Parvaaz

The sun was setting off for yet another nap, and that meant it was time to get briefed on the mission. The company, including three girls, a squad of bees, a crow, and a cloud cat, were standing outside the strategy room, waiting for Commander Buzz to call them in.

They all looked determined and well prepared. Except for Haniya, Haniya had mostly deciphered everything that was going on with Isra, but this was something way beyond her imagination. The might of the hive had left her gasping for air on more than one occasion. Studying architecture at her university, she knew exactly how impossible it was to build something as grand as the hive. In a matter of hours, she had her head blown several times.

First, when #212 had talked. Then, looking at how coordinated and resourceful the bees were, Then listening to the prep talk given by Khadija about the majesty of the Queen. Out of all of them, Haniya was somehow the most excited.

But her goal was not just sightseeing here. It was to look after her little demon sister. And she was going to do that, no matter what. 

The door opened, revealing a huge hexagonal table with Queen Golden standing on the far edge of the room, looking somber. They all entered; despite their differences, they had decided to work as a unit. Even Isra and Qatan had started talking on a minor scale. But the tensions were still there.

Without wasting any moment.

Commander Buzz gathered them around and looked at each one of them. One by one, stopping at Haniya.

"Queen Golden has decided that you will stay behind with her." Haniya protested, but before she could say anything, Commander Buzz continued.

"However, since she will be in continuous contact with the team, you will go with reinforcements if the need arises."

And since the Queen had decided the matter, there was absolutely no question about it. Haniya didn't press further. She knew that if this was really the case. Queen Golden could protect Isra more than herself. Just by looking at her majesty Haniya had somehow given into the Queen's charm.

"Rest of you. I need you to listen up extremely carefully."

"Collecting the vine is one of the most dangerous journeys that have existed for us. We have lost 25 whole squadrons up until now on this harrowing mission. My own son, who had been battle-trained since the day he was born, couldn't make it."

The room grew dull with each word, and the moods became somber.

Khadija raised her hand and was granted permission to speak.

"But then how do you expect us to succeed?" She said

"This time, it will be different. Queen Golden has decided that in any scenario that presents too great of a danger to the company, she will personally step in. Which means the others will step in as well to deter her, but this time the bees have decided to bet everything they've got on retrieving the vine. Or the whole sunflower field will be leveled, and no one will live." Commander Buzz had a habit of being too direct.

"Once you enter the twilight realm, your current bodies will be changed to adapt to the environment there. Those who are in touch with Parvaaz will be the most transformed."

Khadija raised her hand again.

"What is Parvaaz?"

To this, Queen Golden herself answered

"It is a tree that exists somewhere beyond time and space; it holds immense power and magic. Each leaf is said to sustain societies for centuries. Long ago, when a branch was conquered and shares were being divided among the communities, the bees got a small vine in their share. "

She continued

"The bees were content, as the sacrifices made to conquer the branch were too unimaginable. The vine had been their blood prize and a symbol of their perseverance."

"Soon the bees migrated to this world and settled upon the sunflower field. A mold was built for the vine to keep the whole field vitalized and to keep the bees in touch with the magic. The vine granted us the ability to build and sustain. But my ancestors fell incompetent with too much power always available in their hands. And then, when I was only a child, one day the vine disappeared without a trace. Luckily, my mother, who had learned some of its secrets, stepped up and took control of keeping at least a tiny bit of magic flowing through the field."

"She taught me everything about it. Apparently there was another way to be in touch with Parvaaz, but it was very limited. But just barely enough for the sunflower field for at least some time. Then, with some help from a certain someone, we eventually located the vine." Queen Golden looked at Qatan.

"But it has been impossible to retrieve it since. Despite our sheer claim over it, the sovereigns deny the right and kill everyone we send to reclaim it."

"But things will be different now. If I move, the others will as well. And it will be an all-out war. Let's hope it never comes to that. I have high hopes for all of you. But one way or another, We will get the vine back."