Chapter Text
“S-S-SANDS! GET HELP. GET HELP!”
Confusion and disarray. Voices speaking to everyone and no one. Bandits that were once exhausted but victorious in their breath, hyperventilated at the sight of the brave leader laying before them. A single yet fatally long cut from thigh to neck, it oozed and bubbled as the potent poison reacted with the air. With the one beacon of authority and guidance now fighting his own battle, most bugs were left scrambling in multiple directions for help, safety, or just out of sheer panic. One bug, struggling through her own fatigue and emptied lungs, shouted out.
“Boss…!” Grash used her saber to prop herself back up, taking command of the chaos around her. “Where’s that messenger!? Tell them we need kingdom doctors immediately! Ack!”
She coughed and felt her conscious fade slightly from the exertion. With a strong pound to the side of the head, she physically willed herself to move on, but in contrast, saw her fellow bandits frozen in fear and shock.
One of them spoke out. “…W-What if…those monsters…”
They were obviously shaken from the deadly encounter, but this was no time for inaction. Grash limped her way to the remaining bugs and grabbed one of them by the cloak. She brought them close and hissed, not out of hate, but pure necessity.
“You gonna let the boss bleed to death choking on poison!? HUH!?”
“…” It seemed to do the trick. A gleam from the bandit’s eye appeared, and he confidently replied. “Not in a million cycles. C’mon, those scorpions can kiss my abdomen when we race by!”
Words by the single bug spurred the rest into action. As he leaped out of Grash’s grasp, the rest of them shouted in unison, and sped off to find whatever bug or medicine they could gather from the overlands. Grash breathed a sigh of relief; in the end, their bandits weren’t cowards enough to leave their folk dying. They would do what Astotheles himself would do for them.
Grash could hear the shallow breathing come from Astotheles. His eyes were closed; poison wracking his body in pain and misery. But he was there, still conscious enough to hear his surroundings. Grash called out to him. “Hey ‘Theles, hang in there…alright? Y-You gotta!”
“Grash…” A voice Grash didn’t expect to hear. It was instead the burly, scarred cricket they all fought with their lives on the line.
“What…?” She spat back.
“The stolen antidotes are in the storage area…try to make it back for me and just me, will ya?” Venx gave a half-dead wink.
Grash knew the bandit king was just trying to infuriate her in his typical fashion. She rolled her eyes. “The first drink’s for the real boss. Let’s see if we will have any left for you…Venx.”
“…No…give it to him…first.” The two bugs looked at the one who finally spoke after what seemed an eternity. And it was selfless as it always was.
“BOSS! I’ll be back soon!” Grash took no more time to waste. She sprinted off in the direction of Venx’s supposed antidotes, hoping he wasn’t lying to distract her from defending him.
“Asto’…” However, Venx wasn’t one to strike down the one bug who almost single-handedly saved the shells of everyone in the room. He called out again after not receiving anything the first time. “H-hey…!”
“Still here…you should…preserve any strength left…and not talk.” Astotheles begged. Most likely out of Venx’s booming and antennae-throbbing voice ringing his already befuddled mind.
“I still have plenty…to crawl…and bother you.” Venx responded. As he finally reached Astotheles’ position, the bug could only laugh at the circumstance of it all. “Haha…haha! HAHA!”
“What’s so funny?”
He dropped his head and smiled. “I knew we’d fight, that was ultimately going to happen…but for the upset we had with my knee, I’m glad the blasted limb is…well…hanging by a thread.”
He raised his head up high in glorious tune and pumped his fist. “But this final hurrah? That scorpion, to take down such a foe in such close quarters…I say…Maybe it was better we ended things this way, hmm?”
Heavens, the bellowing bug was still on about a great hunt and whatnot. Astotheles began to consider whether Venx really wanted a bandit future fit for them all, or just wanted another desperate fight where he felt more alive than anything else in the world. But as Astotheles could barely contemplate with his muddied head, Venx laid a hand on his shoulder.
