The forest thinned as the path led toward the colony. Light from above broke through the canopy in narrow strips, landing across their path in uneven bands.
Ari, Lancelot, and Isla moved in steady formation, their steps aligned without speaking.
A twig snapped underfoot somewhere behind them. The sound echoed briefly through the trees before fading.
The spacing between trunks widened. The forest slowly gave way to open ground.
The colony entrance came into view ahead. The soil underfoot hardened as they crossed onto familiar terrain.
Isla exhaled quietly and brushed a strand of hair away from her face.
"We made it," she said.
Lancelot drew a deep breath but maintained his posture.
Ari walked a few steps ahead of them.
Beatrice stood near the colony entrance with her arms folded across her chest.
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"You're back early from patrol," she said.
Ari stepped forward.
"This is important," he said evenly. "We discovered something in the southern forest, near the colony's outskirts. I need to report it to the captain and Queen Celeste."
Beatrice didn't respond right away.
Her eyes stayed on Ari for a moment, then shifted downward. Dirt was smeared across their exoskeletons, dry along the joints.
Isla's shoulders were tight, a faint tremor running through her hands.
Lancelot kept his gaze angled away, jaw set.
Beatrice exhaled slowly through her nose.
"If this is enough to pull you from your posts…" she said, voice calm but firm, "…then follow me."
She turned on her heel and started walking toward the meeting chamber.
Her feet struck the tunnel floor in steady rhythm, echoing down the passage.
Lancelot and Isla exchanged a quick glance, then fell in behind Ari.
The group moved through the colony corridors.
The Queen's meeting chamber lay deep within the inner sanctum.
Its entrance was sealed by a massive boulder embedded into the tunnel wall.
Ten ant servants stood on either side of it. They were motionless, stinger spears held upright in a strict guard posture.
The group came to a stop.
"We have an urgent situation to report to the Queen," Beatrice said.
The servants exchanged a brief glance.
Then they stepped forward.
Hands pressed against the stone.
With a slow, heavy grind, the boulder shifted. The sound rolled through the entrance as it opened just enough for passage.
Beatrice led them inside.
The chamber widened into a circular hall. The walls curved upward, smooth and reinforced by packed earth and stone.
Faint bioluminescent fungi and scattered patches of glowing moss clung to the upper walls. Their light was dim and steady, casting a soft green glow across the chamber.
Near the center, the Elder ants sat in a semicircle.
Their exoskeletons were worn with age, plates marked by fine cracks.
They remained upright, still, watching in silence.
At the center sat Queen Celeste.
She rested on a stone throne raised slightly above the floor.
Her wings folded neatly behind her translucent, veined with pale gold. Her hands resting lightly on the armrests.
To her right stood Captain Valeria talking with other soldiers.
As the group entered, she turned, gave a short nod, and dismissed them.
To the Queen's left, another soldier remained still, completely composed.
The chamber quieted slightly as attention shifted toward the newcomers.
Isla leaned slightly toward Lancelot, her voice lowered.
"Um… do you know what's happening?"
"It looks like a meeting was already in progress," Lancelot said.
As they approached the Queen, Beatrice stopped and dropped to one knee.
Ari, Lancelot, and Isla followed her lead, lowering their antennae in respect.
Queen Celeste's gaze shifted slowly settling on them.
"I presume you have a report," she said calmly. "And by the look on your faces… it does not seem pleasant."
Her hand rose lightly beneath her chin.
"So tell us… why you have interrupted our council."
Beatrice straightened from her bow.
"Your Majesty, the southern patrol has returned with an important report."
The Queen's eyes moved to Ari.
He straightened.
His throat tightened.
She really picked me for this…
He drew in a slow breath.
"Yes, my Queen," he said. His voice wavered slightly. "During our patrol in the southern outskirts, the surface collapsed and revealed a large crater not far from the colony. Upon inspection, I found traces of dark green slime, along with several large hollowed out tunnels within the crater."
He paused briefly.
"The disturbance appears to have been caused by something large. The tunnels are also extending… toward the colony."
A faint silence followed.
"I see," the Queen said.
