The outskirts of the colony lay desolate. Wind swept through the grasslands, rustled the forest, and howled through the cavernous tunnels, sending loose stones rattling across the ground and dust swirling through the air.
A sharp thud broke through the wind.
Then another.
Around fifty figures crash-landed near the colony's entrance. Their carapaces scraped against the dirt, sending stones skittering across the ground as dust rose around them.
The impact sent a deep tremor through the ground.
Dust shook loose from the ceiling of the vast chamber near the quarry. Fine grit rained down from the stone above, and loose rocks clattered across the floor. The walls shuddered under the force.
"They're here..." Valeria muttered.
Her fists clenched tightly at her sides. Her hands trembled, and she ground her teeth together.
Ari watched her, his mouth parting slightly.
No way... Is Valeria scared?
He glanced toward the entrance, then back at her.
Just how powerful could grasshoppers possibly be in this world?
"Captain Valeria, the tribute is in place. The workers who stacked it have safely returned to the worker sector," Beatrice said.
Valeria took a slow breath.
"Take your place in the formation."
"Right."
Beatrice moved into position.
"I can only hope their chief doesn't come this year," one elder said.
"They should take the food and leave, just like they always do," another elder said.
"That's how it's played out since the Great War."
Celeste sat upright on her throne, her expression unchanged. Tavian and Cassian stood on either side of the throne.
Princess Emilia sat beside Celeste, turning her head from left to right.
Why is everyone so tense? What's happening?
Above the surface, a female grasshopper groaned and dragged two of her four arms across her dusty carapace. She rolled her shoulders, then flexed her aching legs.
"Finally! We've reached the last colony." she said. "I'm so tired. We've been traveling for days!"
A male grasshopper turned his head toward her.
"You know, you're seriously annoying sometimes," he said. "There are moments when I wonder if we're even related."
The female grasshopper slowly turned her head toward him.
Honestly, does he ever know when to shut up?
He looked past her toward the colony entrance.
"But you're not wrong," he said. "This territory is enormous. We've already collected tribute from every colony and Hive under our control in less than a week."
He kept his gaze fixed on the entrance.
"Except this one."
"Ugh, don't remind me." She cracked her fingers, then rolled her shoulders. "My joints are killing me."
Hansel glanced at her before turning his attention back to the colony entrance.
"This territory is far too vast. An average ant would need at least two months to travel this distance."
The female grasshopper groaned again.
"I know, I know. But that doesn't make this any less tedious." She brushed a speck of dirt from her carapace. "Hansel, why are we still wasting our time with this? Just have the ants bring the harvest to us. Then we can be done with this whole ordeal."
Hansel narrowed his eyes.
"Because it would take them at least a week," he said.
He glanced toward the distant trail behind them.
"And trust me, that's a long time for a trip like this."
Nearby, another grasshopper unsheathed his mandibles. He ran his tongue along their sharp edges, a wide grin spreading across his face.
"I can't wait to tear them apart," Vraijow said.
He stepped forward.
Another grasshopper moved in front of him, blocking his path.
"Vraijow. I'm not going to say this again," he said. "This isn't a battle. We're not here to start a war. We're here to collect our share of the harvest, just like we have every year for over a decade. So control yourself."
Vraijow's smirk faded. His brow lowered.
"And who's going to stop me?" he asked.
"I couldn't care less about those fragile twigs," Vraijow continued. "I want the three powerful ants who wiped out the fly swarm."
"Damarok."
Zyroth's voice echoed slightly.
He stepped forward. The ground trembled beneath each of his heavy strides.
"We came for our portion of the harvest to see us through winter, just like always." He looked over the four grasshoppers. "You four are my most trusted warriors. I expect you to show restraint."
His gaze settled on Vraijow.
"Especially you, Vraijow."
"You're going inside the colony, Zyroth?" Damarok asked.
Zyroth looked toward the entrance.
"Yes. I'm curious to see what the ants who survived the Great War look like after all these years."
Hansel turned toward the other grasshoppers.
"Ten of you will follow us inside," he said.
Without a word, the selected grasshoppers fell in behind him.
