The journey back to the colony was long and quiet. The ants, both military and worker, trudged onward, their legs dragging as they pushed the heavy wheeled containers over uneven ground.
Antennae twitched with faint, sluggish movements as they kept half-hearted watch on the swaying grass around them. Every step made their joints throb, and though the sharp tang of blood and crushed leaves still lingered on the air—a reminder of their victory—the memory of the battle weighed heavier than the scent. They had won, but it had come at a cost.
The trek dragged on, the sun dipping lower until the horizon glowed gold, then faded into amber and violet. Dust rose in faint clouds with each step, settling on their legs and armor.
The air cooled as the light dimmed, and shadows stretched across the dirt path. The tall grass on either side bent and rustled in the evening wind.
By nightfall, when they reached the checkpoint—a neutral ground between the two colonies—the ants slowed to a halt. Their legs trembled from overuse, and several leaned heavily on their containers. Pale moonlight washed over their worn faces and scratched exoskeleton. They had made it.
Members of both colonies hurried forward to assist, moving quickly among the exhausted ranks. Worker ants supported the injured under the arms and across shoulders, helping them take unsteady steps. Others lifted the fallen by shoulders and legs, moving slowly and carefully as they made the long trek back to the colony.
"Sergeant Samuel, sir, I see you've made all these arrangements. Thank you for your assistance." Beatrice straightened as she saluted, her antennae twitching slightly while she scanned the organized setup.
Samuel straightened, brushing a hand along the side of his armor. "It was Lieutenant Tavian's orders, so I'm obliged to follow." He began to walk away, then paused and turned slightly. "Be sure to get those wounds looked at. You were injured as well."
Beatrice nodded, a small smile lifting her lips as she straightened her posture in acknowledgment.
Commander Ruth stepped forward to meet the representatives of Queen Helena's colony. She paused, shoulders relaxing slightly, though the tension in her eyes showed lingering exhaustion. Then she turned toward Brooks and the others, dipping her head briefly in a rare gesture of respect.
Ruth inclined her head slightly toward them, antennae still, her expression unreadable. "Thank you for your cooperation." Her tone was steady, controlled. "This collaboration was a success. Both I and Queen Helena look forward to strengthening the bond between our colonies."
She shifted her gaze briefly to the carts piled high with food before returning her eyes to the group. "Thanks to our joint efforts, we gathered enough resources to sustain both colonies through the coming hardships."
Brooks inclined his head once, keeping his posture straight and steady. "It was an honor to fight alongside your soldiers. Your colony held its ground well." He let his gaze linger on Ruth and the other representatives before lowering it, as if weighing each word carefully.
Ruth's antennae twitched. Her gaze moved to Ari, who had stayed unusually still since the battle, lost in thought.
"Lance Corporal Ari." Her voice was flat and low, controlled.
Ari jerked slightly, breaking from his trance. He straightened, the sheath of his mandibles clicking softly against his side. "Yes, Commander?"
Ruth studied him for a long moment, her posture still, antennae barely moving. She allowed the faintest lift of her lips—a rare, approving gesture. "You will continue to serve the colony well. Remain focused and follow your duties."
Ari paused, his shoulders tightening slightly as he absorbed her words. "I will."
Ruth gave a small nod and pivoted toward the group. "Move out."
Queen Helena's forces began retreating toward their territory. Ruth led her soldiers in the opposite direction, her steps measured, guiding them steadily back to familiar ground.
When they finally crossed the boundary of their colony, a wave of exhaustion hit the soldiers and workers alike. Legs trembled, joints ached, and several sank to the ground, leaning on nearby crates made of wood and resin or the dirt. Antennae drooped, brushing against shoulders or their backs.
A few wiped sweat and dust from their faces, their breathing heavy and uneven.
As they entered the colony, workers and wardens alike stepped forward, clapping their hands in unison to welcome them back. The sound echoed faintly off the walls of the tunnels. Almost immediately, the workers turned their attention to the food supply, lifting and carrying resin crates and baskets into the colony's storage chambers with practiced efficiency.
In the recovery chambers, Rory collapsed onto a bed of twigs, sticks, and leaves, his body groaning with exhaustion. "I'm exhausted," he whispered under his breath, dust and dirt clinging to his armor and skin, though he paid it no mind. His eyes were heavy, nearly closing as sleep threatened to overtake him.
