Marionette POV

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Author notes:

This will be the last POV change for a while. I don't want this to become a weird flashback novel. You may notice this chapter is about 150% of the standard chapter lengths and the next chapter is the same. It's because I really wanted to move the story along and I feel I've given enough context to explain what will be happening next. 

Thanks again for people giving their input and asking questions. I'll be minimizing some of my answers in the future to avoid spoilers, since I want readers to experience it as it happens, so don't be discouraged if I don't give a straight answer or just avoid the question!

Let me know how you feel about the longer chapter lengths. I want to be sure It still feels comfortable to read. If you prefer it, I'll try to maintain this higher word count in the future. 

I hope you all enjoy the rest of this weekend! thank you for all your support! Know that even the reaction images give me motivation!

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Several months before Damien's transmigration, within an all too familiar insect infested cave. A new entity had wormed its way inside. This monster, standing at nearly three meters tall was non other than Marionette Mite. Although some may have been under the impression that it was here by pure chance, one would hesitate to think so upon noticing the strange metallic helmet attached to the top of what appears to be its head. A piece of high tech armor with a built in cannon at its center.

This equipment had been bestowed upon Marionette Mite by its master; along with a mission. It needed to gather foot soldiers. Cannon fodder to crash into the meat grinder that was a nearby village's defenses.

The master had made it clear that the village was hiding something that could help cement their position within the realm. They had been facing off against a self proclaimed 'king', and though it was obvious that this so called king had very little sanity to speak of, his power and influence was very real. Meaning a head on confrontation would have been ill advised.

So, in preparation, Marionette Mite had been sent to infest the local monsters with its parasites. Building up an army that would overwhelm their opposition. With this goal in mind, Marionette Mite found its first victim. A stray Dream Cicada. Weak, so very weak. Even without the power granted by their masters gift, it could easily overpower it with their claws.

With a permanent sinister smile on its face, Marionette Mite leaned into the Dream Cicada. Opening its mouth as a parasite escaped and latched on to the insects head. Quickly burrowing its way inside. As the parasite took root inside Dream Cicada's brain, it quickly took hold. The monster stopping its futile resistance as it became nothing more than a living doll. A puppet for Marionette Mite to control.

This was Marionette Mites first special ability. It could produce these parasites within its body and use them to take control of a host using a special organ within its body. Additionally, these parasites offered a sort of hivemind connection. They could share basic information with each other at any given time. The downside being that they couldn't receive any instruction that were too complex.

'Find more hosts' Marionette commanded, though anyone listening would have only heard a series of clicks.

With that command established, the puppet Cicada wasted no time. Making perfect use of their inherent wind sense ability to navigate within the dark cave. It was a primitive adaptation in Marionette Mites mind. It's range of vision was so broad that even total darkness didn't bother it much. It was a predator well accustomed to hunting in the brightest day or total darkness. Now, with the first steps taken in its plan, Marionette Mite followed their puppet deeper into the cave. The parasite having already sent a message that it found something.

...several weeks later...

Marionette mite had made significant progress in taking control of the cave dwelling Cicadas. Along the way, it found a different inhabitant of the caves. A small, fragile creature that seemed to only be good at banging its tools against stone to alert predators and hiding within the walls. Never the less, Marionette Mite attempted to infect a few of them with its parasites. Unfortunately, these creatures were so utterly pathetic that even the weak cicadas would tear them to pieces. Leaving little worth for them.

A slow series of clicks could be heard coming from Marionette Mite as it stared down at the tiny piles of flesh and gore left over after the Cicadas attacks. If someone payed close attention, they would realize what Marionette Mite was emitting was essentially a cackle. It couldn't help but laugh at how utterly pathetic these creatures were. Beyond weak, beyond sad. Their existence could only be considered a cruel joke.

By this point, a significant portion of the cave dwelling cicadas had been converted into puppets. Marionette Mite figured there were likely half of the dwellers within its grasp. Soon it would move out and continue to spread its influence beyond the cave. Or rather, that should have been the case. If not for the wretched existence that soon entered the caves.

It looked similar to the other small creatures, if not much older. It wielded the same tools as the rest, though its attire was altered. It made no attempt to hide its presence as it moved thru the cave. A bright torch lighting its path.

By now, Marionette had seen these pathetic creatures many times. With little interest, it sent out two of the cicadas to kill the creature. To its surprise, however, the elder didn't panic like the rest. Simply retrieving a small stone on a string from its pocket. The stone swung back and forward like a pendulum, and with each swing, it emitted an eerie force. Without even a chance to resist, the Cicadas sent its way were turned to dust, greatly unsettling Marionette Mite!

