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Keywords male 1108931, female 998717, romance 8252, fight 5314, bee 3543, war 1728, slice of life 1492, hunt 486, apinaean 1
Deep in the far away jungle, where  nature still is pristine and unspoiled, a small Bee buzzed through the trees. Well small is relative. An outsider would have called him small but for his own kind he had a pretty average size. His kind was called Apinaeans. But outsiders normally stuck to the name of Beepeople or Beefolk. But Apinaeans didn’t care about, what outsiders were saying about them. They were proud people and this was their land, not that of others.

The interested reader maybe wants to know more about this particular bee, right? Well. He was a male Apinaean. A so-called drone. He was slightly uncommon. Because he was the 259th child of their queen Beeatrix and her firstborn son. While this would have made him something special like a prince in other cultures, he wasn’t as an Apinaean. And while it was uncommon for a queen to lay eggs for drones it happened from time to time. And it wasn’t a difference for the male, if his mother had been the queen herself or one of the many females working bees in the hive.

He was on the lower end of the tribal hierarchy. Forced to live his live as a guardian, not allowed to leave the hive. But still he was here. Outside in the jungle. Armed with his trusty lance which tip was made of stone and shaped with barbed hooks, like all the traditional weapons of the Apinaeans. But why? Well, a closer look on this bee reveals the reason. His poncho-like cape he was wearing on his shoulders was covered with various symbols. It showed, that he wasn’t a guardian anymore. He had absolved his hunting trial and now was in the ranks of the honorable hunters of the tribe.

Even that wasn’t unusual. More than a few guardians had managed to accomplish the trial if they had managed to survive long enough. But that was the point. This particularly Apinaean wasn’t that old. He only was 14 years and he had managed to succeed the trial shortly after becoming an adult at the age of 12. And that was something special. Maybe not that special that it had never happened before, but most drones were waiting with their trial until they were 20 or 25 of age. And they didn't do it when they just had learned to hold their lance right. Because once the trial had been started, it meant only success or death.

But this was, what made this one so uncommon. He had been sick of waiting. He had been sick of being trapped at a place with no chance to escape. And as he had seen a change, he had taken it. And he had managed it. He had managed making his first hunt a huge success. Now he was a hunter of his tribe and Belyct the great boar was his spiritual totem. Because that was, what his first prey finally had been. A fearsome tusker he had only barely been able impaling on his trusty weapon before the creature had been able to end him with his fangs. The beast even had left behind a scar on the drone's hip, right above his right leg, where it had been diving his tusk against the boy’s brown chitin plate.

It had been a good hunt. And even while some of the old hunters were laughting on him as he  had been claiming his right on his trial, they openly were accepting his as one of them afterward like the old traditions demanded. So now here he was. His black eyes  were scouting the surrounding area and his antennae sticking out  of his short and shaggy hair, were trying to catch any vibrations in the wind while his fragile wings were keeping the light body far enough above the ground.

Ya wanna know, what this young Apinaean was called? Well, his name was Sebeestian. But he preferred to stick to Sebee for short. Anyway, Sebee was on a hunt again. Because now, that he was a hunter, this had been becoming his new profession. Hunting down prey for the hive. In return, he had got the right to leave the hive anytime he wanted. And to come back anytime at his free will. Well, and he had got the right on everyone outside the hive he could overcome. But that wasn’t one he cared much about. Well, keep in mind he still was 14 after all and still had the whole world to explore, or at least the whole world he and his kind  understood so far. So he had other things in mind then just screwing around with everybody passing by.

Over the last month after his trial, Sebee always had wandered deeper into the forest during his hunts. Sometimes in this direction, sometimes in another, sometimes for just a few hours and the other time for some days. If he ever would come back didn't matter in the Apinaean culture. He was a male after all and it often happened, that hunters disappeared forever after getting killed by their prey, or even worse ended up in the fangs of the legendary black monster or her daughters.

Speaking about prey. Just in this moment his antennae caught the vibrations of something not far away. It was the vibration of a struggling and fudging but he wasn’t able to recognize it exactly. It could have been a little animal trying to hide from him or maybe some taller one like wolves fighting against each other. It also could have been an outsider who  had been wandering too deep in unknown territory and didn’t know, how to handle the hard terrain.

Slowly Sebee buzzed closer and finally landed near the strange vibrations. Of course, Apinaeans were preferring to fly because they were in advance this way, but the sky didn’t offer as much cover like the vegetation this close to the ground and by this wasn’t as good sneeking close to whatever lies there. The smell of surrounding changed. Barely noticeable but still. An uneasy feeling  was starting to raise in the young boy's tummy.

