After the meeting concluded, the Butterflies were escorted to a chamber not far from the Grand Meeting Hall.
The three Monarchs followed the soldiers until they disappeared from Ari's sight.
"Be sure to get some rest, Lance Corporal Ari," Captain Valeria said.
She paused for a moment.
"I expect our strategy meeting will prove... interesting."
Ari raised his hand slightly.
"Uh... yes, Captain."
"I look forward to your insight."
With that, she turned and walked away.
One by one, the Elders took their leave, the meeting chamber gradually falling silent.
Nearby, Princess Emilia drew her hands to her chest.
A quiet breath escaped her as the tension left her shoulders.
"Ari..."
Her lips pressed into a thin line as she watched him leave.
Ari stepped into the tunnels.
His armored feet struck the packed earth.
I'm tired...
He stretched, feeling the stiffness in his shoulders and arms.
A lot has happened... and it's only been a single night.
Still... we've finally formed an alliance with the Butterflies.
I don't know what I've gotten myself into... but I have to see it through.
No matter how difficult it becomes.
He slowed to a stop.
That's right...
I haven't checked on Nova since I got back, have I?
Ari entered the medicinal chamber.
The glow of the fungi reflected across his exoskeleton.
The sharp scent of crushed leaves and fresh sap lingered in the air.
He walked quietly between the woven beds before stopping beside Nova.
Her breathing was slow and steady.
"Looks like she's asleep," he said quietly.
A small smile appeared on his face.
I'm glad she's okay.
Ari turned to leave.
Behind him, Nova's antennae snapped upright.
Her eyelids slowly opened.
She blinked once before her gaze settled on his back.
Her shoulders drew in slightly.
"A... Ari?"
"Oh... you're still awake?"
Nova pushed herself upright.
She quickly looked away, a faint blush spreading across her cheeks.
"W... What are you doing here?"
"I came to check on you," Ari said.
"As if I need your pity."
Nova folded her arms.
"Besides..."
Her jaw tightened.
"You were the one on the brink of death."
Ari let out a quiet chuckle.
"What's so funny?" Nova asked.
"It's just that Beatrice told me you were asking about me."
He rubbed the back of his head.
"Sounded like you were actually worried."
Nova's cheeks warmed even more.
"Beatrice has quite the imagination."
"I was only making sure you hadn't embarrassed the colony by breaking formation and getting yourself killed."
"Hmph!"
"As if I'd waste my energy worrying about a fool like you."
"Right."
Ari smiled.
"My mistake."
Before either of them could say another word, a strained voice broke the silence.
"So... you're the one they call Ari."
Ari and Nova turned toward the nearby woven bed.
Garren slowly pushed himself upright, one hand braced against the bedding as he steadied himself.
"Yeah, that's me," Ari said.
Garren gave a small nod.
"I am Garren, one of the guardians of the Kaleidoscope."
"I wanted to speak with you."
Garren drew a careful breath.
"I heard what happened..."
He winced.
"You stepped in... and saved Ignatia from the moths."
Ari lowered his gaze.
"I did what I could."
His fingers curled loosely at his side.
"But it wasn't enough."
"I was too weak."
"Maybe that's how you see it," Garren said. "But Ignatia once saved my life during a moth raid."
He looked toward the chamber ceiling.
"I've carried that debt with me ever since."
His eyes returned to Ari.
"By saving her... you gave me the chance to repay it someday."
"So... thank you."
"You don't have to thank me," Ari said.
A faint smile crossed his face.
"It wasn't exactly a coincidence that I was there."
"Our paths were bound to cross tonight."
Garren's expression hardened.
"Listen, Ari..."
"I'm sure you've already met Nytheris."
"Ignatia's guardian."
"Oh..."
"The one with the black wings and the temper?"
"Yeah."
Garren's jaw tightened.
"Whatever you do..."
"Be careful around him."
Ari's expression grew more serious.
"Why?"
"During the ambush..."
Garren's breathing faltered.
"When my squad was being slaughtered..."
"I saw him."
Silence filled the chamber.
