Re:Ant Lord-Chapter 132: MoonBound (Castle bonus)

--- freeweɓnovēl.coɱ

When the preparations were done, Luna asked Kai to change into something worthy. He washed battle grime away, donned a vest of midnight chitin plates polished to mirror sheen, and cinched a cloak woven from Blueloom’s cast off scales. Luna approached him with a coil of moon vine, its heartsap luminous.

"We braid two loops," she explained softly, deft fingers weaving the supple stalks. "One rests on my wrist, one on yours. When the aura vows seal, the vines root into living bracelets, nourished by our pulses. We will become husband and wife."

Kai extended his arm. Luna wrapped the loop thrice, whispering ancient syllables: "By crescent’s curve and midnight’s hush, tether spirit to spirit, heart to heart, soul to soul."

A tingle of cold-sweet sap seeped into his skin where the vine touched.

Then he bound hers. The vine shimmered pearls.

They emerged onto the terrace as a hush fell. Clouds parted, unveiling the moon like a polished silver coin slipped across the velvet table of night. Crickets chirred in the distant forest, a lone night wind stirred Kai’s cloak.

The seven subordinates knelt in an outer semicircle, shoulders squared and antennae respectfully downcast. Shadeclaw served as witness, his predatory eyes gleaming.

Luna took Kai’s hands and stood upon tiptoes so their foreheads touched.

"Speak while channeling your aura," she breathed.

Kai searched for words not titled by statistics or systems. "I vow that no chain shall bind your heart. I vow to share every crust of bread, every secret fire, every victory and wound. My arm will shield you, my legion obeys you, my mountain remembers you. Before this moon, before my Monarch aura, I name you partner, equal, and the melody in the marrow of my battles."

A ripple of Monarch aura left his chest, haloing them both.

Luna’s eyes brimmed. "I, Luna the member of the Lunar Rabbit Clan, vow my courage, counsel, and laughter. I choose your path over every warren’s safety. I will tend your wounds, sing to your doubts, and guide your children, ant, wyrmling, or any born of fate. I will never let any other men touch me. My body and soul all belong to you. By moon’s witness I am yours, Kai, Monarch of Mountain."

Her aura manifested as silver dust that spun around their clasped hands, mingling with his crimson. Where the two colors met, they shimmered into violet, a hue neither had worn before.

A pulse shivered through the vines. Roots flicked, painlessly piercing skin, anchoring bracelets of living luminescence. System glyphs ghosted across Kai’s vision:

[Ding! System notifications-

Bond Established: Moonbound Union (Kai & Luna)

Stat synergy unlocked: +5% total AURA when within 30 m of spouse.

New skill: Duet Maneuver (cool-down 4 hrs). Swap positions instantaneously at cost of 50 AURA.]

The onlookers bowed. Blueloom fluttered wings to release a rain of iridescent scales that glowed like falling petals.

Luna exhaled a laugh with a sigh of mingled nerves and triumph. "It is done. We are a couple now."

Kai lowered his brow to hers once more. The mountain itself rumbled in approval, no earthquake, only the cavern’s resonance as old minerals accepted their new monarch and moon bride.

After the vows, a quiet celebration began beside a pool where glow kelp floated. Shadeclaw presented a platter of root milk cheese, while Grunt and Gore split open honeycomb they had foraged from cave wasps. Blueloom dipped wings to stir shimmering patterns over the water’s surface, casting the newlyweds in dreamlike reflections.

Kai kept Miryam’s cradle close. Though still asleep she twitched, little paws kneading dreams in rhythm with the vows. Through the soul link she shared a drowsy pulse of contentment: <<Safe...warm...bond-song pretty...>>

Luna offered Kai the first slice of cheese. He accepted and placed a crumb on the wyrmling’s snout, instinctively her tongue flicked it away and she resumed slumber.

Silvershadow, ever formal, knelt before the couple. "Monarch. Moon Consort. Allow me to guard the hatchling tonight. Your aura burns low after battle and feast."

Kai clasped the sentinel’s shoulder. "Granted. But rouse me at any change."

Then he addressed his gathered followers. "You have fought and bled for this mountain. Tonight we rest as a family. Tomorrow construction continues. We will create watch towers, mote funnels, and a star forge to refine those wolf body parts."

A chorus of eager chittering and snorts answered.

Next he inspected the fifty-plus two-star cores, deciding to melt them into a condensed Sky Stone Battery for lair defenses, while the lone three-star lunar core he saved for Miryam’s first molt.

Through it all Luna sat cross-legged near the water’s lip, observing quietly. She respected his silent communion but eventually cleared her throat.

"We have bound ourselves," she ventured shyly, "yet I know traditions differ among ants." Her cheeks warmed. "Is a honeymoon customary?"

Kai paused, considering the mountain of projects and the looming wolf retaliation. But then he thought of Miryam’s two-day slumber. Forty-eight hours in which the lair would be calm, no scouting forays scheduled, and internal construction safely delegated.

"Tomorrow evening," he promised. "After I finish forging our new defenses, we share whatever passes for a honeymoon atop Monarch of Mountain."

Luna’s nose wrinkled in a rabbit’s joyous smile. "With moonlight again?"

"And honey sip wine," he said.

She laughed, a bell of pure silver.

Exhaustion finally crept into their bones. Together they returned to the cradle chamber. Luna arranged fresh silken blankets, laying them near Miryam’s cushion so that even in sleep the wyrmling might sense their warmth. Kai doused the final torch, leaving only soft bioluminescence.

As they lay side by side, Kai felt the new vine bracelet against his wrist, roots pulsing gentle taps in time with his heartbeat. Each pulse returned in Luna’s vine, a living echo of their pledged unity.

Miryam breathed shallowly, a flicker of gold with every exhale. Through the link she whispered <<Father...moon song...Nice>> and drifted deeper.

Kai wrapped an arm around Luna. Outside the hollow, wind swept across cliffs, and clouds drifted silent beneath a celestial dance. The Monarch of Mountain stood unchallenged for now, a beacon against the gathering darkness.