Chapter 25: Doubts, Tears and a Day's End

MAX

Max sat huddled against the wall beside his wounded uncle, silently looking towards the center of the large cozy hut and the ones settled there, specifically Kent, whom he seriously hadn't thought he'd ever see again, as well as the the three soldiers that'd 'welcomed' them earlier. He also couldn't help the still-slightly-wary glances at the imposing male calling himself Oro, who carried a nail even bigger than the General's. As the latter had asked pretty much right after they'd arrived, the four humans had just recently finished telling them about how they managed to get here.

Although parts of it had been a bit hard for the hornet to listen to, since the giant bug had gone to either kill or scare away the two 'bloodsuckers' still jumping around outside.

In return for the humans' story, Juss had now begun recounting all that had happened to them (him and Adrian, that was). Though, as he'd been getting started, Hornet had suddenly gotten up to walk outside, saying that she wished to be alone. Thinking about it, the hornet couldn't really blame her for not caring to listen. After everything they'd been through today, especially her, she deserved a break.

Even then, a part of him had wanted to follow her to try and give at least a little comfort. However, he also wanted to respect her wish, as well as stay for slightly longer with his uncle, who was doing a tad better now that he'd gotten to rest a bit, though he still wasn't in the condition, nor mood to talk too much. Max had stayed quiet as well, partly to focus on what the humans were speaking, but also because shortly after their arrival, the General had whispered to him not to, probably so Kent wouldn't recognize him just yet.

And so he hadn't, just listening in silence, as the tall man gave his very abridged version of the past few days' events, unable to think about anything else himself, today's especially. He shot another worried glance at Adrian. While he did look less pale than during their escape, it was still pretty clear that if they didn't do anything, the venom would soon overcome him, just like his que-, no, Acrie had told. Thankfully, the General wasn't going to let that happen now, leaving Max to wish he finished his story quicker, so he could finally get to healing the wounded man.

At least he wasn't the only one concerned.

"Alright, so ya'll split up to get out of there. How did Adrian still get hurt like that," Kent asked, looking over with his arms still crossed. "Looks serious."

"It is and I was getting to that," Juss replied, "Just that, even with everything I've gone over so far, it's a bit more out there. In short, he's poisoned, badly."

"Well, why didn't you just leave him with those, uh, bees before coming here," the other man said a bit accusingly. "They sounded fairly normal. Could've perhaps helped him by now."

At that, Max saw the General rub the bridge of his nose. "I hadn't gotten to that either, Hayes," he uttered with clear annoyance, "but if you have to know, they're no longer our allies," He huffed angrily, "nor are they normal. Damn instinct-driven traitors."

While the General's badmouthing of his 'cousins' didn't feel the best to him, the hornet understood why he did so. He too was still appalled that Vespa of all bugs was willing to just give them up to be killed like that. An heir was important, yeah, but she there must've been other ways and she was supposed to be their friend.

He couldn't imagine how Hornet felt-

"Wait, the bees betrayed you," one of the soldiers, Lane, asked.

"Yes, it's why we had to run here in the first place," Juss responded sullenly. "What, did you think we came here for you? I think I made it rather clear that I thought you were dead, or worse."

"Alright, Sir. But why'd they do it?"

"Fine, I'll skip to it," the General sighed. "The king got to them before we made it back. Honestly, there was no real way they could've resisted him, but it would have been nicer if they had let us leave peacefully."

"Huh. If that king made the bugs turn on you just like that, then why're they still with you, Sir," Smith spoke up, nodding towards Max with a suspicious look, which irked him a bit, though he knew it was kind of justified.

"Several reasons. For one, neither of them are Hivelings," the officer defended the two bugs. "They are on our side, soldiers, believe me."

"You can't be sure of that, Sir," the other man argued." Why do you trust them so much?"

"I could ask the same of you four and Oro here," the General said, annoyance in his voice again.

"Well, He saved our asses from those bug guards. Seemed to have no problem killing them either," Green said. "Sorry, Sir, but didn't you mention that girl in red was the king's daughter. And you say she isn't a liability?" The hornet's eyes widened with indignation. He understood suspicion, but this was too much, not to mention against his Hornet.

"Yes, she isn't. I told you, he's basically disowned her, tried to kill her as well. She is one hundred percent with us," Juss replied sternly, raising a palm. "Please, gentlemen, it's late, let's keep this civil. We're far off topic anyway."

