Closing the doors behind me, I quickly made my way towards the entrance to the Hive, uncertain of how to approach nor where to go. Contemplating my new changling body and connection to the queen, I focused my thoughts on her. A flash of light blinded my vision and I could see faint glimpses of both her and Dark sitting somewhere within the castle, from the looks of the environment, I could see plants and a balcony in the background. “That could be anywhere! Focus!” I whispered to myself. Peering back into the visions, I could see the night sky above and the a tattered gazebo. ‘There you are!’ I thought. From what I could see, I assumed that they were in the gardens.

Making my to the entrance, I found two guards blocking my path but they quickly caught sight of me. One of the entrance guards called out, “Hey you! What are you doing?” I was surprised, and a bit worrisome.

‘They know I’m a fake, they know!’ I chimed within my mind, sure that I had been found out. I looked to him, my face growing pale. “Umm.. nothing?”

Taking a step forward, the guard gave me a glare. “I know that! You’re hall patrol, right? Then get your ass in here! You’re going to get us in trouble, you know that!”

I was dumbfounded. They couldn’t tell me from any other changling, making this plan seem more solid with each second. I cleared my throat, trying to casually play it off. “Y-yeah. I’ll just going inside then. Sorry, just kinda overslept. It’s been a rough few days.” My hands were trembling from the being surprised at first.

“Yeah, yeah. Spare us your life story and get to your position! I’m not losing my rations because of your ‘tender sensibilities’. Now get a move on!” He stated heatedly.

“Alright, alright. I’m moving! Geeze, guy.” I quickened my pace and passed the guards. Though my heart seemed to skip a beat as he stopped me just as I passed.

“Wait a sec.” He called. “You smell different.” I could feel my hands begin to shake again, but tried to maintain control of them. “You smell terrible! So you were stuck in the stables, eh? Believe me, I hate when I’m told to do it. Just make sure you take a shower next time before your shift. Alright then, get going.”

‘Holy... shit.’ I took a calming breath, as to ease the stress this changling was giving me. My voice cracked as I spoke, “Y-yeah.. ah. That was my fault. I was too tired to take a shower, and just collapsed on my bed last night. Sorry if it smells in the barracks when your shift is over. I’ll air it out when I’m done and take a shower. Queen knows I do.” I took a calming breath as I took reassurance that my permanent disguise was working. “Have a good one.”

I strolled down the halls, passing by guards and searching for the Hive’s gardens. Feeling more than lost, I approached a kitchen servant as he was making his way to the kitchen for his shift. “Hey, I need to ask you a question.” I called. He looked to me with large gaping eyes and swallowed hard.

As he spoke, his voice seemed to shake, “Yeah? How can I help you? I’m... I’m not in trouble am I?” I could see droplets of sweat coming down his forehead. He seemed more than eager to leave.

I looked to him, then looked around. Bringing my attention back to the changling, I said, “No, I was just looking to see if you knew where the gardens are. I’m still learning my way around the castle. But why are you asking if you’re in trouble? I haven’t seen you do anything, so you can calm down if you want.” I pondered what had the servant so on edge.

“Oh, that’s all? I just thought that I was in trouble again, I can’t have another demerit on my head. I’m this close to becoming the permanent bathroom janitor. I can’t lose another job, so I’m sorry if I seemed kinda sketchy. Ok, since you’re looking for the gardens, it’s down the hall to the left. Make a right after the third hallway and once you’ve come to a set of three windows on your right hand side, you’re right beside it.” He sighed in relief.

“Thanks for the directions, and I hope things pick up for you. Anyways, thanks again and have a good rest of your night.” I nodded my head and sent him a smile.

“Oh yeah, don’t worry. It’s just things are crazy at the moment, and.. wait.” He paused for a moment and looked to the ground. I could tell he was staring out into space, lost within his train of thoughts until he raised his eyes and gave me an offset stare. “How don’t you know your way around the castle? You’re a guard, you’re supposed to know these kind of things, right?” He asked.

I shook my head, rolling my eyes in the process. “I know I’m supposed to, but I’m usually stuck outside patrolling the fields. Since that new human showed up, he’s taken my place and I’ve been given hallway patrol. Still learning the general layout of the Hive.”

He stared blankly at the walls, his eyes shifting once every five seconds. He looked to me for a second, his mouth agape but quickly coming to a close. “But you were born here right? You should know...” He said with a questioning appeal.

