Chrysalis

The resources of the third stratum proved to be a boon to the Colony, but none more so than the Fire Iron, as we called it. Found in naturally replenishing reserves between layers, the precious metal had several properties that made it of enormous interest, especially to those like me.

Obviously, it was heat resistant, but to such an extreme degree that it was shocking to us. Our finest quality enchanted steel couldn’t compare to even the unprocessed ore.

The first challenge was trying to find a way to smelt it. The metal was usually found submerged in lava, or at the very least coated on one side with it. Producing a temperature hot enough to melt it was difficult, to say the least. It was Propellant who eventually solved the issue, creating a circular heating system that required five fire mages to keep it running.

The air within the furnace was so hot, we had to create a system to prevent the air from touching the walls to prevent those from melting too.

The first thing I did once we managed to smelt and shape the Fire Iron was make a new smelter out of it. From that point, basically all equipment in the Colony that needed to be fireproofed was formed of Fire Iron. I would be lost without my new tools, I barely have to cool them.

- Excerpt from “Antdustrial Revolution” by Smithant.

“What in the name of Eldest’s left foreleg is going on down there?” the scout leader, Amantsen, demanded.

“It’s the demons!” the poor, harried scout replied as the medic worked on her burns. “They’ve gone crazy. It’s all out war!”

“Between who and who? The demons are attacking someone? Is it the ka’armodo?”

A conflict between the lizards and the demons would suit the Colony down to the ground. While their most powerful fighter was asleep, the various spot-fires around the place cooling down would be ideal.

injured scout shook

fighting everywhere! The second those crazed creatures find something to fight, they attack, doesn’t matter who or what it

up more questions the more she looked into it. The poor scout lay on the

would be irresponsible to send further scouts down to look when the chances for deaths to occur were so high.

were out. Which left only a large-scale investigation, which may only serve to provoke the rampaging demons

she muttered, “not at

the Eldest as they underwent evolution. Even so, this situation sounded serious enough

done, scout,” Amantsen thanked the suffering sibling on the ground before her, “you’ve done well to bring us word of this trouble. Rest and be healed, then report to the barracks for torpor.

the scout began to

shadows around them deepened, a cold wind

can’t… wait that long…

Amantsen nodded.

but

healer’s ministrations and began to spread the word. The machinery of the Colony was efficient and effective in almost all circumstances, and it

demons up to now?” Burke demanded of the air when the message had finally reached her. “We’ve got enough on our plates already. I swear the Eldest does

fight the beast, which they had eventually done.

to assemble a task force

apprised her sibling of the danger. She similarly wasn’t impressed with the Eldest’s timing and