The narrow, branching tunnel soon opened into a large, quiet chamber. The air within was immediately warmer and more humid than the main passages, carrying a distinct, medicinal scent of sap and moss.
The space was bathed in a soft, steady emerald-green light, emanating from thick patches of bioluminescent fungi cultivated along the rough, earthen walls and woven into the high ceiling roots. The gentle glow provided a constant, soothing illumination, eliminating harsh shadows.
Structures designed for rest lined the chamber. These were not conventional bedding, but elevated basins meticulously woven from slender, dried sticks and large, soft leaves. The composite material formed deep, supportive shapes, appearing both firm and naturally comfortable, prepared for the wounded.
Nova lay on one such bed. She had buried her face in the heaped leaves, her hair sticking slightly to her moist skin. The leaf bandage Quinn had secured still covered her temple.
Her mind replayed the sharp memory of the Centipede's massive exoskeleton bursting from the ground, leaving the ragged pit. The sensory flicker of Ari's body then willingly plunging into that void after her. The memory shifted: the sight of him later, while they were returning to the colony, disoriented and bleeding, stumbling rapidly away into the forest.
Why did you go... when you were injured badly.
Her chest felt tight beneath her chitin.
Please... be okay Ari.
She turned her head, her gaze fixed on the ceiling. A light line of sweat slid down her face.
A soft crunch of footsteps touched the corridor outside.
Multiple sets.
Heavy. Light. Unfamiliar.
Her antennae snapped forward, rising off the woven bed. The sound was distinct—too many exoskeletons, too many different weights.
At the chamber's entrance, Beatrice stepped in first. Her exoskeleton caught the soft emerald glow as she shifted her weight.
She released a low exhale, steadying herself. "We are here."
She moved aside, her arm extending to guide the large, unfamiliar group into the humid warmth of the chamber.
Nova's eyes widened, tracking the vibrant colors. Her antennae twitched violently. Her exoskeleton felt instantly cold against the humid air.
Behind Beatrice, the Butterflies entered the chamber. The polished surfaces of their purple and blackish-brown exoskeletons caught and fragmented the green fungi light.
Luminara's white wings fluttered once as her guardians carefully seated her in one of the woven beds. The green cloth over her eyes remained undisturbed.
She spoke softly, warmth touching her tone. "I appreciate your kindness."
Beatrice's posture remained rigid at the entrance.
A firm sound left her mouth. "I am only following orders. Utilize this time to rest."
Seraphina entered, her orange and black wings pulling tight against her back. She surveyed the fungal lights and woven beds.
She let out a quiet sigh before speaking. "The materials are not to my liking. Though I must say, you possess some level of competence. The chamber structure is superior to any of ours."
Ignatia remained silent, crossing her arms over her dark purple exoskeleton. Her crimson eyes narrowed as she stared into the glowing wall, lost in thought.
Nytheris stepped back, his blackish-brown exoskeleton pressing against the tunnel wall. His black wings settled flat as he leaned into the shadow behind his Monarch.
Nova's eyes widened, confused by them. Her antennae twitched, angled toward the vibrant group.
Who are they... what kind of species? And how... how did they enter our colony?
Her gaze snapped toward Beatrice.
"It looks like Corporal Elara is still not back from her expedition. So I'll be the one to treat his wounds." Beatrice muttered, a hand settling at her waist. "Go ahead and place him on a bed." She gestured toward the woven structures as she turned toward the medicinal saps.
The two guardians lowered the injured Butterfly. His breathing hitched as the chitin scraped against the woven sticks, sending a sharp pain through the raw quill wounds. Beatrice turned back, her hands already slick with warm sap, and began cleaning the deep punctures.
Ignatia took in a deep, audible breath, the intake of the warm, humid air. She turned abruptly on her heel and started walking toward the entrance of the chamber.
"And where do you think you're going, sister?"
Seraphina's voice was laced with easy amusement. She tilted her head, a cascade of orange hair slipping over her shoulder with the movement. Her blue eyes narrowed, fixing on Ignatia's retreating back with a mocking tone. "Do the tunnel walls feel too constricting for the mighty War Monarch? Or is it merely beneath you to rest in a place like this?"
Ignatia turned to her sharply. Her crimson eyes narrowed, focusing a look so intense that Nova froze on the woven bed, her breath catching in a knot of sudden fear.
A cold tone left Ignatia's lips. "We are at a disadvantage, and we do not have much time left."
Her hands clenched into tight fists at her sides, the dark purple chitin straining over her knuckles. "It is a waste of time waiting here for them to come to us. I will go to them myself."
