As dawn broke, a soft golden light stretched across the horizon, gently illuminating the encampment where the large group had rested for the night. The quiet hum of morning was swiftly replaced by the clatter of movement as everyone rallied together, pushing the wheeled structures Ari had ingeniously invented. These carts, packed with the abundance of food Seth had secured during his independent expedition, creaked and rumbled as they rolled across the uneven ground.
"It still stings," Lily murmured, her fingers gingerly pressing the tender spot between her bosoms. Her face twisted into a slight grimace. "I got a lot of sleep last night, but the wound that Sly gave me is still causing pain."
"Is that so?" Beatrice replied, her face stern and unreadable. Without hesitation, she produced a small container. "Then how about you take a few sips of Ari's medicine? It's sure to get you right back on your feet."
Lily's eyes widened, and she took an instinctive step back, shaking her head vigorously. "I think I'll pass. It was so bitter that the taste is still on my tongue!"
"Oh, come on, don't be all shy now," Beatrice teased, suddenly lunging forward playfully.
"Ari, please help me! Don't let her give me that stuff again!" Lily pleaded as she darted behind Ari, clinging to him like a lifeline.
"Um, Beatrice, could you maybe not—"
"Move aside, Lance Corporal. That's an order," Beatrice said firmly, her commanding tone leaving no room for protest.
"Yes, ma'am," Ari stammered, stepping aside with a nervous gulp.
"No, Ari! How could you?" Lily wailed, betrayal etched across her face as she darted behind Isla instead.
"Wait, why me?" Isla stuttered, snapping out of her thoughts, confusion flickering across her face.
"Please, protect me from her," Lily said, grinning despite her plea.
"Could you guys please keep it down?" Anastasia's voice sliced through the commotion like ice. Her gaze, cold and sharp, settled on the two soldiers. "I expected this kind of behavior from Lily, but you, Beatrice? You're supposed to be a model soldier. Get yourself together."
Beatrice winced, the sting of Anastasia's words cutting deeper than she expected. "Surely… Anastasia doesn't think I'm a troublemaker…" she mumbled, ashamed.
"What can I say? I guess my cheerful perspective is rubbing off on you," Lily chimed in with a playful grin.
"As if," Beatrice replied calmly after clearing her throat, trying to regain her composure.
"I guess our commander is back to being as cold as ever," Isla whispered to herself, her antennae twitching slightly.
"They were just trying to lighten the mood," Ruth said, approaching quietly. "Don't you think that's a little harsh?"
"Given our current situation, there's little room for leniency," Anastasia responded, her tone steely. "No amount of optimism is going to save us from our Queen's wrath."
"It's intriguing that a Commander would be this concerned about the Queen's reaction," Ivan remarked, folding his arms with mild curiosity. "But I suppose it's understandable. You are still quite young, after all."
"Who ever said I was worried?" Anastasia's cold retort echoed as she walked away briskly.
"Yo, Ari!" Rory called out, cracking his neck as he approached.
"Rory, you look way better than last night," Ari said with a relieved smile.
"Yeah, I was just exhausted. No major injuries, so I'm okay," Rory said, offering a quick nod before glancing at Lieutenant Brooks, who was busy preparing for departure.
Off to the side, in a quieter corner of the camp, Princess Tanya sat alone, her gaze distant and clouded with thought. Her slender hands rested in her lap, fingers fidgeting as though trying to unravel the tangle of emotions within her. Worry gnawed at her, heavier than ever. What would she say to her mother, the queen? She had been taken by Hopper, stolen away from her home, and though her rescue was a victory, returning meant facing those lives she had put at risk. A cold knot of fear twisted in her stomach, her breathing shallow as she imagined the eyes of her people, wondering if they blamed her for what had happened.
Ari walked over, his footsteps soft in the morning soil, and extended his hand to her. "Ready to go back to the colony, Princess?" he asked, a gentle smile warming his face.
