Ame

The new area she'd just entered was surprisingly hot, but this new heat not entirely unwelcome. After traversing the previous area with its heavy torrents of rain (fortunately, she'd kept her bag closed, lest her records and spare pieces of parchment get soaked through), the hot and dry air of this place warmed her shell. In a matter of minutes, she'd be perfectly dry again.

After some close calls with several large flying beasts, Luvi got right to searching, just as she'd been doing since her arrival. This scorched terrain was vast—she has a lot to cover, but that also meant she had much more to see.

She peeked through bushes and checked promising-looking openings but, unfortunately, still found saw no sign of her. Logically, it did make sense that she wouldn't be here. This place is far too hot; far from Helianther's much cooler climate. She hadn't walked very much, and yet she already felt weary.

She could feel her heart leap. Is this it? Had she found the princess?

"Your Highness! I'm coming!"

She sprinted towards the bushes, shoving them apart—revealing a cave. It certainly looked like a place a bug would use for hiding, or taking shelter. Perfect!

She then heard a shuffling sound coming from inside. It sounded like it was retreating.

"Your Highness?"

No response.

Frowning, she started to make her way into the cave. Maybe the princess was afraid. She didn't exactly run away from the queendom for no reason, did she?

"It's okay! I come in peace. We've been looking for you everywhere. Her Majesty has been so worried about you..."

It didn't take her long to reach the end of the cave, the heavy scent of metal settling in. The room was mostly bare, save for a rock jutting out from the ground in the center and a bug hiding behind it.

That bug was not the princess.

They had been alone in this cave for so, so long...starving by themself for days, maybe weeks, they weren't completely sure. They'd forgotten what the presence of another felt like—let alone the sound of another's voice, that hearing and seeing the stranger was incredibly jarring.

What was it she called them? Your Highness?

That's not their name.

Luvi shook her head, chastising herself mentally. This is the second time she's broken into someone's home already! Granted, this doesn't really look like a home, but it was still where someone who wasn't the princess lived.

"I'm so, so sorry for my intrusion! I was looking for someone and thought you were her. Gosh...please excuse me..."

She noticed them trembling behind the rock. She couldn't really see much of them, except for what looked like a pair of wings? It's hard to tell, given how dark the cave was.

"Hey...you don't have to be scared of me...like I said, I come in peace. I'm not going to hurt you. I'm not even holding my knife, see?"

But why? They knew what they've done wrong. And all the normal bugs did, too. She's a normal bug.

She took a few steps closer before crouching down, trying to appear smaller. She was already quite small herself, but she was technically standing over them...and probably looking quite imposing at the same time.

You're hungry. So, very hungry. Look how close she is. One lunge and you can eat her up. Eatherupeatherupeatherupeatherupeatherup—

Without warning, they fell over onto their side, cupping the lower half of their face and curling up with a weak whine. It was then the stranger could finally see what they looked like: long drooping antennae, dark orange wings, and pale tangerine fur. A moth of some sort.

Luvi flinched as the bug—or, as she could see now, the moth—fell over. They clearly weren't well.

She hurried to their side. Afraid of her or not, she had to help them.

"Hung...gry..."

They're surprised by the sound of their voice. They haven't spoken in a long time. Their voice was rougher, raspier, much deeper than they'd expected.

Luvi rummaged through her bag, rifling through rolled up scrolls and nearly cutting her hand on her knife. Eventually, she found it; a small bundle wrapped up in a handkerchief.

She held out the bundle towards the weak-looking moth.

You don't deserve to eat.

For once, they find themself ignoring the awful voice in their head. They had to eat. They didn't care what was in the bundle, or if it was poisoned—anything would do. If they die, they wouldn't die hungry.

They grabbed the bundle from the stranger's hand, ripping the cloth apart and voraciously shoving the biggest object inside their mouth. It practically melted, sweetness they've never tasted in their entire life blooming against their tongue. It was delightful.

Maybe it’s because she really suspected nothing, given what they looked like now. They were just a sickly moth to her, and nothing more than that.

The thought filled them with relief. Their life was not in danger. For now.

They had to play the part right.

“You’re welcome! I can’t just let you starve, could I? And I’m so happy you enjoyed the rations, too! They’re local pastries from my home queendom. It makes me really happy to know a local bug enjoys them.”

She reached out to take the torn handkerchief from them, folding it before keeping it back in her bag.

They paused.

They’re not her anymore.

They didn’t want to be her anymore.

And if they’re not her anymore, then that’s not their name. What is their name?

They needed a new one, but what?

They think of the first two bugs they’ve grown close with. Or somewhat close. Whatever it was, they cared for them the way they cared for their Papa long ago.

Noticing they were still lying on the floor, she offered a hand out to them.

They eventually nodded, reaching out and taking her hand, allowing her to help them into a sitting position. They felt a bit lightheaded, but otherwise they felt much better than they had the past few days.

Luvi offered them a smile of reassurance, before taking a glance at the surroundings before looking back at Ame.

Luvi looked where they’re looking as well. She could guess immediately why they were looking at the rock. It reminded her of a gravestone. A haphazardly planted one, but one regardless, presumably wedged into place by the moth themself.

The new area she'd just entered was surprisingly hot, but this new heat not entirely unwelcome. After traversing the previous area with its heavy torrents of rain (fortunately, she'd kept her bag closed, lest her records and spare pieces of parchment get soaked through), the hot and dry air of this place warmed her shell. In a matter of minutes, she'd be perfectly dry again.

After some close calls with several large flying beasts, Luvi got right to searching, just as she'd been doing since her arrival. This scorched terrain was vast—she has a lot to cover, but that also meant she had much more to see.

She peeked through bushes and checked promising-looking openings but, unfortunately, still found saw no sign of her. Logically, it did make sense that she wouldn't be here. This place is far too hot; far from Helianther's much cooler climate. She hadn't walked very much, and yet she already felt weary.

She could feel her heart leap. Is this it? Had she found the princess?