'Impossible!' Marionette Mite cried out in its mind as even after witnessing the event, it couldn't believe what it saw. Desperate to eliminate the threat, it sent out its entire swarm. Thinking to overwhelm the elderly creature with numbers. It made no difference, however.

With each rhythmic swing of the stone, a terrible force was emitted. The Dream Cicadas falling into nothingness. This level of power could only be held by a similar existence to the master! Marionette Mite was vividly aware that if it was to confront this creature, even with the equipment bestowed upon it, Only destruction awaited it. Realizing this, Marionette Mite escaped deep into the cave. Desperate to escape and rebuild its puppet army.

As it retreated, an overwhelming rage gripped on to Marionette Mites heart. All of its effort had been wasted and it was now back to square one. Such a humiliation from a species it felt had been inferior could not stand!

'How dare it. How dare that insignificant creature destroy the army I've built for my master! You shall pay! your entire race will pay!' With this thought in mind, Marionette Mite had a new goal. Not just the mission its master gave it. It would no longer kill those creatures in passing. It would send a message. It would slaughter them all!

...several months later....

Marionette Mite had been steadily rebuilding its army. As it did so, it made it a point to kill every single one of those small creatures it could find. If they hid in the walls, its puppets would wait for them to surface. If that elder appeared, Marionette Mite would recall its puppets. Hiding them deep in the caves until they left. A satisfied cackle escaping it as it pictured the frustration the creature would feel for losing its kin.

'I will make you pay. You will suffer for delaying my masters plans!'

As time went on, less and less of those small creatures appeared. Until eventually, it had been weeks since they last entered the caves. A sense of excitement could be felt by Marionette Mite as it figured it had succeeded in slaughtering all of that elders brethren. Most of the Dream cicadas in the cave had long fallen into its control. They were posted at the cave entrances. Ready to alert it if more of them entered. With nothing new entering for so long, Marionette Mite had grown tired of waiting. It was now gathering its army to move out.

Just then, however. A sound began to reverberate in the cave. The sound of stone being torn apart. It had been some time since it last heard it, so it didn't realize the sound wasn't the same as before. Never the less, Marionette Mite was a little exited. It looked forward to killing another one of those creatures before it left.

With a series of clicks, Its orders were delivered.

'If it's not that old wretch, kill it like the rest!'

quickly making its way to the sound, It was a little surprised to see something new. A larger creature. Humanoid. It held a long staff like tool and was currently fighting back against the puppets.

It was obvious that it lacked any actual combat experience. It was attacking and dodging in desperate and clumsy ways. As Marionette Mite observed the creature, however, it noted it was actually similar in strength to itself without the power granted by their equipment. A little amused, It ordered the puppets to weaken and drive it into a corner. Though it was a little pitiful in its resistance, it was still much stronger than any individual Cicada. It would make for fine cannon fodder.

However, just as Marionette Mite tried to approach,the pathetic creature's demeanor changed. It was like something else entirely was bubbling from its surface. Its cold eyes began to gleam in a new light.

It whispered something under its breath, though Marionette Mite was too far to hear. A sickly purple and black aura beginning to radiate off the creature like power taking form. Solidifying around him like a shell of destruction.

Suddenly, the tide of the battle was turned on its head. The creature was suddenly slaughtering its puppets left and right. There was no time for counters or resistance. It had suddenly become a stark reminder of what happened when that wretched elder had appeared! Marionette Mite thought to flee again, but the rage rising to the surface didn't allow for that.

'No, not again! I will not fail my master yet again! This creature dares to humiliate me?! It shall not stand!'

With those thoughts in mind, Marionette Mite tried to use the equipment provided by it. Hoping to use the element of surprise to dwindle them down. This creatures senses were too sharp, however. It seemed to always know when danger was near and reacted just in time! With little else to do and its army reduced to nothing, Marionette tried to fight back, resulting in a devastating strike that sent them crashing thru the cave walls and into the outside world.

The strike was earth shattering. The internal damage was significant and it struggled to even stand! Never the less, it tried to fire a shot using the cannon equipment once more. Hoping to keep the enemy at bay; but to its dismay, the weapon was gone! With its equipment lost, it was now all but hopeless to fight against this enemy. It looked up at the creature with a look of pure hatred. With this creatures involvement, it had been twice now that Marionette Mite had failed its master. All of its progress gone again. Soon, its life would follow. Never the less, even as it struggled to recover from its injuries, it cursed the creature for what it had done. it hoped for nothing but misfortune to befall this wretched being!