This wasn’t good. This wasn’t normal. It was so quiet. No birds were singing in the sky. Nothing. For a short moment the young bee just was thinking about turning around and leave but then there were these strange vibrations again. Dammid, his curiosity was getting the best of him again and so he slowly stalked through the plants closer to the source of the vibes.

He was pushing some leaves aside, when he was taken by surprise. A huge net, made of thin silver-white gossamer was covering the trees like a mist. That was it. He managed to tumble on the trap of the black monster. Or at least one of her daughters. Maybe it wasn’t too late. He covered back into the thick plants. Maybe the foul beast still hadn’t noticed him. Slowly he peeked out to get an overview.

The beast wasn’t to be seen. But that hadn’t to mean anything. Maybe it just had been for a short walk. But it could be time enough to retreat safely. But then there was the vibration again. Sebee looked upside, expecting the worst. But there was just something inside the net. It wasn’t the black monster for sure. More like a white cluster made out of gossamer. Carefully he poked the thing with the dull end of his lance.

Suddenly the thing was starting to wiggle. Dammid! Something was in there. And it even still was alive. He looked around. The black monster still wasn’t anywhere to be seen. If there was a chance to save whoever was in there, then it had to be now. Luckily for him the cluster wasn’t that high up. The tip of his lance managed to reach the thin strings of the net but it still was a torture. They were surprisingly resistant, but finally he managed to cut the thing lose and even to catch it, before it could land hard on the ground.

He cursed. The gossamer was sticky. Luckily for him, his wings still were free but now, he couldn’t defend himself, even if he had to. So.. There was just one way now. And he had to be quick before the foul beast was coming back catching him in the act. But were? There was time for that later. Now he had to get out of there. Slowly but steady he was sneaking back through the undergrowth until finally  finding a spot, where he could take off again.

After several minutes of flying, he luckily found a small stream. Carefully he landed by and scouted the surroundings. But when he was sure, no one was around he stepped into the water. He had to get this gossamer of his hands and whoever was stuck inside this cluster maybe also wanted to get out of this. Luckily for both of them, the fresh water seemed to do the trick. Because as the cold water touches the white strings, they were slowly starting to lose their sticky properties and after a while they washed off easily.

Now Sebee could catch a glimpse of the one he just saved. It was an Apinaean like him. But a female one and surely none of his hive. She was naked. Or at least so naked like his kind could be, which wasn’t that much compared to other races. It seemed the black monster got rid of her clothes before deciding to keep her for later. Sebee tried to figure out to witch hive they would belong, but the scent of the black monster overlaied the natural pheromones that their kind normally was using to identify.

The woman was looking around in a mix of confusion and panic. “Where.. Where am I?” she asked before finally realizing she wasn’t alone. “In safety. At least for now.” Sebee responded. The female looked at the young boy. Her face showed worry as if she expected him to do something. She tried to slap her wings but as wet as they were now it was no use. She had no way to escape so she gave in to her fate. And at least it was his price and right to do anything he wanted to do to her now.

But the boy didn’t seem to be interested. He just looked at her. She was a slight bit smaller than him. But that wasn’t unusual. Also, it was hard to tell her age, because the appearance of Apinaeans didn’t change anymore after they reached their adulthood at 12 years. Still the woman was looking  worried. Even more, as the Hunter didn’t act after all.

“So.. Um..” she tried to say something, snapping Sebee out of his observation. “Oh.. Yeah. Who are you?” he asked. “And how did you end up in the net of the black monster? My name is Sebeestian, by the way. Hunter of the hive from Queen Beeatrix. But you may say Sebee to me, if you want.” The girl shivered. “Sabeene.” she replied “Hive of Queen Elithabeeth. I.. I.. was.. With..” she shivered more. Apinaean aren’t able to produces tears with their compound eyes, but if they would be able, this one would have started crying right now. “And that thing it took..” she stammered further. “and then she killed and ate him. And I should be..”

Sebee laid his arms around her. He didn’t know why. But he had the feeling the woman could need some comfort right now. “I understand. You don’t have to tell more.” Obviously, she was around with a hunter who should have protected her as he ended up in the fangs of the black monster and she had to watch her killing him just to be kept as snack for later. “You're feeling alright?” he asked. “We should head back and inform our hives about the danger. We have to hunt her down before she gets too dangerous.”

The woman looked at him. “But shouldn’t you..?” she seemed a bit confused. “I mean.. You have captured me and..” Sebee now realized. This female still was unbound. Damid, he would have noticed sooner if the pheromones hadn’t be overlayed. “Well..” he scratched his head. “I mean.. I could. If you want.. But.. I don’t think that saving you from a net does really count as capturing. It doesn’t seem honorable.”  The woman started to giggle and relaxed a bit.

