My training under Valeria, the newly appointed commander in Queen Celeste's army, would be starting soon.
For now, Ari lingered at the edge of the grounds, where the air buzzed with sharp commands and the dull thud of bodies hitting the dirt. The smell of churned earth and sweat hung heavy, mixing with the faint metallic tang of mandibles. I need to watch first, to understand what will be expected of me—and what I've gotten myself into, Ari thought.
"We're here," Commander Valeria said as they stepped onto a wide, dusty plain. The ground was packed hard beneath their feet, broken only by scattered boulders that marked the edges of the training field.
Ants moved about in small groups, their chatter mixing with the dry rustle of dirt underfoot.
"This is where those who enlist train," she continued, her tone clipped but steady. "They'll remain here until their training is complete. That final test determines their standing in the army. Fail, and they'll be sent to guard duty—it'll be their choice. Succeed, and they'll join the expedition squad as Privates or Lance Corporals, depending on how much knowledge they demonstrate in battle."
So their military hierarchy is similar to ours. That's… really surprising, Ari thought, watching a wave of recruits thunder past, faces slick with sweat and muscles trembling from exhaustion. Dust kicked up around their legs, filling the air with a gritty haze.
"Come on! Pick up the pace!" Seth's voice cut sharply over the pounding of tiny feet. "If you want to be soldiers in the army, at least try to look like it!"
"But… sir, we've been running for three days straight!" one recruit shouted, staggering. His legs wobbled, barely holding him upright, and a streak of dirt smudged across his face from the ground. "We're exhausted!"
"I don't want to hear any excuses!" Seth barked, his voice slicing through the clamor of running feet. "Anyone who stops will have to hold up this rock—fifty times our weight—for three hours! I want to see those feet moving! If you can't endure this training, then you have no hope of surviving out there."
Dust swirled around the recruits' legs as they stumbled forward, some dragging their feet, others gritting their teeth to keep moving. Ari watched the struggle, noting the strain in each stride.
"Commander Seth recovered quickly from the beating he took from Vladimir," Ari said, glancing at Valeria, whose arms were crossed as she surveyed the recruits.
"Yes, he's doing well these days," she replied, her eyes scanning the training field. "He's not at full strength, so he insisted on training these recruits since he can't perform his regular duties. He doesn't like slacking off, even when it's out of his control. Losing him… would have left us dangerously vulnerable."
"How so?" Ari asked, tilting his head.
"If he had died, I'd be the only commander this colony has."
"Wow… so you mean there are only two of you?" Ari asked, shifting his weight on the hard-packed ground.
"Well, his commander rank is complicated," Valeria replied, her gaze following a staggered runner. "But initially, Vladimir and Seth were the only two commanders. There were three lieutenants, including myself, ten sergeants, twenty corporals, and the rest are either lance corporals or privates."
This colony's army may be small, but they have a lot of experienced soldiers, Ari thought, taking note of how structured and disciplined they seemed despite their limited numbers.
"Vladimir was supposed to be promoted to captain, but he refused and continued watching over Tanya. To think that he betrayed the queen's trust," Valeria said quietly, her arms folding tighter, her expression shadowed with bitterness.
Before Ari could reply, a familiar voice called out.
"Hey, Ari! How's it going? Everything alright?" Evelyn waved as she approached, her steps quick and light across the dirt.
Ari stood a little straighter. "Oh, Evelyn—I'm holding on. How does it feel to be a full-fledged worker and finally free from prison?"
"It feels good," she said, her cheeks coloring faintly as she glanced at him. "And it's all thanks to you. I… I owe you everything."
Ari gave a small shrug, his tone easy. "It's all good. Just do your best and stay out of trouble, okay?"
"Yes! And I'll make sure Grandpa doesn't cause any mischief either," Evelyn replied with a bright grin, her antennae twitching before she hurried off again.
Ari watched Evelyn go, a faint warmth lingering in his chest. He lowered himself onto a nearby rock, the surface rough beneath him, and let his gaze drift across the training field.
To think I used to despise them so much, and now I'm growing fond of them—their bonds, their hard work. Before I died, I had no friends except Keiko, and I felt lonely. Maybe that's why my view of them has changed—because I'm not alone anymore, he thought, resting his elbows on his knees.
