Year 87.2

  *Spt and Pts lead the party through a very short pathway, while they avoid the branches above, Emma and the others have to crawl.*

  Rodrick: This is stupid.

  *Rodrick stands up and begins clearing the branches and vines from his face. Everyone turns to him in irritation.*

  Rodrick: There. And before any of you complain. How are we to fight anything if we’re crawling through here?

  Hemlock: As much as I hate to agree with the Oaf, he has a point.

  Emma: Open spaces invite bigger bugs.

  *A giant jumping spider slowly begins climbing down. Emma notices it but doesn’t say anything. As Pts notices the spider, she screams. Spt waves to calm Pts down, and Rodrick grabs his axe. Everyone else watches Pts and Spt, unaware of Rodrick's preparation to charge forward.*

  Spt: It’s just a hoping spider. The good news is they don’t like large groups. They’ll leave us alone as long as we don’t.

  Rodrick: I’m gonna make a new shield from its corpse!

  *Everyone watches in horror as Rodrick swipes at the spider, cleaving one of its legs. The spider screams in pain and scurries away.*

  Spt: Moron! If that thing had attacked us, we’d be lucky to make it to the hive.

  Rodrick: It’s just a big bug. I made a promise to Canda as cubs. That I’d squish any spider in her way so she would stop screaming so much.

  Canda: Shut it, Meathead.

  *Pts runs over to Emma, who screams as she grabs her hand. Emma falls to the ground, and Lily leaps into her lap laughing, unable to keep her hidden form.*

  Pts: I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you.

  Rodrick: Wait. So you’re afraid of spiders? HA!

  Emma: How about I use my paralyzing powder on you in the middle of a fight? *Memory* It’s giant dripping fangs. Watching you frozen in fear, the only thing is your reflection in their eyes. Have you ever been wrapped in spider silk?! It’s extremely tight, almost crushing, and the longer you stay inside the cocoon, the worse it gets. The only benefit you have is that you don’t need to breathe while the venom is in you. Allowing your friends enough time to rescue you in some cases.

  Rodrick: Uhh. *Clears throat* No. I can’t say I have. So, can we keep the clearing?

  Emma: *Rubbing her forehead and sighs* Yeah. Sure. Go ahead. Just don’t blame me when your axe goes dull.

  Rodrick: Great!

  *Rodrick happily chops away, clearing the path. Emma stays behind him with Canda, Hemlock, and Pts.*

  Emma: I’m surprised Rodrick isn’t challenging Bohater. You’ve never been one just to take a hit. At least not since we’ve met, that is.

  Canda: That’s because they bonded.* Emma looks confused.* They called it that. All we know is that the night before, the tension was high.

  Emma: *Whispers* Maybe they fucked.

  *The women burst into laughter, and all the men look at them, confused, then shrug and continue.*

  *As the last of the light bleeding through the dense foliage is lost, the party decided to take a break as the path widens. Emma closes her eyes for a moment before opening them wide, blinking rapidly.*

  Hemlock: We’re close, I take it?

  Emma: *Shakes her head to ground herself.* That or the ground is moving around us. This is why I hate bugs. Their magical pheromones make them difficult.

  Hemlock: At least you have the ability. I’ve never been able to understand the ability to sense things.

  Rodrick: *Scoffs* Shouldn’t you have more of an advantage? I thought dwarves could “Feel” The earth.

  Emma: If we’re going off stereotypes. Shouldn’t you take a nap somewhere? It’s just about noon.

  *Canda laughs, and Rodrick stands up.*

  Pts: You promised.

  *Rodrick sneers and mumbles to himself.*

  Emma: As much as I’d love to irritate him. What promise?

  *Pts puts her finger up over her lips. Emma sits in silence, unsure of what to say in response. *

  Rodrick: So when’re we going to start smashing bugs?

  Emma: Or should we hole up for the night? Remember. I told you there are hypnotic types around.

  Spt: If we can get to the tunnels by dark, we’ll be fine. We’ll be under the spell's canopy. The bugs casting those spells like to live in the trees.

  Rodrick: *Picks up axe* Then it’s time to go

  *Rodrick swings his axe with a smile. Humming along as he chops through. *

  Emma: *Looking around.* Pts, Spt. Should we worry about traps? You two seem to know more of the fauna.

