Edwin felt a shadow loom over him. A pulse of dread raced down his spine as he opened his eyes slowly.
The warden trainee's mandibles had been stopped—just inches from Edwin's face. Frozen mid-swing.
Ari stood between them, gripping the attacker's blades with both hands. His palms were clamped tight around the jagged mandibles, skin indenting faintly at the edges, but he didn't flinch. His knees were bent slightly, feet planted evenly against the floor. The tension in his arms was controlled, anchored. Not a tremble in his posture.
The ant struggled, trying to wrench his mandibles free, but they didn't budge. His expression twisted with disbelief.
"That's enough." Ari's voice was low, his grip tightening ever so slightly around the mandibles.
The trainee froze.
"How dare you raise your mandibles against your own?" Ari's voice stayed quiet, but the tone dropped—low and measured. Each syllable landed like a stone.
He let go with one hand, raised a single finger, and flicked the trainee's forehead with a sharp, precise motion. The sound cracked through the tunnel.
The warden stumbled back two steps, blinking in shock—then lost his balance and fell onto his rear with a dull thud, coughing from the dust.His limbs twitched slightly as he tried to sit up, eyes wide.
"Report back to your respective zone. Now. Or your Nurturers may hear of this."
A pause followed, broken only by the faint rustling of feet.
"He's... he's a military ant," one of the other trainees muttered under his breath, eyes wide.
Without another word, the group scrambled. Two of them grabbed the stunned one by the arms, dragging him upright. They stumbled slightly as they pulled him away, footsteps uneven, echoing against the stone walls of the tunnel as they fled.
Edwin coughed, lifting a shaky hand to his chest. His heartbeat hadn't slowed yet. He pushed himself to a sitting position, gaze still locked on Ari.
"Wait... you're Ari?" he asked, the name leaving his mouth slow and tentative, suspended between awe and confusion.
Ari took a step forward, brushing dust from his palms. He gave a faint smirk.
"You haven't changed a bit since I last saw you, have you, Edwin? Still stirring up trouble, huh?"
Edwin gave a sheepish laugh, glancing off to the side. "I wasn't... well, maybe a little." His eyes flicked toward Isabella.
She was seated on the ground, back pressed against the tunnel wall. Her arms hugged her knees tightly to her chest. Her shoulders trembled with small, uneven shakes. Her cheeks were wet, thin streaks glinting in the soft light that filtered in. Her antennae drooped low, brushing gently against her own arms. She looked up at Ari, and when their eyes met, her breath caught. There was recognition in her stare—but more than that, disbelief. She wiped at her cheeks with the back of her hand, smearing the moisture away in quick swipes.
Ari crouched down in front of her, careful not to move too fast. His movements were deliberate. He lowered himself until their eyes were level.
"You didn't deserve that," he said softly. "And you're not weak for choosing a different path from the one you're destined for."
Isabella's lips parted. She looked like she wanted to speak, but nothing came out.
"If you feel you contribute more to the colony as a worker than a soldier, that's your decision. No one else gets to mock you for it. They don't know your heart."
Her breathing steadied a little. She sniffed and nodded, the movement small but certain.
"Whatever you decide," Ari continued, "do it with no regret, okay?"
Her fingers curled into small fists against her thighs. She took in a shaky inhale and let out a breath.
Her lips parted—then trembled. No words came. She lowered her eyes for a moment, lashes still damp.
What if they're right? What if I really am weak?
But then she looked at Ari again. His expression hadn't changed. Still calm. Still waiting.
She took in a shaky inhale and let out a breath before offering him a faint smile, tear-lined but genuine.
"Y-Yes," she said, voice soft but steady.
Ari offered a small nod, then helped her to her feet.
Edwin exhaled hard, brushing dirt from his knees.
"Aww, that was kind of sweet," a voice called out behind them, light and teasing.
Ari turned his head as Lily strolled into view. Her arms were folded behind her head, posture relaxed, but her eyes scanned the scene with sharp awareness.
"Wow, Ari, you've gotten faster since I last saw you in action," she said, stopping beside them and brushing some dust off her shoulder. "I didn't even realize you'd disappeared until that ant went flying."
She jerked a thumb behind her toward the exit of the tunnel. "Although, maybe you could've gone a little easier on the kid. You probably traumatized him... and his friends."
"I just flicked his forehead," Ari replied, blinking. "It wasn't serious... hopefully."
Lily grinned. "I'll take your word for it. Anyway, let's head to the Nurturers—we don't have much time."
