As he made his way home, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was being drawn into something far bigger than he had initially realized. From Mikey's gang to the mysterious girls with ice powers.
To Dick, that was another one. He could argue with anyone of such ability around the school until he saw this by himself. He thought that his escape today was out of luck. He didn't know why Harper and her friends surrendered to mere method.
Perhaps, that was her weak point, her eyes. But the others should have saved, helped her out. What are friends for? The third girl did not even utter a word all through. She might also be someone important and carrying something big. Jemma had not shown her true colours either but she must be tough too.
Lately, the rising of various people and things could not be overlooked. Both technology and abilities were running at the same time. He knew he was trying to deal with Mikey and friends when these girls showed up. Who knows how many of such strange people still hide amongst them?
For the moment, there was need to work on his new book. Getting home, he impatiently threw his bag aside, sat before his small table to study. He immersed himself in the book. He was going to get everything about the ants. He flipped to the contents to see what he should deal with first. He saw something interesting and had to turn to page 407.
'Ants possess several remarkable powers. They have so much strength and they can carry objects many times heavier than their own body weight, thanks to their strong muscles relative to their size.'
According to the author of the book, these tiny creatures could deal with loads heavier than themselves. That explained the reason he could carry the principal when the hospital was attacked. He found out many similarities he shared with the ants. But he was still unsatisfied with himself. He had fears that one day he might be transformed into one of this specie. He needed more findings before things gets out of hand. He must know how not to be an ant likewise.
Dick closed the book in frustration, his mind swirling with the weight of everything he had just read. Hunger gnawed at his stomach, but the words in the book still haunted him. Before he placed it down, one heading caught his attention—"The Enemy of Ants - Almora." The title struck a chord in him, its ominous tone calling him toward something he couldn't quite grasp. The mention of "enemy" piqued his curiosity. What could an enemy of ants mean, and why was it specifically tied to Almora? A demonic agent? It sounded like something out of a dark legend. Intrigued, yet unable to focus anymore due to his hunger, Dick sighed heavily, closed the book, and tucked it under his arm. He decided it was time to satisfy his growing hunger.
He stepped onto the street where the sounds of the city filled his ears. The street was bustling with the usual chaos—people hurriedly crossing to the other side, cars honking, and the faint hum of chatter from pedestrians. Dick crossed the road, making his way toward the local eatery that had become his regular stop. The small café, a cozy little joint tucked between two shops, was crowded today. It seemed as if everyone had been driven out of their homes by hunger, just like him. The place was alive with the chatter of students, businessmen, and locals, all coming together in their shared need for food. Dick grabbed a quick snack and a can of drink, blending in with the crowd. But something felt off today—a strange heaviness lingered in the air, as if the usual hum of the world had been momentarily replaced with a sense of anticipation.
What Dick didn't realize was that amidst the crowd, someone had noticed him. A figure, lurking in the shadows, silently observed his every movement. Almora, a demonic agent from another realm, had arrived on Earth with a purpose. His mission? To conquer the West before the arrival of his lord, Califos, and to eliminate any beings that could stand in their way. Almora was no ordinary demon. He had a powerful ability to sense those with special powers, and the moment he laid eyes on Dick, he felt a surge of something—something dangerous. A unique energy radiated from the boy, and Almora knew he had to investigate further.
Almora's lord, Califos, resided far above, in the firmaments where two great lady-rocks intertwined. Califos had been waiting for the right moment to descend to Earth and establish dominion. But before he could make his grand arrival, he needed to clear the path of any opposition. Almora's role was clear—eliminate potential threats, subjugate the humans, and prepare Earth for his lord's coming. The plan was simple—first, deal with the humans who could pose a threat. Then, enslave them. If all else failed, Califos would annihilate them, and from their ashes, build his kingdom of principalities.
Meanwhile, Dick, unaware of the demonic agent tracking his every move, continued his journey toward the street. He was lost in thought, still trying to understand the book he had just read. His mind lingered on the mystery of Almora. Who was this enemy, and why did it seem so important? But hunger prevailed, and his stomach growled loudly, reminding him of the need to eat. It seemed like every person around him had the same urgency. It was a reminder that they all shared one simple drive—survival.
In the shadows, Almora was still following Dick, his demonic senses keen and focused. As he moved silently through the crowd, his thoughts were on the strange energy Dick emitted. It was a power that Almora knew was important, but he couldn't yet figure out why. It was a subtle force, something that drew him in like a moth to the flame. Almora moved closer, blending into the crowd, never once making his presence known.
Back at Dr. Bin's lab, a different kind of experiment was taking place. Dr. Bin had created a new, more advanced human-machine hybrid—his latest creation, Harry. Bin's goal was clear: to revolutionize the world using his blood-machines. His first creation, Mikey, had been impressive, but Harry was a different breed altogether. Equipped with a special helmet that tapped into both blood and a special liquid, Harry was stronger, faster, and more efficient than Mikey could ever hope to be. Bin had worked tirelessly, making sure that Mikey believed he was still the superior creation, while Harry was now the true apex of Bin's work.
Harry stood. His body enhanced. He was a machine in a human shell, ready to follow Bin's every command. This was the next step in Bin's plan to change the world, to create a new order, and Harry was going to be the instrument of that change.
The testing process was brief but effective. Dr. Bin was pleased with the results. However, as they prepared to leave, Almora had arrived at the lab. He had sensed the disturbance in the airwaves, the strange energy emanating from the lab. This was what he had been searching for—this could be the key to understanding what made Dick so special. Almora moved silently through the area, his demonic senses on high alert as he searched for answers.
The following day, Dick still felt he had wronged Mikey. He had been thinking about how he had messed up yesterday and was determined to apologize. Mikey had always been a great mentor, but Dick had been careless, and now, he hoped to make things right. As he approached the street corner, a car suddenly swerved in front of him. Poured was at the wheel, with Harry sitting in the passenger seat. Before Dick could react, the car slammed into him with terrifying force. The impact was so violent that Dick was flung several feet into the air, his body crumpling onto the pavement, blood spilling from his wounds.
Poured quickly reversed the car and sped off, leaving Dick lying motionless on the ground. It was only moments later that an ambulance arrived, rushing to his side. They took him into the vehicle, but Dick's body was cold, and he remained unconscious. As the paramedics worked to stabilize him, Dick's spirit was already slipping away from his body, crossing into a strange new world.
He found himself in an unfamiliar environment. The air felt different here, and the landscape seemed foreign. Dick was still aware of his body, yet he was now a spectator in his own life. The world around him was bustling with activity, but it wasn't like anything he had seen before. A strange creature, with a massive head, tiny abdomen, and huge hips, appeared before him. Its antennae twitched in the air, sensing every movement.
The place was swarming with human-like creatures—humans, but not quite. They were ants, living in a world that mirrored the human world in many ways. Some ate, some talked, and others just laid around, their daily routines unfolding in front of him. Among them, Dick noticed a young woman, her antennae protruding from her head like the others. She was different, though—there was something about her that caught Dick's attention.