"Your Highness! I'm coming!"

She sprinted towards the bushes, shoving them apart—revealing a cave. It certainly looked like a place a bug would use for hiding, or taking shelter. Perfect!

She then heard a shuffling sound coming from inside. It sounded like it was retreating.

"Your Highness?"

No response.

Frowning, she started to make her way into the cave. Maybe the princess was afraid. She didn't exactly run away from the queendom for no reason, did she?

"It's okay! I come in peace. We've been looking for you everywhere. Her Majesty has been so worried about you..."

It didn't take her long to reach the end of the cave, the heavy scent of metal settling in. The room was mostly bare, save for a rock jutting out from the ground in the center and a bug hiding behind it.

That bug was not the princess.

They had been alone in this cave for so, so long...starving by themself for days, maybe weeks, they weren't completely sure. They'd forgotten what the presence of another felt like—let alone the sound of another's voice, that hearing and seeing the stranger was incredibly jarring.

What was it she called them? Your Highness?

That's not their name.

Luvi shook her head, chastising herself mentally. This is the second time she's broken into someone's home already! Granted, this doesn't really look like a home, but it was still where someone who wasn't the princess lived.

"I'm so, so sorry for my intrusion! I was looking for someone and thought you were her. Gosh...please excuse me..."

She noticed them trembling behind the rock. She couldn't really see much of them, except for what looked like a pair of wings? It's hard to tell, given how dark the cave was.

"Hey...you don't have to be scared of me...like I said, I come in peace. I'm not going to hurt you. I'm not even holding my knife, see?"

But why? They knew what they've done wrong. And all the normal bugs did, too. She's a normal bug.

She took a few steps closer before crouching down, trying to appear smaller. She was already quite small herself, but she was technically standing over them...and probably looking quite imposing at the same time.

You're hungry. So, very hungry. Look how close she is. One lunge and you can eat her up. Eatherupeatherupeatherupeatherupeatherup—

Without warning, they fell over onto their side, cupping the lower half of their face and curling up with a weak whine. It was then the stranger could finally see what they looked like: long drooping antennae, dark orange wings, and pale tangerine fur. A moth of some sort.

Luvi flinched as the bug—or, as she could see now, the moth—fell over. They clearly weren't well.

She hurried to their side. Afraid of her or not, she had to help them.

"Hung...gry..."

They're surprised by the sound of their voice. They haven't spoken in a long time. Their voice was rougher, raspier, much deeper than they'd expected.

Luvi rummaged through her bag, rifling through rolled up scrolls and nearly cutting her hand on her knife. Eventually, she found it; a small bundle wrapped up in a handkerchief.

She held out the bundle towards the weak-looking moth.

You don't deserve to eat.

For once, they find themself ignoring the awful voice in their head. They had to eat. They didn't care what was in the bundle, or if it was poisoned—anything would do. If they die, they wouldn't die hungry.

They grabbed the bundle from the stranger's hand, ripping the cloth apart and voraciously shoving the biggest object inside their mouth. It practically melted, sweetness they've never tasted in their entire life blooming against their tongue. It was delightful.

Maybe it’s because she really suspected nothing, given what they looked like now. They were just a sickly moth to her, and nothing more than that.

The thought filled them with relief. Their life was not in danger. For now.

They had to play the part right.

“You’re welcome! I can’t just let you starve, could I? And I’m so happy you enjoyed the rations, too! They’re local pastries from my home queendom. It makes me really happy to know a local bug enjoys them.”

She reached out to take the torn handkerchief from them, folding it before keeping it back in her bag.

They paused.

They’re not her anymore.

They didn’t want to be her anymore.

And if they’re not her anymore, then that’s not their name. What is their name?

They needed a new one, but what?

They think of the first two bugs they’ve grown close with. Or somewhat close. Whatever it was, they cared for them the way they cared for their Papa long ago.

Noticing they were still lying on the floor, she offered a hand out to them.

They eventually nodded, reaching out and taking her hand, allowing her to help them into a sitting position. They felt a bit lightheaded, but otherwise they felt much better than they had the past few days.

Luvi offered them a smile of reassurance, before taking a glance at the surroundings before looking back at Ame.

The new area she'd just entered was surprisingly hot, but this new heat not entirely unwelcome. After traversing the previous area with its heavy torrents of rain (fortunately, she'd kept her bag closed, lest her records and spare pieces of parchment get soaked through), the hot and dry air of this place warmed her shell. In a matter of minutes, she'd be perfectly dry again.

After some close calls with several large flying beasts, Luvi got right to searching, just as she'd been doing since her arrival. This scorched terrain was vast—she has a lot to cover, but that also meant she had much more to see.

She peeked through bushes and checked promising-looking openings but, unfortunately, still found saw no sign of her. Logically, it did make sense that she wouldn't be here. This place is far too hot; far from Helianther's much cooler climate. She hadn't walked very much, and yet she already felt weary.

She could feel her heart leap. Is this it? Had she found the princess?

"Your Highness! I'm coming!"

She sprinted towards the bushes, shoving them apart—revealing a cave. It certainly looked like a place a bug would use for hiding, or taking shelter. Perfect!

She then heard a shuffling sound coming from inside. It sounded like it was retreating.

"Your Highness?"

No response.

Frowning, she started to make her way into the cave. Maybe the princess was afraid. She didn't exactly run away from the queendom for no reason, did she?

"It's okay! I come in peace. We've been looking for you everywhere. Her Majesty has been so worried about you..."

It didn't take her long to reach the end of the cave, the heavy scent of metal settling in. The room was mostly bare, save for a rock jutting out from the ground in the center and a bug hiding behind it.

That bug was not the princess.

They had been alone in this cave for so, so long...starving by themself for days, maybe weeks, they weren't completely sure. They'd forgotten what the presence of another felt like—let alone the sound of another's voice, that hearing and seeing the stranger was incredibly jarring.

What was it she called them? Your Highness?

