Hallownest; An Adventure Untold

Chapter 1

Weeks passed, Asha had been introducing herself to the rest of the Greenpath Tribe. Out of the whole Tribe, there were two ants she was quite fond of as of her time there. Karazu, the leader of the Tribe. And an ant who always said to be called 'God Tamer'. But they allow Asha to call them 'Tamer'. God Tamer is a somewhat short, female ant who has two arms, but had a bit of muscle behind her slim frame. She was somewhat strange, in that she never wore a mask, but would never say why. She always said to be called that bizarre name because she had befriended one of the baby creatures she found outside the camp. It was so small, so helpless, it took to her side after a bit of soothing. Tamer protected that creature as if it were her little sibling. Asha admired that, but was always too fearful to try and ask if she could hold the little thing. Even if she had the courage; something was off. After spending time with Tamer, Asha had begun to get a bit more finicky around her. Stuttering and glancing away in a hurry. She didn't understand what was wrong, and neither did Tamer. The shorter ant believed she did something wrong, and wanted to confront Asha about it. But she would wait until the next day. At least, that's what she would have liked to do.

In The Present

It was late at night, Tamer was still wide awake, her little companion by her side. The little bug seemed hungry, so the two were going to set out for a small food hunt. She couldn't do it during the day, as most of the tribe would simply deny the request and force the two back into the camp. There were only a couple who were actually accepting of the creature. One of the elder ants, and Asha. With a small gesture for her friend to stay quiet, the two carefully escaped. But, without their knowledge, two others followed after them, something was amiss and needed to be investigated.

Tamer and her bug, who she decided to nickname Ajdal, finally rested. The Lake of Unn was in the distance, but they had no reason to go that far. God Tamer looked around, looking for any food that Ajdal might enjoy. After a short while of searching, she found a collection of eggs. "Hm, these should do." She muttered to herself, scooping the eggs into her arms. Her eyes screwed close to shut as she realized how much these eggs reeked. Moving in a hurry, she set them nearby her companion. "Here, will these satisfy your hunger, little one?" She asked, watching Ajdal scuttle toward the rancid scented eggs. Appearing to sniff them, if it even had a nose. After a moment, the little bug opened its mouth. Small, yellow tentacles came out from its small maw, dragging one of the eggs closer to be devoured. Tamer decided to let the bug eat, believing all was fine, with the serene sounds of the night time bugs singing their soothing songs. But one noise rang clear above the rest, that quickly drowned the other songs into silence. It was a screech. Tamer turned around in a hurry to see what made such an aggressive sound, and was met with a frightening sight. It was a large pack of Vengeflies, and they looked enraged. It then clicked, those eggs she grabbed was their  dinner. In a worried fit, she spoke "Ah- did I take your food? I'm reaaally sorry. I can make it up to you..!" She attempted to bargain with the pack, whose mandibles were dripping, eyes squinted into a glare. Tamer knew she wouldn't be able to get out of this unscathed. So with a sharp inhale, she turned around; bolting toward Ajdal in hopes of getting him out of there. The Vengeflies let out another ear splitting screech as they flew after her at a frighteningly fast pace. Tamer grabbed Ajdal, whipping her head around to see just how close the furious swarm was. It was that movement that gave her a mandible slash across her right eye. Letting out a pained shout, she crumbled to the ground, shielding Ajdal with her body while she held her hand over the bleeding wound. Tamer felt the Vengeflies biting and scraping at her body, sharp pain jolting through her body after every strike. But, as if in the same moment, it all suddenly...Stopped. But the screeching didn't stop. Tamer lifted her head, her eye widening. One of the Tribe soldiers was fighting off the swarm. Four arms, two nails, this bug knew what they were doing. Soon enough, Vengefly bodies fell to the ground, 1/3rd of the swarm dead before the rest retreated, shrills and screeches filling the air before drawing into a sickening silence. Tamer's body shook as her wounds and pain caught up with her. The soldier walked toward her, lifting her up, along with Ajdal. "You're a fool, for trying to get food on your own with no knowledge of what dangers lie here." He spoke, tone deep yet serious. "I-...I just wanted to feed my friend.." She muttered under her pained whimpers. "I know. Your hybrid friend told me." He replied simply, seeming unphased by her shaky tone. "What...?" Was her only response before a voice called out "Tamer..!!" She knew that voice well, but never in such a distraught tone. The soldier set the injured girl down on the ground as she looked over to see Asha bolting toward her. Tears spilled from her eyes like the rain in the City. With a light chuckle, she outstretched her arms toward the panicked hybrid before being scooped up into a big, yet soft hug. "You had me so so worried...I hear screams, and scary sounds, and I thought you were gonna be dead!!" She said in one breath, burying her face into the injured bug's shoulder. Despite their height differences, Asha was, in fact, younger than Tamer. And that really showed from how different they act. The soldier chimed in "Asha. I told you I would bring her back to camp and for you to stay home. It is too dangerous for you and your friend to be out here." But it fell on deaf ears as Asha continued to mutter shaky words into Tamer's shoulder. "Haha...Hey, you're getting me all wet over here, you don't need to drench me in your tears to get your point across" The older bug said with a cheerful tone despite the situation. Asha moved her head away "S-Sorry.." She said simply, before a small giggle followed after. Perhaps this is why their friendship went so well, despite only knowing each other for such a short period. Tamer was the only ant who was anywhere near Asha's age. Everyone else in the Greenpath Tribe was either already an adult, or an elder practically lying on their death bed. But Asha? She was but a young bug, not knowing any better than Tamer. One was a tall yet innocent insect, while the other was a brave girl who would punch whoever looked at her funny if they weren't in the Tribe. Yet they somehow haven't ripped each other apart yet, but perhaps that is a good thing. A strong 'ahem' grabbed both girl's attention as the soldier motioned for them to leave "I'll carry this little...Thing. We need to go back to camp, now." He said, walking away without another word. Tamer began getting out of Asha's grip, but a shift caused her to stop. Asha now held Tamer on her back "Wh- hey! I can walk on my own!" The stubby ant protested. But got a giggle in response "No way am I letting you walk away from me after all that! I'm carrying you home and that's final." Asha then added as she walked "I don't want to lose you, that was a close call.." Even though it was a mumble, Tamer heard it, crystal clear, yet didn't say a word about it. Her face simply burned in frustration as she huffed "Fine, fine. I can't argue with you, since you're already walking." She sounded grumpy, but only for a moment. Halfway through the trip home, Tamer was fast asleep. That whole adventure must have worn her out quite a lot. Asha smiled lightly as she glanced over her shoulder at the sleeping ant. "Everything's okay..." She whispered.

