Bug Fables: Return of the Giants

Chapter 1

"Leif, would you pass the syrup!?" Vi shouted from across the table. "Geez! I've asked you like, fifteen times already!"

"Oh, yeah," Leif responded, passing the syrup to Vi.

"Leif, I don't know how you're always so tired in the morning," Kabbu said. "We've been waking up at seven-thirty every day for the past three months. I thought you would be used to it by now."

"I still don't know why we have to wake up so early," Leif grumbled. "You let us sleep in for the first two months."

"We deserved those two months of sleeping in," Kabbu responded. "We saved the whole kingdom, for Pete's sake."

"Why can't we sleep in...always?" Leif muttered. "The berries we got during our adventure should get us through retirement."

"We can't get lazy!" Kabbu said. "What a shame that would be. The worlds greatest adventuring team—reduced to a fat pile of lazy bums!"

"I guess you're right," Leif admitted.

Vi got up from the table and pushed in her chair. She walked over to the sink and put her dishes in. A couple weeks after they saved Bugaria, the Queen upgraded the gang to a bigger house. One that had more than just three beds and a chair. This one had a living room, a kitchen, a dining room, proper bathrooms—it was great.

"Did you get enough to eat?" Kabbu asked.

"Yup. Great pancakes, as always," Vi responded. 

Leif finished his plate and stood up. Kabbu did the same.

"So, did you guys wanna do anything today?" Kabbu asked as he headed into the living room.

"Nope!" Vi said cheerily, sitting down on the couch. She grabbed a magazine off of the table and flipped open to a random page.

"Ditto," Leif said.

"C'mon guys," Kabbu said. "We gotta do something. Maybe we can go help somebody with chores, or something like that."

Neither Vi or Leif responded.

"Vi, I know you can hear me. Do you want to go help with some chores? Yes or no?"

Vi opened her mouth and let out a loud belch.

"Vi!" Kabbu shouted. "That's not an answer! And also, say excuse me when you burp. We've been over this." Kabbu turned and looked at Leif. "Leif, would you be up for some community work?"

"I think I agree with Vi."

"Ugh," Kabbu groaned. "I'm gonna go look at the questboard and see what I can do." He walked out of the house. The main part of town wasn't too far from the house. Only about three minutes away. 

When Kabbu arrived, he saw everyone running around in panic. He walked around town, confused as to what was happening. He pulled an ant aside. "Hey, do you know what's going on?"

"I—uh...I gott go—I can't!" blubbered the ant before sprinting away.

"What on Earth?" Kabbu muttered. He activated his horn dash and sprinted towards the castle.

When he entered the throne room, he saw the queen pacing back and forth.

"My queen?" Kabbu called. "Do you have any idea what's happening?"

"Oh Kabbu," Queen Elizant started, "something awful has happened."

"I guessed that. Could you be more specific?"

"The Golden Settlement. It's completely destroyed."

"What?! How?!"

"I have no idea. I'm awaiting details."