  Pts: Metal roots. But we’d have to be closer to Mithrun for that.

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  *Rodrick's axe stops, and a loud metal clang rings through the jungle. The party sits in silence until screeching and skittering can be heard all around them.*

  Canda: Rodrick, you moron!

  Rodrick: Pts literally just told us, how was I supposed to know?

  *Everyone readies themselves for battle as the bugs begin to spill out from everywhere. As they fight, Emma feels a pinch on her neck. She swats to reveal a tiny infant Aphiscet. She shows it to Pts who cast a small glow on everyone.*

  Pts: I removed any pests currently on us, but we're at the hive. The Children of the Phids are here.

  Spt: *Crushes a bug under his boot.* And before you ask. They’re the runts of the litter. They’re frail and weak, but their bites hurt like hell. Their poison isn’t developed enough to kill you, just don’t let too many bite you, or you’ll start feeling sick.

  Canda: The mark should help us, but Hemlock and Bohater will need protection from the poison.

  *Pts blesses the two. Bohater rips the fangs from one of the soldiers and wields them as blades. The team slowly pushes forward, and by nightfall, they’ve reached the first clearing in the tunnels. They stop for a break as the waves pause.*

  Hemlock: Since we’ve gotten this far, would I be able to go into details?

  Emma: I thought you wanted more safety.

  *Hemlock looks to Bohater; as he speaks, his voice rumbles in the air.*

  Bohater: Rodrick and the others seem innocent enough. *Turns to the others* I still ask you keep quiet.

  Rodrick: Hey, if you need help, I told you. Just ask.

  Bohater: It might sound crazy. But I was given a task by the gods.

  *Bohater pauses and looks at the others. Pts looks with judging eyes.*

  Emma: *Sigh* I don’t care. I said I’d listen.

  Bohater: *Face lights up with a smile* That’s all I ask for now. I’ve been asked to collect one of each race in hopes of bringing back peace.

  Emma: *pause* So far, it seems more like you’re collecting a “Type.”

  Hemlock: Oi! You can insult me all ye want. *Looks to Bohater* But I promised the boy's parents I’d find him the party he wants. Shelly and Gram are both kind-hearted and always care for others before themselves.

  Emma: With an attitude like that? *Scoffs* I can’t imagine why no one’s joined you yet.

  Hemlock: Then after this, we’ll take our leave.

  Bohater: As much as I care and appreciate Aunt Hemlock. She promised to stay only until she knew I was safe.

  Emma: *Smiles* Fine. I’ll help. But you have to convince my boyfriend.

  Bohater: That’s fine. As long as there is hope. I’m sure the gods will be pleased.

  *Emma remembers Ruddy saying something similar, back when she traveled with Levi and Hakhir before leaving to train.*

  Hemlock: He’s probably an elf as well. Meaning he already has plenty of reasons to deny you.

  *Screeching comes from all around as the next wave of soldiers. They stand up, wielding weapons made from their own carapace. Pts blesses everyone, and Rodrick’s axe creeks as he blocks blow after blow. As soon as the last of them are defeated, the party stands exhausted.*

  Rodrick: My axe isn’t going to take much more. *Looks at Emma.* What’s the time?

  *Emma closes her eyes and listens. Her ears twitch, and she opens her eyes again.*

  Emma: We still have an hour before sunrise.

  *Emma uses a gust of wind to block a surprise acid ball. It splatters around, just missing the party. Everyone stands up, ready to fight with what they have left. Canda begins chanting to the spirits, and the party's exhaustion quickly fades. Bohater continues crushing them one by one as Emma picks up the carapace of one of the corpses.*

  Rodrick: Hey, Night Warden! What are you doing?! Get over here!

  Emma: If it’s from below, if we apply heat to it.

  *The carapace starts to glow, and Emma quickly drops it. Waving her hand violently.*

  Lily: Okay? What was that for?

  Emma(TL): Remember what Hakhir taught us?

  Lily and Emma: Glowing insects are weaker once cooled.

