Chapter 35: The Next Act


HORNET


Hornet was quite surprised when, despite the prolonged clash with the grimmkin, her pack turned out not to be the last to make it back to Dirtmouth, with Max nowhere in sight and Adrian confirming he'd yet a good ways to go to the well, which they'd just climbed up. Lembit had, of course, already returned, sitting in wait on the bench in the town's square; unsurprising, considering the proximity of his target flame. The latter was still carried in a torch, but this wouldn't remain, for just as the hunterbugs and Grimmchild neared enough that the General stood to greet them, the clawed staff ruptured wholly into a familiar red flame that rushed into the flying grub, whom it, again, seemed not to affect too much.

With that out of the way, the bugs and hyu-man exchanged proper salutations, before the formers joined him in waiting for now only Max's and his sentry companion's arrival. Any of the warrior's concerns over how long they were taking were dispelled by the older hornet's assurances that they were alright, leaving only growing annoyance at it. However, once she finally sighted them emerging from the well, the reason for the delay immediately became clear, since in addition to Max's torch, each of them was also carrying the round corpses of two obbles, as well as meat that she recognized had been cut from a Durandoo – prey.

Like how had gone with the hyu-man's, when the hornet stepped close enough, raising the grimmtorch up in greeting, it burst into red, much to his (rather amusing) startlement, that too was absorbed into the grub. They were now set to return to Grimm, after quickly catching up with Max, naturally.

"Heh, I'm guessing yours did that too," the male said to Hornet with a nervous chuckle, to which she nodded, meanwhile the sentry Green addressed the General. "Cool. How'd it, uh, how'd it go for you guys? I didn't hear much from you for a fair bit." The last part had been aimed towards Adrian.

Still, the female responded. "The battle was difficult, let's say. Far longer than it ought to have been for certain. That little devil's swiftness rivaled mine," she recounted the vexing chase. "I hope the one you faced was of less bother."

"It actually did get fairly serious, but we had some help," Max told without elaboration, before pausing, a visibly wary glance moving between her and the other hornet. "So, um, how were things between you two? Got along, right Hornet?"

Aware of the reason for his current and earlier worry, but recalling the rest of the exchange in the liftway, Hornet couldn't offer much more than a half-smile, while the adult replied: "More or less. Don't worry, Max. We'd a talk to settle some things and are on good enough terms."

"And why should they be anything different," Lembit piped in with a suspicious tone. He quickly glanced to Green once more, dismissing the sentry, who relieved Max of his prey and walked off, before looking back at the bugs. "Now, excuse me for prying, but what wasn't right between you?"

At this, Adrian sighed, before telling them the same general explanation he had given Hornet of his instilled contempt for higher beings and any that were related to them. "Again, hivemate, don't worry. I don't hate her. She's a good girl, I told you that," he finished up. "Is just hard for me to see her in too good a light now with her scent remindin' of the king as well."

The female was taken slightly aback by that, having never figured her half-bloodedness differentiated her scent from other spiders' so noticeably, although the connection may've merely been due to the hornet's conditioning. Max had grown visibly angry, no doubt at queen Acrie, his hands clenched into fists. Still, he nodded in understanding. Lembit, meanwhile, had raised a hand to his chin, stroking the fur on it.

"Crafty little- To find a way around my word like that," he muttered darkly, then said louder: "Not much we can do about it, save for unpleasantries when we see her again." He let out a small groan. "Speaking of that, we still need to arrange a proper meeting with the tribesbugs, so preparations for taking the capital can start."

"Actually, that's not, uh- That won't be necessary," Max spoke up, anger suddenly exchanged for clear nervousness. As did the others, Hornet looked at him, confused.

"How come?"

"Well, it's got to do with that help I mentioned we had earlier," the hornet began, recounting to them how he'd stumbled across three mosskin, who had indeed aided in the battle against his grmmkin, but had then implored he tell anything of what they in Dirtmouth were planning to do next. "So I explained where to find Acrie's cave, told them to wait for us to come sometime today," he revealed, head hung, much to each of the others' surprise, very much unpleasant in Adrian's case.

"You lead those rivals to our den," he exclaimed, agitated, "to our queen?" He abruptly stepped towards his guilty-masked kin, causing Hornet to tense up protectively, "You're lucky claws and nail probably won't hurt her statue too much, otherwise I'd- Why'd you do it, Max?"

While not angry, the Weaverling too was confused as to why Max had thought it alright to arrange this quite important matter essentially all on his own. However, she quickly grew to understand, for the male then explained his reason; that being the Moss Knights' claim that the lack of contact the day prior had the warriorbugs restless, with a number already doubting their loyalty, something Hornet easily believed, having herself experienced how untrusting and cunning some of those spiders could be. In spite of the justification, the older hornet retained a displeased look, sighing with his arms crossed, as the younger finished, head still angled downwards.

"Hm, with that tidbit especially, I fail to see why you're so apologetic about this, boy," Lembit spoke up. "That's two headaches you saved us. I'd say you ought to be proud. Must've been a stressful call to make that quickly."

"What? Juss, you're happy with this," Adrian asked with a look of shock at him that was mirrored by the other hornet. Even Hornet was taken aback, though more so glad the General was so supportive of, unlike his hivemate. "I understand that he'd to keep those bugs on our side, but it ain't good how he did it. He still guided them to our queen!"

"Something I'm sure only you give a damn about and what I would've probably done anyway, Adrian, so try to keep those instincts of yours in check," the hyu-man replied drily, moving next to him and Max, whose shoulder he set a hand on. "And you, don't you dare feel bad. This is a good thing you did, Max."

His shock and shame having faded, the young male nodded confidently. "Okay."

