THE GIGAS

pg 2.

Like the lesser beings who leave and return to the dominion . My brethren flock by the thousands to the spring touched region.

" they come from the east, more travel toward us" Ckire sniffing the air. His face spreading with disgust.

Tkaiz clacked her teeth together, a thorough display of excitement.

" we need to move the nest soon with haste" I whisper urgently to them. " Pray, we never cross paths with these new comers"

Leaving the highest vantage point together, returning to the nest.

The snow that had once graced the land left nothing but wet soil in its wake. Messy to traverse and even harder to remove. Green leaves poked out from the dampened land, here and there, breathing renewed life into the dull grey landscape.

A spring bloom over the next planet rotations will come before the sard heat scorches the region of all tender life.

The sounds of many feet patter over the earthen floor. The once gravelly walls smoothed by many hands.

The sweetening scent from tkaiz strengthened within the closed quarters. Though not quite as strong as a mature queen.

We shuffled toward the front most table facing the nest with severe faces.

Tkaiz clicked, commanding the attention of the nest. They all froze, quietly quitting their activities.

" Come" Ckire gestured them forward and they obliged.

The shuffling of many bodies echoed as Ckire took a dramatic breath.

" A war has broken out between our brethren" Ckire rumbled energetically, gesturing toward me to step closer, waiting expectantly for me to continue what he began. I shot him a look of annoyance.

" We can not stay here much longer, and the great noble queen above has commanded a select few to assert their dominance for a promised slice of dominion with battle" I say deliberately. " We are to follow my beloved into the deep eastern deserts away from here or where ever she may travel.....I remind you of your oaths and the promises you have all made ...... I will guide you forever more til the end shall the oaths stay intact"

Tkaiz took the opportunity when I stopped to take a breath to add her own addendum " We are kin to the high commander.. my chosen has been decided, Gosf from the nest of his beloved is our brethren. Our lineages have converged together and been tied. He is marked as my first and we will be fruitful in our lives together" clicking her tongue, her eyes wide and her face spirited.

No one dared to challenge her choice here or would for that matter.

We wavered in unison, falling to our knees... bowing to this new emerging queen.

" It Shall Be, Queen!" We chanted together.

She waved her approval gracefully, looking to the cluster of heads before her..

Slowly we stoop up from our positions, relieved that tkaiz seemed more liberal than others before her.

" There is much to do, so prepare for the journey ahead. We will only return to this lair when the cold returns to this part of the planet" tkaiz deliberated to the nest. She looked reassured that her thinly veiled threat was taken well.

The hall erupted again with the excited chatter and giggles of the nest, as tkaiz decidedly lounged near a far corner.

Much had changed in their demeanor. The younglings sported shine upon their limbs and plump faces. The rest clambered with high energy.

My body ached for relief, the pain radiating from every corner of my body. I must retire for the day.

My brood kicked incessantly as I turned to leave quietly, reminding me that we must still eat.

I shuffle along wearily into the long hallway alone.

Discretely making my way to a hidden passageway within my lair, just a thin sliver in the continuous wall. It took no time for me to slide into its shallow depth, finding what I needed.

Picking through my personal stash of food in a well hidden corner, away from the masses.

Truly the the god Ilsh knows how I have tried to divide myself away from my own kind but I have returned nonetheless. Life is truly a circle that no one can escape.

*********************

The nest hums with movement.

Preparations have been underway diligently for many rotations.

The stores were replenished with ample supplies for when we return.

I have caught Tkaiz in teary distress from afar, she has stolen glances at my growing broodling pouch with much anxiety.

I chose to ignore it. There is simply nothing more I can explain. This broodling is as much a mystery  to her as it is to me.

Will it look more like my beloved? Mayhap then more towards me?

Her uncertainty for future offspring errs me to my core. I do not know if the opposite is true for this pairing's fertility, as mine is accidental to say the least.

The healing drones have done nothing else than pester me for photographic  documentation and voice recordings from the planet's rotation beginning to the end. My grumblings not disturbing them in the least.

The examinations becoming quite disturbingly frequent.

All the tests conclusively have shown a healthy fetus with no glaring fatal abnormalities. 

A surprise indeed.

The simulation of its presumed features stimulate more wondrous awe than grimace. Its complex prediction posturing large orbitals like mine, soft fleshy lips from my beloved, and flowing ringlets upon its crown to the vision. The image shimmered like a mirage, changing with every possible gene dominant combination with each viewing. Shifting my expectations more and more.

I only needed to know that my broodling would be healthy if not safe to satisfy my curiosity.

Furthermore.

Luck has been on our side and the newcomers to the region have yet to find us. But our hunting has alerted them to our presence.

The disappearance of the prey fauna has not escaped their attention, the scarcity in the ecosystem scattering our hope for a peaceful departure.

With this, the nest and I have come to the end of our stay. We can not linger longer.

The feet of the nest army beats stronger every day that passes, coming too close for comfort.

The cries of the defeated croak deep into the sky echoing down the landscape.

Death has come to visit.

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