Isla suddenly walked into the recovery area, having cleaned the dirt and grime from her body. She sighed, the memories of the battle replaying in her mind and how she was frozen in fear.
I was completely useless again, just like when the termite attacked our group during training. I was helpless. I couldn't save anyone. She held her hands close to her chest, her antennae drooping. Her eyes slightly glossy.
Her gaze fell on Rory, half-asleep on the makeshift bed of twigs and leaves. Heat rose to her cheeks, and she quickly wiped at the tears threatening to fall, embarrassed. Her antennae twitched slightly as she turned her head away, trying to hide the gloss in her eyes.
She noticed Rory, half-asleep on the makeshift bed, his chest rising and falling slowly. She let out a quiet sigh and straightened, composing herself. Then she stepped to the side of the bed.
"Rory, wake up," she murmured, shaking his shoulder gently.
Rory groaned, swatting at her hands. "Buzz off," he mumbled, fanning her away with his palm.
She straightened, antennae tilting slightly as she looked down at him. "Rory, get yourself cleaned up." Her gaze sharpened, shoulders stiffening. "How can you just fall asleep like that, covered in mud and dirt?"
Rory blinked slowly, lifting a hand to rub at his face, the motion dragging dirt along his cheek. "I… I'm fine," he mumbled, shifting uncomfortably under her gaze. "I'll do it later."
There was a moment of silence between them. Rory finally exhaled, his shoulders slumping slightly. "You worked hard as well, so why don't you get some rest?" He rubbed at the back of his neck, gesturing towards the bed beside him, eyes half-lidded with fatigue.
She flopped down next to him, brushing stray hairs from her exoskeleton. Isla stretched her limbs, muscles stiff and tense from the march.
A thought crossed her mind, and she glanced at Rory, antennae twitching slightly. "Hey… do you think we'll rank up to Corporal after that mission?"
Rory snorted, rolling onto his back and placing both arms behind his head. "Doubt it. Those flies were weak. Their threat level is at lance Corporal at best—it wouldn't rank us up."
Isla raised a brow, antennae twitching. "Oh, come on. Don't act like you had it easy—you struggled just like the rest of us."
"At least I killed a handful," Rory shot back, a smirk tugging at his lips. "How many did you take down?"
"Well… you got in my way. I would've landed at least one if you hadn't interfered." Isla huffed, crossing her arms over her chest.
"No matter how you look at it, I was the one who delivered the final blow. Who knows what would've happened if I didn't intervene," Rory replied, shrugging one shoulder casually.
She opened her mouth to argue but paused, realizing he had a fair point.
"You know what? I think if anyone should get ranked up, it should be Ari. He defeated countless foes by himself," Rory added, gazing above at the ceiling in thought.
What exactly is he, I wonder… His antennae twitched slightly as he glanced toward the edge of the recovery area, imagining the feats Ari had pulled off in battle.
Their banter faded into the hum of the returning colony as Ari lay in his chambers, gaze fixed on the ceiling. The voices and movements of others felt distant. Why do I feel so flustered? She's just an ant. That should have been the end of it.
But she didn't feel like an ant.
She looked human. She spoke like a human. The memory of her hand, the sound of her voice… kept replaying in his mind, leaving him unsettled, unsure how to reconcile it with everything he thought he knew about ants in his previous life.
Was it really that simple?
He exhaled sharply, dragging a hand over his face as if trying to wipe the questions from his mind.
And yet, even as he relived that moment, Ari's attention flicked beyond personal desire. Dozens of soldiers had fallen. Workers had been wounded. Rory, Isla… the others—they had fought hard, and many hadn't returned unscathed. Victory felt hollow in the shadow of their suffering. Exhaustion and duty weighed on him, but they couldn't still the flutter in his chest.
In the colony's grand meeting chamber, Queen Celeste sat upon her elevated throne, her dark eyes sharp and attentive. The elder ants gathered in a semicircle, their low murmurs filling the air as they shifted, exoskeletal fingers brushing against the stone benches with a faint rasp. The chamber held a damp warmth, the earthy scent of the lower tunnels clinging to the air.
Valeria stood near the queen with her arms crossed, her posture steady. Though her face remained composed, her antennae gave a small flick, betraying her curiosity.
When Beatrice and Brooks entered, the room fell silent. Ant servants strained against the boulder that sealed the chamber, their exoskeletal shoulders pressing until the stone shifted with a grinding echo. Dust shook loose from the walls as the opening widened. All antennae in the room lifted at once, the elders' murmurs dying away while every gaze fixed on the pair.
