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 in certain places, pushing upward as

[Termites!] Crinis yells.

layer splits to reveal the massive insects bursting through, their jaws filled with more fungus and their antennae swivelling wildly. In truth, they seem just as surprised to see us as we are to see them, but that doesn't stop either side from

to catch the termite

how many are

still can't sense underground

things get

ROAR!

swings with colossal force, his fists tearing through the

CHOMP!

my opponent tries to pull back and snap onto my front left leg. In a normal fight between ants and other social insects, the battle for

termite down for my ant allies to finish off,

mighty frame I send the bug staggering back, its six legs flailing as it corrects its balance, its jaws snapping shut on thin air, only to be met with my ferocious charge a second later. The impact of activating the skill is staggering and the termite's shell

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

getting hot in

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

I cry. [How was I supposed to

The sudden ignition of their garden sends them into a frenzy as they alternate between trying to put the fire

I warn the others as I ready my mandibles for another chomp. [Let's clean