The wolves, now nine in number, spotted the mass of ants standing defiantly before them. With low growls and gleaming eyes, they charged forward as a coordinated pack, their predatory instincts honed.
The clash was immediate and brutal. The wolves tore through the first defensive line, their sheer size and strength overwhelming the ants. Paws stomped down, crushing countless soldiers, and sharp teeth snapped through exoskeletons, leaving trails of ant remains smeared across the battlefield.
The ants, despite their disadvantage in size, retaliated with a ferocity born of unity and instinct. The stationary reserves—20 worker ants positioned at the rear—surged forward, launching an ambush from behind to surround the wolves. Mandibles clamped down on fur and flesh, and some even managed to sever tendons and draw blood.
Yet, the size disparity was daunting. Wolves shook off the smaller ants clinging to their bodies, crushing them underfoot or tearing them apart with their teeth. Ants were thrown into the air, their bodies smashed against the ground as chaos spread through the ranks.
The battlefield was a grim sight. Ant ichor pooled in the soil, mixing with the blood of the wolves. The overwhelming power of the predators made the ants' efforts appear futile at times. But the colony was nothing if not relentless.
Some ants clung with unyielding determination to the wolves' legs and faces, biting through fur and skin. The wolves snarled in pain, distracted by the stinging mandibles that clung to their sensitive areas. One wolf, particularly aggressive, was slowed as dozens of ants latched onto its joints, gnawing at its flesh.
A pivotal moment came when one of the wolves let out a piercing howl of agony. A single lucky ant had managed to crawl onto its face and sink its mandibles deep into its eye socket. The wolf thrashed wildly, trying to dislodge the ant, but the damage was done. With its eye gouged out and the pain unbearable, the wolf collapsed onto its side. Its breathing slowed, and it stopped moving—a small yet significant victory for the colony.
Despite this success, the battle was far from over. The wolves were still powerful and had the upper hand. The ants' numbers were dwindling quickly, and it seemed their relentless efforts might not be enough to overcome the wolves' sheer strength. Gerhan, observing the fight through his controlled ants, knew he had to make a decisive move soon to turn the tide of the battle.