The forest thinned as the path led toward the colony. Roots and uneven soil forced careful steps. Loose dirt shifted under armored feet, small stones skittering across the ground.
Leaves and branches brushed against them, and the air smelled of damp soil and moss, carrying the subtle warmth of sunlight breaking through the canopy.
Ari, Rory, and Isla's progress was measured, each armored footfall deliberate. Dust and fragments of soil brushed against torsos and limbs. Tiny beads of sweat formed along chitin joints, coating the smooth edges of their carapaces. Twigs snapped occasionally under their weight, and hollow patches rattled faintly beneath their feet.
The forest opened onto the plains. The colony's entrance rose ahead, compact and structured. The ground underfoot became steady as they stepped fully onto familiar soil.
Isla exhaled quietly, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "We made it," she murmured, shoulders relaxing slightly from the tension of the patrol.
Rory drew a deep breath, his exoskeleton flexing as tension eased from his shoulders. Dust slid from his feet as he adjusted his stance, mandible blades sheathed at his sides.
Ari moved forward with smooth, deliberate steps, every movement controlled and purposeful, leading them toward the entrance.
Corporal Beatrice stood near the entrance of the colony, arms folded across her chest, exoskeleton creaking faintly as she shifted her weight. Her eyes narrowed, lips pressed into a thin line, and a strand of hair fell across her brow. "You're back early from patrol," she said, the tilt of her shoulders and the sharp exhale from her chest emphasizing her irritation.
Ari stepped forward, posture straight and deliberate, shoulders squared beneath his exoskeleton. "We had a reason," he replied evenly, jaw firm, fingers brushing lightly over the sheathed mandibles at his side. "We discovered something in the southern forest, near the colony's outskirts. I need to report it to Commander Valeria and Queen Celeste."
Beatrice's jaw tightened, a faint clack of her armored feet punctuating the pause. Her eyes lingered on Ari, then drifted downward, taking in the dirt and mud smeared across their exoskeletons. She noted Isla's slight trembling, the tension in her shoulders, and the way her hands flexed at her sides.
Narrowing her eyes as if weighing Ari's words, she flicked a subtle glance toward Rory before returning her focus to him. Arms still folded, she shifted her weight slightly, tension in her stance softening only a fraction as she assessed the situation.
She exhaled sharply, the firmness in her jaw unchanging. "Since it's important, I'll let it slide." Pivoting on her heel, shoulders stiff, she strode toward the meeting chamber. The trio followed, postures straight and faces tense, matching the seriousness of the situation.
The clang of pickaxes echoed faintly through the tunnels — a slow, rhythmic pulse that carried from the prison sector deep below. The sound mingled with the faint hum of air moving through the colony's passageways, steady and unbroken.
The Queen's meeting chamber lay deep within the inner sanctum, its entrance sealed by a massive boulder embedded into the tunnel wall. The stone was cold to the touch, marked with faint grooves from the workers who had shaped it. Ten military ants stood at attention on either side, their armor polished, antennae angled forward, eyes alert.
The air was cooler here, carrying the dense, earthy scent of damp stone and bioluminescent growths spreading along the walls.
"We have an urgent report to discuss with the Queen." Beatrice's voice was even and precise, each word measured and firm in the quiet.
The guards exchanged a brief glance before bracing their hands against the stone and pushing. The boulder shifted slowly, its deep rumble vibrating through the soil beneath their feet until the entrance widened enough for passage.
They stepped through.
Inside, the chamber opened into a wide, circular hall. The walls curved smoothly upward, reinforced by hardened soil and compacted stone. Strands of bioluminescent fungi and patches of phosphorescent moss clung to the ceiling and upper walls, their dim green light flowing gently across the chamber.
The illumination was soft and even, washing the surfaces in muted color, and casting long, rippling shadows that swayed when someone moved. The air was cool and still, heavy with the scent of damp earth.
Arrayed in a semicircle near the chamber's center sat the Elder ants. Their exoskeletons were dulled with age, the plates faintly cracked and worn, and yet their posture was upright and commanding. They watched in silence, each subtle shift of their antennae carrying weight.
At the center of it all sat Queen Celeste, elevated slightly upon a throne carved from solid stone. The polished surface reflected the faint glow of the fungi, outlining her form in muted light. Her posture was graceful and composed, hands resting lightly along the armrests.
Her wings — long, translucent, and veined with soft gold — folded behind her like delicate silk. Her face was calm, expression unreadable, antennae poised and still in deliberate focus.
The low hum of quiet conversation filled the air until the four entered.
To the Queen's right stood Commander Valeria, her stance rigid as she spoke with a group of officers. Her exoskeleton gleamed faintly under the pale light as she turned, dismissing them with a curt nod.
Isla leaned closer to Rory, her voice a whisper. "What's happening in here?"
Rory's antennae flicked once before settling again. "Looks like a meeting was already in progress," he murmured.
As they moved further into the chamber, the sound of their steps — a soft click of armored feet against packed soil — drew attention. The murmur faded.
Beatrice halted and dropped to one knee, posture sharp. Ari, Rory, and Isla followed, antennae lowered in respect.
Silence stretched.
Queen Celeste's gaze shifted slowly, settling fully on Ari, Rory, and Isla. Her antennae tilted forward slightly, wings brushing softly against her back.
