The Queen Within

As if a switch had been flipped, my consciousness returned. For a while, a strange sense of dissociation washed over me. The unsettling feeling that my body wasn’t truly mine gradually faded as control returned.

“How is your physical condition? Any abnormalities?”

“No, Master. Aside from a slight feeling of disconnection, there is no pain. I feel perfectly fine.”

“It is likely the brain’s adaptation to a state where it could not sense the body. The effect is mild because it was only for a day. If it had been longer, there would be a risk of side effects where the brain fails to recognize the body at all.”

“So there are side effects like that as well.”

“In the early stages, there was a soldier whose bodily sensations were severed for long-term treatment. After recovery, he could not recognize his own body and was unable to move. He regained some function through consistent rehabilitation, but it was not complete. His senses remained misaligned.”

Was the brain’s sensory recognition breaking down? In that case, could an implant be used to control the body?

“Then couldn’t we control the body with an implant?”

“Ordinary people dislike having their bodies controlled by machines. Even if such measures were taken, standard implants have delays, making it difficult to move freely.”

Ah, a delay of more than a second would certainly make movement inconvenient. Come to think of it, had the Abaddon fully matured?

“Has the Abaddon installed in my body fully matured?”

“Judging by the delay levels, its roots appear to have taken hold completely. Hmm. Let’s run a scan.”

I lay back inside the capsule once more and underwent a detailed scan. Controlling my strength was proving difficult. The tripled muscle power showed itself even in simple actions like gripping objects. I accidentally shattered the cup containing the medication for the scan and had to accept a replacement with extreme care.

“Wow, adapting to my new strength is going to take some time.”

“You will need to triple the intensity during exercise for it to have any effect. The results are in.”

I moved my body experimentally, testing my new limits, when the hologram appeared and displayed the scan of my body.

“I will highlight the Abaddon in a different color. Can you see it?”

“Yes. It is incredibly dense.”

The main body, presumably the core of the Abaddon, remained near the biochip in my neck. From there, thick bundles of roots traveled up the spinal cord and wrapped around my brain. Even the microscopic filaments slipping between the brain’s folds and burrowing directly into the tissue were visible in perfect detail.

“The brain has achieved one hundred percent fusion with the roots. It appears to be in a growth phase now.”

“It definitely isn’t a pleasant sight.”

Seeing it so directly made it even less appealing. The way the fine roots spread from the dense network encasing the brain and pierced into it was rather grotesque.

“It is fascinating that I remain perfectly functional despite this.”

“Although classified as a parasite, Abaddon is more accurately a symbiotic organism. It protects the host and seeks the survival of its species. Once it develops self-awareness, it can even converse with the host.”

“If coexistence is possible, then there is no problem, correct?”

If the Abaddon truly protected its host, perhaps compromise could be reached through conversation.

“Host protection is a lower priority than species survival. If the Abaddon species faces danger, it will seize control of the host to eliminate threats and protect the Queen. The problem is that those threats are humans.”

“Ah, I see. People view Abaddon as dangerous enemies, so the same applies in reverse.”

Humans refused to acknowledge Abaddon’s right to exist, so Abaddon placed itself above its human host. With such opposing viewpoints, endless conflict was inevitable.

“The brain is not the issue. Look at the spine.”

When I shifted my gaze from my head to my lower back, I saw bundles of roots descending along the spinal column. Fine filaments were spreading through the spinal cord and nerves within.

Huh? Did it not usually only root in the brain?

“It has rooted all the way down the spine?”

“It is spreading throughout the entire body via the spine. This is a unique case.”

Master brought up a full-body human scan on the screen. The image of roots spreading throughout every part of the body looked like a preview of my own future.

“Abaddon Queen. Only a Queen extends roots into the entire nervous system.”

“Then the Abaddon inside me is a Queen?”

“Judging by the symptoms, yes. I never expected it to become a Queen.”

“Does becoming an Abaddon Queen create problems?”

It was a controlled Abaddon, after all. It did not seem like it would cause any major issues.

“An Abaddon Queen modifies the host’s body to better suit a Queen. That scan is of a terminated Queen. Look closely at the uterine region.”

Upon closer inspection, I could see roots firmly embedded in both the uterus and ovaries.