“You’re kinda cute, you know?” she slightly snuggled closer to him while he still was hugging her. “Still thank you for saving me.” she gave him a kiss on his cheeks. Not a common behavior for their kind, but Sebee also didn’t act very common and the woman was still thinking he deserved some kind of reward. His head started to feel hot and his mind went blank. It was a strange feeling he never had had before. The woman giggled. “You like?” she asked, but the boy couldn’t give her an answer.

“Well, I have to go. Hope to see you again one day.” Sabeene suddenly said. Her wings were dried and she wanted to leave this place before the boy would overthink it and still capture her or even worse, the black monster would catch their track. Sebee shakes his head. “Yeah. Good flight home you too.” he said before heading off to his own hive. Dammid. He was confused. But now it was too late to think about all of this.

~ several month later ~

Some time has passed now. After their first meeting Sebee never  had seen that female Apinaean again. This wasn’t a wonder but he still had been thinking about her every now and then. The hive had gathered a small hunting-troop to get rid of the black monster a few days after the event, but as they had  reached the net, they had found it abandoned. Either the foul beast had smelled the rat or maybe Sabeene’s hive had been there before them. It was hard to say.

Now the hive was preparing for another big event. A few days before their queen had had a vision about another hive and that meant, all unbound drones, which Sebee still belonged to, were out for the Great Hunt. That time they were out trying to capture one of the workers in hope to finally start a family on their own within the hive.

The hunters were prepared and ready for takeoff but their queen Beeatrix still had to reveal the target of the hunt. “My sweet little drones..” the majestic Bee started her speech but Sebee wasn’t listening to much “..it’s a great honor to take on the Great Hunt..” he still wasn’t that interested to get bound but  still was seeing it as a nice change to see some more of the world. “..so the target is the hive of queen Elithabeeth in the direction of the setting sun..” – wait? Didn't she say Elithabeeth? Sebee smiled. Who knew. Maybe he could see Sabeene again. Fate was strange sometimes.

Suddenly a buzzing ripped him out of his thoughts. The others already had started and he nearly missed it. With a jump into the air, he also raised, ready to follow the others to their destination. It would likely take them a few hours to close the distance between the hives.

The next day, the time had been there. All hunters were standing close to the edge of the hive. It had been built inside of a huge cave-complex, shaped by the workers over the last centuries for sure to fit their needs. Of course, they hadn't passed  unnoticed. It was very likely that their queen had had the same vision and now all drones of their hive were ready for defense. But until now none of them had attacked. It seemed like they were waiting for the attackers to make the first step.

This situation lasted for still a few minutes with no side making the first step but finally the peace got broken as the hunters from Sebee’s hive started to rush the defenses. Apinaeans don’t fight with much tactics. Mostly they tending to rush in large groups over-forcing their opponents by numbers and while they still fighting side on side, drones mostly attempting to just stay alive instead of following deeper strategies.

And this time it wasn't any difference. For Outsiders this behavior might seem unreasonable, but Apinaean-hives usually had a large number of drones so that there never had been a reason to develop any kind of deeper military tactics. As soon they entered the cave the hunters were welcomed by the natural darkness of the cave. The darkness surrounded them soon, only broken by hundreds or maybe thousands of street lanterns, powered by wax candles.

Sebee decided to stay a bit outside of the throng. Not that much outside that he would be against the defender's drones all on his own, but more on the flank instead of the middle where most of the fighting would be. This way he could easier slip away when he felt like it. And again, he wasn’t much into the whole reason for this hunt, so he wouldn’t miss anything anyway.

At first this strategy, if someone would call it that way, was working pretty well. He managed to fall a bit behind so that the others were doing most of the fighting while he could look around more, but soon he still was having no choice. A wooden spear missed him barely as one of the hunters of the other hive spotted the single bee. Another followed and Sebee had to fight now. If he wanted or not. Retreating before the end of the hunt would be considered as dishonorable and besides being a bit different in some ways than most of the others, he still held closely to the old traditions.

“Bad choice!” he yelled at the sudden attacker while he was swooping down on him. The other drone raised his lance in defense and managed to block this first attack. Then he went to a counter. He managed to hit Sebee with the tip of his weapon but luckily, the chitinous body was made to block this kind of attacks. Both of them would have to land an accurate between the plates to score a lethal blow. So, both drones slowly walked around each other, trying to make some attacks, hoping that the other would let the defense down.

Suddenly Sebee heard a noise coming from one of the buildings nearby. Curious his antennae twitched giving his opponent the moment he waited for. But the moment the other one wanted to pull his stroke, another voice was there and this time he was the one, getting distracted. But instead of taking the opportunity Sebee just used the dull end of his lance to rush him off his feet. “Sorry, we have to fight out that another time.” he excused before hitting the drone on the head. Maybe that wouldn’t kill him but he could be out for some time now.