She turned and started walking, waving a hand casually. "And try not to sweep her off her feet, okay? She's still young, after all." She threw a playful glance over her shoulder at Isabella.
Ari frowned, his brow tightening. "Hey, what do you mean? I wasn't— I was just offering advice!"
"Mhm. Sure," Lily said, tone thick with amusement.
They exited the tunnel, and a wave of warm, still air pressed against their skin, carrying the faint scent of compacted soil and damp minerals. In the open space ahead—where the pathways to all three Nurture zones converged—several younger ants raced around, their footsteps tapping lightly across the smoothed stone floor. A few Nurturers stood at the perimeter, quietly observing. The soft murmur of conversation mingled with bursts of laughter, echoing gently off the curved chamber walls.
Ari slowed.
A short distance away, Princess Tanya stood quietly. She wasn't looking at anyone in particular—her gaze drifted toward the younger ants playing. One hand rested loosely at her side, the other clasped just in front of her waist.
Ari's breath caught in his throat. "Princess Tanya…" he muttered.
After the battle at Hopper's fortress... I never got the chance to speak with her.
Everything moved too fast. Too much happening all at once.
I wonder if she's alright. After everything she's been through...
Did anyone even bother to ask?
He almost took a step toward her. Almost.
As if pulled by the sound, Tanya looked up. Their eyes met across the open space.
Color immediately flushed into her cheeks. She averted her gaze, but not before a small smile betrayed her surprise—just a tug at the corner of her lips, but it was enough.
Lily caught it. She drifted closer to Ari and, without warning, hooked her arm through his.
He stiffened. "Hey—what are you doing?"
"I feel tired," Lily said smoothly, resting her head against his shoulder. "Let me brace on you for a minute."
Ari stared at her. "I feel like you're doing this on purpose."
"Whatever do you mean?" she said innocently, tilting her head just slightly.
Tanya continued to watch them. Her eyes dropped to Lily's hand on Ari's arm, then to the floor. Her expression didn't change, but something behind her gaze dimmed slightly. She stepped back, fingers interlocked before her. Then she turned.
"Princess Tanya? You're leaving already?" Orsena asked, appearing from the opposite direction.
"Yes. I have… something I need to do." Her voice was soft, almost clipped. She walked away without another glance.
Lily gently released her grip, her touch slipping from his arm. "Well, that was fun," she said lightly, though her gaze remained locked on Ari's face, watching his reaction carefully.
Ari exhaled through his nose, his eyes narrowing faintly. "You're really something else," he muttered.
She gave him a mock salute. "And you wouldn't want me any other way."
The tunnel gradually widened, the close-packed dirt walls opening into a broad chamber that branched into all the Nurturing Zones. Faint blue light glimmered from cultivated patches of bioluminescent moss embedded along the earthen walls, casting a steady, soft glow over the smooth-packed floor. The chamber carried a dense warmth—not from sunlight, but from the body heat of dozens of young ants already gathered. The air was thick with the rich scent of soil, a trace of dry dust, and the faint tang of fermented pollen clinging to the walls and floor.
Ari's feet sank just slightly into the firm but pliant dirt as he and Lily stepped through the archway into the main Nurturing Zone. The packed ground softened each step, dulling the sound until it blended into the steady background of faint movements and antennae brushing in anticipation.
A tall ant stepped forward, posture straight, and raised her arm.
"All lined up!" the instructor's sharp voice cut across the low hum of chatter. "Stand straight. Visitors are arriving."
The young trainees moved at once, feet shifting, antennae adjusting, a few quick exhales breaking the silence as rows formed in seconds—torsos locking upright, feet squared, antennae twitching in restrained alertness.
Then, a familiar voice—warm and touched with surprise—broke through the stillness.
"Oh— is that you, Lily?"
From the front line, Orsena stepped out. Her eyes locked on the shorter Lieutenant. "I haven't seen you since you finished your training here. It's been quite a while."
Lily's step slowed. Her shoulders tensed, and she shifted her gaze toward the wall, pretending to study the faint glow of moss embedded in the dirt. "I'm… just here giving this ant a tour," she muttered, motioning vaguely toward Ari without turning her head.
Ari glanced between them, noting Lily's tight jaw and how her antennae angled slightly back.
Orsena tilted her head, a knowing smile curling her lips."A tour? I heard from Edmund you used to sneak away from his supervision to train with the military ants. At first, I was furious. You were disobedient, stubborn, reckless—but now look at you." Her voice softened. "A full-fledged Lieutenant. You've really grown on me."
Lily pressed her lips into a thin line. She gave a short nod but stayed silent.
