Every muscle, every nerve– it sat within the ants form, bunched up and tense. The lingering expectation to meet an early demise still stood beside him, looming over with an expectant stare that helped send chills down the chimera’s spine. Cold and piercing, but fears grip was too strong to even allow him to shake from it.
Here he knelt, turned to stone by the King’s gaze.
What finally gifted life back within the winged ants being was the next question to leave Meruem’s mouth. the given permission to stand almost went without notice as Colt brought all his attention on what was asked of him… and the very fact the King seemed to relax upon it’s delivery. He was still allowed to stand before him; still allowed to live.
“… it’s–” A gulp; swallowing hard to push the lump from his throat.
Upon his given answer the ant began to move. A slow, gradual process of pushing up from his spot and allowing his legs to stretch; to stand tall once more. Something about this–about simply standing before Meruem like he was, now, felt wrong. If need be he’d drop back down without question.
Meruem repeated the name quietly, but still audibly as he committed it to memory. He truly expected nothing from the soldier in terms of loyalty or respect -- the King had learned that during his time with Komugi he had not earned anything his Guard nor his Chimeran subjects had given him -- but keeping the name in the archives of his thoughts would not harm either of them.
It was more than likely they would cross paths again after this, after all.
❝ Your anxieties about being here are unnecessary.
I am not the same as when we first met -- no harm
will come to you now. ❞
No doubt his choice of words would arouse suspicion in the avian insect. Meruem at the time of his birth was beyond words in comparison to himself now; life meant nothing, and only the powerful were allowed to survive.
He supposed he should thank Komugi for his change of mind (and he does at every opportunity; she was the only reason he, himself, had found the strength to continue on) -- and perhaps Colt should even more so. Much would be different had it not been for that woman.
❝ And you may leave if you wish; nothing is keeping
you here. ❞