The worker wolf ant was following the same path it had taken many times before. It led to a small crevice with nice salt crystals. A pity, he can't share it with the rest of the nest. The stone wall was too hard; his mandibles couldn't scrape even a single crystal out. All he could do was lick the salty rocks. He shared this knowledge with the queen. However, she didn't find it interesting. After all, it was his youthful preferences, not something that the entire swarm actually needed for survival.

But he didn't feel disappointed or rejected. His hardworking diligence was greatly appreciated; therefore his curiosity was accepted as a part of his character. As long as work was done, anyone was free to roam around the swarm's territory.

It was a young nest. For several years, the land was uneasy and dangerous. Thunder-like sounds, the disgusting stench of fire and smoke, magic that turned trees into piles of ash and ripped tufts of soil from the ground - these territories were unwelcoming. It was nothing like disputes between swarms. More like a natural disaster, that sucked in everyone without distinction.

But like any other disaster, it ended too. The land was enveloped in silence and the wretched smell faded away. An older and more experienced queen led her swarm to this territory, and for some time, everything was peaceful. Even when soldiers were alarmed by the appearance of strangers, they turned out to be just building an inverted tunnel. These creatures also had workers. This similarity, as well as their indifference to wolf ants, calmed the worries of the swarm.

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Right at the entrance to the crevice, the wolf slowed down. An unfamiliar object was lying near the edge of the crevice. Shaped like an egg, it looked like a rocky tree's fruit, but it was not one.

What is it? How did this thing end up here? The wolf ant had no clue.

To answer these questions, it needed to be explored more. The worker took a few steps forward and sniffed. It smelled of the blood of an unfamiliar creature. Come to think of it, not so unfamiliar. It was carried by one of the strangers, and at the same time, it radiated the magic of much more familiar creatures.

What a strange combination! Did they lose it?

The worker couldn't fight his curiosity. Moving closer to the "egg", the wolf ant touched it with it with his muzzle. Suddenly, the warm and silky shell was pushed back, as if sucking the beast's nose inside it. An image of a sad woman flashed before his golden eyes.

The wolf ant recoiled in fear. He was still too young to comprehend the complex magic, and the queen sternly forbade her subjects from interacting with it. He allowed himself to disobey her goodwill and could pay dearly for it with his life.

Shaking his head, the wolf ant rushed away. He should never again give in to his craving for salt!

His hasty movement pushed the item. The egg fell into the crevice, rolling towards the pile of rocks. Long forgotten for many years to come.