Evolution begins with an ant colony-Chapter 387: Unveiling Bonds In Shadows

As Akun made his way through the streets of the capital, the weight of Aric's words settled heavily on him. He could lose Hestria, Genreia, Azara, and Tatilia. But to what? He clenched his fists, the worry etching lines on his usually calm face.

Suddenly, a gentle hand touched his arm. Genreia, her vibrant green eyes filled with concern, looked up at him.

"Master? Is everything alright? You seem troubled."

Azara, who normally kept a respectful distance, also approached him, her voice barely a whisper.

"A-are you feeling unwell, Akun?"

Tatilia, always playful and cheerful, twirled around Akun, her yellow hair catching the fading light. She leaned in, her yellow eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Don't worry, master. We're here with you, whatever it is," she said with a teasing smile, linking her arm with his.

Akun took a deep breath, realizing his worry must be showing. He forced a smile, his worry easing slightly.

"Nothing much, really. Just noticed it's getting dark. What do you four say? We grab some food before we head to the inn?"

The women all looked relieved once they heard his response.

"Food sounds lovely, Master," Genreia replied, a warm smile on her lips.

"Yes, I'm quite famished," Azara added, a hint of her shyness melting away.

"Food and good company, what more could we want?" Tatilia chimed in, giving Akun's arm a playful squeeze.

Akun chuckled, a genuine laugh that brought a spark of joy back to his eyes.

"Perfect. Let's find a nice spot then. My treat."

The change in his demeanor was clear. The four women exchanged relieved glances as they followed Akun, a bond forming between them. Perhaps facing uncertainty together brought a new sense of understanding.

As they walked, the aroma of sizzling meats and fresh bread filled the air, a collection of delicious smells. Akun looked around the bustling street, his eyes landing on a small, cozy tavern with warm light spilling out from its windows.

"How about this one?"

The women nodded eagerly, their stomachs rumbling as they did. Stepping through the doorway, they were greeted by the lively chatter of patrons and the welcoming warmth of the heat from lanterns.

They found a comfortable table in the corner and soon immersed themselves in browsing the menu.

Akun looked through the menu, a thoughtful frown creasing his brow for a moment. Finally, a smile spread across his face. He raised his hand, catching the eye of a young waitress bustling between tables.

"Excuse me, miss?"

The waitress, a woman with fiery red hair and a warm smile, approached their table.

"Good evening, gentlemen and ladies. Can I interest you in some of our specialty dishes tonight?"

"Indeed," Akun replied. "I'll have the grilled boar steak with roasted vegetables, medium-rare please."

Hestria, Genreia, Azara, and Tatilia all exchanged glances. Before any of them could speak, Hestria leaned forward with a grin.

"I'll have the same, thanks very much."

Genreia chuckled and nodded. "Make it two boar steaks, medium-rare please."

Azara, her voice barely above a whisper, added, "And... one more boar steak, medium-rare."

Tatilia grinned, her eyes twinkling. "Make that four boar steaks, medium-rare. And can we get some of your special house sauce on the side?"

The waitress raised an eyebrow in amusement but quickly recovered her composure.

"Excellent choices! And for drinks?"

Akun took a moment to consider, then looked at the others.

"What do you all prefer?"

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Genreia's eyes lit up.

"A nice glass of red wine would be perfect with the boar, wouldn't it?"

Hestria nodded eagerly. "Absolutely."

Azara simply gave a shy thumbs up.

Tatilia leaned closer to Akun, her voice playful. "I'll have what master's having. Always."

The waitress jotted down their orders with a smile.

"Four boar steaks, medium-rare, and four glasses of your finest red wine. Coming right up!"

Once the waitress was out of earshot, Hestria leaned forward, her eyes filled with curiosity.

"So, Master, what exactly were you hoping to learn from Aric? You mentioned it back at the academy."

Akun's smile faded as the memory of Aric's words came back to him. He recalled the cryptic way Aric spoke, the sense of urgency that hung in the air. A sigh escaped his lips.

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Hestria's brow furrowed in concern.

"Is everything alright, Master? You were so eager to find out from Aric just a moment ago. Did he say something to upset you?"

Genreia, Azara, and Tatilia exchanged worried glances, the light mood around the table dimming. Akun noticed their concern and quickly raised a hand, dispelling their unease.

"No, no, nothing like that."

"It's just... some things are best left unsaid for now. Trust me, it's not a big deal." He forced a smile, hoping to ease their worry.

The weight of Aric's words sat heavy in his gut, a secret he wasn't ready to share just yet. The fact he would be forced to nearly destroy the cosmos and would then be forced to try putting it back together.

"What would the gods do to me… that would be forced to kill but not enslave them," Akun mused, the future feeling more and more grim as he did.

His immense power mingled with a sense of fear, leaving him with an unsettling feeling. He yearned to understand what Aric meant, but a part of him feared the truth it might hold.

The clatter of plates filled the sudden silence, the waitress carefully placing their steaming meals on the table.

The aroma of grilled boar mingled with the rich scent of red wine, a welcome distraction from the tension moments before.

Akun watched as Hestria, Genreia, Azara, and Tatilia dug into their food with wooden utensils, a small smile spreading on his lips. Yet, a nagging thought lurked at the back of his mind.

"Now that I think about it," he mused internally, swirling the red wine in his glass, "I don't really know them."

He glanced at the women, each engrossed in their meals. He knew their names, their eagerness to follow him, but their motivations remained shrouded in mystery. Their pasts, their dreams, their fears – all were a blank canvas to him.

A sting of loneliness struck him, a somewhat strange emotion for him to feel despite the warm atmosphere around the table.

The only person he truly felt he understood was Chrono Nexus, the always cheerful goddess of time.

"I wonder what she's up to right now," he thought, a question hanging heavy in the air that only she could answer if she was here, that is. He pushed the thought aside, forcing himself to focus on the present.

These women, despite their secrets, were his companions now. He owed it to them to learn more.

Taking a sip of his wine, Akun cleared his throat.

"So, ladies," he began, a genuine smile gracing his lips, "tell me about yourselves. What caused you all to be so eager to follow me on this adventure?"