"Honestly," the General continued, tone becoming slightly more serious, "I think it'd do you well to play a bigger part in decision-making," he looked towards Hornet, "considering the position you'll have once this is over." The warrior's eyes widened at this. Was he truly suggesting the male, by her side, would have to take part in governing the kingdom? Thinking for a moment, that seemed a very logical possibility, one she guiltily found herself actually sort of happy about as that made it another tribulation they could face together. Still, the words clearly worried Max, which the hyu-man took notice of.

"Though that's not something I'm fully decided on yet," he assured, before withdrawing from the young bug. "Now, I believe it is due time we returned to Grimm with his little flames and see what else his ritual needs of us."

This was met with agreement. Hornet roused Grimmchild, who had again settled atop her head, and the four of them began heading towards the troupe's tents, with Adrian choosing to stay behind, which likely was wise. Shortly, they stood once more before the tall, red mounds that were both far less imposing without the prior eve's fog and darkness.


Entering the canvas hallway, they saw the wide-bodied bug who had directed them to Grimm yesterday playing his instrument in the exact same spot, as if he hadn't moved from there at all. Passing without wasting much thought on that, the bugs and hyu-man continued to the arena at the tent's middle. The wide ring was empty like when they had left it, though now dimly lit by a pair of red lanterns overhead. It took them moving towards its center for the devilishly elegant form of Grimm to appear in front of them from a blast of crimson smoke, this time without the drumroll or excess spotlights.

Hornet drew a deep breath. No matter how he acted, she'd be able to contain herself, not pierce his head in fury.

"I can feel it," the troupe master hoarsed, turning his head towards them. "The warmth of the flame you have gathered together."

"You're lucky to, vessel, considering what your master pulled last night," the General retorted, bringing up a hand to hold its claws only slightly apart. "I was this close to just leaving your little flames be."

"Yet to our luck, you still didn't," the tall bug smirked. "And what an interesting opening act you've now made. The air hums with excitement long not felt here." He set his sights upon the grub hovering beside Hornet, who let out an inquisitive chirp. "Yes, dear child. You too have done oh so well. Let your fire burn ever brighter!"

Saying this, he snapped loudly his fingers, causing the collected red flame to shoot out of Grimmchild and, shocking and concerning the warrior, engulf them fully. Moments later, however, it had faded, leaving her looking, to her surprise, at a larger form. Worry joined by interest, she regarded the changed grub. Their head had gained small horns, making it further alike their parent's, and their grey body had become far longer, four black tendrils now also extending from it that swayed gently in the air.

"Beautiful, yes," Grimm asked, flashing a grin at her. "The child has grown, from idle youth to capable companion. Not as deadly as you, princess, but I've still no doubt their help shall be welcome in this upcoming act of our play." Hornet gave him a piercing glare, yet said nothing, instead hoping what he spoke of the matured youngling's ability was indeed true. She may've been slightly fond of them, but they had been of any help precisely once in the caves (even if that had let her deal the killing throw).

"And what exactly is it the ritual needs us to do next," Lembit queried.

"Naught more than to continue gathering the scarlet essence," the troupe master responded. "Although our novice grimmkins' flames may be collected, the older still hold theirs, awaiting to dance for them." The female couldn't hide a wince, having not wished to face any more of the imps. She wasn't alone on the sentiment, as Max, even the General fidgeted, which caught Grimm's attention.

"Fret not. Our kind's lesser masters are far from as nimble as those young torchbearers," he assured. "Nonetheless, I expect your dance with them to be no less riveting than that with the novices. The first of them awaits where many a departed rest, the second before the gates of the great capital and the third in the cliffs just west of here." Hornet glimpsed as the hyu-man's eye widened, to which the devilish bug grinned again. "Indeed, his harvest is the one you and the rest of this town contributed to. Bring within the child back it and the others and our main performance will begin. Although may I ask that you return no earlier than dusk, so the mood can be at its most appropriate."

"It won't be an issue," the General promised, before turning towards the exit. "We'll be off then." He began stepping for it, the young bugs moving to follow, only to all be halted by Grimm.

"Pardon, but I believe we couldn't talk of the rewards for the rest of you for gathering these first flames."

The hyu-man huffed. "No need for that. You'll already help us in the war." He glanced back around. "Unless it is a promise there will not be a repeat of last night."

The tall bug's expression became more serious. "That is a discussion we shall have upon your return here tonight," he replied. "For now, I can give merely this." Another snap came from his fingers, causing a smaller puff of smoke between them, which left in its wake a stand with three grey notched pieces of shell on it.

"Charm notches," Hornet said at the males' apparent confusion, further explaining: "I know not much of their function, but the few bugs I once knew that wore charms advised to always have at least one when wearing more than two." The warriors had spoken that one would otherwise be 'overcharmed', something which was evidently harmful.

"I see," the hyu-man muttered, inspecting closer one of the grey shards. "Hmm, these- these could actually come in handy." He looked up at Grimm. "I figure I've to thank you." Then he took the notches, handing one to Hornet, while the other two were tossed to Max. "Keep both or give one to your uncle. I'll be fine without."

"What do they do, then," the hornet asked, the female showing her curiosity as well.

"Well if you need to know, these things are from a material that would contain some of the ambient neutral magic that a charm, or any worn active magic, pours into you," the General explained in reply. "Too many charms, ergo too much of that just freely flowing through the body can be very harmful, especially if you were to get wounded. Was that understandable?"

"Pretty much, yeah. I think," Max said, hastily attaching the two notches to his sheathe strap.

"Then let's go already."

With her shard of shell affixed to her cloak, Hornet, the grown Grimmchild tailing her, made with the others for the tent's exit, glad to be getting away from the troupe master, who thankfully hadn't had an opportunity to be too brazen this time. At the same time, knowledge they'd have to face more grimmkin disheartened her slightly, even if these ones were apparently to be less obnoxious. She also wondered what the evening's 'main performance' would be, suspecting it'd entail more combat.

