[Chapter 11]

  ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ??

  KiAera and Liozel stepped out of their respective {Portals}. A constant buzzing hummed in the air.

  She and Liozel could have easily emerged in the Queen's hive, but even KiAera had the decency to respect the sanctity of personal space, especially when it came to a creature like Zesza, who would cut through any sense of diplomacy with her ferocity. Instead, she chose to arrive a few blocks away, careful to remain unnoticed amidst the crowd. Liozel stayed close, clearly sensing the tension, his tail swaying nervously.

  "We'll head toward the capitol," KiAera ensured her tone was gentle. "I need to speak with Zesza."

  "But what about the ManaNet?" Liozel asked. "What if—"

  "Trust me," she said, feeling a flicker of anxiety churning in her gut. "I'll handle this. Just keep an eye out for any trouble, okay?" She knelt down and cradled the boy in the crook of her arm.

  Nodding, Liozel took his position and wrapped his arms around her as they traversed the edge of the bustling square, where the crowd's excitement mingled with apprehension. KiAera darted through the throngs of bug-like creatures, her wings flapping against her back as she and Liozel soared skyward into the crackling forest.

  To KiAera, everything in the Vesperia capital was so hexagonal, golden, and structured that it sent ripples of discomfort surging down her spine.

  It was not that she hated the idea of being in an insectoid-dominant habitat; rather, she loathed the depths of the holes. She scorned the thought of being among bugs even more.

  Perhaps she was slightly dishonest about her disdain for insects. Butterflies, ladybugs, and other such creatures made for excellent company. Childhood memories resurfaced as she recalled collecting them when she was little. She only disliked bothersome flying insects, particularly the harmful ones that had darn awful stings!

  In her past life, she had suffered more stings than she would like to admit, leaving her with a deep-seated aversion to all things winged and buzzing, especially when they were as large as the Voltwasps that danced around the hive plaza. Why did these bugs have to be as big as horses?

  "Big Sis, is everything okay?" Liozel's usual tone of excitement faded into concern as he must have sensed her rising nerves.

  "All's good." KiAera gave him a smile to ease his worry, but deep down, she acknowledged that her expression was dishonest. She almost scowled when a Voltwasp in a black and gold maid outfit approached.

  She was aghast when Liozel dug his hand into a jar of honey provided by the wasp maiden, scooped the mass into his mouth, and KiAera groaned at the thought of how nonchalant the kid could be in these situations.

  "Liozel," she chastised softly, but the warm, sticky substance glistening on his face told her that her warning had fallen on deaf ears.

  The maid smiled, her wings fluttering with a delicate grace, and gestured for more patrons to approach. "It's the finest honey from the central hive! Sweet enough to ease any worries," she chimed.

  "I appreciate that, but we have to keep moving," KiAera insisted, her eyes scanning their surroundings for any sign of Yzarluzz III's followers. That menace could have sent subordinates into Zesza's domain for negotiations to convince the Queen to side with him. The last thing KiAera needed was for Zesza to be distracted from the impending negotiations by an influx of spies or, worse, an assassination attempt.

  Liozel, oblivious to her mounting distress, chirped happily, "But wait, Can we just try a little more? Just a taste?" The boy's eyes sparkled with the kind of innocent joy that made it difficult for KiAera to stay irritated.

  Her thumb brushed against his cheek, wiping away the sap that was dripping there. She took a sniff at it and acknowledged that it was harmless.

  "Just take a jar of honey with you," she relented, but even as she did, she tugged on Liozel's arm to hurry him along as he greedily reached for another. There was no time to linger; every moment spent next to the honey vendors increased the chances of attracting unwanted attention.

  They pressed on, the sounds of the square fading behind them as they navigated through narrow alleys lined with peculiar structures that resembled oversized beehives. The smell of nectar hung sweetly in the air, mingling with the earthy aroma of moss and earth. KiAera could almost hear the heart of the capitol thrumming beneath her feet.