“I have to look who that was.” he said after that, which was very likely unnecessary because his opponent couldn’t hear him anymore. Sebee also hoped that there wasn't another one around, even if that was unlikely. But for now, his curiosity got the better of him. Again.

Some swift steps later, Sebee was pressing himself against the wall of the house. Right now, he was hoping, that no one of the fighting drones up there would notice him. While members of his own hive very likely just would ignore him, he didn't need any more Defenders to block his way. Slowly he sneaked closer to the door of the house, that was built from stone like all Apinaean buildings. Now the only thing was, getting inside unseen.

“What a stupid idea.” he thought to himself. The house would be blocked anyway during the great hunt. He shook his head. It would have been better if he just went back to the others instead of  putting himself in danger being caught here all on his own. But he had to try it. Carefully he attempted to open the door. And to his big surprise it easily swung open.

“Hello? Someone inside?” he asked before he entered. But there was no respond. Slowly he looked inside. “Hey! I know I have heard you!” he called out again, but still no respond. The house was dark. Whoever was living here very likely was at some other part of the hive, were they could be defended more easily. Which meant, that they had to be unbounded workers, because children or bounded worker were safe from capturing.

Sebee sat himself on one of the chairs. Maybe he was wrong. Or whoever had been here just had fled as he still had been fighting. But that still was a good opportunity to get some rest. At least for a few minutes. “Sebee?” he suddenly heard from another room. He turned around. So there still was someone inside. “Sabeene?” he recognized the voice. “What are you doing here?” he jumped up and attempted to go to the other room as there was a sound, coming from the door.

“I know that you are in there. Come out!” a deep male voice commanded. Dammid. Who was that? Sebee had no time to think about that. He had to block the door. And that quick. If it was one of the hive’s drones, he surely wouldn’t have been alone and fighting against more of them than one too shortly after the first fight, he didn’t want to risk. And if it was one of his own hive, then he didn’t had to find Sabeene here. If he remembered right, the last time he saw her she stated that she was unbound.

The chair! It maybe wasn’t much but it could buy him some minutes to think at least. He pushed the chair under the doorknob. An action that wasn’t gone unnoticed from the one on the other side. “That won’t help you! Now I get inside!” the deep voice yelled before Sebee could hear the drone pushing against the door with his whole body.

“Quick, please. I have found a way!” he heard the voice of Sabeene again calling for him, but this time quieter and in slight panic. Sebee looked toward the adjacent room and back to his temporary blockade. The chair wouldn’t hold the other back for long anymore so he had no choice. He rushed in the other room to find a window open. “Please hurry!” she encouraged him.

With a quick jump he was out of the window, listening to the sounds of the house. The drone didn’t notice they were gone and he still was attempting to open the front door. That should give the two some time. “Quick. I know a place, we could hide!” Sabeene was calling him from the corner of the houses. Sebee looked around confused. Why did she help him? She knew that he was one of the attackers and that she was running in danger of him just grabbing her and capturing her.

“Please. I will explain later!” she called on him. He sighted. She was right. This wasn’t the time to hesitate. When he didn’t hurry, he would waste the little margin from whoever there was outside. He ran to the corner, doing his best not to be seen, but also not falling over anything in this streets unknown to him.

Suddenly someone grasped his wrist. He was just about drawing his lance as he recognized the face. “It’s me!” Sabeene said as he finally was able to cop a look at her. It was the same Apinaean he had saved a few months ago, but this time the foul smell of the black monster wasn't affecting her pheromones, and besides that she was fully clothed, he recognized way more.

“Wait you are..!” he was attempting to say something, but the female was pulling on his arm. “Please not now. We have to hurry.” she dragged him deeper into the cave and Sebee, who barely got the situation had no choice to follow her stumbling through the half-dark alleys. “Up here. There is a small cave where we have a good overview above everything.” she finally said after dragging him for mere minutes without saying anything. Without thinking about it, the young drone was flapping his wings to follow her.

As they reached the hidden cave and finally got some rest, Sebee couldn’t hold it anymore. “You are a princess?” he said bluntly. His antennea were twitching. Not only this. Now that he had the time to fully examine her, he also noticed that she, like him, was a pretty young Apinaean, not much older than himself. “I’m sorry.” Sabeene sayd in an apologizing voice. The young drone shook his head. “What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be in the palace where it’s safe for you?”

“But.. But..” she tried to explain. “I wanted to see the Great Hunt. My mother wouldn’t let me out of the palace a single time. Especially after the event with the black monster. But I want to see something from the world too!” she stated. Then she laid her arms around Sebee. “And I am safe here. You would protect me, wouldn’t you?”