“Asto’…you shouldn’t die.”
Astotheles found the suggestion extremely ironic and hilarious. He could barely laugh, but he managed to groan. “Really…? Now you’re having…second thoughts? After our duel? After the…betrayal?”
“Bah…that was in the past.”
Astotheles mentally face-palmed. “That was literal…moments ago.” What an irresponsible answer.
“Still in the past, no?”
Deciding not to debate on the technicality of what Venx considered a past action, Astotheles managed another breath and asked what really was on his mind. “Why can’t I die…just yet then?”
Venx ruminated a few and replied. “These boys…need someone to depend on…if it ain’t me.”
“You’ll live.”
Venx turned his head away. “In prison. Away from the majority of them. I won’t be helping much with the rebuilding from there, I’m sure.”
Astotheles found the lack in Venx’s stubbornness to get things his way alarming. He questioned his thinking. “All the sudden…you trust my leadership…that much to forego your own?”
“…No…I really believed in my goal, Asto’. So don’t think I’ll try and apologize for what I felt was right. But…someone’s gotta lead. And I’m not strong enough to do anything turns out.” Venx confessed; far more than he had ever revealed about his vulnerability. Perhaps these events were changing him, little by little for the pompous cricket.
Astotheles saw the opportunity to finally ask what had been on his mind for moons. It was now or never. “…Can I ask you…something then?”
“Yeah?”
Astotheles turned his head to Venx to make up for his dwindling voice. “Did you…or your boys…attack civilians with no loot?”
Venx didn’t hesitate to answer back. “We attacked everything brother. Why do you ask now?”
“Would you rob…a flower ant…in a dress?”
Venx’s antennae tweaked around a little. “…What?”
“Just answer…the question…” Astotheles grumbled.
“Well…hmm…” Venx pondered the thought and nodded. “Maybe if she had something we wanted.”
But that reluctance to answer gave him everything he needed to know about Venx’s thinking. He was an uncontrollable beast, but not a full-blown monster. “Would you tear her leg off to get to it?”
Venx shook his head in confusion and gripped the sand beneath him. “What are you getting at?”
“Answer…before I pass out…” Astotheles didn’t have time, or life, left to wait for Venx to understand what he was saying.
He pondered once more and looked at his own leg that held on by hopes and dreams. It was a grave wound, one only a warrior should worry about. What was this about civilians, was he just trying to play the morality card? He answered truthfully, however. Astotheles was looming on death’s door. “…Unless it’s the ant queen, a simple ant doesn’t deserve that kind of attack I…”
Venx finally understood the specific nature of Astotheles’ inquiry. The cricket knew something he didn’t, and it further acted as a catalyst to his ever-changing position on the moral spectrum. “…You have something to tell me, don’t you?”
Astotheles didn’t have the strength to nod. What was left were whispers. “…If you can…speak with Isau in the…future. She will…” Suddenly, Astotheles inhaled sharply with a wheeze that was audibly jarring.
“B-boss…!” Venx blurted.
“Still here…” Astotheles let out a faint chuckle. “Did you call me boss?”
“Ugh…force of habit.” Venx sighed and looked up to the ceiling. Going back to Astotheles’ topic of attacking flower ants, he decided to appease his former boss and his request. “If I’m bored enough in prison, I’ll write to her. Nothing like some civilian rumor to entertain me.”
Venx coughed and felt the signature burn of the toxins reaching his lungs. It was moving extremely fast for something that crept into his leg only minutes ago. “What am I saying…we’re both going to die…”
“…” Astotheles closed his eyes.
“That poison is…” Venx closed his eyes as well. “…Working harder than usual.”
The two sat in silence; a venomous reality was setting in. With all this talk about the future and what not, were they even going to survive this? Both felt their bodies fading. Yet with their dreams so far out of reach, a fire within them wanted to burn brighter, but could flicker at best. They had to live. If not…
“Asto…” Venx called out. “If we actually…end up in the sands above…”
Astotheles, for the first time in his life, heard Venx choke up and fumble his words.
