The chimera soldiers pressed their advantage, their powerful mandibles digging into the beetle's joints. The beetle thrashed, its glowing shell flickering as it tried to fend off the attackers, but the chimera soldiers were relentless. Their coordination was precise, almost as if they had planned this attack beforehand. One soldier clamped down on the beetle's leg, while another went for the soft joint between its thorax and abdomen. The bioluminescent pulses grew weaker, and the beetle's glowing colors dulled as it struggled against the coordinated assault.
Mikhailis watched with bated breath, feeling the intensity of the battle as if he were down there with them. He could sense the determination through the bond, the queen's presence amplifying her soldiers' resolve. The beetle let out a final screech, its mandibles clicking one last time before it stopped moving, its luminescence fading completely.
"YES! They did it!" Mikhailis let out a triumphant cheer, pumping his fist in the air.
Rodion commented, his tone surprisingly devoid of sarcasm for once.
Mikhailis grinned, feeling a surge of pride as he watched the chimera soldiers regroup, their antennae waving as they communicated their victory.
"They're not just ants—they're warriors. And they're getting stronger every day. We've got something special here, Rodion. I can feel it."
He continued to watch as the workers moved in, disassembling the beetle's remains, carrying away parts of its shell and pieces of its luminescent nodes. They were efficient, almost methodical, treating the defeated beetle as just another resource to be harvested and utilized.
"Take everything useful," Mikhailis whispered, almost to himself.
"We need to learn from this. Adapt, grow… become even stronger."
Mikhailis watched, fascinated, as the tunnels began to take on an eerie, bioluminescent glow. The nodes from the beetle were embedded into the walls, providing a soft, steady light that illuminated the expanding chambers. It was beautiful in a strange, otherworldly way—like a hidden city beneath the earth, filled with life and magic.
"Rodion, mark this down as a successful mission," Mikhailis said, his voice filled with excitement.
"We're not just building a nest here. We're building something far greater. A stronghold—a refuge that no one else knows about. A place where our allies can grow, adapt, and thrive."
Mikhailis nodded, his gaze still fixed on the screen. He could see the queen settling into her new chamber, the workers bringing in materials to make her space comfortable and secure. The soldiers remained vigilant, patrolling the tunnels and keeping watch for any further threats.
The bond in his palm pulsed faintly, a comforting sensation that reminded him of the connection he shared with the queen and her colony. It was more than just a mental link—it was a partnership, a mutual understanding that they were working together towards something greater.
He leaned back in his chair, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully.
"Rodion, what do you think the next step should be? I mean, we've established the nest, we've defended it from a threat… what comes next?"
Mikhailis nodded, his mind already racing with ideas.
"Yeah, that makes sense. We need to make this place a fortress—a hidden, underground fortress that no one can breach. We'll need more resources, more magical components… and maybe even some allies."
Mikhailis grinned, his eyes twinkling with mischief.
"Why not both? I mean, we've got this connection with the ants, right? What if we could expand that? Maybe even find a way to communicate with other magical creatures—form alliances, build a network of allies that can help us protect the kingdom."
"Yeah, but that's what makes it exciting," Mikhailis said, leaning forward, his eyes shining with determination.
"The potential is limitless, Rodion. We're not just building a colony here—we're building a legacy. Something that will outlast us, something that will protect this kingdom long after we're gone."
Rodion remained silent for a moment, then responded with an uncharacteristic tone of respect.
Mikhailis nodded, his expression softening.
"I know, Rodion. That's why I have you—to keep me grounded, to make sure I don't go too far off the rails. But you have to admit… this is pretty amazing, isn't it?"
Mikhailis smiled, his gaze returning to the screen. He watched as the queen settled in, her wings folding neatly against her back, her body shimmering faintly in the bioluminescent glow. The workers and soldiers moved with purpose, each one carrying out its task with precision.
This was just the beginning. The colony was still small, still fragile, but it was growing. With every tunnel they dug, every threat they overcame, they were becoming stronger, more resilient. And Mikhailis was determined to see it through—to build something that would stand the test of time.
He glanced at the four eggs, still nestled in the far corner of the queen's chamber. They were glowing faintly now, almost as if they were responding to the magic in the air. The queen hovered near them, her antennae brushing against the eggs, her presence protective and nurturing.
"What do you think, Rodion?" Mikhailis asked, his voice soft.
"Think these little ones will hatch soon?"
Mikhailis nodded, his eyes filled with anticipation.
"I can't wait to see what they become. I mean, the queen herself is already amazing—just imagine what these new variants will be like. The possibilities are endless."
He watched the queen for a moment longer, then stood up, stretching his arms over his head with a satisfied sigh.
"Alright, I think that's enough excitement for one day. Let's let the queen settle in, and we'll pick this up again tomorrow. I've got some plans to make."
Mikhailis laughed, shaking his head.
"Oh, don't worry, Rodion. I'll get some rest. But first, I need to figure out how we're going to expand this little empire of ours. There's so much to do, and I don't want to waste any time."
"Yeah, yeah, I hear you," Mikhailis said with a grin. He turned off the computer screen, the image of the glowing tunnels disappearing as the room fell into a comfortable dimness. He looked out the window, where the moon was still high in the sky, casting a gentle light over the garden below.
The night was quiet, the air filled with the soft rustling of leaves, the distant chirping of nocturnal creatures. It was a peaceful moment—a calm before the storm of whatever came next.
Mikhailis smiled, his eyes filled with determination. He had come to this world looking for something more—something beyond the ordinary life he had left behind in Ruslania. And now, with a queen by his side, an underground colony at his command, and a bond that connected him to something greater, he knew he had found it.
This was just the beginning of his journey. There were challenges ahead, dangers he couldn't even begin to imagine, but he was ready. He was ready to face whatever came his way, to build something that would last, something that would change this world forever.
And as he looked down at the bond tattoo on his palm, feeling the faint pulse of magic that connected him to the queen and her colony, he knew that he wasn't alone. He had allies—loyal, unwavering allies who would follow him to the ends of the earth.
He smiled, his voice a soft whisper as he looked out into the night.
"Let's make history, my queen,"