The wasp nest loomed in the distance, an imposing, towering structure of resin and venomous energy. Its dark silhouette cut through the evening sky, casting long shadows over the forest below. Caelum crouched low behind the cover of dense ferns, his heart racing as he observed the nest from a distance. The rhythmic buzzing of the wasps filled the air, a constant reminder of the danger that awaited him inside.
He had spent hours training for this moment, honing his magic and skills to their limit. Now, it was time to act.
Caelum closed his eyes and took a deep breath, centering his mind. He reached inward, summoning his Wind Magic, feeling the air currents stir around him. The gentle breeze that swept through the forest responded to his call, wrapping around him like an invisible cloak. He focused, channeling more power into the spell, shaping the wind to lift him slowly off the ground.
The air hummed softly as Caelum rose into the sky, carried by the wind. His body felt light, weightless, as the magic guided him upward. But he couldn’t rely on flight alone. The wasps would be patrolling the nest’s perimeter, and any mistake would send the swarm upon him.
Camouflage.
Caelum activated the skill, his body shimmering as it faded from view. His form blurred, blending seamlessly into the darkening sky as he flew closer to the nest. The wind carried him silently, the forest below shrinking as he ascended. His heart pounded in his chest, but he forced himself to remain calm. He had to stay focused. One wrong move could cost him everything.
As he approached the nest’s outer walls, Caelum activated Appraisal, scanning the area for threats. His vision sharpened as the skill took hold, revealing the faint outlines of wasp patrols circling the nest. Their movements were precise, methodical—each wasp flying in a tight, coordinated formation. There were no gaps, no weak points in the defense. The Queen had trained her soldiers well.
But Caelum was counting on that.
He watched carefully, studying their patterns. The wasps were fast, but they moved in predictable cycles. There were brief moments, split-second gaps between the patrols, where the nest’s defenses were at their weakest.
There.
Caelum locked onto one of those gaps, a narrow window of opportunity where the patrols crossed paths. He timed his approach carefully, letting the wind carry him forward in a slow, controlled arc. His Camouflage flickered as he neared the nest, but he kept his movements subtle, blending into the backdrop of the dark sky.
If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.
The buzzing of the wasps grew louder as he closed in, the patrols circling just below him. His heart raced as he hovered above them, his body tense with the effort of maintaining his spell. He couldn’t stay airborne for long—the strain of using both Wind Magic and Camouflage was already draining him. He had to make his move.
With a burst of speed, Caelum dropped lower, skimming the surface of the nest’s outer wall. The resinous material shimmered beneath him, its surface slick and dark. He focused, guiding the wind to push him forward, gliding just above the surface. The wasp patrols buzzed beneath him, oblivious to his presence.
Just a little farther.
He spotted a small outcropping in the nest’s structure, a ledge that would provide temporary cover. With a swift motion, he descended, landing lightly on the ledge. His Camouflage flickered as he touched down, but he remained unseen. Caelum crouched low, breathing heavily as he pressed himself against the wall. The wasps continued their patrols, unaware of the intruder hiding just above them.
Caelum took a moment to catch his breath, his heart still racing. He had made it past the first line of defenses, but this was only the beginning. The deeper he went, the more dangerous it would become.
Burrow Maintenance.
Caelum placed his hand against the wall of the nest, channeling his magic into the resin. The material shifted slightly under his touch, softening as he dug a small tunnel into the wall. He worked quickly, creating a narrow passage just big enough to crawl through. This would be his backup—a hidden escape route in case things went wrong.
Once the tunnel was complete, he pulled himself inside, concealing the entrance with a thin layer of resin. It wasn’t perfect, but it would give him a head start if he needed to flee.
His body ached from the strain of using so much magic, but there was no time to rest. He needed to push deeper into the nest, find Aurelia, and get out before the Queen realized what he was doing.
Caelum activated Appraisal again, scanning the interior of the nest. The structure was complex, a maze of tunnels and chambers woven together with precision. The outer defenses were heavily patrolled, but the deeper sections of the nest seemed less guarded. The Queen was likely keeping her elite guards closer to her core.
That’s where I need to go.
With a final breath, Caelum slipped out of the tunnel and into the maze of passages. His Camouflage still cloaked him, but the strain of maintaining the spell was beginning to wear on him. He had to be fast. Moving silently, he crept through the narrow corridors, using his Wind Magic to muffle his steps and keep him light on his feet.
The deeper he went, the quieter the nest became. The constant hum of the outer patrols faded, replaced by a tense, eerie silence. Caelum’s instincts told him he was getting closer. He could feel it—the pull of the Queen’s presence somewhere deep within the nest, powerful and foreboding.
He just had to stay out of sight a little longer.
As he moved deeper into the hive, Caelum’s mind remained focused. His magic was running low, and his body ached from the constant use of his abilities. But he couldn’t stop now. Aurelia was waiting for him, and he wasn’t going to let her down.