That's not their name.

Luvi shook her head, chastising herself mentally. This is the second time she's broken into someone's home already! Granted, this doesn't really look like a home, but it was still where someone who wasn't the princess lived.

"I'm so, so sorry for my intrusion! I was looking for someone and thought you were her. Gosh...please excuse me..."

She noticed them trembling behind the rock. She couldn't really see much of them, except for what looked like a pair of wings? It's hard to tell, given how dark the cave was.

"Hey...you don't have to be scared of me...like I said, I come in peace. I'm not going to hurt you. I'm not even holding my knife, see?"

But why? They knew what they've done wrong. And all the normal bugs did, too. She's a normal bug.

She took a few steps closer before crouching down, trying to appear smaller. She was already quite small herself, but she was technically standing over them...and probably looking quite imposing at the same time.

You're hungry. So, very hungry. Look how close she is. One lunge and you can eat her up. Eatherupeatherupeatherupeatherupeatherup—

Without warning, they fell over onto their side, cupping the lower half of their face and curling up with a weak whine. It was then the stranger could finally see what they looked like: long drooping antennae, dark orange wings, and pale tangerine fur. A moth of some sort.

Luvi flinched as the bug—or, as she could see now, the moth—fell over. They clearly weren't well.

She hurried to their side. Afraid of her or not, she had to help them.

"Hung...gry..."

They're surprised by the sound of their voice. They haven't spoken in a long time. Their voice was rougher, raspier, much deeper than they'd expected.

Luvi rummaged through her bag, rifling through rolled up scrolls and nearly cutting her hand on her knife. Eventually, she found it; a small bundle wrapped up in a handkerchief.

She held out the bundle towards the weak-looking moth.

You don't deserve to eat.

For once, they find themself ignoring the awful voice in their head. They had to eat. They didn't care what was in the bundle, or if it was poisoned—anything would do. If they die, they wouldn't die hungry.

They grabbed the bundle from the stranger's hand, ripping the cloth apart and voraciously shoving the biggest object inside their mouth. It practically melted, sweetness they've never tasted in their entire life blooming against their tongue. It was delightful.

Maybe it’s because she really suspected nothing, given what they looked like now. They were just a sickly moth to her, and nothing more than that.

The thought filled them with relief. Their life was not in danger. For now.

They had to play the part right.

“You’re welcome! I can’t just let you starve, could I? And I’m so happy you enjoyed the rations, too! They’re local pastries from my home queendom. It makes me really happy to know a local bug enjoys them.”

She reached out to take the torn handkerchief from them, folding it before keeping it back in her bag.

They paused.

They’re not her anymore.

They didn’t want to be her anymore.

And if they’re not her anymore, then that’s not their name. What is their name?

They needed a new one, but what?

They think of the first two bugs they’ve grown close with. Or somewhat close. Whatever it was, they cared for them the way they cared for their Papa long ago.

Noticing they were still lying on the floor, she offered a hand out to them.

They eventually nodded, reaching out and taking her hand, allowing her to help them into a sitting position. They felt a bit lightheaded, but otherwise they felt much better than they had the past few days.

The new area she'd just entered was surprisingly hot, but this new heat not entirely unwelcome. After traversing the previous area with its heavy torrents of rain (fortunately, she'd kept her bag closed, lest her records and spare pieces of parchment get soaked through), the hot and dry air of this place warmed her shell. In a matter of minutes, she'd be perfectly dry again.

After some close calls with several large flying beasts, Luvi got right to searching, just as she'd been doing since her arrival. This scorched terrain was vast—she has a lot to cover, but that also meant she had much more to see.

She peeked through bushes and checked promising-looking openings but, unfortunately, still found saw no sign of her. Logically, it did make sense that she wouldn't be here. This place is far too hot; far from Helianther's much cooler climate. She hadn't walked very much, and yet she already felt weary.

She could feel her heart leap. Is this it? Had she found the princess?

"Your Highness! I'm coming!"

She sprinted towards the bushes, shoving them apart—revealing a cave. It certainly looked like a place a bug would use for hiding, or taking shelter. Perfect!

She then heard a shuffling sound coming from inside. It sounded like it was retreating.

"Your Highness?"

No response.

Frowning, she started to make her way into the cave. Maybe the princess was afraid. She didn't exactly run away from the queendom for no reason, did she?

"It's okay! I come in peace. We've been looking for you everywhere. Her Majesty has been so worried about you..."

It didn't take her long to reach the end of the cave, the heavy scent of metal settling in. The room was mostly bare, save for a rock jutting out from the ground in the center and a bug hiding behind it.

That bug was not the princess.

They had been alone in this cave for so, so long...starving by themself for days, maybe weeks, they weren't completely sure. They'd forgotten what the presence of another felt like—let alone the sound of another's voice, that hearing and seeing the stranger was incredibly jarring.

What was it she called them? Your Highness?

That's not their name.

Luvi shook her head, chastising herself mentally. This is the second time she's broken into someone's home already! Granted, this doesn't really look like a home, but it was still where someone who wasn't the princess lived.

"I'm so, so sorry for my intrusion! I was looking for someone and thought you were her. Gosh...please excuse me..."

She noticed them trembling behind the rock. She couldn't really see much of them, except for what looked like a pair of wings? It's hard to tell, given how dark the cave was.

"Hey...you don't have to be scared of me...like I said, I come in peace. I'm not going to hurt you. I'm not even holding my knife, see?"

But why? They knew what they've done wrong. And all the normal bugs did, too. She's a normal bug.

She took a few steps closer before crouching down, trying to appear smaller. She was already quite small herself, but she was technically standing over them...and probably looking quite imposing at the same time.

You're hungry. So, very hungry. Look how close she is. One lunge and you can eat her up. Eatherupeatherupeatherupeatherupeatherup—

Without warning, they fell over onto their side, cupping the lower half of their face and curling up with a weak whine. It was then the stranger could finally see what they looked like: long drooping antennae, dark orange wings, and pale tangerine fur. A moth of some sort.

