[#] Thanks a lot to those who have followed Lovenexus so far. I've decided to put the story on an indefinite hiatus due to low interest from the general public and Ko-fi subscribers.
I really appreciate the support from those who stuck with it. You made the ride worth it.
Maybe one day I'll return to it, with fresh ideas and motivation. Until then, thank you.
[#] As always, Ko-fi subscribers have access to 5 chapters ahead, plans start at 1 dollar.
[#] WARNING!!! I wrote this text a long time ago, almost a year ago. I had no intention of making a social or political critique of any movement from the last few weeks. Any form of criticism in this text was made by accident.
COMMENTS:
Kyndig[scribblehub]: Brushing lol, well grooming is important.
Avip: If long hair takes a lot of work to take care of, imagine the hair/mane of a manticore.
-S2-LoveNexus Corp. – Where Innovation and Love meet!-S2-
[Image]
The sun shines high, golden light bathing the asphalt.
A group of children, colorful backpacks on their backs, cross the street. Laughter echoes, mixing with the distant sound of a car.
In this typical suburban scene, with the exception of one thing that stands out. A large insect mamono, specifically a soldier beetle, accompanies a group of children acting as a crossing guard. Her black eyes reflect the light, her heavy body moving with surprising grace.
[Image/ She has a centaur insect body, but I made just the human part]
"Come on, everyone! The playground is this way." A boy shouts, pointing to the right.
The soldier beetle nods, her face expressionless, but her eyes alert.
"Be careful, little ones." The mamono with an immense body resembling a centaur arthropod says. "Look both ways before crossing."
Intimidated by the corpulent monster girl, the children obey, looking left, then right. The street is empty, except for the distant sound of the engine. They begin to cross, their voices loud, excited.
"I want to go on the swing!"
"I'm going on the slide!"
The soldier beetle follows alongside, her enormous body protecting the group. The sound of the engine gets louder, closer. She pauses, her black eyes focusing in the direction of the sound.
"Wait," she orders to the car, her voice firm.
The children stop, looking at her with curiosity. The sound of the engine is now a roar, the car visible in the distance, approaching at dangerous speed.
"Stand back," she commands, her body already in motion.
The children run towards the sidewalk.
In the distance, the mamono faces the driver, a middle-aged man with his cell phone in hand, oblivious to the danger.
"Stop!" The Mamono shouts, moving towards the car, pointing a sign at it. "This is a school zone, you need to slow down."
The driver didn't slow down, distracted by his cell phone.
"Please!" The soldier beetle pleads with the car dangerously close. "Slow down your vehicle."
The distressed mamono tries everything to signal to the car heading towards her, but it's in vain.
VRUUUUUUUM!
The car passes by her, ignoring the large mamono completely.
Seeing the vehicle pass, the Soldier Beetle noticed that thanks to her attention focused on the car, something had gone unnoticed by her.
One of the children was left behind.
Smaller than the others, she stood paralyzed in the middle of the asphalt. Her eyes squeezed shut, tears streaming down her cheeks. The roar of the engine seemed to swallow her, the fear of being run over dominating every thought.
"Mommy," she whispers, her body trembling.
But the impact doesn't come. Instead, there's a metallic sound, a grinding of something enormous being contorted. The child opens her eyes, slowly, her heart pounding in her chest.
The soldier beetle is there, her enormous insect claw easily holding the car, lifting it from the ground, preventing its advance. The driver, pale, looks out the window, his eyes wide with shock. The soldier beetle doesn't move, her face expressionless, her faceted eyes fixed on the child.
"It's okay," she says, her voice calm, emotionless. "You're safe."
The child looks up, her eyes still teary.
"S-sorry." The frightened child stutters. "I... I can't move."
The soldier beetle nods, her claw still holding the car firmly.
"Breathe deeply. Slowly inhale, an then exhale."
The child obeys, her chest rising and falling with each breath. The fear is still there, but the presence of the soldier beetle, firm and still, offers a strange comfort.
"That's right," the soldier beetle continues, her voice low. "You're safe. Nothing will hurt you."
The driver, now recovered from the initial shock, looks at the soldier beetle, then at the child.
"I... I'm sorry. I didn't see..."
The soldier beetle ignores him, her focus entirely on the child.
"When you're ready, take a step back. Slowly."
The child nods, her body still trembling, but now with less intensity. She takes a step back, then another, her eyes never leaving the soldier beetle. When she is finally out of the street, the soldier beetle releases the car, her enormous body relaxing.
"You were very brave," she says, her voice still calm. "Now, let's go to the playground. The other children are waiting."