Near the end of their path back to camp, Tamer had woken up, and was conversing with Asha for the last few minutes of the trip. But when they returned to the camp...Something was off. And it grabbed both of their attentions in a snap. There were different looking ants. They wore white armor. Large, curved blades held in their hands. One of the strange ants pointed their blade toward the two "Them. They are the ones you spoke of, no?" They asked Karazu, who stood close by. "Yes, those are the ones...The youngest we have." He sounded worried. Fearful, even. But for what reason? None would know. The soldiers approached Asha and Tamer "Good. They'll fit well with the others." Others? What others? Asha's head spun in confusion as they stood before her "We're from the City of Tears. We require new ants for the king. You two are the only young ones we have. So you'll be coming with us." He then grabbed one of her wrists, two different screams chimed in from one of the tents. It was Nyla and Arcane. They protested the taking of their child. But the soldiers paid them no mind, pulling Tamer and Asha toward the exit of camp, an iron clad grip on her wrist. Anyone who was watching the scene turned their heads away, lowering them, as if in regret and respect; while the screams of the parents slowly died out. Why? Why did this have to happen right as they got back. Why couldn't they have at least fixed up Tamer first- wait a moment. Tamer is injured! The sudden thought made Asha speak up in an instant "S-Sir! My friend got really hurt on our way home. Please tell me you can help her." She said, worry in her tone. The soldier who pulled her along was the one to speak "We'll fix her up when we get there. If she bleeds out along the way, then that's one less trouble." He growled to her. Speaking of blood, she would really need to wash of her hands and arms later. Three arms continued to hold onto Tamer for dear life. Not wanting her to fall or get more hurt. Soon enough, the green of their territory faded away into a dreary gray. Asha had never seen such an area before. But she couldn't stop to look around, as a forceful tug at her arm kept her walking. And before she knew it, they were walking up a staircase to the outside.

Onward from the stairs was a lively town. Bugs were either walking around, speaking to one another, or were relaxing on a couple of benches that sat around the area. Nearby, a petite bug was speaking to a much taller bug. The small bug had a hardhat on, that looked like a shell. A leaf scarf around their neck as they held a clipboard. The taller bug had a very slim body, a thin tail trailing to the ground behind them, with pink wings flapping lightly on their back, despite them not being in the air. The two didn't seem to pay the group any mind as they headed toward a small building. Once inside, there was an elevator; and they wasted no time taking the cramped lift downward. Asha could feel worry crawling up her back as they reached the bottom of the lift  quite quickly. Ahead of them was another bench, with a small podium near a large entryway that went through what appeared to be an extremely long tunnel. On the podium was a yellow bell. One of the soldiers rung the bell a couple times. And the sound of loud, thumping footsteps was what followed the ringing as it echoed through the tunnel. She could feel Tamer grip onto her shoulders tightly as the thumping got closer and closer. But what they saw was certainly not what they expected. It was a six legged bug. It had a fluffy white face, with a dark green mask atop its head, a horn rose from the top. It had another horn on its midsection. And on it's back, a saddle rested on it, held to the insect's body by a strap that ran beneath its tough plates. "Hrmph. More kids?" The several legged bug grunted. One of the soldiers nodded before forcing Asha and Tamer onto the beast's back. "Yes, by the King's order." They said before they, and the second soldier, climbed on as well.
"To the City please." The second soldier chimed in. And without another word of confirmation, the insect turned around, and barreled down the tunnel. Asha quickly shifted Tamer so that she sat beside her, so she wouldn't be pressed up against the back cushion of the saddle. Something caught her off guard. Through the uproar of stomping, Asha noticed that Tamer had her head down, hands gripping her arms tightly. A small gasp left the tall ant when she saw a tear fall onto the seat of the saddle. It took her a moment to wonder what was wrong, before she noticed...Her little friend wasn't with her. It must have gotten left behind at the camp. Asha sighed quietly and shook her head, pulling Tamer into another hug, to which the short girl returned in a heartbeat. Her near silent whimpers turned into soft sobs. Asha continued to keep her friend in that secure hug, muttering kind words to her as she looked on ahead. Wherever they were heading, it sure wasn't going to be good. And they, surely weren't the first young bugs to be brought to this city that they mentioned....Just what is going on? Why were they forced out of home without a single goodbye? And what does the King have to do with this?