Evolution begins with an ant colony

As Akun slowly walked out of the Dryad royal chambers, each of his steps seemed to echo ominously. Pausing momentarily, he glanced back at the frozen Dryad elders and queen.

He then freed them from the pressure that kept them in place as he spoke with a deep, ominous tone, "Elders, it would be in your collective best interest if you enlightened that naive queen of yours, if you don't all want an early death, that is." His words sent a chill down their spines, and they didn't dare talk back, receiving his words in silence.

Once he was done with his statement, he proceeded to walk out of the Dryad tree castle and took to the skies with his aspect power.

As the elders slowly got back on their feet, the princess helped the queen up. As she stood, the queen couldn't help but mutter, "Elders, who exactly is that man?" She then glanced to the side of the bed where her husband had previously lain and spoke with a slightly saddened tone, "And what does he plan to do to my husband?"

Elder Aelorin then slowly walked up to the queen, patting her head as she said, "Elenora, child, I honestly don't know, but I'm sure no harm shall befall him. You were most fortunate he didn't decide to take your life during your reckless outburst earlier.

If he did decide to end you then and there, I and the others would have only been able to watch, as we do not have the means to actually harm that man."

Elenora, the Dryad queen, then spoke with a slightly angered tone, "But who exactly is he, and what could we possibly have done for him to treat us like this?" Her statement made all the elders, including Princess Rinalef, wear a rather guilty expression as they all cast their glances elsewhere.

Their expressions caught the attention of Elenora, prompting her to ask with a tone of disbelief, "Elders, Rinalef, what did you all do?"

Elder Thalanor then spoke up, saying, "We haven't exactly done it yet, but it was something we did and are going to do. As confusing as that all sounds, it makes sense. And that is the reason for his rather cold attitude towards us. I can't blame him."

Elenora awaited further explanation, her expression a mix of confusion and concern.

Elenora wore a rather confused expression on her face as she tried her best to make sense of what Elder Thalanor said. However, the statement was far too cryptic and confusing, prompting her to ask, "Elder, please, could you explain further? I have not the slightest idea as to what you meant by that statement."

Elder Aelorin then suddenly spoke up, saying, "He refers to time, child. That man wields the power of time and came from a future where he had done truly unforgivable things to his people due to the predicament we found ourselves in. So, he traveled back to a time when the event in question hadn't taken place yet and prevented it.

In the process of doing that, he decided to also punish us for what we did."

Elenora then mumbled with a confused tone, "Unforgivable things, what exactly?"

Her question left the elders and Rinalef looking even more guilty. A still silence enveloped the room, making Elenora question just how far they went for them to not even be able to utter a single word.

"Absolute genocide," Elder Sylara broke the still silence that hung in the air. She then added with a slightly serious tone, "According to what he told us, we had used our tribe's secret weapon to cause mass genocide to the people of his tribe, and this is the reason for his built-up anger."

Her words left the queen in utter shock. She suddenly fell to her knees as she then asked, "Just how powerful is this man exactly?"
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Elder Thalanor then spoke with a slightly frightened tone, "Honestly, child, the limit of his strength is not something I think we could possibly have an idea of.

The fact that he could even call upon a godess and that he was answered without delay already gives us the vague idea that he should already be as strong as a god, if not even stronger, for that goddess to call him master and fond over him like that."

The queen then inquired with a mix of confusion and awe, "But if he is as strong as a god or is a god, how is he walking the mortal plane like that? I thought gods aren't allowed to do that anymore. And also, the name of the goddess he called upon, Chrono Nexus, was it? How was she also able to walk the mortal plane like that?"

Elder Nyressa then walked up to Elenora and gently placed her right hand on her left shoulder as she spoke with a soft, soothing tone, "Calm down, child. The mysteries that surround that man and his power are a topic that could be discussed for days on end for how complex they are. For now, why don't you focus on other matters? Your people were shaken up at the sight of that man.

Why don't you rekindle their spirits by showing your face and informing them of your well-being?"

Elenora wore a slightly more relieved expression as she replied, "Your words carry wisdom, elder. Meet my people I shall." With Elder Nyressa's help, she slowly got on her feet, wearing a small smile.

Elder Aelorin, now wearing a small smile, then added, "But before you go anywhere," as she pulled Rinalef to the queen's side. She continued, "You must commend this daughter of yours. Though it was under our guidance, she was an excellent ruler while you and your beloved were stuck in that slumber due to the curse."

Elenora then smiled even more as she gazed at Rinalef, patting her head. She said, "Is that so? I expect nothing less from my little dandelion. She is truly the embodiment of my hopes and dreams."

"Oh, mother," Rinalef mumbled with pink cheeks, tears slowly streaming down her face as she hugged her mother tightly. She added, "I missed so much. I thought I would never see you again."

"Now, now, don't cry. Where is that big princess our elders were talking about?"

Rinalef then stopped hugging her mother and held her hand. Elenora spoke up, saying, "Okay, now, let us go and meet our people."

The elders, the queen, and the princess then slowly proceeded to exit the royal chambers.