Evolution begins with an ant colony

Argon's malevolent laughter echoed through the crumbling anthill as he held Leona aloft by her neck. His grip was like a vice, and Leona's feeble attempts to break free were in vain.

Her body, battered and broken from their relentless battle, could offer no resistance.

"Look at you now," Argon sneered, his voice dripping with malice. "A pitiful insect, just as I always knew you were."

The once fierce guardian, her eyes now dulled with exhaustion and pain, dangled helplessly in the grasp of her relentless foe. Her gasps for breath were shallow and ragged, and her vision blurred as darkness threatened to consume her.

Argon's sinister enjoyment was palpable as he stared into Leona's eyes, once filled with determination but now glazed over with defeat. "You thought you could challenge me?" he taunted. "This has been fun for me but, I think its about time I get what we came for."

Argon's grip on Leona tightened, his menacing eyes locked onto her as he demanded, "Tell me, have you seen the black Grimoire?" The intensity of his gaze bore into her, seeking answers.

Leona, battered and bruised but resolute, met Argon's relentless stare. She managed a defiant smirk despite the pain coursing through her body. "Maybe I have, maybe I haven't. What's it to you?" Her voice, though weak, carried a tone of defiance that seemed to infuriate Argon even more.

Before Argon could press further, a brilliant beam of lunar energy surged through the air, illuminating the battlefield. It came hurtling toward Argon with the force of a comet, forcing him to release Leona abruptly. The sinister grip on her neck was broken, and she dropped to the ground, gasping for breath.

Argon's instincts kicked in, and with lightning reflexes, he somersaulted away from the oncoming lunar beam just in time. The energy blast soared past him, causing the ground to tremble as it continued its destructive path, carving a burning trail through the anthill's remains.

Stunned and bewildered, Argon scanned the battlefield, his eyes narrowing as he sought the source of this unexpected attack. "Who could have conjured such power?" His thoughts raced.

His gaze landed upon a figure standing tall amidst the chaos, a figure that piqued his interest. It was the ant queen, Nadalin. She bore a regal presence, her form exuding an air of authority that intrigued him. Her attire, intricate and adorned, hinted at her significance.

Nadalin maintained her calm composure, though her eyes burned with determination. Inwardly, she mused that her timing had been nearly perfect, her lunar beam just inches from connecting with Argon. Her forces were in dire need of her intervention, and she couldn't allow Argon to continue his rampage unchecked.

Argon, his attention now fully captured by the ant queen, couldn't help but offer a semblance of respect. "You must be in charge here," he remarked, acknowledging her attire and demeanor. His voice carried a note of curiosity as he spoke with a deceptive politeness.

"So, let me ask you nicely, where is the black Grimoire?" The ominous threat still lingered in his words, but there was a faint hint of genuine inquiry, as if he was genuinely interested in her response.

Queen Nadalin met Argon's questioning gaze with unwavering resolve. "I have no idea what this black Grimoire you speak of is," she declared firmly. "But I do know one thing, young man. You and your accomplices may have wreaked havoc upon our anthill, and I may not have the power to punish you for it.

However, when my child, Akun, returns, he will put all of you through hell for what you've done to our precious home."

Argon's tone turned deadly serious as he locked eyes with the ant queen. "Do you think I'm joking?" he hissed. "One of your people took the black Grimoire from my sister in a dark pact battle. If your colony doesn't hand it over now."

With lightning speed, Argon dashed toward Leona, his grip tightening once more as he threatened, "Then, I will end her life." His cold determination sent shivers down Nadalin's spine, leaving her with no doubt that he meant every word.

Nadalin's calm tone remained unwavering as she replied, "Look, young man, as I've said before, I honestly do not know what this black Grimoire is. Believe me, if I did, I would have given it to you." Her sincerity echoed through her words, but Argon's determination remained unshaken.

Argon, fueled by rage and frustration, noticed the desperation in Nadalin's eyes. It only served to stoke the fire within him. Without hesitation, he drove his hand through Leona's abdomen, causing her to scream in agony.

"Three days," Argon declared, his voice filled with a chilling seriousness. "You have three days to ask around your colony and retrieve that black Grimoire and bring it to the kingin tribe. If you fail," he continued, "then this woman will die." The threat hung heavily in the air, leaving no room for negotiation.

Argon, holding the unconscious and bleeding Leona by her collar, headed towards the broken section of the anthill's walls. His purpose was clear, and his determination unwavering.

