Queen Celeste tilted her head slightly, her wings shifting gently against her back and antennae twitching with curiosity.
"State your name, ant."
"My name's Ari," he said, voice even, though his chest tightened with each breath. "Just… a lost soul who ended up in your prison."
Celeste's emerald eyes glinted in the flickering light of the fungi as she studied him. "Ari," she said, her voice calm but commanding, "regarding the invasion, what exactly did Aixen say?"
"The invasion will happen in two days," Ari said, voice steady and controlled. "You need to gather every soldier capable of fighting and plan carefully to gain the upper hand so your colony doesn't get overwhelmed."
"He's right, Your Highness," Valeria said, her tone cool and certain. Her antennae moved sharply. "Anyone able should join us to repel this unforeseen threat."
The Queen paused, her fingers resting on the armrest of the throne. "Very well. I will call a meeting and hear the elder ants' opinions before we organize a strategy."
"There isn't much time," Ari interjected, his voice echoing faintly in the enclosed chamber. "You have to act now."
Valeria nodded, folding her arms across her chest. "I agree. We need to act immediately. Waiting for the elders to decide is useless, they're too old and stubborn to make come to a collective agreement."
Celeste's gaze sharpened. "The colony elders' decisions have never been wrong. Valeria, do not insult them."
Valeria lowered her head, but her eyes stayed steady. "Apologies, Your Highness."
"Normally," the Queen continued, "I would consult the elder ants before making any advancement. However…" She exhaled sharply, the sound echoing faintly in the chamber. "I will make an exception this time. The situation is urgent, and the colony and every ant in it is at risk."
Ari drew in a breath. The air was thick with the earthy scent of resin and soil. "I have an idea on how we can deal with the invasion and minimize casualties," he said, voice steady but tense. "However, you and your whole colony will have to put your trust in me. I know it might be difficult to understand that a prisoner, someone you have treated poorly, is offering help with the invasion. I mean… what reason would I have to help you?
Ari held his head low.
"Honestly, I do not fully know myself. But the decision is yours, Queen Celeste."
The silence broke as a servant ant stepped forward. His movements were quick, and his voice carried clear agitation. "Put our trust in you? You are not even part of this colony. Why should we place our fate in your hands? I will not allow you to lead us to our deaths."
Celeste's voice echoed through the chamber. Her eyes glinted as she stared at the servant. "Did I ask for your opinion? The next time you speak out of turn, it will cost you your head."
The servant took a step back. His posture stiffened, and he lowered his gaze.
She returned her gaze to Ari. "Now then… you are granted full control of the entire battle strategy. However, the colony will not be the only one who gains from this. If our colony survives this raid with minimal casualties, then I will grant you your freedom in exchange."
"I would say that is a fair proposal," Valeria added, her tone calm with clear firmness. "You will accept the Queen's offer. Whether you like it or not. Do you understand?" Her eyes didn't soften in the slightest.
Ari gave a short nod. "I accept the terms. Now then… about my plan."
"When I was in my cell, I overheard Aixen near the outer wall in the lower tunnels," Ari said. "The only thing between us was dirt and resin. Judging from where the meeting took place and the direction they left, it is safe to say their colony is southwest of ours."
"How can you be sure of the direction?" Valeria asked, her tone skeptical. "If you were in your cell, deep in the lower tunnels, you would not be able to detect their position on the surface."
"Lieutenant Valeria has a point," Celeste said, her gaze fixed on him. "Tell me, what is your reasoning for such a claim?"
"I am not sure how to explain it. But I was able to sense their movements even after they left the colony." Ari said.
"What…" Valeria murmured, surprise flickering across her features. "But how is that possible?"
The Queen's expression remained unchanged. "Please continue."
Ari drew in another slow breath. "I am thinking we should send a team to scout ahead and track the enemy army. But first, they must locate the colony or the deployed soldiers. If they succeed, they will signal us, and we will take position and prepare. This team will act as our cavalry at the right moment, ambushing the enemy and preventing them from retreating."
The sound of shifting feet filled the chamber as ants present exchanged glances.
"I would like Valeria to lead this unit," Ari continued. "She is a strong leader and a calm and quick decision-maker.
The nerve of this ant Valeria thought.
"As for the ants staying here, you should assign some worker ants to build a wall in the direction the enemy will arrive from. That will prevent most of them from entering the colony. Is it possible to build it in two days?" Ari asked.
"Consider it done," the Queen said.
"The soldiers you have will charge from the front. After that, I suggest sending military ants from both sides to surround them and overwhelm them. It is a simple but effective strategy. However, it depends on whether I judged their location correctly," Ari said, thinking carefully.
He exhaled sharply, his breath rasping in his throat. Speaking this much had left him winded.
