Chapter 48: Bee-fitting Growth

Chapter 48: Bee-fitting Growth

Tears welled up in Belissar’s eyes as he looked down at the bee in his hands. The lightning had changed color and turned into a wing. He had no idea what had happened but the important part was that the bee was going to be ok. Her body was no longer twitching and she was still alive, he could feel her mana growing stronger. She slowly began to move around and climbed up his arm to rest on his shoulder. Belissar smiled and laughed as he wiped his eyes with his free hand.

It was only one out of all the bees that had died that day so far, but he had saved at least one of them from death. And, hopefully, she wouldn’t be the only one.

He placed her down as the medicinal bees began to arrive and pour over her, brushing her with their antenna and mana. Niobee returned with an army of worker bees from the Apiary, each carrying cells filled with healing herb honey. He nodded at her and then turned to the soldier bee army arriving from the front.

“Gather up the wounded, we’re going to take care of them all.”

But as he spoke, Niobee suddenly began to glow. Belissar’s eyes widened.

“Niobee?!”

A moment later, she was covered in light so bright Belissar had to shield his eyes.

As Belissar moved to help the other wounded bees, Chief Rohsuak and her people were gathered by the entrance to the Underway. Soon though, she heard the perimeter scouts begin to shout. She turned her head in the direction of the Sacred Den.

She could see a bright light from that direction, even with all the trees between them and the Sacred Den. She felt a wave of mana pass them by. Even those without mana of their own began to glance around from the slight warmth, for her it was more like a roaring flame.

She smiled.

“I guess I was worried for nothing. Well done, Sacred Den Master.”

She motioned to her people to return to their home.

Belissar lowered his hand as the light faded...and then his jaw dropped. A soldier bee now flew where Niobee had once been. A soldier bee with a missing antenna.

“Niobee?”

The soldier bee began dancing.

Reward: Floor limit increased to 2. Receive one perk choice, and two random reward choices.

But he would deal with that a bit later. Soon the dance came to a close and Belissar made a smile.

“Let’s celebrate. Today we won, thanks to you all.”

The air exploded into motion as thousands of bees began to zip about. Belissar brought out as many trays of honey as he had. Even the mad honey trays, which apparently didn’t poison the bees themselves. Workers buzzed around and brought honey to the soldiers while countless bees of many different hives danced together and brushed each other’s antenna. Belissar looked over to the Apiary queens and nodded at them with a smile.

“Thanks for making all that honey for this.”

The Apiary queens danced happily at his thanks. Belissar felt a bit of the ache in his chest fade as he watched the bees all around him.

This was why he didn’t regret his decisions. The bees themselves were full of nothing but joy tonight, the wounded no less than the healthy. They didn’t mind the sacrifices and they didn’t fear death or pain. So, Belissar would honor that courage, and celebrate what they had achieved. He would still do what he could to minimize the sacrifices, but neither would he run from them if they were necessary.

And he would bring ruin upon those who caused them.

At that point, Niobee flew over to him, carrying a chunk of honeycomb with her new, larger body.

“King! King should eat too!”

He smiled and held his hand out. Niobee placed the honeycomb in it.

“Thanks, Niobee.”

He took a bite and then held out his other hand. Niobee landed in it, barely fitting now. He then held out the honeycomb for her and she drank from it. He grinned as her wings fluttered.

The celebrations continued even as the sun went down.