The day was bright and serene, the sun casting a golden glow over the dense forest. Trees stood tall, their leaves rustling gently in the soothing breeze. Amidst this tranquility lay the carcass of a wolf, its lifeless form partially obscured by the undergrowth. Nearby, a massive brown bear, its fur shimmering with faint earthen hues, lounged lazily. The beast seemed unbothered, basking in the sunlight, its hunger sated after feasting on the carcass.
Far from the bear's gaze, three tiny red ants emerged from the tall grass. They moved with purpose, their diminutive forms dwarfed by the sprawling wilderness around them. The bear paid no mind to the trio; they were far too insignificant to warrant its attention.
The ants approached the wolf's carcass, their antennae twitching in search of sustenance. The tough hide resisted their mandibles, but the open wound on the carcass's side provided a path to the meat. Relentlessly, they gnawed small chunks of flesh, just enough for each of them to carry in their jaws.
With their prize secured, the ants turned back toward their nest. They navigated through the grass, past grazing deer and hopping bunnies—some creatures familiar, others bizarre. The ants paid no heed to the wildlife, their instincts locked onto their mission.
Eventually, they reached the hidden entrance of their burrow, a small hole carefully camouflaged with grass. The covering was meticulous, perhaps overly so, a testament to Gerhan's paranoia in this vast and dangerous world. The ants pushed aside the grass, revealing the narrow entrance, and slipped inside.
The tunnel remained cramped and unrefined, as Gerhan had not yet had the time or energy to expand it. Inside, the ant queen lay waiting, her body weak from hunger. As the workers entered, Gerhan's antennae twitched in recognition, and his mandibles clicked in anticipation.
"Finally, I've been starving!" Gerhan said, his voice a mix of relief and exhaustion.
The workers presented their small chunks of meat, and Gerhan wasted no time, gnawing into the nutrient-rich flesh. To him, the morsels were a feast, providing enough energy to stave off his hunger. As he ate, he observed his loyal workers, their pale exoskeletons now beginning to harden.
"You've done well," he said, leaving one of the meat chunks untouched for the workers to consume and share with the growing pupae. "We'll need more food soon, but this will do for now."
As Gerhan finished his meal, his mind wandered to the skills and talents he had yet to fully understand.
"Now that I'm not starving, it's time to figure out what my abilities really do," he muttered to himself.
He glanced at his workers, who busied themselves with feeding the pupae and tidying the burrow. The small colony was finally beginning to feel functional, but Gerhan knew this was only the beginning. His survival—and eventual dominance—would depend on mastering every tool at his disposal, starting with his mysterious Essence Devourer talent.
"Let's see what this talent is truly capable of," he said, his mandibles clicking in determination.