Chrysalis

Philosophants have long debated the reason the Eldest was so secretive about their mutations. There could be any number of reasons for it, though it’s extremely difficult to find evidence to support or refute one in particular. We know that the Eldest didn’t like to be seen when mutating, there are innumerable, reputable accounts of the lengths they went to in order to avoid being seen.

The guardians were frequently deployed to shield them from scrying eyes. The Eldest would frequently mutate away from the Colony entirely, a notable choice, given the greater safety within the nests.

Some postulate that the Eldest was engaged in experimental, dangerous selections, pushing the boundaries of what was known. This could well be true, given that the accumulated knowledge of the Colony didn’t exist back then. Evolutions and mutation combinations were being discovered all the time, and many dead ends were found to the detriment of the brave ants who volunteered to explore them. Perhaps the Eldest wanted to shield others from following in their footsteps in case they themself fell into such a trap, dooming those to follow.

But why hide the process itself? The Eldest was famously taciturn about sharing their status screen, which worked to hide their choices, but to go as far as to ensure that none could even see them mutate?

We may never know the full story.

- Excerpt from ‘Choices of the Eldest’ by Emmanual. K. Ant.

It takes me a bit of time to recover from such a devastating mental shock. All this time, I was the only one suffering from this itch?! That’s… that’s…. It’s so ridiculously unfair! What the hell is going on here, Gandalf? I feel such rage, such frustration. This is absurd!

If that bearded charlatan were here in front of me right now, I’d give him a taste of my mandibles. Just what’s he playing at, inflicting me with this awful sensation?

Perhaps this is the bearded bozo’s idea of a joke. Has he been watching me roll around, legs flailing in the air all this time, just having a laugh? There will be payback. There will be justice! This travesty will not be allowed to stand!

[Anthony? A-are you alright?]

Sarah is concerned, her big bear head hanging low as she looks at me. Overcome with my despair and anguish, I’ve flopped onto the ground, legs splayed in all directions around me.

[No. Not really,] I reply. [I’ve just learned that someone out there really has it in for me, and I don’t know why.]

itch when you mutate? It can’t be that bad,

you sweet, anxiety-riddled summer child. You have no

feels like they’re bubbling right out of my

[Oh.]

[Yes, oh.]

antics. A hundred ants are standing around, pointedly not looking in my direction as I flop morosely on the ground in front of them. The Will flowing from them is typically supportive, even if they are starting to wonder if

all my

more. It’s kind of weird seeing Sarah like this, now that I think about it. She’s significantly smaller than me after my evolution, and I easily outmass

her directly in the

up

[Heh,] I snigger.

get used to seeing a giant bear roll

sighs. [Congratulations, you’re bigger than

it, it’s just a new experience is all. Besides, I won’t get to enjoy this for long, you’ll be bigger than me again after your next evolution,

moment and then

I

kind of monster doesn’t want to evolve? Isn’t that missing

aren’t you? You’ve been doing so well getting on top of that lately, don’t even sweat it. Evolve, get stronger

She shakes her head.

Every time I evolved, it got worse and worse until I was completely lost. Now that I’ve finally taken steps towards mastering it, I feel like I’m

and collected in my head, I can see her trembling. It’s the fur. Impossible to hide your shivers when you have fur. Once again I’m reminded of the strange dichotomy of the

to the beardy-weirdy-one, broken people, placed into powerful, monstrous forms and let loose in a world that wants us dead. I’ve never really felt that it applied to me, I’m just fine, but Sarah has struggled, hard, for a

and give her an encouraging pat on the