She walked up to him, her voice soft but clear. "Hello, I know you're new here, but I can help you if you want."
Despite the language barrier, Dick understood her words, as if some invisible force was translating them for him. When their eyes met, he felt something stir inside of him—something he hadn't felt in a long time. Her name was Alpi, and she was the daughter of the king of this land. She offered to take him to her home, and despite the confusion swirling in his mind, Dick followed her.
As they journeyed through her kingdom, Dick began to realize just how strange this world was.
Each day, the guards who protected the king were seen with short and long knife armed by their sides. They appeared powerful and they were very disciplined. He watched them train daily and discussing all manners of latest news. Dick felt they could have discussed about him also.
One day, during a training session, Dick found himself drawn into the action. The guards unleashed their weapons—a series of clubs—and charged at him. At first, Dick stood still, carefully watching their movements. But then, his instincts took over, and he moved into action, using one of the attackers as a human shield. With quick, precise movements, he struck back, his "flying kick" sending attackers flying across the room.
But even with his incredible skill, Dick wasn't invincible. The teacher, a hardened warrior, had remained standing observing his moves. The guards closed in, and Dick found himself struck by a club, the pain shooting through his head. But even as he stumbled, Dick didn't stop. He fought back.
One of the guards who was furious at Dick's interference, shouted at him. "Who are you to come here? Get out!"
"I won't let you kill your master," Dick responded, gripping a club tightly in his hands.
Unknown to the teacher there had been a plot to terminate him but Dick overheard them. This was why he interrupted to fight. He had just affected the plan of these people. As the battle continued, Dick finally realized something that took him by surprise—he wasn't human anymore. His head was large, his body covered with the same features as the others. The truth hit him like a freight train: he was an ant. He let out a loud, primal scream for his condition. But that was a form of weaponry against the ants. As soon as he screamed, everyone was scared. He only tried to express his vulnerability but they just couldn't continue the fight.
Alpi arrived just as the chaos reached its peak. "Why do you scare your landlords?" she asked, her voice filled with concern.
Dick, still stunned by the revelation, ignored her. "You didn't tell me I'm an ant," he said, his voice full of frustration.
The day and night in the world of the ants were strangely familiar to Dick, almost as though time had taken a break. It felt as though the life he had once known, back home, had vanished, and the cycle of day and night here was somehow mirroring his old life. In his previous world, humans and animals lived side by side, a delicate balance of life and survival. But in this new realm, the rules were different—this world was ruled entirely by ants. There was no place for humans or any other creatures. The ants were the dominant species, and their world was considered a sanctuary, a "heaven" of sorts, where they lived freely and without interference from anything else.
The ants came in all shapes and sizes, from the smallest, seemingly insignificant creatures to those larger and more powerful, whose mere presence demanded respect. Among them, some were light-skinned while others were dark, and it was the dark-skinned ants that commanded the most awe and fear. These ants, known for their strength, resilience, and courage, were the toughest of their kind. They were celebrated for their adventurous spirit, often embarking on missions that others would never dare attempt, risking their lives in the process. Though each ant species had its own warriors, the dark-skinned ones were universally revered for their exceptional skill and bravery in battle. Their reputation extended beyond their species, making them the warriors every ant aspired to be.
Dick, still reeling from his unexpected arrival in this strange world, was trying to make sense of his situation. He was beginning to understand that he was no longer in the same world as his people. As he spent more time among the ants, he observed the strange culture that seemed to exist in their society. He learned that the ants operated under their own set of rules, a different rhythm that guided their every action. He had no choice but to adapt. Though the world around him was entirely unfamiliar, it was clear that his fate was now intertwined with the ants. This was not merely an accident—it was meant to be. But why? Dick had yet to figure that out.
One morning, as Dick was walking through the bustling colony, he heard the voice of Kama, the trainer of the king's guard. Kama had come to see Dick, and his expression was one of respect. The man had been observing him for some time and had recognized Dick's potential. Kama's demeanor was stern but not unkind as he greeted Dick with a warm embrace and a firm pat on the shoulder.
Dick couldn't help but feel uneasy at Kama's attention. He was still struggling with his place in this world, and the idea of being singled out made him feel exposed. Kama had come to show his appreciation for Dick's actions, but Dick wasn't sure he deserved it. After all, he was the one who had inadvertently caused a disruption in their world. Before Dick arrived, the ants had been living their lives as they always had, without interference. Perhaps that was the root of their annoyance with him. Dick understood that he needed to learn to stay out of matters that didn't concern him. It was easy to get caught up in things that weren't his to handle, but he had learned the hard way that meddling could have unforeseen consequences.
Kama, sensing Dick's internal conflict, spoke up, his voice calm but filled with wisdom. "I know what you're thinking," he said, as though he had read Dick's mind.
Dick was taken aback. Kama's ability to read him so easily was unsettling. Kama, a man in his early sixties, had spent decades honing his skills, both in combat and in understanding the minds of others. Dick didn't know whether to be impressed or disturbed by Kama's uncanny perceptiveness. He had lived a long life and had gained a wealth of knowledge, both practical and mystical, during his time.
"I will help you," Kama continued, his voice firm. "You need to learn how to fight."
At those words, Dick's heart lifted. He had been hoping for something like this—something concrete to hold onto in this strange and unfamiliar world. Kama's promise to teach him how to fight was exactly what he needed to hear. Dick had no idea how he would survive in this world without learning to defend himself. But still, he couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to Kama's words than he understood.
"You need to understand something important," Kama said, his voice lowering as though sharing a secret. "Your meeting with the ants wasn't by chance. It was fate. When the supernatural meets the natural, an evolution occurs. And now, you carry two types of DNA within you. You're human, and you're an ant. The combination of these two will create something new. There will be reproduction, and new life will come from it. Genetic transfer takes place. "
Dick felt a shiver run down his spine. What did Kama mean by "genetic transfusion"? Was he really suggesting that he now shared the same DNA as the ants? The idea was baffling, and Dick didn't know whether to believe it or not. But Kama's words carried weight, and despite his doubts, he had to listen. Kama spoke with the authority of someone who had lived through countless battles and challenges, someone who knew more than Dick could possibly comprehend.
Kama continued, "This world will not remain the same, Dick. This change was foretold by the fathers. Your presence here—your encounter with the ants—has set something in motion. The world is evolving, and you are part of that evolution."
Dick couldn't fully wrap his mind around what Kama was saying. He didn't believe much I don'tin fate, not in the way Kama seemed to. It all seemed like a grand myth, something from an old storybook. But despite his skepticism, Dick could feel something stirring inside him—a strange connection to the ants, something beyond his understanding.
"I don't believe in all this talk of evolution," Dick muttered, shaking his head, "but I do believe in learning how to fight."
Kama gave him a knowing look. "That's all you need to focus on for now," he said. "We'll start tonight."
When the evening training session arrived, Kama appeared with a simple kit—a stick that was shaped like an arrow. Kama threw the stick into the air.
"Catch it," he instructed, his tone serious.