PoV: Luna
The escape from the Ant tunnels was fun.
…At least for Luna!
She shot upward through the main shaft with the speed of an arrow that had forgotten it was supposed to obey gravity. Shadows clung to her feet, walls, elbows – anywhere they could find purchase – as she ricocheted past clambering Nest Guards trying their best to stop the intruders.
They were angry.
Very angry!
But no longer coordinated.
It made them noisy.
And biteable.
But for Luna that just meant more fun!
She evaded the first few in ways that made the silly things stumble into each other – one even twisted so hard they fell over!
Hehe!
So silly!
Luna slammed shoulder-first into one that tried to block the tunnel, carving through its foreleg as she spun off its shell and kicked another in the head on the way past.
“Outta the way!” she barked, entirely too cheerful for someone covered from head to toe in ant ichor.
Soon enough, the enemies ahead were cleared – for now.
And behind her, the tunnel filled with noise – steel on chitin, spells cracking against packed earth, with Dorian’s laughter threading through it all.
Mr. Fox was really fun!
“Next time,” he called upward, breathless but exhilarated, “we let me go first and see what happens!”
“You would trip on the first Ant leg,” Trianna shot back.
“Untrue! I would trip on the second one!”
Syl’s voice cut through it all, steady as ever.
“Less commentary. More climbing.”
Luna giggled and smashed another Ant out of the tunnel mouth, momentum barely faltering.
She was getting tired though.
All the fighting getting to her.
Still, she felt merely… pleasantly worn.
The aches were hardly noticeable.
It was… the good kind of tired!
Apex Predator tired!
And entirely deserved after biting strong prey down!
Her stomach growled.
“Mhm… Food later,” she muttered to herself.
Then louder–
“Second! Luna very hungry!”
“Of course you are,” Syliana answered dryly.
The side tunnels erupted with activity as they climbed. Ants poured out from narrow openings, trying to collapse inward onto the retreating group. One leapt from a side shaft straight at Dorian–
–and got bisected midair.
Nice!
Luna approved!
Trianna’s arrow then thudded into another that had been lining up a charge.
“This is the part where we pretend this was the plan all along,” she said.
“It was the plan,” Dorian replied.
“To anger the entire nest?”
“To remove the Queen,” Syl corrected, voice sharp. “Which we did. Focus.”
Luna burst out of the tunnel first.
The forest air hit her like a blessing.
Clearer!
Cooler.
With less pesky underground pheromone stuff.
She took two bounding leaps forward, turned, and watched the others emerge one by one, still fending off the last of the pursuing Guards.
Ants spilled from the tunnel behind them in furious waves.
“Ants still mad!” Luna reported brightly.
“Yes, very mad” Syl said, not sounding surprised.
At all!
Hehe, her Second was so smart!
Luna’s tail wagged.
And the chase began properly then!
They ran, and ran – though not Luna fast!
Through trees slick with earlier rain. Across roots and churned mud. Ants skittering in uneven clusters, trying to compensate for their broken command.
The old pheromones still worked.
And new ones were being made by some of the Ants…
But without the Queen, they lacked rhythm.
Instead they just chased, and attacked in bursts!
Overextended.
Got picked apart.
Or entirely lost track of Luna and her pack!
Luna ran ahead a few dozen strides, turned, and waited for her pack to close distance.
She pulled roasted meat from her Maw mid-run, stuffed it into her mouth, and chewed aggressively while bouncing on her heels.
Dorian nearly tripped when he saw her.
“Is she–?”
“Yes,” Trianna said flatly. “She is.”
Syl passed by Luna just long enough to murmur, “Save some for later.”
“Luna needs fuel!” she protested through a mouthful of roast.
She swallowed, grabbed another bite, and then launched forward again as a cluster of Ants tried to flank from the left.
The forest thinned before them.
The light grew stronger.
Ground firmed underfoot.
And then–
They broke from the treeline, with the plains opening up before them!
The weather was clear now.
And the view sparkly with water!
Awoomazingly shiny!
Sky washed it all clean, and Luna got an urge to bite something shiny.
She settled for a sandwich instead!
And just a little later, they found their target.
Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.
The expedition’s fortifications stood ready, and active with Ants and defenders.
More reinforced than Luna remembered!
The rebuilt Killzone was now marked with stakes and shallow trenches.