“I…My wish w-wasn’t to end our existence like this…” Venx rested his arm over his eyes, tears running down his cheeks. “Damned, if I was…smarter to explain my part to you before doing what I did…I could have prevented this…downfall…now our boys…”
He began to cry harder, Venx wasn’t holding back. With such a display though, Astotheles felt nothing but genuine relief and happiness. With all of Venx’s actions being dubious and self-serving, for once to hear his ego give way to other’s wellbeing, it was monumental for him.
Astotheles tried to instill some peace in the scarred cricket as he unknowingly did for him. “They’ll be…ok. Grash…Tento…”
He could barely look over, but Astotheles did what he could to make eye contact with the faltering former lieutenant. “Believe…in them…won’t you?”
Venx could tell Astotheles was looking over, and there was no way he’d let the tears blur the last moments he potentially had with his long-time friend. He quickly wiped away his tears and looked back. “Asto…”
Astotheles smiled and closed his eyes. “Just like…how I knew you’d step up…against that great scorpion. I’m…proud to have been your…brother…I’m proud…of this…family.”
An abrupt veil of horror overcame Venx. The breathing, the words…the concluding remarks…
“Hey hey…no death throes…! Astotheles…! Stay…with…me…!” His voice rang softer and faded into the void. Astotheles felt his body wasting to the toxin and his consciousness wavering. His breathing felt pathetically weak, and it burned from the toxin. The calls of his brother indistinguishable and quiet. If this is what death felt like…
“…Stay…alive…” No. This isn’t the end. So many lives…so many dreams of his friends to fulfill…Gripping to the land of the living with his claw tightly around the sands of his hideout, he wasn’t going to let Death rip him away from his home he had fought so hard for. Breath…breath…breath…
…Breath…to see Tento happily working on his brews and potions.
…Breath…to see Venx, Zimmlerken, and Grash being comrades once more.
…Breath…to see his brother’s grave. To give him white flowers and let his soul rest forever.
“…A-Astotheles…!”
Another voice…one that sounded so familiar yet…far away. Its kind tone and gentle demeanor; the soft silk threads warming his heart and soul. As if everything was going to be alright…Now that it was here.
A single thought ran through in its embrace…
“…Goddess…of the…sands…?”
Moments earlier…
The kingdoms cheered as news spread of victory. Decisive and hard-fought, they hugged one another as they had cleaned Bugaria of another plague that was beset upon it. The scorpions suddenly retreated in haste towards whatever den they came from; enemy bandits raised their hands in complete defeat. The heroes of the Explorer’s Association were the ones to thank for this, right? They had done it before, of course they’d manage again!
“We win! WE WIN!” One bee cheered. Beside her was the clinic doctor who stood up in excitement. The hurting was over, and the bandits menace was eradicated. For Defiant Root’s sake…for Astotheles and his folks’ sake.
“Isau…I really don’t think you should be close to the front of the battlefield…” A bee warned. She was a little close, but further back meant bugs that were hurt had to travel farther. Time was of the essence, and she had already seen danger too many times to care about its claws.
She replied to ease her concerns. “I would think so too…but I’m sure it’s ok! The battle is over, right?”
The bee looked out onto the landscape. Still cluttered with equipment and unconscious friendlies and foes, she rubbed the back of her head. “Y…yeah.”
Isau continued. “And bugs are injured. So I should be close to see if-”
“Hello? We got any docs here?” A loyalist of Astotheles appeared from below the hill and waved at the two bugs.
“Ah! Yes, I’m here!”
Finally! Some contact with the team who went out their way to be in the middle of the battle. Isau was especially concerned with them, being so far away from help, meaning any aid would take time to get there. Precious time. She held her breath and awaited what the bug was going to say next.
“I’m from Astotheles’ group. We have a few rattled bugs here and there but they outta get some bandages. You think you can help?”
A huge sigh of relief came from her as she relished in the light injury report. This was the best-case scenario coming true. She grabbed her pack and rushed towards the bug. “Certainly!”