"Like hell we are," Kent scoffed. "The topic's that most of those things are our enemies and she's one of them. I dunno how you can't see that, Juss." He then got to his feet, pointing towards the door. "Actually? If you trust her so much, tell us why she just randomly went outside, cause I say she's long gone, back to him."

This was too far! "No she's not, Kent. Shut up already," Max angrily barked in English, getting up as well, with the edges of his vision very slightly orange. He had no right, nor even any idea about what she'd had to go through today. He knew full well that the man was a bit on the crazy side, but he'd crossed the line here. Seething, the hornet glared at him and the soldiers, who were now all staring back at him in disbelief, as were Oro, the General and, from a glance to the side, even Adrian. The young warrior's eyes widened, this time with fear, as he realized what he'd just done.

"T- the hell," Kent exclaimed.

"What," Lane added more quietly, but no less surprised.

"Oh, doma," Max could only manage, reverting to 'buggish'.

"Oh, doma indeed," Juss spoke up darkly, standing up to tower over him. "Listen, boy, I know the uninformed things he said might've struck a chord. I can imagine how he is usually. But was it that hard for you to hold it back this one time I specifically asked that you keep quiet?"

"I- I'm sorry, you heard what he said about her," Max started sorrily, before deciding to stand his ground, crossing his arms. He'd a few things of his own he wanted to ask. "And why'd I even have to be quiet like that anyway? I know it's pretty weird, but why couldn't you explain me with the rest of the stuff?

"Because I wanted them to warm up to you two beforehand," the General sternly replied, waving towards the other humans, "which, as you can see, they clearly haven't yet."

He sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "But fine. What's done is done. I'll just have to go over you now. I trust you're going to help me by filling some gaps?"

Max shook his head, having different, more important plans. "Actually," he spoke, "I want to go see how Hornet is doing." He looked up at Juss, a bit afraid he wouldn't let him.

"Fair enough," the man fortunately said, "you go to her. I will explain things with Adrian." The hornet nodded gratefully, then turned to head towards the door.

"Wait, where does he think he's going," Kent suddenly asked, making Max worriedly glance back, "a- and why does he sound like-"

"Reasons, Hayes. Ones I just said I'll explain, granted you sit down and shut up for once," the General boomed, while motioning for the Hornet to keep going.

He heard the two men settle back down, as the officer started with the sure-to-be long explanation. He then went through the doorway.

Stepping outside, the hornet felt the wild cave's chilly air quickly make itself present. He took a breath, relieved that the little fight in the hut had gotten resolved. Though he felt a bit guilty for leaving and making Adrian have to help the General with his story. Still, he had something just as important to do. Looking ahead, he saw the long-horned female sitting on the bench, huddled in her cloak with her blade beside her, and began to approach through the ash, coming to her side.

"I am quite sure that I asked to be alone," Hornet said coldly, facing away from him.

"That a pretty long time ago now," Max replied, sitting down next to her. "Besides, I'm your, uh, malefriend."

"And you think that gives you the right to disregard my wishes?" There was a waver in her tone.

"N- no, of course not," the male denied, "but I know it gives me the responsibility to help you feel better." He meekly looked at the female, his hand creeping to hers. "Can I do that? Or at least try?"

In response to that, the warrior finally turned towards him. Her expression looked tired and sad and there were darkened lines under her eyes, which she quickly wiped at. "Very well, Max," she said with the slightest smile, her tone now audibly shaky.

The hornet smiled back, scooting a bit closer. The two once again took hold of each other's hands, spending a few moments in silence.

"I heard yelling inside the hut," Hornet then spoke up, "yours as well. What happened?"

"Well, the humans don't really trust the two of us yet and things got a bit heated because of it," Max replied, sullenly recalling what'd caused his outburst. "You remember Kent, the one not a sentry?" The female nodded. "He even had the audacity to claim that you went outside to go back to him."

His friend's eyes widened. "W-what," she asked with some in-between of a stutter and hiss.

"Yeah, exactly, so I stood up and told him to screw off, did it in Human too to scare him," the male finished, still feeling just as outraged. "I mean, I know he's paranoid and doesn't know everything that's gone wrong for us today, but that doesn't mean I'll let him condemn you like that, especially now that everything's so unfair to you."

