Chapter VII: Fall of the Ant Queen
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I wonder if anyone is actually reading these
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I was in Ant Hell again. But alone this time. I had to get my revenge. I had to show Phreeoni that I wasn't
a push over. I came well prepared this time. The humidity from the acidic geysers was causing me to sweat. I took off
my egg-shell helmet and threw it on the floor, letting my hair breathe. I didn't need it. Anything that got too close
was blasted to pieces by my magic. I trudged through the cave tunnels, breathing hard as I awaited to confront my enemy.
Sweat formed along my hairline. I heard a rumbling.
"HEEEESSSSH!!!!!"
A hode flew from the ground and tried to attack me, but charging my Frost Diver just in time, I managed to freeze
him solid. I then took out my wand, and smashed the hode. It shattered like glass. Its comrades dared not approach me. I
continued on. The ants now, as if knowing my power, moved out of my way. Then I saw him. Licking his chops, he didn't notice
me. He lifted his head and sniffed the air. He turned to face me, the massive beast. He opened his jaws and let out a screech.
Blood curdling, I covered my ears.
"Yreeeehhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!! Yooo.... rrrretuurnnsssh?" Spoke Phreeoni.
"...You can talk?" I asked.
"Of Coursssssssse...." He hissed.
"Why do you kill people?" I demanded.
"Your are lucky...hsss...If the knight hadn't carried yoooo away...sshhhh....I would have devoured yoo..." He said.
"Hmph. Not gonna answer me?"
"Let me ask you a question..." He said, very clearly.
"No hiss?" I asked.
"What do you hope to gain by killing me? Fame? Money?"
"I just want the satisfaction." I answered.
"Foolish human...I've survived over a century feeding off you pitiful mortals...I won't be beaten."
"And...I only hiss for dramatic effects." He finally answered.
"Oh. Gotcha. So...um...Fight now?" I asked.
"Yes, now would be fine." He nodded.
"Ok, lets do it." I replied.
Phreeoni let out a houl and charged at me. I held up my hand and cast the Quagmire spell. Green bubbles formed from
the ground, and ensnared his feet. A swamp began to sprout up around him, bubbling and forcing him to the ground. Unable
to move, I began casting Ice Wall. Jagged Shards of ice shot up from the ground all around Phreeoni until I had completely
caged him in a wall of ice. Phreeoni cried out.
"Impressive... I gave you too much of a chance..." He hissed.
"Hmph. Now is where you die, Phreeoni. Say good bye."
"METEOR STRIKE!"
My body became encased in a flaming aura. The aura stretched from my feet to the ceiling. I held up my hand, now
encased in fire. I moved my palm in a circle motion. I held my hand to the sky, and the walls of the cave began to Rumble.
From the sky, huge balls of fire began to storm down onto Phreeoni. Horrible screaming was heard from the Icy Prison. He
howled in pain as each ball of fire seered his flesh. The meteor barrage lasted for quite some time, and when it cleared,
I stared at him with an evil look. The cage was gone, and all that remained was a charred, steaming monster.
"Ya...got me..." He coughed.
"I didnt...think...you would be able to do it..." He gasped.
"..."
"So...this is...your reward...You have the...satisfaction...of...killing me." He continued.
"Answer me. Why did you kill so many people?"
"I need to eat...don't I?" He asked.
"Why didnt you just eat the ants?" I asked.
"And face her wrath...? The wrath of...Maya?"
"...Maya?"
"Yes...the queen of the ants... she rules the lower regions of Ant hell... shes...she kills anything...that touches
her children..." He went on.
"Furthermore ... she...with her...scythe like arms...would tear you to bits... in seconds...paint the cave walls...
with your blood..."
"So why didn't you leave here?" I asked.
"What...and live amongst the humans..? Yeah right... I would've been killed...in minutes..." He was gasping for air.
"..."
"...Dame... promise me something..."
"...?"
"...Kill Maya... my death...won't be so bad...as long as...she suffers...as well..."
"I will."
"...Thank...you.....ehh..." He died, and his body disintergrated.
I looked down at the ashes that were once his body. I shook my head and continued on. Walking down a flight of
stairs, I saw something I thought only existed in nightmares. It was huge. At first glance, it looked like a giant towering
insect... but...when I took a closer look, I saw its true form. It was a young girl... a very beautiful, naked young girl.
She was a human girl, but adorned on her head was a giant insectoid helmet. Golden feelers flailing about, and a queens crown.
Furthermore, The insectoid head had two huge red eyes, and a green color with golden trim. Tentacles seemed to strap the
girl to an enormous insectoid body. Was it a robot..? Eight long legs touched the ground, and a long abdomen stretched back
with wings attatched. Giant Scythes lay at her sides. But how did she control it...? What was she...? The room was filled to
the brim with ants...but they moved out of her way, as she approached.
"Why have you come here...?" She asked, in a low tone.
"...Wha...what...are you?" I couldn't glance away.
"I am Maya...the Ant Queen... why have you disturbed my realm...?" She questioned.
"You... are... a human..."
"I am an insect. The Queen on Insects." She said again.
