Ender hesitated briefly before obeying. His tense muscles betrayed his unease as he reached out to help Veena onto the hornet's back.
The creature's exoskeleton was smooth under his fingers, like polished stone, yet oddly pliable, as if it were breathing, its body pulsing with a slow, steady rhythm.
The hornet's body was broader than he had expected, easily accommodating all of them, with a faint hum of energy vibrating through its sleek form.
Veena bit her lip as she settled into place, her fingers tracing the intricate patterns on the hornet's surface. "It's... beautiful," she whispered, her voice a mix of awe and carefully concealed fear.
Bridget couldn't suppress a grimace, her mouth twisting in discomfort. "Such a cute name for such a large creature, don't you think?" she muttered dryly as she climbed up, her voice laced with sarcasm.
Tobias followed, his movements jerky and unsteady, as if his limbs had a will of their own. His face was ghostly white, stark against his dark, tousled hair. His hands trembled as he reached for the hornet's side, his fingers sliding over the slick surface until he found a hold.
Meanwhile, in the dense underbrush at the forest's edge, the massive scorpion emerged, its dark, segmented body gleaming under the filtered sunlight. It had been following the newcomers' scent, drawn to their unfamiliar presence.
But as it reached the clearing, its beady eyes tracked the giant hornet as it ascended into the sky, carrying its human passengers out of reach.
The scorpion paused, its tail arching, the venomous stinger poised and twitching with anticipation. It watched as the hornet and its riders shrank into the distance until they were mere dots against the sky.
After a long moment, the scorpion hissed softly, more a sound of resignation than aggression, before turning away, disappearing back into the forest shadows.
Veena, clutching Ender's shoulders, leaned closer, her voice barely audible over the roaring wind. "Where do you think he's taking us to?"
Tobias shrugged his shoulders and tried to strike up a conversation with the strange man seated at the front.
"Um, hi," Tobias said, forcing a casual tone despite the pounding in his chest. "I'm Tobias. What's your name?"
The man didn't acknowledge Tobias's attempt. He sat rigidly, his posture suggesting a preoccupation with something far beyond the immediate surroundings, as his fingers gripped the reins of the hornet
Tobias cleared his throat, trying again. "We don't know much about this…place or... ride. Do you mind sharing where we're headed?"
Still, the man remained stoic, his silence an unyielding wall. The only response was the gentle, rhythmic thrum of the hornet's wings and the occasional creak of the saddle as it adjusted to the shifting weight.
Bridget, noticing Tobias's growing frustration, leaned closer and whispered, "Wasn't he yelling at us, like a few minutes ago...?."
Tobias nodded, though his unease didn't wane. He glanced around, hoping for some sign of where they were going or why they were riding this colossal creature.
The landscape below stretched out in a patchwork of greens and browns, the terrain shifting from dense forests to open fields.
Trying one last time, Tobias leaned forward, his voice softer but tinged with frustration. "Is there something we should know? Anything at all?"
The man remained silent
Tobias sighed and sat back, giving up. The landscape below began to shift from dense forest to a vast, open plain, the man guided the hornet with expert precision.
The creature responded to his subtle commands, and they began their descent. The hornet's wings slowed, the frenzied buzzing subsiding to a steady hum. With a surprisingly gentle thud, they touched down on a flat, rocky outcrop.
The man dismounted first, extending a hand to Britney to help her down, his strength belying his quiet demeanor. Tobias, his legs shaky, followed, with Veena and Ender coming after.
Once they were all on the rocky ledge, the man turned to them, his expression serious. "You're safe here, for now," he said in a low, gravelly voice. "But there's much you need to know if you're going to survive in this place."
Without waiting for a response, he gestured for them to follow as he walked deeper into the outcrop. The group trailed behind, the hornet following at a leisurely pace, its massive wings folding neatly against its back.
As they walked, Bridget, who had been unusually quiet, cast a sideways glance at the hornet. The creature had been staring at her with unsettling intensity. Unable to keep silent any longer, she blurted out, "Is she usually this... friendly to strangers?"