Luvi flinched as the bug—or, as she could see now, the moth—fell over. They clearly weren't well.

She hurried to their side. Afraid of her or not, she had to help them.

"Hung...gry..."

They're surprised by the sound of their voice. They haven't spoken in a long time. Their voice was rougher, raspier, much deeper than they'd expected.

Luvi rummaged through her bag, rifling through rolled up scrolls and nearly cutting her hand on her knife. Eventually, she found it; a small bundle wrapped up in a handkerchief.

She held out the bundle towards the weak-looking moth.

You don't deserve to eat.

For once, they find themself ignoring the awful voice in their head. They had to eat. They didn't care what was in the bundle, or if it was poisoned—anything would do. If they die, they wouldn't die hungry.

They grabbed the bundle from the stranger's hand, ripping the cloth apart and voraciously shoving the biggest object inside their mouth. It practically melted, sweetness they've never tasted in their entire life blooming against their tongue. It was delightful.

Maybe it’s because she really suspected nothing, given what they looked like now. They were just a sickly moth to her, and nothing more than that.

The thought filled them with relief. Their life was not in danger. For now.

They had to play the part right.

“You’re welcome! I can’t just let you starve, could I? And I’m so happy you enjoyed the rations, too! They’re local pastries from my home queendom. It makes me really happy to know a local bug enjoys them.”

She reached out to take the torn handkerchief from them, folding it before keeping it back in her bag.

They paused.

They’re not her anymore.

They didn’t want to be her anymore.

And if they’re not her anymore, then that’s not their name. What is their name?

They needed a new one, but what?

They think of the first two bugs they’ve grown close with. Or somewhat close. Whatever it was, they cared for them the way they cared for their Papa long ago.

The new area she'd just entered was surprisingly hot, but this new heat not entirely unwelcome. After traversing the previous area with its heavy torrents of rain (fortunately, she'd kept her bag closed, lest her records and spare pieces of parchment get soaked through), the hot and dry air of this place warmed her shell. In a matter of minutes, she'd be perfectly dry again.

After some close calls with several large flying beasts, Luvi got right to searching, just as she'd been doing since her arrival. This scorched terrain was vast—she has a lot to cover, but that also meant she had much more to see.

She peeked through bushes and checked promising-looking openings but, unfortunately, still found saw no sign of her. Logically, it did make sense that she wouldn't be here. This place is far too hot; far from Helianther's much cooler climate. She hadn't walked very much, and yet she already felt weary.

She could feel her heart leap. Is this it? Had she found the princess?

"Your Highness! I'm coming!"

She sprinted towards the bushes, shoving them apart—revealing a cave. It certainly looked like a place a bug would use for hiding, or taking shelter. Perfect!

She then heard a shuffling sound coming from inside. It sounded like it was retreating.

"Your Highness?"

No response.

Frowning, she started to make her way into the cave. Maybe the princess was afraid. She didn't exactly run away from the queendom for no reason, did she?

"It's okay! I come in peace. We've been looking for you everywhere. Her Majesty has been so worried about you..."

It didn't take her long to reach the end of the cave, the heavy scent of metal settling in. The room was mostly bare, save for a rock jutting out from the ground in the center and a bug hiding behind it.

That bug was not the princess.

They had been alone in this cave for so, so long...starving by themself for days, maybe weeks, they weren't completely sure. They'd forgotten what the presence of another felt like—let alone the sound of another's voice, that hearing and seeing the stranger was incredibly jarring.

What was it she called them? Your Highness?

That's not their name.

Luvi shook her head, chastising herself mentally. This is the second time she's broken into someone's home already! Granted, this doesn't really look like a home, but it was still where someone who wasn't the princess lived.

"I'm so, so sorry for my intrusion! I was looking for someone and thought you were her. Gosh...please excuse me..."

She noticed them trembling behind the rock. She couldn't really see much of them, except for what looked like a pair of wings? It's hard to tell, given how dark the cave was.

"Hey...you don't have to be scared of me...like I said, I come in peace. I'm not going to hurt you. I'm not even holding my knife, see?"

But why? They knew what they've done wrong. And all the normal bugs did, too. She's a normal bug.

She took a few steps closer before crouching down, trying to appear smaller. She was already quite small herself, but she was technically standing over them...and probably looking quite imposing at the same time.

You're hungry. So, very hungry. Look how close she is. One lunge and you can eat her up. Eatherupeatherupeatherupeatherupeatherup—

Without warning, they fell over onto their side, cupping the lower half of their face and curling up with a weak whine. It was then the stranger could finally see what they looked like: long drooping antennae, dark orange wings, and pale tangerine fur. A moth of some sort.

Luvi flinched as the bug—or, as she could see now, the moth—fell over. They clearly weren't well.

She hurried to their side. Afraid of her or not, she had to help them.

"Hung...gry..."

They're surprised by the sound of their voice. They haven't spoken in a long time. Their voice was rougher, raspier, much deeper than they'd expected.

Luvi rummaged through her bag, rifling through rolled up scrolls and nearly cutting her hand on her knife. Eventually, she found it; a small bundle wrapped up in a handkerchief.

She held out the bundle towards the weak-looking moth.

You don't deserve to eat.

For once, they find themself ignoring the awful voice in their head. They had to eat. They didn't care what was in the bundle, or if it was poisoned—anything would do. If they die, they wouldn't die hungry.

They grabbed the bundle from the stranger's hand, ripping the cloth apart and voraciously shoving the biggest object inside their mouth. It practically melted, sweetness they've never tasted in their entire life blooming against their tongue. It was delightful.

Maybe it’s because she really suspected nothing, given what they looked like now. They were just a sickly moth to her, and nothing more than that.

The thought filled them with relief. Their life was not in danger. For now.

They had to play the part right.

