287 I Knew It, Carnage
I bent my knees and focused on the top of the massive white marble wall. The entire thing looked perfectly built, and it seemed to stretch up and around the whole of the ring.
'What am I to expect when I get up there?'
[An exhaustive ring-wide argument since I am not there now to keep everything balanced. The world is built using hexagons that each hold unique and balanced habitats. Now that I am no longer there, any bugs can enter anywhere. They will be arguing about people coming into their balanced areas while the newer bugs are just trying to find a new place.] Libra explained, and I nodded to myself.
I jumped and flew into the air about thirty feet and then landed on the top of the marble wall. Knowing that I was about the size of a flea made me kind of feel like one as I had been flying through the air.
[Yeah, Zack Flee's that can jump thirty feet in the air and will come and breed with the other organisms on you! That is just what every parent wants to find in their kids' hair!] Harold said with a chuckle, but I was too busy looking around at the countless hexagonal hive sections that were spread all over the entire ring.
Bugs were walking over then, but some of them would flash a soft yellow and then disappear. I watched more like them, and it seemed every time one of them would touch the surface of a hexagon.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt[Each one of these places is a blank slate until a bug enters it, and then it becomes the perfect habitat. You might think that this would be enough to hold as many things as you want, but that is not the case. There are so many because they are no more than comfortable holes in the ground that create fake memories.] Libra explained as I looked around.
Bugs were arguing, but to my surprise, none were fighting. Considering how close all the bugs were and how fiercely some were fighting, it was hard to understand the lack of physical altercations.
[One of the few upsides about this place is that the bugs can't kill or even hurt each other; that is the SkinWalkers job. They prevent them from acting out but still allow them to argue and play tricks on one another.] Libra explained to me, and I jumped down off the wall.
I landed near a dark red centipede man who was arguing with a bulky rhino beetle. The beetle man looked like a sumo wrestler with armor on, but the Centipede man was much more vicious-looking than Lilly had ever been.
"This is my hole now! You left it, and I took it!" The centipede man hissed.
"No! That is my hole! I don't want your wriggly body in it! That is my hole!" The Beetle raged in a voice that said he might be more muscle than brain.
[Normally, I would just sort this problem out, but it is much better to leave everyone like this for now. It will cause great confusion with the three and may make it easier for us to sneak through.] Libra explained as I started to jog, ignoring the two bugs.
There was about a five-mile gap to cross from what I could see. The next far-off reflective wall made it hard to accurately judge the distance.
[Five miles seems about right, and you should have much trouble getting through this place. The main thing is that you don't have any more distractions for a bit of a while!] Harold scolded me, and I knew what he was talking about.
I might be putting around, but it never hurt to have a little bit of fun here and there. Plus, this was a new world, and there were many new flavors to try on this island, it turned out.
[Just remember you have all the rest to take care of!] Harold complained.
[The man is just having fun, and so far has only added one now treat to his permanent entrees! Let him enjoy himself a bit; you have seemed to be keeping him running this entire time!] Libra said in my defense.
[I will never ever understand women, no matter how long I live!] Harold complained.
[That is the point! You are never supposed to understand women; you are just supposed to listen to them!] Libra declared.
[Yes, that and men are always wrong, and your shit doesn't stink, right?] Harold questioned Libra in anger as I started to jog by the other arguing bugs.
[Yes, you have it!] Libra said with a laugh, making Harold lose it.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm[I hate women like you!] Harold raged.????????????????e????????. c????????
[Because I always think that I'm right?] Libra asked.
[Yes!] Harold raged.
[I knew it!] Libra cackled, and Harold proceeded to lose his shit.
I ignored the two as I weaved through the paths, dodging around all the arguing bugs. It was hard to believe that they were all arguing, but with this many varieties altogether, they probably would be killing each other.
[Yes, they would be, and so now all they can do is argue. When the rings are removed, all the bugs will revert back to their bug forms but will retain their intelligence.] Libra explained to me, and I frowned as I walked.
'What about Dani? If everyone reverts back to bug form, then how am I going to find her?'
[Don't worry about that; you had sex with her once, and that is all you need. Once the system is back up and running, I will be able to track them and anything else that you have stuck your dick in!] Harold informed me, but I was hardly paying any attention to him.
There was a group of insects that were starting to run towards me. None of them looked to be arguing.
[Something is coming!] Harold shouted in my mind, but I didn't need to be told; I could feel the opposing presence.
[Carnage; this Citipod's ruler, the Skinwalker!] Libra said with venom in her voice.