Chapter 74: One Day from Home
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Vexor improved slightly each day. Meanwhile, Renna’s breathing stabilized, though he never came out of coma. Kai wondered if the male ant would ever open his eyes again.
Throughout it all, they tried not to lose hope. Memories of the star crystal mine haunted them. The loss of two comrades and the final roar of that terrifying predator, all drove Kai to keep going.
He felt a righteous flame in his soul that no pain could extinguish. Each morning, he would quietly vow, "We’ll reach the kingdom. We’ll find medical help. We’ll survive... for the sake of those who died. I will take revenge for them."
After nearly a week of traveling through forests, marshes, rocky slopes, and clearing minor foes, Kai, Vexor, and the still-unconscious Renna found themselves standing at the top of a gentle hill. The morning sky glowed with golden light. The air was crisp and clean, with the smell of wildflowers drifting from meadows below. Their injuries, though far from fully healed, had scabbed and improved enough that they could move somewhat faster.
They paused under a solitary pine, scanning the landscape. In the far distance, Kai recognized faint signs of the Ant Kingdom’s territory—rolling plains that eventually led to the great gates. They were not close enough to see the kingdom’s walls, but they knew from past journeys that beyond these meadows lay the familiar roads that wound toward the capital. They guessed it would take another full day of marching to actually reach the outskirts of the colony. A sense of relief, fragile but very real, washed over them. They were almost home.
Kai gently lowered Renna to the ground so they could rest a moment. Vexor leaned on his spear, taking slow breaths. Their hearts pounded in quiet triumph, though both ants wore expressions of fatigue. They had come so far—through the heartbreak of betrayal, the savage beasts, the labyrinth of the cave, the caved-in passages, and the exhausting wilderness. Each bruise, each wound, told a story of perseverance.
Despite that, a swirl of sadness lurked beneath their relief. Lomar was gone. Thren had perished. They carried no illusions that their homecoming would be free of sorrow or questions. But for now, they had to keep moving, keep Renna alive until they found real healing. The faint dream that maybe he would open his eyes one day gave them courage.
No mention of the traitor who left them behind. No recollection of other events. They just wanted to find some sense of normalcy in the kingdom’s walls. The sun shone overhead, a gentle reminder that time marched on. If they lingered too long, the day would slip away, and they risked more beasts finding them.
They decided to push on for a few more hours, though they were weary. Each step felt lighter, as though hope had brightened their path. Even carrying Renna’s limp form no longer seemed so crushing.. Vexor, though battered, forced a half-smile at the sight of the meadows ahead. "We can do it, Kai," he said, voice hushed. "We can make it back."