Evolution begins with an ant colony
Chapter 39 Shadows of ambition and evolution

In a shadowed alleyway nestled within the bustling royal capital, a gritty scene unfolded. Darius, his once pompous demeanor now tattered and bruised, found himself at the mercy of a robust man named Victor. Victor, with a broad build and a rough countenance, had a reputation that preceded him in the realm of rough dealings.

His icy glare bore into Darius as he towered over him, a living embodiment of menace.

Darius's appearance told a story of recent struggle. His clothes were torn, his eye swollen, and his lip split. He struggled to stay on his feet, blood trickling from his mouth. Victor's eyes bore into Darius, and without warning, he kicked him in the side, causing Darius to stumble and groan in pain.

"You think you can just ignore your debts, Darius? Owed me for weeks, and it's about time you paid up!" Victor's voice was low and dangerous, resonating with simmering rage. He demanded retribution, his knuckles wrapped tightly in leather gloves that hinted at countless confrontations. He grabbed Darius by his hair and forced him to meet his gaze, the pain evident on Darius's face.

Darius, his voice hoarse from the struggle, managed to croak a response, "I... I'll get you the money, Victor, but I can't give you what you're asking for."

The ominous air grew thicker as Victor leaned in, his tone now a venomous hiss. "You know damn well what I want, Darius. We heard whispers in the underworld about your last quest. Word has it you aimed for a massive score, but returned empty-handed. So, where did you go?"

(A/N: The underworld is the gathering place for people affiliated with a criminal guild.)

Darius's gaze met Victor's with a defiant spark, though it was mixed with an undercurrent of dread. Deep within, he recognized the peril of the forest encounter he had with Akun. His voice trembled as he replied, "I... I can't tell you, Victor. It's not something I can just reveal."

Victor's grip tightened on Darius's hair, his patience dwindling. "You think you can hold out on me, Darius? I've got my ways. Tell me, or things are gonna get a whole lot worse for you."

Darius's eyes flickered with hesitation and fear, his mind grappling with the gravity of his choices. He knew the true nature of the encounter in the forest, the cataclysmic potential of Akun's anger if provoked. And so, he held his ground, an unwilling guardian of a secret that could unleash untold chaos.

Vector's onslaught showed no signs of stopping; each blow delivered with brutal force sent Darius reeling, his body a canvas of pain. Amidst the turmoil, another figure emerged, catching Vector's attention.

This newcomer possessed an aura of command. His eyes, sharp and green, locked onto Vector as he strode forward. With his raven-black hair slicked back, he exuded an air of unshakeable confidence. His attire, classy yet understated, spoke of authority.

"Vector," the newcomer's voice resonated with authority, addressing Vector with a sharp tone. He drew closer, and they exchanged words in low murmurs. Whatever was discussed left Vector amused, his grin widening. Then, his focus returned to Darius, who lay battered on the ground.

"Seems a little bird must've spilled the beans, Darius. We're not in the dark about where you ventured on your last quest," Vector jeered, his words dripping with mockery.

Darius, his mind struggling to keep up, suddenly pieced the puzzle together. His eyes widened, realization hitting him like a ton of bricks. Summoning the remnants of his strength, he managed a desperate cry, "You better not have laid a finger on my party members!"

Unfazed, Vector's grin grew even wider, his response laced with defiance. "And if I did? What's your plan, Darius? What can you possibly do?"

Darius clenched his fists, anger and frustration igniting within him. Yet, in the face of these ruthless adversaries, his voice wavered but remained resolute, "I won't let you get away with this."

Vector's grin remained intact as he turned to leave, his final command an ominous promise hanging in the air, "Head to East Street, behind the Butcher Guild. There's a little surprise waiting for you."

Darius's heart sank at the looming threat, his concern for his comrades intensifying as he faced the dread of the unknown encounter that awaited him.

Summoning his last reserves of energy, Darius followed Vector's instructions and headed the designated spot.

Darius's heart weighed heavy with concern as he whispered, almost pleadingly, "If there's any higher power out there, any gods listening, I beg of you – let my dear friend be alright. That's all I ask."

As he arrived, his heart sank, and he dropped to his knees in shock.

"No… no, this can't be," he whispered in disbelief, his voice cracking.

Before him lay his fellow party members, their bodies battered and broken, faces so marred they were almost unrecognizable. Though they clung to life, the extent of their injuries was clear – multiple bones broken, limbs twisted at unnatural angles. Darius reached out, calling their names desperately, his touch gentle yet shaking.

"Lyra… Gormm… Elara… Rael

In the midst of the wreckage, Lyra, the party's mage, stirred. Tears welled in her eyes as realization dawned – Darius was here.

"D... Darius? Is that really you?" Her voice trembled as she spoke, barely louder than a breath. Tears welled up and started tracing their way down her cheeks.

Her voice quivered as she expressed her agony, her words accompanied by deep sobs.

"Darius," her voice quavered, "I can't see... And my legs, I can't feel them."

Darius gazed at her legs, his heart aching at the sight of them – twisted, battered, and cruelly mangled.

Darius's voice cracked with frustration and agony, his words erupting like a torrent, "How could humans be this cruel? We were just trying to make a living, to survive, and they do this? It's unforgivable!"

Tears mingled with his anger as he shouted, his emotions spiraling out of control. "I should have never borrowed that damn money, I should have found another way, but I was too blind to see the consequences. If I had known, I swear I would have never let it get to this point."

As his thoughts raced, a flicker of hope ignited within him, the memory of Akun's miraculous healing in the Godforsaken Forest. He remembered how his comrades were saved from the brink of death, their wounds fading away under Akun's power. It was a glimmer of possibility in this sea of despair.

Gritting his teeth, Darius forced himself to calm down. "I won't let this be the end. Even if that bing hates me, even if he kills me, I can't just stand by and watch my friends suffer like this. The Church can't do anything for us now. There's only one option left."

His voice grew resolute as he made a decision, his eyes determined. "We're going back to the Godforsaken Forest. Maybe, just maybe, we can replace a way to heal them, to make things right. I won't let them suffer any longer."

Meanwhile In the depths of the Godforsaken Forest, a cascade of emotions engulfed Akun. Tears welled up in his eyes and began to stream down his cheeks, unchecked and raw. Standing before the newly evolved queen, he felt a surge of inexplicable familiarity that tugged at his heart.

The sight of her, so regal and yet so poignant, stirred something deep within him. In her, he saw echoes of his past, memories of a mother who had cared for him back on Earth. His voice trembled as he called out, "Mom... is that... you?"

The queen, now in a human-like form, turned her head slightly in confusion. Her eyes held a touch of wonderment as she gazed at Akun, her creator. In the background, Leona's voice broke through the emotional haze, "Boss, is something wrong?"

Akun's hand moved up to his cheeks, wiping away the tears, and he let out a shaky breath. He shook his head as if to clear his thoughts. Reality settled back in, the colors of his surroundings shifting back into focus. He realized that he had momentarily let his emotions get the better of him, projecting his past onto this newly evolved being.

After all, he mused, her hair was white, her eyes blue—utterly distinct from what he had known. With a wistful smile, he managed to reply, "No, Leona, everything's fine. Just a bit overwhelmed, I guess."

Meanwhile back in the royal capital, Vector, driven by ambition and audacity, was rallying a group of men. His words carried a spark of excitement, igniting the flames of anticipation among his comrades. "Listen up, boys! Today's the day we hit it big. We're heading out under the cover of night, to the godforsaken forest!'

His voice resonated with determination, and his words were met with a chorus of cheers and whoops from the assembled men. The air buzzed with energy as they eagerly prepared for the undertaking that lay ahead.