Given the new info, how do you think FRIEND works?

For anyone out of the know, there has been some new dialogue from Mew's body in Chapter 5 which heavily implies that FRIEND is some sort of swarm of creatures and not the singular entity from Chapter 3 as many assumed.

However, there is quite a bit of evidence to still show the opposite, however many are thinking that BOTH could be true. So, what are your personal opinions on which is the best?

For brevity: FRIEND = The whole of the entity. BigFriend = The singular Friend from Chapter 3. Friendlings = Tiny Friend.

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A - Friendlings are able to transform into BigFriend by combining, and vice versa via splitting. However, Friendlings are the 'main' form of FRIEND.

B - Friendlings are able to transform into BigFriend by combining, and vice versa via splitting. However, BigFriend is the 'main' form of FRIEND.

C - BigFriend and Friendlings are fundamentally different elements of FRIEND, and BigFriend serves as the Friendlings' leader.

D - BigFriend is just a large Friendling, like a lion among cats. They all are the same mentally/positionally.

E - BigFriend doesn't exist, and the Chapter 3 appearance was just a metaphor/red herring. Only Friendlings exist.

F - Other (Comment)