"He wasn't fighting."
"He just stood there..."
"And watched."
His eyes trembled.
"If he'd only stepped in..."
His voice cracked.
"Loir..."
"Grey..."
"Aris..."
"They might still be alive."
A tear slipped down his cheek.
"But he never moved."
"He watched us die..."
"As if our lives meant nothing."
His fist tightened against the bedding.
Ari rested a hand against his chin.
So... Nytheris might be involved.
He looked back at Garren.
"Do you know where he is now?"
Garren shook his head.
"No."
"The moment the Monarchs left for the meeting..."
"He disappeared."
He hesitated.
"I believe he had something to do with the Moonveil Blossom being taken."
"But I can't prove it."
"So I stayed quiet."
"I'm begging you..."
"Please protect Ignatia."
"Besides her sisters..."
"You're the only person I think she'll truly trust."
Ari fell silent.
We have a strategy meeting tomorrow before we launch our attack.
I never factored Nytheris into that plan.
I know he'll be by Ignatia's side.
I'll have to figure something out.
A small smile appeared on his face.
"Thanks."
"You just gave me a way to find the moths."
"And if Nytheris really is involved..."
"I'll find out the truth myself."
Garren's eyes widened.
A slow breath escaped him.
"I knew I made the right choice trusting you."
Another tear traced down his cheek.
Ari smiled.
"Since I've come this far..."
"I'm not leaving this unfinished."
Nova reached up and adjusted the damp leaf wrapped around her forehead.
Her eyes lingered on the chamber entrance long after Ari had left.
Now I understand...
So this is why the Queen... and even Captain Valeria... place so much faith in him.
A faint smile touched her lips.
He really is... an amazing soldier.
Ari stopped outside the entrance to his quarters.
If Nytheris is involved...
Then what's his real objective?
He stood motionless.
Only his breathing disturbed the silence.
Would a guardian really betray the Monarch he swore to protect?
...Or am I still missing something?
A sudden warmth pressed against his back.
His eyes widened.
Two arms wrapped tightly around his waist.
He instinctively started to turn.
The embrace tightened.
"Please..."
The voice trembled.
"Don't look."
"Just... stay like this for a little while."
"Princess Emilia...?"
"It's really you, Ari..."
Her voice shook.
"I was so worried."
"When Beatrice came back without you..."
"And then she told the council that you ran into the forest while you were injured..."
Her grip tightened.
"I thought..."
"I thought I'd lost you."
A shiver ran through her body.
Ari gently rested his hands over hers.
Slowly, he loosened her grip and turned to face her.
The corridor was dim.
The tears in her green eyes caught what little light remained.
She really was worried about me.
"I'm sorry."
His voice was quiet.
"I made you worry."
He met her eyes.
"But I meant what I told you."
"I'll protect you."
"No matter what."
"So..."
He smiled gently.
"Believe in me."
Emilia looked down.
Then slowly nodded.
"I do."
She looked back up.
"But promise me..."
"You'll be more careful."
Ari nodded without hesitation.
"I promise."
She smiled softly before turning away.
After Emilia left, Ari remained standing in the middle of his chambers.
His eyes stayed on the empty tunnel ahead.
A memory quietly surfaced.
Her smile...
It's just like Keiko's.
Back when I was still human.
I was eleven when I tried to run away from home.
It was so lonely.
So frustrating.
My father was hardly ever home... and even when he was, we barely spoke.
Little by little... I stopped caring.
About school.
About my life.
I'd had enough.
I didn't want to go back.
Then Keiko found me.
She searched until the sun went down.
When she finally found me... she was crying.
But even with tears running down her face... she smiled.
I can still remember that smile.
Ari lowered his eyes.
For a brief moment...
The brown chitin covering his hand disappeared.
In its place...
He saw the hand he once had.
The one Keiko had reached for that day.
It's the same smile.
He sat down on the woven bed.
The fibers creaked beneath his weight.
He removed his mandible blades and set them beside him.
Silence settled over the chamber.
Gradually...
The first light of morning filtered through the tunnel shafts.