The journey back to the den was mostly uneventful. Since we had left only shortly after midday, I figured that we would make it to the den a couple of hours after sundown. Regardless of the length of time we would spend on the march, the swarm was generally excited about the successful campaign we had carried out, and most carried some amount of food to continue gorging themselves on. I didn't share this same excitement. Instead, I thought about what I needed to do moving forward. I had made the decision that once the currently laid eggs were hatched we would leave, heading east, towards where Old Nievtra was supposedly to be found. The extermination of this village had both extended the grace period for us to do so and firmly cemented the reality that our days in our current den were numbered.

Nonetheless, there were innumerable plans and ideas that needed to be completed and fully fleshed out before that action could be taken, and I lost myself in that planning. It was while I was thinking about how to ensure our mass migration was successful that Sybil approached me and gently leaned into me as we both maintained our steady lope towards our home.

"You regret what we did today." She spoke softly, quiet enough to ensure none of the swarm could overhear her.

I started and turned to look at her. I'd been about to provide some sort of excuse to her when she cocked her head to the side, as if to say "Don't." I sighed and replied, "Regret is the wrong word."

"What do you mean?"

"I absolutely consider our actions today to have been necessary. Our choices were to either flee immediately and leave all the weak behind, or slaughter the humans and give ourselves more time to retreat."

"Why do you say that retreat is necessary no matter what?"

I hesitated for a moment and considered my response, then decided to tell as much of the truth as I could and looked Sybil in the eye, "They are a part of a nation, a large collection of creatures that protect each other. Many times larger than many of our swarms. The Earthspeaker we saw two days ago, the human covered in stone, is no noteworthy character among the powerful Speakers in this nation, and we have bared our fangs at the nation. Thus, they will retaliate with great force and in great numbers in the interest of exterminating us."

Sybil thought for a moment. "But, they intended to kill us all. We were never the aggressors, the humans simply decided that our mere existence was an affront to them and tried to wipe us out to the last. We replied in kind. They began a fight they could not win. If a hunting pack marches into the territory of a murder of terrorbirds and end up dead, we have learned that they are a foe to respect and will treat them accordingly. The humans tried to hunt us and ended as prey. Therefore, we should be a respected foe." She turned her head to me quizzically. "Are we not?"

I suddenly found myself at the crux of the problem. "No, we aren't. Instead, we are seen as a pest, and a dangerous one. We aren't seen as… as a people, but as a beast, lower than them."

"We considered the wolfstags lower than us, but I feel this is a different consideration."

I nodded and Sybil looked at me as I continued, "If we found a colony of ants attempting to break into our eggs and eat what is inside, we wouldn't see them as a worthy or respected foe for destroying one or two eggs. Instead, we would root out every one of them, destroy their queens, and ensure that they could never rise again."

Sybil slowly nodded in comprehension. "Are the humans' numbers so great and their strength so powerful?"

I nodded back.

Sybil mulled it over, then smiled at me. "Then, it is our responsibility to acquire personhood in their eyes. And, if they still refuse to grant it to us," Her smile shifted to a predatory grin, "Then we will take it."

"And that takes me to my not-quite-regret of the actions of today. The humans are intelligent, and I am sorry that I caused and witnessed real emotional bereavement to them. However," I let steel slip into my voice, "if I need to step over the bodies and wade through the blood of intelligent creatures to ensure that my swarm is safe and thriving, I will do so, and not just today, but again and again. I will stain myself whatever color necessary to ensure that me and mine are the final victors."

Sybil looked me in the eye and fervently whispered, "Victory. By Fang, and Blood."

Behind me, I heard Rulac's approving voice, "Forged in war and tempered in blood, I follow."

I hadn't realized he'd overheard our conversation and turned to look at him. Different from his laconic posture and bearing from this afternoon, Rulac stood tall and proud, nearly able to look me in the eye, even with his much more hunched posture. He continued, "I gave my approval for you to be swarm Alpha yesterday, but today I give you my approval to be the subject of the Alqat's attention and protection.Your existence is elevating those around you, and I foresee your elevation to Keel. Therefore, I acknowledge you as the one who will be Zaaktif."

I nodded slowly and Sybil looked curiously between me and Rulac. Finally, she couldn't take it any longer, "So what is a Zaaktif? Or Keel for that matter?"

Rulac looked at me and his demeanor changed again, back to his casual self, saying, "You tell her, big man."

I thought about it for a second, then looked at her, "I'll make sure that any and all who have grown to be a khatif… or, like me, get the opportunity to witness Second's teachings about Old Nievtra, Nievtala, the Keel and the Zaaktif. Just wait until we get home."

She sighed, "Then I guess our promise for tonight is off." then picked up the pace and somehow sauntered while running off into the dark jungle that surrounded us.

Rulac chuckled, "That's why I haven't settled down. Good luck!" and disappeared into the forest.

I wasn't sure how I felt about this overarching levity, considering the slaughter that had taken place today, but I still could smile about the foreseeable future, and I considered that to be enough for today.