Re:Ant Lord-Chapter 74: One Day from Home

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Vexor improved slightly each day. Meanwhile, Renna’s breathing stabilized, though he never came out of coma. Kai wondered if the male ant would ever open his eyes again.

Throughout it all, they tried not to lose hope. Memories of the star crystal mine haunted them. The loss of two comrades and the final roar of that terrifying predator, all drove Kai to keep going.

He felt a righteous flame in his soul that no pain could extinguish. Each morning, he would quietly vow, "We’ll reach the kingdom. We’ll find medical help. We’ll survive... for the sake of those who died. I will take revenge for them."

After nearly a week of traveling through forests, marshes, rocky slopes, and clearing minor foes, Kai, Vexor, and the still-unconscious Renna found themselves standing at the top of a gentle hill. The morning sky glowed with golden light. The air was crisp and clean, with the smell of wildflowers drifting from meadows below. Their injuries, though far from fully healed, had scabbed and improved enough that they could move somewhat faster.

They paused under a solitary pine, scanning the landscape. In the far distance, Kai recognized faint signs of the Ant Kingdom’s territory—rolling plains that eventually led to the great gates. They were not close enough to see the kingdom’s walls, but they knew from past journeys that beyond these meadows lay the familiar roads that wound toward the capital. They guessed it would take another full day of marching to actually reach the outskirts of the colony. A sense of relief, fragile but very real, washed over them. They were almost home.

Kai gently lowered Renna to the ground so they could rest a moment. Vexor leaned on his spear, taking slow breaths. Their hearts pounded in quiet triumph, though both ants wore expressions of fatigue. They had come so far—through the heartbreak of betrayal, the savage beasts, the labyrinth of the cave, the caved-in passages, and the exhausting wilderness. Each bruise, each wound, told a story of perseverance.

Despite that, a swirl of sadness lurked beneath their relief. Lomar was gone. Thren had perished. They carried no illusions that their homecoming would be free of sorrow or questions. But for now, they had to keep moving, keep Renna alive until they found real healing. The faint dream that maybe he would open his eyes one day gave them courage.

No mention of the traitor who left them behind. No recollection of other events. They just wanted to find some sense of normalcy in the kingdom’s walls. The sun shone overhead, a gentle reminder that time marched on. If they lingered too long, the day would slip away, and they risked more beasts finding them.

They decided to push on for a few more hours, though they were weary. Each step felt lighter, as though hope had brightened their path. Even carrying Renna’s limp form no longer seemed so crushing.. Vexor, though battered, forced a half-smile at the sight of the meadows ahead. "We can do it, Kai," he said, voice hushed. "We can make it back."

Kai nodded, a fierce glint in his eyes. "One more day," he affirmed, letting out a slow breath. "Then we’ll be at the gates. We’ll find a doctor. We’ll see if Renna can be healed. And then... we’ll figure out what to do next." He closed his eyes for a moment, remembering Lomar’s dying face, the savage roars of predators, and the star crystals hidden in his storage. The kingdom might not be the end of their struggles, but it was at least a place of stability.

It was nearing late afternoon when they picked a small campsite on a gentle slope, ringed by a few young trees. They set down their burdens, letting the soft grass cushion Renna’s body. The sky overhead was a tapestry of soft blues and oranges, heralding yet another night in the wild. But this time, the meadows felt safer, no thick forest or swamp or steep climb threatened them. They even found a small stream trickling through the grass, perfect for cleaning their wounds and refilling their water skins.

Kai stared out at the horizon, scanning for any sign of lurking beasts or approaching travelers. All seemed calm, just the rustle of wind in tall grass. For once, no savage roars or suspicious rustles disrupted the peace. He took a seat on a broad stone, letting out a slow sigh. The next day... tomorrow they might see the kingdom walls. A swirl of emotions churned within him: relief, sorrow, anger, resolve.

Vexor, exhausted, busied himself with small chores: rummaging for leftover bandages, tidying up their meager supplies. Sometimes he cast a glance at Renna, whose breathing stayed shallow but steady. Vexor’s eyes flicked to Kai, but no words passed between them. They understood each other’s vow: they would not abandon Renna, no matter how slow or difficult the journey.

The sun sank into the rolling hills, painting the sky in gentle lilac and gold. A hush filled the air, broken only by the distant caw of a bird heading to roost. Kai found his gaze returning to the direction of the Ant Kingdom. He imagined the tall gates, the bustling corridors, and the quiet, humble quarters of the worker ants. He pictured medical wards where hopefully a skilled caretaker might mend Renna’s lost legs or at least help him recover consciousness.

He also recalled Lomar’s star core, carried in his storage as a keepsake. Each time he thought of it, a pang of sorrow mingled with gratitude. "I will live on for both of us," he whispered in his mind. "For all of them who didn’t make it." His exoskeleton twitched with renewed determination. "I’ll get stronger... so tragedies like these never repeat."

That evening, they made a small campfire, using dried twigs from the meadow’s edges.

The gentle crackle and the dancing flames felt comforting in the quiet gloom. They ate the last bits of food from their ration bags, though it barely satisfied their gnawing hunger. They shared sips of water and pressed cool clothes on Renna’s head. The ant’s eyes flickered once, as though some part of him stirred within the darkness, but he did not wake.

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Note: After 12-16 hours I will upload more Chapters. I had a busy day. From 26 April, my final postgraduate exams starts. I was busy doing registration or other things. Tomorrow I had more form to fill up. Please give me some time to reschedule everything. I will do a massive release of 5+ Chapters. Thank you for reading my book.

- If you like action comedy then check out my other book in author Thoughts, grammar is bit poor but story is very good.