"Thank you for that, then. He most certainly deserved it," Hornet said, her tone suddenly much more saddened, as she withdrew slightly, causing Max to inwardly facepalm, angry at himself. Why'd he have to put it like that, to remind her of it?

"Hornet, I- I'm so sorry, I shouldn't've mentioned those things."

"Please, Max, It's- alright. We'd likely have come to them anyway," the female spoke quietly. She then hunched over, letting out a silent sob. "I held her in as high a regard as my own mother, Max. For so long, she essentially was one to me. And now, just because of him, she simply cast me, cast all of us away." She glanced at the male with fearful eyes. "She was our sole ally, Max. We're all but alone against the king now and he's all the more powerful from it."

The hornet didn't know how to reply. What she'd said was completely true. All he could think of to comfort her was to place his hands over her cloaked shoulders, gently stroking them, which she allowed. He definitely wasn't going to try and say any sort of 'there, there', as it really was that bad for them. Still, he had to give her some hope, however little. Problem was that he had a hard time coming up with any they had.

"At least he still thinks we're dead or separated," he tried, despite realizing that was only unless Vespa told him, which she might as well have done now, considering how they'd had to leave the Hive. In spite of it, he went on: "And we're not. We're all still alive. I- I know it's just four, er, eight of us, but we can still make a difference." He frowned. "Even if- even if we won't see the end of it."

Hornet clearly didn't like the idea either. "And what manner of difference is it that would make," she asked, her tone irate. "In fact, tell me a single thing we'd be capable of changing, even if it killed us, because I truly cannot see any change even that could possibly make."

Max was taken aback. That was a bit too much. "Okay, Hornet, you know it's not that hopeless," he said as confidently as he could. "The king would've already fully won if it was, but he hasn't." He couldn't help a sigh. "At least not yet."

"Yes, Max, you're right," the female acknowledged. "Still, what is there we can do to stop that anymore?"

"I'm sure the General'll come up with something," the hornet offered optimistically. "I know his plan to attack the palace didn't go, um, the best, but none of us could've guessed how powerful he would be. And until we reached him, things went pretty well. Plus, I'll bet that magic he has will help."

Hornet still looked discouraged. "Yet-"

"And 'sides, we've still got you too," the male continued eagerly, "you told me yourself about all that time you spent fighting on your own to survive that Infection stuff. And I don't doubt that for a moment, 'cause from my experience, you truly are that amazing a warrior. You're not alone either. You've got Juss," He glanced back towards the hut, "and I'm pretty sure Kent and those soldiers will join us too. And then there's-"

Max paused. Even though it'd have been too much to say he was normally completely incapable, his uncle sadly couldn't give much more than moral support, that was unless he'd have followed her demands, which he was glad he didn't. Still, that only left-

"And then there's just-"

"You, Max," Hornet finished for him, a tiny smile finally on her face again.

The hornet shyly rubbed the back of his head. "Yeah. I mean, I can hold my own in a nailfight, but I'm nowhere near your level."

"Perhaps, yet neither are those hyu-mans you mentioned," the female pointed out. "And I believe I've made it quite clear that you can be my equal after the proper training." Her smile grew, cheeks becoming the slightest bit pinkish. "Not that it matters most to me anymore. Your presence alone is what does."

Max felt his own mask heat up at that. "You really do love me, don't you," he asked quietly, despite already knowing the answer, which still made him so unbelievably happy.

The warrior nodded joyfully, before back leaning to his side. "Thank you," she then said, causing him to smile and softly pull her even closer. At least for the moment, his job was done.

They sat there for some time, watching the seemingly endless flakes of ash float down from above. Content, Max wasn't sure he wanted the moment to end. After a while longer, however, the surrounding cold started to get a lot more noticeable, until a chillier gust made him have to suppress a shudder. That still didn't go unnoticed by Hornet, though, who offered to wrap part of her cloak around him.

"Thanks, b- but no need," he declined, shivering more, but having also made his mind up about something. "Look, Hornet, I think we should start heading back inside. It'll soon be late and we- we've still got to rest from today

His friend gave a nod. "Aye," she sighed, "not to mention for what's ahead of us." The two exchanged once again sadder looks. Even though this little moment they'd shared had been beyond pleasant, it sadly didn't take away from the danger posed by the king that they would have to go up against.