The heavy roll of the stone ceased, leaving only the echo of Beatrice and Brooks' footsteps on the chamber floor.
"Brooksy, Trissy—you made it back safely!" Lily called out, her hand lifting in a playful wave.
Beatrice's antennae gave the faintest twitch at the nickname, but she kept her face composed as she stepped forward, ignoring the jab.
"That's so mean," Lily added with a grin, her voice carrying a teasing lilt.
"Corporal Beatrice, Lieutenant Brooks, welcome back," Valeria greeted, her voice formal. Her antennae twitched slightly as she appraised their posture.
"Yes, Commander Valeria." Beatrice snapped a crisp salute, the click of her exoskeletal fingers echoing softly across the chamber.
Queen Celeste's gaze swept over them, sharp and deliberate, the weight of her presence pressing on the room. "Corporal, Lieutenant," she intoned, her voice calm but carrying the authority of the throne. "I trust your expedition met with success. I have yet to review your reports. Speak, and let the council understand what took place."
Beatrice stepped forward, her voice steady despite the fatigue lining her face. "Four days ago, we enacted our treaty with Queen Helena's colony. Both our military and worker forces collaborated to gather the necessary resources for our survival."
She paused, her hands briefly tightening into fists at her sides. "At first, everything progressed smoothly. We navigated through dangerous territories, avoided known threats. Our workers toiled tirelessly, and without respite, the military ensured the protection of all within the expedition. But just as we prepared to return, we were ambushed."
The room tensed, a ripple of unease passing through the elders.
"Who is behind this incursion?" Queen Celeste's voice dipped low, the chamber seeming to tighten around her words.
"Fly bandits," Beatrice replied, keeping her posture straight. "Led by a fly named Zippy."
Several elders scoffed, antennae flicking as they exchanged dismissive glances.
"Flies? Those pests are nothing," one muttered.
"Elder Junon, allow her to speak," Queen Celeste commanded, her dark eyes sharp and unwavering.
Beatrice's eyes narrowed. "Individually, yes. But they came in overwhelming numbers—starving, desperate. They demanded our collection. When we refused, they attacked," she explained.
Silence gripped the chamber. The faint rustle of antennae and a shuffle of movement broke the stillness.
Valeria's gaze sharpened. "Continue," she urged.
"The battle was chaotic," Beatrice recounted, her voice steady. "Protecting the workers was our top priority. We formed a defensive perimeter, but the flies' speed and unpredictability overwhelmed us. Some broke through, forcing brutal close-quarters combat."
Valeria exhaled slowly, processing the report. "Casualties?"
"Both colonies combined suffered twenty-five injured military ants and seventy-five injured workers. We lost twelve soldiers and five workers."
Queen Celeste closed her eyes, a shadow passing over her expression. "Their sacrifices will not be forgotten. We will honor them."
She opened her eyes again, her tone steady. "Your efforts will not go unnoticed Corporal Beatrice. I thank you for your report."
"It was an honor, Your Majesty." Beatrice bowed, her antennae dipping forward in deference, the stiff click of her exoskeletal armor faintly audible as she straightened.
Celeste turned her gaze toward Brooks. "Do you have anything to add to this report, Lieutenant?" she asked, her tone measured and commanding.
Brooks chuckled lightly, though his posture remained composed. "Beatrice has covered everything that occurred on the expedition, so I fear there is little to add. However…" He paused, antennae twitching subtly, a trace of pride in his stance. "What I can say is that our colony's growth is evident."
After the meeting ended, Valeria gestured for Beatrice to step aside. Once they were out of earshot, her voice dropped to a near whisper.
"I know you're tired from your expedition, but I must ask—how did our lance corporal perform during the ambush?"
"I would say they performed exceptionally well," Beatrice replied, her shoulders straight despite exhaustion. "Especially for their lack of experience."
"And what of Ari?" Valeria asked, folding her arms, antennae flicking slightly as her gaze sharpened.
"You were right," Beatrice admitted, her face taut with concern. "I didn't believe you before, but now I do. Ari is… dangerous."
Valeria's expression darkened, a shadow passing over her sharp features. "I see." She paused, her gaze distant and unreadable for a moment. "We might need him. Something is coming. And I just hope—for his sake and ours—that we can control him… before it's too late."