“I.. Um..” he began to stammer. He couldn’t be mad at her. He knew that feeling too well, to be forced to stay in one place and the desire to get out of it. And besides, when she laid her arms around him the other warm feeling was back again too, blanking his mind. “I would, I guess.” Sabeene giggled “I know it!” she seemed really to be happy all of the sudden. “It has been the best choice to get out of the palace today!”

Sebee wasn’t that sure. When Sabeene was a princess, it was only a matter of time until one of the royal guards would start looking for her. He leaped up. Likely the one at the door even was one. And he wasn’t looking for him but for her instead. He just was lucky that they escaped that easily. A fight against one of the best hive's fighters, Sebee  wouldn’t have survived for sure.

“I’m sorry for disturbing your Great Hunt.” Sabeene suddenly interrupted him. “I just was so happy to see you again.” Sebee shakesed his head. “Nah. No problem. There will be another one. And seeing you doing fine is way better than the whole catching thing.” he told her, making the young girl giggling again. “You are a very special guy. You know?” Sebee smiles “Same there my adventurous princess.” he said laughting.

They both kept laughing before laying down close to the edge of the little cave. Sabeene was right. They really had a great view over the whole hive from up here. Even if it mostly just were shadows in front of the dim light that shows what happens. It still was good enough,  both of them lost the track of time up here.

But the allegedly peaceful place would be proving fallacious soon as a voice rang out from behind. “Should have known, that you are hiding on your secret place, princess.” a voice said. Sebee recognized the voice. It was belonged to the guy in front of the door earlier. Before anyone of them could react, he was rolling over to the side doing his best, to get on his feet and draw his weapon.

The stranger could easily be identified by the symbols on his clothes as a Royal Guard. He didn’t hesitate to do the same. “And who we have here? An attacker of the Hunt who thought he had gotten the great prize today, hu? Well bad luck for you. You should have retreated as soon as you could. What are you still doing here anyway? Well, your fault.” he said as he started an attack, that Sebee barely could hold against.

Great. That was exactly, what the young Apinaean had expected. He wouldn’t stand a slight chance against one of the Royal Guards. But now it seemed too late. He had to fight, if he wanted or not. And when fate decided his day had come now, he wouldn’t go down as a coward by fleeing. Another attack and another one he could block by a hair's breadth. His opponent was forcing him into a defensive position and that never had been a good sign.

“Nooo! Please!” Sabeene was trying her best to stop both of them, but it was no use. The tradition was being clear, none of them really was having a choice here. The tradition expected them to do their job and, in this case, it just was attacker against defender. So simple it just was. Hunter against the one, who was designated to protect.

Another attack. And this time Sebee wasn’t lucky. The trust connected with him right below his left shoulder, likely creating another scar in the process. Cursed, not only was the hit strong enough  really wounding him, with a quick side-slash the Royal Guard also managed to throw Sebee's lance right out of his hands. Now, without a weapon and hurt, Sebee sank to his knees, holding his shoulder and waiting for the final blow.

Just as his opponent was being about to deliver the final blow, something strange happened. “Please, Beenjamin, don’t do it!” a quick shadow appeared and positioned himself right before the fallen Apinaean. The Royal Guard, who was being about to thrust his lance just managed it in time to stop the attack before he unintentional hit the sudden target.

“Princess, why? He’s a hunter and here to capture you. It’s my duty to protect you and defeat this guy.” he barely realized what was happening right here, but he knew, he almost had killed his own princess by her sudden interference.

“Without him, I wouldn’t even be here in the first place! He was the one who saved me from the black monster!” the young female screamed at her protector, forcing him, to take his lance down. Sebee, also wasn’t prepared for  what was happening right now, and still was cowering on the ground behind his sudden helper.

“Still. What would your mother say, when I have to report her, that you got captured in this hunt?” the Royal Guard asked her, but the young female just shook her head, not able to give him an answer. “Can I make a suggestion?” Sebee suddenly asked as he slowly was trying to stand, still holding his shoulder. “I’m just happy, I could see Sabeene again. So how about we just watch the rest of the Hunt and then I'll leave and you can bring her back to the palace's safety.” he offered.

The Royal Guard was looking at him in confusion. “So, you really would so easily give up this  probably only chance of your lifetime?” But Sebee was just smiling as best he could with the pain in his arm. “Which chance?” he asked “Obviously I lost this fight. So, there isn’t being really left any chance for me.” Sabeene was looking at him, and seemed to be a bit sad. “You’re sure? I wouldn’t be surprised if my mother wouldn’t let me even leave my room after this anymore. So there probably wouldn’t be a chance for us to ever see one another again.”