Having passed the accordion-player, the four exited the red mount. Instead of heading back to the town, the hyu-man turned rightwards, halting in front of the smaller tent.

"Alright, seems we'll have to do things a bit differently than planned," he spoke up, facing the bugs.

"Not to mention faster," Hornet added, worriedly glancing as best she could at the Sun right overhead, "considering how little time we've and how spread out the flames once again are." After all, they'd also the assembly in queen Acrie's cave to get to.

"Huh? We won't miss the meeting with the tribes, will we," Max brought the latter up.

"We're not missing anything, don't worry," Lembit assured. "Though we'll indeed have to act quicker, and smart. Luckily, nothing too complicated. I'll head to the cliffs and make quick work of the grimmkin there. You two get Adrian and start below for the hornets' den, take care of the one you'll meet on the way. Or if you really want, you can wait for me."

"We shan't," the warrior said, her companion nodding.

"Good to hear," said the General, as he turned back towards the cliffs. "So, let us get to it."

Just then, something came up in Hornet's mind. "Wait, Lembit," she spoke, hand moving to a cloak pocket. "Before we part, may I show something? I forgot of it earlier."

The adult shook his head. "If you forgot about it then, it can wait now." With that, he took off in a run, leaving the warrior to dissapointedly finish taking out the charm found in the wastes, which, with the talk of the magical ornaments just before, she had remembered.

"What is that? A charm," Max queried, stepping over.

"Indeed. I discovered it during our return from above the capital," she confirmed, giving him a short recount of the finding.

"Huh. That's neat. Do you have any idea what it does," the Hornet replied, adding: "Looks like it's made of glass or something."

"If not, it's clearly at least as brittle as it," the female agreed, "far too much so to wear into battle. And I've no clue of its function. It's why I wished to ask Lembit for advice on what to do with it." She let out a frustrated sigh.

"Hey, it's alright. You'll just show it when we're getting back with 'im later," Max comforted, making her nod, figuring she'd have to settle for that. The male then narrowed his eyes, commenting: "It smells kinda creepy, don't it." Again, the Weaverling nodded. The strange scent from the cave outside which the charm had laid had stuck to the thing as well, not having faded in the slightest.

"Yeeeesss! Indeed! A marvelous smell! You outside that holds that smell, do come show me it," suddenly came the muffled voice of a female from inside the smaller tent to the young bugs' slight fright, Grimmchild uncurling themselves from around Hornet's shoulders, where it now had to rest, being too big to sit between her horns. They all stared at the entrance for a few moments. "Ahhh, why do you not come, show us the smell? It is not proper, no." Max sent an asking look at the warrior.

"Go get Adrian and wait by the well. We shall see what this is about," she spoke, to which he agreed, swiftly hurrying back into the town.

Hornet meanwhile faced the smaller mound's red entryway, stepping to, then through it with her needle cautiously raised. Inside, she saw that most of the already-small, yet still well-furbished tent was taken up by a bug the size of whom she had seen only a few times before, her mother having been one of them. And while the whole of Herrah's body was large, this female bore a torso, clawed arms and an elegantly decorated head and mask slightly smaller than hers, whilst from the waist down, she'd a disproportionately enormous sack of a stomach, with no lower limbs in sight.

"Ahhh, finally, you come. It took a while, but you come," she spoke up in a hushed, somewhat unsettling tone. "Would you come even closer, so I may better gauge you? My sight is not very keen."

Yet wary, the warrior crossed the small distance that separated her and the odd bug, glaring into the indeed quite dim eyes. "Does this suffice," she asked, letting not her caution sound.

"Yes, yes, I see you now. An unusual one, you are, for a caller, but in no bad way. Oh, I've little doubt you'll play a good role in our master's ritual," the sizeable female praised. "And that scent you hold. Ahhh! It's ever stronger, ever more enticing!"

"The scent of what, exactly," Hornet queried, tensed, should the troupe member try anything hostile.

"Aaahh, what a silly question. Why, your charm, of course. Tiny, delightful-odored thing," the latter said, pointing with a claw towards the small item still clenched in the Weaverling's hand. "Don't be selfish now. Show me it! Show it close!"

Her caution overcome by confusion at how someone could find its unsettling scent in pleasant in any way, Hornet stalled for a few moments, before raising the glassy piece of magic into the tent's red light for the bigger female to see.

"Aaahh! Oooohh! Such fragile beauty! And its smell! Its smell," she swooned over it, before all of a sudden snatching it from the warrior's hand with her arms and raising it to her maw, leaving the former to watch in disbelief, as she swiftly devoured it, then moaned to herself: "Aaaaahhhh! So good! So tasty! A perfect morsel for me!" She glanced down at Hornet. "So sweet of you, caller, to bring me such a gift."

It took a second and another for the warrior to find her voice. "What do you mean 'gift'," she used it, more than slightly irked at having lost the charm before she could even discover what it did. Fragileness aside, it may've yet proven useful. "You took it from me!"

"Aahhh, lovely. So good a gift," the large bug went on, ignoring her. "And to think I can sense even more of its like below."

"Are you listening to me," she demanded. "What right do you think you've to take my things like so?"

"Huh, do you want something, lovely caller," the troupe member finally payed the angry spiderling attention, her expression growing worried. "You don't want to take my gift back, do you?"

"I would, if it were yet possible," Hornet replied, sending a look at the other female's large belly. "And it wasn't a gift. You too-"

"Euargh! So nasty, so cruel of you, caller," the troupe member interjected with a wailing tone. "Once you give something as a gift it's lost to you forever. And now you want mine back? So greedy!"

"It was not a gift," the Weaverling seethed. This bug either had no sense of respect or was completely deranged. "Even if I'd want for it back, there'd be no way to get it. Goodby-"

"Still, I, for one, am good, so if you wanted, I could give you something, something nice," the big female cut her off again, prompting Hornet to look at her curiously. Perhaps she knew a little fairness after all. "But for it, you'll have to be nice. Will you do a nice thing for me, caller?"

