Morning had arrived quietly over the colony. The sun rose above the vertical terrain, casting a soft golden light across the settlement. Thin layers of dew covered the grass, gathering along the edges of each blade.
Ari, Lancelot, and Isla walked along the outskirts of the colony, following the narrow path that stretched beyond the last few trees of the forest.
Isla inhaled deeply.
"Ahh!!"
"Today is a great day! This is the first time since we became soldiers that we've actually been given a day off! After everything we've been through, we've definitely earned this."
"You can say that again," Lancelot said. "Although... I have no idea what I'm supposed to do with all this free time."
"What do you think, Ari?"
Lancelot turned toward him.
"Earth to Ari."
Ari lifted his head, his mouth parting slightly.
"What is it, Lance?"
"You've been out of it for the past few days."
"Yes, I noticed it too," Isla said. "Is something wrong?"
"It's just that..." Ari looked ahead. "Ever since we got closer to winter, something's been off with everyone in the colony. The Queen, Princess, Valeria... everyone."
He paused.
"And for some reason, it's making me uneasy."
Lancelot and Isla exchanged a glance.
"Don't overthink it, Ari," Lancelot said. "It's a new season. Maybe they're just bracing themselves for the worst."
"I hope you're right."
"Oh yeah, that's right. I haven't seen Private Nova since the war against the moths..."
Isla slowed and raised a hand beside her face.
"I believe Nova's been secretly punished for her actions in the Southern Crater. Corporal Quinn has been acting in the captain's place since she's been busy lately."
"What? Really?" Ari said. "Well, I hope she's okay."
They reached the entrance of the colony.
"I have to meet with Corporal Lily now, so I'll see you both later."
Isla gave them a quick wave before turning toward the main tunnel. A moment later, Isla disappeared into the tunnel.
Lancelot stretched.
"Well, now that that's out of the way, I'm heading back to training. You wanna join?"
"Um... I'll pass this time. I have a few other things to take care of."
"Suit yourself," Lancelot said before walking toward the training grounds.
Ari sighed.
I don't know why, but for some reason, I just can't put my mind at ease.
Suddenly, a faint light caught his eye.
"Huh?"
Ari turned toward it.
He walked around the colony, following the light until he reached the side of the settlement. There, partially hidden behind the surrounding plants, he found an entrance covered in thick greenery.
"What?"
He stepped inside, his mouth falling open.
Berry bushes, flowers, medicinal plants, and grapevines grew throughout the area.
"What is this place?" Ari asked, looking around.
Suddenly, he heard a loud thud.
"AAAH!"
That sounds like the princess.
He quickly unsheathed his mandibles and rushed down the pathway.
"Princess Emilia, you need to pay more attention to those roots sticking out of the ground."
"Right. I'm sorry."
Emilia sat on the ground with one eye shut. Beside her lay a broken resin bowl, its contents scattered across the wet dirt.
"Wait... isn't that Evelyn?" Ari thought.
Evelyn turned.
"Ari?"
Ari sheathed his mandibles and walked over.
"It's been a while."
"Yeah, it has. I haven't seen you around much," Evelyn said with a smile.
"Yeah, I've been getting a lot of work lately." Ari scratched the back of his head.
Evelyn chuckled.
"I can tell."
Emilia got up and turned toward him, her eyes widening.
"What? Ari, what are you doing here? And how'd you find this place?"
"I just happened to see it while walking near the entrance."
Emilia covered her face with both hands, her cheeks turning slightly red.
"Princess?"
"My secret's out... and by you of all people."
"Sorry for intruding. I didn't mean to."
She quickly waved her hands.
"No, I didn't mean it like that. If it's you, then I'm okay with it."
She touched her index fingers together, looking down.
"But you'll have to keep it a secret. I'm not ready to show it to anyone until I know it can really make a difference."
"Sure," Ari said. "It's a promise."
"Anyways, I never knew you two knew each other."
"Yeah, it's a long story. It's been about two weeks since I met her," Evelyn said. "In the worker chambers."
"Evelyn's been teaching me how to grow plants. I was passing through the workers' sector when I saw her watering some plants I'd never seen before. I got curious, and that's when I had the idea to grow more plants."