The new area she'd just entered was surprisingly hot, but this new heat not entirely unwelcome. After traversing the previous area with its heavy torrents of rain (fortunately, she'd kept her bag closed, lest her records and spare pieces of parchment get soaked through), the hot and dry air of this place warmed her shell. In a matter of minutes, she'd be perfectly dry again.

After some close calls with several large flying beasts, Luvi got right to searching, just as she'd been doing since her arrival. This scorched terrain was vast—she has a lot to cover, but that also meant she had much more to see.

She peeked through bushes and checked promising-looking openings but, unfortunately, still found saw no sign of her. Logically, it did make sense that she wouldn't be here. This place is far too hot; far from Helianther's much cooler climate. She hadn't walked very much, and yet she already felt weary.

She could feel her heart leap. Is this it? Had she found the princess?

"Your Highness! I'm coming!"

She sprinted towards the bushes, shoving them apart—revealing a cave. It certainly looked like a place a bug would use for hiding, or taking shelter. Perfect!

She then heard a shuffling sound coming from inside. It sounded like it was retreating.

"Your Highness?"

No response.

Frowning, she started to make her way into the cave. Maybe the princess was afraid. She didn't exactly run away from the queendom for no reason, did she?

"It's okay! I come in peace. We've been looking for you everywhere. Her Majesty has been so worried about you..."

It didn't take her long to reach the end of the cave, the heavy scent of metal settling in. The room was mostly bare, save for a rock jutting out from the ground in the center and a bug hiding behind it.

That bug was not the princess.

They had been alone in this cave for so, so long...starving by themself for days, maybe weeks, they weren't completely sure. They'd forgotten what the presence of another felt like—let alone the sound of another's voice, that hearing and seeing the stranger was incredibly jarring.

What was it she called them? Your Highness?

That's not their name.

Luvi shook her head, chastising herself mentally. This is the second time she's broken into someone's home already! Granted, this doesn't really look like a home, but it was still where someone who wasn't the princess lived.

"I'm so, so sorry for my intrusion! I was looking for someone and thought you were her. Gosh...please excuse me..."

She noticed them trembling behind the rock. She couldn't really see much of them, except for what looked like a pair of wings? It's hard to tell, given how dark the cave was.

"Hey...you don't have to be scared of me...like I said, I come in peace. I'm not going to hurt you. I'm not even holding my knife, see?"

But why? They knew what they've done wrong. And all the normal bugs did, too. She's a normal bug.

She took a few steps closer before crouching down, trying to appear smaller. She was already quite small herself, but she was technically standing over them...and probably looking quite imposing at the same time.

You're hungry. So, very hungry. Look how close she is. One lunge and you can eat her up. Eatherupeatherupeatherupeatherupeatherup—

Without warning, they fell over onto their side, cupping the lower half of their face and curling up with a weak whine. It was then the stranger could finally see what they looked like: long drooping antennae, dark orange wings, and pale tangerine fur. A moth of some sort.

Luvi flinched as the bug—or, as she could see now, the moth—fell over. They clearly weren't well.

She hurried to their side. Afraid of her or not, she had to help them.

"Hung...gry..."

They're surprised by the sound of their voice. They haven't spoken in a long time. Their voice was rougher, raspier, much deeper than they'd expected.

Luvi rummaged through her bag, rifling through rolled up scrolls and nearly cutting her hand on her knife. Eventually, she found it; a small bundle wrapped up in a handkerchief.

She held out the bundle towards the weak-looking moth.

You don't deserve to eat.

For once, they find themself ignoring the awful voice in their head. They had to eat. They didn't care what was in the bundle, or if it was poisoned—anything would do. If they die, they wouldn't die hungry.

They grabbed the bundle from the stranger's hand, ripping the cloth apart and voraciously shoving the biggest object inside their mouth. It practically melted, sweetness they've never tasted in their entire life blooming against their tongue. It was delightful.

Maybe it’s because she really suspected nothing, given what they looked like now. They were just a sickly moth to her, and nothing more than that.

The thought filled them with relief. Their life was not in danger. For now.

They had to play the part right.

The new area she'd just entered was surprisingly hot, but this new heat not entirely unwelcome. After traversing the previous area with its heavy torrents of rain (fortunately, she'd kept her bag closed, lest her records and spare pieces of parchment get soaked through), the hot and dry air of this place warmed her shell. In a matter of minutes, she'd be perfectly dry again.

After some close calls with several large flying beasts, Luvi got right to searching, just as she'd been doing since her arrival. This scorched terrain was vast—she has a lot to cover, but that also meant she had much more to see.

She peeked through bushes and checked promising-looking openings but, unfortunately, still found saw no sign of her. Logically, it did make sense that she wouldn't be here. This place is far too hot; far from Helianther's much cooler climate. She hadn't walked very much, and yet she already felt weary.

She could feel her heart leap. Is this it? Had she found the princess?

"Your Highness! I'm coming!"

She sprinted towards the bushes, shoving them apart—revealing a cave. It certainly looked like a place a bug would use for hiding, or taking shelter. Perfect!

She then heard a shuffling sound coming from inside. It sounded like it was retreating.

"Your Highness?"

No response.

Frowning, she started to make her way into the cave. Maybe the princess was afraid. She didn't exactly run away from the queendom for no reason, did she?

"It's okay! I come in peace. We've been looking for you everywhere. Her Majesty has been so worried about you..."

It didn't take her long to reach the end of the cave, the heavy scent of metal settling in. The room was mostly bare, save for a rock jutting out from the ground in the center and a bug hiding behind it.

That bug was not the princess.

They had been alone in this cave for so, so long...starving by themself for days, maybe weeks, they weren't completely sure. They'd forgotten what the presence of another felt like—let alone the sound of another's voice, that hearing and seeing the stranger was incredibly jarring.

What was it she called them? Your Highness?

That's not their name.

Luvi shook her head, chastising herself mentally. This is the second time she's broken into someone's home already! Granted, this doesn't really look like a home, but it was still where someone who wasn't the princess lived.

