The Eccentric Entomologist is Now a Queen's Consort

The cavern felt colder than ever, the damp air clinging to Mikhailis' skin as he knelt by Cerys' side. Her breathing was steady, and the fever that had gripped her earlier seemed to have loosened its hold, though her face still carried the pallor of exhaustion. He adjusted the blanket around her, ensuring it was tucked snugly before pressing a damp cloth to her forehead. The flickering firelight danced across her features, the contrast between its warmth and her pale complexion pulling at his chest with an ache he didn't fully understand.

He lingered for a moment, brushing a stray strand of fiery red hair from her face, his fingers careful not to disturb her rest. Every soft breath she took seemed a small reassurance against the chaotic backdrop of the storm and their dire circumstances. Yet, her vulnerability weighed on him heavily, the hardened warrior reduced to this fragile state—a reminder that no one, not even the strongest, was invincible.

"Sorry, Cerys," he murmured softly, his voice barely above a whisper.

"I've got to leave you for a bit. But you'll be fine. Just rest up, okay?"

She didn't stir, and the silence that followed pressed heavily against his thoughts. Guilt churned in his stomach, a persistent knot that refused to ease even as he tried to reassure himself that she would recover. The firelight flickered against her pale features, casting shadows that seemed to deepen his internal conflict. He exhaled slowly, as if trying to breathe out the tension in his chest, before standing with deliberate care.

Mikhailis adjusted his glasses, their faint glow catching the edges of the talismans strapped to his belt. He hesitated, his hand hovering over the engraved runes as a surge of doubt passed through him. But the sharp edge of Rodion's voice cut through the weight of his hesitation, demanding action.

<The Crystalgloom Serpent is preparing to deliver a critical strike against the Skullborne Ravager. Current probability of Ravager destruction: 98% unless intervention occurs within the next 60 seconds.>

The urgency in Rodion's tone snapped Mikhailis into motion.

"No pressure or anything," he muttered, his lips twitching into a faint grin that quickly faded as he turned toward the deeper part of the cavern. His boots crunched against loose stones with measured but urgent steps, every sound amplifying the gravity of what lay ahead. The glowing interface from his glasses painted the walls in soft hues of green and blue, the live feed from Rodion overlaying a vivid display of the unfolding battle. The Crystalgloom Serpent's massive form coiled in the mist, its crystalline body shimmering with an almost hypnotic light. The Skullborne Ravager stood firm, its skeletal frame battered but unyielding, radiating an aura of defiance. Mikhailis' stomach tightened as the serpent reared back, preparing to strike.

Can't waste a second.

With a fluid motion, he swept the talismans from his belt, the engraved runes glowing brighter as he activated them in unison. A surge of energy crackled through the air, the temperature in the cavern seeming to rise as the atmosphere became charged with an almost tangible intensity. The talismans hummed, their glow casting strange shadows on the jagged walls. In an instant, the Chimera Ant variants materialized around him, each arrival marked by a burst of light and sound that echoed like a war drum.

The Frog Variant landed first, its legs flexing with an audible tension, a deep croak rumbling from its throat like the prelude to a storm. Its amphibian eyes glimmered with a strange intelligence as it turned to Mikhailis, ready for orders. The Scurabons followed, their powerful hybrid forms descending heavily onto the rocky ground. Their carapaces shimmered darkly in the dim light, each step radiating an aura of brute strength and unyielding determination. Their mandibles clicked in unison, an eerie rhythm that added to the growing sense of power in the cavern.

The Hypnoveil swirled into existence next, its form less solid than the others, shimmering like a mirage caught between dimensions. Its aura seemed to ripple outward, distorting the air around it as if reality itself was bending to its will. Its presence was accompanied by a faint, hypnotic hum that resonated in Mikhailis' chest, steadying his breathing despite the tension of the moment.

Finally, the Skullborne Ravager emerged from the shadows, its skeletal frame battered but defiant. Dark energy crackled along its armor, a spectral glow emanating from its hollow eyes. Its entrance was silent, save for the faint hiss of power that accompanied its movements. Despite its injuries, it stood tall, its presence commanding an almost reverential silence from the other variants as they turned their attention to Mikhailis.

