A WORLD BEYOND THE COLONY

Ari sat alone, absentmindedly swinging around his mandibles as he stared at them.

I haven't been in this world for very long, yet I've already come close to death more times than I can count. He exhaled sharply. The battle against the termites showed me how weak I was. The fight against the flies proved I was getting stronger. But even now, all I'm doing is using my speed to overpower my enemies. I have no real skill in fighting.

He tightened his grip, frustration welling up inside him. Speed alone isn't enough. If I want to survive in this world, if I want to truly protect myself and the others… I need to learn how to fight.

Before he could sink further into his thoughts, a voice called out to him.

"Ari!"

His antennae twitched at the familiar voice, and he turned his head. A figure was approaching him—a figure he recognized instantly.

"Oh, it's you, Princess Tanya," he said with a small nod.

Tanya stopped in front of him, her expression light and cheerful. "I'm glad to see you back in one piece after that expedition," she continued.

Tanya smiled. "I heard all about what happened from one of the military ants. You were attacked by flies, but you fought them off. They said you were amazing out there."

Ari felt a slight heat creep up his face. He averted his eyes. "It wasn't anything special," he muttered witha slight chuckle.

"It was," Tanya insisted, her tone firm yet kind. "I hope you keep getting stronger—and faster too—because…" She hesitated for a moment before lowering her voice. "We might not have much time left."

Ari's body stiffened. He turned to look at her directly, antennae twitching at her words. "What do you mean by that, Princess?"

Tanya seemed hesitant for a moment. Instead of answering right away, she studied him carefully, as if searching for the right words.

"Do you remember when we first captured you?" she asked suddenly.

Ari blinked at the shift in topic. "Yeah, of course I do."

"And do you remember telling me that you came from another world?"

Ari narrowed his eyes slightly. "I do."

"If that's true…" Tanya took a deep breath. "Could you tell me what your world is like? Does war exist? Is there peace?"

Ari hesitated, caught off guard by the question.

"Well," he started, "it's not peaceful every single day, that's for sure. But compared to this world? It's a lot less violent."

Tanya's curiosity deepened. "Can you describe it to me? What is it like?"

Ari leaned back slightly, thinking about where to begin. He had almost forgotten what it felt like to talk about his old world.

"My world is much bigger than this colony," he began. "It's divided into many different countries, each with their own governments, cultures, and languages. I was born in Japan, specifically in a city called Tokyo."

Tanya's antennae twitched with interest. "Tokyo?"

Ari nodded. "It's one of the largest and busiest cities in the world. It's filled with towering buildings, bright lights, and millions of people going about their daily lives. The streets are always crowded, and there's a constant buzz of activity—cars honking, trains speeding by, people talking, and advertisements flashing everywhere."

Tanya listened intently, her eyes sparkling with wonder. "It sounds… overwhelming."

"It can be," Ari admitted. "But it's also amazing. The technology there is so advanced that you can travel across the entire city in a matter of minutes using underground trains. There are massive skyscrapers, shopping districts, entertainment centers, and so many restaurants that you'd never run out of new foods to try."

Tanya tilted her head slightly. "Restaurants?"

"They're places where people go to eat food that's prepared for them."

Her eyes widened. "You don't have to make your own food?"

Ari chuckled. "Not always. Some people cook at home, but there are plenty of places where you can pay for meals that are already made. There's food from all over the world—spicy dishes, sweet desserts, fried food, raw fish, noodles, soups—you name it."

"That sounds incredible," Tanya murmured. "Do you have a favorite food?"

Ari thought for a moment. "Probably ramen. It's a noodle dish with a rich broth, meat, and vegetables. It's warm, filling, and really comforting."

"Ramen…" Tanya repeated the word as if committing it to memory.

"There's also ice cream," Ari added.

"Ice cream?"

"It's a sweet, frozen dessert. It comes in different flavors like chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry. You eat it with a spoon, and it melts in your mouth."

Tanya gasped. "That sounds delicious! I really want to try it someday."

Ari smiled. "I think you'd like it."

Tanya's eyes softened. "Your world sounds so different… so wonderful. Do people there fight as much as we do?"

Ari sighed. "There are fights, and wars do exist, but they aren't constant like here. Most people live their lives without ever having to fight at all. There are governments and laws that keep order. Wars are terrible when they do happen, but they aren't a daily part of life. In Tokyo, people go to school, work, visit friends, and enjoy entertainment. There are movies, music, art, and so many things that bring people joy."

Tanya's expression became wistful. "It sounds like a dream."

Ari studied her for a moment. "Maybe one day, I'll run away to that world with you—far away from here" said Tanya as she smiled at the idea, but it was a sad smile. "If only things were that simple."

Ari's own smile faded. He could hear the longing in her voice. He knew that Tanya was bound by responsibilities far greater than she let on.

"Princess…" He hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "I don't know what's going on or if something is troubling you. If it's about Vladimir…"

Tanya's expression darkened at the mention of the name. She looked away, her voice quiet. "I don't know what to think anymore."

Ari clenched his mandibles. Vladimir, the military commander, had left a deep wound with Tanya. Though he hadn't openly declared it, his actions spoke louder than words. And if what Tanya said earlier was true—that they didn't have much time left—then something was coming. Something dangerous.

He took a deep breath. "Whatever happens, just know that I'll protect you."

Tanya turned back to him, her eyes filled with warmth. "Thank you," she whispered. "That makes me happy."

They sat together in silence, the weight of their conversation lingering in the air. Ari wasn't sure what the future held, but one thing was certain—he wasn't going to let anything happen to Tanya.

Not while he still had the strength to fight.