Her fingers tapping on the armrest.
"So there is a disturbance in the southern area as well."
Beatrice's eyes widened slightly.
"So there is more than one disturbance…"
"Yes," Valeria stepped forward.
"Another report arrived before yours, from the northeast patrol. They also uncovered crater formations and signs of the same disruption source."
She paused.
"However… I must note that your discovery carries equal significance."
Ari's gaze flicked briefly toward the other patrol group.
So they found the source…
One of the female members from the opposing group returned his look with a sharp, silent glare.
Ari quickly looked away.
What's her problem…
"In the northeast," she continued, "a large crater opened a few miles from the colony. Several workers collecting berries in the area were injured. The patrol unit arrived in time and pulled them out before they fell deeper into the pit."
A pause.
"On that note, one of the patrol members identified the source of the disturbance," she said. "Earthworms. Burrowing through the soil in large numbers."
Celeste's gaze sharpened slightly.
"And if they continue…"
Valeria stepped in.
"They will eventually reach the colony. Once they do, they will damage the foundation and compromise the lower structures. If left unchecked, it could lead to a full collapse."
She paused briefly.
"This behavior is not unusual. As winter approaches, earthworms move toward warmer ground. Our colony generates heat. It draws them in naturally."
"These patterns of earthworm activity matches earlier surface anomalies," one of the elders said quietly.
"But those were classified as isolated collapses years ago...could they somehow be related?"
Ari remained silent, his gaze moving from one elder to the next.
They're taking this a lot more seriously than I expected...
A small, awkward smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
Usually they'd be arguing with me by now.
From the elder circle, Junon cleared his throat.
His hand rose slowly to his chin.
Fingers brushed through the short, rough beard along his jaw.
"Earthworms are not hostile creatures," he said. "They are not strong enough to threaten even lower ranked soldiers.
But their tunneling is the problem. If it continues unchecked, the lower structures will not hold."
Silence tightened again.
"Then it is decided," Valeria said. "We eliminate the earthworms before they advance further, or drive them away from the colony."
Junon gave a slow, firm nod.
"I agree. It must be done quickly, before irreversible damage occurs."
A voice spoke near the Queen.
"If I may, Your Majesty."
Several heads shifted slightly.
"Earthworms, though dangerous, are also a good source of protein. If collected during the operation, they could strengthen our winter reserves."
Ari's eyebrows twitched.
You have got to be kidding me…
A memory surfaced uninvited in his mind. The taste of something grainy and unpleasant, lingering at the back of his tongue.
He swallowed hard.
A faint shiver ran through him as he covered his mouth briefly.
Celeste regarded the chamber calmly.
"You make a fair point, Lieutenant Tavian," she said. "Any units deployed should mark earthworms suitable for retrieval. Worker and soldier teams will handle collection and transport."
Her attention shifted to Valeria.
"Captain Valeria."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"You will form two units. One for the southern sector, one for the northeast. Both are to investigate and neutralize the threat. You will report directly to me upon completion."
"Understood," Valeria said, bowing once before straightening. "I will make the arrangements."
"Time is limited. Ensure the units are prepared. Include soldiers from this chamber in both groups."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Valeria turned.
Her armored steps struck the floor in a steady rhythm as she exited the chamber.
Ari watched Valeria leave.
Judging by Captain Valeria's reaction... I'm definitely getting chosen for this mission.
Ari let out a quiet sigh.
Sorry... I don't think I'll be able to keep my promise to play with you, Isabella.
"This meeting is adjourned," Celeste said.
She turned to Tavian.
"Lieutenant... I'm tasking you with watching over the princess today."
Tavian bowed.
"Right away, Your Majesty."
Soldiers and elders began filing out of the chamber.
Ari stretched.
"Well... I should probably get some rest before then."
"Ari, you coming?" Lancelot asked.
"Yeah."
Ari followed Lancelot and Isla toward the exit.
A young female soldier remained where she stood.
Her eyes stayed fixed on Ari until he disappeared through the chamber entrance.
She clicked her tongue.
Her fingers curled into a fist at her side.
After a brief pause, she turned and quietly followed the others.