"I'm so, so sorry for my intrusion! I was looking for someone and thought you were her. Gosh...please excuse me..."

She noticed them trembling behind the rock. She couldn't really see much of them, except for what looked like a pair of wings? It's hard to tell, given how dark the cave was.

"Hey...you don't have to be scared of me...like I said, I come in peace. I'm not going to hurt you. I'm not even holding my knife, see?"

But why? They knew what they've done wrong. And all the normal bugs did, too. She's a normal bug.

She took a few steps closer before crouching down, trying to appear smaller. She was already quite small herself, but she was technically standing over them...and probably looking quite imposing at the same time.

You're hungry. So, very hungry. Look how close she is. One lunge and you can eat her up. Eatherupeatherupeatherupeatherupeatherup—

Without warning, they fell over onto their side, cupping the lower half of their face and curling up with a weak whine. It was then the stranger could finally see what they looked like: long drooping antennae, dark orange wings, and pale tangerine fur. A moth of some sort.

Luvi flinched as the bug—or, as she could see now, the moth—fell over. They clearly weren't well.

She hurried to their side. Afraid of her or not, she had to help them.

"Hung...gry..."

They're surprised by the sound of their voice. They haven't spoken in a long time. Their voice was rougher, raspier, much deeper than they'd expected.

Luvi rummaged through her bag, rifling through rolled up scrolls and nearly cutting her hand on her knife. Eventually, she found it; a small bundle wrapped up in a handkerchief.

She held out the bundle towards the weak-looking moth.

You don't deserve to eat.

For once, they find themself ignoring the awful voice in their head. They had to eat. They didn't care what was in the bundle, or if it was poisoned—anything would do. If they die, they wouldn't die hungry.

They grabbed the bundle from the stranger's hand, ripping the cloth apart and voraciously shoving the biggest object inside their mouth. It practically melted, sweetness they've never tasted in their entire life blooming against their tongue. It was delightful.

The new area she'd just entered was surprisingly hot, but this new heat not entirely unwelcome. After traversing the previous area with its heavy torrents of rain (fortunately, she'd kept her bag closed, lest her records and spare pieces of parchment get soaked through), the hot and dry air of this place warmed her shell. In a matter of minutes, she'd be perfectly dry again.

After some close calls with several large flying beasts, Luvi got right to searching, just as she'd been doing since her arrival. This scorched terrain was vast—she has a lot to cover, but that also meant she had much more to see.

She peeked through bushes and checked promising-looking openings but, unfortunately, still found saw no sign of her. Logically, it did make sense that she wouldn't be here. This place is far too hot; far from Helianther's much cooler climate. She hadn't walked very much, and yet she already felt weary.

She could feel her heart leap. Is this it? Had she found the princess?

"Your Highness! I'm coming!"

She sprinted towards the bushes, shoving them apart—revealing a cave. It certainly looked like a place a bug would use for hiding, or taking shelter. Perfect!

She then heard a shuffling sound coming from inside. It sounded like it was retreating.

"Your Highness?"

No response.

Frowning, she started to make her way into the cave. Maybe the princess was afraid. She didn't exactly run away from the queendom for no reason, did she?

"It's okay! I come in peace. We've been looking for you everywhere. Her Majesty has been so worried about you..."

It didn't take her long to reach the end of the cave, the heavy scent of metal settling in. The room was mostly bare, save for a rock jutting out from the ground in the center and a bug hiding behind it.

That bug was not the princess.

They had been alone in this cave for so, so long...starving by themself for days, maybe weeks, they weren't completely sure. They'd forgotten what the presence of another felt like—let alone the sound of another's voice, that hearing and seeing the stranger was incredibly jarring.

What was it she called them? Your Highness?

That's not their name.

Luvi shook her head, chastising herself mentally. This is the second time she's broken into someone's home already! Granted, this doesn't really look like a home, but it was still where someone who wasn't the princess lived.

"I'm so, so sorry for my intrusion! I was looking for someone and thought you were her. Gosh...please excuse me..."

She noticed them trembling behind the rock. She couldn't really see much of them, except for what looked like a pair of wings? It's hard to tell, given how dark the cave was.

"Hey...you don't have to be scared of me...like I said, I come in peace. I'm not going to hurt you. I'm not even holding my knife, see?"

But why? They knew what they've done wrong. And all the normal bugs did, too. She's a normal bug.

She took a few steps closer before crouching down, trying to appear smaller. She was already quite small herself, but she was technically standing over them...and probably looking quite imposing at the same time.

You're hungry. So, very hungry. Look how close she is. One lunge and you can eat her up. Eatherupeatherupeatherupeatherupeatherup—

Without warning, they fell over onto their side, cupping the lower half of their face and curling up with a weak whine. It was then the stranger could finally see what they looked like: long drooping antennae, dark orange wings, and pale tangerine fur. A moth of some sort.

Luvi flinched as the bug—or, as she could see now, the moth—fell over. They clearly weren't well.

She hurried to their side. Afraid of her or not, she had to help them.

"Hung...gry..."

They're surprised by the sound of their voice. They haven't spoken in a long time. Their voice was rougher, raspier, much deeper than they'd expected.

The new area she'd just entered was surprisingly hot, but this new heat not entirely unwelcome. After traversing the previous area with its heavy torrents of rain (fortunately, she'd kept her bag closed, lest her records and spare pieces of parchment get soaked through), the hot and dry air of this place warmed her shell. In a matter of minutes, she'd be perfectly dry again.

After some close calls with several large flying beasts, Luvi got right to searching, just as she'd been doing since her arrival. This scorched terrain was vast—she has a lot to cover, but that also meant she had much more to see.

She peeked through bushes and checked promising-looking openings but, unfortunately, still found saw no sign of her. Logically, it did make sense that she wouldn't be here. This place is far too hot; far from Helianther's much cooler climate. She hadn't walked very much, and yet she already felt weary.

She could feel her heart leap. Is this it? Had she found the princess?

