Chapter 63: Chapter 59: Legendary Fight

The remainder of the month went by all too quickly, and the day of Ira’s challenge soon approached. Amelia and all of those that were in the group when they met Ira the first time were grouped up with a significant portion of the swarm’s unenlightened fighting force accompanying them. Most of the combat group, save Amelia, had evolved an additional time, even with the changes, but Rose couldn’t help but feel nervous as she surveyed them.

It was hard not to when they were attempting such a risky plan. Rose was fully prepared to lose most of the unenlightened swarm members she was bringing along with her, but she was cautiously optimistic about her chances at keeping all the sapient people alive.

Her personality aside, Amelia was clearly the strongest asset on their side, and as such she had been assigned the vital duty of protecting everyone. Her aside, the plan was much the same as it had been before – sacrifice as many of their unenlightened sisters as was necessary to keep the sapient people alive until Rose dealt with Ira.

To that end, Rose was planning to pretend to abandon everyone, take Ira a fair distance away, and then cocoon him. Should he not come willingly, she would be dumping the content of the storage device Connie had given them on him, and if that failed, Amelia was to jump ship and attempt to fight him with Rose’s help.

Unfortunately, Rose had no way of knowing how strong Ira was, or if the two of them even stood a chance against him. So, she took a deep breath, and addressed the small army she was leading. “From the moment we step through the portal, I will remain fully in my other persona.” She said. “You are to address me as Queen, uncomfortable though it may be. Our lives, and the lives of everyone living here, depend on selling the lie long enough for me to convert Ira.

“Should we succeed, we will not only ensure our continued survival, but we will also cleanse the world of an evil that should have perished long ago. Though they will not know it for some time, the world shall sing our praises once our deeds come to light. Now, with me, to victory!”

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