She held the tension for a beat, then released her hands, letting them fall open. She resumed walking toward the shadows.
Beatrice stood quickly. Her exoskeleton strained under the sudden, restrictive movement as she quickly stepped forward, her armored feet thudding against the packed earth floor.
"Wait—you cannot just walk around the colony on your own!" A sharp note of protest edged her voice. "You do not know the paths, and the soldiers outside—"
Ignatia didn't even glance her way.
"Nytheris, stay here and watch over them."
"Yes... my Monarch."
Nytheris bowed, his black hair falling forward over his shoulder. A low, steady sound left his mouth. His dark eyes carried an empty look as he straightened, the pupils remaining static, reflecting the green fungi light without fluctuation.
Luminara's blonde hair rested against the soft leaves of the woven bed. A composed smile formed on her face, tilting the edge of the green cloth over her eyes.
She is as impatient and blunt as when we were younger. I see that has not changed.
Seraphina stood up from her own bed. Her orange and black wings spread slightly, then pulled close to her back.
A quiet sound left her lips. "She may be right. Time is against us."
She moved toward Luminara. "If your objective is to forge a temporary alliance with their colony, we should do it now." A faint smile touched her lips, and a sharp glint appeared in her blue eyes as she glanced at Nytheris. "Before it is too late."
The boulder at the entrance groaned, a low scrape of stone against stone, as it was pushed open, letting in a faint draft that stirred the warm, earthen air of the grand meeting chamber. Ari stepped inside, his mandibles already feeling heavy at his side.
The air tightened around him, thick with the scent of old moss and the unspoken weight of expectation.
Before him, the semicircle of elder ants shifted, their quiet murmurs ceasing as he entered. Their gazes, sharp and unyielding, pinned him in place. At the center, upon her elevated throne, sat Queen Celeste, her dark eyes steady, unreadable. To her right, Lieutenant Tavian and Sergeant Samuel stood upright and composed.
Princess Tanya, seated near the Queen, let a breath of sigh escape her lips. Her heartbeat settled instantly. Her eyes closed briefly in relief, and her wings fluttered once, slightly, a movement of surprised calm.
Valeria moved calmly to the center, performing a quick, deep bow to Queen Celeste.
She straightened and positioned herself behind the final Elder, her arms crossed over her exoskeleton as she observed.
Ari took two deliberate steps forward, stopping before the throne. He bent at the waist, lowering his head in a deep bow to the Queen.
Queen Celeste gave a slow, measured nod to Valeria. Her eyes remained still, reflecting the chamber's dim light.
"I thank you for escorting him here, Valeria. And... what of the Butterflies?"
"They are currently in the recovery area," Valeria reported, her voice calm and steady. Her shoulders remained perfectly set, and the faint light from the fungi reflected smoothly off her exoskeleton. "Rest assured that I have ordered a few soldiers and have them stationed in case of any altercation or conflict. I am awaiting your orders to retrieve them."
Queen Celeste's lips curved slightly, a minimal, formal acknowledgment. "Thank you, Commander.
Now then..."
She turned her gaze to Ari.
"Sergeant Samuel has already updated me on the situation above the surface," the Queen stated, her gaze sweeping over the council as she adjusted her arms on the hand rest. "So then, Ari. Tell me, why have you brought those Monarchs to the colony?"
Ari swallowed, though the Queen was calm, he could feel the pressure of her gaze crushing him. He took a deep breath. His antennae briefly twitched back, a flash of internal tension.
I have been in this situation many times before. This one is no different. He forced himself to look up to the Queen.
"I brought them to our colony because they were the ones who saved my life, and they were injured," Ari began, his voice level despite the dry air in his throat. "I informed them that our colony would be the best place to rest, due to the threats from the Moths they encountered."
Before Celeste could respond, Elder Junon was instantly on his feet. The old layered chitin of his exoskeleton scraped against the stone of his seat with a grinding sound, a clear expression of his fury.
"Silence! How dare you utter such falsehoods before our Queen. I warned the Queen this conniving ant could not be trusted." Elder Junon spat the words. "He clearly slipped away from his squad and used the opportunity to run back to his original colony and leak information."
He turned the full force of his rigid posture toward Ari.
"Tell us what you are concealing. We demand to know what colony you belong to, and where your true loyalty lies!"
Another Elder leaned forward, antennae brushing lightly against his shoulders. "Are you plotting to overthrow the colony, to destroy it as Vladimir once tried?" The accusation hung sharp in the air.