"Your Highness! I'm coming!"

She sprinted towards the bushes, shoving them apart—revealing a cave. It certainly looked like a place a bug would use for hiding, or taking shelter. Perfect!

She then heard a shuffling sound coming from inside. It sounded like it was retreating.

"Your Highness?"

No response.

Frowning, she started to make her way into the cave. Maybe the princess was afraid. She didn't exactly run away from the queendom for no reason, did she?

"It's okay! I come in peace. We've been looking for you everywhere. Her Majesty has been so worried about you..."

It didn't take her long to reach the end of the cave, the heavy scent of metal settling in. The room was mostly bare, save for a rock jutting out from the ground in the center and a bug hiding behind it.

That bug was not the princess.

They had been alone in this cave for so, so long...starving by themself for days, maybe weeks, they weren't completely sure. They'd forgotten what the presence of another felt like—let alone the sound of another's voice, that hearing and seeing the stranger was incredibly jarring.

What was it she called them? Your Highness?

That's not their name.

Luvi shook her head, chastising herself mentally. This is the second time she's broken into someone's home already! Granted, this doesn't really look like a home, but it was still where someone who wasn't the princess lived.

"I'm so, so sorry for my intrusion! I was looking for someone and thought you were her. Gosh...please excuse me..."

She noticed them trembling behind the rock. She couldn't really see much of them, except for what looked like a pair of wings? It's hard to tell, given how dark the cave was.

"Hey...you don't have to be scared of me...like I said, I come in peace. I'm not going to hurt you. I'm not even holding my knife, see?"

But why? They knew what they've done wrong. And all the normal bugs did, too. She's a normal bug.

She took a few steps closer before crouching down, trying to appear smaller. She was already quite small herself, but she was technically standing over them...and probably looking quite imposing at the same time.

You're hungry. So, very hungry. Look how close she is. One lunge and you can eat her up. Eatherupeatherupeatherupeatherupeatherup—

Without warning, they fell over onto their side, cupping the lower half of their face and curling up with a weak whine. It was then the stranger could finally see what they looked like: long drooping antennae, dark orange wings, and pale tangerine fur. A moth of some sort.

The new area she'd just entered was surprisingly hot, but this new heat not entirely unwelcome. After traversing the previous area with its heavy torrents of rain (fortunately, she'd kept her bag closed, lest her records and spare pieces of parchment get soaked through), the hot and dry air of this place warmed her shell. In a matter of minutes, she'd be perfectly dry again.

After some close calls with several large flying beasts, Luvi got right to searching, just as she'd been doing since her arrival. This scorched terrain was vast—she has a lot to cover, but that also meant she had much more to see.

She peeked through bushes and checked promising-looking openings but, unfortunately, still found saw no sign of her. Logically, it did make sense that she wouldn't be here. This place is far too hot; far from Helianther's much cooler climate. She hadn't walked very much, and yet she already felt weary.

She could feel her heart leap. Is this it? Had she found the princess?

"Your Highness! I'm coming!"

She sprinted towards the bushes, shoving them apart—revealing a cave. It certainly looked like a place a bug would use for hiding, or taking shelter. Perfect!

She then heard a shuffling sound coming from inside. It sounded like it was retreating.

"Your Highness?"

No response.

Frowning, she started to make her way into the cave. Maybe the princess was afraid. She didn't exactly run away from the queendom for no reason, did she?

"It's okay! I come in peace. We've been looking for you everywhere. Her Majesty has been so worried about you..."

It didn't take her long to reach the end of the cave, the heavy scent of metal settling in. The room was mostly bare, save for a rock jutting out from the ground in the center and a bug hiding behind it.

That bug was not the princess.

They had been alone in this cave for so, so long...starving by themself for days, maybe weeks, they weren't completely sure. They'd forgotten what the presence of another felt like—let alone the sound of another's voice, that hearing and seeing the stranger was incredibly jarring.

What was it she called them? Your Highness?

That's not their name.

Luvi shook her head, chastising herself mentally. This is the second time she's broken into someone's home already! Granted, this doesn't really look like a home, but it was still where someone who wasn't the princess lived.

"I'm so, so sorry for my intrusion! I was looking for someone and thought you were her. Gosh...please excuse me..."

She noticed them trembling behind the rock. She couldn't really see much of them, except for what looked like a pair of wings? It's hard to tell, given how dark the cave was.

"Hey...you don't have to be scared of me...like I said, I come in peace. I'm not going to hurt you. I'm not even holding my knife, see?"

But why? They knew what they've done wrong. And all the normal bugs did, too. She's a normal bug.

The new area she'd just entered was surprisingly hot, but this new heat not entirely unwelcome. After traversing the previous area with its heavy torrents of rain (fortunately, she'd kept her bag closed, lest her records and spare pieces of parchment get soaked through), the hot and dry air of this place warmed her shell. In a matter of minutes, she'd be perfectly dry again.

After some close calls with several large flying beasts, Luvi got right to searching, just as she'd been doing since her arrival. This scorched terrain was vast—she has a lot to cover, but that also meant she had much more to see.

She peeked through bushes and checked promising-looking openings but, unfortunately, still found saw no sign of her. Logically, it did make sense that she wouldn't be here. This place is far too hot; far from Helianther's much cooler climate. She hadn't walked very much, and yet she already felt weary.

She could feel her heart leap. Is this it? Had she found the princess?

"Your Highness! I'm coming!"

She sprinted towards the bushes, shoving them apart—revealing a cave. It certainly looked like a place a bug would use for hiding, or taking shelter. Perfect!

She then heard a shuffling sound coming from inside. It sounded like it was retreating.

"Your Highness?"

No response.

Frowning, she started to make her way into the cave. Maybe the princess was afraid. She didn't exactly run away from the queendom for no reason, did she?

"It's okay! I come in peace. We've been looking for you everywhere. Her Majesty has been so worried about you..."

