Chrysalis

The heat continues to rise within the flash hardened shell that I'd created, to the point I create some ice just to cool us off. As an ant, I don't mind a bit of heat, but Sarah, even with her temperature regulating enchantments, can't handle this level. We are literally cooking as the twin fire-tornadoes roar throughout the tunnel outside.

If we're cooking in here, then I can only imagine what's happening to the termites outside.

Actually… I don't really want to imagine. That's going to be gross, not that I feel any sympathy. With a little luck I might even catch a ka'armodo who got too close, trying to lead the troops from the front, but as I listen to the notifications roll in from Gandalf, none come up.

A shame.

[Good job, Anthony!] Sarah congratulates me. [I can't believe you can cast magic like that!]

[I can, but it nearly emptied me out,] I say, [I'm running on fumes over here, as far as MP goes. So don't expect anything out of me for a while.]

[Oh. Is that so? Well, we should be able to hold them off until you recover, at least a little.]

My legs are buried in the floor of the tunnel, gathering up mana, but it’s a trickle compared to the flood I would need to be full. A mutation or two for absorbing mana isn't going to cut it at the level of spells I'm playing with now.

[I'll try and draw in as much ambient mana as I can. If you guys do your best, we'll be able to hold them off long enough for the Colony to arrive.]

It's seriously cramped inside this shell. It's even more cramped when I think about the fact that Protectant and her squad are in here with us. Idly, I bump up against the wall and even though I don't actually reach the heated surface my brain doesn't seem to register it. We are bumping up against the guards all the time, but it's like our minds refuse to acknowledge it.

of the Vestibule, I know they're in here, but without that insight I'd have no idea. The stealth organs these siblings of mine have taken on are absolutely insane.

say,] I tell the others. [When it fails

Master? We might be able to create a more

Crinis? It brings a tear to my eye

with the storm of mana around us right now, but the termites are beneath us as well. Digging down won't help us escape.

tries to cover herself with tentacles to hide her shame. [I couldn't see clearly enough, I shouldn't

reach out and give her a pat with

good idea, and how were you to know when it's so hard for you to see at the moment? I like it

[I-I-I will!]

grow up so

to act casually as I turn

you heard anything strange

bear tilts her head

answers finally. [Maybe I didn't hear anything in the first place. It was such a faint

I shrug, [let me

the walls around glow bright with intense heat. I wince. My guardians are going to have

the others. [Seems like they're going to try and just bury us beneath their mass.

rocks that are blackened with soot and still glowing red. The flame tornadoes have ripped the place to shreds, but even the devastation I've wrought isn't what captures my attention. To the left and right, in the distance, are masses of termites rushing forward like

the tunnel on both sides from the floor to the roof. A heaving mass of cockroach