"We should go, lest we get any more worried again," the female piped up to Max's agreement. She then smirked, glancing at him. "At the very least your further training shan't have to wait too much longer."

"Hm, you're gonna get started with me first thing tomorrow, aren't you," Max asked, feeling the littlest bit reluctant, as they both stood up. He figured Juss would be too occupied with thinking up their next move.

"Indeed," Hornet confirmed, "but not I alone. Even if it takes slight convincing, I am beyond certain that Oro will help your training. He's a Nailmaster, after all." At Max's look of genuine confusion, she facepalmed. "Of course you wouldn't. Max, the Nailmasters were a school of renowned warriors from before Hallownest's fall who were known most for devising and mastering new ways of wielding a nail and passing those teachings on. I can only guess Oro's one of the last Nailsage's famed brother-students. His aging must've ceased like mine did." She paused, sighing, before shaking her head.

"But enough chatter. I am certain he'll help us." She turned towards the door. "Now let's get inside before you truly freeze."

"Right behind you," Max replied thankfully. "Hopefully, the General's settled things by now. At least sounds like it."

The two of them reentered the hut. Greeted by the now-much-more-pleasant-feeling warmth, the hornet, despite his friend's mild glare, couldn't help but shake off the cold. Noticing that, Juss rose to greet them.

"So, I hope all your talks've been talked," he said, getting affirming nods from both bugs. "Great. So have ours." He looked back at the other humans, including Adrian, who Max guessed must've crawled over, now leaned against Oro and lazily waving at him.

The three approached them and sat down, Max once again taking a spot beside the wounded man. Having done so, he saw Kent leaning closer to him.

"Hey, kid. Listen, I've been made aware of some things and I think I owe a bit of an apology for all that suspicion," he spoke, before gaining a suspicious look. "Though you are Maxwell, right? Juss wasn't speaking nonsense?"

"Well, I sure do sound like him," the hornet replied, annoyed. That was putting it mildly. "And I can speak English too, unlike the others."

"Okay, okay. I get it." The human raised his palms. "All this's just so strange. I mean, you're a damn different species. At least your head was mostly left unscrewed, unlike everybody else's." He sighed, before smirking. "Now, Kid, I don't wanna pry, but what's exactly happening between you and, uh, the princess over there? You two were outside for a fair bit of time."

"Ugh, Kent," the bug caught his uncle groan, feeling similarly.

"Her name is Hornet, you know, and you insulted her way worse than you did me," he said icily, not willing to let that one go just yet, "so I hope you see that what we talked about is our business."

"Understood. And I'm sorry for that," Kent spoke, though not really sounding all that guilty. "If you want, I could apologize to her as well."

"Don't bother. Just forget about it," Max uttered, satisfied enough, as the conspiracy theorist nodded and backed off. Even then, the conversation hadn't left him in the best mood. He turned to look at Adrian, who, despite a calm expression, seemed to have gotten sicklier again since he'd gone out.

"Hm? Max, what's up," the man asked, having noticed the bug's gaze, his voice noticeably strained as well.

"Nothing. Just wanted to ask how you were holding up," the younger male replied, trying not to sound too concerned.

"Me? I'm- fine. Side hasn't hurt in a while, at least, so that's good."

"Yeah, but that doesn't mean the venom's any weaker," Max argued. "We should still get the General to heal you soon."

"Eh, maybe you're right, but not immediately. I'm pretty sure he wouldn't like being interrupted right now," his uncle said, pointing at the man in question, who was discussing something with the soldiers. The bug sighed, to which the wounded man rolled his eyes. "Oh, come on, Max. I'll be fine waiting a little longer." He reluctantly nodded.

"Good, no worries. Now, I don't mean to sound like Kent, but you did actually comfort Hornet, right," Adrian then went on, obviously trying to change the subject.

"Yes, but that's not the point right now," the hornet replied, irritated (though not too loudly). "Uncle, I know the sting might not feel too bad right now, but it's still going to kill you if not stopped. Please don't play it down like this."

His relative was taken aback. "I- Alright, yeah, you- you're right, I can't," he admitted. "Sorry, kid. 'T was scummy of me. If you're up for it, we can have a look at it now." Despite knowing he wouldn't like it one bit, Max agreed and the human lifted up the bottom of his shirt, showing the sting. As he'd expected, the black streaks had spread even further, though thankfully not that far up yet, keeping around the now near-putrid wound. It looked awful.

