Evolution begins with an ant colony

The full moon hung low in the night sky, casting an eerie, silver glow over the dense forest. Evan, with sweat-soaked clothes clinging to his body, ran frantically through the tangled undergrowth. Each step was an agonizing effort, and pain throbbed from the deep scratches that lacerated his skin.

As he stumbled through the forest, Evan's mind was a whirlwind of fear and confusion. He couldn't fathom how things had taken such a disastrous turn. He had started the night with newfound confidence, excited about his first quest as an adventurer. The promise of adventure had beckoned him like a siren's call, but now, all he could think of was survival.

Suddenly, the haunting howl of a wolf reverberated through the trees, sending shivers down Evan's spine. He dared not look back but could hear the menacing growls and the patter of multiple feet closing in on him.

In a panic, Evan muttered to himself, "I dont understand... how... how did it come to this? What went wrong?"

A few hours ago.

The man, whose name was Gruff, cleared his throat as they walked out of the adventures guild. He had a rugged appearance, with a thick beard and multiple scars crisscrossing his weathered face. Gruff was undoubtedly the tank of his party, his leather armor bearing the marks of countless battles. He stood slightly taller than Evan, his burly frame a testament to his combat experience.

Gruff began with a hearty introduction, "Alright, hero, let me introduce you to the team. This here," he pointed to a woman with fiery red hair, "is Sylva. She's our mage and the brains of the group. Don't let her fiery appearance fool you; she's got a cool head and a fiery spellbook."

Sylva, with her striking red hair and intense green eyes, offered a polite nod to Evan. She was dressed in deep blue robes adorned with mystical symbols, her spellbook neatly strapped to her side.

Gruff continued, "Next is Bram. He's our sharpshooter and scout." Bram, a tall and lean man with a bow slung over his shoulder, gave Evan a nod. He had a rugged charm about him, with his rugged leather attire and a quiver full of arrows.

Gruff then turned to a hulking figure standing next to Bram. "And this big guy here is Durak. Our muscle, our brawler." Durak was an imposing figure, with bulging muscles and arms the size of tree trunks. His face was mostly obscured by a thick beard, and he carried a massive warhammer.

Finally, Gruff introduced the fifth member, a petite woman with a quick grin. "Last but not least, we have Liara. She's our healer and support. Don't let her size fool you; she's got the magic touch when it comes to keeping us alive." Liara was dressed in flowing white robes, her staff adorned with a glowing crystal at the top.

Evan took in the diverse members of the party, each with their unique appearances and roles. He knew he was in for an adventure unlike any other with this spirited group.

Bram, the sharpshooter and scout, voiced his concerns. He looked at Evan with a skeptical expression and questioned Gruff, "Honestly, Gruff, who is this kid you brought along?"

Gruff, the seasoned tank of their group, offered a gruff response. He defended Evan, saying, "Hey, be more polite. This kid is a hero!"

But Bram remained unimpressed. He crossed his arms and challenged Gruff's choice, "That doesn't matter. He's just going to be dead weight. We can't babysit while we're on a quest."

Evan felt the tension in the air rise as Bram questioned his presence. Gruff stepped in to defuse the situation, "Now, now, Bram, don't be like this. The church vouched for him, and I trust their judgment. Besides, we need all the help we can get for this quest."

Sylva chimed in, her voice calm but persuasive, "It's true; having a hero with us could be a game-changer. We just need to watch out for him and make sure he doesn't get into trouble."

Bram sighed, not entirely convinced, but he relented, "Fine, we'll give him a chance. But kid, don't slow us down."

Evan, feeling slightly embarrassed by Bram's comment, decided to speak up. "I understand your concern, Bram, but I promise I can handle myself. I've trained hard for this moment, and I won't let you down."

Sylva, the mage, chimed in with a warm smile. "Don't worry, Evan. We'll look out for you. We're a team, after all."

Gruff clapped a hand on Evan's shoulder. "That's the spirit! We'll stick together and watch each other's backs. Now, let's get moving. Our quest awaits."

As the doors of the guild building swung open, Kalardix's party made a triumphant entrance. Kalardix, his youthful enthusiasm evident, called out with excitement, "Your boy is back!" His proclamation echoed through the guild hall.

The familiar faces of the adventurers present lit up with recognition and joy. In unison, they responded, "With Kalardix!" Their cheers and greetings filled the room, welcoming Kalardix and his party back to the guild with warmth and camaraderie.

Lyra, a perceptive member of Kalardix's party, couldn't help but roll her eyes at Kalardix's dramatic entrance. She whispered to her companion, Elera, with a wry grin, "He sure does crave attention, doesn't he?"n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Elera, a fellow adventurer and a close friend of Lyra, chuckled softly and replied, "Oh, tell me about it. It's like he's trying to announce his return with fireworks and fanfare." Both of them shared a knowing look, understanding Kalardix's penchant for making a grand entrance. Discover stories with empire

Kalardix's exuberance was hard to miss as he practically skipped over to the quest board. With childlike enthusiasm, he announced, "What grand quest awaits me today?"

Mellin couldn't help but feel a pang of embarrassment at her companion's antics. She covered her face with her hands and muttered to herself, "I can't believe he's doing this again." It wasn't the first time Kalardix had drawn attention with his over-the-top behavior, leaving Mellin to shake her head in amusement and mild exasperation.