Sebee sat himself on the end of the cave-jut. “Don’t worry. I will train more. I will become a Royal Guard myself and then I will win the contest for you so we can meet again. That’s a promise.” Sebee wasn’t sure, if he ever could manage to keep that promise. It was very unlikely for a drone to become a Royal Guard in the first place. And this fight just now had proved, how much he still had to train to even have a chance. But he didn’t want to see her this sad.

The Royal Guard was looking at him with a mix of surprise and respect. “A high goal. I will wait with her on the palace for that day to see if you can keep that promise.” then he walked over to the lance  Sebee had lost in the fight earlier. “Here. You will need that, when you ever want to have a small chance.” he threw the lance right next to the sitting Apinaean and then continued. “Your Hunt soon will be over. You should get used to the pain in your arm, if you want to make it back to you hive.”

Sebee took the lance and used it to stand up. The shadows over the cave were starting to fade. Some of the attackers were successful in their hunt and already on the way back but lot of the others didn’t make it that day and had to lose their live here. And he nearly had become one of them. “Well. See you.” he bowed out as he was making  his way to the entry of that cave to finally beetle off.

Sabeene looked after him while the guard took her in his arms. If someone of the remaining attackers still were around, when Sebee leaves the small cave, he still had to protect her. He looked at the young princess who besides that boy's promise doesn’t seem to be happy. He shakes his head while he rubbed his nasal bridge with his free hand.

“Fine. I will find something to tell the queen.” Beenjamin finally sighed as he let his arm go off her. Surprised, Sabeene looked at him. “Really?” suddenly her voice became way more joyful. With a small jump she embraced him, giving him a small kiss on his cheeks. That wasn’t an appropriate reaction, considering their social standing, but Sabeene just couldn’t help herself.

Quickly she was runnig after the young boy just to catch him as he was being about to start. Sebee looked at her. “Sabeene?” was the only thing he could  say. “Hehe got you.” the young princess was joking, as she clung on him. “What are you..?” he was attempting to ask, looking above her shoulder to the Royal Guard, who just was nodding at him. “Are you sure? I mean, I didn’t do anything to capture you. I couldn’t even win the fight. That doesn’t seem to be honorable.”

The young princess looked at him “Well. You saved me from the black monster back that day and you even got me earlier this morning. Beenjamin has come later. So technically you captured me two times in total.” she explained to him. Sebee shook his head unsurely. “So, you really want?” his voice revealed his lack of conviction. Sabeene just snuggled against him. “Of course, I want. Or don’t you do?” she returned the question.

Sebee couldn’t help but to lift her up. The pain in his arm suddenly was  gone. Or at least it didn’t matter anymore. “Of course, I want!” he answered her as his wings were starting to buzz. He would follow the others who successfully had ended their hunt. And he couldn’t be happier. Not because he had captured a princess, no but because he had captured Sabeene. That was all he could have asked for. He was having the warm feeling in his body again and nothing could stop him now as he was making his way back home to his hive.

The way back took the both several hours while the young Apinaean was holding his captures ‘prey’ tight to his body. The sun was about to rise when the remaining members of the Great Hunt finally arrived as the hive. Sebee landed next to the others who were successful and now waited with the captured females for the next event.

It took several more minutes and the sun was standing visibly above the treetops, as the queen of Sebee's hive finally showed up to the line of hunters. Like tradition commanded she handed every female a special piece of honey. With feasting that one, they finally would become part of their new hive and the rituals could continue.

As Queen Beeatrix passed to Sebee and Sabeene her antennae twitched. “That is..” she stated visibly surprised. She raised a hand to signal her Royal Guardians. “These ones are special. Take them to the palace.” Sebee looked surprised. He never had seen the situation of what happened if a hunter captured a princess before so he didn’t know what was happening.

Everyone was looking at the two. Sebee didn’t like the attention. But things just had happened and it seems, he had to deal with that now. Two guards signaled him to follow so he stepped out of the line while his queen continued to do her duties by gifting the remaining females the honey.

The guards led the two into the palace. Sebee has never been here before. Well, not for a long time at least. Born by the queen he had spent some of his early grub-years here, but that was a time he couldn’t remember anymore. But they weren’t here to sightsee and so the trip ended in a huge room, where a long table was standing. Likely the dining room.

“Find your seats, the queen will take care of you, when she’s done with the others.” one of the guards said while looking at the young bee with a hint of envy. “You must be a good fighter or really lucky to manage this kind of honor.” he added, earning a nod from Sebee. “Yeah. Kinda lucky to still be alive, I guess.” he still didn’t find the way he got that success that honorable, but on the other hand, he could be with Sabeene now, so he shouldn’t complain.

The guards left them. Likely they went back to the ceremony. Now the two were alone in the huge room and Sebee wondered, if he still should hold Sabeene all the time “What now?” he asked her. As a princess she likely would know more than him. “Hmm..” the young female deliberated. “if I remember right, we will get our own ritual now.” she smiled at him “But I think, you don’t have to carry me anymore. At least if you didn’t want to.”