  "Do you think Zesza will listen to us?" Liozel asked as they turned the corner and approached a grand structure that towered above them, its fa?ade glistening like honeycomb.

  "I have to believe she will," KiAera replied, taking a deep breath to steady her nerves. "She respects strength, and we need to convince her that aligning with us is in her best interest."

  "But I've heard from Wazeke that Yzarluzz III is strong," Liozel pointed out, his brow furrowing. "What if Zesza thinks he's even stronger?”

  KiAera frowned. She was familiar with Wazeke, as the Voltwasp Prince was her close friend and one of Denji's mentors. Wazeke's father was Yzarluzz III, who may not have been as powerful as Yzarluzz Sr., but he was no force to be trifled with in his own right. Certainly, with his father's demise, Yzarluzz III would have the backing of his father's loyalists, not to mention the sheer might of the insectoid armies at his command. Numbers always seemed to tip the scales in favor of Yzarluzz III, whereas KiAera's forces were made up of disparate allies, more akin to a guild than an army.

  "That's why I have to make her see that our cause is more than just power. It's about survival—for all of us."

  Before Liozel could respond, a low rumble echoed through the air. The vibrations underfoot intensified, causing KiAera to tense. A shadow passed overhead, and she instinctively looked up.

  The sky was momentarily darkened by the beat of a massive set of wings. A Monarch, one of Zesza's most trusted sentinels, swooped down and hovered gracefully before them. Her iridescent wings shimmered with every color of the rainbow, and her compound eyes glinted with scrutiny.

  "State your business, intruders," the Monarch demanded, her voice stern and commanding. KiAera pressed her lips together, reminding herself that despite the attitude of this woman, she had come here with peaceful intentions.

  "Stand down, Monuzica," a familiar voice said gently.

  The Monarch relaxed as another Voltswasp approached.

  "Lady KiAera, Lord Liozel, this way." A humble Waspian guard hovered into their path and performed a gesture equivalent to a curtsy before her.

  He was adorable in the same way a bear cub is fluffy and gentle, almost endearing despite his fierce visage. His golden, albeit graying, exoskeleton glimmered as he pointed toward the hive's entrance.

  KiAera shot a glare at Monuzica, then steeled herself, squaring her shoulders.

  Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author's preferred platform and support their work!

  "Thank you, Tzarduzz," she managed, feeling the weight of her impending confrontation with Zesza lingering at the forefront of her mind. However, another thought emerged as she wondered if the queen had been anticipating her arrival by sending such a high-ranking official to chaperone the two of them.

  As they followed the guard through the sleek, hexagonal corridors of the hive, the electric buzz heightened, and she could just make out the raucous voices of the Voltwaspian nobles. Gilbud was in the main chamber, still attempting to intercede with Queen Zesza, who loomed over like a storm cloud ready to unleash its fury.

  "Your offer does not suit we!" Zesza boomed. "You think we would exchange our autonomy for a mere conduit of gossip? Our communication is fine as it is!"

  KiAera felt a pang of frustration. If only she could connect with Zesza mentally to reassure her that the ManaNet was safe—but the queen had always been firm in retaining her province's independence.

  KiAera had specifically tested the frequencies with several other species that might have been sensitive to the mana-magnetic wavelengths, even going above and beyond until her researchers and architects had ironed out the concerns about interference. Even Zesza's son, Hive Prince Wazeke, had been involved in the clinical trials. But it seemed Zesza's pride was as unyielding as her will.

  "Mrs. Zesza can be quite uppity," Liozel whispered. "But she's not a bad person… I'm sure she'll understand once you explain everything."

  "Where did you learn such a word?" KiAera glanced down at her brother, startled. She quickly waved away the thought; perhaps he had been hanging around Xetra or Skadi a little too much. "She has to," she insisted, although uncertainty gnawed at her for even deciding to collaborate with Zesza in the first place. She had come to negotiate, not to fight, and she needed Zesza to see the ManaNet's value.