Celeste's lips twitched slightly, but she gave a slow nod, her green eyes narrowing with approval. "That's a good approach. I'm impressed."
Valeria gave a faint smirk, the corner of her mouth lifting slightly. "Not too shabby for a prisoner. Follow me let's get started on the preparations."
Ari's thoughts drifted briefly, unbidden. Not too shabby, yeah right. I used this strategy a whole lot in a video game called The Chosen One: Rise of a New Empire when I was alive. Hopefully, this all works out just as I planned it.
Ari followed behind her.
"Hold one moment."
Celeste tilted her head slightly.
Ari came to a stop.
"Your plan is impressive. I have never heard of something so unusual that might actually work. However, your plan has one flaw. What about finding Emilia? She is a priority as well, since she will one day rule this kingdom."
"Princess Emilia is safe where she is. There is no doubt," Ari said, his voice firmer now. "Aixen may have planned your downfall, but he would never harm her. So rest assured. I will find her. You have my word."
Celeste's green eyes softened slightly. "Very well, Ari. You have my trust. I'll put my faith in you regarding her safety."
Later that day, Valeria and Ari stood before a large group of soldiers. Ari looked around nervously, avoiding their gaze.
"As you were informed earlier, our colony will be under attack soon," Valeria said, her voice carrying across the soldiers. "However, a countermeasure has already been put in place to secure our victory."
"A hundred and fifty of you will move with me. We will form the ambush unit. Another hundred and fifty will attack from the front under Ari's command. The remaining hundred and fifty will strike from both sides. The enemy will be surrounded in a three-pronged assault."
From the back of the chamber, faint whispers spread among the military ants. "Is that not the prisoner? Why should we take orders from him?" one muttered.
"Just bear with it until the invasion is over," another whispered, shifting his weight nervously from one leg to the other. "Refusing to listen will only cause more problems. Remember, our goal is the same. We must protect the colony."
The first let out a quiet sigh, his antennae drooping slightly. "I suppose you are right. My judgment was clouded. It is just difficult to accept taking orders from a prisoner."
The sound of heavy steps echoed near the colony entrance as a group of worker ants entered. Their bodies were streaked with dirt, and dust clung to their legs from the tunnels. One of them approached Ari, the faint scrape of his feet against the ground audible as he walked.
"We have finished building the walls," the worker ant said. "They may not be as sturdy as you wanted since they were completed in one day. However, they should be enough to protect the colony."
He hesitated for a moment and scratched the back of his head. "Hopefully."
Ari gave a small nod. "Nicely done. That will do. What is your name?"
"My name is Flint. Just a humble worker ant," Flint said with a small smile. "I hope we get out of this alive."
"I see. I will remember that," Ari said.
He glanced at the others, noticing their steady breathing and the way none of them showed fatigue despite the grime caked on their exoskeletons.
Their work ethic is incredible. They did not slack off even once. Working with them so far… is not so bad.
A gentle breeze moved through the tunnels and brushed against his hair.
Below the colony, in the lower tunnels, the air was thick with dust and the low hum of activity. The clanging of mandible blades echoed through the passageways.
The tunnel was dim. The air was thick with the coppery scent of blood. Draven leaned heavily against the wall, leaving a dent behind him. Cuts and bruises streaked his body, and a deep wound gaped across his chest. He could barely keep himself upright, each breath coming in short, raspy gasps.
"How… how are you still so strong?" Draven asked, struggling to stand straight as his legs trembled. "You are covered in so many wounds Captain Aixen!!"
Aixen walked slowly over to Draven, towering over him. His exoskeleton and mandibles were smeared with dried streaks of crimson, though his face remained expressionless, calm as ever. Around them, the corpses of warden ants lay in disarray, their bodies twitching faintly before going still. Blood pooled across the tunnel floor, thick and sticky, coating Aixen's feet.
"You want to know why? Don't act oblivious," Aixen said. "You are nothing but a shell of what you used to be ever since the Great War, Lieutenant Draven. Hiding behind the title of Chief Warden and the so-called Captain is laughable. Though we both serve under Vanguard Terrence, you are nothing but a coward, afraid to wield his weapon."
Aixen smirked slightly as he turned his back. "And for the record… I am still far stronger than you, even in my current state. Consider yourself lucky I spared your life. You could have shared the same fate as these unfortunate souls."
Draven's vision blurred. Rage and disbelief twisted inside him, but his limbs felt heavy and unresponsive. "So… you did betray us," he murmured, his voice strained. "That ant… Ari… was telling the truth."
He collapsed to the ground with a thud.
Aixen stared down at him, his expression cold and unflinching. Just as I thought… that ant, Ari, is a special one.
He stepped forward, his legs leaving imprints in the bloodied dirt. His voice hardened, carrying through the tunnel.