“I’m a new transfer from another Hive. One to the far north, and I’m still trying to adjust to the new change.” I said with a hint of worry lingering my mind.

He tilted his head back and exclaimed, “Oh, ok. That explains everything. Alright, I gotta start heading to work. Catch you around, yeah?” He smiled. I nodded and grinned. “Wait, what’s your name?” He asked.

I needed a stage name for now, so I quickly thought and spoke, “Oh, name’s Figit. I’ll catch you around.. and yours?”

“Yeah, it’s Norm. Norm the servant. Hopefully it stays that way, and it doesn’t change to Janitor.”

“Well, Norm the servant, you better get going before your nightmare becomes a reality. Catch you later.”

He sprinted off down the hall and disappeared from sight. With the directions to the Hive’s gardens, I began to make my way through the seemingly unending halls. After a few minutes of walking, I finally arrived at my destination. Peering out the window, I found the two standing out in the night air, looking out into the stars. I could see them chatting about something, but I couldn’t quite make it out.

I turned my attention away from the two and began to think of a way to get Dark alone without having Chrysalis to tag along. “Hmm..” I mumbled to myself, I looked around my environment and found a table with a bundle of scrolls with a quill to write. “They’re just making this too easy.” I began writing a letter to the clueless guardian, explaining my situation and what my plan was. Sealing it with a stamp, I stood from the table and began working my way around the halls, finally reaching the entrance to the gardens. I stood there for a moment, and looked to my feet. I could tell that my presents didn’t catch their attention, so I cleared my throat, forcing their attention upon me.

The ebony queen looked to me, as did the guardian. I could tell that she was a frustrated with my interruption. “My queen.” I swallowed, “A message has arrived for Darkmoon, and we haven’t been able to tell who it’s from, but I’ve been told its crucial for the guardian to see. It’s also been instructed for guardian’s eyes only.” I bowed and presented the letter.

He sauntered over at a brisk speed and took the letter, “I wonder if it’s from Condemned, kinda surprised that he needed to leave so urgently like that. But it’s his life I guess.” He opened the letter, standing mere feet from me. Gazing at the letter, his eyes tilted downward and his mouth seemed to say something, but no words were formed. He looked to me for a moment and squinted. With his attention focused on me, I gave a brief nod and turned away. Leaving the guardian behind as I exited the gardens.

Within the note, I told him to meet with me in the barracks that night. Then we would discuss further on both the subject. With my knowledge and plans given to Darkmoon, I made my way back to the entrance of the hive, but my plans came to a halt as the two guarding the door wouldn’t let me leave. Angered by this, I needed to find another way out. It wasn’t the best of plans nor the worst, but it would be one that I would regret long into the night.

After I arrived at the barracks drenched. I opened the door and wandered in, leaving droplets and footprints behind me. Catching the attention of Toothless and my clone, he quickly made his way over to me. “Hey!” He cheerfully exclaimed. “How’d it go? Did you... Holy!” He took a step back, covering his snout with his forearm, lightly heaving at the smell. “Why do you smell like you’ve been swimming in a sewer?” He began to distance himself from both me and my aroma.

I looked to the stallion, a more than displeased expression plastered across my entire being. “That’s because I was. It was the only way I could find out of the castle without grabbing the attention of the other guards.” I wasn’t proud out what I did, but it was necessary.

He looked to me with a snicker escaping his lips, “You do know that you could’ve gone through the larder and used the hidden escape hatch, right? All you would’ve needed to do is ask some of the kitchen staff.” I glared fiercely at him, my eye twitched as a small pool formed beneath my feet.

“And this is something you could’ve told me before I went inside! I’m going to have nightmares about this for years now! I hate you, so much right now.” I pinched the bridge of my nose, frustrated from the whole ordeal. Without pause, I quickly removed my hand away from my face as a more than unpleasing smell overwhelmed my senses. “Oh god! Why?” I cried.

Gazing at me from the far end of the building, laughing hysterically at my misfortune.

Author's Note

As always, thanks to AhugeAcidTree for proofreading the chapter and thanks for always being there. You're a true bro.

Hope you enjoyed the chapter, and I'll see you next time. Sorry for being away for so long.
Keep it cool, CondemnedSoul.