The man glanced back, "It's a male" a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "I think he likes you."
Bridget shot him a skeptical look. "That was fast... and disturbing."
The man's smile faded as they reached a network of craggy trails winding down toward a sprawling settlement. "We've arrived," he announced, spreading his arms wide.
The friends stepped forward, eyes widening at the sight. Nestled down below, was a large landscape was a bustling market center, surrounded by cabins and other makeshift structures.
Smoke rose from chimneys, and the distant sounds of conversation and activity drifted up to meet them. It was a place alive with the energy of survival, a sanctuary in an alien world.
Britney let out a low whistle, her earlier sarcasm fading. "So, this is where we're supposed to survive?"
The market was a strange mix of ancient and futuristic elements, chaotic but functional. Rough-hewn log cabins and massive stones dotted the landscape, their roofs covered in a patchwork of moss and leaves.
Between the cabins, makeshift stalls lined the pathways, constructed from wooden planks, animal hides, and what appeared to be the bones of enormous prehistoric creatures.
Vendors in tattered clothing called out to passersby, their voices blending into a lively hum. Mutated creatures—some with multiple limbs, others with bioluminescent skin—moved through the crowds.
Pulling carts or carrying supplies on their backs. The air was thick with the scents of roasting meats, burning herbs, and something sweet none of them could identify.
"This is crazy!!!" Veena murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Crazy enough," the man replied. "This is the Market. It's where survivors from all over come to trade, find shelter, and regroup."
Ender, still shaken from the flight, looked at the man. "How did you find this place? And how have you survived here?"
The man paused, a shadow crossing his face. "That's a story for another time," he said, making it clear he wasn't ready to share more.
Bridget, who had been staring at the hornet resting on the outcrop's edge, shook her head slightly. "I still can't believe we flew here on that thing," she muttered to herself.
The hornet, sensing her gaze, twitched its antennae and shifted its massive wings, the movement surprisingly gentle for a creature of its size.
Veena winced as she shifted her weight onto her uninjured leg, grateful for Ender's steadying hand. "Where can we find a nurse or something?" Ender asked, his voice edged with concern as he noticed the beads of sweat on Veena's pale face.
The man, silent as they made their way down the slope, turned to them with a warm smile. With a quick whistle, he summoned the hornet, which ambled over, its massive form moving fast despite its size.
The hornet knelt beside Veena, sensing her discomfort. The man reached under one of its wings and pulled out a roll of bandage, wrapping it around her injured leg with practiced precision.
"This will do for now," he said, tying off the bandage. "But you need to rest that leg. No more running for a while."
Veena nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Thank you," she murmured, grateful for his unexpected kindness. The pain in her leg had dulled to a manageable throb, and she felt a flicker of hope that maybe they could survive in this strange world.
Without another word, the man leaped down the jagged rock face, landing softly on the landscape below, gesturing for them to follow. Tobias stepped forward first, hesitating only for a moment before taking the leap and sliding down, mimicking the man's agility.
Britney, watching this with a skeptical expression, crossed her arms and huffed. "He doesn't expect me to go down thereby sliding right?" she muttered, casting a doubtful look at the steep drop. Her eyes flicked back and forth between the rock face and the hornet.
The hornet, as if sensing her reluctance, turned its enormous head to look at her. Its large, multifaceted eyes seemed to glow with an almost playful glint, and it took a step closer. Britney felt a shiver run down her spine.
"No!!"
"Don't you dare!" she warned, her voice rising as the hornet edged closer. "I'm serious, don't you—"
Before she could finish, the hornet gave her a gentle but firm nudge, sending her tumbling over the edge. Britney yelped as she slid down the rocky slope, bouncing off branches before finally hitting the soft sand at the bottom with a thud.
She lay there for a moment, stunned, before spitting out a mouthful of sand. Coughing, she pushed herself up and glared at the man standing over her with an amused smile. "I see you and the hornet are off to a good start," he remarked, offering her a hand to help her up.