"O-kay, this is bad," Adrian breathed, making him have to hold back the urge to say 'I told you so'.

"No kidding," he instead uttered, leaning closer to softly prod, then trace along one of the thicker lines with his finger.

"Be careful there, will you," Adrian pleaded uneasily. Before the hornet could comply and take his claw off, it slid across a darker spot, which suddenly twitched, making him accidentally poke inwards. The human let out a loud, pained hiss. "Ow!"

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry," the bug hastily apologized, jerking his whole arm back in shock. "I'm so sorry! Tell me how much it hurts!"

His uncle hissed again. "It's just- Goddammit Max, it's-," he groaned, before getting a look of fear. "It's not fading." His breaths got rapid. "Max, it's not going away! He clutched his side, hyperventilating, as the young bug stared on in utter disbelief at himself. "Fuck, it hurts!"

"Adrian? Max, what happened," came Juss' voice, bringing back to the moment to see everyone in the hut worriedly looking towards them, the General and Hornet quickly stepping over.

"We were taking a look at his wound and- and I accidentally hit a bad spot," the hornet explained, a tear in his eye, as the two sat down beside him. "I'm sorry. Juss, we were gonna ask you this already, but please just heal him now."

"I honestly thought you'd be smart enough not to touch the wound," the officer said disapprovingly, "but alright. I was planning on doing it in the morning, but I guess we'll get it over with now." He moved closer to the stung man, while Max muttered another 'I'm sorry' in response to Hornet's stern glare.

"Ack! God damn it, Juss, be more gentle," Adrian exclaimed, the two bugs looking at them to see the General hunched over him, pulling his shirt open.

"Sorry, Adrian. This isn't going to be painless," he replied. "Now man up and let me get a good look." He pulled the glove off his right hand and ran it across the afflicted spot, ignoring the other man's hisses and cries. "Hm, it thankfully hasn't gotten that far yet, so this shouldn't be too hard. Let's get you fixed, my friend."

"And just how the hell are you going to do that, Juss," Kent asked from the side. "That don't look like something you could just suck out anymore and I can't see what else you could do without the tools. Would you even know what to do?" The soldiers looked confused as well, probably meaning the General had avoided mentioning his powers to them even while Max had been outside. Oro was either hiding his emotions or genuinely didn't care.

"Watch and see, Americans. It's a rare sight," Juss spoke loudly, before raising his right hand, which started to glow a bright yellow like it had in the palace, then lowering it onto Adrian's wound, much to the other humans' visible surprise. For a few tense moments, the General held the magic limb there with a focused expression. Then, however, Max saw it become confused and the man pulled away from his still-writhing patient.

"Mida?" His hand's glow dying down, he leaned over the spot, where the hornet could still see the sting, seemingly unchanged.

"Juss, did you get it? It- it still hurts," Adrian said between pained huffs.

"I- No. Wait a moment," the other man uttered back, looking closely at the wound. "How'd I not- Oh no."

"What? What's wrong," Max asked, edging closer with growing worry. The officer shot him a grave look, before pointing at the injury.

"Look very closely. Be careful this time." The bug nodded and focused on it, doing his best to ignore his uncle's moans and squirming. After a couple moments, he finally saw that, unlike its surrounding lines, the surface of the sting appeared the slightest bit hazy and transparent, which was otherwise made hard to notice by the black.

"It's see-through," the young male spoke up, askingly glancing towards Hornet, who, however, looked just as confused.

"Indeed," the General affirmed in a heavy tone. "That's because it's only half-corporeal. It is part that hornet's venom, part her ghostly essence. Do you understand?" Max nodded, remembering how her stinger had turned more visible for a moment. The human sighed. "Good. Unfortunately, this means that-"

"Hey, a- are we simply gonna ignore what he just did," Kent suddenly interrupted, having stood up. "That light and your hand. W- what the hell was that?"

"Something I can't bother to explain right now, so shut the fuck up," Juss snapped furiously, before facing back towards the bugs. "Sorry, Hornet, I had to. Now listen, if this was fully either a poisoned wound or a ghost's curse, I'd easily take care of it. But because it's a hybrid like this, I'm not so sure I could, certainly not without revealing myself."

"Revealing yourself to whom, Sir," Green asked.

"The king, specialist," the General hastily replied, then looked back. "I can't heal you, Adrian. I'm sorry."

