After the invasion had ended, the worker ants began the long process of rebuilding. They swarmed the colony and its surrounding areas, repairing damage, carrying debris, and restoring the tunnels that Aixen had destroyed to their former stability.
Their fallen enemies were buried quickly. Soil covered the last of the bodies. The work ended without delay. The colony moved again. Soldiers carried supplies. Workers repaired damaged tunnels. Relief spread through the air. Quiet voices returned. Some workers' laughter returned. Everything looked stable. Everything felt calm.
One fact stayed in Ari's mind. It did not leave. He could not ignore it. He slammed his pickaxe into the tunnel wall. Stone struck stone. The sound carried through the tunnel.
Why the hell am I still a prisoner? Another strike.
Why am I doing this labor? Small pieces of rock broke loose and fell to the ground.
I should have my freedom by now. It's been four days. His grip tightened. He swung faster. The pickaxe hit the wall again and again. Bits of stone scattered across the floor. Several prisoners nearby stiffened. Antennae lifted. A few stepped back from the falling debris.
Did that queen trick me? He gritted his teeth. His jaw tightened.
I'm such an idiot. The pickaxe paused for a moment in his hands.
Saving the colony didn't put me in her good graces. And it didn't give me my freedom. All she did was use me.
Sweat ran down his face and along his neck.
A familiar voice cut through the clatter of tools. Evelyn adjusted the pickaxe on her shoulder. The weight pulled her frame down for a moment before she straightened. She let out a short breath and stepped closer. Her antennae twitched.
"Hey, Ari. It's been a while." She looked at him carefully. "Where were you during the war? All prisoners were on lockdown. I didn't see you when they announced it."
A small pause followed.
"I was…" She turned her face away. "Worried about you."
Ari glanced at her. A small smirk formed on his face. "Well… let's just say I was busy planning something." He shifted the pickaxe in his hands. "Let's leave it at that."
Before Evelyn could speak again, an older ant approached them. His steps were slow but steady. Age showed across his face. Deep lines marked his skin. His posture remained firm.
"Hello there, young one." His voice was rough and warm. A faint rasp came with each word.
Ari raised an eyebrow and tilted his head. "And who are you? Do I know you?"
"This is my grandpa, Shin," Evelyn said, stepping closer. A small smile lifted her lips. "You remember—the one you helped when he collapsed? You finished his eight hours of work for him."
A faint memory surfaced. Ari's gaze softened. "Oh, I see. Good to see you doing well, Shin." He gave a small nod. His shoulders relaxed slightly.
Shin smiled, the lines around his eyes deepening. "Thank you for your help, young ant. I haven't met someone as kind as you."
Ari froze for a moment. He wasn't used to this kind of gratitude. He scratched the back of his head, unsure how to respond.
Before he could dwell on it, a firm voice echoed through the mines. "Found you. The queen wants you in the chamber now."
Valeria stepped closer, her posture straight. "Your presence is required, so come with me," Valeria called, her tone sharp but calm as she approached.
Ari's antennae perked up.
Finally... About time she called me from this one-meal-paying job, he thought, dropping his pickaxe without hesitation.
He followed Valeria, leaving Evelyn behind. She watched them go, antennae lowered, her expression tense.
I wonder what will happen to him. Why did the queen call him to the chamber? Unease lingered as she stood there, waiting.
The path to the queen's meeting chamber was tightly guarded. Military ants stood at attention, their bodies blocking the entrance, which was sealed by a large boulder.
"We are here at the queen's request. Let us through," Valeria commanded.
Without a word, the guards moved the boulder aside, granting them entry. Once inside, the stone was quickly rolled back, shutting them in. Ari scanned the chamber. Several elder ants sat in a semicircle. Their eyes were sharp, watching him closely. He felt their stares. Each movement he made seemed measured under their gaze.
"You have both arrived. Take your seats," Queen Celeste said, her voice calm but carrying unmistakable authority. "Lieutenant Valeria, Ari, we will begin this meeting immediately."
Ari sat down, his antennae twitching slightly as he took in the chamber. Curiosity piqued.
