I Became an Ant Lord, So I Built a Hive Full of Beauties-Chapter 209: Soul Connection

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Her golden body glowed warmer with each passing night, as if absorbing Luna’s despair and trying to give her comfort.

On the seventh day, just before dawn, as Luna sat beside the rock, exactly the rock of their first night. She was worried sick. Only this place gave her some comfort.

She heard a faint Flickering.

Luna...

Her eyes shot open. She looked around but no one was there. Then it came again, louder:

"Luna... Luna! Can you hear me? I’m okay. I’m coming back!"

Her heart stuttered. Her breath caught in her throat. Was it real? Was she hallucinating?

Miryam jolted awake beside her, eyes flaring. The little wyrmling pressed her snout to Luna’s chest and let out a low purr—she had heard it too.

Tears welled in Luna’s eyes. "Kai...? Is that you?"

The voice again: "I’m sorry... the rift gate threw me far. I’m in the Southern Forest. I couldn’t contact you before... my soul power wasn’t enough. But I’m okay now."

Tears welled in Luna’s eyes.

"Kai...?"

Her lips trembled. "Kai, is that really you?!"

"It’s really me," came the gentle reply. "I had to absorb something powerful to speak to you... but I’m safe. I’ll return soon. Just wait for me a little longer."

Luna clutched her bracelet, hot tears spilling freely. "You idiot... you made me wait seven days."

"I’m sorry," he whispered through the bond.

"I thought I lost you..." Her voice broke.

"No. You never will. I’m Okay, Luna."

No reply came for a second....

Kai’s voice echoed through the bond, warm and steady, laced with just enough playfulness to stir her pulse. "Luna... don’t tell me you’ve started crying without me. That’s not fair. I haven’t even gotten the chance to tease you yet."

On the other end of the connection, Luna’s breath caught.

Luna sniffed, wiping her cheeks as she tried to suppress the laugh bubbling behind her sobs. "You jerk..."

"There it is," he said, smug. "That voice. That pout. I missed it more than I’ll admit."

The link vibrated faintly with her heartbeat, it was fast, hot, fragile. "Are you hurt? Trapped? You said Southern Forest—are you—"

"No injuries. Stronger than ever." His tone turned softer. "But something’s changed, Luna... in me. I feel it. Maybe it’s all the things I didn’t say before. The things I should have said when we stood together last."

There was silence. Then her voice, "Like what?"

He smiled through the link. "Like how you’re the reason I keep walking. The reason I’ll make it back, no matter how far this world throws me."

Her heart fluttered. "Kai..."

"And how, when I get back..." He paused for effect. "You owe me a hot bath. Just you, me, and enough hot water to steam that scowl off your face and your beautiful body. You can’t imagine how much I miss your warmth."

Luna choked, a crimson blush blooming across her cheeks. "W-what kind of bath—?!"

"The kind where I get to wash every part of you," Kai purred. "Starting with that stubborn mouth and ending wherever your moaning makes me stop."

She gasped. "K-Kai!"

"Hmm? You wanted honesty. I’m being gentle, believe me." His voice dipped with mock seriousness. "I could’ve started with the tail. You’ve no idea how much I miss pulling that vine wrap of yours off slowly—"

"KAI!" she squealed in horror.

"What? It’s my turn to be shameless."

Her flustered rage dissolved into laughter. It rang clear and bright across the bond. For a few precious seconds, everything felt okay.

"Just get back soon," she whispered. "Please. Once you are back, play with me as much as you want, how you want."

"I will. I will make you beg me to stop! " His voice softened again. "But before that—Luna, listen."

The mood shifted. "About my location, I am near the Eastern-Southern sea border."

Luna tensed. "You’re near the coast? How close?"

"Close enough."

"Then stay away from the water," she warned firmly. "Kai, whatever you do—don’t cross the sea that separates east and south. It may look small... but it’s dangerous. Very dangerous."

"Dangerous how?" Kai asked.

"I don’t know. No one does. Everyone who’s entered deeper than a few thousand meters into that sea has either died or gone mad. They say there’s... something invisible beneath the surface. And that sea connects to all four regions. It’s cursed. Or worse."

Kai tilted his head, curious. "Now you’ve made it sound too mysterious to ignore. You know I like secrets, Luna."

"Don’t joke about this. You must think about Miryam and me before you do something very dangerous."

"Relax. I won’t throw myself in blind. I just... want to see it. From a distance."

"Promise me, Kai."

He hesitated. "I promise... not to drown. How about that?"

She groaned.

"Hey," he said, lightening the mood again. "You’re not allowed to worry too much. You’ll age early, and then who will I shamelessly flirt with? Your grumpy grandma version?"

"I’ll behead you myself if you don’t return in one piece," she muttered, cheeks burning. "And don’t think that soul connection gives you permission to peek on me when I’m—"

"Too late. I already saw you thinking about me."

She screams internally. But even as embarrassment curled her toes and set her heart racing, she smiled.

They stayed like that, two souls strung across a dangerous world, holding onto warmth, laughter, and a promise only they understood.

The last breath of Luna’s warmth still clung to Kai’s mind when the soul-link shifted, softly, without warning, like a child slipping their hand into his.

A different presence brushed against him now.

It was Gentler, Lighter, Smaller. It was Miryam.

The bond formed like a second thread wrapped beside the first. Kai could feel Luna beside the wyrmling, her heartbeat steady, holding the young creature close.

Then came a whisper. Not words, not even feelings—just sound. Tiny. Careful. Childlike.

"...Papa?"

Kai’s chest tightened. He nearly spoke aloud but didn’t. The soul-bond didn’t need his voice.

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