Do not forget to check the profile of the original author!https:///c/BlightMansionhttps:///story/361110032-revolution-of-healer

  After dressing the adults, the next step was to attend to the youngsters. The change in them was not so obvious. Now, both females and males look more like normal teenagers, except for their skin color, of course. So making clothes for them was much easier.

  Dait helped me distribute the clothes. Now, with everyone properly dressed, I can cross one more problem off my list.

  ***

  Having solved the clothing issue, in an impromptu way, it has to be said, there was another issue to deal with: the ants. Something that, in a way, seemed simple to me, but, as always, extended further than I had imagined.

  For some reason, Anthalia seemed relieved that I was recovering. I felt grateful for her concern, but the truth was that our retionship was, to say the least, recent. In three days of living together, we were still getting to know each other, and the depth of our bond was still uncertain. She, unlike me, seemed to have gotten used to the situation.

  I, on the other hand, didn't know what to say to her at that moment. After all, I had made her some clothes, but as far as I could tell, the need for them was questionable. Her body was completely covered in an impermeable yer, almost as if she were wearing natural armor. As she went through her evolution, the robustness of her body softened, but at the same time, her ant-like features became more evident. The checkered eyes, the long antennae and the cws on her feet were still there, intact. And, of course, she now had two extra arms, as if being a chimera ant was just another natural step for her.

  - Well, Anthalia, are you happy with the name I gave you? - I asked, trying to start a conversation. I knew I had given names to everyone, but some were improvised, while others had a more thoughtful meaning. I didn't know what she would think of the name, but maybe that was something that would be easier to discuss.

  She looked at me with a reverence that made me feel strange.

  - My queen, I have no right to judge such a privilege. I believe that, in your wisdom, you have chosen the most suitable names for each of us. - she replied, with a formality that made me smile, even though I didn't know how to handle it. I took names from everyone without really thinking, just handing them out. But her comment made me wonder if I was really being wise in my choices.

  Well, if that's what she thinks... I wasn't going to cut her off. Despite the foreign pun - I knew she didn't get it - it wouldn't sound like an offense. At most, it would be an unfunny joke at happy hour.

  - Even so, I only gave you the name. But did the rest of the ants evolve too? - I asked, trying to change the subject. I was curious to know more about what happened to the others.

  When I observed the ants around me, working on rebuilding the vilge, I could see that there was something different about them. They were carrying stones and branches, helping the orcs repair their homes. However, what struck me was the great amount of power emanating from them. It was simir to the power I felt in the orcs, as if their evolution had altered their magical ability. Evolution not only caused physical changes, but also seemed to boost their magical abilities. Although some monsters didn't possess such ability, something inside them was changing.

  - My queen, we ants act as a single consciousness. A name for one of us would be equivalent to a name for our entire anthill. What's more, as we have sworn allegiance to you, our connection with you is stronger. It may take some time for us to strengthen completely, as we are an inferior species, but we can keep up with you as we go along. - Anthalia expined, her voice filled with a dedication that seemed genuine.

  This surprised me. As dependent as the ant species was, the fact that they shared a collective consciousness seemed to overcome this weakness. They didn't need many names; one name was enough for all of them. And by making the name Anthalia official, they had taken a significant step. They had evolved into chimera ants, as she herself expined to me. A superior version of their species.

  I wondered about the implications of this evolution. The queen of the ants, who seemed to have devoured humans and other monsters in order not only to satisfy her hunger, but also to acquire power and force evolution, had not been well accepted by her colony. But Anthalia's position, as the former queen's right-hand man, and her reluctance to follow the cruel orders of her former leader, made me realize that their collective evolution was much more than a simple biological change. She was freeing herself from tyranny, somehow.

  - Well, I'm expecting great results from you and I'm counting on you to coordinate them... - I said, trying to give her a more specific mission.

  - I'd be delighted to help you. - she replied, with a satisfied smile.

  She seemed genuinely happy to have been given the responsibility of coordinating the ants, but I knew that, as much as I was organizing the vilge, the effort was collective. I gave the necessary guidance, but everyone there had to contribute their own effort. Perhaps for a species like ants, this was redundant, but it was what I believed was best.

  - Even so, I didn't think it would be you... Your appearance has changed in an extreme way. - I commented, unable to avoid admiring her transformation.

  Anthalia smiled enigmatically, before replying with a soft ugh.

  - Well, if your majesty prefers...

  *SFX to something taking shape*

  And before I could understand what was happening, she transformed before my eyes. The process was quick and, in a way, unexpected. Her features changed impressively, once again making it clear that she was something much more powerful than I had imagined.

  Anthalia seemed to have an impressive ability to switch between different forms. She could transform into something adorable and, when she wished, return to her original state. It was a peculiar characteristic that I still didn't fully understand.

  - I can stay that way, but I'm afraid it won't suit you. - she said, with a lightness in her voice that made me wonder what she thought of herself.

  - Don't get me wrong with this comment, but I don't really care what people look like. Everyone may have changed, but they're still the same as before, and that's what matters. Don't ever let anyone tell you otherwise. - I replied sincerely, trying to convey to her that her appearance wasn't what mattered to me, but who she was on the inside.

  Vaku