Evolution begins with an ant colony

Chapter 142 The Monster Nested Within

As Akun's determined strides carried him through the heart of the Dryad tribe and toward their tree castle, a torrent of thoughts raced through Princess Rinalef's mind. Her keen awareness of the situation was evident, and an undercurrent of uncertainty coursed beneath her calm exterior.

"Where does he think he's going?" she wondered silently, her brows knitting in contemplation. She had only known Akun for a short time, and his actions held an air of mystery.

"Wait, does he know about?" Her thoughts stumbled over a sudden revelation, the realization that dawned on her, and her eyes widened slightly. But then, she shook her head in disbelief, dismissing the notion.

"No way," she murmured to herself, her eyes narrowing as she contemplated the implications. "He has never been here before, and we have kept our secrets hidden well. He couldn't possibly be aware of, that? No he can't be, it would be best I try to lead him to the dungeon myself."

Rinalef, her voice carrying a note of polite insistence, spoke up, "Lord Akun, allow me to lead you to where Sir Oliver is..." Her words hung in the air, an offer of guidance and a willingness to cooperate.

However, Akun's response was swift and firm, his voice cutting through her words. "I don't remember asking for your help," he stated unequivocally, his gaze unwavering. "I'm perfectly fine without it, and for your sake, Oliver better be in one piece."

Undeterred by Akun's refusal, Rinalef watched as he continued his determined stride, headed toward the rear of the tree castle where the dungeon door lay. The princess's eyes followed his every step, surprise evident on her face. Akun had reached the dungeon without her assistance, a fact that left her intrigued.

Inwardly, she mused, "Although I'm relieved that he didn't venture into that place, how did he know the location of the dungeon door?" The question hung in her mind, a puzzle that begged to be solved. Rinalef remained poised and observant, her role in this unforeseen encounter taking on a new dimension.

She would need to adapt to the unfolding circumstances and ensure the secrets of her tribe remained well-guarded.

Arriving at the dungeon door, Akun's imposing figure loomed, a formidable presence that demanded attention. The guards stationed there were immediately on edge, their brows furrowed in suspicion. One of them, a stout Dryad guard, spoke up, his voice laced with authority, "Halt! State your name."

Akun's response was nothing short of chilling. His voice remained cold as he delivered his warning, "Step aside, if you wish to keep your heads." His words hung heavy in the air, a dire warning that left the guards quaking.

Uncertain and now genuinely fearful, the guards exchanged nervous glances, their faces etched with fear. Their duty clashed with the impending threat embodied by Akun. Their eyes shifted to the Dryad princess, who stood behind Akun, a silent presence of approval.

Upon the subtle nod from Rinalef, they knew what they had to do. With reluctant gestures, they allowed Akun to pass, their apprehensive silence speaking volumes. The tension was palpable, the guards caught in a precarious situation where their loyalty to their people was challenged by an intruder of undeniable power.

With measured strength, Using his aspect power, Akun effortlessly forced the dungeon door open, and the door yielded to his command. The collective shiver that ran down the spines of the Dryad guards was undeniable.

In the dimly lit dungeon, Princess Rinalef shared the situation with Akun, saying, "The paths here are ever-shifting, making it a labyrinth. You won't find Oliver without my guidance."

Akun, confident, retorted, "As I told you before, I don't need your help." His icy response left the princess uneasy.

Rinalef's curiosity piqued as she contemplated Akun's self-assuredness. She pondered his strategy for locating Oliver without her assistance.

As Akun made his way through the ever-changing dungeon paths, he relied on his dragon eyes to see trough the dungeon's deception. He carefully chose each turn and step, moving through the maze-like dungeon.

Eventually, he reached a strange room, quite different from the dark and damp corridors he had passed through earlier. It appeared like a tiny, cozy wooden bedroom, an unexpected sight in the middle of the confusing dungeon. In the heart of this room, Oliver lay on a small bed, peacefully asleep.

Remarkably, the wounds that had once marred his body were now completely healed, leaving no signs of his prior injuries.

