Evolution begins with an ant colony

Chapter 157: To War With The Dryads

"My liege, do you really have to go alone?" Ember’s voice was filled with genuine concern as he stepped forward, his body tense with anticipation, awaiting Akun’s response.

He and the other guardians, along with the guards, stood before the castle, facing Akun. He was already clad in a formidable suit of dark silver armor, his helmet concealing his face, with only his piercing purple eyes visible, glowing brightly.

Akun’s response was serious and carried a sense of gravity. His voice took on a deeper tone, reflecting his resolve as he explained, "Yes, I have to. I can’t take the risk of not knowing what else the Dryads might have planned. I can’t go into battle knowing you’re all at risk."

Ember clenched his fists tightly, his knuckles turning white. With a heavy sigh, he finally spoke, "Okay, my liege. We wish you the best of luck in the battle." He and the others behind him bowed their heads as a sign of respect, showing their support for Akun’s decision.

Beneath his helmet, a confident smile played on Akun’s lips as he responded, "Don’t worry, I’ll be back before you know it." With that, he turned around, leaped into the air.

The guardians and guards watched in silence as Akun soared into the distance, their eyes filled with hope and faith that their liege would triumph against whatever challenges lay ahead.

As Akun soared through the air, he couldn’t shake off a gnawing feeling of unease. He mused inwardly, "For some reason I couldn’t find Phenor, Memorina, Nadalin, Keleora, or Devon anywhere in the castle. It’s as if they all vanished into thin air." His thoughts raced, searching for answers amidst the uncertainty.

Akun’s thoughts delved deeper into the mystery. "It’s not like I sent them on any missions. Why would I? How could they all be suitable for the same mission? I didn’t find their bodies among the casualties in the castle either. I even tried summoning Phenor, but nothing.

This whole situation leaves me with more questions than answers. Well, whatever it is, once I acquire that skill and travel back in time to prevent Oliver from embarking on his mission, I’m sure I’ll uncover the truth behind their disappearance." His resolve to change the past burned stronger as he sought answers.

Deep within the Dryad tribe, a gathering of their guards had assembled, their weapons at the ready, poised for an assault on the remnants of the ant tribe. Rinalef, the princess of the Dryads, was a commanding presence, adorned in a gleaming, polished black wood armor. She stood before her troops, her figure exuding an air of confidence.

Addressing her soldiers, she delivered a brief but powerful speech, rallying their spirits for the impending mission.

Rinalef’s voice quivered with the weight of the dire situation. "My fellow Dryads, we gather here for a single, sacred purpose—to save the lives of our beloved king and queen. They face a dreadful curse that threatens to extinguish their very existence in a matter of days."

She continued, "We may not survive this battle. We may face a formidable foe, but we must press forward relentlessly, for the lives of our monarchs hang in the balance."

Rinalef’s gaze met the anxious eyes of the gathered guards as she declared, "We fight not out of vengeance, not for glory or conquest, but to rescue the rulers who have guided us with wisdom and love. We fight to ensure that the heart of our forest remains intact, sustaining us for generations to come."

In unison, the Dryad guards raised their weapons, their unity forged in the face of impending danger. "For the lives of our king and queen, for the very heart of our forest," Rinalef concluded, "we march forward. Together, we shall confront this peril and secure the safety of our cherished monarchs. Our love for them is our guiding light, and their continued existence is our sole purpose."

The Dryad soldiers and Princess Rinalef stood in the heart of their tribe, their spirits were high. They cheered and encouraged one another, ready to embark on their quest to save their beloved king and queen, suddenly, their moment was shattered by an echoing voice from above. It resonated through the moonlit canopy, quivering with undeniable seriousness.

"So, you still dare to seek my life after all you’ve taken from me," the voice proclaimed, causing the Dryads to cast their eyes skyward. High above, a formidable figure hovered, casting a vast shadow that stretched across the forest floor. The figure was shrouded in pitch-black armor that gleamed with a sinister beauty under the silvery moonlight.