The warrior cocked her head. "Like what?"

"Bring it. The geo. Bring me geo and I'll give you a nice gift."

The young female frowned once more. It seemed her hope was untrue. Still, scavenging a small amount of the precious stones as they headed down to Acrie's den would've been far from hard. "How much in worth," she asked.

The large one appeared in thought for a moment, before raising a claw. "Forty-five hundred."

Hornet's eyes widened. That was definitely too much to be collected on a single trip, rather a week-long search at the least. However, she'd realized arguing with the troupe member was futile and just wished to rejoin Max already. "I shall think on it. So long."

With that, she faced away from the crazy bug and exited the tent, Grimmchild, who'd viewed the whole spectacle with great interest, tailing her.


JUSS


Pulling himself onto the top of the cliff, Lembit allowed himself a small pause, having rushed there without stopping from where he'd parted with the kids. Gazing towards Dirtmouth below, he spotted two striped figures already standing by the well, as one in red, a tiny floating thing in tow, swiftly neared them. Satisfied and with his breath caught, the man turned to head through the broken stone door into King's Pass, feeling the grimmtorch's pull almost straight ahead.

Hand readied over his pistol, he progressed down the dark tunnel, determined to make this quick, or at least shorter than the previous fight, which didn't look to be very hard, owing, for one, to the far less hazardous environment. However, even if it still was, he wouldn't bide his time this time, but go straight for the kill. After all, more than usual, this was personal.

That in mind, he caught sight of the clawed staff in the middle of a taller section of the tunnel ahead where the road dipped slightly, standing, like the last one, unlit and seemingly alone. Slowing his pace slightly, the human approached the torch, warily preparing for the appearance of its current owner, who, while apparently not as quick as the smaller grimmkin, could've still had a surprise up their sleeve.

Despite him closing in on the torch, the bug didn't show themselves, even as he stepped right up it. Only when he'd grabbed onto the wooden pole did a grey, cloaked hand finally flash into sight around it, belonging to a familiar horned figure that stared him down, before trying to yank the staff from his grasp.

"That's not going to happen," the man uttered darkly, holding on tight, whilst drawing his pistol.

"Heh, heh. Why hello to you too," the troupe member chuckled in quite the unpleasant voice. "Didn't figure you'd start obsessing over me. Although I did leave quite an imprint on you, didn't I?"

"That you did. Let me return the favor, would you," Lembit growled, finger moving to the trigger. Before he could fire into the imp point-blank, however, the latter disappeared into red to teleport a few meters back, where he mockingly laughed and twirled the grimmtorch. In response, the man just aimed his weapon proper.

"Hah, that thing," the grimmkin taunted. "You and I both know you cannot hit a thing with it!" The human raised an eyebrow. Either the novice he'd fought had already regenerated to come tell about it or, more likely, the troupe had a hive mind. Not that that really mattered. He pulled the trigger and the pistol's high-pitched shot rang out for the fourth time that day, followed by silence, then by more of the imp's cackles. "See? Didn't move a single claw and you cyclops still couldn't h-" He stopped suddenly, gasping and slowly turning his head downwards.

"Really now," Lembit asked with a smirk, also viewing the small hole that now pierced his middle, spewing red flames and smoke out of both sides, "because I'd say otherwise." The cloaked bug looked back at him with what he hoped was fear. "Do tell your brethren that I miss when I mean to miss," he began, frowning again, as he neared the paralyzed grimmkin. "Also, that nobody defiles my mind, nor of those under my care."

"Th- those words mean little to our Flame," the troupe member replied weakly. "Only your commitment to our ritual does."

"Good thing we're showing plenty, then," the man said, "after its and your attempt to do away with it."

"Hee, to hear the nightmare I delivered affected you so only gives me pride," the bug coughed defiantly. "Oh, how much essence I gathered from the fear it gave you. Strengthened me right up. You truly are scared of what master showed you, aren't you, mortal? Scared of that nastiness you'll do in the future."

Lembit's eyes widened in wrath. "What he showed was a future among many, one that will not come to pass," he hissed, before a glowing punch went through his head, making him explode into red. Catching the grimmtorch in his other hand, the human eyed the fading smoke. While it'd been infuriating, he had to commend the nerve the grimmkin had kept even as he'd died, as well as how long a time he had survived the pistol shot. Though, for the kids' sake, he hoped the other two masters wouldn't be as enduring.

On the topic of the three bugs (no wait, four), he needed to start heading below himself. While the simplest way would've been to book it after them, he'd a want for something a bit quicker and flashier. Fitting on his mask, Lembit masked his power, before disappearing into a flash of gold.


HORNET


Having drawn her last breath of fresh air for a good while, the Weaverling dropped through the passage into the wastes, followed swiftly by her companions. She had spent the journey through the Crossroads telling them, mainly Max, of her encounter with the nigh-deranged troupe member. To her slight annoyance, the young male had appeared rather amused by the account, if a bit revolted, though he'd also been sympathetic to the loss of the charm.

They promptly kept going down the noxious cavern, coming to a stop on the ledge Hornet had found the fragile thing on before, the inept snare it'd laid in now gone.

"Hey, what's that scent," Max asked, looking towards the passage that the trap had been in front of, from which the queer smell indeed no less strongly yet emanated. "Wait- This- This's where you found it, right?" He glanced back, receiving a nod from the female. "Huh. Somethin' weird's in there." Again he looked around. "You up for checking it out?"

"Max, now's really not the time for that," Adrian spoke up. "We need to get to the queen right now, plus you- uh, three have got to take care of that grimmkin on the way." While she too was curious about the crevice, Hornet had to admit the adult was right. Max, though slightly disappointed, gave in and after it had been agreed the odd cave would be explored sometime later, the four were on their way.