"I started asking her questions, and she taught me everything about soil and which plants are capable of surviving in the tunnels."
Emilia lowered her gaze.
"I know it's really hard for our workers and soldiers, traveling through danger every day just so we can survive. I don't want them to have to worry anymore."
"I want to help them. That's why I'm going to keep working on this."
"Looks like the princess has more patience than I thought... and more heart for the colony and its ants," Evelyn said.
Ari looked at Emilia for a moment.
She really is kind and thoughtful... always thinking of ways to help her colony.
For a moment, his mind drifted back to Keiko.
He remembered her helping an elderly woman cross the street on their way home from school. Then another memory surfaced, Keiko laughing as she played with a group of children at the park while they were hanging out.
Why am I thinking about her now, of all times...?
I can't help it. They're alike in so many ways.
"Ari, are you okay?" Emilia asked, moving a little closer.
Ari quickly took a step back.
"Oh...yeah. I'm fine."
"You know what..." he whispered, a small smile forming. "Maybe one day, we won't have to put anyone in danger just to find food."
Emilia smiled.
"Right!"
"If you want, I can teach you how to plant seeds. Then you can help us carry water here."
"Yes... I'll keep that in mind."
Evelyn stood off to the side, her arms loosely crossed.
"Am I missing something?"
Her eyes shifted between the two of them.
Are Ari and the princess... this close?
She opened her mouth to say something, then closed it again.
She puffed out her cheeks.
"No fair," she muttered under her breath.
Far across the grassland plains, a fortress rose against the horizon.
Multiple ants swarmed its base, sweat cutting pale trails through the grime on their faces. Their eyes were hollow and legs buckled beneath chunks of stone, lumber, and resin crates lashed to their backs.
The outer wall already stood several stories overhead. Stone blocks locked together in uneven rows, mortar smeared thick between the seams. Wooden beams jutted from the masonry at odd angles, bracing platforms packed shoulder to shoulder with workers. Wet mortar squelched between their fingers. One packed a fistful, then using their hands they smooth it leveled.
Beyond the wall, towers rose higher still, their tips catching the light. The fortress stretched far along the horizon, swallowing whole stretches of grassland beneath its shadow.
Bridges spanned the gaps between towers, strung high above the outer wall.
Hammering rang out from somewhere deep within the walls. Wood groaned under strain, the sound rolling out across the open plain before fading into the wind.
At the heart of the fortress, past the scaffolding and the half-finished towers, in the highest chamber, a figure sat obscured by darkness.
Another figure stepped forward, his armored feet striking the ground with a heavy thud.
"Chief Zyroth," he said.
"The eastern colonies have fallen in line. They've agreed to the tribute."
"And the ones who haven't?"
Zyroth's voice came from the darkness.
"As per your orders, they were wiped out. Nothing your forces couldn't handle."
"You think I'd expect those insignificant creatures... to pose a threat to you, Damarok?"
"That wasn't the point."
Damarok folded his four arms.
"On that note, it's time for our winter collection from the sixteen ant colonies and three bee hives we've conquered."
"I've sent a total of one hundred grasshoppers to each location. I'll be heading to the central ant colony in the Grass Plains to collect their tribute. That will be all."
Damarok turned and walked away.
Zyroth's fingers slowly dragged across the stone wall.
CRACK.
A section of the fortress broke apart and collapsed to the ground.
Damarok stopped.
He slowly turned around.
Zyroth's green eyes glowed as he stepped out into the light. His four arms hung at his sides, spikes running along them.
"It's been about four years since I last traveled to Queen Celeste's colony," he said. "I wonder how much they've grown since then... especially the Vanguard's child."
Damarok's mouth opened.
"Zyroth, you intend to—"
"I'll be going as well."
Zyroth stepped forward, passing Damarok as his shadow stretched across the carved lines in the floor.
"Gather the other generals."
He didn't look back.
"We leave at dawn."
"If that's what you wish, my lord."
Zyroth continued walking.
Looks like I'll be seeing you sooner than I'd hoped, Lieutenant Brooks, Damarok thought.
Far below the highest chamber of the fortress
A winged female ant staggered forward, each step unsteady as she carried a heavy boulder in her arms. Her face was lifeless, her eyes empty as she continued walking.