It didn't take her long to reach the end of the cave, the heavy scent of metal settling in. The room was mostly bare, save for a rock jutting out from the ground in the center and a bug hiding behind it.

That bug was not the princess.

They had been alone in this cave for so, so long...starving by themself for days, maybe weeks, they weren't completely sure. They'd forgotten what the presence of another felt like—let alone the sound of another's voice, that hearing and seeing the stranger was incredibly jarring.

What was it she called them? Your Highness?

That's not their name.

At the end of it all, though, despite the different outcomes, Naya was tired. She had travelled across many regions—not necessarily the entirety of the land, but enough to wear out her shell. Talking and trying to convince normal bugs took quite a lot of effort, too, especially for a Nosk who hadn’t talked to other bugs for her whole life until recently. She wanted to go home, preferably take a nice nap and try again tomorrow.

Before long, the scent of metal and earth filled her nostrils. It’s the smell of home. The smell of Papa. She would tell him all about her adventures today. After her nap, at least.

But as she drew closer to the hidden den, foreign scents quickly became apparent; entwined around her home’s usual smell. The scent of living things…

There were intruders inside her home.

Naya stared at the concealed den entrance, questions quickly flooding her. Who was inside the den? And why?

Naya was ready to march in and calmly tell them to leave, or maybe even continue her agenda to (try to) befriend them, but before she could a single word one of them said made her stop in her tracks: “Nosk”.

She paused. What was it they were saying about her kind?

“You know, those shellshifting-shifting creatures. The ones that turn into just about anything they think could lure their prey, or stay under the radar.” The second pilgrim explained patiently.

“I’ve heard stories about them, but I’ve thankfully never actually seen one before. Why’d you bring them up?” questioned the third.

“I’ve heard from another bug that they’re probably native to these lands. And more of them have been seen around these parts recently.”

“That’s terrible! Doesn’t that make our journey to the holy Citadel even more dangerous than it should’ve been?”

“Well…not exactly? They haven’t been seen around these days, according to him, but the last time they were…well, they haven’t exactly been attacking.”

“Is that so?”

“Apparently. They’ve kind of just been…around? And not even shellshifting in the slightest. And being nice?”

“Nice? A Nosk being nice?”

“That’s out of the question. Monsters like them can’t be nice!”

“Exactly. Maybe they have been slowly changing their tactics, and decided appearance alone isn’t enough to lead bugs into a false sense of security. They had to keep up a ‘nice’ act, too.”

“There is really no way a Nosk can just be nice. There is definitely something in it for them.”

“M-hm. Another bug told me she saw one of them creeping up on other bugs before trying to talk to them. If that’s supposed to be nice, the creature is terrible at hiding its true intentions, even when its potential prey isn’t looking.”

“It sounds more like it’s trying to attack, but as soon as it gets noticed it starts putting on the nice act.”

She needed to get in there and explain herself. They were terribly wrong.

“Oh, my…I can’t imagine how many of us it would’ve easily killed back then.”

“It was a lot, I tell you. It really liked to prey on the likes of us. Probably because we’re so weak, and it knows that.”

“That’s horrible. Sounds like it specifically targeted us pilgrims.”

“It probably did. Probably to feed its kid.”

“Kid?”

“That vicious Nosk had one, yes. This tiny one that followed it everywhere, usually disguised similarly to its father.”

“Sounds like it was trying to kill pilgrims like us for that thing’s nutrition. The nerve! We, devout travellers trying to reach the holy Citadel, reduced to beast chow!”

“So what happened to that big Nosk?”

“It died.”

“How? What could’ve possibly brought down such a predator?”

“No one knows.”

“No one?”

“Yes. But the day it died was a good day for us pilgrims! Whoever had it slain deserved a reward. And it deserved to die for keeping all our brothers and sisters before us from the eternal city above.”

“Do you think this cave could’ve been its home, once?”

“Probably! It smelt very heavily metallic when we first found this place.”

“What if this rock here is where it’s buried?”

“Imagine! We’re basically squatting on its grave!”

“I can’t imagine what that horrid beast must be thinking wherever it is now, seeing its prey sitting over its dead body! Or if it is anywhere at all—it has probably ceased to exist completely.”

“Creatures like Nosks don’t deserve to exist.”

“Hey, whatever happened to the kid, then?”

She could only see red.

And red was all she saw for the next few moments, as she roared and charged into the room, right at the group of pilgrims.

Screaming.

Scratching.

Biting.

Ripping.

Silence.

Naya stood there, heaving, staring down at the mess that now decorated her claws, Papa’s gravestone and the rest of the room. Hemolymph was splattered across every surface, including her claws. Two now-dead pilgrims lay at her feet, covered in wounds so grievous she couldn’t believe she had been the one to have caused them.

Two pilgrims?

Her head whipped around with a crack, but it was too late. The last pilgrim, although severely injured, hurriedly limped away, escaping before she could even start after them.

At first, Naya was livid. How could they just get away with it like that, like they hadn’t just walked into her home and then insulted her, her family and friends? The only way they could pay was to die.

But then her anger dissipated as a more rational part of her came to a realization. She’d just killed two normal bugs and let one go. She wanted to befriend normal bugs, and change their minds about her kind.

But she killed two of them, and the survivor had seen everything.

The survivor would tell the other normal bugs. They would warn them of the new vicious Nosk, who killed two of their friends in front of them.

The other normal bugs would hate Nosks even more now.

They wouldn’t listen to any of them anymore. Even if they were nice. Because they knew exactly what they were capable of.

Sister Amba’s goal would fail.

And it was all because of her. All her fault.

A wave of hopelessness crashed over Naya, and she couldn’t do anything but simply collapse. Collapse in front of the proof of her wrongdoings, and in front of the one bug whose advice she hadn’t listened to.

Tears began to fill her eyes.

“S-Sorry…so…sorry…”

She didn’t know who she was apologizing to. All she knew was that she had done something wrong. Something terribly, terribly wrong.