They headed down the shroom-lined path at a brisk pace, which, however, slowed as they neared the front of the City of Tears' main gates, where this next grimmtorch and its holder were supposed to await. Descending into the spacious cave, the bugs indeed saw the torch standing in front of the metal bridge to the capital that extended over an acid-filled moat. Naturally, Adrian stayed back, in a rock's cover, whilst the younger bugs made for the staff, their eyes trained on it.

They needed not get nearly close to it as the warrior had in the storerooms for the torch to burst to life, a grey-cloaked, horned troupe member far larger than the 'novice' flaring into sight grasping it. With a gravelly laugh, it rose higher into the air, not even sparing the trio a greeting, before waving his weapon at them for a crowd of fireballs, five this time, to launch from it. Grimmchild flew up, whilst Hornet and Max scattered, narrowly avoiding the ones edgemost in the cluster, the male drawing his blade.

"Woah, this one's not letting any time go to waste," he said, to which the lesser master nodded with more chortles, as he unleashed single, smaller bursts of fire at both hunterbugs.

"Then let us neither," Hornet replied, ducking under the flames aimed at her and then leaping at their target, who, like Grimm had promised, couldn't match her speed and suffered a stab from the needle. Before she could land a slash as well, however, the devil managed to flash away, reappearing behind Max, whom it took off guard, which gave the troupe member an opening to raise the torch for a strike.

The Weaverling raced to her dearest's defense, but to no need, for the grimmkin was hit from behind by a fireball spit by her flying companion that had gained some actual effect, causing the imp to grunt and writhe just long enough for the hornet to recover and slash at him. The female too closed in to strike, dealing several good cuts, and while the master quickly grew able to block a fair few of their blows, he'd no way to defend himself from the sporadic fireballs from Grimmchild.

Their victory appeared to be in reach.

The grimmkin, desperately fending them off, growled. Then, all of a sudden, multiple flames flew out of him in quick spirals that forced the warriors away, off balance and even the child to dodge midair. The impish bug, maniacally cackling again, made for Max, sending a fireball at him, which he deflected with his nail, but with a swing that his midsection was left unguarded from a second red sphere that knocked him a ways back onto the metal bridge. Crying out his name, Hornet looked over worriedly, but was relieved seeing the male slowly getting up. With fury, she turned towards the horned bug, only to see him dashing at her. She dodged, but too narrowly and the grimmkin snatched onto her cloak, hoisting her with through the air, before tossing her onto the metal walkway beside her companion, himself flying onward.

Jumping back on her feet, Hornet pulled Max fully upon his as well. She then rapidly looked around for where their devilish opponent had gone, becoming filled with dread upon seeing him laughing at them on the bridge's other end, by the lever that raised from and lowered it into the acid below. She pulled her companion along and they rushed to get off the metal platform. Glancing back, she watched in alarm the grimmkin already grasping the switch. Fortunately, as he was about to pull it, a fireball soared overhead and into him, gifting the hunterbugs just enough time to make it to stable ground before the platforms did drop.

The Weaverling responded to Grimmchild's worried look with a grateful one, before gazing towards the acidic death she and the hornet had avoided. Their opponent, clearly angered by his ploy's failure, growled and shook his free fist, then flared away to reappear, as she turned and saw, right ahead of them, glaring.

"Can't have many more tricks than that," Max growled at her side, looking to her. "Let's try this together now. Like together, together." Remembering all the General had taught the day prior, Hornet gave a sure nod, momentarily chastising herself for ignoring it thus far.

They brought their blades back into proper stances, before charging at the troupe member, the young spider landing the first cuts at him. From then on, it went as had been practiced yesterday, with one of the pair dealing blows at the imp, whilst the other put a stop to any of his attempts to repel the attacker. A couple more times, he unleashed flame spirals or even flashed away, but the hunters knew to expect those now and were never held off for too long.

Despite it and the numerous smoking cuts across him, the grimmkin continued to battle, just like the novice. Finally, as they forced him against the cave wall, Hornet decided this'd gone on long enough and pinned him onto it with her blade, with Max following suit a thrusting his own nail through the resistant bug. Even so, however, he kept struggling, at least until a crimson sphere flew right into his mask, which at last made him and his torch explode into flames that then flowed on into Grimmchild, who'd spat that final blow.

The fire absorbed, the grub made a proud squawk, before landing to catch their breath. Sharing a relieved look, Hornet and Max joined him for a small while, as Adrian exited from his hiding spot.


Their bearings regained, they were off again, soon descending past the passage to the mantises' abandoned village and not long after, the waterways' entrance pipe. Finally approaching the 'Dashmaster's' effigy, the bugs were taken aback by a loud burst, followed by another stream of red flying into Grimmchild from behind it. At least Hornet's surprise, however, was forfeit when she next saw the masked General step out of the statue's cover. At this point, she'd come to expect this no doubt magic-assisted punctuality from him.

"Lembit," she greeted. "I hope you'd no need to wait too long."

"Thankfully, no," the hyu-man denied, "but even if I'd had, your success would've made up for it, at least somewhat. How did the battle go, by the way?"

"Well, we won 'nd are alive, so that's nice," Max spoke up with a shrug. "You know, for someone who're supposed to die, those guys put up a heck of a fight."

"Well, that's their way of gauging if you've enough worth. You ought to've realized by now that's the most important thing around here," the black-robed male replied, at which the bug nodded affirmingly. There was a moment's pause, before Lembit pointed at the singe mark on his midsection. "I hope that wasn't too hard a hit you took."

"Hm? Oh, this?" The hornet glanced down at the burn. "Yeah, this's nothing, Sir. Can barely feel it," he assured, though the Weaverling had noticed his slightly heavier breaths as they'd climbed down.