"What," the hurt man coughed, as Max's eyes widened in horror. Glancing aside, he saw the same was the case for Kent and Hornet, who'd cupped her hands over her mask's bottom. Even the soldiers and nailmaster looked taken aback.

"Juss, please, there's got to be a way," Adrian desperately went on. "Can't you just take me to the surface and do it there?"

"No, not with your condition," the other man responded. "Even if I sent the two of us up, we'd be leaving the others for dead."

"Then there is little we can do," Hornet spoke up, saddened, "save go to the Mask Maker in Deepnest and- and get one of his craft for Adrian."

"Nah. There's no way any of us would make it right now, Hornet, not even you," Juss said. "It'd be pointless as well."

He dug under the folds of his coat, from where he then yanked out a familiar-looking white shape: a bug's mask, much to the bugs' surprise.

"Whence do you have this, Lembit," the warrior asked, her tone a bit suspicious.

"I picked it from Mister Charles while you were looking around," the human replied, eyeing the magic object.

"Wait, Tim," Kent asked. "He's alive? How is he?"

"He's doing- well enough, let's say," Juss answered, glancing towards the whimpering Adrian, "better than him, at least." He sighed heavily. "I didn't think it'd come to this. It goes against my beliefs and I- don't like it."

"It is truly sad, yes. So let's just get it over with and fast," Hornet spoke, sending Max a sympathetic look. Unbeknownst to her, however, despite the little option, none of this had sat well with the male, at all.

"No, we can't," he protested angrily. "We'd be giving Acrie exactly what wants and I won't have that! Uncle, think about this. That mask's gonna turn you into a bug like me. Your mind'll be changed too and it can't be reversed. Do you really want that?"

"Max," his relative replied with a low, strained voice, "I don't think you could understand how much pain I am in right now. She is horrible, but I don't want to die like this. This'll change me forever, yes and it'll mess with my head a little, but at least I'll stay alive and with you. Now please, Juss, put that thing on my face, before- before it gets bad again." Another hiss.

"Actually, Adrian, I think you should consider this a bit," the General said. "With that queen awake, there's a chance she'll be able to rewrite much more of your mind than Max's was, maybe even memories. Also, I have no idea where we can have you change safely."

Max pointed at him. "See, it's no good. Please, uncle, there's got to be another way to save you," he pleaded, tears now coming to his eyes.

"There isn't, kid," Adrian managed, grabbing his hand. "I know it ain't fair, but it is what is. And at least when it's done, I know you'll be there to help me tell right from wrong. Now will you put that damn thing on already, Juss!" He yelled, clutching the wound.

"Sorry, boy, he's still conscious. That means it's his call," the sterner man told the hornet, who, accepting the sad fact, nodded tearfully, taking what was probably going to be his last look at his uncle's human visage.

He then watched, as the General took hold of the mask with both hands and lowered it onto Adrian's face. The moment it made contact, the stung man cried out and started thrashing even harder, likely feeling what Max had when he'd first been 'gifted' his mask. Just like back then, though, as quickly as it'd started, it stopped and his relative was left silently laying on the floor, wheezing.

"It's gone. The pain's gone," he uttered between breaths, looking up. "I'm gonna be a bug, Juss."

"That you are, my friend," the other man sighed. "And I am honestly astounded by your pain tolerance. But now, it's time you got some rest again."

He placed a hand on Adrian's new face, which flashed a soft yellow, causing the latter to fall limp, clearly asleep. He then pulled off the Charm of Understanding, which'd clung onto the tattered shirt through all the hell that he and Max had gone through this day.

"He'll be okay," he finally said, looking at the young bugs. "Cry yourself out if you want to, but not too loud." He got up, walking to the hut's corner.

Indeed, at this point, Max couldn't help it and began to quietly sob, leaning over his unconscious uncle to hug him. He knew this wasn't his fault, that there was probably no other way, but that didn't make it any less crushing. And even then, he'd hurt Adrian by prodding him. Why'd he have to be so stupid? While he cried, Hornet gave him a few comforting strokes and words, but mostly just sat by, clueless. He couldn't fault her for it, as she still wasn't that experienced in this kind of stuff. Soon, his tears had run out and they simply watched silently, as the black wound and lines started to just fade away.

