Queen Celeste Colony — Earlier That Day
Ari's chamber was a hollowed-out pocket of earth. A small cluster of bioluminescent fungi clung to the ceiling in one corner, casting a faint blue-green glow across the walls.
"Sorry for dragging you all here. There's something I want to talk about before we meet with the Queen and figure out how we're taking down the moths and Magnus."
Ignatia's eyes settled on Ari.
"I have questions about why you wanted us here before the actual meeting." She paused, lowering her eyes as she took a slow breath. "But you're the one who made this alliance possible."
She looked back at him.
"I haven't forgotten that. That's why I trust your judgment."
"Speak for yourself, Ignatia. I'm surprised you've gone soft. I never expected you to ramble this much."
Ignatia's crimson eyes narrowed.
Seraphina stepped closer.
"You summoned two Monarchs here like we were your subordinates. And you expect us to sit around in a place this... foul, no less?"
Her fingers brushed her hip.
"I'm eager to hear the reason."
Valeria leaned back against the chamber wall, folding her arms across her chest.
"Well... to get straight to the point, this meeting is about your guardian, Nytheris."
Ignatia's eyes widened.
"I have proof that he's working with Magnus. And there's reason to believe he may have the Moonveil Blossom," Ari said.
"Is that so...?" Ignatia said.
"It's been clear for a long time that he was hiding something. I questioned his loyalty more than once. His actions never quite seemed to align with the Kaleidoscope."
Seraphina shifted slightly, folding her wings neatly behind her back. A small smile touched her lips.
"Though... I never imagined you'd be the one to uncover it." She looked at Ari. "I have to admit, that surprises me."
"But tell me, Ari—does this serve as evidence enough that he truly betrayed them?" Valeria asked.
Ari ruffled his hair. "Well… I'm not sure. That's why I called this meeting. I'll share everything I've gathered about him so far."
Silence filled the chamber.
Ignatia lowered her gaze. Her fingers curled then loosened at her sides. She looked up. Her face was calm.
Seraphina tilted her head slightly. "So you've been observing Nytheris this whole time, while none of them even considered the possibility?"
"Yes… but what choice did I have?" Ari said.
Seraphina's gaze sharpened. "I can see why a soldier of her rank places such faith in your judgment." She looked toward Valeria. Her mouth curved faintly. "Even if your strength does not quite match your conviction."
"I will admit… there have been moments when I questioned Nytheris's actions," Ignatia said. "I have known him for many years. To think he would stand with the moths , creatures whose very existence threatens ours." She shook her head. "I can't turn a blind eye, we need to know the truth. What you have brought forward cannot be ignored—not unless we are prepared to pay the price for it later."
"Then what do you propose? How do we determine whether he is truly workingfor the moths or has his own agenda?" Seraphina asked. Her antennae twitched, brushing her orange and black wings.
"As I mentioned before, Lieutenant Brooks returned from the southern burrows with a report," Ari said. "The centipedes were driving earthworms from their nests. But there is another possibility. The moths may have been involved. If so, the burrow was part of their plot." He paused. "My plan is to observe Nytheris during the gathering. If he moves or suggests something to divert us, we adjust and act accordingly."
Valeria stood straighter. "So you intend to risk the lives of my soldiers and the safety of the entire colony based entirely on the chance that Nytheris betrayed his Kaleidoscope?"
"I know this is not ideal. And I may be wrong," Ari said. "But my instincts are telling me to follow this path. So I can't stand idle while they hold control. You just have to put your trust in me."
"And what about the Moonveil Blossom?" Ignatia asked. We don't have much time,. "Once the full moon rises, if Magnus gets his hands on that flower, we may not get another chance to stop him. So we have to find where it's hidden before it's too late."
"Don't worry," Ari said. "The flower will eventually find its way to us.
Valeria released a slow breath and walked over to Ari, gently tapping her on the shoulder.
"Even with the risks we're facing, I still trust you," Valeria said. "You haven't failed us once since you appeared here. So don't disappoint me now, Lance Corporal Ari."