"Well, you better act like it," the General said in a darker tone, before turning to address all of the bugs: "I think it goes without saying that once we go in there, there can be no shows of weakness. While they're honoring our agreements, most of those bugs' respect for us probably doesn't extend far beyond those and there's a chance they'll try and show it. Still, no matter what they say, we'll stay strong, alright?"

Each of the bugs responded with confident nods. "Even if it's at the queen," the male said specifically at Adrian, who gave another, albeit reluctant and annoyed, nod, which satisfied the former. They also agreed upon not letting Grimmchild's origin be known, nor the General's, for there was no doubt the tribalbugs would not have taken to the spawns of other gods well, before finally heading for the cave to the meeting stead.

Having entered the crevice first, Hornet quickly pushed herself to the other end, by which she took a deep breath, before stepping into the den. As her hornet companions followed out of the narrow entryway, she slid her gaze over the brown cave, seeing an already manifested Acrie, to whose side Adrian went, as well as a short Moss Knight, a little Weaver she recognized as the sister-sibling and all three Mantis lords, the tallest of whom seemed about to speak up, when the General strode in, garnering the tribesbugs' awed looks.

"Greetings," he said in a strong tone after a moment of staring back. "Are we expecting someone else or can we be started."

At that, the spiderling at the chamber's other side turned to look into the entrance from Deepnest, calling someone. She withdrew, as scratching became heard from the passage, before Hornet bore witness to Midwife squeezing herself through it, a sight she was more than slightly amused by, though she made sure to hide it.

Having pulled enough of her front end into the den, the beastly advisor wheezed, glancing about it. "I understand your tribe was as modest and seclusive as it was vicious, queen Acrie, but could you not have allowed this entrance to be even slightly bigger," she asked wearily.

"It was dug to accommodate only our kind and that is what it did, spider," the ghost coldly replied. "None but us were ever meant to set a leg in this place, after all." With a frown, she looked over the bugs and hyu-man surrounding her, glaring especially sharply at Max. "Nonetheless, circumstance has brought us here, as well as this one." She glanced at Lembit, who took that as a prompt to step forward, taking off his mask as he did, which earned shocked whispers among the Mantis lords.

"Oh. My, my. Not a single word said and already you've already a surprise for us, hyu-man," Midwife spoke with her usual, soft tone regained, "beyond your appearance itself, that is. Do tell, is what we see now your true face or another mask to be removed?"

"No, this is the true me," the General responded. "The closest thing to it I will show you, at least. But never mind that. I believe introductions are in order."

"Agreed," agreed the great spider, sending a glance towards Hornet and Max. "The young ones only spoke your title, General, never your name."

"Well, it is Lembit Juss," the hyu-man replied. "You may call me it or by the title. And you are-"

"The only name I've that is yet in memory is Midwife, of the Nest," the ever-smiling female introduced herself.

"I am elder Lord Veri of the Mantises," the tallest of the latter next declared, coming forth with her sisters, who told their names also, as did the small mosskin, Leef, apparently the wisest among his remaining kin despite his youth. He and the lords then turned to Acrie with expectant looks, causing the specter to scoff.

"Very well, if you think it a must. I am queen Acrie of the hornets of old and present," she presented herself. "Now have you all anything else to stall with or may we at last continue?"

Hornet eyed Leef raising his claw, clearly to say something, but to no avail, as Lembit began: "She's right. We've to get to the matter at hand. Each of you knows already the threat posed by the Pale King, personally so, as well as, hopefully at least in part, how it's brought me here, so I see little reason to go over all the evil he's done. It should be clear to all of us the goal of this alliance."

"Aye, to bring him and his damned kingdom to an end once and for all," Lord Veri asserted, the mosskin's and other mantises voicing their agreement.

"I'm afraid we aren't going quite that far," the hyu-man said sternly. "The king shall die, yes, but Hallownest will remain, its rightful heir as ruler." He glanced towards Hornet. "I thought you'd know to make that clear to them."

"She'd no need to. It was apparent enough," Midwife spoke, sending a sideways glance at the sisters, "merely not to all of us, it seems."

"Hmph. We just took it and meant that Hallownest would be reduced to its past borders, where the General and she would share power" the eldest lord explained, "with no title of royalty passed unto her."

"Indeed. What even is her say in that," Leef asked, looking towards the halfling.

"I have- come to accept the responsibility," she affirmed, unable to hide the sullenness that still came from it.

"Yes, she's had to. I won't be staying after the king's been slain. I have duties to attend to," Lembit continued. "Even then, you have our word that your territories will be given back, perhaps even more." Hornet nodded in earnest, eager for the chance to have at least a little less to rule over.

"Hmm. Fair enough," Veri said, undeniably interested at the prospect. "We shall discuss this more when we're in the position to, which we'll reach upon the Wyrm's demise. Now, from our understanding, his sentries have wholly abandoned our tribe's lands in the wastes. T-"

"Ours in Greenpath as well," the young Moss Knight cut in.

"We know. You'd not be here otherwise," the middle sister snapped at him, the two exchanging a glare.

"Yes," The elder lord said, also clearly irritated. "So tell, General, are any of his pawns still roaming the caves above or have they all hid within their precious city's walls?"

"Yes. Our liberation of Dirtmouth looks to have scared him into pulling all his forces back to the capital," the male confirmed, "which is why I say conquering it is our best course of action right now."

"Well, what choice would we have other than blindly charging for that blinding castle of his? I agree," Midwife said, raising a front leg. Acrie agreed next, followed by the lords and finally Leef, though only after a strange moment of hesitation.

"Splendid," Lembit said. "So-"

"Wait," the young mosskin interrupted, gaining the cave's (quite disgruntled) attention. "What of Hornet's opinion, or warrior Maxwell's for that matter. I know there's little chance it shall differ, but you ought to still let them tell it." He looked accusingly to the General. "You gave them no chance to introduce themselves either."