Shortly after that, at Oro's laconic request, the two dragged the sleeping man to the hut's wall, where the female said a few final lovably clumsy things, before going back to the nailmaster to discuss the following day's training. Left alone with his 'saved' family, the hornet wondered if he'd even be able to lift a nail. A little later, Kent stepped by to express his pity, this time sounding genuinely sorry.

Following this, Max finally started to feel the long day's toll and saw he wasn't the only one, as everyone except the soldiers and Oro had settled into their own separate corners. Some other time, he would definitely ask to snooze by Hornet, but not now. He took off his sheath and nail and laid down, sending another sad glance at his new hivemate, before falling asleep.

ROJAS

"And you better get it done quick, understand!"

The messenger nodded and ran out of the house repurposed by the sentry guard to be their local station. This was going to be another long night for him. Not too long before this, he'd been called into the soldierbugs' main office in the City of Tears and ordered to head up to Dirtmouth for a special errand. Having made it up here, a captain had brashly informed him that, by the king's order, he was to deliver an invitation to a warrior living somewhere up in the Howling Cliffs.

Though Rojas was already pretty tired from the day, he hadn't dared complain, knowing it'd only get him more berating. Now, he was heading westward out of Dirtmouth, having been told to climb up from the 'King's Pass', but nothing else. He took a last glance at the village, noting that almost all its houses had lit windows now. Over the past two days of him working, even more bugs had started show up both up here and in the capital, being given jobs and homes as new residents and servants of Hallownest, though there were no other messengers yet. Strangely, from what little the beetle had caught from some of them, they too didn't remember a thing from their time before coming here, just like him.

Shrugging about it all, he kept going into the night, leaving the village's lights behind.

After a short while of crossing the rocky terrain, careful not to stumble (while nimble, his kind was clearly not nocturnal), he reached the cliffs, looming over him in the darkness. Despite how heavy his limbs felt, he dutifully began to climb up. While doing so, though, he sighed, disheartened. While it was true that his position of courier was a rather low one, he didn't know why the sentries were this harsh with him. Actually, almost all the bugs he ran errands for acted a bit weird with him. The only one that didn't was Chief Scholar Quirrel. Was his unusual color of shell truly that unappealing?

He sprung up onto the smooth stone platform. Before him stood tall and closed what must've been the old large gate to Hallownest, a bug sized opening in its bottom. Rojas headed through and started down the dimly-lit cave road, until coming out the other side of the first cliff. Before him now stood another climb, clearly much higher than the last one. Rojas huffed tiredly and got to it.

After a long, grueling ascent, the vibrantly colored beetle finally heaved himself onto the rockier ledge above, catching his breath before fully standing up. Now he had to find that warrior. Looking ahead, the high cliff was barren, except for the lumafly lanterns lining the road. The only audible thing was fittingly the howling wind.

Not knowing what else to do, Rojas began to head down the path, grumbling quietly. He didn't understand why someone as great and powerful as the Pale King couldn't just send this warrior, wherever they were, the message himself. He had spoken to the beetle like this when he'd first woken up.

Coming to a lower area in the road, he suddenly caught a faint whiff something. His senses might've not been those of a predator bug's, but this smell he could feel and it was good too. Glancing around, he spotted the mouth of a cave, through which came a soft glow. Hopeful that this was it, he entered, making out a further doorway of what seemed to be a house built into the cliff. Going inside, he found himself in a wide room and saw the source of the scent was a small pile of seemingly fresh food in the corner. A moment later, he froze, catching sight of the hulking cloaked male sitting in the middle, looking back at him.

"Hello there! I honestly did not expect visitors this late, especially not one so strange," the stranger spoke up, "but no matter. Who are you and why've you come here to the top of the world? To train under a Nailmaster such as I, Mato, perhaps?"

"N- no," the beetle replied, collecting himself. "Rojas is my name and I'm a royal messenger of Hallownest. I was sent up here to deliver an invitation to a great warrior living in these cliffs." He pulled the rolled paper out of his satchel and held it out, warily approaching the imposing bug. "I can only guess that means you, master."

"Well, let us see, then," the Nailmaster nodded, taking and opening the message. His eyes travelled down it and he hummed, muttering: "I knew I felt someone trying to intrude in my mind. So this is what you wanted, king? Well, perhaps after all these years and this sudden awakening of mine, knighthood would be an interesting change." He closed the paper and put it in a cloak pocket, then looked back at the beetle.

