After almost a minute of just awkwardly standing there I decided to motivate them. I grabbed the nearest bruiser and quickly snapped his neck. I tossed the corpse to the ground and grabbed another bruiser. The skinks around me recoiled.as I just frowned and said. “Okok and I made a deal. Move or die.”

  I picked up my guide and said, “Take me to the broodmothers.” He nodded and motioned for me to follow. I felt light headed as I walked through the streets. My limbs seemed to almost weigh me down as I felt myself beginning to slowly sink to the ground.

  I’d lost so many kids. Every time, my kids always managed to die in some new horrific way. Whether it be from rats, goblins or other skinks. And I just kept killing. I’ve killed thousands by now. In my old world I would be one of the worst criminals in human history.

  And yet here, I’m just a dad. A bad dad. I have two kids left, and both of them are part of the fucking military. My military! I just want it all to stop, to slow down for a bit. I was lost in my thoughts for so long I didn’t even notice that we had arrived.

  My guide pointed towards a seemingly normal looking tunnel. It was wider than usual but nothing else really set it apart. I cracked my neck and said, “I’m going to give you two options. You can join me, or you can leave.” The guide nodded and immediately sprinted away.

  I just shrugged and walked down the tunnel. Who cares? He would probably get executed for betraying Tuobella if anyone recognizes him. The tunnel went down into the earth for almost a mile. The dirt was tightly packed and supported by wooden pillars. The slope itself was extremely gentle. I’m pretty sure the ground is only around a hundred or so feet above me.

  After walking for a while the tunnel suddenly expanded into a ginormous chamber. Within the chamber sat three broodmothers. Their ugly, bulbous forms oozing across the ground as bruisers frantically tended to them.

  Disgusting. But necessary. I stood at the entrance for almost a minute. Watching the future of my nation. After a bit I decided I was done waiting. I cleared my throat and yelled. “Everyone in this cave! I am Aya. I am taking these broodmothers. You will help me transport them, or you will die. Any questions?”

  I was met once again with an awkward silence before one of the bruisers suddenly charged at me screaming. “For the colony!” That was a new one. I sent three tails forward and skewered him. I tossed the corpse behind me and said. “Get a move on people! I am not in the best mood today!”

  After eight more deaths the bruisers finally got the memo. It took almost thirty minutes to get everyone moving. There were some sleds made to transport the brood mothers. I don’t really know how I would have moved them otherwise. I probably would have just killed the brood mothers if I couldn't get them moving.

  There were around two hundred bruisers caring for the brood mothers but they could barely move them. I decided to leave one, as I didn’t see us making it out with three. So with a heavy heart I leapt on top of the mass of flesh and ripped into it.

  Blood and other liquids flew through the air as I did my best to reach its brain. It took five minutes for me to do so. After I was sure it was dead I ignored the notification and motioned for the bruisers to follow me.

  A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

  The walk back to the surface took far too long but finally we made it. The streets were still empty so I pointed towards the mountain range I had come through and said. “Move it! We’re leaving! I’ll let you guys come back once we reach that mountain range!”

  The bruiser grumbled but a quick flick of tails got them moving once more. We managed to get out of the city without any interference which was incredibly suspicious but I pushed past it. I couldn’t get distracted. I needed to trust my kids. James was smart, he could do it. And Marlow, he was Marlow. A loving, gentle soul who deserved to spend his time playing with hatchlings and teaching them. I had been surprised when he hadn’t chosen to become a caretaker. But the situation we were currently in didn’t really require one. No matter what, I need my kids to be okay.

  It took eight days for us to reach the mountain range. We had to stop every once and a while to collect food for the brood mothers. But finally, I could go home. And when I came back it would be with an army. I am going to kill Tuobella. I’m gonna shit in her skull and wear he inteinstes like a necklace.

  Whoa dark thoughts! Let’s think positive here! I’m gonna see my kids. That’s positive enough for me! I smiled but my happiness was interrupted when a windclaw burst out of the woods and said. “Halt!”

  I stared at him for a few seconds before smiling. He was one of ours. He bowed towards me and said. “Welcome back my Queen, Prince James said we would be expecting you to arrive soon.”

  I let out a breath of air I didn’t know I was holding when I heard that. James was alive and well. I nodded at the windclaw and said. “Go report to James that all went well. Tell him I got the broodmothers but was unable to kill Tuobella. I want to leave immediately. Also go grab around two hundred skinks.”

  The windclaw spirited away as I turned towards the bruisers I had kidnapped. They stared back at me with a mix of hope and fear in their eyes. I smiled and said. “You can stay or you can go home.”

  The majority immediately sprinted away but around twenty stayed. They were most likely unclaimed looking for some security. Either way it would be good to have skinks who already knew how to care for brood mothers.

  We waited almost an hour until the force arrived. They quickly grabbed the sleds and started moving the brood mothers. I nodded at them and walked over to an incredibly familiar looking skink.

  I sprinted at him and wrapped him in a hug. James let out a little squeal as I just held him for a second. I put him down and said. “My baby! I’m so glad you’re okay!” He nodded and said. “Thank you for worrying about me, My Queen. My part of the mission went well. The goblin farmers were quite easy to convince. We now have over three thousand skinks and over ten thousand goblins.”

  Holy shit, that’s a lot. I nodded and said. “Good, We’ll have a nice stable population with the brood mothers producing babies for us.” I wonder if Tuobella would pursue us? Oh well, I have plans if that does happen. For now, the priority is to get my kids to safety.

  Speaking of. I turned towards James and said. “Where’s Marlow?” I felt anxious as James smiled and said. “He’s currently resting in our old cave in the valley. He’s surrounded by around a thousand skinks. We’ll set out now that you’re with us. I’m excited to see your old home.”

  I nodded and said. “It’ll be nice to be back in a more familiar environment.” I’ll have to make sure nothing disturbed my kid’s graves. And I’ll have to make sure no humans have infested my old territory.

  I patted James on the head and said. “Alright, let's get moving. I want the brood mothers in the center of our convoy. Also, have some windlcaws ranging all around us. We’re too big a group to move without attracting attention.”

  James smirked, an interesting expression on a lizard. I stared at him for a second before he let out a laugh and said. “Don’t worry, My Queen. I had the exact same though. Everyone is ready.”

  I nodded and smiled as he walked away, barking out orders as he strutted about. I felt both proud and slightly useless at the same time. Although I can’t say it isn’t nice to have someone else to handle all the administrative stuff.

  I slowly slowed down until I was in the back of the little procession. After slowly falling behind the group I completely stopped and stared back towards where someone who had killed my kids still lived.

  It burned, it physically hurt having to leave her alive. But my live kid’s were still my priority. No matter what. These two would survive. I don’t really know how having kids in this body works but I’m sure I’ll find out. I started walking again, filled with hope and a desire to kill stuff.