"Before we get to the main reason for this meeting, we should properly meet the ant who saved the colony," one elder said. He straightened in his chair, hands pressed firmly to the resin table, eyes fixed on Ari.
Another elder leaned forward, fingers drumming lightly on the table. "We oversaw the colony's operations—war, food, resources—long before our Queen's reign," he said. His voice was formal, but the sharp edge beneath it made Ari flinch.
"Now, if I may point out—forgive me if I'm being blunt and overstepping my authority, my Queen—why didn't you consult us on the war that took place between the two colonies?"
"There was no time to think. We had to act accordingly, in response to the situation," Queen Celeste said, her voice steady.
"Although we won that war, I can't help but feel dissatisfied by how it was done," one elder continued. "Seeking help from a… dirty prisoner made us look like we had no choice but to follow his command. We may have been weakened, but to be seeking help like this..."
Ari's brow twitched. Dirty prisoner, huh?
"Show some respect," Valeria said. "Don't refer to him as a prisoner. The Queen made the right decision, and it saved all lives with zero casualties on our part. If we had waited for you old geezers to come to a collective decision, this colony would have fallen," Valeria snapped, her fists tightening at her sides.
"Such insolence and immaturity is why you are still a lieutenant and will never become a captain, Valeria," the elder shot back, his voice sharp, a vein of frustration visible on his temple.
"So I'm immature because I stated the truth? Don't forget... if he hadn't warned us about the invasion, we would be at their mercy. Their army was led by a general," Queen Celeste continued, her voice firm. "Valeria trusted him, and I trusted both her judgment and his strategy. Not only did it save the colony, but it also minimized casualties. If it weren't for him, we wouldn't even be here having this discussion. So be grateful."
The elder fell silent for a moment, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully as he considered her words. Finally, he exhaled and nodded. "That's a fair point, my Queen. Forgive me for my rudeness."
"Now then, for the main reason this meeting was called," Queen Celeste said, clearing her throat. "Lieutenant Valeria, you have proven your capabilities as a leader and demonstrated exceptional calmness and critical thinking during every crisis. If it weren't for your faith in this ant and the sheer will you showed in your battle against General Ivan, the colony wouldn't be here today. I would like to bestow upon you a rank higher than the one you currently hold."
Valeria's eyes widened, her antennae twitching as a flush of shock spread across her cheeks. "Your Majesty… you don't mean—"
"From this day forward, you will be referred to as Captain Valeria," the queen declared, her voice steady and unwavering.
"I humbly accept this title, even though I'm not deserving." Valeria bent at the waist, her antennae dipping slightly as she offered a respectful bow.
A faint smile crept onto Queen Celeste's face. "My sincere apologies for not making this an official ceremony—there isn't much time for preparations due to our current situation. Either way, your father would be proud of what you have accomplished, becoming a captain at such a tender age."
"I bet he would be," Valeria murmured, her voice soft, trembling slightly but brimming with emotion. Her eyes softened as she recalled the day her father had left the colony. A lump formed in her throat, and tears welled in her eyes.
Why can't I come with you? Why? she pleaded, her voice breaking under the weight of longing.
Her father chuckled gently and knelt down, patting her head with a warm hand. "Well, that's because you're still far too young. But when you get older, you'll grow into a very strong ant one day—one that will protect this colony," he said, his eyes crinkling with a soft smile.
She blinked back tears. But… what if I don't? What if I'm not strong enough like you are?
He shook his head, his gaze steady and full of quiet certainty. "I'm not worried about that. You've got the spirit, Val. With time and grit, you'll become something great. I believe in your strength."
She wiped the tears away, the tip of her antenna brushing against her cheek, and felt a firm resolve settle in her chest. I'll be the strongest military ant one day. I won't let you down.
Now, bowing in the queen's chamber, Valeria let the memory linger in her chest, a small smile tugging at her lips. If only you could see this day, Father.
Ari watched her accept the honor.
Well, can't say I'm surprised. She was one of the main reasons the colony was saved.