And they even had rotational squads.
Some resting!
Others fighting!
Mhm! Proper pack tactics!
Luna watched as small interference teams were peeling off scattered Ant clusters and drawing them wide.
Ants were still numerous.
But disjointed!
Without the Queen, their movements lacked cohesion.
It looked like the expedition had things handled now!
Luna skidded to a stop just inside the perimeter, tail high, chest heaving in satisfied excitement.
“We brought presents!” she announced.
The perimeter squad did not look particularly happy at getting new Ants to hunt.
Instead, they simply adjusted formation and began cutting down the disorganized pursuers with disciplined efficiency.
Rude!
Having prey to hunt was a good thing!
Guildmaster Ferric approached just as Luna’s elite team crossed into secured ground.
His armor was splattered with Ant gunk, but his posture was steady and sure.
He immediately turned to Syliana.
“You’re back quickly, how did it go?”
“Ant Queen eliminated,” Syl replied simply.
Ferric’s eyes sparkled, and a grin spread on his face.
“Ha! That’s great to hear! It will make things easier.”
He looked at everybody from the Queen killing team, stopping briefly at each face, and a little longer at Luna, who picked that exact moment to use her new shadow trick to become gunk-free.
“…Thank you, your help means a lot.”
Then back to Syl.
“That ends the worst of it.”
He looked toward the forest, where Ants still spilled out in confused waves only to be redirected or destroyed.
“With no new brood being produced we can take our time. There will be more eggs in the tunnels, but without coordination they’re just cleanup.”
He exhaled slowly.
“Cleanup will take days,” he said. “But it’s just cleanup now.”
“Well done! All of you.”
He waved a hand toward the camp structures already being re-established.
“Go rest up. You’ve earned it! We can handle the stragglers.”
Syl inclined her head in thanks.
Trianna stretched her shoulders with a relieved hiss.
And Mr. Fox gave a small salute with two fingers.
A new pose! Luna tried to mimic it!
It worked!
She grinned so wide her cheeks hurt.
“Second,” she said, bouncing once in place, “Luna has something very important to say.”
Syl eyed her cautiously.
“…After food!” Luna added quickly.
Because strong prey was defeated!
And she had an Evolution waiting.
But Luna was hungry!
And that was clearly more important than everything else.
Probably!
***
Luna’s eyes sparkled a lot when she noticed the big pot was still there!
And even happier when she could just eat her fill, no questions asked!
A bowl and two second helpings later, she was satisfied.
The others joined her at meal time too!
Mr. Fox and Trianna bickering all the way, while her Second ate at her own relaxed pace. Luna leaned into her side after her own meal was done.
And soon enough, everybody was happy and full!
Dorian clapped Trianna once on the shoulder and wandered off back towards his team.
And Trianna stretched like a satisfied cat and immediately bounded off to watch the battlefield from a ‘good vintage spot’ – whatever that meant!
Guildmaster Ferric was long since back in motion, voice cutting clean through the renewed fighting as he reorganized perimeter rotations.
No one questioned why Luna grew quiet.
They assumed she was tired.
Which was fair.
She was!
A little.
But that wasn’t it.
Luna walked beside Syliana without bouncing for once.
Or even asking for jerky!
And without even announcing her greatness to the sky.
Her tail swayed low and thoughtful behind her.
The plains were still loud – steel clashing against chitin, distant Ant screeches, spell detonations flashing occasionally.
But it all felt farther away now.
Controlled, and no longer desperate.
Luna reached out and gently tugged at Syl’s sleeve.
Just once.
“Second…” she said softly.
Syl turned immediately, noticing the tone.
“Luna needs you.”
Her Second’s eyes sharpened in focus.
Then understanding.
“Alright,” she said quietly.
Syliana guided Luna away from the main camp center, weaving between resting squads until the noise softened.
They reached their tent.
Close enough to safety, and far enough from interruption.
Only then Luna noticed how her legs felt heavier than she expected.
The events of the day tiring and exciting in many ways.
Syl stepped inside first, then motioned Luna in after her.
The air inside was calmer. Familiar.
Smelled like pack and cloth and faint traces of stew!
It immediately made Luna relax.
Syl sat down.
And Luna didn’t hesitate!
She folded down immediately, curling close, pressing into Syl’s side and sliding her head under her hand!
It totally belonged there!
