The forest grew quieter as Beatrice and her squad ventured farther into the territory.
Branches stretched across the narrow path, forcing them to maneuver around them as they continued forward.
No matter how I look at it, we're searching without any real direction. The eastern forest region is enormous, not to mention...
Beatrice slowed her pace.
It's home to the Hornets.
She closed her eyes and released a slow breath.
Why did I agree to this?
Beatrice noticed several broken branches along the path. She stopped and turned towards the others.
"Everyone, stay alert. We should be getting close."
Nova adjusted the mandible at her waist.
"Do you have any idea where it might be, Corporal Beatrice?"
"Not exactly. But from what we've been told, the Moonveil Blossom should be somewhere in this region."
Lily brushed a small leaf from her shoulder.
"Let's hope we're not wandering around in circles all day. I'd rather not spend another night sleeping on the forest floor."
Lancelot glanced down at her.
Lily noticed him looking and tilted her head.
"What is it?"
"Nothing."
Isla slowed her pace and glanced towards the treetops.
"Is it just me, or has anyone else noticed how quiet it's become?"
Lancelot turned his head towards her.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"I don't know. When we first got here, I could feel the changes in the air currents and hear the branches moving. But now... there's nothing."
Lancelot released a slow breath.
"Keep your imagination to yourself, Isla."
"Hey... I'm not imagining things!"
Isla's cheeks turned red as she pouted.
Lily chuckled.
"Leave her alone, Lance Lance. At least she pays attention to her surroundings, unlike you."
"What's with that stupid nickname? And I'm alert."
Beatrice raised her hand.
"Enough. Keep your voices down."
She lowered her gaze and ran her fingers over the disturbed soil. Several patches of disturbed soil were scattered between the trees.
"Something passed through here recently."
Nova stepped closer.
"Could it have been the moths?"
"Possibly. We don't know how long ago they passed through," Beatrice replied.
She turned towards the squad.
"Nova, take the left side. Lily, cover the right. Lancelot, watch our rear. Isla, keep an eye on the surrounding area. Everyone, keep your weapons ready."
The squad continued through the forest, carefully navigating around the trees, vines, and tall grass. Gradually, the vegetation began to thin, revealing an opening ahead."
Beatrice stepped into a small clearing.
She stopped when a faint glow caught her attention.
"What is that?" Nova asked.
Beatrice slowly approached the source of the light.
A single flower stood among the surrounding vegetation. Its pale petals curved outward, each one carrying a faint silver-blue glow. Small particles of light drifted from its center and vanished before reaching the ground.
Beatrice reached down and carefully picked it.
There's no mistaking it.
"The Moonveil Blossom..."
"Wow! I thought we'd never find it!"
Lily said.
Nova sheathed her mandibles and pressed a hand against her chest. Her heart was still pounding.
"Looks like Ari was right..."
"Come over here, Lancelot," Beatrice said.
"Yeah..."
He turned around and presented his back.
Beatrice carefully placed the Moonveil Blossom inside the makeshift bag.
"Now that that's taken care of, let's make our way back to the colony."
"Sounds good to me," Lily said.
A sudden rustling came from the surrounding trees.
Isla's antennae twitched. The colour drained from her face.
"S-Something's coming."
Everyone drew their mandibles.
Dark figures emerged from the trees. One after another, moths stepped into the clearing, surrounding them.
Lancelot glanced around, gritting his teeth.
Isla's hand trembled as she took a step back.
Beatrice's eyes narrowed.
A moth stepped forward from the group, rolling his neck.
"So this is where Aurora left the Blossom. What was she thinking?"
Beatrice tightened her grip on her mandibles.
"Who are you?"
"I'm Hawks. I don't think you tunnel dwellers understand what you've gotten yourselves into."
He raised a hand and ruffled his hair.
"Listen, I have no intention of killing any of you. So just hand it over."
"How did you..." Nova murmured.
"We didn't know exactly where she had hidden the Blossom. But we knew sooner or later you'd come looking for it. So we stayed hidden and let you do the searching."
"Who is this Aurora you keep referring to?" Beatrice asked.
Hawks released a slow breath.
"Isn't it obvious? So even you tunnel dwellers fell for her deception. "
"What do you mean?"
"I'm talking about the War Monarch's precious little Guardian, Nytheris."
Beatrice's lips parted slightly.
So then... Ari was right. Nytheris really did betray them.
"Now then... about the flower."
"And what if we refuse?" Beatrice asked.
"Simple."
Hawks' eyes glinted.
"You all die."
Isla trembled and closed her eyes.
What do we do?
Lily gently tapped her on the shoulder.
Isla opened her eyes.
Lily smiled at her.
Beatrice's lips curled slightly.
"You're a fool if you think we're going to hand over this flower without a fight."
She raised her mandibles.
"Fine. Have it your way."
Darkness began spreading through the clearing, quickly swallowing the surrounding trees and greenery.
"What is this?" Nova asked.
"I can't see anything!"
Lancelot turned his head from side to side, squinting into the darkness. He raised one hand in front of his face, but couldn't make out his own fingers.
