Only six wolves remained, their breaths heavy and bodies bloodied. The ants, despite their dwindling numbers, continued to press the attack, unyielding even as their own forces were decimated. The ground was littered with the shattered bodies of ants and the bloody tracks of the wolves. The wolves, sensing the battle was turning into a pyrrhic endeavor, finally made a decision.
They raised their heads once more and let out long, resonant howls—a call of retreat. Slowly, the wolves began to withdraw, brushing against the trees to rid themselves of the remaining ants clinging desperately to their fur. One by one, they turned tail and ran, their escape swallowed by the shadows of the dense forest.
Gerhan, through his controlled worker ant perched on a tree, watched their retreat until they were no longer visible. The forest grew eerily quiet, the echoes of the howls fading into the distance. Relief washed over him, but it was short-lived as he turned his attention to the battlefield.
All around the entrance of his colony lay the remnants of the fierce battle. Ants were scattered everywhere—some missing mandibles, others with legs torn off, and still more lying motionless, their bodies flattened and leaking their life fluids into the soil. Those who were still alive dragged themselves to safety or clung to life, their movements sluggish and erratic.
Gerhan's gaze shifted to the prize of this bloody encounter: the three wolf corpses lying in the center of the battleground. Their massive forms, bloodied and lifeless, were a stark reminder of the price his colony had paid to protect their home. These corpses were a treasure trove of resources—meat to feed his colony, fur to experiment with, and bones to add to his growing collection.
As the remaining ants began reorganizing, Gerhan used his skill [Control] to oversee the process. The injured were brought back to the colony for care, and the dead were counted and mourned in silence, their sacrifice etched into the colony's survival.
He began tallying his losses, his mandibles twitching in a mix of grief and determination. The battle had been costly, but they had won. His territory was defended, and the wolves had learned that this place was not easy prey. Now it was time to rebuild, to heal, and to grow stronger—because this world was not forgiving, and Gerhan knew that this battle would not be the last.