The bee who cheered earlier also followed, worried about the town’s only doctor rushing head-first into a bandit hideout. “H-Hold on! I’m coming with!”
Isau couldn’t keep her questions to herself for long. From what she remembered, she had fallen asleep with Astotheles during a most wonderful talk and felt guilty about leaving him alone to pick the seeds from the white Sophie. He had finished it for her, and from how close they were before she passed out, if she had fallen over and bumped him…it was incredibly embarrassing. What if he had torn a petal? “Is…is Astotheles ok? Does he have any wounds I should look after?”
The former bandit cheerfully responded. “Yeah, he’s ok, and he barely got scratched! That’s the boss for you alright! He’s a toughest bug out there!”
Isau held her chest and breathed smoothly again. At least he was ok, now she could apologize for her sleepy antic. “That’s wonderful to hear…Yes…”
“You uh…worried about him?” The loyalist inquired.
Isau looked up and answered clumsily. “N-No! I mean…yes! Like everyone else though…I just want to make sure you’re all well!”
“Ahh…gotcha.” With their footsteps being the only sound being made, the cricket only felt the urge to fill the silence…and his curiosity. “That’s…it then, huh?” He had heard rumors of something…spicy.
The bee annoyingly responded. “What do you mean? If he’s ok, he’s ok. Why are you all acting so weird…”
The loyalist gave up his pursuit of knowledge and shrugged. “You know what…nevermind. That’s Grash’s business. I ain’t the kind to really know what’s happening behind the curtains and whatnot.”
Suddenly, their peaceful walk ended and the cries for help, so deep in the corridors of the hideout, began to ring out.
“Hey! HEEEY!” They froze in their stride as the leading cricket called out to his friend who flew so erratically over to them.
“Wh-what!? What’s happening, Pilko!?”
“We need-!” The dragonfly’s eyes almost popped out when he saw the famed doctor who saved their lives a few moons ago. “ISAU! ISAU!”
Isau shook off the shock and ran up to the bug. “Yes! What’s happening!?”
“The scorpions, some ran off and this big one attacked everyone! The boss is d-down! He’s…HE’S…DYING!”
Every one of the responding party felt something drop in their stomachs. A heavy, ominous weight.
“B-B-Boss is…”
How? Why? They had already won; the messenger here was proof of that. Without a second thought, the messenger cricket grabbed Isau’s hand and pointed to where the canteen was.
“C’mon butterfly! ON THE DOUBLE!”
“Right!” Both Isau and the bee nodded and began the sprint of their lives, down the dark, dusty corridors of the hideout where they were doomed to be lost without these former bandits leading the way.
Isau, however, felt her emotions swelling up. “…how…” She thought. If they had told her this dreadful situation at first, it wouldn’t have been nearly as shocking; now she had to grapple with a good situation gone completely wrong. She gulped, trying to repress these unhelpful thoughts; what mattered now was his life and to save it with everything she can.
“We’ll keep ya safe! Just stay with us!” The former bandits encouraged. But as they looked back to the front, they saw a differently clothed bandit coming towards them. One of Venx’s…
“You! You trying to escape!?”
The bug looked down, defeated and exhausted by everything that was happening. Whatever thoughts were left was just to get out of the hell they were in.
“Looks like y’all got better things to take care of. Don’t mind me…I’m just gonna take my leave…” But a figment of his bandit loyalty emerged as he warned them of the impending danger. “Hey…watch out for the roaming scorpions…just thought I’d tell ya…”
“Tch…” The messenger looked at Isau and waved her over. “C’mon Isau, no time to waste!” Nothing was going to stop them now that a life was on the line.
After a few more sharp turns, dark corners, and fallen rubble, they arrived at the canteen battleground. Wrecked beyond simple repair, the place was littered with unconscious bugs and debris. In the far corner though, was the one in most danger.
