In the quiet heart of the colony, nestled deep within a hollowed-out root chamber lined with woven sticks and fragrant leaves, Ari lay sprawled across his makeshift bed. The dim, amber glow of phosphorescent moss clung to the walls, casting soft shadows that danced gently with the breeze that filtered in from a narrow crack overhead. The earthy scent of damp soil and crushed mint leaves lingered in the air—calming, grounding.
Ari's antennae twitched slightly as he stared up at the ceiling, though his eyes weren't focused on anything in particular. His hands were folded behind his head, elbows jutting out lazily as he sank into the bedding of moss and bundled ferns. The rustling of distant patrols echoed faintly through the tunnels beyond his chamber, but here, it was quiet—peaceful.
And yet, his mind was anything but.
It's been two days since we've been resting from the battle against Hopper. Some of us sustained serious injuries. Lieutenant Brooks, Isla, and Rory are already back on duty, and Beatrice is slowly coming around—but Anastasia and Lily still need more time to recover due to the life-threatening wounds they sustained. The mixture I created helped accelerate their healing process, so they should be alright in about four to seven days.
As for me, I was completely fine since yesterday, all thanks to the system's daily training quest. I got the reward of full recovery, so all my wounds and bruises were instantly healed. Though… I faked still being sick just to get some time alone and check out all the skills I've acquired—but secretly rejected their existence.
The first skill I acquired was actually a surprise.
Miner: A passive skill. An ability to extract valuable minerals, special metals, or other resources from tunnels, typically by working underground in mines. It also allows me to pinpoint the exact location of them while digging through vibrations, which means I won't waste any effort.
But I wonder what use this ability will serve... It's not like I can do anything with these ores, he said to himself.
The next skill I obtained was a long one—also passive. I like to call it Absolute Copy. It states:
"The potential to learn latent abilities by slaying insects or intimately interacting with their female counterparts."
It's a really broken skill. It allows me to receive the abilities of each insect in this world as long as those conditions are met.
For instance, that quest I received—to slay 50 termites. And I was impaled by their queen, Andromeda. You know… thinking back, it was the most painful thing I've ever endured. Having literal acid melting me from the inside… Anyway, I didn't know it at the time, but I received two skills from that quest—both a passive and an active one.
The passive skill was Acid Resistance.
Pretty straightforward—meaning I won't melt away if that termite tries to pull a fast one on me again by sneaking around.
The active skill was Termite Acid.
The ability to utilize that deadly acid in my combat technique. It was the one that allowed me to get the upper hand on Hopper.
The other skills I received actually came from Zippy and the fly bandits: Quick Reflex and Spatial Awareness.
Quick Reflex: Allows me to dodge any attack without even knowing it's coming, as long as the enemy isn't faster than me.
Spatial Awareness: Makes up for that weakness. It gives me the ability to locate any enemy within ten feet of me, in a full 360° range—meaning I can sense everything around me and react accordingly.
Then there was a skill I obtained from… well, use. A passive skill. I kissed Anastasia—and just as it says, I received a skill that allowed me to utilize Prime Ant Combat and Instincts. It made up for my inability to fight purely on the instincts of an ant rather than the mind and rationality of a human.
And finally, the skills I acquired after the fight with Hopper and the other grasshoppers.
The first one I'm dying to try out is a skill called Multilimbs—an ability that allows me to grow two extra arms. That alone gives me the toolset of a formidable warrior. Imagine an ant with four arms—only this ant is more lethal.
Next is the Green Carapace Armor. This particular skill strengthens my defense, making it harder for enemy mandibles to cut through. What makes it even more fascinating is that I can layer this armor over my already tough exoskeleton—which means even more defense. I'm basically a walking shield.
"And finally..." he muttered as he tapped on the screen and entered the inventory.
He then took out two long mandibles and lifted them into the air. They shimmered faintly in the glow.
These were also rewards from fighting Hopper. These grasshopper mandibles might come in handy when I use my Multilimbs ability.
"These are really powerful abilities," Ari said to himself with a low chuckle. "The system wasn't lying when it said I was powerful."
But I don't think I should rely on the abilities that visibly alter my strength because a lot of questions will arise. So I'll keep them on the down low unless the situation is dire.
He exhaled slowly, letting the weight of it all settle—when a soft knock broke the stillness.
The soft thud against the leaf-woven flap broke the quiet hum of the room. Ari quickly closed the glowing interface in front of him, the light blinking out like a dying ember. He turned toward the entrance, heart skipping once.
The scent of crushed mint shifted as the flap lifted, letting in a gentle breeze—and with it, Evelyn.
Her silhouette stood against the dim tunnel glow, her shoulders trembling slightly. Her wide, glassy eyes shimmered in the amber mosslight, catching faint glints like dew on chitin.
"You're alive," she whispered, her voice barely more than breath. "You're really alive. I heard from the warden ants that everyone who went to Hopper's fortress came back alive. I was so happy." Her voice cracked as tears spilled freely. "I couldn't concentrate on my work at all when you had left, I was so worried. I wanted to believe that you'd make it, but a part of me knew that it would be next to impossible because you were heading to face Hopper."
Her steps were hesitant but sure, feet padding softly against the earthen floor of the chamber as she approached. The scent of her—pollen-sweet and earthy—filled the small space.
