Re:Ant Lord-Chapter 86: Sisters in Shadow

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The Ant-Kingdom became a storm of preparation. Every street rang with hammer blows. Forges breathed white fire day and night, spitting sparks that drifted like golden snow. Bakeries tripled output, stacking root-cakes into waxed crates.

Carpenters shaped sledges for sand, weaving reed runners with tar so they would slide across dunes. Even small larvae carried bundles of hollow gourds to be filled with water.

From dawn to dusk Kai hauled grain sacks, sharpened spears, and drilled alongside other two stars and three stars on the Sun-Yard. Sweat leaked through the seams of his shell. Yet the ache in his limbs felt righteous. A proof he belonged among soldiers and not hidden in some workshop.

A herald banged a brass gong outside the barracks, "ELITE SQUADS APPEAR ON THE GRAND BOARD!"

A stampede followed. Hundreds crowded the listing tower, each name carved onto amber plates. Twelve plates bore the Queen’s crest; under each, a captain/ Squad leader and around twenty chosen ones.

Kai scanned until he found: CERASTIS BANNER.

SQUAD LEADER: PRINCESS MIA (6★)

Mender Lylac (healer 4★) Shale (4★)

Brissa (4★)

Needle (3★)

Flint (3★)

Dustmere Twins, Axe & Ash (dual 3★ synergy)

Vexor (3★)

Kai (2★) flag carrier.

His pulse leapt. He would walk beneath Mia’s flag after all. Seconds later whispers rippled through the crowd. Two boards away, another heading gleamed:

COATL BANNER. CAPTAIN: PRINCESS THEA (7★)

Darius (4★)

...plus eighteen more names unfamiliar to Kai, each four- or five-star.

An uneasy cheer rose amongst the crowds, half admiration, half dread. Everyone knew of Princess Thea: the Queen’s second youngest daughter. The youngest ant to reach seven-star in two centuries, victor of three frontier campaigns. Where she walked, enemies trembled.

Two mornings later, the elite squads gathered on Parade Bridge for final inspection. The stone span arched across the city’s central gorge; its white balustrades were now draped in red cloth. Sunlight shattered on fifty burnished chest-plates.

Kai lined up between Needle and Flint. Far ahead stood Mia, emerald cloak lifting in the breeze. Pride flared in Kai’s heart, then his antennae caught a new aura, vast and electric.

Princess Thea arrived. (Check comment for image.)

She stepped from a gold litter borne by four honor guards. At first glance she and Mia looked forged from the same mold: slender frames, crimson hair, eyes like cut garnet. Yet differences stabbed the eye. Mia’s gaze held gentle thought; Thea’s burned whip-sharp. Mia wore red dragonfly-lace under plain armor; Thea’s cuirass was black obsidian etched with storms. And around Thea’s shoulders coiled a living mantle of silver sand-vines that hissed softly. A trophy from some desert beast.

Thea’s seven-star aura pressed over the bridge like hot wind. Even veteran four-stars stiffened. She strode to Mia, heels clicking, and offered a slow smile that did not reach her eyes.

"Little sister," she purred, "still dressing in garden leaves, I see."

Mia bowed with formal grace. "Morning, Thea." Mia is the youngest daughter of the queen.

Thea’s gaze flicked over Cerastis Banner on Kai’s hands. Some empty spots, Vexor’s sling. Her smile widened. "Mother surely jests, giving you a banner. A field of carrion awaits, and you bring hatchlings. Your team isn’t even complete. Go recruit more worker ants."

Silence. Kai felt heat rise in his cheeks. He wanted to step forward but Mia spoke first, voice firm but calm.

"Every ant here has spilled blood for the colony. Their courage will outshine your mockery."

Laughter tinkled from Thea’s mouth. "Courage is lovely, dear. But courage without power is a tombstone." She raised her voice so all could hear. "Any who wish to survive the desert, join me. I offer rank, shares of treasure, and the guarantee you will return alive."

Whispers slithered through the lines. A few of Mia’s new recruits shifted uneasily. Kai’s stomach knotted.

Brissa, a tall four-star on Mia’s right, took one step forward toward Thea. So did Flint. Even Mender Lylac hesitated.

Kai’s pulse thundered. He opened his mouth, then Mia spoke, softer than before yet carrying to the bridge’s end.

"Go, if you doubt me," she said. "I refuse to lead weak heart ants who’s fighting spirits are already lost."

Shale, Mia’s biggest four-star, slammed his spear butt once in support. Needle and the Twins echoed the strike. The sound rang like iron on anvils.

Brissa looked at Thea’s sneer, then at Mia’s calm eyes and stayed. Flint returned to line. Lylac sighed, squeezed his arm. No one defected.

Thea’s smile faded a shade. "Suit yourselves," she whispered. Then she turned on a heel, cloak flaring, and flicked a hand.

Darius stepped from Coatl ranks and gave a perfect soldier’s bow. His new polished armor glittered with quartz inlays. When his eyes cut toward Kai they held a glint of vicious delight.

"Reports, Darius?" Thea asked, gaze never leaving Mia.

Darius folded his arms. "Supplies loaded. My scouts map the dune ridges. We will out-pace other teams by two days. Our team is very strong. We can deal with all the beasts on this route. Make a clear path for the army."

"Well done," Thea said. She was loud enough for all banners. "We shall clean the path while others chase ideals."

With that parting barb she led her squad off Parade Bridge, sand-vines hissing approval.

When Coatl Banner disappeared into arch-ways, a hush lingered. Mia faced her own warriors. "You heard her," she said, quiet but steady. "She doubts us. So let our deeds be the answer."

Shale slammed his spear again. Soon every shaft hammered stone with thunder sounds that rattled doves from towers. Mia’s cheeks warmed with grateful color.

As the formation was dismissed, Kai approached. He saluted like a soldier. He learned it in the camp. She nodded back professionally, like a squad leader. No mention of bath or anger.

"Princess Mia," he said softly, "thank you for giving me a chance. I will do my best. I won’t disappoint you."

"You earned it," she replied. "Be on the west ramp at dawn three days hence. We march at first light. Prepare yourself for a harsh journey."