"Line up," he commanded, his voice steady despite the tension coiling in his chest, and the variants moved with synchronized precision. They formed a protective formation around him, their movements fluid and deliberate, like warriors preparing for an ancient ritual. Each variant seemed to acknowledge the gravity of the moment, their collective focus amplifying the palpable energy in the air.

As Mikhailis stood at the center of their formation, a brief surge of confidence coursed through him. The sight of his summoned allies, each a testament to the bond they shared and the power they represented, filled him with resolve. He tightened his grip on the talismans, their runes now glowing with an intensity that mirrored the fierce determination in his eyes. Whatever lay ahead, he was ready to face it.

<Crystalgloom Serpent's movements indicate heightened aggression. Timing is critical for successful synchronization.>

"Yeah, yeah, I know," Mikhailis muttered, his fingers tightening around the talismans. He took a deep breath, his mind racing as he prepared for the next step.

This better work.

"[Equip!]" he called, his voice echoing through the cavern. The talismans glowed brighter, their light enveloping the variants in a dazzling display.

The Frog Variant leaped toward him, its body shifting mid-air as it transformed into sleek boots that encased his feet. The moment they settled, he felt an immediate surge of agility, his movements suddenly fluid and precise.

The Scurabons reshaped themselves into armor, their carapaces melding seamlessly over his torso and arms. The plates were lightweight yet sturdy, their texture almost organic as they adjusted to his every breath.

The Hypnoveil swirled around him, its shimmering form coalescing into a cape that draped over his shoulders. A faint hum of energy radiated from it, shielding his mind from the oppressive presence of the serpent's aura.

Finally, the Skullborne Ravager approached, its skeletal frame collapsing inward before reforming into a massive halberd that pulsed with dark energy. The weapon felt alive in his hands, its weight both reassuring and overwhelming.

Mikhailis exhaled, a grin breaking across his face despite the tension.

"So this is what it feels like to wield the Ravager," he murmured, rolling his shoulders as the new power coursed through him. "Not bad. Not bad at all."

<Power levels stabilized. Synchronization complete. Remaining Chimera Ant soldiers: 80. Current objective: disrupt Crystalgloom Serpent's attacks and target mana core.>

"Got it," Mikhailis said, his tone lighter now, though his grip on the halberd was firm. He glanced at the feed again, watching as the serpent prepared to strike the Ravager.

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With a burst of speed, he sprinted forward, the Frog Variant boots propelling him like a rocket. Each step was a controlled explosion, his movements precise as he navigated the uneven terrain. He reached the battlefield just as the serpent's tail swept downward, aiming to crush the Skullborne Ravager.

Mikhailis leaped, the boots amplifying his jump as he soared over the attack with an elegance that defied the chaos around him. The cavern seemed to hold its breath, the echoes of his leap reverberating like the prelude to a storm. The halberd in his hands thrummed with an almost sentient energy, vibrating with the promise of destruction as he twisted mid-air, bringing the blade down in a powerful arc.

The impact was deafening, a thunderclap that sent shockwaves rippling through the cavern. The blade struck true, carving a jagged fissure into the serpent's crystalline armor. Shards of crystal exploded outward in a dazzling display of refracted light, scattering like lethal confetti. The serpent hissed in agony, its cry reverberating through the cavern like the mournful wail of a wounded beast. It recoiled violently, its massive coils thrashing against the cavern walls, dislodging rocks and sending debris cascading to the ground.

Mikhailis landed with feline precision, his boots absorbing the force and allowing him to pivot instantly. His sharp eyes locked onto the serpent as it turned its glowing, furious gaze toward him, its movements a mix of anger and calculated menace. The air around him felt charged, the tension almost tangible as he grinned, his breath coming in controlled bursts.

"Yeah, I'm talking to you," he said, his voice steady despite the chaos. A cocky grin tugged at his lips as he tightened his grip on the halberd.