Ari drew a slow, steadying breath. His antennae twitched back, sharp and tense. "Listen. I am not lying about my reasons. I ran because I heard a voice calling me." He shifted his weight, armored feet thudding low on the earth. "I was severely injured during our encounter with a centipede, but I endured… and I saved one of the Monarchs." He paused, lifting his gaze to the Queen, her wings shifting slightly behind her. "I was healed by her sister."
Elder Junon scoffed. "Healed?
Queen Celeste's gaze rested on him, wings folding gently behind her. "Beatrice's reports said you were gravely injured, yet now you are fully healed." A trace of curiosity flickered in her dark eyes.
"Are you telling us… those Monarchs are capable of such abilities?"
"Yes," Ari responded. His expression remained calm, steady with conviction.
Queen Celeste watched him, her hand coming to rest against her cheek as she supported her head. Her eyes narrowed slightly in thought.
"Then answer me this. What reason do we have to involve ourselves in their conflict? How can you be certain they can be trusted? And if their plan was to infiltrate our colony to execute me—what then?"
"I don't know." Ari's shoulders slumped slightly, antennae drooping as he shifted his weight. "I'm still in the dark about what's happening exactly. All I know is that if we don't get involved, our colony will also be in danger."
Queen Celeste's serene composure flickered, a spark of intense interest flashing in her eyes. "And what do you mean by danger, Lance Corporal?"
Ari hesitated, searching for the words, his lips parting. Elder Junon cut in, his voice ringing with finality and overriding the Queen's question.
"The soldier has proven he is either a traitor or a fool who prioritizes his own flawed instincts over the colony's safety. I move that he be exiled, imprisoned, or executed immediately!"
No... no, this cannot be happening.
Tanya's breath hitched as her eyes widened, fixed on Elder Junon. They cannot... they cannot just exile him. Imprison him. Or worse...
Her lips pressed together, trembling under the strain of suppressed emotion. He saved this entire colony many times. He risked everything. And now... now they treat him like a traitor.
Her wings flexed nervously, brushing the air behind her, and a silent shiver ran through her small frame. Her hands, resting on the chair, began shaking. I cannot... I cannot just sit here and do nothing.
Valeria stepped in front of the Queen, positioning herself next to Ari. Her composure was calm, her sudden intervention visibly took Ari by surprise.
"If I may, my Queen."
Valeria's voice was low, cutting through the Elder's demand. "Ari's recent conduct is indefensible. However, the Elders prioritize a single infraction over the strategic value he represents. His necessity to this colony has been repeatedly proven. Ari is not a disposable soldier, he has saved this colony from catastrophic loss."
She paused, her gaze sweeping the Elders before returning to the Queen. "To discard him over a matter that can be addressed after our security is assured is an act of recklessness far greater than his own."
So I am just of strategic value to her, he thought with a dry, internal sigh. Though I cannot complain. That was the only reason I was freed from prison and became part of this colony. Yet... she is going out of her way to defend me.
Lieutenant Tavian lifted his hand, the motion smooth and contained, his antennae steady.
"With respect, Commander Valeria, your analysis is fundamentally flawed."
His gaze shifted to Ari, then returned to Valeria without a change in his expression.
"You speak of utility. My concern is the sanctity of command. This soldier did more than step out of line. He compromised the colony's security by bringing an unverified delegation into our territory. That cannot be dismissed, no matter what he achieved before this."
His exoskeleton tightened subtly along his shoulders, a faint adjustment of tension.
"I stand for the discipline that shields our Sovereign. If a lance corporal believes his judgment rises above his commander's, then the fracture in our command has already begun. That, Commander, is the true recklessness."
Well...This is a surprise. Valeria felt her antennae tilt slightly. I never expected Tavian to be this direct. A small smirk pulled at her lips as she kept her arms folded.
Suddenly the boulder at the entrance creaked open. The low scrape of stone against stone silenced the chamber immediately, overriding the tense arguments.
Everyone in the council froze, turning toward the entrance, surprised by the interruption. The faint draft from the open tunnel stirred the hot, still air.
Luminara's guardians safely moved the boulder aside as all three Monarchs entered the Grand Meeting Chamber. Their vibrant wings and polished exoskeletons brought a shocking contrast to the dusty, somber brown chitin of the Ant Council.
Ignatia stepped forward, her dark purple exoskeleton rigid. Her crimson eyes narrowed, sweeping over the astonished Elders and the Queen.
A low, hard sound left her lips. A faint glint caught in her eyes. "I have no patience left."