Story: Bombylias Rescues Aneeyah
Story by: Gail Nobles © 2025
Cover Art by: Gail Nobles
Aneeyah was not someone who could be easily dominated. She nearly managed to break free from the Dragon Patrol’s prison. Having experienced incarceration before, her first confinement was in a solitary cell, but the next time, they restrained her with chains.
Meanwhile, the beefly man grappled with his own struggles. He had found out that Aneeyah was captured by Dragonfly. The powers that now surged through him came with both gifts and burdens; he could manipulate the winds, hear the whispers of bees and flies, and even heal minor wounds with a touch. Yet, every time he thought of Aneeyah, a pang of guilt surged within him. Had he endangered her with his unearthly changes? He often found himself at the edge of the forest, listening to the hum of the hive and the whispers of the wind, desperate for a sign of her safety.
As rumors swirled around town, fueled by the Dragon Patrol's propaganda, the community began to turn against them. Aneeyah's name became a slur, synonymous with betrayal and unrest. Anguish tore at the bee man’s heart as he witnessed the transformation of the people he once called friends. He could feel their contempt, sharp and biting like the stings of the bees he now commanded.
Determined to rescue Aneeyah, Bombylias devised a plan. He blended into the shadows, taking advantage of his insect attributes. With each night that passed, he trained himself further, honing his ability to control swarms of bees. He became a force of nature, using his mutation to liberate those unjustly imprisoned by fear and prejudice.
On the night of the next full moon, he approached the imposing gates of the Dragon Patrol's stronghold. The air was thick with tension, and the sky shimmered with anticipation. He whispered to the bees and flies that circled around him, sending them out to distract the guards with a cloud of buzzing chaos. Just when the moment seemed dire, the walls began to vibrate with the harmony of wingbeats, and the patrol's resolve faltered.
Aneeyah could hear the commotion from her cell, her heart racing at the sound of the familiar hum. She called out, not knowing if he could hear her, “I’m here!“
With her words fueling him, the bee man unleashed a curtain of buzzing bodies, creating a diversion that allowed him to slip through the gates. He found her cell, the iron bars casting shadows on her worried face. The moment their eyes met, a spark ignited, and he knew this was a fight worth fighting.
With a mere touch, he summoned the strength of the swarm, bending the bars as though they were made of straw. Aneeyah stepped into the moonlight, her eyes alight with courage and determination.
Together, they faced the patrol, knowing they could either be their salvation or lead to their downfall. The swarms gathered behind them, ready to defend against injustice. As the prison guards advanced to strike Bombylias, holding Aneeyah tightly, he vanished into the swarm.
You’re listening to Artful - The story of Bombylias by Gail Nobles © 2025.