"Let's dance."

The serpent lunged, its colossal jaws snapping shut with a sound like thunder, crushing the air where Mikhailis had stood moments before. His instincts and the Frog Variant boots worked in perfect tandem, allowing him to pivot sharply and narrowly avoid being swallowed whole. The sheer force of the attack sent tremors through the cavern, dislodging chunks of rock that clattered noisily to the floor.

Mikhailis didn't hesitate. With a precise turn, he swung the Skullborne Ravager halberd in a powerful arc, its blade gleaming with dark energy as it aimed for the faintly glowing mana core nestled deep beneath the fractured layers of crystal scales. The strike connected with a resounding crack, carving another jagged fissure into the crystalline armor, but the core itself remained maddeningly unscathed. The serpent reared back, its agonized hiss echoing through the cavern like the screech of shattering glass.

"Damn it, still not enough!" Mikhailis growled under his breath, frustration tightening his grip on the halberd. The serpent twisted its massive body with terrifying agility, its crystalline tail whipping around like a scythe. Mikhailis dove low, the enhanced agility from his boots allowing him to evade the strike by inches, the tail grazing the edge of his Hypnoveil cape.

In retaliation, the serpent unleashed a barrage of crystalline shards from its shimmering body, each fragment slicing through the air like a hail of deadly missiles. Mikhailis raised the Hypnoveil cape with a sharp motion, the swirling energy around it forming a shimmering barrier. The shards clattered harmlessly against the defensive aura, dissipating into harmless glimmers of light.

The serpent hissed again, its glowing eyes locking onto Mikhailis with predatory intensity. It lunged once more, this time with greater speed and ferocity, forcing Mikhailis to roll to the side, his boots propelling him with explosive power. Dust and debris filled the air as the serpent's jaws slammed into the ground, narrowly missing him.

Taking advantage of its brief moment of recovery, Mikhailis launched himself forward. The Skullborne Ravager pulsed in his hands as he aimed a vicious upward strike at the serpent's exposed underbelly. The blade struck true, sending another cascade of crystalline shards into the air. Faint cracks spiderwebbed across the surface of its scales, but still, the core remained untouchable.

"This thing just doesn't quit," Mikhailis muttered, his breath ragged as he dodged another sweeping tail attack.

The Chimera Ant soldiers swarmed the serpent's lower body, their clawed limbs scrabbling at its scales in a coordinated assault. The serpent thrashed violently, its tail smashing into the cavern walls with enough force to shake the ground beneath Mikhailis' feet.

"Rodion, status on the soldiers!"

<Remaining units: 60. Losses escalating rapidly due to serpent's increased aggression. Current probability of success: 42%.>

Mikhailis cursed under his breath, his mind racing as he prepared his next move. He sprinted toward the serpent, the Frog Variant boots enhancing each stride, and leaped onto its massive back. The surface was slick and shifting, the crystalline armor refracting light in chaotic patterns that made it difficult to focus. Still, he clung on, driving the halberd into one of the weak points along the spine with all his strength.

The serpent reared violently, its anguished cry shaking the cavern as dark energy surged through the halberd and spread like cracks across its crystalline body. For a moment, it seemed as though the armor might shatter completely, but the serpent writhed with renewed fury, dislodging Mikhailis and sending him crashing into a jagged stalagmite.

Pain lanced through his side as he hit the ground, his vision swimming. He forced himself to his feet, his grip on the halberd tightening even as his body protested.

"Rodion," he rasped, wiping blood from the corner of his mouth, "what's the play here?"

<Recalibration required. Recommend immediate tactical withdrawal or implementation of high-risk strategies. Damage output remains insufficient to penetrate the core's defenses. Additional options are limited given current resources.>

Mikhailis glared at the towering serpent as it coiled again, its glowing core pulsating mockingly beneath the fractured armor. Each breath he took was labored, his muscles screaming in protest, but his resolve remained unshaken.

"How the hell do we defeat this monster?" he muttered, his voice low and grim.