Just then, as if answering its prayers, Marionette Mite noticed something. The human's demeanor had changed once again! The bubbling purple and black aura retreating away. That oppressive air nowhere to be seen. In a contest of skill, Marionette Mite knew it had leagues more experience. Meaning if they were now evenly matched, this was a sign of victory! Eying the human, who was now little more than stubborn prey, it gave some test swings with is bladed arms. Already sure it would have a stronger puppet soon.

It wasn't until this point that it noticed another presence. A small weakling creature kneeling between them. Another one of those little vermin who shared a kinship with that elder wretch! Glee entered marionette's heart. The thought of gaining a powerful puppet as well as slaughtering another of that elders kin lightening its mood greatly.

Unfortunately, these distracting thoughts would cost it. The humanoid charged toward the smaller creature. Taking it in their arms and taking the chance to make an escape! Pure rage was overwhelming Marionette Mite as it chased the creatures around the ravine. the two prey exchanging words and items briefly before they continued to escape up a hill.

Its rage toward both creatures would not allow them to escape! Marionette would chase them to the ends of the earth. Its anger so potent it had long forgotten about the equipment it left behind. Not knowing or caring if it was destroyed or not.

Soon after, they had managed to escape Marionette's sight within a dense forest. The eerily similar trees making it difficult for Marionette to navigate or get a sense of direction. After several long minutes, it was beginning to seem hopeless. It now becoming a question of how it would start over for a third time. Wondering if its lack of results would lead to their death at the end of their master's blade.

With those distracting thoughts, Marionette didn't notice the small object barrelling towards them. Striking at their back with surprising force. The object managing to barely pierce its hide before shattering on impact. Scattering strange dark vestiges thru-out the forest floor.

The impact surprised Marionette Mite as it turned quickly to locate the culprit. Unable to see anyone within the deep woods. As it searched, the minor wound the object had inflicted began to burn greatly. Like something corrosive was mixed in with the projectile, and looking down, It noticed that even the shards from the object in question were fading away. Turning to dust before its eyes.

'Is it a Venom? This could make for an interesting addition. It wont be enough to kill me, but I can imagine what enough of these could do...' Thought Marionette Mite as it moved to hunt down the culprit. Searching behind the trees and within the branches above to no avail. 'This damned forest. All the trees look the same!' It thought as it continued to search.

It wasn't long before another projectile came Marionette's way. It managing to jump out of the way this time as it barrelled past them. Just when it was about to search for the culprit again, however. A loud creaking sound resounded behind them. Taking decisive action, Marionette Mite dodged away once more. This time, narrowly avoiding a large tree as it came crashing down.

Marionette Mite was now on high alert. Looking at the remaining stump of the tree, It carried the same corrosive substance as the projectile. Meaning that it was a trap set up by the would be attacker.

'Infuriating! Something here thinks it can hunt me!?' Marionette Mite though as it clenched its teeth. Its permanent smile betraying the pure rage it was feeling. Thinking ahead, It quickly made note of where the projectile had come from. Making use of its higher experience to locate the culprit. It didn't have to travel far, however. As it quickly spotted something in a forest clearing at their right. The same small creature from before. One of that elders kin. It was haphazardly trying to cover a section of the clearing with a pile of fallen leafs. To its side, a similar projectile stuck to the ground. Seeming more like a spear when compared to the girls small size.

It didn't have to think hard about what that spear was. It carried that same dark color as the shards before. The obvious thought that came to Marionette's mind was that it'd found the culprit. A series of clicks escaping its mouth indicating its satisfaction as it changed direction and charged at the girl. Marionettes rage had reached a boiling point by now. It no longer saw a potential puppet. Just an enemy that needed to be torn to shreds. It had forgotten its mission entirely.

As it neared the clearing, It noticed that the tiny creature looked panicked. It scrambled clumsily to its feet and made a show of reaching for the spear at its side. Marionette Mite quickly seeing thru the false move. It noticed the hesitation the girl displayed as she reached for the spear. Slowing down to avoid actually picking it up. It was bait.

'An obvious ruse.' thought Marionette Mite as it glanced down at the cluster of leaves in front of the girl. 'A pit trap. Likely lased with those poisoned spears. Do you think I'd fall for such a simple trick?' Marionette continued as it quickly spotted a bare patch in the clearing. A tight squeeze, but Marionette knew it could use it to bypass the pit completely. Quickly shifting its angle of attack, Marionette positioned itself to charge thru the path.

The sudden change of direction seemed to distress the girl, as she forgot all about her weapon and instead turned to run away. A feeling of glee reaching Marionettes heart as it savored its victory. Blissfully unaware of the enemy falling above its head. A sharpened wooden spear held tightly in each hand.