He reconsidered for a moment, if he should ever let her go, but then he slowly put her back on her feet. There was the pain in his shoulder again. All the way he had ignored it, but now it was back. And even worse than before. Noticing that, Sabeene looked at him. “Oh, sorry, I didn’t think about that.” she got closer to him to look at his arm, but Sebee was shaking his head. “Ah don’t worry. It's just stinging a bit, nothing bad.”

The young princess still was unsure, but there was no time to worry because as she was trying another attempt, the door opened and the queen entered. “Are you two ready?” she asked in a friendly voice. Sabeene nodded but Sebee looked at her slightly confused. “Um.. Ready for what my queen?” The older Apinaean smiled at him. “Ready for the ceremony, my little drone.” she kept smiling before waving her hand at the table.

“Take a seat. The feast will soon be served.” she stated and Sebee looked at her. “A feast?” he asked unsure and the queen nodded at him. “Of course. It’s not every Hunt, a drone does capture a princess. That is to be celebrated. And you also have to get inaugurated in your new position as a Royal Bee so you two can found your own hive.”

Induction. Sebee wasn’t familiar with that, but Sabeene was looking at him like she knew, what that meant, so he just sat himself next to her without asking. Not long after, the princesses of his own hive joint them on the table and soon some nursing bees entered the room, serving many small plates filled with various kind of meat and honey. It was pretty tasty but nothing overly special in contrast to the normal Apinaean diet, just the ambient was more luxurious.

When the dinner was over, one of the nursing bees brought a tray with multiple golden goblets to the table and served everyone. The young drone took a slight sniff from his goblet. The smell was sweet. Like honey, but it still was different. “My queen. What is that?” he asked. The older Apinaean smiled at him again. “Royal Gelee, my little drone. By drinking that you will become a Royal on your own.” she declared.

Royal Gelee? This stuff was special to the Apinaeans. And now he should drink it? It would make him a Royal so he could stay with Sabeene? He was unsure, what to do. But as the others drank from their goblets the young drone plucked up his courage and emptied his in one go. The taste was even sweeter that it’s scent. And the taste of honey was feeling so much purer than the normal one.

Suddenly he felt the warm feeling in his body again. But this time it was stronger. Way much stronger than before. It feels like it would burn him from inside and fill him with feelings, he had never felt before. It was overwhelming. His mind went black and the last thing he noticed was, that Sabeene was looking at him and took his arm. The queen waved at her guards “Take them to a room. We will continue tomorrow.”

*

The next day, Sebee was exhausted. Even more then the two days before. But the smile on Sabeene’s face was letting him forget all the prostration. “You're feeling better?” she asked him. He slowly nodded. “Sorry about..” he tried to explain but she just silenced him by laying her finger on his libs. “Nothing to feel sorry about. I’m so used to Royal Gelee that I forgot how it can take effect the first time. Sebee just was looking unsure. “So you aren’t..?” the young princess smiled. “Nope I ain’t.” she laid her arms around him. “I couldn’t be happier.”

Now it was Sebee, who was smiling. He couldn’t be happier too. He'd love nothing better to do then staying with her like that, but they had to go up and visit the queen again. As they were leaving their room a guard received them. “I have order to tell you to gather on the great plaza.” he said and Sebee nodded at him. It seemed it was time to go. The queen would tell them, were the spirits would lead them. And there they would found their new hive.

As they entered the plaza a whole group of Apinaeans already were there. Most of them were the other hunters who accomplished Sebee on the Great Hunt, but some of them were still unbound workers from his hive. “Be prepared!” the queen said. “The new Royals, Queen Sabeene and King Sebee are here!” King? That Sebee had to get used to.

“Their bound is complete and the spirits have shown the way.” she continued. “Ten days in the direction of the afternoon sun. There is the place the spirits are guiding you all!” Ten days? That couldn’t be right. He waited till the queen had finished her speech “Ten days? Wouldn’t that be outside of the jungle?” he asked her. Never a Apinaean had left the jungle before. Behind it, the outside world began.

“That’s right.” the queen confirmed. “The spirits say the future of the tribes lies in the outside lands and none other than you special two are destinated, to found it there for all tribes.” she explained. Sebee wanted to dig deeper as one of the normal guards entered the plaza in a hurry. “My Queen! My Queen!” he yells. “There’s a Royal Guard in front of the hive, waiting for Queen Sabeene!” he reported.

That wasn’t only a surprise, none of the present could find an explanation to that. “For me?” Sabeene asked. “Alright I will go.” Sebee just could hold her back. “I will go too and protect you, if necessary.” Together they went, where the guard told them, followed shortly by Queen Beeatrix and her royal guards.

