Ari stood before the towering chamber boulder, his fist tightening as the guards signaled for him to enter, their mandible sheaths clinking against their sides.
The queen's court stretched wide before him—a vast hall carved into the living stone at the colony's core. The air was cool and faintly damp, carrying the scent of mineral dust and faint spores from the glowing fungi above.
Golden luminescent caps lined the ceiling, their steady light washing over the carved murals of past rulers. At the far end sat Queen Celeste, still and commanding, her pale exoskeleton catching the glow in quiet authority. Every motion around her seemed to slow, as though the very air deferred to her presence.
Ari stepped forward, bowing deeply. "Your Majesty," he began, choosing his words carefully. "I have a request."
Queen Celeste's eyes studied him with an unreadable expression. "Speak."
Taking a breath, Ari straightened. "I wish to request that the children in the depths be allowed to come to the surface—just once."
The air in the chamber tensed instantly. The elders, lined beside the queen, stroked their beards in disapproval. Celeste remained still, her gaze unwavering. "Do you understand why they were placed below?" she asked, her voice calm but firm.
Ari's antennae shifted, brushing faintly against the air as he spoke. "I do, but I also believe they deserve to see the world above, even if only for a short while."
elder Junon stepped forward, glaring at Ari. "This is preposterous. Those young ones are kept in the depths for their own safety. The surface is fraught with danger. You, a military ant, should know this better than anyone."
Another elder scoffed. "This is the way it has been for generations. You question the wisdom of those before you?"
Ari exhaled, feeling the weight of their disapproval. "I don't mean to disrespect tradition, but isolation breeds ignorance. How can they be strong if they've never seen the sky? If they've never felt the soil on the surface beneath their feet?"
"Some of our proud military ants and workers were once there, and they turned out fine," another elder added.
Queen Celeste remained silent for a moment before she finally spoke. "Ari, our laws were created to ensure the survival of the colony. Many years ago, a catastrophe struck. The young ones who ventured to the surface were taken—by monsters that saw them as easy prey. To prevent such losses, we chose to protect them in the depths until they are of age."
Ari clenched his fists. "I understand, truly, I do. But Your Majesty, I ask not for them to be free to roam without guidance. I only ask for them to experience something beyond their dark chambers. Just once."
Celeste exhaled slowly. "I cannot grant that request."
The finality in her voice settled deep in Ari's chest. He swallowed his frustration and bowed again. "Then… may I at least visit them? Speak to them?"
The queen studied him for a long moment before nodding. "That, I will allow."
Ari's heart lifted slightly as he thanked her and took his leave. The elders murmured amongst themselves, but their judgment no longer mattered. He had been given permission. That was enough.
Lieutenant Tavian stood at the queen's side, silent. His antennae drew back tightly as his eyes fixed on Ari. The faint creak of his clenched exoskeletal fist broke the stillness, saying more than words ever could.
The tunnels leading to the depths were damp and cool, the air thick with the scent of earth. Ari descended carefully, carrying a large sack made of woven leaves over his back and a fire-lit stick in hand.
The deeper he went, the quieter it became, until he finally reached the hollow where the young ones were kept.
Rows of small, gleaming eyes blinked at him from the dim hollow, lit only by the faint glow of bioluminescent fungi clinging to the walls. The young ants—ranging from barely a year old to no more than fifteen—shifted uneasily in their makeshift beds, antennae flicking with cautious curiosity at the sight of an unfamiliar figure.
This place is strange… almost like a labyrinth from a video game, Ari thought. Though the light was weak, I could make out the faint design of the chamber—a vast underground space branching into three separate tunnels, each leading deeper into the unknown.
Ari took a step forward, his antennae twitching slightly as he raised a hand in greeting. "Hello there." His voice carried warmth, resonating softly against the stone walls.
Silence answered him. The young ants blinked, shifting uneasily on their beds. A few whispered to one another, antennae brushing nervously together, but no one stepped forward.
