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.”

course. Right. Yes. The

she really did, but as she pulled forth the fire mana to give it shape and purpose, she couldn’t help but flick her senses down beneath her six legs. It was like a hook caught in her brain, and no matter how hard she tried to look

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

Light some stuff

admonished herself and flung a few balls of fire out into the massed wall of termites in front of her. Even the delightful explosions that sent their hated foes flying through the air weren’t enough to distract her fully. Her mind was constantly

It.

Just.

Kept.

Growing.

is this possible?” she

Coolant replied. “We are here to support the front lines and prevent them from being overrun. Are you going to help

Of course

hastily wove and threw out more

of basic spellforms further than anyone else? The Eldest is levelling up all sorts of crazy stuff, we just focus

“but being surprised by the Eldest is a pointless endeavour. When they

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

most beautiful thing

her sister become wholly entranced with the scene in front of her and rolled her antennae. With her forceful mind,

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 holes poured

with glistening eyes as the flames roared higher, the

and roar of it was such that she could hear it clearly from where she