Meanwhile, Keleora and her team, having defeated each team of guardians they encountered, stood a few steps beyond the anthill's walls. Their attention was drawn to Argon, who was dragging the limp form of a dark blue-haired woman towards them. The scene before them was fraught with tension, and they awaited further developments with bated breath.

As Argon walked past Keleora and her team, his junior sister, Keleora, couldn't contain her curiosity and asked, "Did you retrieve the black Grimoire?"

Without turning to face them, he commanded, "Follow behind. We're heading back."

Argon, still dragging Leona's unconscious body, maintained his eerie silence, intensifying the tension.

With a hint of frustration, Keleora persisted, her voice rising, "Argon, I was talking to you! Can you at least say something?"

Abruptly, Argon halted and turned his cold gaze towards Keleora. In a tone devoid of patience, he ordered, "Quiet down. I'm not in the mood to deal with you right now. Just shut up." His words silenced Keleora, her anger momentarily subdued, as they continued on their ominous journey.

And so, as the night began to fall, the battle had come to an end, leaving the ant guardians severely wounded and in disarray as the "kigins headed back to their territory.

Meanwhile, as the night at the inn continued, Darius and his party celebrated their master, Akun. Cups of ale were raised in salute, and the raucous atmosphere filled with hearty laughter.

Darius, with his customary cheer, toasted to Akun. "To Akun, our newest comrade in arms! May your spells strike true and your courage never falter!"

"Damm they are making such a big deal, all because I registered as an adventurer." Akun mused inwardly.

The group cheered, but Akun, a smile on his face, declined when a cup was offered to him. "I appreciate the gesture, but I don't drink," he said with a friendly tone. "I think I'll call it a night."

Gromm, the hulking half orc barbarian, chimed in, a hint of persuasion in his voice. "Come on, Akun! One drink won't hurt. It's all part of the celebration!"

Akun chuckled, shaking his head. "I appreciate the offer, but I'm not really a fan of drinking, and besides, I'm underaged."

Darius and his companions exchanged puzzled glances. "Underaged?" Darius repeated, his brows furrowing. "Akun, you look like a grown man. What do you mean by 'underage'?"

Akun grinned, understanding their confusion but not wanting to divulge too much. "Let's just say, things are not always the way they appear."

With a nod to his party members, Akun turned to Mellin. "Mellin, it's time to retire for the night. I need you to look after this body as I drift off into the other one."

Mellin nodded obediently. "Yes, Master."

As they left the table and headed to their room, Darius and his companions exchanged curious glances and hushed whispers, wondering about what Akun ment when he said he was underaged.

Akun and Mellin entered their room at the inn. The flickering candlelight cast a warm, inviting glow across the small space. Akun, feeling the fatigue from the day's journey and the weight of his dual existence, walked over to the room's lone bed and sat down.

With a tired but contented sigh, he looked over at Mellin, who was standing by the room's door, her loyal and supportive presence unwavering. "Thanks for being with me, Mellin. I appreciate it," he said with a grateful smile.

Mellin returned the smile, her eyes reflecting the bond between them. "Of course, Master. I'll always be here to protect your body."

With that, Akun lay back on the bed, feeling the comforting embrace of the soft mattress. He closed his eyes, and his consciousness began to drift away, back to the body he had left by the edge of the godforsaken forest.

Before fully succumbing to slumber, Akun whispered to Mellin, "See you later, okay?"

Mellin's voice, warm and reassuring, reached his ears, "See you later, Master."

And with that, Akun's awareness slipped away from the inn and returned to the quiet darkness of the godforsaken forest, where his true body lay in wait for his return.

Akun's consciousness returned to the eerie silence of the godforsaken forest. As he opened his eyes, the first thing that came into focus was Tatilia, the queen bee. Her usually regal demeanor was marred by tears streaming down her delicate face.

A thousand questions swirled in Akun's mind, but he could sense the urgency in the air. He knew he needed to ask the most important one first.

"What is it, Tatilia?" he inquired, his voice trembling with a mix of curiosity and concern.

Tatilia turned to him, her wings quivering, and she stuttered over her words, struggling to form a coherent sentence amid her distress. "The anthill... it's... it's..."

Akun's heart raced, and he pressed, "It's what, Tatilia? What's happened to the anthill?" His fear intensified with every passing moment of uncertainty.