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The forest above the Crimson Nest was unnaturally silent. There were no birds. No wind. Only a low, rhythmic thump… like the beat of a distant drum muffled in mud.
Inside her personal rest chamber, Akayoroi's antennae twitched twice, then it got frozen in mid air. Her hands paused just above a cluster of larvae she was adjusting.
She smelled it again. Pheromones of Foreign species. It felt Wet and Foul.
"Seal the eggs, they are our brother and sister, they are our only hope, we must protect them." she commanded.
Her elite escorts, two sleek warriors with stinger scythe-like arms moved without a sound.
Akayoroi stood there. Her eyes narrowed toward the upper tunnel. The scent wasn't just foreign. It felt like they were here hunting.
Less than two minutes passed before the bark at the forest floor cracked like a ribcage splitting open.
THUMP!
