Game Over

STAGE TWENTY-TWO >> The Ant Queen Part Two

This is a work of fiction. All of the names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents in this story are all products of the author's imagination used in fictitious manner. Any resemblance to an actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

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[TW: This part contains content that some might find disturbing, reader's discretion is advised]

An unknown time passed before Princess opened her eyes only to gaze at an empty space, surrounded by many holes strewn on the ground, walls, and even ceilings.

Wondering where she was, she stood up trying to recollect what happened prior to her being stuck in this situation. But she was surprised yet again, to find the Wanderer lying beneath her, stares transfixed to her whole countenance.

Trying to hide a blush, Princess quickly stood up and watched as the other did the same. It seems that they have fallen further down but their members were nowhere to be found.

"We're lost, aren't we?" she asked cautiously.

"Maybe," Wanderer had finally stood up and was now patting dirt off of her clothing. "We've lost them too."

Princess wasn't very worried about this knowing that every member of their guild can defend themselves if needed. Even her friends, Isilynor, Sable, and Lazuli can now take on their solo quests without worrying that Princess wouldn't be there to defend them.

"You're partial into thinking too much, are you?"

It made her frown, "Yes, I am. How did we get here?"

"You tell me."

"Fine. I'm sorry if I run without thinking, okay? The sounds were ringing in my ears and I had to search for the source."

"Sure."

Now, she was plain angry. The shorter Wanderer's responses were, the more irritable Princess gets. "What is your problem?"

"I have no problem. But, look..."

As the Wanderer pointed, Princess saw bodies covered in what seems to be crystalized webs dangling high on the ceiling. It was odd because she didn't notice this earlier, maybe she thought it was lightning or a decoration to make the whole area aesthetic.

"Are they...?"

"Eggs."

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They have been made aware from the beginning that everything in this game was a lore, and the player must go along with the stories if they wanted to survive and complete the mission. And according to the lore of this game, these ants were carnivores that devour flesh of any kind.

The light in this area of the tunnel was slightly yellowish though bright, the sand around them appears even more golden and finer that Princess couldn't help bending down to touch it with her bare hands.

"Are you trying to convince yourself if it's real?"

She looked at the other person standing next to her, watching her every movement. "You're annoying, do you know that?"

Instead of answering her provocation, Wanderer continued to observe the place, looking for clues that might lead them to the exit. They both stood in front of a mural, of a familiar story that even Princess was well aware of.

"The myth of how the sunflower came to be, tells the story of the sea nymph, Clytie, a tale of unrequited love. She was madly in love with Helios, who draws the sun across the sky each day. Yet, he never looked her way, and she was turned into a sunflower, forever looking wistfully at Helios' chariot of the sun..." Princess spoke.