An aura of vivid purple energy enveloped them, casting an eerie glow across the forest. The eyes within the helmet shone with an intensity that pierced the night. It was Akun, a harbinger of retribution.

The Dryad tribe, once a realm of peacefulness, was now the stage for an impending confrontation between the vengeful ant monarch and the Dryad forces. The moon bore witness to this climactic encounter, illuminating the tension that hung heavy in the air.

Akun’s presence loomed large, casting a dark shadow on the very heart of the Dryad tribe, as he came to dish out a well deserved punishment, for what had been taken from him. The Dryads braced for the impending clash, their fate hanging in the balance within their own sacred realm.

As the mysterious figure hovered in the night sky, Princess Rinalef raised her voice, demanding answers. Her clear, commanding tones rang through the forest, her words cutting through the tension.

"Who are you? State your name, and what is your purpose with my tribe?" she inquired with authority, her gaze fixed on the enigmatic presence above. The princess, however, was unaware of the identity of this stranger, for Akun had concealed his face, rendering him unrecognizable. His deepened voice further veiled his true nature.

In response to her question, Akun’s muffled voice emerged from the helm that obscured his face. His words held a tinge of sarcasm. "Oh, Princess, it’s a cruel twist of fate that you don’t even recognize me, after all that has happened," he murmured, his tone laced with dead seriousness.

Rinalef was perplexed by his cryptic words. "What do you mean, who are..." Before she could press further, the figure decided to descend. "Why don’t I come down, so that you can recognize me?" Akun suggested, hinting at the revelation that was soon to follow. His enigmatic presence held the entire tribe’s attention.

Suddenly, with astonishing speed, Akun descended from the sky, and upon his landing, a massive crater was gouged into the earth. A colossal dust cloud billowed into the air, and the impact sent shockwaves rippling through the land, creating cracks in its wake. The resounding noise reached the ears of some slumbering Dryads, stirring them from their rest as they emerged from their homes.

Instinctively, the Dryad warriors adopted a defensive formation, lifting up their spears and hoisting their shields. Beads of sweat formed on Princess Rinalef’s brow, a proof of the tension that hung in the air. Her thoughts raced as she contemplated the gravity of the situation.

"This person, whoever they may be, possesses immense power," she thought to herself. "If they are out for blood, my tribe might not survive to see the next day." She clenched her fists, her resolve evident. "No, we must overcome. We still have to end Akun and obtain his core, for the sake of my parents."

As the dust began to settle, the dark silver composing Akun’s helmet flowed down like liquid, melding with the rest of his armor. This transformation revealed his face to all who had gathered, a pivotal moment in this fateful encounter.

With a dead-serious intensity, Akun’s voice rang out, "Now, Princess, do you recognize me?" His tone had reverted to its usual cadence, while his eyes retained their brilliant glow.

As Akun’s features gradually became visible in the moonlight, the princess’s eyes widened with disbelief. She stammered, "No, it can’t be... W-what are you doing here?"

As the princess locked her gaze on Akun, she was momentarily frozen in place. Akun’s words cut through the tension, his tone laden with a mix of challenge and amusement. He taunted her, "What’s up, Princess? Don’t remember me? Or maybe you do, but you’ve simply forgotten my name? Well, it doesn’t matter either way.

Today is the day I wipe your tribe off the face of this forest."

The princess then mused inwardly, "I should calm down. He came alone, without his army, meaning he must have no other choice. The tree sprouted, and so it must have already performed it’s task. Then he must also be weakened. But how did he get here? The tree was supposed to make him weak enough for us to finally subdue him.

There is no way he survived the tree. Or could he have left his people behind to face it alone? Highly unlikely. He treasures his people. He even came personally to retrieve Sir Oliver that time. But I remember hearing a very loud sound earlier.

That might have been an attack from him. Although it might be impossible, with how powerful he still is, he must have defeated the tree. Even if he did, it must have taken a lot of effort. So, no matter how powerful he is, we should be able to easily end him now."