The Queen's chamber was unusually quiet. The faint glow of bioluminescent fungi clung stubbornly to the curved walls, throwing soft light across the polished throne at the center. Outside, the muffled clatter of workers moving dirt in the large cylindrical structure echoed faintly, but inside, all attention was fixed on Ari.
Queen Celeste tilted her head slightly, her wings shifting gently against her back and antennae twitching with curiosity.
"Young ant, may I ask your name?"
"My name is Ari," he said, his voice steady though his chest tightened. "Just a confused soul who landed himself in your prison."
Celeste's emerald green eyes reflected the flickering fungi as she studied him.
"Now then, Ari, about the invasion—what exactly did you hear Vladimir saying?"
"The invasion will happen in two days from now." Ari's words came clear and measured, leaving no doubt in their meaning. "You need to gather everyone who's able to fight and strategize in order to gain the upper hand and surprise our enemies."
"He's right, Your Highness," said Valeria, her tone cool but certain. Her antennae swept sharply as though cutting the air. "Anyone able should join us to repel our rivals."
The Queen paused, tapping the armrest of the throne with her fingers.
"Very well then. I will form a meeting and ask the elder ants for their opinions on the matter before we organize a strategy."
"There is not much time for that," Ari interjected quickly. His voice echoed faintly in the enclosed chamber. "We have to put everything in place quickly, or we'll be overwhelmed."
Valeria nodded, arms folding across her chest. "I agree with him. We need to act now. Waiting on some old geezers to make a decision as a collective group will only take up time that could be used doing something else. I'm afraid we can't afford any more of that."
Celeste's gaze sharpened. The faint glow of bioluminescent fungi glinted off her wings.
"The colony elders' decisions have never been wrong. Also, Valeria, refrain from insulting them."
Valeria lowered her head, but her eyes remained firm.
"Apologies, Your Highness."
"Normally," the Queen continued, "I would consult the elder ants before making any kind of advancement. However…" She let out a small breath that rattled faintly, the sound heavy in the chamber. "I'll make an exception this time since this is urgent and a risk to the colony and every ant in it."
Ari drew in a breath, the air thick with the earthy tang of resin and soil.
"I have an idea on how we can deal with the invasion and minimize casualties. However, you and your whole colony will have to put your trust in me. I know you might not comprehend the fact that a prisoner, whom you treated poorly, is assisting you with the invasion. I mean, what reason would I have to help you guys out? I don't really know myself, but the decision is up to you, Queen Celeste."
The silence broke as a servant ant stepped forward, speaking with obvious agitation.
"Put our trust in you? You're not even a part of our colony. Why should we put our fate in your hands? There's no way I'll allow you to lead us to our deaths."
Celeste's voice cut through the chamber like a blade.
"Fine. I'll give you full control of this operation. However, it won't be for free. You'll be compensated. If your strategy helps us get out of this alive with minimal casualties, then I will give you your freedom in exchange."
"That's reasonable," Valeria added, her tone calm but iron beneath. Her antennae flicked toward Ari. "And you will accept the Queen's proposal—whether you like it or not."
Her voice was calm, even courteous, but her eyes didn't soften in the slightest.
Ari gave a short nod. "I agree with your terms. Now then, come. It's time I shared my plans with you."
"When I was in my cell, I overheard Vladimir near the outer wall. The only thing separating us was the dirt and resin. Judging from where the meeting took place between Vladimir and the ants from the neighboring colony and the direction they left in, it's safe to say their colony is southwest of ours." He gestured slightly, recalling the faint vibrations he had heard through the soil. "I'm thinking that
we should send a team to scout ahead and follow the enemy army. But before that, I want them to locate the colony. If they successfully find it, they will signal us, and we will get in position and prepare. This team will act as our cavalry when the time is right, ambushing the enemy and preventing them from retreating."
The sound of shifting feet filled the chamber as ants present exchanged glances.
"I would prefer Valeria lead this unit," Ari continued. "She is a strong leader and a calm and quick decision-maker. As for the ants staying here, we need some of the worker ants to build a wall in the direction they will arrive, preventing the majority of them from entering the colony. We will charge at them from the front. After this, we will have some of the military ants stationed to ambush from both sides, boxing them in and overwhelming them. It's a simple yet effective strategy, and it all depends on whether I got their location right."
He exhaled sharply, his breath rasping in his thorax. Speaking this much had left him winded.
Celeste's lips twitched slightly, but she gave a slow nod, her green eyes narrowing with approval.
"That's a good approach. I like it."