Suddenly, a faint glow caught his eye on Valeria's left shoulder. It shimmered briefly, almost like a subtle pulse of light, then vanished as quickly as it had appeared.
Huh. What was that? Ari blinked, leaning forward slightly, but the glow was gone.
Probably just a trick of the light. I might have just imagined it, too.
So she was rewarded with a new rank. That's good for her. No one is as devoted to the colony as she is, so she's earned it.
"Next is you, Ari." Ari sat up straight as he heard the Queen's voice. "As promised, for saving our colony and protecting Princess Emilia, you are granted your freedom. You are no longer a prisoner."
Just the words I want to hear. A slow grin spread across his face as a weight lifted from his shoulders.
"Now that you're free, where will you go? And what will you do?" Valeria asked, her voice curious.
"To be honest, I don't know," he admitted as he stood up and lowered his head. "I was just wandering around when you and your squad… restrained me and turned me into a prisoner, even after I expressed my innocence."
"It was a misunderstanding. You see, I put the colony's priority first, so I acted for its sake," she responded.
"If you don't mind, there is another option that both I and the elders believe would be better," Queen Celeste said, inclining her head slightly toward Ari. Her gaze lingered on him for a moment, calm and measured, watching his every reaction.
"Really? Well, let's hear it—as long as it has nothing to do with being imprisoned again," Ari said flatly, his arms crossed, shifting his weight from one leg to the other.
"The first time you came here, you expressed that you didn't belong to a colony. So we have decided to humbly ask you to become part of ours," the queen said. Most of the elders bowed smoothly, their movements precise and sincere. One elder, however, hesitated, his jaw tightening and eyes narrowing as he glanced at Ari. After a long moment, he gave a reluctant bow, his shoulders stiff, signaling his quiet dissent.
"Your strategy was without flaws. We could use someone with a level head like you in our army. You planned a way for our soldiers to survive despite being outnumbered."
Ari chuckled awkwardly, leaning back against the wall. They should thank the video games I used to play when I was alive. That's where I got the idea. Didn't expect it to work out this well.
"So, do you agree to join us?" Queen Celeste asked. Ari took a deep breath. "I will join, but on one condition."
"And what might that be?"
"I have two friends who are prisoners here. If you set them free and allow them to become regular worker ants in your colony, then I'll accept your offer," Ari said. "And also more fair treatment for the prisoners—at least make this colony feel less oppressive and more like home..."
"That's pushing it! There's no way our queen would agree to such a ridiculous—" one elder began, frowning sharply.
"That's fair enough. Your friends will be freed as well. And I'll look into the matter of the prisoners and improve their living conditions. Welcome to the colony, Ari. I expect great things from you," Queen Celeste said, her voice calm but resolute.
Ari blinked in surprise. Well, that was easier than I thought.
"My Queen, are you sure? That wasn't the bargain you made with him," one elder asked, as he studied Celeste.
"I know," Queen Celeste replied calmly, resting her hand on the armrest of the throne. "I have already fulfilled my end of the bargain, but I made a proposal. And if freeing two ants and improving our labor system is all it takes to gain him, then it's worth it."
She turned to Valeria. "Oh, and as for your first task as captain, I want you to train Ari to be on par with our other recruits and soldiers," the queen added, her voice leaving no room for hesitation.
"Wait, what? But, Your Majesty, why do I have to train him?" Valeria protested.
"That's your punishment I've decided for your insubordination," Celeste said, a soft chuckle escaping her. "Consider it a light punishment; the only reason it's so lenient is because your actions saved the colony. You defied me for his sake—now you must take responsibility for him."
"But Your Majesty, Beatrice is—"
"I'm putting you in charge of overseeing his training. Do not disappoint me," Queen Celeste said firmly, her eyes narrowing slightly.
Valeria squeezed her temple with two fingers. What a pain....
Ari crossed his arms, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Looks like you're stuck with me, Captain."
"Shut up!" Valeria snapped, glaring at him.
Ari chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. Guess freedom's gonna be a little less peaceful than I thought.