Ari sat up on his makeshift bed of moss and ferns, unsure of what to say. Before he could find words, Evelyn wrapped her arms around him, pulling herself into his chest. The sudden weight of her knocked him backward, and they both fell—her trembling body atop his.
"Um, Evelyn, what are you..." Ari's cheeks flushed a deep crimson, heat blooming across his face.
"I'm so glad that you're alive. I don't know what I'd do if you had fallen to Hopper too," she said, her sobs muffled as she pressed her face against him.
Ari's breath hitched. A flash of memory surged forward—vivid.
The night he left.
"Ari, what are you doing? Why are you carrying that load? Why are you leaving this late?"
"Well, that's..."
"I already know," she had said, stepping closer. Her tone back then was tense, shaky. "I overheard the military ants. They were mocking you, blaming you for the princess being captured. But I know it's not your fault. You fought to protect her. You did the right thing."
The memory stung. Ari lowered his gaze then, just as he had that night. The same ache twisted in his chest now.
"That's why I waited here. I knew you'd do something like this. You're going to try and save her alone, aren't you?"
"Yes," he had said, without hesitation.
"Why? Why does it have to be you? Why can't someone else take the risk?"
"Because the others care more about surviving than about being free," Ari had said, stepping closer to her. "I made a promise to Tanya. I told her I would protect her, no matter what. Even if I die trying."
"No. You can't die," she had cried, the words breaking as she threw her arms around him. The memory of her embrace then felt eerily like now—tight, desperate.
"Whoa—ow! Careful! Still pretty banged up," he had winced, but even then, he'd chuckled softly.
"Promise me," she had said against his chest. "Promise me you'll come back alive. I don't know what I'd do if you died. Please, Ari. Promise me."
That night, beneath the moonlight leaking through the root canopy, he'd raised a trembling hand and gently patted her head.
Looking up at him now, her eyes were just as tearful.
He'd wiped them away with his thumb that night, and now again, instinctively, he did the same.
"I promise I'll come back alive," he'd whispered. "So don't cry, alright?"
Her cheeks had flushed pink back then, too. Her grip had loosened only slightly.
"Yes... I'll wait."
"Alright. I'll be back, Evelyn. Wait for me."
Back in the chamber, with her still on top of him, trembling, Ari placed a hand on her head once more, the gesture filled with quiet tenderness.
"I kept my promise, didn't I?" he said gently. "
"I took down Hopper's fortress… and avenged your colony. Though I wasn't alone, so… not sure it really counts." he added awkwardly.
"I don't really care who defeated Hopper. I'm just happy that you came back alive. That's all that matters."
"Um… okay," he replied, his face still warm.
"Hey, can I stay like this for a while?" she asked, voice barely above a whisper.
"Um… sure," he said, heart thudding.
Just then, footsteps echoed from down the corridor—measured, graceful.
The flap at the chamber's entrance shifted again.
"Ari?" a familiar voice called—elegant, composed. Princess Regina. "Are you in here? I wanted to speak with you about the plans you have in mind for rebuilding the colony after this wint—"
She stepped inside—
—and froze.
The amber glow of the moss bathed the room in soft light, illuminating the scene in vivid, awkward clarity: Ari reclined on his bed, Evelyn curled against him, her arms draped across his chest. Her antennae trembled faintly, her legs still bent on either side of his waist.
Regina blinked once. Her posture straightened, and her violet eyes briefly widened—not with hurt, but sheer surprise. A flush touched her cheeks as her wings twitched slightly behind her back, betraying the moment's discomfort.
Ari turned his head quickly.
"P-Princess Regina! Wait—it's not what it looks like!"
Regina raised her hand politely, as if to excuse herself.
"I'm sorry," she said, voice clipped but calm. "I didn't mean to interrupt."
She turned, already stepping back into the tunnel.
"Wait—please, just give me a second to explain," Ari said, trying to sit up while Evelyn clung to him.
Evelyn lifted her head, blinking at the retreating figure. Confusion softened into something deeper—shock.
Her voice cracked. "No… it can't be. Princess Regina? Is that really you...?" She opened her mouth, but the words caught in her throat. Her eyes shimmered. Then, at last—"You're alive."
Regina turned back, her expression shifting. She studied Evelyn closely now, brow furrowed, antennae twitching with sudden recognition.
"No way. It can't be... Evelyn?" she said, her voice softening. "I thought you were dead."
"I thought… I thought you were gone too. After the colony collapsed…" Evelyn said surprised.
"Wait, do you two know each other?" Ari asked, still stunned.
"Yes, we were both a part of the same colony. Ruled by her mother, Queen Elira," said Evelyn.
"So you mean... you're from the same colony that Hopper destroyed?"
Regina didn't speak. She stepped forward and embraced Evelyn without hesitation.
Their arms wrapped tightly around one another—chitin pressing against chitin in a firm, heartfelt hold. Evelyn trembled, her fingers gripping Regina's upper back. Regina, slightly taller, rested her chin lightly atop Evelyn's head, her wings folding softly behind her in quiet relief.
"I've missed you so much, my friend."
"I missed you too, Princess," Evelyn whispered, her voice cracking again.
The dim amber moss glowed gently above them all, casting golden halos around the two figures reunited after tragedy.
And as the mosslight glowed gently above them, Ari—surrounded by warmth, scent, and peace—allowed himself to smile for the first time since the war ended.