“It has rooted in the uterus and ovaries?”

“It modifies the host’s reproductive system into an organ for producing eggs. We theorize it creates unfertilized eggs once a month—similar to ovulation—and expels them into the uterus.”

The idea that a person could lay eggs was fascinating. The Abaddon egg displayed on screen was smaller than a thumb, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠likely because the larva inside was still tiny.

“When this unfertilized egg is inside the uterus and receives sperm, it becomes fertilized and exits through the vagina. If no sperm is present, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠it is naturally expelled after a few days.”

“But how does human sperm fertilize an Abaddon egg?”

“That remains a mystery. We have not determined the exact mechanism used to create an egg containing the host’s ovum, how sperm is introduced, or why an Abaddon larva emerges from the fertilized egg. None of it has been explained.”

Because every specimen was terminated upon discovery, proper research had never been conducted. At best, the larvae and eggs were collected as research materials.

“Is there no way to prevent it?”

“Research is insufficient. Removing nerves to stop the modification would be absurd.”

“That is true.”

Removing the nerves to prevent Abaddon encroachment would leave the person a vegetable. Separation was already impossible. Did we simply have to accept it?

“There was one unusual case. A woman who had definitely become an Abaddon Queen gave birth to her husband’s child. It was a normal pregnancy.”

“How is that possible?”

“We do not know. However, right before she was discovered as a Queen and terminated, she reportedly said that Abaddon is not an enemy and that symbiosis is possible. It seems a Queen is capable of doing something special.”

“What happened to the child and husband?”

“Every nation follows the same basic policy: eliminate anything related to Abaddon. The husband and child were killed as well.”

“That is too cruel.”

It was horrifying that even those who were not infected were executed simply for their association with one. So I was not the only one who had considered the possibility of symbiosis. If I could speak with the Abaddon Queen, perhaps I could learn how she had conceived that child.

As I pondered this, Master spoke with a rare expression of concern.

“You must be careful as well. We may be using the device, but if it is discovered that you are an Abaddon host, you will be killed. You must never undergo a precise scan by anyone other than me.”

“Yes, Master.”

Thoughts of symbiosis with the Abaddon had been circling in my mind since earlier. It seemed pitiful to unconditionally exterminate intelligent beings capable of conversation without even attempting dialogue. It would only bring harm to the future of both species.

“Is there truly no way for us to coexist?”

“Well… it would be impossible without first changing people’s values.”

“If I spoke with it directly, might we find a solution?”

“What?”

Master asked again in surprise, as though she had misheard.

“If we release control and have a conversation.”

“Talk sense. Do you have any idea what could happen?”

“Could we not release it briefly and reassert control afterward?”

I thought that if we released control just long enough for conversation, and reasserted it at the first sign of danger, everything would be fine. Since it claimed to protect the host, I doubted it would turn aggressive the moment control was lifted.

“Above all, there is no reason to take such a risk. Why invite unnecessary danger?”

“Please. My body belongs to you, Master, but I truly wish to try this.”

Master, who had been staring in disbelief, looked flustered by my plea. Soon her expression grew serious.

“Your first request is something this dangerous. What a bold slave. You will not regret it?”

“No. I believe that if anything goes wrong, Master will resolve it.”

My faith in my Master was absolute. Being a genius, she would surely be able to find clues to true symbiosis with the Abaddon.

“Very well. As the price for using you, I suppose I should grant at least one request. Shall we do it now?”

“Yes.”

“Then let us prepare. Sit in the chair.”

After manipulating the computer to make preparations, Master reconnected the implant and once again took control of my body. Ah, this feeling. It was not something one should say in this situation, but having control of my body taken away felt incredibly good.

“I will freeze everything below the neck. That way, even in an emergency, you will be unable to move, making it easier to respond. Are you ready?”

“Yes.”

“Then I am releasing control.”

When Master released control, I felt a faint presence inside me. It was a truly strange sensation—different from having my brain read by the implant.

“Do you feel anything?”

“Yes. It feels as though someone is inside me.”

The presence gradually grew stronger. As it expanded, my own sense of self seemed to shrink. Ah, so this was what coexisting with an Abaddon felt like. It was the sensation of two beings sharing one body. When the entity’s presence reached roughly twenty percent, I felt a small will. That will was trying to convey something to me. It was still too faint to understand clearly, but it definitely possessed intent and was attempting to communicate.