Time slipped by unnoticed. The recruits' shouts dulled into the background, and Ari sat there quietly, lost in his own reflection. When he finally stirred, the shadows on the ground had shifted—at least half an hour must have passed.
"Ari, can we please talk for a minute? It's really important," a voice called, soft but carrying urgency.
He looked up, startled to see Tanya approaching. "What's wrong?"
Tanya hesitated at first, her antennae trembling slightly. She clasped her hands together, struggling to meet his gaze. "We haven't spoken in a while, and a lot has happened… but it's been eating away at me. I… I need to tell you everything that's been weighing on my chest."
"I still feel guilty for what I did," Tanya admitted, her voice unsteady. Her antennae lowered as she wrung her hands together. "You poured your heart out to me, telling me nothing but the honest truth, yet I let logic get the better of me because I had known Vladimir my whole life. To make matters worse, I said all those horrible things to you…"
She swallowed hard, her words faltering. "I was manipulated by the ant I trusted for so long. If it weren't for Valeria, who saw through his facade and placed her faith in you, our colony would already be gone. And in the end, you still rescued me from Vladimir, even when I doubted you." Her eyes shimmered, her voice breaking as she whispered, "I'm so sorry, Ari."
The silence between them pressed heavily, broken only by the distant sound of recruits training.
Ari drew a slow breath, his expression calm. "Don't be sorry, Princess. You did what you thought was right—trusting the one you had known your whole life over an imprisoned stranger. You couldn't have known he would betray you all, so it's not your fault." His voice carried no judgment, only quiet reason.
Tanya's antennae drooped lower. "So… you don't hate me, then?" she asked, her tone small, almost pleading.
"I have no reason to," Ari replied evenly. "So don't worry, Princess."
"Please drop the formalities. I want you to call me Tanya, if that's alright with you, Ari."
Her voice was gentle, her lips forming his name with a warmth that made Ari freeze for a moment. He blinked, caught off guard.
Wait a minute… why did she look so cute saying that? She's just an ant, right? Or is it those human features of hers—giving off this… beautiful image? His chest tightened as his heartbeat picked up.
He opened his mouth to answer, but before he could, a sudden clang rang out across the colony. The sharp metallic echo rattled through the air, followed by deep, rumbling vibrations that shook the ground beneath him. Ari shot to his feet, his antennae twitching as the heavy stomping of many feet surged closer.
"Princess, get to the colony now! I have to check it out!" Ari shouted over his shoulder. Without waiting for a reply, he sprinted toward the sound, his pulse hammering in sync with his pounding strides.
By the time he reached the source, Valeria, Seth, and the army—five hundred strong—were already assembled. Their ranks stood rigid, weapons raised, eyes locked forward. Dust swirled around their feet, but the threat they faced was not a battalion—only a single ant.
"Who are you, and why have you come to our colony?" Valeria's voice rang out sharp and cold, cutting across the tense silence.
The lone figure lifted her head, her expression unreadable. "My name is Ruth, a commander serving under Queen Helena. My queen has requested a meeting with your colony to negotiate General Ivan's return in exchange for resources." She spread her hands slightly, showing she carried no weapon. "As proof of my sincerity, I came alone. I can't take on so many of you at once."
"And why should we agree to your request? So you can rebuild your strength and attack us again?" Valeria's eyes narrowed, her antennae tilting forward as her voice cut through the tension.
Ruth's face stayed unreadable, her movements calm and deliberate. "We were wrong for invading your colony. But without Ivan, our colony cannot survive. Consider this carefully, and inform your queen of what we are willing to offer. You know where to find us."
She turned on her heel and walked away, her steps measured, leaving only the faint scuff of her feet on the dirt behind her.
"Alright," Seth said, his tone firm, "everyone remain on standby." He swept a hand in a crisp motion, and the army began to return to their stations, feet thudding against the ground in a steady rhythm.
"Let's go to their colony, Valeria," Ari said firmly, his gaze steady as he planted his feet on the dusty ground.
