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!

the fungus begins to bulge

[Termites!] Crinis yells.

more fungus and their antennae swivelling wildly. In truth, they seem just as surprised to see us as we are to see them, but

to catch the termite on

many

I'm not sure! I still can't sense underground

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

ROAR!

he swings with colossal force, his fists tearing

CHOMP!

to put one of these creatures down. Chittering with indignation, my opponent tries to pull back and snap onto my front left leg.

this termite down for my ant

as it corrects its balance, its jaws snapping shut on thin air, only to be met with my ferocious charge a second later.

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 to the mould, melting it like wax even as it catches fire. If it were only that,

getting hot

heck did you do?!] Sarah wails as she bats away the termites who try to swarm around

cry. [How was I supposed to know

to put the fire out and punish us for setting it

mandibles for another chomp. [Let's