Yes!
A completely normal phenomenon!
Syl’s fingers found her hair-fur automatically, stroking slow and steady.
“It’s safe here now,” Syl murmured. “What do you need, Luna?”
She enjoyed the scritches for a moment longer.
“Mhm… Luna can evolve now!”
Syl’s hand stilled for half a heartbeat.
Then resumed.
“Oh really?”
“Yip-yep! The strong Ant prey made Luna stronger!”
She shifted slightly, pressing closer.
“And System meanie said Evolution available!”
“And?”
“And Luna wants Second here, when it happens.”
…Because she felt safe with her Second.
Trust absolute!
Syl’s hand slid from Luna’s hair to cup the back of her head fully, thumb brushing gently behind her ear.
“Of course, I will stay and keep you safe,” came an immediate reply, no hesitation!
Luna exhaled, snuggled into her Second a little more…
But her tail betrayed her!
It wagged furiously!
Hmph!
Well, it was fine.
Her shoulders loosened, and Luna relaxed.
Outside, steel clashed.
Ants screamed.
Ferric barked an order.
But here, inside, it was warm!
Steady.
And safe!
Luna let herself relax completely.
Only because Syl was here.
“Second?” she murmured, eyes drifting shut for a second.
“Yes?”
Luna looked up at her best friend and packmate.
“...Thank you for caring for Luna.”
A satisfied hum, then Luna felt a hug squeeze her tightly.
And the voice of her Second.
“Always,” she whispered out right into Luna’s ear.
Luna stared.
…And felt a blush coloring her cheeks, her tail betraying her again!
“Uh, um–”
“You’re so cute when you’re flustered.”
Eh.
Eh!
Ehehe!
…That felt both embarrassing and nice.
It actually took Luna a good moment to recollect herself!
Second was too sneaky!
Almost Apex Predator sneaky!
Finally, Luna tilted her head up slightly, golden eyes calm and bright again.
“Okay,” she said.
“Let’s see what Luna becomes!”
Luna listened to the outside sounds for a few breaths more.
Then let them fade.
Syl’s hand rested against her head, fingers threading slowly through silver hair. Each pass anchored her. Each stroke told her where she was.
Here.
Safe.
Pack.
Her breathing steadied.
In.
Out.
The world narrowed inward.
“Okay,” she murmured softly. “System!”
It answered immediately.
Evolution Options:
Tier 1
Moon Wolf (Epic) – You bask in the silvery path. Moonlight your friend, ally, and strength. Your steps leave its ethereal traces behind.
Lunar Maw Stalker (Epic) – The Silent Moon looks on as you devour. Its brilliance a quagmire upon your enemies. There shall be no escape.
Shadowstep Predator (Epic) – No longer bound to place just one. The shadows lead to prey and home. Hunter unseen.
Explosive Trickster Wolf (Epic) – Speed and force are your ally. Your form a trick, an afterimage your enemies follow. Explosion greets them from angles unseen.
Velocity Reaper (Legendary) – Distance breaks beneath your run, immense forces tame in your grasp. Speed beyond strength, reaping beyond dare.
Nightphase Ravager (Legendary) – From darkness to strike in but a single breath. Phase through where shadows pool. Ravage the prey unsuspecting.
Warhound Devourer (Legendary) – Each kill your prey, a claim you devour. You feed and grow, fueled by more. Strength unbound.
Tier 0
Little Speed Terror (Epic) – A frame so small, endlessly fast. Momentum grows with every stride, leaving the ground behind. A terror of speed.
Umbral Moon Pup (Legendary) – Moonlight dims as shadows deepen. Your strikes a quiet beauty, burning lunar light into any who dare oppose your claim. A path of duality.
Silvertongued Trickster Pup (Legendary) – Your voice grows sharper, your commands brighter. Your form fluid, morphing into what any want to see. Convince, trick, prosper.
Gluttonous Abomination (???) – Grow as you eat. Eat as you grow. A bottomless void. Hunger unending.
***
Awooah!
Pretty!
Shiny!
Dangerous!
And so so many to pick from!
Luna’s eyes shone with focused wonder.
Hehe!
Huh. Uhh.
This was hard!
Luna wanted to bite them all!
But System meanie did not let her.
So which one was the tastiest of them all?!
Woo…
Which Evolution should Luna pick?
