CHAPTER 964: TO SEE THE QUEEN (4).

The dangers of the night...

They were bold, frightening, and very likely to devour any passing creature faster than it could register.

Alas, unfortunately for the horrors that dwelled within this dark, cold forest, woe greater than they ever could be had appeared to disturb the chaotic balance of death and madness within.

Agnets of death and damnation that even the chilling darkness feared.

A violent wind was stirred as a large shadow descended from the skies.

It moved swiftly, darting between the narrow gaps between the trees, the wind from its wings slicing through the iron-like bark, leaving deep grooves.

Eventually, the shadow shot into a large cave entrance in the side of a hill.

The area surrounding the caves were filled with enormous hanging trees and lush vegetation. However, directly before the cave mouth, there was nothing but beaten dark reddish soil.

Together with the dark cave mouth, it painted a rather scary picture.

Within the cave, thousands of small red eyes lit up the cavernous ceiling.

Strangely enough, there was not a single sound within the cave.

The shadow landed silently in front of a throne made of stone and bowed its head.

"Humans have arrived in the forest again."

Above the stone throne was the only source of light within the enormous cave.

It revealed very clearly, a rather strange sight.

Seated on the throne was a small figure, no larger than a human child.

And eerily enough, it looked rather similar to a little human girl.

However, the bat-like wings curled around the small frame of this creature said otherwise.

"Get the other beasts to keep them entertained as usual."

The shadow slowly opened its eyes to reveal two glowing red orbs,

"This case is different. They seem intent on heading to the Ant Colony."

The little girl hummed.

Although she looked like a little girl, her voice was sultry and mature.

"There is no guarantee they will come down here. How many humans are here? It is almost feeding time, so maybe we can—"

The shadow was silent for a bit,

"There are only three humans."

The girl seated on the throne narrowed her eyes,

"What?"

The shadow bowed even more and hurriedly explained,

"Even though their numbers aren’t great, I fear those three humans are far more terrifying than an entire army of them."

The girl slowly stood up and walked forward.

She was dressed in a robe that seemed to have been knitted form pure darkness.

"So what are you suggesting of me, the Empress of the Night, to do?"

"If I can be a bit impetuous, I believe we can communicate to these humans than we are not the enemy. Maybe then we can—"

Her neck snapped to the side,

"What are you saying, Nierwulf? We are the enemy."

The looked up at the only source of light in the cave, a vicious grin on her face as she bared her lips to reveal two pearly white fangs,

"Any creature that does not have the grace of the Bloodthirsty Night God, Bellius, flowing through their veins, is our enemy. Especially those ugly humans. No— they aren’t even worthy to be called out enemies. They are food. Isn’t that right, my children?"

The silent cave immediately became tumultuous as the sound of thousands upon thousands of wings beating against each other bounced off the walls creating a rather unpleasantly loud cacophony.

"Then are you suggesting we attack them now?" Nierwulf asked in a hushed tone.

The self-proclaimed Empress of the night, as well as the Matriarch of the {Blood-Curse Bats}, chuckled,

"No. That won’t be necessary. If my guess is right, they should be running into the territory of those dogs. Keep watching them."

The shadow seemed to want to say something, but eventually just nodded,

"I understand."

***

Cain felt a gaze from behind.

However, the moment he turned around, it was gone.

’How odd...’

Had there been something watching him? A predator maybe?

However, he had not sensed any malicious or killing intent behind the stare.

He glanced to his side.

They had decided to take a short break after walking for a long time.

Although they all had high stamina stats, the freezing temperature within the forest seemed to drain it rather quickly.

If anything unexpected happened, then needed to be able to fight in top form, so they had chosen to rest for a bit to recover.

Blaze was seated against the trunk of a tree, his eyes closed as though he was resting. However, Cain knew he was anything but.

Steve on the other hand had picked a few glowing mushroom that had been growing at the base of a tree and was observing them in silence while muttering,

"Interesting. Fascinating. Magnificent!"

Over and over again...

"You know... This isn’t so bad after all."

Cain raised a brow and turned to Blaze who had his eyes open and was staring back at him.

"What is?"

Blaze shrugged,

"This. Yes, there is death around every corner, but..."

A strange expression appeared on his face,

"But for some reason, I feel more alive."

He turned to Cain,

"Back then, even before the world went to shit, it was all shitty anyway."

Cain’s eyes narrowed,

"I guess when you put it that way. But..."

A small smile appeared on his lips,

"It wasn’t that bad, was it? Being able to eat anything you desired, sleeping without having to be terrified of waking up the next day. I believe there are many that would love to go back to those times."

Blaze sighed,

"There might be. But those were empty days. At least to me. A life not worth living..."

Cain couldn’t help but chuckle,

"I didn’t know you had such a nihilistic point of view."

Blaze shrugged then smiled,

"Although I do miss eating complete meals..."

Just as Cain was about to say something, he froze.

Blaze was silent as well as he slowly rose to his feet with a dark expression on his face.

Cain had a frown on his face as well.

Deep, bloodthirsty growls came from every angle.

They were surrounded.

’How did this happen? I didn’t notice a thing.’