Valeria smirked faintly, the corner of her mouth curling.
Valeria smirked faintly, the corner of her mouth curling.
"Not too shabby for a prisoner. Let's get started on the preparations."
Ari's thoughts drifted briefly, unbidden. Not too shabby, yeah right. I used this strategy a whole lot in a video game called The Chosen One: Rise of a New Empire when I was alive. Hopefully, this all works out just as I planned it.
Celeste tilted her head.
"Your plan is astounding. I have never heard of something so absurd that might actually work. However, your plan has but one flaw—what about finding Tanya? She is a priority as well since she will one day rule this kingdom."
"Oh, believe me when I say this, Your Highness—Princess Tanya is safe where she is." Ari's voice was firmer now. "Vladimir might have planned for your downfall, but he would never do anything to harm her. So rest assured, I'll find her. You have my word."
Celeste's green eyes softened slightly. "Very well, Ari. You have my trust. I'll put my faith in you regarding her safety."
The soft glow of bioluminescent fungi painted shifting patterns on the walls, and the hum of focused ants around him sharpened Ari's attention. He took a deep breath, steadying his nerves before he began.
"A hundred and fifty of you will be joining Valeria. You'll be the ambushers, the cavalry force. A hundred and fifty will attack from the front under the command of Ari. Another hundred and fifty will ambush from both sides, trapping the enemy in a three-pronged assault."
From the back of the chamber, faint whispers rippled among the military ants.
"Isn't that ant a prisoner? Why the hell should we take orders from him?" one muttered.
"Just bear with it until the invasion is over," another whispered back, shifting his weight nervously from one leg to the other. "Refusing to listen will only create more problems. Remember, our goal is the same—to save this colony."
The first sighed, antennae drooping slightly. "I guess you're right. My judgment of our situation was clouded by the fact that we have to take orders from a prisoner."
The sound of heavy steps echoed near the colony entrance as a group of worker ants entered, their bodies streaked with dirt and dust clinging to their legs. One bowed low, the faint scrape of his feet against the tunnel floor punctuating the motion.
"We are finished with the walls. They might not be as sturdy and durable as you wish them to be since they were done in a day. However, they will be enough to protect us."
Ari looked them over. Their legs were coated in dust, and their hands carried faint scrapes from hauling stone and resin. He gave a small nod.
"Nicely done. That will just about do it. What's your name, by the way?"
"My name is Flint, just a humble worker ant."
"I see. I will remember that." Ari glanced at the others, noting their steady breathing, the way none of them showed fatigue despite the grime caked on their exoskeleton . Their work ethic is insane. They didn't even slack off once. I think my opinion of them is starting to change.
While the colony prepared tirelessly—scraping soil, hauling resin, going over strategies, the air thick with dust and the low hum of activity—far from their walls, another ant plotted his revenge.
The tunnel was dim, the air thick with the coppery stench of blood. Seth leaned heavily against the wall, barely able to keep himself upright, his exoskeleton cracked in several places. Each breath came in short, raspy gasps.
"How are you still so strong? You are covered in a lot of wounds," Seth gasped, trying to stand up straight with trembling legs.
Vladimir towered over him, his exoskeleton smeared with dried streaks of crimson. Around them, the corpses of military ants lay in disarray, their bodies twitching faintly before going still. Blood pooled across the tunnel floor, thick and sticky, coating Vladimir's feet.
"I was the one who taught you all you know." His voice was low, carrying a guttural rasp that echoed faintly. "I made you, Seth. And for the record, I'm still way stronger than you in my current state. Just be lucky that I spared your life. You could have shared the same fate as these unfortunate souls."
The air was suffocating, clogged with the iron tang of death.
Seth's vision blurred. Rage and disbelief twisted inside him, but his limbs were heavy, unresponsive. "So you did betray us for real then. That ant was telling the truth," he murmured, before collapsing to the blood-soaked floor.
Vladimir stared down at him, his expression cold, unflinching.
"You know pretending is not my strong suit. If a measly prisoner could see through my facade…"
He stepped forward, his legs leaving imprints in the bloodied dirt. His voice hardened, carrying through the tunnel.
"Now then, time to find that scum and kill him in the most agonizing way possible."
He vanished into the dark corridors, leaving only silence, the corpses, and the fading drip of blood hitting the dirt.
Back in the colony, the sounds of digging and orders being barked filled the air. Resin torches flickered, casting restless shadows against the walls. Preparations were complete.
The battle for the colony had begun, and the fates of all would soon collide.