From the back of the chamber, a calm, deep voice carried forward.
"We were expecting you two."
From the dim space near the instructor's quarters, a broad-shouldered ant stepped out. His deliberate steps barely disturbed the dirt floor. His polished exoskeleton bore the faint marks of past battles, and on his left shoulder, four overlapping petals were painted in clean white pigment.
"Commander Valeria sent word," he said evenly. "She mentioned a soldier with a tour guide. Described someone with dark hair and a tense face." His eyes settled on Ari. "That would be you. I'm Sergeant Drex, Warden Nurturer."
So that's what Valeria thinks of me? And she's the one who's always uptight, Ari thought, suppressing the urge to raise an eyebrow.
Drex extended his hand. Ari stepped forward and took it, his grip steady but not forceful. Drex's handshake was firm, controlled—like testing Ari's measure without turning it into a contest.
"I've heard a great deal about your efforts up top," Drex continued. "You've made quite the impact. It's good to finally meet you."
Ari gave a respectful nod. "Likewise."
Drex turned toward the rows of trainees, voice rising without losing its calm edge. "Trainees, attention. These two are Lieutenants. Recently promoted, they serve directly under Commander Valeria. You are to address them as Lieutenant Lily and Lieutenant Ari."
The formation stirred with low murmurs. A few trainees shifted their weight or traded glances.
"No way…" Edwin, a young trainee in the back, whispered under his breath. "Ari's a Lieutenant already? Last time he was here, he was just a Lance Corporal. Who would make someone as stupid and weak as him Lieutenant?!"
Four rows over, Korrin eyed Lily, blinking. "Wait, that short one is a Lieutenant? I thought she was a worker ant or something."
Before he could go further, the trainee beside him—Vira—smacked him on the shoulder. The sharp crack of chitin on chitin drew quick glances.
Korrin winced, rubbing the spot. "Hey! Quit it!"
"Show some respect to your superior, Korrin," Vira said, her voice flat but firm.
Orsena stepped toward Ari. "I'm Orsena, Worker Nurturer. I guide ants born into the labor caste—those who serve through industriousness, compassion, and tradition. I teach them to dig tunnels, care for the young, gather food, coordinate work, and maintain the colony's stability."
She gestured toward a small group off to the side. "That one there just completed training in food allocation. And the one beside her led her peers in building a new tunnel within this zone."
Ari followed her gesture, noting the dirt clinging to the young ants' knees and forearms. Their antennae lifted slightly when his eyes met theirs. He gave them a short, respectful nod.
A sturdier-built female stepped forward next. Chips marked her mandibles sheathed at her sides, and a thin scar crossed above one eye ridge.
"Corporal Torra," she introduced herself. "I train those called to the military caste. But fighting isn't just about charging forward. I test their hearts. They need the iron will to fight battles that seem impossible, even when they're outclassed or drowning in fear. It's our duty to protect the colony—and we must be ready to lay our lives down for its survival. If any of the younger ones fear battle, we don't call it weakness—we reassign them."
She folded her arms. "Some are better suited for enforcement—patrols, protection, prison control. That's where our Wardens come in."
Drex stepped forward again. "Wardens are trained differently. Our lessons are mental, not just physical. We select those who avoid the front lines—not out of cowardice, but because they understand the weight of violence. That awareness becomes their strength."
He looked across the room. "They enforce order. Intervene before blood spills. And if they must act… they act with restraint."
The chamber went still. The warmth in the air seemed heavier now with so many gathered. The earthy scent was stronger near the floor. From far off, the faint rhythm of pickaxes against dirt reached them.
"They've come a long way," Lily finally said, her voice lighter than before.
Drex glanced at her. "You think so?"
She nodded. "Back when I was down here, most couldn't even swing a pickaxe fifty times in a row. Couldn't hold a defensive stance without losing their footing. Or crying."
Drex chuckled. "Well, when you put it like that, it's true. They are our future—so they should be stronger."
"Well, that pretty much wraps up this part of the colony," Lily said to Ari. "Let's take our leave."
"Oh? Leaving so soon?" Drex asked, one brow ridge rising. "I thought you'd want to spend more time with the young ones… or at least see the full layout."
"As much as I want to, that won't be necessary," Lily replied. "We've got a few more places to check out."
"I see. Well, in that case, see you around," Torra said.
"Hey, Lily—don't you dare forget me!" Orsena called after her, waving both arms. "If you don't visit often, I'll drag you back myself!"
Lily let out a small sigh, antennae twitching faintly as she kept walking. "Yeah, yeah… I won't forget."