Damarok paused beside the large, wheeled containers near the entrance. He lowered his head, examining their sturdy frames and unfamiliar construction.
"Well, well," he muttered. "I have no idea how they managed to build something like this, but they've certainly improved their skills."
He ran one of his fingers along the edge of a container, then glanced toward the colony entrance.
They weren't capable of this during the Great War.
A faint grin returned to his face.
"Interesting."
He turned and disappeared into the colony.
Inside the vast chamber, Ari stood in formation alongside Isla, Lily, Rory, Beatrice, Brooks, and Valeria. Soldiers filled the space behind them.
Heavy footsteps boomed. They grew louder with every step. The grasshoppers walked in.
Zyroth followed. His massive frame blocked half the glow from the bioluminescent fungi. Three sharp spikes jutted from each arm. Light caught their edges and glinted.
Isla pressed her shoulder tight to Ari's. Her whole body shook.
He's bigger than the stories said.
Zyroth paced forward. His claws clicked against stone.
"It's been a long time since I stood inside this colony," Zyroth said. His voice dropped. "Why do you all look so tense?"
He moved closer to the dais. His gaze locked straight on Celeste.
"Queen Celeste, an honor to stand before you. I trust you've been well?"
"We've been managing," Celeste said. "Preparing for the winter ahead."
Zyroth's gaze flicked to the pile in the corner, then back to her.
"Yes," he said. "The more you gather, the more we receive. It serves us both."
Celeste lifted a hand and pointed toward the far corner of the chamber.
"Your share of the harvest is there," she said.
Damarok motioned to six grasshoppers, who immediately began carrying the stocks away. His gaze shifted sharply, landing on a familiar figure among the ants.
"Lieutenant Brooks," he muttered.
Brooks looked straight ahead.
Ari's fists clenched.
What is this? Why are they acting like the grasshoppers own them? No way... Has this been going on for years? Have they really been accepting this?
Zyroth's eyes slowly scanned the chamber before settling on Emilia.
He raised one hand and flicked a finger toward her.
Emilia's legs shook as she took a hesitant step forward.
Then another.
She swallowed hard, her breathing becoming unsteady.
What should I do? I'm scared...
She pressed a hand against her chest.
As she reached Zyroth, he bent down and lifted her off the ground with one arm.
"You've grown," he said. "But you still feel so... weak. Like I could break you in half without even trying."
His grip slowly tightened around her throat.
Emilia's eyes widened.
Her hands immediately grabbed at his arm as her breathing faltered. Her legs kicked helplessly beneath her, scraping against the air as she struggled to pull herself free.
A strained gasp escaped her throat.
The chamber remained silent.
Isla covered her mouth with both hands, muffling a broken whimper.
Lancelot's teeth ground together.
He tried to move.
His legs refused.
What the hell?
Beatrice clicked her tongue and looked away.
Brooks lowered his gaze.
Valeria's hand twitched.
Slowly, her hands moved toward her sheathed mandibles.
Then Zyroth's eyes swept across the chamber.
Valeria froze.
Her hand stopped.
After a moment, she lowered it.
Ari's vision blurred.
He looked around the chamber, his eyes moving from one soldier to another.
No one moved.
Why won't anyone move? Why isn't the Queen Celeste trying to stop this? Are we really this powerless?
His teeth clenched.
His vision narrowed until Emilia was all he could see.
Her eyes were beginning to lose their focus.
Her struggles were becoming weaker.
Tears gathered in her eyes as she clawed desperately at Zyroth's grip.
"P... please..." Emilia whispered. "I'm begging you... s stop... I can't breathe..."
Her fingers trembled against his arm.
Zyroth laughed.
Ari's fists tightened.
Whether he's powerful or not, there's no way I can just stand here and let him hurt her.
His body moved before he could think twice.
Ari rushed forward and unsheathed both of his mandibles.
"Let her the hell go!" he shouted.
Everyone in the chamber widened their eyes.
Ari swung both mandibles forward.
They sliced through the air with a sharp whistle as he aimed directly for Zyroth's midsection.