The Hidden Queen
The queen's chamber felt like an isolated world, the hollowness of the space snuffed out every sound - from the general buzzing of wings both far and near, to the usual bustling atmosphere of the hive.
Silence befell everywhere like a blanket of chill, leaving nothing but a deathly stillness.
Before me was a wide chamber, shaped like nature's amphitheatre, full of pristine grey walls that spanned many columns stretching high up to the ceiling.
These pillars were evenly spaced on either side in distant rows that made the chamber appear never-ending.
Like a visage of calm and tranquillity, it appeared to be a space cut away from it all, and the further I ventured in, the more I began to feel uneasy.
It almost seemed designed to intimidate.
Flanked on either side by tall pillars, I followed the path inside, keeping my eyes open for any surprises.
The lizard followed behind me closely, looking all around tensely as we moved.