"Well… I guess I should have expected that type of reaction." Ari scratched the back of his neck, his mandibles clinking faintly as he shifted his weight.
After a long pause, a single young ant stepped forward, her small frame trembling. She was slightly smaller than a typical worker, her antennae quivering as she steadied herself. "My name is Isabella," she murmured, her voice barely above the whisper of the fungi-lit chamber. "Why are you here? You're not a nurturer, are you?"
Ari's lips curved into a small smile. "I came to entertain you all."
The children exchanged puzzled glances, their antennae twitching in uncertainty. Entertain them? The idea seemed foreign. Even Edwin, who had turned his back when Ari first arrived, flicked an antenna subtly, betraying his curiosity.
Ari lowered himself to the ground, setting the sack beside him. He held the flame steady, its flickering glow reflecting in the children's wide, gleaming eyes. They stared in awe, unused to any light beyond the faint bioluminescent fungi that dotted the chamber walls.
"I'm Ari, a military ant—a Lance Corporal, at that," he began, his antennae twitching slightly as he scanned their faces. "I've been on many dangerous missions, and I thought I'd share some of my adventures with you."
A flicker of intrigue danced in their eyes. Slowly, hesitantly, they gathered around him, forming a small circle. Isabella sat the closest, her eyes bright with curiosity. Even Edwin, feigning indifference, shuffled a little closer, though he refused to meet Ari's gaze.
Ari grinned. "Not too long ago, I fought against a swarm of flies."
At that, the children gasped. "Flies? But I heard that they're fast!" one of them exclaimed.
Ari nodded. "That's right. And not just any flies—these ones were huge, with four arms, and they could punch faster than the eye could see." He mimicked throwing quick jabs into the air, making some of the children giggle.
"I was surrounded, outnumbered, and they were coming at me from all directions. But I didn't panic." He leaned forward, lowering his voice to a dramatic whisper. "I dodged, weaved through their attacks, and then—slash!" He swung an imaginary blade. "I took down the first one before it even knew what hit it."
The young ants cheered, their small bodies vibrating with excitement. "That's so cool!" one shouted. "I wanna be a soldier like you!"
Isabella, blushing slightly, clung to Ari's arm. "You're amazing," she murmured, her admiration clear.
Ari looked at their bright, eager faces, their enthusiasm so pure. They reminded him of himself—of his human life, when he had been alone in a dark, cold world, until he met Keiko. She had been my light, my first friend, the person who had shown me that there was warmth in the world.
Edwin, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke, his antennae flicking nervously. "Could you tell us more… about the fight? What was it like?" He kept his gaze lowered, avoiding eye contact as his small hands fidgeted in his lap.
Ari smiled, deciding not to tease him for his newfound interest. "Of course."
He continued, weaving vivid tales of battle and bravery. The children were captivated, their eyes shining with excitement and longing. In that moment, they weren't just the forgotten young ones of the colony; they were dreamers, warriors, and workers-in-the-making, full of hope for the future.
In the shadows, unnoticed by all, Valeria watched. Her gaze softened as she observed the children hanging on Ari's every word, laughing and cheering. He really exaggerated what happened, but in the end… he did well, at least based on the reports, she thought, a faint, almost imperceptible smile touching her lips.
A memory surfaced—her father, standing tall, recounting stories of the colony's past, his voice firm but encouraging, instilling in her the drive to protect their future.
In her mind, she could still hear her father's voice, the words etched deep into her memory. Do you see this, Valeria? This is our colony. One day, you'll grow strong enough to protect the queen and our people. I entrust the future of the colony to you, my only begotten child.
She had looked up at him then, determination shining in her eyes. "Yes, Father. I'll become strong and protect everyone from harm. Even you."
Her father had chuckled, patting her on the head. "That's the spirit."
As she observed Ari and the children, laughter echoing through the chamber, she clenched her fists. This is what my father fought to preserve. This is the future of the colony. I need to be strong—for all of their sakes.