"That's because they are not part of this council," the hyu-man replied, staring him down.

"What? But they fought for this alliance," the green bug protested. "Slew several, wounded even more, including one of my kind!"

"Yes, child, they fought, but for the General's honor and right to this audience, not theirs," Midwife explained strictly.

"A- alright," the small knight seemed appeased for a moment. "Still, my elders told that warrior Maxwell was the one who came up with and arranged this meeting. Should that not warrant at least him the right to partake?" At Hornet's side, the male in question buried his mask into his claws.

"Oh no," he moaned into them, before looking up. "Look, they pressured me for any plans we had and I revealed this place on a whim. It wasn't some big idea. Even if it was, I really don't want into the, uh, council."

"Neither do I," Hornet too denied.

"You heard them, bug," the General sternly told. "Now simmer down before we send you off." Downcast, the knight nodded and faced back at the other tribesbugs.

"For claiming to be so wise, little leafbug, you certainly are credulous," the Mantis Lords' youngest said, sneering. "But I figure so is the rest of your kind, bowing to that slug as all of you do."

Leef did not at all take that well. "We are of moss not leaves, long-neck," he exclaimed back. "And we worship Unn, for she was who dreamt us and our home!"

"Long-n- Brat! I'll teach you manners," the mantis hissed, taking up her spear.

"This is not simmering down," Lembit growled, stepping in with the elder lords to quell the waspish bugs, which Acrie and Midwife watched with clear amusement. Looking on as well, Hornet suddenly felt someone by her previously empty side, turning her head to see the Weaverchild sibling. She gave an asking hum.

"So you've truly no intent to take part in the scheming," the little spider asked quietly.

"Unless I'm specifically asked, no," she replied. "Did we not make that clear?"

"Nay, you did," the sibling assured, sighing. "I guess I'm simply vary that out of you lot, only the outsider shall play a role in it. You really do trust them, right?"

"With my life, as I also told," Hornet said, inwardly feeling beyond glad at her previous comment.

"Hi." Max had noticed their 'guest'. "How's, um, how's your brother doing?"

"He is well," the little Weaver spoke. "Angry, though less so over the leg and more over you sparing him, that glory-driven fool." She faced at the male. "Thank you for sparing him, hornet. You'd every reason not to."

"I almost didn't, but you're welcome."

Nothing was said for a second or two. Then the spider turned back towards Hornet, pointing at Grimmchild, who had again curled around her shoulders. "What is that beast? I've not seen anything its like."

"I've- no idea," the halfling responded, slightly nervous. "We discovered th- it in a cave and it took to following me. It is quite endearing, no?"

"I'm not sure," the other female muttered, scratching the underside of her head. "Does it not feel somehow sus-"

"Hey, look," Max thankfully interrupted, pointing towards the council, where matters had calmed down, with the two Mantis Lords saying a few last words of scolding to their youngest, while Lembit and Leef glared at one another, arms crossed. The latter sighed and moved closer to the others, leaving the hyu-man to rub the front of his face, muttering something. He then faced towards the young hunterbugs, approaching a few steps.

"Hornet, Max, I think you can tell, but this'll take longer than hoped." The pair nodded wearily. "Yeah. I think it is best you went to gather the third flame and I will relay the plan to you in Dirtmouth." This was met with more, now eager agreement. "You know where to go, don't you Hornet?" Another nod. She'd little doubt about that.

"Huh? What does he speak of? What flame," the Weaverchild asked from the side.

"Yes. I would like to know that as well," Acrie also queried. "Something to do with that being of yours from yesterday?"

This riled one of the lords. "Being? What kind of being?"

"Something that'll hopefully be dealt with in short order and which none of you bugs should worry about," Lembit replied towards the council, before glancing back. "Well go already." The two hunters nodded again and headed for the cave exit, passing by Adrian, who worriedly glanced after them and at the hyu-man. "You can stay, Adrian. Don't worry."

"Who exactly is that, even," came Leef's voice from behind.

"Merely the newest of my hornets, mosskin," the ghost answered, as Hornet entered the crevice.

"Oh."

"We are going to have a few words about that. For now-," she heard the General say, before he became too muffled to comprehend.


MAX


Having all gotten out of the crack, the three bugs continued down the cave, in silence at first, until Max decided to break it: "That wasn't too pleasant."

"Agreed," his companion replied sullenly. "Honestly, I ought to have thought of leaving earlier."

"Hey, cheer up. We're out of there now," the hornet spoke. "You said you know where the flame is, right?"

"Quite certainly," she replied. "It has to be the Resting Grounds."

"Huh. Sounds like some kind of graveyard."

"Indeed it is," the female affirmed. "A great one just east of the Crossroads." She smirked at him. "Our path there shall lead past that strange cave as well."

Max's eyes widened in realization. "Let's go then!" She nodded and took off with him, Grimmchild following with an excited warble. While still put off a bit by the little guy, he had to admit they were pretty cute.

They sped through the wastes up the way they'd come, fairly soon reaching where they had fought that scarily tough troupe bug. Some few minutes more of persistent climbing and they were back on the ledge from before, staring at the suspicious-smelling cave from where Hornet had said she'd found the charm. That some bug would find that thing appealing enough to eat baffled the hornet to no end, to the point he still found it pretty funny.

Following the warrior through the passage, Max felt the scent get stronger, though it came nowhere near the wastes' stink outside. Looking around the cave for the source, he saw, morbidly enough, several husks of dead bugs surrounding a broken lantern, which, however, had a bunch of those tiny glowing lamp-flies still floating around inside, giving off their white light. On top of one of the corpses sat a skinny male bug with clawed arms and big, off-white eyes. His blindness became obvious with the lack of a reaction at the two hunters' approach. Suddenly, though, as the pair was close, he thrust a claw at them.

