Regina wiped her mouth after sipping from the pouch Ari offered. Her hands trembled slightly, but color had returned to her cheeks, and a faint light stirred in her dulled eyes.
Ari held her steady, then asked, voice low but firm, "How did it come to this? How did your colony end up as Hopper's playthings?"
At the mention of Hopper, Regina stiffened slightly. She lowered her gaze to the dusty ground. Around them, the other ants gathered closer, their battered bodies forming a loose circle. Some sat on the hard earth, clutching each other, finally getting the chance to rest. Others stood, swaying on weak legs. But every eye was on Regina now.
She swallowed hard. "It started... nearly three winters ago."
Ari said nothing, giving her the silence she needed to gather herself.
Regina took a shaky breath. "Our colony was small compared to others in the region, but we were thriving. My mother, Queen Elira, ruled with compassion. She believed strength came from unity, not fear. We gathered food, built our homes, raised our young, and avoided conflict. We lived simply, but we were happy."
Her voice wavered, and Gor, the sturdy worker ant who had rushed to her side earlier, stepped forward. His face was grim.
"Then, one winter, Hopper's swarm came," Regina continued, her hands curling into weak fists. "They descended like a plague. No warning. No negotiations. They demanded that we surrender ourselves to their cause, but my mother refused. Hopper's men then slaughtered our soldiers... so fast we barely had time to organize a defense."
Her voice cracked slightly.
Ari narrowed his eyes. "Slaughtered. So they didn't come for territory or resources."
Gor answered this time, his voice low and steady. "No. At that time, Hopper's focus wasn't on resources. He conquers colonies for only one purpose: to have slaves who would create his ideal kingdom. Laborers to build his empire, to fortify his fortress."
A grim silence settled over the group.
Regina continued, her words tumbling out now, raw and heavy. "They overwhelmed us. We tried to fight, but even our best warriors—" her voice broke again, "they were torn apart."
Gor's hands clenched tightly. Ari watched him closely now, sensing something in the way Gor held himself—something that didn't match the frail worker image he wore.
Regina sucked in a breath and went on. "After they killed the majority of our military ants, Hopper's generals demanded our unconditional surrender and cooperation. My mother refused."
Ari could see it vividly—the proud queen standing defiant against monsters.
Regina wiped at her eyes. "So they made an example of her. Before all of us."
Ari felt a slow, cold fury coil in his gut. His hands clenched into fists at his sides.
Regina's shoulders sagged. "Without her... the colony lost its will. Hopper's soldiers rounded us up like livestock. Those strong enough were forced into labor. Those too young or too old..." Her lips trembled, but she pressed on, voice brittle. "They were discarded."
"Murdered," Ari muttered to himself.
The rage burning inside him sharpened.
"But somehow," Ari said, his voice low, "despite all that happening, and the days you have suffered working for that monster, you still survived."
Regina nodded, glancing at Gor with a faint smile. "Thanks to Gor."
Ari turned to the bulky ant, studying him more closely now. Despite the dust and ragged worker's tunic, Gor stood straighter than the others, his eyes clear and sharp.
"I recognized it when you called her 'Princess,'" Ari said. "You're not just some worker ant."
Gor gave a small, respectful nod.
"I was a lieutenant of the military ants in her colony," Gor confessed. "When Queen Elira ordered a final evacuation attempt, she tasked me with protecting Regina at all costs. When the plan failed... I disguised myself among the workers. Hopper's soldiers assumed I was just another laborer."
"And you kept her alive this whole time," Ari said quietly.
Gor's face twitched in something like a grim smile. "Barely. It was... difficult. Food was scarce. We were beaten if we slowed down. I had to ration anything I could sneak. I made sure she never carried the heaviest loads. Took the beatings meant for her when I could."
"I swore an oath," Gor said simply. "To the Queen. To the colony. To her."
Ari exhaled, slowly.
The depth of loyalty in this battered, worn-down ant moved something deep within him. This was the kind of devotion he had vowed to inspire and protect when he chose this path.
"Thank you so much for freeing my people, Ari. Words can't describe how grateful I am," said Regina, her voice soft and trembling.
"Don't thank me yet," Ari said. "You're not in the clear. Even if you do manage to escape from here and rebuild, Hopper's army will definitely come after you again."
"Then what do you suggest we do?" asked Gor, his voice steady but wary.
"For now, just resume what you were doing," Ari said, eyes burning with determination. "Leave the rest to me. I'll do what I came here to do, and if I succeed, your freedom will become a reality. You can relocate, start over... with you at the center of the colony, as their queen," he added, looking at Regina.
"Do you really think you can defeat Hopper and his generals?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
"I'm not sure," Ari admitted, a small smirk playing at his lips. "But it's worth the shot."
Across the clearing, a sharp voice cut through the heavy air.
"Alright, listen up!" Anastasia called out. She stood tall and commanding, her antennae twitching slightly with the weight of the situation. "Thanks to the distraction Helena's troop gave us, we are now able to accomplish our mission."
The gathered ants straightened, hope flickering in their tired bodies.
"We'll split up into three groups and take it from there," Anastasia continued briskly. "Brooks and Rory are Group One. Lily, Beatrice, and Isla are Group Two. And I'll be Group Three."
"Are you sure you want to go solo, Anastasia?" Beatrice asked, concern flashing in her tone.
"Considering our situation, it's not like we have a choice," Anastasia replied firmly. "Just trust each other, and you'll be fine. If you encounter Hopper or any of his generals, do not hesitate to flee. You are no match for them. Understood?" she asked, her gaze sweeping over the groups.
"Yes!" they responded in unison.
"Good," Anastasia said, a grim smile flickering across her face. "Now let's move out. I pray that we all make it through this alive."
The group scattered into their designated formations, each carrying the heavy burden of the mission ahead.