(Book 2) Neferpitou and the human Royal Guard

Chapter 3 I can't think of a good title.

I'm heading back home with Don, and for the most part, we have been silent during our trip. Apparently too silent for him, because when we were halfway there, he abruptly asks me "So, Alejandro... what's yer story eh? How'd ya come to be livin' in this shithole? Not exactly a nice an' cozy place to live if ya ask me."

Chuckling, I respond honestly "Well, it's a long story. But, to keep it short, bunch of humans attacked the kingdom I am a part of, all the ones we killed turned out to be Phantom Troupe members who wanted revenge for us slaughtering their members. As for the ones we didn't manage to kill, we can't say one way or another if they were members of the Troupe. some of which may have been from the Hunter Association or Zoldyck family, though, that's all just conjecture. For all we know, it could have just been the Phantom Troup that attacked us."

"Huh, so that's why they just up an' disappeared. Boys back home been wonderin' what the hell happened to em'. So that was you an' yer friends then? Neat." Don responds. "So, I guess yer back here to get revenge on any survivors then? This is their old turf after all."

Shaking my head, I dismiss the idea, explaining. "No, it was more of a tactical move. Our old base of operations was destroyed in the invasion, and we decided it wouldn't be worth the trouble of attempting to regain control of East Gorteau. So instead, we opted to settle on unclaimed land, here. If there are still Phantom Troupe members that are still alive, they won't be a threat to us with whatever people they have left, and will be unable to grow back in numbers fast enough to make themselves a threat. While the land itself is less than ideal, there are less immediate threats to the King's rule, while still having enough resources for us to live."

Don nods and asks "The resources bein people?"

I nod in kind, confirming his question. "Exactly. However, we settled near the coast so we could catch fish to help sustain ourselves, thus leading to less human deaths. So far we haven't killed any innocents here, we've mostly been feeding on fresh corpses we find, or any outsiders who dump their trash in our land."

"Neat." he says before asking me with labored breaths "So *inhale* mind if take a break? *exhale* We've uh, been walkin' a while now."

Shrugging, I drop the corpse I'm carrying and sit down on some nearby rubble, dragging the corpse with me. Don does the same. "You alright?" I ask.

"Yeah *inhale* thanks pal *exhale.* I guess bein' a whatever ant means yer tougher than us humans huh? Ya don't seem all that tired."

"Yeah, I guess so. I sometimes forget how much stronger I am now than when I was human, mostly cuz I keep getting my ass kicked by other stronger people." I admit.

He tilts his head and inquires "You were human before? How'd ya end up as... ya know, the ant thing you are now?"

Feeling hungry, I tear off an arm and take a bite out of one of the corpses, then explaining "First, we're called chimera ants. As for your question, welp, I was serving the King as a human, he let me live since I had proven my value to him. Eventually he makes me an offer to become a chimera ant, which I happily agreed to. Before that happened however, I did challenge him to a certain game, and after winning, he knocks me out. I wake up a few days later, and boom! Chimera ant time."

"Huh, so ya agreed to it. You weren't scared of losin' yer humanity or whatever?"

I scoff at the question. "Hell no. I'm still the same me I was from when I was human, just in a different body now."

He shrugs, saying "Guess that makes sense. Not sure what I'd do in the situation myself."

I then plainly tell him. "Well, you might have to make that choice when we get back."