Evolution begins with an ant colony

The hooded figure emerged from the portal, standing silently for a moment. His eyes, barely visible beneath the hood, swept over the three women. He raised a hand, pointing at them one by one, counting under his breath.
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"One... two... three," he muttered, a sinister smile spreading across his face. "It seems I will finally be able to complete my mission."

Tatillia stepped forward, her wings subtly spreading, ready to take flight. "What are you talking about?" she demanded, her voice steady despite the tension in the air.

Before she could get an answer, the figure moved with a sudden burst of speed, charging towards them. The battle commenced in an instant, each woman reacting instinctively to the threat.

Tatillia, her wings folding against her back for agility, launched herself at the hooded figure. Her powerful legs propelled her forward, and she delivered a fierce punch aimed at his midsection.

The figure sidestepped at the last moment, deflecting her blow with his forearm and countering with a quick jab to her ribs. Tatillia grunted but continued her attack, twisting her body to deliver a backhanded strike with her other arm. The figure blocked it, but the force of her strength pushed him back a step.

Azara, her eyes glowing with her golden mana, began chanting in an ancient language. She raised her hands, and the air around her crackled with mana.

She summoned thick vines from the ground, which snaked around the figure's legs, attempting to immobilize him.

The figure slashed through the vines with a dark blade that materialized in his hand, the severed plants withering instantly.

Hestria, sword drawn and eyes focused, charged from the side. She lunged, aiming for the figure's shoulder. He twisted his body, parrying her strike with his blade. Hestria used the momentum to spin on her heel, delivering a swift kick to his knee. The figure staggered but remained balanced, countering with a horizontal slash that forced Hestria to duck and roll away.

Tatillia, taking advantage of the opening, launched another attack. She planted her feet firmly, delivering a rapid series of punches and kicks.

Her movements were a blur of strength and speed, each strike aiming to overwhelm the figure's defenses.

He blocked and parried, his dark blade moving very fast as he did. Despite his skill, Tatillia's relentless attacks began to push him back.

Azara finished her chant, extending her arms to summon a gust of wind. The wind howled through the alley, lifting debris and forcing the figure to brace himself.

Tatillia used the distraction to leap into the air, her wings spreading wide. She came down with a powerful downward kick aimed at the figure's head. He raised his blade just in time, blocking the kick but skidding back from the impact.

Hestria, seizing the opportunity, advanced again. She thrust her sword, aiming for the figure's torso. He twisted, catching her blade with his own and forcing her into a close-quarters struggle.

Hestria shifted her weight, attempting to unbalance him with a shoulder check. The figure countered with an elbow strike to her temple, dazing her momentarily.

Tatillia landed beside them, her fists glowing with her golden mana. She swung a powerful punch aimed at the figure's head. He ducked, the punch grazing his hood.

He retaliated with a sweep kick that knocked Tatillia's legs out from under her, but she caught herself with her wings, flipping back to her feet.

Azara, her eyes glowing brighter, cast another spell. This time, a shimmering barrier formed around Hestria and Tatilia.

She then summoned spirit wolves that lunged at the figure, their ghostly forms snapping and snarling. The figure slashed through them, but their spirit nature made them difficult to destroy.

The battle raged on, the hooded figure, though formidable, was beginning to show signs of wear, his movements slightly slower, his breathing heavier.

'This was supposed to be a simple mission, how did the three of them turn out to be such good fighters.'

'No… and the way the silver haired woman uses the spells, along with this one that has wings, are these three not human?'

'If things Drago on I could be at a disadvantage, I have to get this over with quickly.'

Tatillia and Hestria flanked him, coordinating their attacks. Tatillia delivered a barrage of punches while Hestria struck with her sword, their movements synchronized.

The figure deflected and dodged, his blade a blur as he fended off their blows. He twisted and turned, his cloak billowing, using every ounce of his strength and agility to keep them at bay.

Azara continued her support, casting spells to disrupt the figure's concentration. She summoned a burst of light, blinding him momentarily, giving Hestria a chance to land a glancing blow on his shoulder.

The figure grunted in pain but retaliated with a blast of dark energy that sent Hestria and Tatillia stumbling back.

'It's now or never.'

Seeing an opening, the figure pointed his hand, spewing out purple mist, the mist quickly enveloping the alley. The women tried to hold their breath, but it was pointless.

They coughed and staggered, their movements growing sluggish.

Tatillia tried to take flight, but her wings felt heavy. Hestria swung her sword in a desperate attempt to clear the mist, but her vision blurred. Azara attempted to cast another spell, but her concentration wavered, and the spell fizzled out.

The hooded figure moved through the mist with ease, his dark blade slashing through the air. He struck Tatillia in the side, sending her crashing to the ground. He then delivered a swift kick to Hestria's stomach, knocking the wind out of her and causing her to collapse.

Azara, barely conscious, tried to summon another spell, but the figure was upon her. He grabbed her by the throat, lifting her off the ground. Azara struggled weakly before the mist overwhelmed her, and she went limp in his grasp.

The figure dropped Azara, standing over the three unconscious women. His breathing was heavy, his cloak torn and stained with blood. He looked up at the night sky, letting out a sigh.

"Thirty-eight," he said, his voice a low growl. "Mission complete."

With that, he pulled each of them into the purple portal, and vanished into the shadows, leaving the alley in silence.