Inside the fortress, the clang of mandibles and the pounding of hardened feet echoed across the stone floors. Dozens of grasshoppers dashed through the dim-lit corridors, their long limbs moving with precision. Each one carried their deadly mandibles — four in arm— sharpened and stained from years of use. Their gleaming eyes narrowed with determination as they prepared to face the infiltrators.
"Be on guard," barked one of the squad leaders, a broad-chested insect with a deep scar running across his thorax. "All of them are strong enough to take us on and hold their own."
"Yes, sir!" the others responded in unison, never breaking stride as they scattered into branching hallways and platforms above.
Moments later, silence fell.
From behind a jagged stone wall, a pair of antennae twitched cautiously. Then a head emerged.
"Looks like the coast is finally clear," Beatrice whispered, her voice steady but alert. Her sharp eyes scanned the passage ahead, calculating every turn and shadow.
"Well now," came Lily's voice from just behind her, tone playful, "that's very good. At least we didn't encounter any of them so far or we'd be in big trouble, that's for sure."
She grinned cheekily, only half-serious, though her antennae flicked with awareness.
Behind her, Isla trembled. Her breath came in shallow gasps. Her heart pounded so loudly it almost drowned out her thoughts.
"These grasshoppers... are no joke," she murmured, barely audible. "Four arms, four mandibles, hard skin... there's no way I can defeat them, not at my rank..."
Her voice shivered, nearly breaking.
Lily turned, her grin widening at the sight of Isla's visible panic. "Oh, come on," she said teasingly.
Without warning, she poked Isla right in the belly.
"Eep!" Isla nearly squeaked in surprise, jerking back.
But Lily was quick — she clapped her hand over Isla's mouth, eyes twinkling mischievously. "Shhh. You don't want our cover to be blown, do you?" she whispered, then gave a quiet, teasing laugh. "Try to calm down, Isla. I know they look terrifying, but if we sneak around quietly, we can get past them for sure."
Isla nodded slowly, though her eyes remained wide with fear.
Lily softened her tone just a bit. "Look, it's better that we don't engage with them directly unless we have to. The average grasshopper is practically a Lieutenant-level threat."
"A... Lieutenant-level threat?" Isla repeated, her voice rising in dread.
"Meaning a Lieutenant could take them down without breaking a sweat," Lily explained. "But us? As Corporals, we can still handle them — just takes a bit more style and precision."
Beatrice finally turned her gaze toward Isla, calm and serious. "In the event of an attack, you must be prepared and fearless. Remember what all our training was for. Trust in it. Trust in yourself, that's the only way you'll survive."
Isla swallowed hard, then gave a shaky nod. "Right… thanks, Lily. Beatrice."
"Good," Beatrice said. "Now then, let's move out."
They crept forward through the labyrinth of stone, sticking to the shadows. Their antennae twitched, picking up vibrations. The smell of moss, metal, and insect pheromones was thick in the air. Every turn was a gamble.
Then, without warning, two grasshoppers dropped from a ledge above.
The trio froze as the enemies landed before them with a heavy thud. Both grasshoppers towered over the ants, green carapaces glinting, limbs twitching in anticipation. Their four arms flexed, each gripping a jagged mandible blade.
"There they are," one hissed, mandibles pointing toward Isla.
The other lunged.
With lightning reflexes, Lily intercepted the first one. She ducked low, her smaller frame zipping beneath its sweeping blow. Her mandibles met its lower right blade with a sharp clang. She twisted her body sideways, dragging the enemy's arm off-balance, then delivered a spinning kick to its abdomen, forcing it back.
Beatrice stepped forward, graceful and composed. The second grasshopper slashed with all four arms in a coordinated flurry. But Beatrice's eyes were calm — she weaved between each attack with minimal movement, sidestepping the final strike before stepping in. She slammed one of her own mandibles against the incoming blade, deflecting it, then pivoted and struck the grasshopper's knee joint.
The insect staggered.
Isla stood frozen, watching with her back pressed to the wall. Her legs refused to move.
Lily continued to dance around her opponent, blindingly fast. The grasshopper slashed in wide arcs, furious at her evasiveness, but each time Lily moved just a fraction ahead — a blur of motion, her antennae fluttering with every twist.
She finally leaped onto her opponent's arm, ran up its shoulder, and slammed both her mandibles down into the weak point at the base of its uppermost limb. With a roar, the grasshopper collapsed.
Meanwhile, Beatrice had forced her opponent into a corner. Calm and precise, she deflected two more strikes before kicking the insect's weapon out of its hand with a well-timed sweep. With a swift jab of her mandibles, she disarmed the other two limbs, then delivered a crushing blow to its chest that sent it tumbling to the floor.
Both enemies were unconscious.
Isla's jaw dropped.
"They… they're amazing," she whispered. "They're Corporals… and they didn't even get hurt…"
Lily dusted off her hands and flashed a wink. "Told you. Style and precision."
"Earth to Isla," Beatrice said quietly, already checking the hallway ahead. "We're still in the opening. Let's move."
Isla snapped out of her awe and scrambled to follow.
But then — a presence.
A shadow flickered across the hallway wall. The air shifted. Isla's eyes widened as a blur zipped between her and the Corporals.
Beatrice turned — just in time.
CLANG!
A devastating blow collided with her raised mandibles. The sheer force sent her skidding back, then crashing into the far wall of the corridor. She hit the ground with a heavy thud, the stone cracking under her body.
"Beatrice!" Isla cried out.
Lily spun in place, having narrowly evaded the strike herself. Dust filled the hallway.
Out of the smoke stepped a tall, broad figure — lean, sharp-eyed, and adorned in blackened carapace. Her limbs were more refined than the average grasshopper's, and her mandibles gleamed in the dim-lit area.
"I see," she said, her voice laced with condescension and disappointment. "Looks like I stumbled on the weaklings of the invasion team."
Isla backed up, panic rising again. "I-Isn't that… one of Hopper's generals?" she stammered.
The general smiled coldly.
Lily didn't answer. Her expression had changed.
The teasing, charismatic energy that usually danced in her eyes was gone. Now, there was only silence… and killing intent.
Isla shivered. She had never seen this side of Lily. It was like a different ant stood in front of her now — one carved from fire and vengeance.
The general grinned. "Well now… at least one of you might make this fight a little less boring."
But Lily didn't rise to the bait. She simply lowered into a stance, mandibles gleaming under the light, poised and silent.
The corridor was heavy with tension.
Beatrice stirred from the rubble, coughing slightly as she stood, her calm demeanor intact despite the impact.
The general's smile widened.
"Let's see what your little team is made of," she said, backing away into the shadows again, disappearing down the corridor.
For now.