The passage leading into the Aqir hive was extremely spacious.
Even large trucks fully loaded with cargo could pass through it smoothly.
Most insects were attracted to light, and the Aqir shared this trait.
Ordinary insects could only fly toward places with light, giving rise to the saying about moths flying into a flame.
But the Aqir possessed rudimentary intelligence and had more advanced insect beings to guide them.
Their hive passages therefore had light sources.
These were large insects that looked much like aphids, but their bodies, especially their bellies, glowed.
The amber light they emitted brought a hint of warmth to the danger-filled hive.
These insects, which glowed like electric lamps, showed no aggression.
Herad gave them a fitting name: Streetlamp Bugs.
The Streetlamp Bugs' main task was to provide light for the other insects.
But everyone needed light.
Naturally, no one would kill them.
Xal'atath, however, was eager to try and wanted to stab these Streetlamp Bugs until they burst.
As an Artifact dagger, it could see without a light source.
However, bound by the rules Herad had established, it could not order the Small Arcane Golem to attack neutral targets.
So the only thing it could do was provoke the Streetlamp Bugs with whispers of the Old Gods, hoping they would charge over and attack.
"Come on, hit me!" "Come over here and kill me!"
Unfortunately, the Streetlamp Bugs ignored it completely, lying motionless on the tunnel walls.
Glowing was these insects' sole purpose.
Aside from periodically sucking up nutrients secreted by the hive, they made no unnecessary movements.
They were simply emotionless tool insects.
Seeing that it was getting nowhere, Xal'atath continued onward in disappointment.
Its sharp blade sliced through the vital points of the Aqir Beetles it encountered along the way.
For such a