Chrysalis

[Run, run, run!] I holler at the others as we continue to sprint through the mould covered forest.

It really is obnoxious to run through this mess. There's mould beneath us, beside us and crawling up the trees to cover the canopy above us. It's like being in a suffocating winter wonderland except far more horrifying. Especially now that some of it is on fire.

[I don't think more fire will be a good idea, Master!] Crinis suggests as we race through the terrain.

[We might need another distraction soon. Starting a small fire will get the termites off our trail.]

[Won't it just bring more of them?] Sarah demands.

[I mean, yes. But also, yes…]

They be distracted though…

Perhaps that's still not good enough.

[No more fires,] Sarah tells me firmly, [we can think of something else.]

[Hmph. You're just worried about the fungus spores getting inside you,] I mutter.

[I hadn't even thought of that! Anthony!]

[Breathe it in deep. That's the sweet smell of fungus country.]

come here. I hate this

we can remove the mould from this area and return it to wonderful forest, filled

alright, the

another aspect of ant superiority. Even if we started fungus farming, we wouldn't let it run wild and out of control

sounding a little panicked

have it,] I confirm, [it's getting stronger even.

thicker than a person and positively bulging with muscle underneath all of that fur,

somehow,] I tell her, [how do you even last

she snaps, [that

Oh, right.

for that here and now,] I hastily assure her. My antennae waggle furiously as I follow the trail.

perched on his back like a

metres in all directions. Like a passageway into the pit of doom, the wide tunnel is completely black on the inside, with no light source to be discerned from this distance. More terrifying still, is the view of the mountain I get from here. There are holes, all over the place, fortified with dirt and each angled differently. It's clear to

nest. The whole damn mountain is the

to see it for myself… it's just ridiculous! You could fit the main nest of the Colony into this

they aren't alone. Not only are they swarmed by a host of termites, which is bad enough, but watching from above

and spells to lock Vibrant and her

Not. Acceptable.

in there!] I roar to Tiny who is

his enormous palms, bellowing his rage in an ear shattering roar that shakes the trees around us. Then he's off, bounding across the mould covered stone,

him alive and blow up everything

[Even the lizardsssss?]

[Especially them.]