Ari straightened and nodded.
"Yes, Captain."
He looked up at the chamber's ceiling.
Who would've thought that saving Ignatia that night would lead us to something like this?
I even ended up getting the entire colony involved.
Ari clenched his hands at his side.
"But I'm not going to fail them now."
The Outskirts of the Southern Burrows — Afternoon
The column of military ants and Butterfly guardians continued across the rugged terrain.
Captain Valeria held her position at the front of the march, her eyes fixed on the path ahead.
High above, Ignatia moved through the air. Her indigo wings caught the afternoon light, their steady movement casting a rhythmic shadow across the ground.
Behind her, the twenty guardians maintained a tight formation.
Luminara remained suspended between her two guardians, her white wings held still as they carried her through the sky. The green cloth covering her eyes fluttered lightly in the passing air.
The march finally came to an end at the edge of a massive crater.
Gnarled roots broke through the surface around its rim, their twisted forms tearing through the earth and sending loose clumps of soil tumbling into the darkness below.
Valeria raised one hand.
The soldiers stopped at once.
The steady vibration of their armored feet faded until the only sounds left were the wind and the occasional crumble of soil from the crater's edge.
Valeria lowered her gaze toward the dark opening, searching for any sign of movement.
The Butterfly guardians descended from the air.
Their wings swept across the ground as they landed, kicking up clouds of dust before folding tightly against their backs. Fine dirt settled over their exoskeletons as they moved into position beside the ant formation.
Ignatia lowered herself onto one knee.
She pressed her fingers into the soil and pulled up a clump of dark, oily residue. She brought it closer to the light.
Her red eyes narrowed.
"Moth dust..." she said.
She rubbed the black grit between her thumb and forefinger, examining the residue.
"Are you certain?" Valeria asked.
"There's no mistaking it," Ignatia said.
"Ari's intuition was right. The Moths are occupying this location."
She let the dirt fall from her fingers and rose to her feet.
Valeria's gaze moved across the soldiers gathered behind her.
"Everyone, stay alert," she said. "We're crossing into enemy territory now. From this point forward, we don't know what could be waiting for us."
The guardians straightened.
"Proceed with extreme caution," she continued. "If something happens, don't hesitate. Stay focused, follow your formation, and don't let fear control your movements."
"Is that clear?"
"Yes, Captain!"
The unified response echoed across the crater.
Valeria turned toward Ignatia.
"I'm trusting you with our aerial defenses," she said. "And with the lives of every soldier serving under Queen Celeste."
"I'm aware," Ignatia said.
She looked toward the crater, her expression hardening.
"For the sake of this region... and for my Kaleidoscope, I'll protect everyone and put an end to Magnus."
The words brought back an old memory.
She was flying over the meadows.
The sky had been clear that day, with the afternoon sun shining through the clouds below. Nytheris flew a short distance behind her, keeping watch over the surrounding area.
Ignatia glanced over her shoulder.
"You're always hovering around me."
"It's my duty," Nytheris said.
"You don't have to stay that close. I'm perfectly capable of protecting myself."
"I know."
Ignatia looked ahead again.
"Then why do you keep following me?"
Nytheris gave a small smile.
"Because you're my Monarch. I swore an oath to protect you, remember? If anything happens to you, I'm the one who'll pay for it."
Ignatia sighed.
"You take your duty way too seriously. You need to lighten up a little."
"I'll give it some thought."
She shook her head, but a faint smile appeared on her face.
The memory faded.
Ignatia looked down into the crater.
"No matter what."
It seemed she had made the right call by putting her trust in Ari. Thanks to him, we have allies strong enough to stand with us against Magnus.
At the thought, Luminara smiled faintly.
Far below, deeper within the crater, a figure sat motionless on a cluster of rocks. The darkness concealed most of his form. For several seconds, he remained completely still.
Then his golden eyes opened.
A faint glow cut through the darkness.
Magnus slowly lifted his head.
"So... they've arrived."