"No...you're a girl.. look at...a girl...strapped to... a bugs body..." I was so confused...
"... I am an insect queen...I insist you stop questioning me...and leave my world...or I will kill you..."
"......I ....I have to kill you... " I stuttered.
"Haha. I am undefeatable... silly fool..." She smiled.
Snapping out of my trance, I cast my my Ice Wall spell. But I did it somewhat different this time. Instead of
Caging Maya, I rose the icicles right into her abdomen, impaling her down. She screamed out and tried to escape. Blood
started to spray from her abdoment. I was so confused... What was this creature!?!? I continued to raise Icy Javelins
from the ground, impaling her entire body, except for the human form. Green blow poured from her.
"I'll ask you one last time, Maya. Tell me what the hell you are."
"...ahh....it's...so..cold... I can't...mo...ve.." She said in a monotonous voice.
"TELL ME!"
"I am from a race of demons, with the magical power to transform ourselves into insectoid creatures... I am the last
of my kind...so I rule the ants...down here...But..."
"..."
"Can you survive your wounds?" I asked.
"...Why do you ask?"
"If you promise to reliquish your title as queen...remove your insect form and stay human...I'll let you live." I replied.
"...The mighty queen...finally...beaten? ... Why are you letting me live?" She asked.
"For the most part... you're human." I answered.
The ant bodie vanished, and she fell to the ground, covered in scratches. Long golden hair sprouted from her head.
I tossed her my old mage robe, for her to wear. She looked up at me pitifully. I nodded. She wrapped herself in the robe
and shivered. I knelt down by her.
"Maya."
"What..."
"Thank You." I said.
"...No.. Thank you...for freeing me..." She responded.
"Do you know who has the Balmung, God Poings sword?" I asked.
"...If anything on Rune-Midgard has it, it's Baphomet...the demon king.Defeat him and you will find the answers you seek.."
"Thank you, again." I replied.
I stood up, and turned away. I walked back throughout the cave, with Maya following me. As I reached the front of
the cave, she shielded her eyes, stating how many years its been since shes seen the light. But she went on, and together
we walked back to Morroc. I bought her, with the little money I had, some actual clothing, and again she thanked me.
"Dame... Thank you...again... Take this... a gift from me..." Maya spoke.
My body glowed a bit...and she vanished. When I checked my spell book...I saw that she had given me the spell
"heal". I could now restore my health... naturally, with my own magic. It was exactly like an Acolyte could. I smiled.
I never did hear of, or see Maya again. But she gave me something very valuable. Not just the gift, but knowledge. Baphomet
was our next target.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To be continued...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Leave some comments..
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I wonder if anyone is actually reading these
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I was in Ant Hell again. But alone this time. I had to get my revenge. I had to show Phreeoni that I wasn't
a push over. I came well prepared this time. The humidity from the acidic geysers was causing me to sweat. I took off
my egg-shell helmet and threw it on the floor, letting my hair breathe. I didn't need it. Anything that got too close
was blasted to pieces by my magic. I trudged through the cave tunnels, breathing hard as I awaited to confront my enemy.
Sweat formed along my hairline. I heard a rumbling.
"HEEEESSSSH!!!!!"
A hode flew from the ground and tried to attack me, but charging my Frost Diver just in time, I managed to freeze
him solid. I then took out my wand, and smashed the hode. It shattered like glass. Its comrades dared not approach me. I
continued on. The ants now, as if knowing my power, moved out of my way. Then I saw him. Licking his chops, he didn't notice
me. He lifted his head and sniffed the air. He turned to face me, the massive beast. He opened his jaws and let out a screech.
Blood curdling, I covered my ears.
"Yreeeehhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!! Yooo.... rrrretuurnnsssh?" Spoke Phreeoni.
"...You can talk?" I asked.
"Of Coursssssssse...." He hissed.
"Why do you kill people?" I demanded.
"Your are lucky...hsss...If the knight hadn't carried yoooo away...sshhhh....I would have devoured yoo..." He said.
"Hmph. Not gonna answer me?"
"Let me ask you a question..." He said, very clearly.
"No hiss?" I asked.
"What do you hope to gain by killing me? Fame? Money?"
"I just want the satisfaction." I answered.
"Foolish human...I've survived over a century feeding off you pitiful mortals...I won't be beaten."
"And...I only hiss for dramatic effects." He finally answered.
"Oh. Gotcha. So...um...Fight now?" I asked.
"Yes, now would be fine." He nodded.
"Ok, lets do it." I replied.
Phreeoni let out a houl and charged at me. I held up my hand and cast the Quagmire spell. Green bubbles formed from
the ground, and ensnared his feet. A swamp began to sprout up around him, bubbling and forcing him to the ground. Unable
to move, I began casting Ice Wall. Jagged Shards of ice shot up from the ground all around Phreeoni until I had completely
caged him in a wall of ice. Phreeoni cried out.
"Impressive... I gave you too much of a chance..." He hissed.
"Hmph. Now is where you die, Phreeoni. Say good bye."
"METEOR STRIKE!"