The child nods, a shy smile appearing on her face. She turns and runs, joining the group, laughter echoing again down the street. The soldier beetle watches, her face expressionless, but there's a soft gleam in her faceted eyes.
The driver, still pale, tries to turn the key in the ignition. The engine rumbles, but the car doesn't move. He tries again, pressing the accelerator hard, but the result is the same.
"What the...?" He murmurs, frustration growing. "Why isn't it working?"
The soldier beetle approaches, her enormous body blocking the sunlight. She bends down, her faceted eyes analyzing the car.
"I damaged your vehicle," she says, her voice calm, emotionless. "When I lifted it, I applied too much pressure. I apologize."
The driver looks at her, his eyes wide with disbelief.
"Apologies? Are you kidding me? I'm going to sue you! Do you have any idea how much this will cost me?"
The soldier beetle tilts her head, her eyes blinking in confusion.
"Sue? I don't understand the meaning of that word. Is it some kind of human ritual?"
The driver snorts, frustration now mixed with anger.
-S2-LoveNexus Corp. – Where Innovation and Love meet!-S2-
The television studio is a whirlwind of activity. Cameras move, wires snake across the floor, and voices overlap in organized chaos. In the center of it all, the reporter adjusts her earpiece, her eyes fixed on the camera in front of her. The red light blinks, indicating they are on air.
"Good evening, dear viewers. We interrupt our programming to bring you breaking news. A soldier beetle, one of the so-called monster girls, has been prosecuted and arrested for destruction of private property."
The screen splits, showing the reporter on one side and an image of the soldier beetle being led away by police on the other. The mamono does not resist, her face expressionless, her faceted eyes reflecting the lights of the patrol cars.
"The accusation is serious. The soldier beetle allegedly lifted a car with her claws, causing extensive damage to the vehicle. The owner, who prefers not to be identified, claims that the mamono acted aggressively and without provocation."
The reporter pauses, her eyes serious.
"However, there's more to this story than meets the eye. Sources close to the case revealed that the driver was speeding in a school zone. The soldier beetle, who was acting as a crossing guard in the area, intervened to protect a child who was in the street."
The screen changes, showing the street where the incident occurred. Children play in the background, oblivious to the unfolding drama. The reporter continues, her voice firm.
"The child, whom we prefer not to identify, was paralyzed with fear in the middle of the street. The soldier beetle, upon realizing the danger, acted quickly, lifting the car and preventing a tragedy."
The camera returns to the reporter, her face serious.
"The question now is: did the soldier beetle act justifiably in protecting the child, or do her actions constitute a crime? The police are investigating, and we expect more details in the coming hours."
The reporter pauses, her eyes fixed on the camera.
"This case raises important questions about the coexistence between humans and mamono. How far does each one's responsibility go? And what are the limits of justice when lives are at stake?"
-S2-LoveNexus Corp. – Where Innovation and Love meet!-S2-
Night falls, but the commotion in front of the prison does not subside. Camera lights flash, illuminating the gray facade of the building. In the center of the turmoil, the reporter adjusts her microphone, her eyes attentive to the divided crowd.
"We are live, in front of the prison where the detained soldier beetle is about to be released. As you can see, the situation here is tense. Two groups of protesters confront each other, each with their own view on the case."
The camera pans, capturing the red faces and raised voices of the protesters. On one side, signs with messages of support for the soldier beetle. On the other, banners demanding justice and safety.
The reporter turns to the camera, her expression serious.
"Here, we have two distinct points of view. On one side, protesters demand the release of the soldier beetle. They argue that she acted correctly in saving the child and that her arrest was a mistake."
The camera focuses on a group of people with colorful signs. A middle-aged woman, with determined eyes, steps forward.
"She saved a life! That cannot be ignored. The soldier beetle is not a monster, she is a hero!"
Beside her, a younger man, wearing a T-shirt printed with the image of an insect, adds:
"She deserves recognition, not punishment. Her strength is an advantage, not a threat."
The reporter nods, then turns to the other side of the street. The camera follows her movement, revealing a group with banners and tense faces.
"On the other side, we have those who believe the soldier beetle is dangerous and should remain imprisoned."
A man in a suit, with a severe expression, steps forward.
"She is a public threat. Yes, she saved the child, but what about next time? What if she loses control? We cannot risk everyone's safety for an isolated act."
Beside him, a woman with a megaphone shouts:
"Uncontrolled force is dangerous! She must stay behind bars, for everyone's sake!"
The reporter intervenes, trying to maintain calm.
"As you can see, the situation is complex and opinions are polarized. The final decision will be up to justice, but pressure from both sides is intense."
