THE QUEEN'S VERDICT

The Queen's meeting chamber lay tucked within the colony's inner sanctum, its entrance marked by a massive boulder, rough and cold to the touch, standing like a silent guardian. Ten military ants stood watch at either side, their dark eyes alert, antennae twitching with quiet vigilance. The air around the entrance was cool and carried the earthy scent of damp stone and old tunnels.

Inside, the chamber opened into a wide, circular space dimly lit by strands of glowing moss clinging to the ceiling. The faint green light cast soft shadows along the smooth stone floor. The Elder ants sat in a semi-circle, their forms still and imposing, each of their aged faces lined with experience and quiet judgment.

At the center of it all, seated slightly elevated on a throne carved from polished stone, was Queen Celeste. Her expression was calm, unreadable, her long antennae poised in still attention. Her wings—translucent and veined with gold—were folded behind her like a silken cloak. The soft hum of the chamber was broken only by the steady rhythm of footsteps approaching.

Ari, Anastasia, Brooks, Lily, Beatrice, Rory, Isla, Seth, and Princess Tanya made their way toward the chamber, having been summoned by a military ant. The sound of their steps echoed faintly as they walked in a tight group, tension trailing behind them like an unseen mist.

Also in attendance were Lieutenant Gor and Princess Regina, who stood near the back, their eyes scanning the tunnels carefully. Though outsiders, their presence was just as vital—the Queen's decision today would shape all of their futures.

A military ant led them silently, his antennae swaying rhythmically in time with the gravity of the moment.

No one spoke. Even Lily, ever the light-hearted mischief maker, had gone quiet.

Ari frowned slightly as he walked. "Not even an hour after we arrived, we're summoned to speak to the Queen," he muttered to himself. "Most of us are exhausted, injured, and tired. Shouldn't we rest first? And then there's the system... I want to check its mechanics and the skills I've acquired."

His thoughts drifted to the fight against Hopper—how he'd somehow used termite acid to sever Hopper's upper arms.

"But I don't know if I'm the only one who can see the screen," he thought, eyes narrowing. "So I'll have to hold out for now. I can't take that risk."

Isla walked beside him, arms folded, head slightly lowered, her brow furrowed.

"I know that I joined them to infiltrate Hopper's fortress," she thought, her chest tightening. "But... we disobeyed the Queen's orders. What's going to happen to us now?"

Her mind raced through every possible punishment—reprimand, exile, worse. Even though they'd succeeded, the Queen had made her stance clear: unauthorized action was unacceptable.

Then—poke.

Isla twitched violently as Lily jabbed her finger into her side.

"Ah!" Isla spun, startled. "What was that for?!"

Lily grinned. "You were spacing out so hard, I thought you got petrified."

Isla scowled. "Not funny."

"Come on, you're stressing too much." Lily bumped her shoulder gently. "It's not like we failed. We saved the princess, wiped out Hopper and his grasshoppers, freed the colony, and made it back in one piece."

She gave Isla a playful wink.

"And let's be real—if we were all gonna be imprisoned for disobeying the Queen's orders, then who's gonna protect the colony?" she said, casually placing her hands behind her head as she walked. "We're some of the strongest soldiers she's got. Locking us up would be the end of the colony if we were ever attacked."

Isla blinked. The logic actually settled in.

"...That's... fair."

"Exactly. Worst case, we get yelled at. Best case, we get food and possibly new ranks."

"You made that last part up."

"I might've," Lily admitted with a chuckle. "But you feel better now, right?"

Before Isla could respond, Anastasia's voice cut through the tunnel.

"Lily."

"Yeah, yeah, I know," Lily said, turning with a half-smile.

She slowed her steps just slightly—not apologetic, but acknowledging the seriousness of what lay ahead.

Then Beatrice spoke, her tone calm but firm.

"I know you're trying to lighten the mood," she said without looking back, "but our commander is dead serious about this situation. So please, act accordingly."

Lily then sighed,"yes, you're right. But both of you are a bunch of buzzkills."

Toward the back of the group, Ari walked in silence, his eyes trailing along the tunnel's glowing walls, his thoughts distant.

"I wonder what's in store for us... I mean, we defeated the colony's greatest enemy—Hopper. The princess is safe. The mission was a success. So... there shouldn't be any problems now, right?"

Still, that sinking feeling in his stomach refused to leave.

The Queen's chamber revealed itself in full—the throne, the Elders, the mosslight gleaming brighter now, drawing every flaw, every movement, every doubt into view.

Military ants posted at either end of the chamber gave a short, synchronized stomp and salute—an acknowledgment of the presence of superior officers.

Queen Celeste didn't rise. She didn't need to. Her gaze swept across her soldiers with the serene weight of centuries.

Anastasia led the group to a respectful stop several meters from the throne. She lowered herself into a kneel. One by one, the rest followed suit, some faster than others. Even Lily, for once, made no joke of it. Out of respect, Lieutenant Gor and Princess Regina bowed as well.