  If that meant appealing to her sense of community and cooperation, she would do just that.

  They reached the entrance of the grand throne chamber, where beams of artificial sunlight filtered through glowing amber crystals embedded in the walls, illuminating the room.

  "Please… wait here," Tzarduzz instructed, his voice trembling slightly at the edges before he disappeared into the dense throng of wasps that swarmed around, attending to various tasks.

  KiAera glanced around as she contemplated the task ahead. She had prepared herself to persuade Zesza, yet the queen's reputation loomed over her like a heavy shroud. A creature of formidable strength and sharp intellect, Zesza had ruled Vesperia for decades, and her ferocity in protecting her hive was legendary. This was the last thing KiAera needed; an obstinate queen facing off against her vision for the development of the new ManaNet.

  KiAera recalled her first encounter with Zesza's hive and suppressed the proud yet awkward smile that threatened to creep onto her face. She remembered how she had subdued Zesza's forces after they audaciously attacked the Chimeron Sanctum during its infancy. Perhaps the queen still held a grudge against her.

  The darn petty wasp may not have forgotten that day, and as much as KiAera wanted to dismiss the past, instincts told her to tread lightly.

  Deep breaths, KiAera. Focus.

  "Big Sis, I'll bite her firmly if she tries to throw us out!" Liozel's voice broke through her spiraling thoughts.

  "Lio, no biting," she chuckled, gently bouncing him in her arms. It had taken a great deal of effort to break him out of that terrible habit when he was a toddler. Fortunately, the Liorex boy only ever chomped on objects and never on monsterfolk. Except during fights, which was unfortunately acceptable. "She might not like us very much, but we need to trust that she understands the importance of this alliance." Her voice was reassuring, though she felt a tightness in her chest.

  As she gazed upward at the enormous doors of the throne chamber, her heart sank even further. She hadn't yet entered the main chamber, but her enhanced vision allowed her to see Queen Zesza's antennae quivering ominously as Tzarbuzz spoke with her. The swarm of Voltwasps encircling Zesza was rapidly losing patience, their buzzing escalating into a furious hum.

  It was a sight to behold—this stark contrast between the queen and her subjects. There stood Queen Zesza, a tall and stunning woman in spiked heels that could probably double as weapons in a high-stakes game of footsie. Yet, despite her striking appearance, her personality seemed to have been left behind in a land of perpetual scorn, perhaps lost among the cushions of her great throne, where charm and empathy clearly went to die.

  The only reason Zesza had chosen to evolve into her current appearance was that monsters in this realm, especially an overly competitive one like Zesza, took imitation as the ultimate form of flattery to the extreme. For some reason, the humanoid shape had become such a common byproduct of Zeldritzonian monsters' evolution that unrelated organisms converged into this form when it suited them, regardless of their disparate origins. It was both fascinating and disconcerting.

  Above anything else, it was absolutely because Zesza saw KiAera's human form as a source of envy. It took one envious look and a training session that left half the hive in tatters for the queen to decide that a humanoid shape would project authority more efficiently than her original one. KiAera sensed that the choice lingered in Zesza's posture even now, because the queen carried herself with a brittle pride that suggested she still felt the need to prove something.

  A moment later, Tzarduzz returned, bowing low to gesture them inside. KiAera took one step forward, and the doors slammed shut behind him.

  "The queen will not see you," he declared.

  KiAera froze on the spot and felt the words strike her like a sudden drop in altitude, yet she kept her posture steady.

  She stepped forward anyway, since retreating would imply that she accepted the queen's refusal without question. "Did she say why?" She kept her tone soft so Liozel wouldn't hear the sting behind it.

  Tzarduzz lowered his gaze. "She claims the decision is final, and she believes the ManaNet will weaken her hive."