“NO…DEATH THROES! ASTO’!” A shouting Venx attempted to keep his brother awake but Astotheles no longer responded. A pool of lymph and poison surrounded the two, as time claimed their wounds and poured more of their life essence to the dirty floor. If she had known just how awful it really was, instead of cheering and walking like before…
“A-Astotheles!” Without asking, Isau rushed forward with her med pack at the ready. Examining his body, she spoke to herself in a troubled tone. “Such a grievous wound…and poisoned. By the Goddess…”
A nearby ladybug called out as she treated another bug. “If you need more antidotes, Grash went to get more!”
Isau nodded and confidently raised her hand. “Good! I will start patching him up, but we must get him to a proper clinic for further treatment!” She looked at the messenger. “Do you have a stretcher, or anything to carry him safely?”
“Yep!” He nodded.
Just in time, Grash appeared with jumbling flasks of medicine bouncing from her rucksack. As she appeared around the corner, she saw her savior. “ISAU! Thank the hot sands you’re here! ACK!”
Isau replied. “Grash, it’s good to see you’re well!” Even with Astotheles down, seeing many of the other bugs she treated still alive gave her the much-needed confidence and relief.
“We got more meds if you need ‘em, just start helping the boss!” Grash begged.
But as soon as Grash’s cheerful tone was heard, she quickly delivered a monotone one to the troublemaker. “…Here. Drink up. We got some fresh bandages too for your dangly leg…”
Isau looked over at the bigger cricket who she saw was shouting at Astotheles’ lifeless body. He truly was an imposing bug who, if it weren’t for being incapacitated, would tower over her. “You must be…Venx.”
Venx took a swig of the antidote and as he unwrapped a bandage that looked to be for him, he surprisingly placed it on Astotheles’ heavy wound. “The one and only. But miss…save this sack of noble stuffing first. If there isn’t enough stretchers and whatnot…I can stay for a while longer…Forever if need be…”
Isau shook her head in defiance. “Don’t be mistaken, I’m going to help you too. No one will be left behind!” She looked at Grash as she sensed had the animosity from before. “Right?”
Grash wasn’t going to complain or argue, it was just going to slow them down. With her hand raised in command, she called out to rally. “She’s right folks! Come on, get an extra-large rag for the bug.”
Isau smiled, but looked back down at the fallen bandit hero. Her face turned almost expressionless. Fear, sadness, anxiety…she could feel the cocktail of emotions striking her like a hammer. But like any doctor worth their salt, she took a deep breath and began working feverishly through the trauma. She spoke out to him softly.
“Astotheles, can you hear me?” She whispered to him. “…You’ll live. You must. You must stay with me with everything you have! Everyone is counting on you to be there for them. So please!”
This bug…this bug had to live. For the mistakes he owned up to, for the bug he really was…he had something to prove to Bugaria. She had to make the second chance a reality for him…threaded by her suture and silk.
Isau’s hands moved faster, every move was calculated and practiced. Powered by failures and successes of previous treatments, she continued undaunted by the what-ifs and worked at a staggeringly fast pace.
She called out once more. “You have to-” But a rumbling interrupted her. A shaking, horrible sound that only meant one fiendish encounter.
Out of the ground came a gargantuan scorpion. Only a few paces from them, only a mere claw from death for each of the bugs.
“WHAT THE…!” Grash tried to rush back over and pull whoever she could out of the way. But she wasn’t even close. “DOC! DOC MOVE!”
Isau could see the claws moving low, going towards her neck. Yet in her trembling form…she turned back to Astotheles and covered him with her wings hopelessly splayed out for the inevitable slashing and crushing. But if there was a chance to keep him alive…!
“….Is-” As her head rested on Astotheles’ chest, she could hear a murmur. And with an instance of blue light, he disappeared from Isau’s grasp and reappeared in front of the scorpion with his sword drawn straight where the scorpion’s weak point was. Bloodshot eyes, cracking bones, half-sown wounds with lymph leaking all over his body…this cricket was already dead…
“ISSSAUUUU!”
…But more than willing to add another to the death count alongside him.