”

  I look at her eyes searching. Not understanding.

  “It was your anger and your thirst. I haven't felt your sister's emotions since we left the area around the dungeon.”

  I'm alone…alone with my laughter. It's all I hear.