Valeria spun to face him, antennae bristling. "What? Are you insane? They attacked our colony! Why should we trust them? And we still have to consult Queen Celeste. Who do you think you are, barking orders at me?" Her voice rose, sharp and unyielding, and her hands clenched into fists at her sides.
Ari held his ground, his chest rising and falling evenly despite the heat of her words. "Just trust me. I believe the queen will approve my plan—both of our colonies will benefit," he said, a quiet confidence gleaming in his eyes.
"Fine, but if this all goes south, I'm killing you before they get the chance to injure me," Valeria muttered, her antennae twitching as she shot him a glare.
Ari grinned, unfazed. "Thank you for being so understanding. You know, that's one of your most… beautiful traits."
"Shut up." Valeria's voice was low and cutting. Her fist struck his shoulder with precise force, the impact jarring through his arm. She leaned slightly closer, her eyes locking onto his with sharp intensity, leaving no room for argument.
When they arrived at the enemy colony, Ruth stood at the entrance. Her posture was straight, her face unreadable, yet she gave a subtle nod of acknowledgment as they approached.
"I'm glad you decided to come. Please, follow me to meet Queen Helena," Ruth said, her steps measured as she led them through the corridors.
Inside the royal chamber, Queen Helena sat atop a stone platform. Her posture was regal, yet her expression carried the weight of weariness and determination. Behind her, her wings rested folded neatly against her back, translucent and veined like polished amber. The soft, greenish glow of bioluminescent fungi along the walls caught in the delicate membranes, giving her an ethereal shimmer in the dim light. Her antennae twitched with quiet alertness, every movement precise.
"Queen Helena, these are the ants sent to represent Queen Celeste in this meeting," Ruth announced, her voice even and calm.
"So they at least want to hear us out. That's good," Helena said, straightening slightly in her seat. The subtle glow of her wings shifted as she adjusted her posture, emphasizing her regal presence.
"Know this," Queen Helena said, her wings shifting lightly as she leaned forward on the stone platform, the veins catching the green glow of the bioluminescent fungi. "I am aware we attacked your colony, though I ask you not to judge us too harshly."
She straightened slightly, antennae twitching with careful precision. "We were misled by an ant who cloaked himself and emerged only under night's cover. He exploited our scarcity, convincing us that conquest would bring prosperity. In truth, it has brought naught but ruin."
A faint click of her claws against the stone punctuated her words. "Our army is diminished. Without General Ivan, we stand nearly defenseless. With what little strength remains, we seek to return Ivan to your service. Pray, give this your consideration," she added, her tone softening with a hint of ironic self-awareness, a tiny smile tugging at one corner of her lips.
Ari shifted his weight, the scrape of his boots against the floor echoing softly in the quiet chamber. "I'm afraid I must decline your request," he said evenly. "However, I have a counterproposal."
Helena's antennae flicked upward, brushing lightly against each other.
"A counterproposal?" she asked, wings settling gently against her back, her voice calm but curious.
"We will release Ivan only if you agree to form a treaty with our colony," Ari said, hands at his sides, eyes steady on hers.
"A treaty?" Queen Helena leaned slightly forward on the stone platform, her antennae twitching with careful precision. "And why would you offer such generosity while holding the upper hand?"
Her gaze was steady, though a faint crease formed between her brows. "Surely you perceive our weakness. You could simply refuse and watch our colony collapse."
Ari shifted his weight, the scrape of his feet against the stone faint in the quiet chamber. "Because I genuinely want to help your colony recover," he said evenly.
He gestured lightly. "You've lost a significant number of soldiers in that pointless battle. General Ivan remains in our custody, and you have no means to compel us. But instead of pressing our advantage, I want to build something stronger between us. I believe our colonies can thrive together. We can share resources, help defend each other, and finally put this war behind us."
"What? Queen Celeste would never agree to this," Valeria hissed, her jaw tight and hands curling into fists at her sides.
Ari's gaze remained steady, voice calm. "Just trust me, Valeria. I'll convince her somehow."
Queen Helena shifted slightly on her stone platform, the faint glow of the bioluminescent fungi catching the edges of her wings. Her expression softened as Ari's words settled over the chamber. "Given the circumstances," she said, voice measured and precise, "this proposal appears to be our only viable option. Very well—I shall agree to your terms."