Chrysalis

The fungus rattles around us and every member of the group stills themselves, casting our senses about to identify the source of the movement.

[Crinis? You got anything?]

[It's difficult for me to see,] the usually reserved Crinis sounds frustrated and irritated, [the fungus has a mana signature that blocks my sight.]

Dammit.

[What about shadows? Are you seeing anything around us?]

[I think there are tunnels beneath us, but it's hard to say.]

That's not unexpected, considering where we are, I have little doubt that the termites have tunnels beneath us and all over this mountain for that matter.

[Stay sharp everyone. I think we might have company soon.]

The fungus continues to rattle and shake as I eye it warily, my minds already spinning up the constructs necessary to fight. I decide to start pumping out fire mana, since it seems like it'll have the biggest effect on the mould around us as well as on whatever comes out to fight.

The rattling all around us continues to intensify before it suddenly grows still, the five of us left watching the field of white in perfect silence.

SNAP!

second later something beneath us breaks before the fungus begins to bulge in certain places, pushing upward as something

[Termites!] Crinis yells.

and their antennae swivelling wildly. In truth, they seem just

lock into position as I dash forwards hoping to catch the termite on my right by surprise as it emerges from below

many

sure! I still can't sense

but don't let yourself get cornered! If things get too spicy we'll have to back out and retreat to safety over

ROAR!

a mighty bellow, Tiny rumbles forward, his frightening mass towering over the termites as he swings with colossal force, his fists tearing through the air to crunch into the chitin

CHOMP!

activating my skills, a single bite isn't enough to put one of these creatures down. Chittering with indignation, my opponent tries to

have the luxury of pinning this termite down for my ant allies to finish off, but

only to be met with my ferocious charge a second later. The impact of activating the skill is staggering and the termite's shell cracks even further as

play with it any further, I spin up the mana I've kept in reserve and unleash a torrent of blue flame, roasting the termite where it stands. What I don't expect is for the flame to instantly spread

hot

the heck did you do?!] Sarah wails as she

[How was I supposed to

the reaction of our termite opponents. The sudden ignition of their garden sends them into a frenzy as they alternate between trying to put the fire out and punish us for setting it off. I see a few of

my mandibles for another chomp. [Let's clean up a little