As the sun rose over the colony, the time for departure had finally arrived. A massive force of soldier and worker ants stood in perfect formation at the main entrance, their antennae twitching in anticipation. The wheeled containers, the pinnacle of the colony's latest engineering efforts, gleamed under the morning light, their sturdy frames prepared to carry the weight of their success—or their failure.
Commander Ruth and Lieutenant Brooks surveyed their forces with sharp, calculating eyes. Every piece had to be in place. Every ant had to be prepared. This mission would determine the colony's survival through the coming winter.
Ruth took a deep breath, then stepped forward and raised her voice.
"We move out now!" she declared, her tone carrying the weight of leadership. "Stay in formation, follow orders, and keep an eye on your surroundings. We cannot afford mistakes."
With that command, the expedition set off. Thousands of legs moved in unison, creating a rhythmic tremor across the ground. The workers, though smaller and weaker than the soldiers, pushed forward with silent determination. The wheeled containers, Ari's design, rolled smoothly over the terrain, eliminating the need for multiple exhausting trips back and forth.
Ari marched beside Rory and Isla, feeling a strange mix of pride and apprehension. He had never been part of something so grand, so vital. This was no ordinary journey—this was a turning point in their history.
For the first time since his reincarnation, he felt truly alive.
Back at the colony, Anastasia and Corporal Lily stood near the entrance, watching the shrinking silhouettes of their comrades.
"They've just left," Lily reported, her voice neutral.
Anastasia remained silent for a moment, her gaze distant.
"They might encounter other insects," Lily continued. "But Brooks and Ruth are strong. They should be fine."
Anastasia let out a slow exhale, her expression was a clear sign of frustration. "The soldiers can handle wild insects. That's not what worries me."
Lily turned to her, antennae twitching curiously. "Then what does?"
Anastasia's expression darkened. "The days are drawing nearer. That bastard will come soon, and when he does…" She trailed off, anger flaring in her eyes.
Lily hesitated before asking, "Do you think we'll be ready?"
Anastasia clenched her fist. "We have no choice."
Silence hung between them before Anastasia shook her head and turned away. "I'm heading to a meeting with the queen and the elders to discuss some... sensitive matters. Hold down the fort until I return."
Lily straightened. "Yes, Commander."
The first day of the expedition passed without incident.
The workers toiled tirelessly, gathering food from the forest, while soldiers maintained a tight perimeter. The wheeled containers proved invaluable, allowing them to transport vast quantities of food with minimal effort.
However, as the sun dipped below the horizon, the air grew heavy and still. The forest around them seemed to hold its breath, the usual chorus of chirps and rustling leaves fading into an uneasy silence. A faint rustle in the underbrush, the sharp crack of a twig—every small sound felt amplified in the quiet.
Ari's antennae twitched constantly, picking up the subtle vibrations in the air. He remembered from his past life that peace was often just the calm before a storm.
"We should stay on high alert," Beatrice muttered beside him, her voice low.
Lieutenant Brooks nodded grimly. "We'll set up a perimeter tonight. No one lets their guard down."
Soldiers moved quickly to form a defensive barrier around the resting workers. The soft hum of insects filled the air as darkness fell, but no attack came. Still, Ari's skin prickled with unease. Something was out there. Watching.
Morning came, and they resumed their journey. By midday, the wheeled containers were nearly full.
"Thank goodness," Isla sighed, hugging herself. "This place is too creepy. I just want to go home."
Rory smirked. "Scared of the dark, Isla?"
"N-No! I just… hate feeling like we're being watched."
Ari shared her unease but kept his thoughts to himself. "We should be heading back by nightfall," he said. "That means my idea actually worked."
Rory nodded. "Yeah. You really pulled it off."
Ari shook his head. "Don't thank me. Thank the workers who built these in record time and are gathering the food. They're the real reason this mission is going so smoothly."
Beatrice, who had been standing nearby, approached them.
"I won't lie," she admitted, crossing her arms. "I was skeptical at first. But now I see how brilliant this is. We've saved time, and the workers aren't exhausted from making multiple trips. You really came through, Ari."
Ari chuckled, rubbing the back of his head as he thought to himself. "Honestly, I just remembered how I built toy cars when I was alive. That's how I knew how to instruct them on building these carts."
Suddenly, a faint buzzing rippled through the air like the distant roar of an approaching storm. The hairs on Ari's neck stood on end as the sound grew steadily louder, vibrating through the ground and swirling around the trees.
His antennae flicked sharply as he tried to pinpoint the source. Then, the unmistakable flutter of wings filled the air.
Beatrice and Rory stiffened instantly, bodies tensing like coiled springs.
"Something's coming," Rory muttered, baring his mandibles and gripping them firmly.
"Everyone, stay on guard! Protect the workers!" Ruth's command rang out like a clarion call.
Soldiers snapped into formation. Worker ants scrambled, seeking shelter behind the wheeled containers, their small frames trembling.
Then, they appeared.
A massive swarm of over a hundred winged insects descended with a roar. Their translucent wings caught the fading light, shimmering with eerie hues. Their elongated, humanlike faces twisted into smug, mocking expressions. Unlike normal flies, these creatures stood tall, each boasting four muscular arms that flexed menacingly.
Ari's breath caught in his throat. "No way… these are fruit flies?"
One particularly large fly hovered forward, an arrogant gleam in his dark eyes. Folding his lower arms, he smirked.
"My name is Zippy," he said smoothly, voice cutting through the tension.
He surveyed the wheeled containers overflowing with food.
"We came here to gather supplies for the winter," he said with cruel amusement. "And lucky us! You guys have already done all the hard work."
His smirk widened.
"So here's the deal," he continued. "Hand over the food, and we won't hurt your precious little workers."
Laughter erupted from the swarm behind him, the buzzing crescendo deafening.
Isla whimpered, mandibles trembling in her grasp. Even some of the soldiers shifted uneasily.
Beatrice whispered urgently, "We're not outnumbered, but we have 825 non-combatants to protect. What's the plan?"
Commander Ruth stepped forward, mandibles in hand, calm and resolute.
"Fear not, I shall deal with this matter myself."
Lieutenant Brooks then advanced, eyes blazing with fierce determination.
"Stand back," he ordered. "Protect the workers with your lives. I'll handle this."
Zippy's smirk twitched. "You'd really risk the lives of your workers over some food?"
Brooks grinned, revealing a chipped mandible. "Don't worry. We'll cut all of you down before anyone gets hurt."
At that moment, a familiar screen flashed before Ari's eyes.
[New Quest: Kill Thirty Fruit Flies]
Rewards: ???
His heart pounded. Another quest.
"The rewards are still unclear," he muttered. "I don't even know why I'm doing this when I don't have certainty of receiving anything. But something tells me I have no choice but to participate."
Steeling himself, he stepped up beside Brooks and Ruth, mandibles gleaming.
"Let's do this." His voice was steady. Determined.
Zippy's smirk faltered for just a moment before he flared his wings aggressively.
"Fine then."
He raised his hand.
"Kill them all."
The swarm lunged forward.
And the battle began.