The crowd, already electrified, bursts into shouts when the prison doors open. Four armed guards emerge, escorting the soldier beetle. Her robust body, covered by the glistening exoskeleton, contrasts with the cold illumination of the emergency lights. The eyes of the crowd fix on her, a mixture of admiration and fear.
"There she is!"
"Release the soldier beetle!"
"Justice! Lock her up again!"
The shouts overlap, creating a cacophony of voices. The reporter, trying to maintain composure, turns to the camera.
"The prison doors open and the soldier beetle is escorted by four armed guards. The crowd tries to advance, but the security cordon formed by the police stops them."
The camera captures the tension. Police officers with shields and batons form a human barrier, containing the pushing crowd trying to get closer. The soldier beetle, impassive, walks with firm steps, her eyes fixed forward.
A woman in the crowd, with tears in her eyes, shouts:
"You are a hero! Don't let them arrest you again!"
Beside her, a man with a banner shouts back:
"She's dangerous! Keep her away from the children!"
The soldier beetle doesn't react, her face expressionless. The guards lead her to a white van, the purple heart logo of LoveNexus standing out on its side. The van door opens, and she enters, disappearing from the crowd's sight.
The reporter, trying to capture the scene, turns to the camera.
The van pulls away, leaving behind a cloud of dust and the tumultuous crowd. The reporter, breathless, tries to end the broadcast.
"And so, the soldier beetle is taken away by LoveNexus. The situation here remains tense, and the final decision about her fate is yet to come. Stay tuned for more updates."
The camera turns off, and the reporter takes a deep breath, trying to regain her composure. The crowd slowly begins to disperse, but the tension in the air remains. The soldier beetle's future is uncertain, but one thing is clear: her heroic action will not be forgotten anytime soon.
-S2-LoveNexus Corp. – Where Innovation and Love meet!-S2-
In the enclosed garden behind the LoveNexus building, Kleber walks alongside Rajah, Lis, and Felizia. The sun filters through the leaves, creating a play of light and shadow on the moss-covered ground. Felizia, with an exaggerated yawn, breaks the silence.
"What a boring forest. There's nothing dangerous here, not a single giant beasts to hunt here." The manticore complains loudly. "What are we doing here?"
Rajah, with a severe look, replies:
"Foolish undisciplined one. We are on our way to the Soldier Beetle's den."
Felizia raises an eyebrow, intrigued, and asks:
"Soldier Beetle? Like those giant insects? What for?"
Lis adjusts her hood, revealing just enough of her face for her gray eyes to catch the faint light of the forest.
"This Soldier Beetle had a tough week. She's very depressed by what some humans said about her." The Banshee says in a disheartened tone. "Kleber was called to cheer her up and prevent other mamono from being discouraged from helping humans in risky situations."
Felizia snorts, her green eyes gleaming with disdain.
"What kind of weak mamono gets sad because of what stupid humans think?"
Kleber, trying to keep calm, replies:
"That's what I'm here for, Felizia, to understand how she is, to see how I can help and..." Kleber trails off, embarrassed, but doesn't finish.
Unfortunately for Kleber, the manticore finishes.
"FUCK!" Felizia shouts with a mischievous smile on her face.
The sound echoes through the garden, making the birds fly away startled. Kleber blushes, but maintains his composure. Rajah, with a sigh, continues to lead the group along the stone path.
Lis, in a calm and cold voice, warns Felizia:
"Don't underestimate the situation. The Soldier Beetle saved a child and was arrested for it." The banshee informs. "Other mamono might be incentivized not to help humans if they think this is the standard outcome."
Felizia rolls her eyes, but follows in silence.
The group continues walking in silence, the sound of their footsteps muffled by the soft moss. After a few more minutes, they reach the base of an immense tree, its trunk wide and gnarled, with a dark, deep hole at its base. Kleber looks around, confused.
"Where is her?"
Rajah, with a serious look, replies:
"She hasn't left her den since she was released from jail."
Feeling sorry for the insect mamono, Kleber steps forward, approaching the opening of the hole.
Kleber approaches the dark opening at the base of the tree. Sunlight barely penetrates the darkness of the hole, but he can distinguish the outline of a tunnel descending into the unknown.
"Is anyone there?" Kleber calls, his voice echoing in the emptiness. No response.
He leans further inside, trying to see better.
"Are you okay?" The human asks, concerned about the mamono. "I came to talk to you."
Suddenly, the damp moss beneath his feet gives way. Kleber slips, his arms flailing for support. But it's too late. He falls into the hole, the darkness swallowing him whole.
"Kleber-dono!" Rajah shouts, seeing Kleber disappear, the tigress advances, worried.
She reaches the edge of the hole, her yellow eyes gleaming with concern. But instead of darkness, she sees Kleber being lifted from the hole by a gigantic claw.