At the place they were told stood the Apinaean from two days earlier. Three guards of Sebees hive, who seemingly had tried to kill him lay dead at his feet. As he saw Sabeene he saluted. “Queen Sabeene, royal guard Beenjamin at your service.” Sebee looked at him in surprise. He had never heard before, that the new queens old hive would send a guard to the new one ever before.

“Beenjamin? What are you doing here?” Sabeene said, likely as much surprised as him. The Apinaean still saluted “Your mother Queen Elisabeeth sends me to serve as your new royal guard. At least, if you want.” he explained. Sebee looked at him curiously. “And if not?” he asked. “Then I will be expelled from the hive for failing my duties.” Beenjamin continued.

“So. A Last Order.” Queen Beeatrix, who just entered the place noteed “a rarely used tradition to let the decision about one's fate to another Queen.” she continued. Sebee shivered. Being expelled was meaning for an Apinaean to lose all his bounds and rights towards the hive and being outlawed by this. “Well, I won’t mind. You seem to be a good fighter. But It’s not my choice.”

Sabeene seemed to be happy. “Of course, you can come with us.” she flung her arms around his neck again. This wasn’t any more appropriate than the last time, especially now, that she had become a queen herself, but none of the present minded to mention it. Happily, the royal guard saluted again. “Thanks to you, my Queen and my King.

King. Sebee still had to get used to that term. But now, that this guy also was on board, he was feeling much safer. He still remembered, how easily that one had beaten him in the fight. “Sebee is enough.” he mentioned. After that, they returned back to the hive. They had to fly ten days straight, so they shouldn’t waste more time.

Soon the new swarm started and not long and they disappeared from the view. They flew over the treetops. After many days of straight flying, the terrain began to change. First, the trees started to grow shorter, then their color and leaves also were changing and finally, the whole vegetation was completely different from the one the Apinaeans were familiar with. This was the outside world. Far away from their natural habitat.

They still flew more days without noticing the two black eyes following them from the ground all the way since the beginning of their journey, and finally, they reached a forest way different from the one they came from. Down there near a lake was standing a small hut below the leaves made completely out of wood. A strange object they never had seen before was swimming in the water. Carefully Sebee attempted to land near the unusual hut. Slowly he peeked through the window.

~~~~~

The cat closes the book he just has read out. “Well and that my dears, is how the story ends.” He looks in the eyes of the two children sitting there with a black, demonic-looking man. “But why?” asks the young boy, who looks like some kind of winged lizard. “Because..” the cat answers him “.. the story isn’t written further yet.” the cat stands up and attempts to leave the house. “And besides. I’m pretty sure Manic finds that it’s time for you to finally hit the bed.”

The demon nods. “Yeah. The story has gone longer than I expected. But besides. Did you try to tell us, that there are some kind of giant bee-folks just leaving their land to live nearby now?” He doesn’t seem to believe it. And considering who told the story, maybe he should have some kind of suspicion. “Who knows.” the cat answers. “It’s a story after all.”

Suddenly a barking is coming from outside the house. The demon runs to the door and opens it. “Who's there?” he askes into the dusk but the only thing he can hear is some kind of buzzing noise coming from atop the trees. But it already is too dark to see anything. Shaking his head he closes the door again.

“What was it, dad?” the girl, winged too but way harder to tell about her race asks him. The demon shakes his head again. “Just a squirrel, Zek is hunting after.” he explains. “Time for bed now.” then he goes to the cat. “Somehow I have the feeling, you didn’t tell the whole story.” the cat grins at him “Well. Maybe. But it’s a children's story, isn’t it? Let’s agree to the point, that the whole ceremony is meant to ensure, there's a new hive, alright?” it answers as it slowly disappears until just the stipes, a mask and the book are to be seen

The demon nods as he takes the children by their hands, taking them upstairs. “Guess I don’t have to show you the door?” he asks his guest. “Not necessarily. But it’s a nice looking one.” the cat jokes before it has completely gone.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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page 16
Berens Story Part 1
Last in pool
Yeah. It's just a bee-story. So don't expect a-rating quality.

all characters by me

besides guest-rolls: Manic, Mackten and Orianna by
ManicMoon
ManicMoon

(forgot to tag them too, sorry..)

Keywords
male 1,108,931, female 998,717, romance 8,252, fight 5,314, bee 3,543, war 1,728, slice of life 1,492, hunt 486, apinaean 1
Details
Type: Writing - Document
Published: 2 years, 2 months ago
Rating: General

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ManicMoon
2 years, 2 months ago
Finaly came around to read the story. Really good work.
Harleking
2 years, 2 months ago
Thanks :3
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