Formicea Chapter 11

I wake up from a troubled rest.

There was simply too much on my mind to completely calm down, as good as this tub is.

As a result, I feel terribly strained.

(K)

(E)

(S)

(E)

Weird that they bring this up, but they apparently care very much about my stress.

(K)

(E)

(K)

(E)

(S)

(E)

(K)

She points in the direction of a large gateway.

A bit of light is shining through.

Suki nearly pushes there, while Kyska seems to be worried that she is committing so kind of lèse-majesté.

Soon I am at this gateway, where four giants wait, but imdiately step aside at our approach.

Am I really that important?

Suki pushes through and I see...

Sothing unbelievable!

In front of extends a hall that isn't a hall.

This is its own world under the earth.

In a circular shape, a wide space expands.

It grows wider to the ground and ends up high in a do. In the middle erects an enormous pillar that connects the ground to the top.

We are fairly high, but the ceiling is a good distance away but the ground far more.

We are located sowhere on the sides of this space.

There are notches and holes everywhere on the pillar and the surrounding walls and not a single point seems still.

And between the pillar and the borders is a large number of so kind of bridges connecting them, yet they are so long I don't understand how such a structure is possible.

Also, so creatures are flying through this space.

Thousands and thousands of glowing stones on the surface light this place up.

Not as bright as the day, but at least as if it's dawn.

The vision is good.

(K)

With this commanding tone and the felt scent of genuine concern behind it, my translucent lids close imdiately.

For her second point.

I haven't even thought about it.

Those wings were just inconvenient to .

I never considered that I could really fly with them.

(K)

It's obvious that Kyska would do everything possible to avoid putting at risk.

She leads us through vast floors.

They are open and often connect to this great expanse.

At the sa ti, I begin to realize that this is only the heart of this place and the floors and later tunnels are leading far beyond.

After this, they connect to an endless system that is linking an unbelievable grand world with probably several more of these hives.

So we are descending in the direction of that space.

But at one point I notice sothing and beco frightened.

Behind us, we are followed.

I try not to look directly, but I can see at least two giants, or guardians as they were called by Kyska, and also around ten workers.

And to make things worse there are even so of these hunters, these bloodthirsty monsters.

(E)

(S)

I understand.

They are here for the case that I start to lay eggs so they can attend in that case.

Always ready to react in that way.

I try not to think about this and just proceed on the way.

(K)

(E)

(K)

(E)

(K)

Gaining control?

As much I would love to have my family around.

Sothing that would give a sense of security in this strange world.

I am sure it wouldn't work out.

I can't force them to live here.

But maybe she is in so way right.

I am in a position to ask for things.

At least I could rebuild our house.

Maybe send so guards to protect them from the enemy soldiers.

I could even make it so that they can visit if they still want.

I am afraid if my parents will still see as their daughter, as changed as I am.

And my six years old brother might be scared of .

Nonetheless, I would like to know them safe.

At least I could let the insects build a tunnel leading directly to them so that they can escape to if things beco dangerous and I could send them gifts.

This sounds nice.

It would be the best I can have.

(K)

(E)

(K)

(E)

(K)

Why does it sound to as if they are going to invade this town?

I an hunters are scouting this place out, incidents that lead to judging guards as hostile and now we are tunneling under the walls.

All that is left is storming in with an army.

(E)

(K)

I am pretty sure it was just bad wording.

But I don't want them referred to as targets.

As this talk draws to an end I note that we reached our destination.

The ground floor.

I pass the last gateway and find myself...

in a forest.

Below the earth.

Maybe you can't call it a real forest, as there are no trees.

Instead giant mushrooms are taking their place.

For , this is a forest.

(K)

(E)

(S)

(S)

So my escort made this?

The bug isn't the least bit recognizable now.

What shall I think about this?

Such monsters close to are scary.

Kyska cos too and soon so hunters are approaching our group with the wall around us.

(Guardian)

(Guardian)

Like that the insects around us are leaving back to the distance they were before.

(S)

I do as they say and ease up.

Yet more because those frightening, big escort insects, who rip living things apart, are gone now.

So the tension leaves my body.

"Plop"

And is instantly back again.

(K)

"Plop"

I lay eggs!

Again!

"Plop"

And again I cannot stop!

They are just coming on their own!

The nurses in the escort are incredibly quick at .

They again take carefully the eggs, never carrying more than one.

I am on my knees, while Suki is holding , shifting my position almost imperceivably to give better access to my stinger.

"Plop"

More and more are coming and like efficient machinery, the nurses take the eggs, bring them to the workers, which transport them away, while the nurse is going back to her old place to be ready to take the next egg.

"Plop"

And there she goes again.

I feel completely wrong and it takes such a long ti.

Finally, it ends!

(S)

I am productive?

No, I'm devastated!

(K)

This helps.

I don't know how, but I feel soothed.