Chrysalis

The mages have achieved a strange dichotomy that can largely be attributed to the identities of the Council members who came to lead them. The two not only differ in the magics that they choose to employ, but also the tactics. Where Propellant favours direct, forceful action, and the application of excessive force to achieve a goal, Coolant is more subtle and desires efficiency of resources, though it may take her longer to complete her objective.

At first, this didn’t matter so much as the two cooperated well, and indeed, they still do. But as the caste grew larger, the two of them were no longer able to oversee all the mage ant activities, having to pass certain responsibilities on to their subordinates.

At first, this also didn’t matter; all of the members of the Colony are family, after all, and despite their differences, they will work together without complaint.

However, due to this expansion of the caste, and the implementation of a larger authoritative structure, the two schools of thought held by the council members became entrenched in a way that neither of them intended.

The school of fire, and the school of water.

Each individual ant, upon evolving into the caste, had to take it upon themselves to choose their place. Once they did, they would begin their training, engrossing themselves in the mindset, mana types and favoured tactics of their founding mentor.

Although some have sought to exploit this divide within the Mage caste, they have been unsuccessful. Differences of opinion within the Colony are common, betrayal is unheard of.

There is also a third school of mages, though much smaller than the others. Those who follow the path of the Eldest. Of that chaotic group, I will not speak.

- From the notes of Historiant

“What the hell are they doing down there?” Propellant yelled.

“I don’t know,” Coolant replied, a faint trace of irritation marking her scent. “Perhaps you should focus on the battle that we are currently engaged in.”

Right. Yes. The

down beneath her six

whatever they’d done, it was quite literally boiling with incredibly dense fire mana. This was orders of magnitude more potent than any spell she’d ever seen before, and she was the premier fire mage in the entire Colony. Nobody

Light some stuff on

the massed wall of termites in front of her. Even the delightful explosions that sent their hated foes flying

It.

Just.

Kept.

Growing.

is this

know, but is it relevant to us?” Coolant replied. “We are here to support the front lines and prevent them from being overrun. Are

am! Of

hastily wove and threw out more

still can’t believe what is going on down there. Aren’t we the highest level mages in the Colony? Aren’t we supposed to have pushed the knowledge of basic spellforms further than anyone else? The Eldest is levelling up all

don’t know,” Coolant said coolly, “but being surprised by the Eldest is a pointless endeavour.

spluttered before pointing with one leg. “Coolant, the mountain

it was the most beautiful thing she had ever

With her forceful mind, she began to weave her spells even more dexterously, picking up the slack

with billowing smoke rising from the various openings on the mountain had now become titanic gouts of fire rising dozens of metres into the air. Out of the

the flames

of pure fire covered the mountain. The crackle and roar of it was such that she could hear it