"Don't try to sneak past me. I can smell you," he croaked. "Hm. Do- Wait." He sniffed the air, before angrily snarling at Hornet. "You! You're who stole my gift! Give it back!"

"Why," the female demanded. "You'd clearly little regard for it, using it as bait!"

"I- I- I fell asleep holding my trap," the strange bug stuttered. "Now give it back!"

"Even if I wished to, I couldn't," the halfling replied. "Another has taken it from me."

"Fair for you. What goes 'round, comes 'round," the blind male pouted, his claws crossed. He paused for a bit, then said: "Still, you can redeem yourself. Yes, yes. Just come over here."

Cautious, the young hunters closed in to see what he meant, watching as he picked up two somethings from beside the husk he was sitting on. Those turned out to be charms, both bearing the same glass-like look as Hornet's had had in front of the tent. "These are nice, yes. Nice gifts. Like the one you took."

"They also look about as fragile," the halfling uttered. "Nonetheless, I am interested."

"Yes, yes, they are very interesting gifts," the blind bug nodded. "Give me your geo and you'll get them!" Max's eyes widened. That wasn't how gifts worked!

"I should have guessed," Hornet simply sighed. "How much, then?"

"How much geo? Erm, mrm. Eleven hundred, yes," the other bug declared. "Eleven hundred geo for these gifts and to redeem yourself for the one you took."

"Of course. Just like her," the female hissed to herself, then saying: "Well unfortunately for you, we've none."

"No- geo?" The male looked dumbfounded for a moment. Then, he turned angry again. "I don't gift to paupers. Go and return with geo!"

"And where, do tell, could we find that much," Hornet asked angrily. The blind bug just stared at that. "I see. What if instead, I-"

"We could ask Sly for it," Max suggested, having remembered the fly's huge pile of the rocks.

"We may. Depends if he'll actually give any," the warrior replied darkly, before suddenly raising her needle to point at the blind bug's forehead. "We could also just slay this one and take the charms."

"No, no," the screeched, holding the charms up in his claws. "If you kill me, I'll smash your gifts and no one will be able to repair them!"

"Yeah, Hornet. Come on," the hornet also pleaded. "This guy seriously isn't worth it."

"Very well. He'll live," Hornet relented, lowering her blade. She glared at the 'gift-giver'. "But know that it's only out of pity." She turned back to Max. "Let's be on our way."


Having left the scrawny weirdo's cave, it didn't take long for the trio to make it out of the wastes, back into fresh air. From there, Hornet led them east through the Crossroads. Soon, they'd reached, to Max's surprise, another tram. Though instead of taking it, they used the maintenance tunnel, which thankfully was far shorter than the one for the palace's tram and quickly opened into a far gloomier cave.

The Resting Grounds couldn't be mistaken for anything other than a graveyard, with tombstones of various sizes dotting the wide, eerily quiet cavern. Max didn't have much time to marvel, however, as the sense he and Hornet had for the flame had kicked in, pulling to a large hatch, which lead down into another, slightly smaller cave. Once there, they quickly spotted the grimmtorch, wasting no time in activating it.

Whilst the grimmkin wasn't any less tough than the one in the wastes (nor any more talkative), the hunter pair knew what to expect now, as well as strike together like Juss had taught (the lack of acid also helped a little) and quickly gained the upper hand, at least for the most part. Soon, the imp finally took a killing blow, this time from Hornet, and exploded with his torch into fire for Grimmchild.

Though they'd won, probably owing to how late in the day it was, both hunters and even their winged companion had taken a few hits. Because of that, before heading straight for Dirtmouth once back at the Crossroads, the three bugs headed to the Hot Spring. Getting into the water, Max and Hornet used the opportunity to snuggle a bit, while Grimmchild splashed happily on the side. Soon, however, their wound were healed and the halfling, clearly begrudgingly, commanded the male and grub to get out, emerging herself.

When the hornet had pulled himself to the surface, the Sun had already sunk below the cliffs, with the sky a little darker as well. As they entered the town, however, saying hello to Elderbug and the soldiers, they saw no sign of Juss or his hivemate. They waited on the bench for some time, watching the sky get even darker. Finally, Hornet had had enough and though Max wasn't fully sure about going to Grimm without Juss, he followed her, though not before glancing worriedly at the well one more time.

Heading past the accordion-bug, they made it onto the dim arena, where Grimm appeared from his usual red smoke.

"Wonderful. Wonderful! My kin and callers arrive," he greeted with excitement in his hoarse voice, peering at them, "albeit one short." The hunterbugs nodded sullenly. Just then, there was a bright flash of yellow behind them. Looking there, they saw a familiar human breathing heavily.

"I'm not- too late, am I?"

"Far from it, human. You arrived just in time," assured the troupe master. "If you would, my child."

At that, Grimmchild towards him, then into him, getting absorbed as more red fire, to which Hornet gasped worriedly. "This searing fire. It carries well our Ritual's promise. Oh, yes."

"Look, sorry for taking so long," the General whispered to the bugs. "I'll fill you in on the plan later, alright." The two nodded. Really, what other choice was there right now?

"The crowd awaits, my friends," Grimm continued. "Show them you're worthy of your starring roles." He snapped his fingers, causing the arena to get fully lit up, which revealed countless grimmkin watching from the stands surrounding it.

"Let us dance."


Surprise, I am not dead.

These gaps are taking longer and longer, aren't they? This one was just short of two months. All I can say is sorry, I guess, for this, as well as the oneshot I promised and didn't deliver. I'm hoping to finish that sometime in the coming year. It's weird to think that this time last year, my longest chapter came out.

I hope the long wait was worth it here, that I got Divine and Leg Eater right, that I didn't make the Tribe bugs too disfunctional. Let me know all that.

Next chapter will be short enough to hopefully come out around new year's and will just be the Grimm fight and little bit of aftermath.

R&R and have a Happy Holidays.