As they jumped high into the air, the grasshoppers used their wings like a kite to glide swiftly to their destination. Princess Tanya, who was in Hopper's hand, trembled each time he launched into the air, jolted by the sheer power and speed Hopper displayed as he led the group. He wasn't just flying—he was soaring, commanding the skies with authority that made her stomach twist.
"Hopper really showed that ant who was in control," said Gianna, her voice coated with cruel satisfaction.
"That ant was a fool thinking he could ever match up to Hopper's strength," said Denzil with a smug sneer.
"The little interest I had in fighting—that's all gone now. He's weak, like the rest," said Sly, no longer amused.
In the distance, Tanya had a clear view of the fortress, and her heart sank the moment they landed. What she saw was worse than her nightmares. The structure loomed like a grim monument of oppression. Ants were scattered all across its base, working feverishly, their bodies drenched in sweat, legs trembling beneath them as they carried massive chunks of stone, lumber, and supplies. They were pushed through hardcore labor unlike anything Tanya had ever seen in her own colony.
One ant, his hands shaky, had been carving a small sculpture of Hopper from a chunk of clay. But in his fear-driven haste, the fragile figure snapped in half.
"No, no, no! I'm sorry, Viser! I can fix it! Please—I can!" he cried, trembling as he knelt over the broken pieces.
Viser, an imposing grasshopper with dead eyes and a smile that never reached his cheeks, showed no sign of compassion. With no change in expression, he hoisted the ant into the air. There was a sickening pause, like the universe holding its breath, and then—crack. The ant's back shattered across Viser's knee, his scream cut short.
"Since we now have no use for you… you might as well die," Viser said with a smirk as he drew out the ant's spine, killing him instantly.
Tanya screamed in horror, her voice cracking into tears as she stared, helpless, at the cruelty on display. Her sobs were ignored.
Upon Hopper's return to the fortress, the grasshoppers around the gates erupted into war cries.
"The Chief is back!!!" one shouted.
Hopper didn't bask in the attention. He dragged Tanya like an object, pulling her through the courtyard toward the heart of the fortress. His four great warriors followed behind him like shadows. When they reached a large cage made from twisted sticks and thorny vines, he shoved her inside without a second thought. She groaned from the impact, her body crashing onto the cold, dirt-packed ground.
"Do you really think they'll be able to get all that food to us for this winter, Hopper?" Denzil asked, skeptical. His eyes narrowed, watching the frantic labor outside the fortress walls.
"Of course they will," Hopper replied, his voice cold and certain. "We took away the heir to the throne. They'll have to obey our every order—even if it means freezing to death."
"I like the sound of that," said Sly with a menacing and sinister laugh.
Baracko, the silent observer among them, furrowed his brow. Something was off. His eyes trailed up Hopper's face, and then he saw it—blood. A slow, thin stream trickled down from Hopper's temple, trailing past his eye.
"No way… Hopper, you're bleeding," Baracko said in shock.
The other great warriors turned to look.
"Don't tell me… that ant somehow managed to injure you?" Gianna asked, her voice laced with disbelief.
"Hopper hadn't fought anyone else but that ant," Denzil added. "So there's no other explanation."
"I haven't seen Hopper bleed since the Great War between us and the ants," said Sly. His voice sharpened, gleaming with interest. "To think that that scum managed to do it… now I'm even more interested in dissecting him."
"Silence!" shouted Hopper, his voice echoing off the walls. "That ant—Ari—is going to pay for this. After this winter, I'll ensure he dies a brutal death."
"No! You will not hurt Ari," said Tanya in a low tone as she grasped the wooden bars of her cage, her eyes sharp.
"What's that, Princess? I couldn't hear you—speak up!" Hopper taunted.
"Your worst mistake was allowing Ari to live," she said louder now, her voice trembling but firm. "You can forget about the harvest for winter. Ari will get stronger… and he'll come here. He'll defeat all of you. He'll rescue me."
Sly chuckled. "Him and what army? He wouldn't even pass the gates."
"And you have so much faith in that ant after witnessing the difference in our strength?" Hopper asked, leaning toward her.
"You'll witness his strength and growth for yourselves," she replied. "Each and every one of you. And when you're defeated… we will finally be free."
"That's enough out of you. Have you gone insane? That mere ant can't even beat an average grasshopper," Gianna said with a scoff.
"We'll see," Tanya said, retreating to a corner of her cage. Her voice dropped, but the glimmer in her eyes remained unshaken.
Far from the fortress, in the cold shadows of the training fields, Rory stood alone. The memory of that day—Ari clashing with Hopper—burned in his mind like a scar.
"Goddammit… I proved my point that day," Rory muttered to himself. "The difference in me and Ari's strength… it's vast. And yet still… he didn't even scratch Hopper. I couldn't help him. I was so useless."
His fists clenched. He could no longer bear the feeling of helplessness gnawing at his chest.
"I'm going to get stronger. And the only way to do that…"
Rory's eyes darted toward a figure walking in the distance. Brooks—the lieutenant, respected, fierce, a warrior unlike any other. Rory's heart pounded. He ran forward, swallowing his fear.
"Lieutenant Brooks! Can you spare me a moment?"
Brooks stopped and turned, folding his arms across his chest. "What's the matter, Rory?"
"Please…" Rory bowed low, voice raw. "Will you train me? Teach me how to do real combat? How to get stronger?"
Brooks blinked. "Why do you seek strength, young man?"
Rory looked up, eyes burning. "Because I know in my heart that Ari is going to go after Tanya alone… and that's basically suicide. I need to be at a level where I can support him."
He hesitated, but pushed through the ache in his throat.
"Back when he was fighting Hopper… all I could do was watch in fear while he got clobbered. I'm pathetic. I know that. So now I beg you… please help me."
Brooks was silent for a moment. Then he cleared his throat.
"Do you understand the severity of the situation?" he asked, voice firm. "Following through with helping Ari… it could result in your death."
"Yes," Rory said without hesitation. "And I accept that. I'd rather die a hero than live a coward."
Brooks flinched—just a bit. Those words. He had heard them once before, from someone he had loved and lost. A memory rose like smoke, bittersweet and painful, tugging at the cracks in his mandibles.
After a long pause, Brooks finally said, "Okay. I'll train you."
He turned and walked off.
"Really? I mean—thank you, sir!" Rory said, tears almost breaking through his relief.
He stood there for a moment, breathless, watching Brooks disappear into the distance. For the first time in a long while, Rory didn't feel weak. He felt like the spark had finally caught fire.