Chapter 68: Proper-Bee Rights
The day wore on and soon it was time for the next purification. Belissar once again prepared the fire radish slivers while the soldier bee army gathered by the entrance, this time positioned high in case of an aerial opponent. Belissar took a deep breath.
“Ok, here we go.”
Minor+ purification attempt commencing.
He triggered the purification and once again the Hunger coalesced. However, this time it did not gather midair, but on the ground. The Hunger split in two and two small wolf-shades appeared as in the first minor+ purification. Belissar frowned.
The minor purifications had always been the same, but apparently the minor+ purifications could change from day by day. And now, for only the second time ever, his bees faced more than one opponent.
The bees quickly reoriented themselves, a second sprayer squad diving to join the first as they started their attack. Both shades roared as they were greeted with toxic sprays coating their entire bodies. They retaliated with two breath attacks but the sprayers had already retreated. A third and fourth squad began their approach, the shades noticed and broke off into a run. The sprayers broke off but two squads of regular soldier bees dove in from the sides. The two shades moved closer together and swung their tails to either side, warding off the soldier’s attack.
But then, one of the shades yelped and vanished, falling into the first Pit Trap where it was doused by the Mad Honey Sticky Trap. The other shade stopped and turned to look inside the pit. The third and fourth sprayer squads then pulled up and assaulted it.
The shade yelped and launched another breath attack, but caught nothing. It glanced around at all the bees surrounding it. Then, just like the first time they faced two shades, the second shade jumped down into the pit to regroup with the other and take shelter from the bees.
But unlike the first time this happened, Belissar and his bees were prepared. The Apiary soldier bees were already on their way, grasping fire radish slivers with their hind legs, ready to handle the very situation that prompted their training. They flew over the pit, just high enough to avoid any breath attacks, and released their slivers with practiced precision.