Tanya's eyes lifted to meet his, and the fog of her isolation seemed to lift just a little. She reached out and took his hand. "Yes," she said, her voice small but resolute. Maybe, just maybe, she was ready to face whatever waited for her.
"Alright, everyone! Since we are set and ready to depart back to the colony, let's move out!" Seth announced, his voice carrying authority and energy.
The journey back was uneventful and surprisingly short, the path feeling lighter as if their victory had lifted the weight from their shoulders. Eventually, they reached the midpoint between Queen Helena's and Queen Celeste's colonies, where they were to part ways with their allies.
"Thank you once more for your assistance," Anastasia said, bowing her head respectfully.
"Don't thank us. Thank our Queen for agreeing to help, and thank the treaty," Ruth replied, her tone formal but kind.
"Anytime you need someone to squash those insects you're too weak to handle, just call for help, Commander," Ivan smirked, his words laced with playful arrogance.
"Yes, I'll be sure to contact Ruth directly," Anastasia responded, unfazed.
"Okay, have it your way," Ivan chuckled, raising a hand in farewell.
"Thank you as well, Lieutenant Amelia, Lieutenant Leon," Anastasia continued.
"It was our pleasure. Take care," Amelia said with a bright smile.
"Yeah, yeah. We did what we were supposed to do. Let's go," Leon muttered, turning away quickly.
"Sorry about him," Amelia whispered. "He's still embarrassed about nearly dying from just a single attack from a Grasshopper General."
"I heard that!" Leon shouted from a distance.
Laughter rippled through the group, the tension lifting if only for a moment.
Meanwhile, back in Celeste's colony, Queen Celeste sat composedly upon her throne. The grand hall was quiet save for the anxious shuffling of the Elders, their nerves frayed as the weight of impending doom loomed over them. Her fingers faintly tightened around the polished armrests, the only crack in her otherwise serene posture.
"Today is the final day for us to deliver the harvest Hopper demanded in exchange for the princess," Elder Junon began, his voice heavy with dread. "And days ago, Anastasia and her soldiers recklessly attacked Hopper's fortress. We can only hope Hopper will forgive their insolence and spare us."
"We are in quite the predicament," Elder Lysias added, his tone resigned. "If they failed, we are all going to die—either today or after the winter."
"If only that reckless fool had never been involved with our colony," Junon muttered bitterly, pacing in frustration. "None of this would have happened."
The Queen sat with her eyes closed, her breathing slow and measured, as if trying to shield herself from the crushing weight of uncertainty. Her knuckles whitened as she clutched the armrests harder, the tremble in her grip betraying the storm that raged beneath her calm mask.
The silence was abruptly shattered by the hurried footsteps of a military ant rushing towards the throne room. "Queen Celeste! I bring urgent news!" he cried out, only to be halted by the queen's personal guards.
"You can't pass this point," one of the guards snapped. "The Queen is working to resolve critical issues that could jeopardize our colony."
"Let him through," Celeste commanded, her voice calm but firm.
The soldier hurried forward and knelt. "My Queen, it's good news! All the soldiers who went to Hopper's fortress—they've returned alive, and they've brought back the princess!"
A wave of astonishment swept through the chamber. The Elders gasped, disbelief and cautious hope blooming across their faces.
"If they all survived, does that mean—?" Junon began, his voice trembling.
"It means they were successful in defeating Hopper," Celeste cut in, her voice steady and regal, though her hands finally relaxed their death grip on the throne. "Make arrangements. I want an audience with all of them."
"Right away, my Queen!"
As the soldier scurried off, Queen Celeste allowed herself a quiet sigh, her lips curving into a faint smile. She reached up and gently touched her temple, as if to calm the storm that had been raging in her mind. "I was worried," she whispered to herself, her gaze softening. "But it seems my soldiers have proven they are far more capable than anyone expected."
And with that, the tides of their fate began to shift, marking the beginning of a brand new era for the colony—one that promised freedom from Hopper's reign and the chance to carve out a future on their own terms.