Ever ready to obey the commands of their mother, Brendant didn’t need to say anything before a small team of mages leapt forward to weave the necessary Mind Magic. In only a few seconds, the connection was established, and the Queen could feel her thoughts match with those of the once-human, Sarah.
[Sarah,] she called. [You do not need to fight.]
The maddened bear did not react, nor slow in its assault. Wild swings of those deadly claws slashed through the air and threatened to rip the Queen apart if she didn’t dodge.
[We will not hurt you,] the mother of the colony spoke again. [There is no need to embrace your rage.]
She searched the bear in front of her for any flicker of recognition, any hint of the person within, but she saw nothing. There was nothing to indicate that she’d even been heard. It was difficult; unlike the meddlesome one, the Queen did not have the mastery over Mind Magic necessary to project her mind into another being’s consciousness. All she had were words.
Words, and actions.
Instead of retreating, instead of trying to fend away the vicious claws that tried to end her life, the Queen did the unthinkable: she lunged. She didn’t bite, or dodge, or defend herself at all. She brought her antennae down on the bear’s head and allowed her Healing Mana to flow through them whilst those dreadful claws tore into her.
“MOTHER!” Brendant cried in horror. “Attack!” she ordered. “Get in there and save the Queen!”
[It’s fine now.] The Queen paid no mind to her mounting wounds as she sought to reach out to the rage-filled soul in front of her. [You are safe, you are protected, you have done well.]
The ants swarmed to defend the heart of their family, but the distance they’d kept in order to respect the Queen’s wishes cost them precious seconds.
Again and again, the mighty bear slashed with her paws and snapped with her maw until the Queen’s carapace was cracked and rent. All the while, the Queen continued to pour her Healing Magic into the other and repeat the same soft words of praise.
As Brendant rushed forward to attack the bear and sell her life in the defence of the Queen, she was shocked to find that Sarah was slowing down. Her swipes were becoming less damaging, with longer pauses in between, and the deathly aura was fading from her claws. As one, the colony’s charge slowed to a halt as the Queen continued to soothe the bear, whose endless roar had finally begun to fade, receding until it was scarce more than a whimper.
The Queen was exhausted and on the verge of collapse, but she watched the light return to the eyes of the one who helped save her children with joy.
[You are safe,] she said. [You are protected. You are home.]
153. The Siege, Part 31
By Gandalf, I’m tired.
BAM!
Gaaah, stop hitting me!
DOOM CHOMP!
Just like every time I activate the Skill, a team of Legionaries with heavy shields leap forward, activating a host of abilities and anchoring against each other.
CRUNCH!
Despite my mandibles biting deep into the metal slabs these muscle heads call shields, I’m once again unable to penetrate and deal real damage. Stupid tin cans! Eat acid then! I drop my thorax low and raise my abdomen so I can blast the team in front of me with a face full of burn juice before resetting my position in the formation.
The ants on my left and right depend on me to protect their flanks, and if I extend too far or drop back a bit, I expose them to unnecessary danger, something that’s happened a fair bit over the course of the battle.
“Need a heal?” my designated healer friend behind me scents.
“You’ve recharged already?” I’m a bit shocked.
“Nope. But I’ve found another healer who can top you off if needed.”
I find it a little suspicious how capable and seemingly high-Level the healer who was placed behind me in the battle line turned out to be, and now, when healers are desperately needed all along the line, she just so happens to have another of her caste waiting in reserve?
“I’m totally fine,” I lie. “Get that healing where it’s needed.”
I can almost hear the shrug of her antennae, and the little ant burrows back down into the soil as the fight rages on. A few more exchanges and I see Tiny off to my right getting battered. A salvo of fireballs and charged arrows strike him right in the chest plate, knocking him off his feet. The big ape howls with rage, but he’s so exhausted he can’t keep his feet any longer and topples over, scattering the colony members.
[Invidia! Crinis! Make sure Tiny gets out of there in one piece.]
Desperate to make a distraction, I charge forward into the ranks of the Legion, shoving them back with my bulk. Only this time, I don’t retreat quickly. I charge again, snapping my mandibles for all I’m worth and blasting everyone I can see with Gravity Bolts.
It’s been a miracle that Tiny made it this long, he’s not exactly built for endurance. Without the armour protecting him, I’d have ordered him out of the fight ages ago. If I survive long enough, I’m going to find Smithant and personally thank that little genius. I’ll have to see if she can find any see-through materials when I get my own armour. I can’t have my magnificent carapace obscured for any reason!
BAM!
Although, I could probably do with some extra shielding…
The Legion forces are quick to capitalise on my poor position and close around my flanks faster than Vibrant eating breakfast. My senses sharpen to their finest point as my antennae, reflexes and muscles move in perfect synchronisation, deflecting and dodging every blow I can and diverting others to clash against my carapace. Precious Diamond Carapace, saving my bacon once again!
Truth be told, the Legionaries are moving a bit slow, lacking the oomph they usually do. The battle has been long, and just as the ants grow weary, even these indomitable humans have grown tired of the constant effort. Trying to fight your way through tens of thousands of monstrous ants is going to take it out of you, no matter who you are. Although the Gravity Domain and bolts I’m firing might not seem like they have much of an effect, I’m confident they are keeping me alive right now as the soldiers targeting me find it that little bit harder to move and swing their weapons.
Chomp! Chomp! CHOMP!
I thrash around desperately, and I’m pleased to see my distraction has done its job. A chance to put down the indescribably attractive ant that I am, has lured the Legion away from the area Tiny fell, and the colony has rushed extra numbers to shore up the line. Crinis is dragging her fellow pet out of immediate danger whilst Invidia heals him.
[Great work!] I call back to them. [Once Tiny is safe, please come and rescue me…]
[MASTER!]
I’m going to get told off pretty bad by Crinis after this. Perhaps death is the answer. No! Can’t think like that, need to live!
From behind the lines, Victor watched the surge offense of the eldest falter as they were surrounded. The loss of the great ape guardian has been keenly felt in the lines, but there was nothing for it, the colony had no choice but to press forward!
“Get in there and fight!” she ordered every ant in reserve. “Follow the eldest and battle for the colony!”
“FOR THE COLONY!” came the roar as the ants, only recently healed from their injuries, now plunged back into the fray once more.
Unwilling to be left behind, Victor herself ran to join the conflict. What does it matter if she were to fall here? After this, there were no more plans or strategies that she’d need to look over. They’d either they stand here or perish.