Rajah sighs in relief as the figure of the Soldier Beetle emerges from the shadows carrying Kleber, her black eyes faintly glowing.
The Soldier Beetle, with slow and careful movements, places Kleber back on the ground. The mamono's body is covered by a shining carapace, her wings folded on her back. Her insectoid eyes, normally expressionless, carry a deep sadness.
The Soldier Beetle lowers her head, her antennae trembling slightly. Her voice, normally firm and resonant, comes out weak, almost a whisper.
"You need to be more careful, human. The forest hides dangers your eyes don't see."
Still catching his breath, Kleber looks at the insect mamono. Her carapace shines under the faint light filtering through the treetops, but her eyes are dull, reflecting a deep sadness.
"Sorry if I hurt you." The Soldier Beetle continues, her voice laden with guilt. "It wasn't my intention."
Kleber's eyes widen, surprised by the Soldier Beetle's words. The insect mamono, with her shining carapace and dull eyes, looks like an imposing statue, but her voice carries a palpable sadness.
"You didn't hurt me." Kleber replies, his voice firm. "I just slipped. I came here to talk to you, not to judge you."
The Soldier Beetle lowers her head, her antennae trembling slightly. Her voice, normally firm and resonant, comes out weak, almost a whisper.
"I'm just a dumb monster. I didn't mean to hurt you, but you'd better leave. I'm going back to my hole."
Kleber takes a step forward, his eyes fixed on the mamono's.
"You're not dumb. And I'm not going anywhere." Kleber says, his voice firm. "I came here to understand what happened, to help. Not to run away."
The Soldier Beetle raises her head, her black eyes blinking in surprise. Her carapace shines under the faint light, but the sadness still lingers in the air.
"Why do you want to help? But I'm just a dangerous insect, a freak."
Kleber smiles, a small but genuine and warm smile.
"Because you are good, you saved a child. Because you are more than a mamono, not an abomination. And because I want to understand, I want to help."
The Soldier Beetle looks at Kleber, her eyes shining with a new emotion. The sadness is still there, but now there's a gleam of hope, a spark of life.
"I... I don't know what to say." The mamono murmurs, her voice trembling.
Kleber extends his hand, a simple gesture, yet full of meaning.
"Say what you feel, what you think. I'm here to listen, to understand."
The Soldier Beetle hesitates, her eyes fixed on Kleber's outstretched hand. Slowly, she raises her claw, her movements careful, almost shy. The claw touches Kleber's hand, a light touch, yet filled with trust.
Kleber leads the Soldier Beetle to a cluster of twisted roots, forming a natural bench. She sits, her carapace gleaming under the faint light that penetrates the treetops. The insect mamono lowers her head, her antennae trembling slightly.
"I just wanted to help." She murmurs, her voice laden with sadness. "That child, she was going to get run over. I couldn't let that happen."
Kleber sits beside her, his eyes fixed on the mamono's. Her carapace shines, but her eyes are dull, reflecting a deep sadness.
"You did the right thing." Kleber says, his voice firm. "You saved a life. That's an amazing thing."
The Soldier Beetle sighs, a heavy sound, laden with guilt.
"But I hurt the human's car. They arrested me, said I was dangerous, that I was a monster."
Kleber shakes his head, his eyes shining with determination.
"What happened to you is unfair. You didn't deserve to be treated that way. You are a wonderful being, Soldier Beetle. Don't let the words of some humans make you doubt that."
The insect mamono raises her head, her black eyes blinking in surprise. Her carapace shines, but the sadness still lingers in the air.
"But... but I'm just a dumb mamono."
Kleber smiles, a small but genuine smile.
"You are much more than that. You are brave, kind, and strong. You saved a life, Soldier Beetle. That makes you an incredible being."
The Soldier Beetle looks at Kleber, her eyes shining with a new emotion. The sadness is still there, but now there's a gleam of hope, a spark of life.
"I... I never thought of it that way." She murmurs, her voice trembling.
Kleber extends his hand, a simple gesture, yet full of meaning.
"Keep being who you are, Soldier Beetle. Keep helping, saving lives. The world needs more beings like you."
The insect mamono hesitates, her eyes fixed on Kleber's outstretched hand. Slowly, she raises her claw, her movements careful, almost shy. The claw touches Kleber's hand, a light touch, yet filled with trust.
"Thank you." She whispers, her voice laden with emotion. "Thank you for seeing me as more than a mamono."
Kleber smiles, a warm, genuine smile.
"You're welcome, Soldier Beetle. And remember, you are incredible. Never doubt that."
The Soldier Beetle nods, her eyes shining with a new determination. The sadness is still there, but now there's a strength, a will to move forward.