  *Emma places her hands on the ground. As the area heats up, the Aphisects start glowing.*

  Emma: Don’t touch them yet!

  *Emma quickly reverses the temperature, and the Aphisects freeze. Their bodies crack, leaving them greatly weakened. Emma passes out, waking up a few hours later with a group of gnomes all clad in armor as the Gnomish army arrives to clear the infestation. A Gnome wearing white armor and a bronze helmet with a pillowy top.*

  Gnome: I hear you’re to thank for figuring out how to deal with the pests?

  Emma: *Panic* Where is Lily?!

  *Lily looks up, snacking from a bowl.*

  Gnomish: We offered her food. Hemlock informed me it might help you. But where are my manners? *Clears throat* I am Grt (Grit) Captain of the 16th pest control battalion.

  Emma: Pts and Spt told me they’re a known pest. Speaking of. Where is my party?

  Grt: Yes and no. These appear to be a new variant. As for your party, they are offering their aid to clear the rest of the area. The queen hasn’t been located as of yet, though.

  Emma: Good. *Grt looks confused* You can’t use that same tactic on the royalty. It just enhances them.

  *A loud and screeching roar cries through the tunnels, and Grt looks panicked.*

  Grt: Shit.

  Emma: *stands up.* Alright. Thank you for feeding Lily.

  *Lily hops over to Emma, she climbs up to her ear and takes her place, letting out an audible sigh afterward.*

  Lily: I feel sooooooo much better.

  Emma(TL): I’ll say. I can feel the weight difference.

  Lily: That just means I can help bring you back down when your ego inflates.

  Emma: *Irritated* We should get moving, though. The Queen can separate.

  *Bohater flies by, locked in combat against a slender Insectoid. Emma and Grt look in astonishment, not fully sure what they just saw.*

  Grt: I’m fully aware. But your boy seems to have her distracted. We should go help at the Nursery.

  *Reaching the royal chambers, eggs of all different stages cover the room. Gnomes and the party all work together to crush the pests, all unfazed by the burst of elements. Emma uses her blades to destroy the rest of the eggs, releasing only a few as a result. A massive engorged egg sac sits in the center of the room, spitting out new fully grown Aphiscet soldiers quickly one by one, shrinking as each leaves. As the last of the Aphisects are exterminated, everyone cheers.*

  Grt: Now let’s see about helping the human with the queen!

  *leaving the tunnels, they’re met with blinding light from above as parts of the canopy have been torn apart from Bohater’s battle. Fires have broken out in multiple locations, and rocks fall from above as Queen’s body produces fire vents to enhance her speed. Emma looks around in terror as the gnomes attempt in vain to save the jungle. Emma rushes back into the tunnels, and Canda follows her out of caution. Reaching the depths of the tunnels, Emma runs until she notices her breath from the cold air and smiles. Canda catches up soon after.*

  Canda: *Out of breath* What are you looking for? *Shivers* And why is this area so cold?

  Emma: Because.

  *Emma creates a ball of water and carries it around until it starts to freeze.*

  Emma: The hives' tunnels near their water source tend to freeze up due to the temperature difference. But they always make sure to have the tunnels built in a way to drain the water and work as an emergency purge.

  Canda: Why didn’t they use it now?

  *Emma uncovers a patch of ice. Covered by a thicker clump of dirt.*

  Emma: Because they tried. But it was frozen. I assume they invaded because their water source froze over. We can figure that out later, though.

  Canda: and this was just the beginning of the cold season.

  Emma: Exactly. I hate bugs. So I made sure to read up on more of them.

  Canda: Is that why you spent all day reading while we traveled?

  Emma: Yup. An old habit from when I was your age.

  Lily: Only because Arie reminded you.

  Emma(TL): Shush. *Smiles*

  *Emma heats the ice until it starts to crack. She turns to Canda, and they both sprint to the exit where the water spews out, extinguishing the fires, but also flooding the ravine. Insectoids of all shapes and sizes scatter away, burrowing for safety. The gnomes latch onto one another like a raft to keep themselves from sinking and allowing them to reach safety without too many casualties. Emma regroups with the party, watching Bohater exchanging blows with the queen. Both show no sign of giving up, creating tidal waves upon the shore as they collide.*