Aurelia’s entire body felt like it was on fire, the venom from the wasp stings still coursing through her, though her Poison Resistance had fought back the worst of its effects. Her legs trembled as she tried to shift her weight, barely able to move. Each breath she took felt heavy, labored. The chamber around her felt smaller, more oppressive with each passing moment, the walls closing in on her.

But it wasn’t just the venom that was tormenting her. There was something far worse at play.

The Queen’s presence hung over her like a dark, suffocating cloud. It pressed down on her mind, crushing her thoughts, turning her own will against her. The air itself felt thick with the Queen’s oppressive aura. Aurelia could feel it worming its way into her thoughts, a constant whisper of control that clawed at her sanity. Every second that passed, the pressure grew worse, her mind struggling to stay focused.

It’s her… Aurelia realized. The Queen wasn’t just physically powerful—her mental force was overwhelming, seeping into Aurelia’s consciousness like a poison all its own. Her aura filled the nest, radiating control and dominance. Aurelia could sense it, the way the drones and soldiers responded to it instinctively, their movements guided by the Queen’s iron will.

And now, that same power was trying to crush her.

Aurelia squeezed her eyes shut, trying to block out the invasive presence. She had endured so much already—her body weakened by venom, her strength drained by the constant fight. But this was different. This was a direct assault on her mind.

No… I won’t let her take me.

She dug her mandibles into the ground, focusing all her remaining energy on resisting. Her Guardian’s Aura flickered to life again, its soft glow barely visible, but it was enough to push back against the mental pressure. Her aura provided a shield—not perfect, but enough to keep the Queen’s influence at bay, at least for now.

But how long could she hold out? The Queen’s power was growing stronger, more insistent. It wasn’t just the physical toxins that were draining her—it was the constant mental assault. Every moment spent in the nest weakened her resolve.

Aurelia clenched her mandibles. She couldn’t wait any longer. If she stayed here, the Queen would break her. She had to fight back. She had to do something.

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Caelum…

Her mind immediately reached out through their telepathic link. It was weak, fragile, but it was all she had. She focused every ounce of her will on that connection, desperate to break through the thick walls of the nest.

Caelum… can you hear me? Her telepathic voice was faint, but it was there, a thread of hope in the darkness. She didn’t know how far away he was, or if he could even hear her through the layers of the nest. But she had to try.

For a moment, there was nothing. Silence. Her heart sank.

But then, a faint echo answered her. Caelum’s presence flickered in her mind, distant but steady. He was there. He was close. The connection between them wasn’t broken.

Caelum… she sent again, her thoughts laced with urgency. The Queen… she’s stronger than we thought. Her power… it’s not just physical. It’s mental. She’s trying to control me, to break my mind. You have to be careful.

The connection wavered, but she pressed on, her thoughts growing more frantic.

Her resonance… Aurelia’s mind buzzed with the realization. It’s not just her aura. She’s using her resonance skill to amplify her power over the hive. That’s how she controls the swarm so easily. It’s how she’ll try to control you.

She could feel her strength slipping, the weight of the Queen’s influence pressing down on her again, trying to smother her thoughts. Her mind screamed in protest, the telepathic connection flickering like a dying flame.

I can’t hold out much longer… she sent weakly, her mental voice trembling. Please… hurry. Before…

A sharp pain shot through her mind as the Queen’s presence surged forward, overwhelming her senses. Aurelia cried out, her telepathy breaking off abruptly as the mental assault intensified. She clutched her head, her body shaking from the effort of resisting the Queen’s power.

The Queen was growing impatient. The ritual was drawing nearer, and the Queen wouldn’t wait much longer. Aurelia could feel it—her time was running out. She had done all she could. She had warned Caelum, given him the information he needed. Now, it was up to him.

Caelum… I believe in you… she whispered through the void, her mind barely holding onto consciousness. The mental strain was too much. Her thoughts grew sluggish, her body weak. The Queen’s aura wrapped tighter around her mind, and she felt herself slipping.

But even as the darkness closed in, Aurelia held on to one last thought—one last glimmer of hope.

Caelum was coming.