Ari sat alone, absentmindedly swinging his mandibles as he stared at them. The rhythmic movement was a small comfort against the whirlwind of thoughts swirling through his mind.
I haven't been in this world for very long, yet I've already come close to death more times than I can count.
He exhaled sharply, mandibles twitching with frustration. The battle against the termites had revealed his weakness. The fight against the flies showed progress—he was getting stronger. But even now, all he was doing was relying on speed to overwhelm his enemies. He had no real skill in fighting.
Speed alone isn't enough. If I want to survive here—if I want to truly protect myself and the others—I need to learn how to fight.
His grip tightened, frustration welling up inside. The thought lingered, stubborn and unwelcome.
"Ari!"
His antennae twitched at the familiar voice, breaking his concentration. He turned his head toward the approaching figure—Princess Tanya. Relief flickered in his chest at seeing her.
"Oh, it's you, Princess Tanya," he said, offering a small nod.
Tanya stopped in front of him, her expression bright and cheerful, though her eyes held a depth he hadn't seen before. "I'm glad to see you back in one piece after that expedition."
She smiled warmly. "I heard all about what happened from one of the military ants. You were attacked by flies but fought them off. They said you were amazing out there."
Ari felt a flush of heat creep up his face. He looked away, embarrassed. "It wasn't anything special," he muttered, a soft chuckle escaping his mandibles.
"It was," Tanya insisted, her tone firm but kind. "I hope you keep getting stronger—and faster too—because..." She hesitated, lowering her voice. "We might not have much time left."
Ari's body stiffened at her words. He turned to look at her, antennae flicking with concern. "What do you mean by that, Princess?"
Tanya seemed unsure for a moment, studying him carefully, searching for the right way to explain. "Do you remember when we first captured you?"
Ari blinked, surprised by the sudden change in topic. "Yeah, of course I do."
"And do you remember telling me that you came from another world?"
Ari narrowed his eyes slightly. "I do."
"If that's true..." Tanya took a deep breath. "Could you tell me what your world is like? Does war exist? Is there peace?"
Caught off guard, Ari hesitated. Then he began, "Well... it's not peaceful every single day, that's for sure. But compared to this world? It's a lot less violent."
Tanya's curiosity deepened, her antennae twitching as she leaned closer. "Can you describe it to me? What is it like?"
Ari leaned back slightly, gathering his thoughts. He had almost forgotten what it felt like to talk about his old world.
"My world is much bigger than this colony," he began. "It's divided into many different countries, each with its own governments, cultures, and languages. I was born in Japan, specifically in a city called Tokyo."
Tanya's eyes widened, sparkling with interest. "Tokyo?"
Ari nodded. "It's one of the largest and busiest cities in the world. Towering buildings, bright lights, millions of people going about their daily lives. The streets are always crowded, filled with the sounds of cars honking, trains speeding by, people talking, and advertisements flashing everywhere."
She listened intently, captivated. "It sounds... overwhelming."
"It can be," Ari admitted. "But it's also amazing. The technology is so advanced that you can travel across the entire city in minutes using underground trains. There are massive skyscrapers, shopping districts, entertainment centers, and so many restaurants—you'd never run out of new foods to try."
"Restaurants?" Tanya asked, tilting her head.
"They're places where people go to eat food that's prepared for them."
Her eyes widened in surprise. "You don't have to make your own food?"
Ari chuckled softly. "Not always. Some people cook at home, but there are plenty of places where you can pay for meals that are already made. There's food from all over the world—spicy dishes, sweet desserts, fried food, raw fish, noodles, soups—you name it."
"That sounds incredible," Tanya murmured. "Do you have a favorite food?"
Ari thought for a moment. "Probably ramen. It's a noodle dish with a rich broth, meat, and vegetables. Warm, filling, and really comforting."
"Ramen..." Tanya repeated slowly, as if committing the word to memory.
"There's also ice cream," Ari added with a small smile.
"Ice cream?"
"It's a sweet, frozen dessert. Comes in different flavors—chocolate, vanilla, strawberry. You eat it with a spoon, and it melts in your mouth."
Tanya gasped, her eyes lighting up. "That sounds delicious! I really want to try it someday."
Ari smiled gently. "I think you'd like it."
Her eyes softened, a wistful warmth settling over her features. "Your world sounds so different... so wonderful. Do people there fight as much as we do?"
Ari sighed. "There are fights, and wars do exist, but they aren't constant like here. Most people live their lives without ever having to fight at all. Governments and laws keep order. Wars are terrible when they happen, but they aren't a daily part of life. In Tokyo, people go to school, work, visit friends, enjoy entertainment—movies, music, art. Things that bring joy."
Tanya's gaze drifted, her voice quiet. "It sounds like a dream."
Ari studied her carefully, sensing the weight behind her words. "Maybe one day, I'll run away to that world with you—far away from here," she said softly, smiling at the idea, though the smile was tinged with sadness. "If only things were that simple."
His own smile faded as he met her eyes. The longing in her voice was impossible to miss. She was bound by responsibilities far greater than she revealed.
"Princess..." He hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "I don't know what's going on, or if something's troubling you. If it's about Vladimir..."
At the mention of the name, Tanya's expression darkened. She looked away, voice barely above a whisper. "I don't know what to think anymore."
Ari clenched his mandibles tightly. Vladimir, the military commander, had left a deep wound in her heart—one he hadn't openly declared but that spoke louder than any words. And if what Tanya said about time running out was true, then something dangerous was coming.
He took a steadying breath. "Whatever happens, just know that I'll protect you."
Tanya turned back to him, eyes filled with warmth and gratitude. "Thank you," she whispered. "That means more to me than you know."
They sat together in silence, the weight of their conversation settling between them like a quiet storm. Ari wasn't sure what the future held, but one thing was certain—
He wouldn't let anything happen to Tanya.
Not while he still had the strength—and the determination—to keep getting stronger.