yO~

Let me know if you like how the story is going.

Thanks and Enjoy!

Chapter : 8 - Who we are. Part - 1

Another day had passed in the real world, three in the virtual world. Dan and Crimson called it a day after having levelled the land to hold its harsh memories. They had learned to use their new found abilities and also levelled up their skills quite a bit during their friendly bout, and they promised to never do it again when the elders look at them with questioning stares. Dan was unable to understand the blank looks the ants were giving them, but Crimson understood and promised in his stead as well.

Karen and Nel had travelled far deep into the root system of the tree, but the numerous roots went far and deep in the ground, leading to dead ends. They searched every root until exhaustion and kept up their strength with the glowing mushrooms until mental exhaustion came over and they logged out.

Crimson came to know from the elders that only three fourth of the hive agreed to march while the other one fourth have decided to further build the hive above the ground, they do not want to abandon the colony. He didn't want to force anyone into a decision and accepted theirs. It was raining currently and asked everyone to get ready by the first sign of sun.

The march was quick and organized, Dan was amazed by the militarised efficiency of the ants. It officially was an army counting.. "It's 3451 ants alone in total, not including me.", said Crimson when Dan asked him. Dan looked at all the different types of ants, he lost count the many types, he saw a bunch of blind ants which could not look over few meters beyond them, they are called the army ants and they worked as a group and a very efficient group, for the most part, except they are a bit rowdy, but they always were in line when Crimson looked back at them. Dan could only wonder what happened there.

They soon reached the Panthera tribe, but it was not the type of welcome Crimson or Dan was expecting. Dan was not sure why Crimson had the creepy look of a smile on his face. Unknown to him Sheen had rallied up the other rebellious lot of over 50 pantheras and tried to overpower the ants, but seeing the massive count, they jumped at Crimson, who knew from the start about their presence. He sidestepped with precise movements and piled up the cats.

"What do you think you are doing?!!!", roared Dan at Sheen and at the others, which left them stunned for a few seconds. Sheen was the least affected either by his anger or mental fortitude.

"We will not give over the control over the pack, you do not have any right, I, we don't care even if you are the guardian."

Dan was furious over their words, but Crimson stepped forward, "He is not taking over you tribe, I am, if you want to take over, try. ". He looked at Dan and nodded, to which Dan looked at the others in pity and back at Crimson nodding in reply.

Sheen knew he would not be able to overpower Dan seeing that they were too much of a disadvantage with size and power, but the ant was smaller than him and even though his nose tells him to get away, he thought, "It's a bug and I'm gonna squish him.".

Crimson looked around at his army and they moved behind with precision, such that they cleared the ground for Sheen and himself. Dan also moved to the sides. No one spoke or moved as they both stood motionless. Dan was sure why, Crimson never made the first move, he stood and let them attack, looking like he is in a unprotected stance, but no one would ever touch him.

Sheen got tired of waiting, jumped at Crimson, who still stood motionless. Time moved slowly for Sheen as he flung his fangs at the red ant, who stood motionless with a glimmer in his eyes. As he landed hoping to see the ant squished under is paws, he is confused, turning back he finds the ant standing still with his back towards him. Sheen was furious seeing his back towards him and dashed at him with his paws, but they missed. He can see that the ant is still standing at the same place and didn't move, but he was unable to hit him.

The onlookers were confused as well, Sheen was missing by a small margin, if he had moved a millimeter forward, he would have touched the ant, but he always missed. Slash after slash and pounce after pounce, the ant moved slowly and never touched the sabertooth cat. Dan looked at Crimson in awe as he had never seen Crimson fight from a far, the way he moved was precise and calculated, he never thought someone could be so quick in their reaction, wondering if Crimson in real life was a martial artist or if the game had enhanced his senses so much, to do these wonders.

Sheen was humiliated by Crimson by not even lifting his claws at him, but more by the fact that he always seemed to miss his attacks.

Growing weary and short of breath, he continued his relentless onslaught, until he heard, "I believe it's long enough." and he after a few seconds found himself falling on top of the tree. He did not understand, how, all he remembered was pouncing at the ant, but rather than falling towards the ground, he met with the tree and fell to the ground hard. Sheen had barely any strength after the fall to stand, but the bloodthirst emitted by him was making everyone's hair stand.

"I... will ... squash you!!!", Sheen muttered as he jumped towards Crimson. Crimson moved a bit aside, but this time it was different, he was struck by the sabertooth who was on his last breath ad the impact left the ant swatted towards the ground. Everyone were stunned by this, even Crimson, he did not understand how the sabertooth was able to reach him, he was disoriented, but before he could gather this thoughts, he was flung towards another tree.

A reign of cheers and awe were among the gathered, Dan was one of the first to be at awe, he had never seen Crimson under the effect of a bloodthirst snare. The window was probably put on everyone who were gathered seeing Sheen, but probably Crimson had a greater debuff as it was directed at him.

Warning!!

You are impacted by murderous intent around. If you have witnessed the act, your reaction and reflexes are dampened by the atmosphere.

Sheen was relentless in his assault, but Crimson slowly started to recover from his sluggishness, probably because Sheen was slowing down or Crimson was able to overcome the presence against him. He had never felt such a presence against him, but he couldn't let the fight go on anymore as it could affect the morale of his army. He struck at Sheen during his next body slam, he moved forward and lifted Sheen's legs as he fell in great speed and flipped him over on his back, face first, this left Sheen knocked out and everyone around in awe, even Dan.

Crimson was not at his best, he had lost 40% of his hp, but this was his first time actually having difficulty in a fight. He admired Sheen for his instincts, which were better than Dans, who was clearly stronger in terms of statistics.

He slowly went back to talk with the elders of the Panthera tribe, but the other players who until a few moments ago were cheering Sheen were accusing Crimson of somehow having cheated from the beginning of the fight. They rushed towards Sheen and slowly licked at his wounds, this improved his appearance slowly. The ant players were getting weary after seeing the fight and wanted to show their skills as well, but the ant elders made sure no one went beyond control. A few gazes from Crimson and Dan also did the trick.

The army rested as it rained, fogged and when started to clear, Sheen was not seen. On enquiring it was found that he had left as soon as he got up and said he will not interfere with the army or its plans and left with his streak. There was no victory slogans or defeat, the Panthera elders submitted themselves to be added to the ranks of the army awaiting further instructions. Crimson and Dan had to log off, so they decided the army to camp at the Panthera forest and said they would have a meeting in a few days, but before Crimson and Dan left, they and everyone in the island felt it.