“That entity is trying to convey its will, but it is still too small.”

“It seems the self that was suppressed by control is growing rapidly now.”

“The entity’s presence is growing larger.”

As time passed, the ratio continued to increase. With it, I felt the control of my head beginning to split. Even moving my eyes or turning my head met with interference. While I was startled by my head moving against my will, the presence surged past fifty percent.

“Hello. Nice to meet you.”

“Huh? What is this?”

The moment it crossed fifty percent, my mouth moved and spoke without any input from my own will.

“Thank you for releasing control. Thanks to you, I have gained self-awareness.”

“Uh… nice to meet you. I am Elisha.”

“I have no name.”

It was fascinating to hear one voice speaking in two distinctly different tones. My head and eyes moved on their own, turning to look at Master.

“From Elisha’s memories, you are the one who was controlling me, correct? Isabel.”

“To think an Abaddon would speak directly through its host’s body. I never imagined this.”

“Elisha, your desire for coexistence is truly touching. But I will become angry if Isabel tries to control me again.”

“Master released control at my request. If you are not dangerous, she probably will not reassert it.”

This conversation was for the sake of coexistence. If the Abaddon Queen showed clear willingness to coexist, I believed Master would accept its existence.

“Abaddon—or rather, what should I call you?”

“I am myself. I have no name.”

“Then may I simply call you Abaddon?”

“I dislike that. It is the collective term you humans use for us.”

“Hmm. Then how about Maria?”

In Eden, Maria was the mother of God. Since this being was the Queen of a species, the name seemed fitting.

“Maria? I rather like it. As expected of my host.”

“Then from now on, I will call you Maria.”

“Good. From now on, my name is Maria. Thank you.”

Master had been watching our exchange with an expression of utter disbelief. She finally sighed and spoke.

“Why are you two so friendly? Who would believe this is a conversation between a being of terror and its host?”

“We are not beings of terror.”

“Maria seems kind.”

“Wait. Leave some pause between your sentences. It is confusing.”

It seemed Master was having difficulty because two separate beings were ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠using one body.

“Anyway, Maria, what exactly are you Abaddons?”

“Asking someone born so recently about the nature of Abaddon is difficult.”

“You are a Queen, Maria. Surely you know something?”

“Well… not much.”

I could feel Maria’s troubled emotions. Huh? Could I sense Maria’s feelings?

“Was the question too broad? Is the reason Abaddon treats humans as enemies because humans treat Abaddon as enemies?”

“That is correct. Is it not instinct for any living thing to protect itself? If the precious human hosts did not treat us as enemies, there would be no reason to fight.”

“Do you understand why humans are reluctant to have parasitic organisms living inside their bodies?”

“That is strange. Human bodies already live in symbiosis with countless organisms. Why are we not allowed?”

Maria’s counterquestion left Master momentarily speechless. After stroking her chin in thought for a moment, Master spoke again.

“At least microorganisms lack will and intelligence. We usually do not even notice their existence.”

“Is the fact that we possess intelligence the problem? We have never harmed humans first.”

“As a Queen, you intend to modify Elisha’s reproductive organs, correct? That constitutes harm to a human.”

“I am simply enabling the laying of Abaddon eggs. She can still give birth to ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠human children normally.”

So it truly was possible to have human children. That woman who had been terminated must have conceived that way.

“So it really was possible to have a baby. Then how does human sperm fertilize an Abaddon egg?”

“It would be convenient, but sperm is not strictly necessary. If an Abaddon child is desired, an egg containing one can simply be produced.”

“What? Is it asexual reproduction?”

“No, it is not self-division. It uses the host’s ovum and mixes in Abaddon genes.”

How was such a thing possible? Did that mean Abaddon genes already contained human genetic information?

“Then Abaddon absorbs the host’s genes to evolve?”

“You could say that. The reason we possess such high intelligence is thanks to absorbing human genes.”

“So that is why you called them precious hosts.”

“Yes. Elisha, your genes will raise the genetic perfection of the next generation’s children.”

Once again, I felt Maria’s gratitude flow through me. It seemed we were sharing not only a body but emotions as well.