Chrysalis

Hello my dear readers! I hope you are all well, snug, warm, and ready for another rendition of my adventures amongst the Colony. Within the second stratum, the ants certainly had built a kingdom for themselves. The wonders of Anthome seemed endless, and with Emilia as my ever patient guide, we wandered the many tunnels and chambers, visiting historical sites, admiring the most incredibly detailed sculptures, carvings and artwork I think I have ever seen.

Nobody would have expected the soul of an artist to live within the body of a monster, certainly not me, but I was quite moved by some of the works I saw, almost all of them depicting the ‘Eldest’ at some point in their journey.

“Many of the most celebrated pieces produced by the Colony were created by Michaelangelant. She was perhaps the first ant to really dedicate herself to artistic pursuits. Most of the carvings in the old nest were done by her and her acolytes,” Emilia informed me.

“She single-handedly… well I suppose she didn’t have any hands now, did she? She was solely responsible for this aspect of the Colony’s culture?”

The young woman nodded pleasantly.

“That’s right. At least, as far as we know. At the time this nest was built, there wasn’t that much civilian access. By the time more people were allowed inside, the bulk of the work was completed, so no one can truthfully say they saw it being done.”

I cannot emphasise enough, my precious audience, just how remarkable some of these works are. The attention to detail, the intricately fine work, the patience required to complete such work was simply inhuman! Which I suppose is no surprise, given that the artist was no human!

But it wasn’t just fine artworks that Emilia entertained me and my escorts with as we acclimated to the mana. One fine afternoon, we were invited out to witness a truly remarkable event.

“Have you witnessed a live sporting event?” Emilia asked me innocuously as we departed.

Now, I’m sure you understand where I’m coming from, reader, when my nose rose somewhat into the air as I stated proudly: “Of course!”

I make my home in the Golden City, as you well know, and we are a proud bunch, I am ashamed to say. Here we were, in one of the most frontier areas of the continent, and alongside a young woman who likely hadn’t travelled more than a hundred kilometres from Renewal. I described with great pride and flowery language the great contests held in the famed Arena.

the finest and most powerful warriors on the face of Pangera in front of tens of thousands of adoring fans. The spectacle! The whole city could be

I prattled on,

she said when I finished my overly flowery explanation, “I had hoped you would have such experience. The Stadium can be a little overwhelming for

filed into it. Not just people, but ants also. From the teleportation

noted to Emilia, “is this

be uncovered. For so many to gather, this must be

nothing of the sort,” I was assured. “The

multiple times per WEEK?” I

Tunnel Ball is very

enormous wall, entirely adorned with carvings, swept away to the left and right. Scene after

of the open space, ringing what I assumed was the exterior wall of the Stadium, were large statues that loomed over the passing spectators. Again, a curious mix of races and individuals. I remarked on it to Emilia, though it was becoming difficult to hear

individuals who contributed to the sport in a serious way. Some statues are quite revered. If you look down there, you can

a colossal ant looking

though we can’t see it from here, is the statue of perhaps the greatest ever player. Jordant. She doesn’t play anymore, but she is fondly remembered. On the other

the main entrance,”

no. Not at

who invented the

into the sport that took over the Ant controlled lands, and then entranced their allies. Even now, his humble

hurrying throngs, the buzz of energy high as we walked with purpose. It was clear from the clothing and paraphernalia of the audience that the two teams playing today were represented by green and pink, as the two colours simply blanketed everything we

our seats. From what I recall, we simply followed several winding tunnels that branched several times, and there we were.