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Inside the command tent Mia gathered her main squad (now six: Kai, Fenn, two spear ants, shield ant Brask, mystic healer Jun). She laid a new map gleaned from captured beasts prisoners of the desert.
"Tunnel line here leads to the desert ruler's treasure vault," she explained. "We will collect all the treasures before Vanguard Spear steals credit. At dusk we will enter the underground tunnel. This is the queen's order."
Kai raised his hand. "These routes are unstable. Earthquakes from the battle intensify all the underground paths. We must keep proper tools and mark our exit route."
Mia tapped the board. "Agreed. Kai will scout ahead again. Your instinct saves lives. You already entered the tunnel twice. You can be our guide."
He saluted Mia. And with the weight of the Ruler's egg, he felt a curious warmth inside him. It was like a heartbeat at his core.
A few hours later…