  KiAera inhaled slowly to prevent her thoughts from scattering under the growing hum of agitation. She glanced toward the throne chamber and saw the Voltwaspian royal guards in the corridor tense, as if fearful that she might force her way through.

  She considered it for a brief moment because she could, but ultimately chose restraint, knowing that violence would fracture the fragile trust she had tried to foster. She had to be an example for Liozel and for the people counting on her. And she didn't want with Monuzica annoying abilities for the third time.

  Liozel tugged on her sleeve. "Big Sis, we came all this way!"

  "I know," she said, and she brushed her fingers over his knuckles… grounding him helped her stay grounded too. She turned back to Tzarduzz and studied the fine tremors that ran across his wings. "Tell me the truth. Is she afraid the ManaNet will expose weakness? Or does this have anything to do with Yzarluzz's death?"

  The guard hesitated, and his silence confirmed her suspicion. Silence from a loyal servant held more truth than excuses.

  KiAera nodded once. "Then she is reacting out of fear, not reason, and fear can be redirected."

  Liozel blinked up at her. "How do we redirect a queen?"

  "We remind her that choosing isolation is more dangerous than sharing strength." KiAera stepped past Tzarduzz. "Tell the queen," —she would storm inside and snap her denial to pieces— "that I understand her concerns," KiAera said. "But the ManaNet is not a threat; it can elevate her hive's status among the other species in the area and provide them with a means to communicate effectively. They won't have to rely solely on their natural methods or risk missing vital information." Particularly if an assault by Yzarluzz III is enacted.

  Tzarduzz shifted uneasily, his wings flitting restlessly as he absorbed her words. "Your intentions are noble, Lady KiAera, but we are creatures of instinct! The queen is apprehensive, and she views this alliance as a potential infringement on her autonomy."

  "Is there no way to resolve this?" KiAera pressed, her voice steadier than she felt. She stepped closer, lowering her gaze to meet Tzarduzz's. She needed him to understand her sincerity.

  "I know what it feels like to be misunderstood, and I swear on my honor that I will not allow the ManaNet to disrupt the Voltwasps' way of life. My only desire is to connect—"

  Before she could finish, a familiar, contemptuous voice echoed from within the chamber. "Enough! What is this incessant jabbering about threats to my autonomy? Are you truly so naive? Guards take this foolish elephant to the dungeons—NOW!"

  "Yo! Please don't!" Gilbud cried.

  KiAera's heart sank as she recognized the tone of her friend's anguish. Ignoring Tzarduzz and the Royal Voltwaspian guards, she burst into the central chamber where the negotiations were taking place, her heart racing with irritation.

  The doors swung open, revealing the queen framed by her throne, resplendent yet imposing. Her gown, trimmed with fur and sharply accentuating her curves, glimmered under the amber light; however, her expression was nothing short of icy.

  "Your silence speaks volumes, Zesza," KiAera remarked, forcing herself to remain calm, fully aware of the danger in showing weakness to such a queen-like monster.

  As KiAera floated forward into the room, the warm glow from the honeycomb-lit ceiling illuminated the figures in the air. The silhouettes of the Voltwaspian nobles trembled as they began to bicker among themselves while she hovered toward the Queen, resolute in her determination to end this nonsense.

  "Is… isn't she the Chimeron Sanctum Chief?" one of the larger Voltwasps buzzed, anxiety evident in its voice.

  "In-indeed it is—that's KiAera the Phantom Chimera!" another chimed in, a hint of awe mingling with the fear in his voice.

  "Don't tell me she's here to burn down our hive again?!" a third squeaked, its wings trembling with apprehension.

  "Hush," another ordered sharply, glancing nervously at KiAera. "I heard her ears are sharp, and she comprehends our language. But… Queen Zesza has indeed provoked her ire again by withholding the WananaNet's activation…" It lowered its voice, as if afraid of being overheard.

  Darn it—it's called the ManaNet! KiAera screamed internally. "Zesza! We have to talk."