"You have my gratitude, Rojas the messenger," he said merrily, before sadly adding: "Alas, I've not any geo to pay you for this."

"That's okay. I am paid by the crown," Rojas spoke. That was true, though it was very little. Still, his job here was done and it was time to climb all that way back. "I'll get going, then. Goodbye." He started for the doorway.

"Wait," the warrior stopped him. "It is quite late outside and you seem rather exhausted. Would you care to spend the night here, so we may both head down into Hallownest in the morning?"

This took the colored beetle aback. He was very tired, yes, but also had a job. "I- I can't," he stuttered. "I'm still the sole messenger and- and the sentries won't take it well at all."

Mato laughed heartily. "You needn't worry about them! I shall make sure you won't be punished. Please, I insist you stay."

The messenger spent a few moments in thought, before his tiredness won out and he nodded, though reluctantly.

"Excellent! I haven't had a guest in more than many years. If you so wish, I can help you some of my prey before we head off in the morning. You're quite spare, you know. "

Rojas was now very surprised. This undoubtedly great master was the second bug after the Chief Scholar to show him any kindness, since he'd come to Hallownest. He nodded again, now eagerly. The rations given to him in the City of Tears weren't too good, to put it lightly.

"Good," the cheery warrior said. "Now, have a stead of your liking and let us rest for this interesting day to come."

The vibrant bug agreed, dragging himself to the wall, where he essentially collapsed to the floor. This wasn't as pleasant as his small bed in the city, but he couldn't care less right now. Forgetting his worries for a moment, he was out like a light.

JUSS

He slid his eyes over the room again, making sure everyone was nicely slumbering away. Then, with almost no sound, which he may or may not have influenced, he stood up, making it for the hut door. Before he exited, though, he looked over to where two masked figures were sleeping, one of them not yet a bug.

Lembit sighed. It was one less loose end, yes, but at what cost. While Adrian was nothing special, he'd been a good, seemingly hard-working man. He shook his head to clear it, before noticing the 'nailmaster', Oro, staring directly at him, though he couldn't tell if he was awake or not. Though, if that was the case, the big bug was at least polite enough not to say anything.

Without further delay, the man walked out into the cold, bright cave outside. Other than what his internal clock said, there really was no telling night from day here. He made it to the stone bench and sat down.

An unbelievable amount of things had occurred this day, some even good, but most of them very, very distressing. What he'd learned of the Pale King's newly gained power still infuriated him. He knew Keepers, especially the men, were usually never that interested in 'unimportant mortal feelings', but such a vampiric way to end it was horrible. Thankfully, another couple with much more potential had now been born in its stead. Still, the pale god's strength was now an undeniably serious threat, not only to America, but the entire world, as well as his plans for them. No doubt the Yankees topside were already in his actual area of influence. He could feel it herewithout even focusing, pushing ever further. That was bad.

Fortunately, though not nearly as strong, after a bit of reaching out, he could feel something else. Two something elses, actually, currently situated above at what he figured was Elsewhere and most probably among the officers leading the assault against the king's constructs. Lembit chuckled. T'was empowering to have people bonded to your bloodline for several generations now, especially close ones like them. However, he hadn't just come out here to check on them and reminisce. They had a part to play and an important one at that. He simply had to tell them that.

He raised his right hand, which gained its usual glow. To one as experienced as him, sending these sorts of 'messages' took very little effort or power, even more so when the recipient was asleep.

So, into his lit palm, he spoke in his mother tongue: "Steve, Ants, listen to me. I'm not sure how bad they've already gotten, but I know it may as well seem hopeless to you two. Even then, what ever they do, you cannot let them into the mountain. I repeat, do not let them into the mountain. Kill if you have to. Good night."

He caught his breath, the hand returning to normal. That was done. Hopefully, they'd be able to hold the addled soldiers off for long enough.

The man rose and turned back towards the hut. The day had been long and it was time for him too to go to bed.

There we go. This one was even more on time. Some pretty big drama in this one, maybe even melodrama. Let me know.

Now read, I and probably many of you too have noticed that this story's gotten pretty slow paced. I mean, this chapter was almost exclusively dialouge. Still, I want to let you know that I'll try to end it by the end of the year, so it won't get too long.

Now, I'm off to do some things, so you just R&R and say what you thought of this chapter, alright. Remember not to catch the Infection.