My body became encased in a flaming aura. The aura stretched from my feet to the ceiling. I held up my hand, now
encased in fire. I moved my palm in a circle motion. I held my hand to the sky, and the walls of the cave began to Rumble.
From the sky, huge balls of fire began to storm down onto Phreeoni. Horrible screaming was heard from the Icy Prison. He
howled in pain as each ball of fire seered his flesh. The meteor barrage lasted for quite some time, and when it cleared,
I stared at him with an evil look. The cage was gone, and all that remained was a charred, steaming monster.
"Ya...got me..." He coughed.
"I didnt...think...you would be able to do it..." He gasped.
"..."
"So...this is...your reward...You have the...satisfaction...of...killing me." He continued.
"Answer me. Why did you kill so many people?"
"I need to eat...don't I?" He asked.
"Why didnt you just eat the ants?" I asked.
"And face her wrath...? The wrath of...Maya?"
"...Maya?"
"Yes...the queen of the ants... she rules the lower regions of Ant hell... shes...she kills anything...that touches
her children..." He went on.
"Furthermore ... she...with her...scythe like arms...would tear you to bits... in seconds...paint the cave walls...
with your blood..."
"So why didn't you leave here?" I asked.
"What...and live amongst the humans..? Yeah right... I would've been killed...in minutes..." He was gasping for air.
"..."
"...Dame... promise me something..."
"...?"
"...Kill Maya... my death...won't be so bad...as long as...she suffers...as well..."
"I will."
"...Thank...you.....ehh..." He died, and his body disintergrated.
I looked down at the ashes that were once his body. I shook my head and continued on. Walking down a flight of
stairs, I saw something I thought only existed in nightmares. It was huge. At first glance, it looked like a giant towering
insect... but...when I took a closer look, I saw its true form. It was a young girl... a very beautiful, naked young girl.
She was a human girl, but adorned on her head was a giant insectoid helmet. Golden feelers flailing about, and a queens crown.
Furthermore, The insectoid head had two huge red eyes, and a green color with golden trim. Tentacles seemed to strap the
girl to an enormous insectoid body. Was it a robot..? Eight long legs touched the ground, and a long abdomen stretched back
with wings attatched. Giant Scythes lay at her sides. But how did she control it...? What was she...? The room was filled to
the brim with ants...but they moved out of her way, as she approached.
"Why have you come here...?" She asked, in a low tone.
"...Wha...what...are you?" I couldn't glance away.
"I am Maya...the Ant Queen... why have you disturbed my realm...?" She questioned.
"You... are... a human..."
"I am an insect. The Queen on Insects." She said again.
"No...you're a girl.. look at...a girl...strapped to... a bugs body..." I was so confused...
"... I am an insect queen...I insist you stop questioning me...and leave my world...or I will kill you..."
"......I ....I have to kill you... " I stuttered.
"Haha. I am undefeatable... silly fool..." She smiled.
Snapping out of my trance, I cast my my Ice Wall spell. But I did it somewhat different this time. Instead of
Caging Maya, I rose the icicles right into her abdomen, impaling her down. She screamed out and tried to escape. Blood
started to spray from her abdoment. I was so confused... What was this creature!?!? I continued to raise Icy Javelins
from the ground, impaling her entire body, except for the human form. Green blow poured from her.
"I'll ask you one last time, Maya. Tell me what the hell you are."
"...ahh....it's...so..cold... I can't...mo...ve.." She said in a monotonous voice.
"TELL ME!"
"I am from a race of demons, with the magical power to transform ourselves into insectoid creatures... I am the last
of my kind...so I rule the ants...down here...But..."
"..."
"Can you survive your wounds?" I asked.
"...Why do you ask?"
"If you promise to reliquish your title as queen...remove your insect form and stay human...I'll let you live." I replied.
"...The mighty queen...finally...beaten? ... Why are you letting me live?" She asked.
"For the most part... you're human." I answered.
The ant bodie vanished, and she fell to the ground, covered in scratches. Long golden hair sprouted from her head.
I tossed her my old mage robe, for her to wear. She looked up at me pitifully. I nodded. She wrapped herself in the robe
and shivered. I knelt down by her.
"Maya."
"What..."
"Thank You." I said.
"...No.. Thank you...for freeing me..." She responded.
"Do you know who has the Balmung, God Poings sword?" I asked.
"...If anything on Rune-Midgard has it, it's Baphomet...the demon king.Defeat him and you will find the answers you seek.."
"Thank you, again." I replied.
I stood up, and turned away. I walked back throughout the cave, with Maya following me. As I reached the front of
the cave, she shielded her eyes, stating how many years its been since shes seen the light. But she went on, and together
we walked back to Morroc. I bought her, with the little money I had, some actual clothing, and again she thanked me.
"Dame... Thank you...again... Take this... a gift from me..." Maya spoke.
My body glowed a bit...and she vanished. When I checked my spell book...I saw that she had given me the spell
"heal". I could now restore my health... naturally, with my own magic. It was exactly like an Acolyte could. I smiled.
I never did hear of, or see Maya again. But she gave me something very valuable. Not just the gift, but knowledge. Baphomet
was our next target.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To be continued...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Leave some comments..