So this is what Ari experienced...
Hawks spread his wings, revealing rows of sharp quills lining their hind edges. He brought his wings together once before lifting off the ground.
With that flower in my possession, I'll finally have the power I've always deserved. And you're the only ones standing in my way.
Outside the Hollow Foundry of Shadows, Butterfly guardians darted through the air, dodging the barrage of quills raining down around them.
One of the guardians swung his whip, severing the wings of several moths. They plummeted towards the ground, blood spraying from their injuries.
He gritted his teeth.
There's no end to them! If this keeps up, we'll be overwhelmed!
"Eryndor! The moths have broken through to the meadows!" The other Butterfly shouted.
"Just great..."
Eryndor flew downward, but a barrage of quills came straight towards him. He spun midair, changed direction and shot upwards. One of the quills grazed his face, leaving a thin cut.
His grip tightened around his whip.
"There's nothing we can do for them, Gerald. If we leave now, we'll only cause more problems for Seraphina."
"But..."
"Our objective is to guard the Hollow Foundry's entrance."
Eryndor turned his gaze away.
"I'm sorry, all we can do is hope they hold out."
The soldiers ran through the meadows.
Quinn clutched her shoulder, struggling to catch her breath. Her vision began to blur.
I knew this was much more than we could handle.
Her antennae twitched. She turned and spotted a group of moths flying towards them.
This is bad.
"We've got incoming! Don't let them reach the wounded!"
The soldiers turned towards the approaching moths.
"But how did they get through?"
"Didn't we leave two guardians behind to hold them off?"
Quinn stepped forward, raising her mandible blades.
"Hold your positions! Keep them away from the injured!"
"Right!"
The moths spread their wings and unleashed a barrage of quills.
The projectiles whistled through the air.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Quinn swung her mandibles, deflecting several quills. Sparks flew as the blades struck them, while the projectiles buried themselves in the ground around her.
Then, several quills struck her chest, arms, legs, and shoulders.
"Guh—!"
Her body jerked violently. Blood spilled from her mouth as she staggered backwards.
"Corporal Quinn!" a soldier cried out from behind her.
Quinn gritted her teeth and raised one hand, stopping him from approaching.
"Fall back... Keep moving! Don't stop to help me unless I give the order!"
"But—"
"Go! Now!"
The soldiers hesitated before turning and running further into the meadows.
Quinn wiped the blood from her mouth. A faint smile appeared on her face.
Looks like my time is up, Ari.
Her fingers tightened around the handles of her mandibles.
Another barrage of quills came flying towards her.
Quinn closed her eyes.
Several loud clangs rang out in front of her.
"Hey... Who would've thought you'd hold out this long?"
Her eyes slowly opened. They widened when she recognized the familiar figure standing before her.
"Sergeant..."
Her lips trembled.
"Argent..."
"Yeah. Sorry I took so long. Oh, and don't worry about the soldiers. The other sergeants are already escorting them to safety."
"I see..."
Quinn stumbled, her knees giving out beneath her. Argent quickly caught her with one arm.
"Easy now."
He glanced down at the quills embedded in her body. Blood continued to run from her wounds.
His expression hardened.
"It took us a while to finally track her down. But now that she's here..."
Argent raised his gaze towards the sky.
The moths advanced towards Quinn and Argent.
Suddenly, a brilliant beam of light appeared before them.
The moths halted midair.
"What is that?"
"Looks like I made it just in time."
An orange-winged Butterfly cracked her knuckles. Sunlight reflected off her orange exoskeleton as she folded her arms.
"No way..."
A moth's eyes widened.
"That's Solstice! Luminara's guardian!"
Solstice clicked her tongue.
"You lot are really starting to get on my nerves!"
She spread her wings.
"O blazing sun, unleash your radiance. Let your scorching rays reflect across the sky. Mirror Prism!"
rays of sunlight struck her body from multiple angles, converging on her orange exoskeleton. The light intensified, spreading across her arms, shoulders, and wings. Heat radiated from her body, and the air around her began to shimmer.
"Scatter!!"
A moment later, the concentrated rays burst outward in multiple directions.
Golden rays swept across the sky, engulfing the entire swarm.
"AAAAAGH!!"
Screams erupted from the moths as the light struck their bodies. Their wings caught fire, the flames spreading across the delicate membranes. Several moths flailed desperately in the air, their bodies twisting as the intense heat burned through their exoskeletons.
One after another, they disintegrated into ashes. Within seconds, the entire swarm had vanished, leaving clouds of ash drifting through the air.
"Did she... really take out all those moths on her own?"
Quinn's jaw trembled as her lips parted.
"These Guardians are terrifying..."
Solstice lowered her wings, her chest rising and falling rapidly. Heat continued to radiate from her orange exoskeleton, distorting the air around her. Beads of sweat formed along her forehead, only to evaporate almost immediately.
Dammit! My body's so hot I can barely think straight...
She clenched her fists.
I promised Luminara I'd support Seraphina at the Foundry. I can't stop now.
Her wings fluttered as light gathered around her body. In the next instant, she vanished in a flash of orange light.