"I presume you bring news — a matter of consequence," her voice calm yet carrying through the chamber. "Explain why you have interrupted our council. It must be urgent."
Beatrice straightened from her bow, shoulders squared, voice clipped and formal. "Your Majesty, the southern patrol has returned with an important report."
The Queen inclined her head, a subtle signal for Ari to speak.
He straightened from his bow, antennae flicking once as he shifted his weight nervously from foot to foot. His exoskeleton flexed with the movement, a faint scrape of joints echoing in the chamber.
He drew in a slow, deliberate breath, letting the tension roll off his shoulders, and squared himself before the Queen.
"Yes, my Queen." His voice was steady now, but the slight tremor betrayed the weight of the report. "During our patrol on the southern outskirts, the surface crumbled to reveal a large crater not far from the colony. Upon inspection, I noticed traces of dark green slime and several large hollowed-out tunnels within the crater. The disturbance appears to have been caused by something of significant size, and the tunnels seem to be moving toward the colony."
A faint pause followed Ari's report. Queen Celeste's antennae twitched slightly, wings brushing softly against her back. "So there's a disturbance in the southern area as well," she murmured, a hint of surprise in her voice, though her posture remained composed.
Beatrice's eyes widened subtly, antennae flicking forward. "So there's more than one disturbance," she murmured, tone betraying genuine shock.
Commander Valeria approached, exoskeleton flexing as her armored feet clicked against the polished floor. "Yes," she continued, voice steady, eyes scanning the chamber. "Another report arrived before yours, from the northeast patrol team. Their information was more vivid — they actually encountered the source of the disruption. Though I must note, your discovery is equally significant."
Ari's gaze flicked briefly toward the other patrol group, catching a sharp glare from one of its female members.
What's her deal… he thought, feeling the subtle tension radiating from her stare, forcing himself to look away and focus on the urgency of the situation.
Commander Valeria stepped forward, antennae flicking once as she crossed her arms. "In the northeast, the earth collapsed. A huge crater opened a few miles from the colony. Several worker ants were injured; but luckily, the patrol team was in the area and acted quickly, rescuing them before they could fall into the hollow pit."
Her gaze swept the chamber briefly. "One of their members observed the source of the disturbance — earthworms, digging through the soil."
Queen Celeste's forearms pressed lightly against the armrests, wings shifting slightly as she murmured, "However, if the earthworms continue…"
Valeria leaned forward just slightly, tone measured. "They will eventually reach the colony and destroy its infrastructure, potentially causing a collapse capable of killing nearly all its inhabitants. This is not an unusual behavior — winter approaches, and they seek warm areas underground. Our colony radiates heat, naturally attracting them."
The distant clanging of pickaxes from the prison sector below underscored the weight of her words, filling the chamber with tense quiet.
From among the elders, Junon stirred. His antennae angled forward as his hand rose slowly to his chin, fingers brushing against the short, coarse beard that framed his jaw. His voice carried a rough, deliberate calm.
"Earthworms are not hostile creatures," he began, tone steady, eyes narrowing in thought. "They are not nearly strong enough to threaten even the lowest rank of soldiers. However…" He paused, thumb tracing along his jawline as the faint green light of the fungi caught on the lines of his face. "They pose a risk not only to the lower sectors, but to the entire colony itself. If their tunneling continues unchecked, the structural stability of our home will collapse in time."
Valeria's posture straightened, her arms folding neatly behind her back. "Then it's clear what the objective is," her voice steady, composed. "Kill the earthworms — or drive their attention away from the colony."
Junon gave a firm nod, the light from the fungi glinting off the worn edges of his exoskeleton. "I agree with you, Commander. We must stop them — and quickly."
From the Queen's side, a soft movement broke the stillness. Tavian, who had remained silent until now, inclined his head slightly. "If I may speak, Your Majesty," he began, tone measured but thoughtful. "Earthworms are a good source of protein. If we collect them along with our winter stores, our colony would be far better prepared for the cold season."
Ari's jaw tightened as the memory surfaced — the taste of a mealybug, raw and grainy on his tongue. Disgusting… and even worse, they eat it raw. I could almost throw up just remembering it.
Queen Celeste's antennae shifted slightly, her expression calm but attentive. "You make a fair point, Tavian. Whoever is sent on this mission should mark any fallen earthworms for retrieval. The worker and soldier teams can harvest them afterward."
Queen Celeste's gaze swept the chamber, her antennae moving slightly as she considered the gathered officers. "Commander Valeria," she began, voice steady, "assemble two units to address this matter. One will investigate and neutralize the threat to the south, the other will do the same in the northeast. Both will report directly to me upon return."
"Yes, my Queen," Valeria responded, antennae tilting forward slightly. Her exoskeleton flexed as she straightened, posture crisp and deliberate. "I will assemble the teams immediately."
Queen Celeste's wings shifted faintly behind her, golden veins catching the soft glow from the chamber. "Time is of the essence. Ensure the units are briefed and prepared. The colony cannot afford delays."
Valeria inclined her head, eyes scanning the gathered soldiers. "Understood, Your Majesty. I will see to it myself."
She turned on her heel, armored feet clicking softly against the polished soil as she left the chamber. Behind her, the faint clanging of pickaxes from the lower tunnels continued, a subtle reminder of the work that never ceased within the colony.