Evolution begins with an ant colony

John led Mina and Chris down a winding road path, his eyes focused on a map in his hands. The path stretched ahead of them, bordered by tall trees that cast dappled shadows on the ground beneath them.

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Curiosity gnawed at Chris, and he couldn't help but inquire, "Where did you get that map?"

John glanced at him, his face wore sly smile as he spoke. "I made sure to come prepared," he replied, his tone carrying a hint of amusement. "Unlike a certain someone who has been whining this entire time."

Chris sighed in response, feeling a touch embarrassed. "Well, I just don't like walking so much," he admitted, "and my legs are already sore. Plus, I might actually die of boredom this time."

Mina chimed in, trying to offer some reassurance. "Chris, you're exaggerating," she said with a soft smile.

But Chris had an idea. He leaned in closer to Mina, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Hey, Mina," he began, "can't you whip up some kind of stone golem, like the ones in comics and manga?"

Mina looked thoughtful, her inquisitive gesture punctuating her consideration. "I might be able to pull it off," she mused. "After all, it's just about manipulating some earth with magic."

Chris's excitement grew as he eagerly suggested, "Okay, then. Let the golem take us to the village so we can finish this damned quest."

Mina stood still, her hands starting to move as she began to circulate mana around her. Her rainbow-colored hair seemed to defy gravity, swaying gently in the air. With determination in her eyes, she said, "Here goes nothing."

Suddenly, she opened her eyes wide, and with a graceful wave of her hand, the earth trembled. From beneath the ground, a massive stone golem emerged, its form towering over them.

Hearing the rumbling noise behind him, John swiftly turned around, drawing his sword as he shouted, "Chris, Mina, enemy attack!" But as he spun around, he was met with the sight of Chris and Mina standing on the colossal shoulders of the stone golem.

With a grin, Chris waved his hand at John. "Get on, you slowpoke!" he called out. "Let's get this quest over with."

The massive stone golem extended one of its rocky arms down to the ground, creating a makeshift platform for John to climb onto. With careful steps, John ascended the elemental creation, finding a secure footing on its stony surface. He took a moment to regain his balance as Chris, perched atop the golem, couldn't contain his excitement.

"Forward!" Chris shouted, his voice resonating with enthusiasm.

Mina, now in control of the golem, nodded in acknowledgment. With a subtle manipulation of her magical energies, the colossal construct began to lumber forward, each ponderous step sending vibrations through the earth. The trees lining the road path rustled with the golem's movement, and the distant sounds of the forest surrounded them.

Meanwhile, High atop the village walls, the guards maintained their routine watch, their figures silhouetted against the backdrop of the setting sun. Their posts offered them a commanding view of the road path leading to the village, and they conversed in hushed tones to pass the time as they kept their vigil.

Beneath the darkening sky, the guards leaned against the weathered stone battlements, their faces etched with the weariness of the day's duties. The air was thick with anticipation as the sun dipped lower on the horizon, casting long shadows that stretched toward the road below.

Among them, a guard named Lucas spoke up, his voice tinged with a hint of boredom. "You ever wonder if anything interesting will ever happen around here?" he mused, his gaze fixed on the seemingly tranquil road ahead.

Beside him, Amelia chuckled softly, her eyes scanning the distant forest. "Not much happens in these parts," she replied. "But who knows, maybe someday we'll have a tale worth telling."n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

As the two guards conversed, their comrade Robert, a young and inexperienced recruit, listened intently. He had heard tales of grand adventures and heroic deeds and hoped for excitement in his own life.

However, as their conversation continued, and Robert turned his attention back to the road, his voice faltered. The words he intended to say were caught in his throat, replaced by a stunned silence.

Amelia noticed his abrupt silence and turned to look at him, concern in her eyes. "Robert, what's wrong?" she asked.

Robert's eyes remained fixed on the approaching stone golem, and his voice trembled as he finally spoke, his words barely audible. "Look."

Amelia followed his gaze, and her own voice caught in her throat as she beheld the massive, lumbering figure in the distance. The stone golem, a creation unlike anything they had ever seen, drew closer with each ponderous step.

It was Lucas who reacted first, shaking off his astonishment and grabbing the horn nearby. He blew into it with all his might, the sound echoing through the village, a stark warning to his fellow guards and the villagers below.

As the horn's call reverberated through the air, the village came to life, and the guards prepared for the unexpected encounter, their hearts pounding with a mixture of fear and curiosity.

Perched upon the stone golem's shoulder, John's gaze swept across the small village ahead. It was clear that the sight of their approaching colossal creation had sent the villagers into a frenzy. They hurriedly retreated into their homes, seeking shelter from what they perceived as an impending threat.

Meanwhile, the village guards, standing ready along the walls, braced themselves for an encounter with an unknown adversary.

John couldn't help but voice his observations to his companions. "Looks like the people in this village are frightened," he remarked, his voice carrying a sense of understanding.

Chris, still perched on the other shoulder of the golem, leaned in to hear John better. "Frightened of what?" he inquired, his curiosity piqued.

John turned his gaze toward Chris, his eyes reflecting his insight. "I think," he began, "this is likely the first time these villagers have ever seen something like our stone golem."

Mina, seated near the head of the golem, shared John's concern. "We didn't intend to scare them," she said, her voice laced with empathy. "What should we do now?"

John contemplated the situation, his determination unwavering. "I think it's best if we disembark from the stone golem and approach the village on foot," he suggested, his eyes fixed on the village that was now within close reach. "That way, we can show them we mean no harm."

With a collective nod, the trio prepared to descend from their magical creation, ready to face the villagers and hopefully ease their fears.