"We have returned, my Queen," said Anastasia.

Silence followed—long and oppressive.

Ari swallowed hard. He could feel the eyes of the Elders piercing him from all sides. For a moment, he wasn't sure if the cold on his skin came from the chamber or from inside himself.

Then the Queen spoke.

"Rise."

Her voice was smooth, clear, and resonant, carrying through the chamber without need for volume. It was the kind of voice that didn't ask—it declared.

The group stood in unison.

Celeste's eyes settled first on Princess Tanya, then on each of the others.

"Each of you stands here not by privilege, nor by fortune, but by the weight of your own choices," she began. "You defied explicit commands. You trespassed into forbidden borders. You initiated a war without consent."

She paused. Her antennae shifted slightly.

"Yet... you succeeded."

A ripple passed through the Elders. Elder Myrra, oldest among them, gave a subtle nod, her expression a mystery etched in chitin.

"Hopper is gone," Celeste continued. "That decade of oppression—of supplying tribute while our own kin starved—is no more. The enemy is shattered. Our princess returned to us."

Tanya bowed her head, a gesture of gratitude and humility.

"Because of this feat, both I and the Elder Council have come to a unified decision: No serious punishable action shall fall upon you."

There was a collective exhale. Isla's sigh was the loudest, like a weight torn from her chest.

Lily leaned over and whispered with a smug grin, "See? Told ya."

Rory let out a breath through his nose. "It's not like there was nothing she could've done... Hopper was a major threat to every colony in this region and he was eliminated. I guess Commander Anastasia just made history."

He glanced at Ari, who remained silent, his eyes fixed ahead.

Queen Celeste wasn't done.

"But let this stand as both a reward for your victory and a warning. The strength you've shown, the courage you've wielded, does not exempt you from order. Even justified rebellion erodes the foundation of unity if left unchecked."

Queen Celeste's eyes narrowed ever so slightly as she turned her gaze toward Anastasia near the front of the group.

"Commander Anastasia," she said, her voice sharp but not unkind, "you are our strongest soldier—unyielding, fearless, and revered. I hope that you, of all people, will learn from this breach... and act accordingly from now on."

The chamber fell into a still hush. Anastasia stepped forward, her boots clicking softly against the stone floor. She bowed low, one hand clenched over her heart.

"I understand, Your Majesty," Anastasia said, her voice steady but laced with remorse. "I accept full responsibility for my actions. I acted out of loyalty to my comrades and a desire to protect the colony. But I will not mistake conviction for authority again. From this point forward, I vow to serve with both strength and discipline."

Queen Celeste studied her a moment longer, then gave a small nod—firm, but approving.

"See that you do."

Then, her tone softened.

"Still... you have all earned recognition. You have all saved Princess Tanya's life because of your boldness and quickness to act."

She stood at last. Slowly. A monumental thing, yet effortless in her regal grace.

"Rise not just as soldiers—but as heroes of this colony."

The mosslight flared ever so slightly, as if in answer.

A beat passed. Then, quietly, from the corner where the Elders sat, Elder Myrra spoke.

"Let history mark this day—not for disobedience, but for the day the tyranny of Hopper came to an end, the day of a new age for Antkind."

A murmur of assent followed.

With the meeting concluded, the Queen gestured lightly. "You are dismissed. Rest. Get the proper treatment and recover. And be ready. We may have won a battle... but the world beyond still turns."

"Yes, Your Majesty," everyone responded in unison.

As they turned to leave, the tension finally began to lift. Isla nudged Lily.

"Thank you for your reassurance. It helped a lot back there."

Lily smirked. "Yeah, I think I just saved your exoskeleton from premature molting."

Seth chuckled softly. Beatrice's lips lifted in the faintest smile.

"Corporal Beatrice, Chief Warden Seth, Lieutenant Brooks, Commander Anastasia, and Lance Corporal Ari—and our guests—you all stay back. I would like to have discussions with you."

"Right, Your Majesty," they all responded.

"I wonder what the Queen wants to talk to them about," Isla said.

"Beats me. But if Beatrice is there, then it's probably for a detailed breakdown of what happened at the fortress and any necessary information," said Lily.

"I see... but why do they need Ari?" Isla asked.

"Who knows? Maybe he'll get ranked up," Lily said with a grin.

Rory lingered at the chamber's entrance for just a few seconds, his gaze drifting back toward Ari. "Looks like the gap in our strength is growing stronger by the second, huh, Ari?" he muttered.

Brooks, standing a few steps away, caught the murmur clearly. His calm eyes narrowed slightly, watching Rory's retreating figure with a quiet, unreadable expression.

But Rory was already moving again, shoulders hunched slightly forward, as if trying to carry something heavier than his frame allowed.

Behind them, the glow of the chamber faded as the great stone doors groaned shut.