Unknown to Akun, this transformation was orchestrated by the wisdom of the Dryad elders. They understood that if Oliver were found injured, Akun's fury would be unleashed upon them. However, they couldn't reveal their secret plans against the ant tribe. Therefore, they created this tranquil room, healed Oliver's wounds, erased his memories, and, most significantly, implanted the seed within his body.

As Akun approached Oliver's slumbering form, he called out in a gentle yet urgent tone, "Oliver, Oliver, hey, Oliver, wake up." His comrade lay before him, his fate entwined with the hidden secrets of the Dryad tribe.

As Oliver's eyes fluttered open, he found himself gazing upon Akun, and in a drowsy mumble, he asked, "My liege... is that you?" Struggling to sit up, he cradled his forehead, trying to piece together his fragmented memories.

"What happened?" Oliver inquired, his voice tinged with confusion as he attempted to recollect the events that led him to this point.

Akun's response was straightforward. "It doesn't matter now. What's important is that we're here to take you back home."

With furrowed brows, Oliver looked around the unfamiliar room, perplexed. "Home? Where are we? I don't recall leaving the ant tribe," he confessed. His gaze then fell upon the princess, and with a sense of urgency, he addressed her. "My liege, there's something I must tell you."

Akun's curiosity was piqued. "What is it?"

Oliver raised his hand to point at the princess, as if about to share a revelation. However, he hesitated, leaving his sentence unfinished.

Akun, sensing something amiss, probed further. "What's wrong, Oliver?" As he looked into Oliver's eyes, he saw a forced smile and heard a vague explanation. "Just that my head's a bit foggy. I'll figure it out eventually."

Unbeknownst to the others, Akun's thoughts were racing. Something about the situation didn't add up. "This is all too easy and peculiar," he pondered internally. "I understand that the Dryads might be afraid of me, which is why they didn't attack when I entered their tribe." Casting a sidelong glance at the princess, he continued to muse.

"But if they were truly scared, why didn't they send Oliver back when they caught him?" The puzzle remained unsolved, and Akun's sense of unease grew.

Deep in thought, Akun contemplated his calculated approach. He pondered, "I've chosen this path to avoid war. While I have assessed the total combat power of this tribe, I must tread carefully. There might be secret weapons they're hiding, and I'm unwilling to risk the lives of the younger members of my tribe."

His mind delved into the complexities of the situation. "Even with Xalender at my disposal, capable of resurrecting them, I fear the trauma such an experience could inflict. It might shatter their minds, leaving scars that run far deeper than the physical wounds of war." The weight of his decisions rested heavily on his shoulders as he considered the consequences of his actions.

With a lingering concern in his gaze, Akun turned away from Oliver and let out a sigh. "Let's go, Oliver." He took the lead, guiding his comrade out of the peculiar wooden bedroom that had served as his temporary confinement in the heart of the Dryad tribe's dungeon. The weight of uncertainty and questions still loomed, but the path out was clear.

Navigating the mysterious labyrinth of the dungeon, Akun couldn't help but ponder the enigma of Oliver's missing memories. His footsteps echoed in the dimly lit passageways, the princess following closely. "It's obvious they did something to Oliver's memory," he mused silently, furrowing his brow. "Maybe it was because he saw something he shouldn't have."

Emerging from the dungeon's shadows, Akun turned to face the princess, his gaze unwavering for a moment. "I hope we can remain on good terms," he stated coolly, his words loaded with a complex mix of warning and resignation, "but let us never see each other again."

With that, Akun took Oliver under his command, propelling them both into the sky with the might of his aspect power. They soared above the dryad tribe, leaving it behind as they set a course for their home, the ant tribe.

In the midst of their aerial journey, Akun, focusing on the path ahead, overheard a sudden grunt of pain from Oliver. Concerned, he glanced back to see his comrade clutching his stomach. "You okay, Oliver?" he inquired, his voice tinged with worry.

Oliver, his expression forced into a smile, responded with a hint of discomfort, "Never been better." He released his grip on his stomach, unaware of the subtle pulsing of energy within him, a secret that had yet to reveal itself.