On our way to escape, we start discussing in the carriage what just happened.

(C)

(E)

(C)

Right.

Formicean tunnel wars don't know this kind of teamplay finesse while in battle.

However, it worries me deeply that they might be able to overcome our defensive waypoint.

(E)

(C)

(E)

(C)

I might not have given Chera enough credit.

She seems to be far more intelligent than I thought, devising complex strategies in such a stressful situation.

Suddenly, some of the hunters Chera sent forward as scouts come running back.

Their pheromones are transporting a picture of a cave-in, right in front of us, as well as a stronger impression of the scent of humans, yet without having encountered the real deal.

I don't know what else to make out of this.

If this is true that means we're walking into a literal dead end.

Chera doesn't seem to take the news any better than I do.

(E)

I can't help it that my alarm seeps into my pheromone speech.

(C)

That's certainly optimistic.

However, that might be a necessary trait if one has to persevere for years against huge monster crabs in a cold cave.

But unfortunately, when we arrive, it's just as the hunters relayed.

A cave-in.

The ceiling came down in our path and there isn't even a gap to squeeze through.

Shit!

With a sense of trepidation, I'm looking at the wall of earth that apparently fell down at one point, blocking our only escape route

(C)

She's supremely angered, that much is clear.

It's not unfounded, as it seems like our options are now reduced to giving up or fighting our way through the enemy.

(E)

It's certainly possible.

The scent of humans is rather present according to what the hunters are relaying.

Is this why Gioras thought we couldn't overcome them?

Because they simply destroyed our escape route?

(C)

That's fascinating trivia, but not the slightest bit helping us out of this situation.

(E)

(C)

(E)

(C)

So the workers get started with doing their thing.

Hundreds of them dig into the wall with the sole purpose of creating a passage.

As many as possible work on breaking the dirt from the end, while others widen the sides and more carry away what falls down, while others apply the substance that makes the earth in the hive solid to the sides, to prevent another collapse.

All of this happens in an impressive display of teamwork where not a single speck of space is wasted for a drone to occupy and contribute.

Naturally, not all of them can squeeze into that impromptu hole.

So they're left with simply standing around.

Still, it feels kinda wasteful not to do anything.

(E)

(C)

Well, there's a particular point when I see how they're piling up the earth outside the cavity.

(E)

This might reduce the casualties among those who fight to stall our pursuers.

If we could replace a life-and-death battle with a building project this would be preferable.

(C)

(E)

(C)

(E)

(C)

Oh, right.

There are no mages among the Formicean ranks.

Maybe they're too isolated below the earth from the things that bring havoc to the surface to be influenced in a noteworthy manner.

Even in Tarsona, magic is quite rare.

I've heard the population ratio of magic-influenced people rises to the east.

There's even one country that's said to be famous for its magic research.

Something with R... Regas?

Rikas?

Not important.

The issue is that my limited knowledge about mages tells me we're in trouble.

(E)

(C)

True to Chera's claims, the workers make quick progress.

The loose dirt not putting up much resistance against the dedicated claws of underground dwellers striking their path free.

It's basically their specialty, so it's no wonder that they make good progress.

Gratefully, our pursuers didn't seem to have overcome our rearguard and so we stay unbothered.

Then a worker claws the wall and finally breaks through. I'm sincerely in awe at what is revealed to me.

Instead of opening a passage to another long tunnel similar to the one we were in before, as would be expected from this passage considering that the cave-in should have simply disconnected the same tunnel, I see a truly enormous cave.

For real!

It's ridiculously large, spreading in all dimensions.

One could almost believe we reached the surface.

Immediately, hunters rush out into the expanse to scout what lies in front of us.

From what I can see, it doesn't seem like there are any humans lying in wait nearby.

There are still traces of their scent, but the hunters seem convinced that those simply end near the center of the cave.

Also, another scent is present, and is so particularly pungent that even I can smell it clearly.

Yet there's nothing blocking our path, which is good.

However, even though the path is clear now, it seems like Chera isn't keen on hurrying forward, and this while we still have our pursuers on our heels.

Does she worry about an ambush from the humans whose scent lingers here?

But the hunters seem certain that the traces are not intense enough for them to be close.

Slowly, she walks to the created opening.

I can feel concern and a sense of fright turmoiling within her.

From one moment to the other, it seems like she came to a realization.

Finally, she says something.

Yet I almost wish she hadn't.

(C)