Chrysalis

[I’m hearing from my sources on the dome that my siblings are absolutely riveted by what they’ve seen so far.]

“I’m not one of your siblings, but I’m definitely in that camp. I’ve never seen anything like this.”

[The Colony will welcome you as a sister in spirit, Peter.]

“You’re very kind.”

[For the majority of us, myself included, we’ve never seen the Eldest in person, or if we have, we’ve never seen them fight. There aren’t many still in the second stratum who were present in the fight against Garralosh, for example. And back then, the Eldest was only tier five.

For us, it’s especially thrilling to see our oldest and strongest member in action. There are many clacking their mandibles up there in pride and appreciation seeing just how far the family has come.]

“Well, we are just about to reach halftime, so the Biomass, tea and biscuits are soon going to hit the field and there’ll be a chance to really dig into what the crowd here today is thinking. I’m so pleased that the crew up on the dome are appreciating this match just as much as I am. Despite it being so short!”

[A record pace, there’s no doubt about it. With teams this unbalanced, it doesn’t suit either side to take things slow and try to grind it out. The Eldest can push the ball whenever they want on offence, and the Endless can’t afford to play slow against such an overwhelming opponent.]

“Well, the Great One is attacking again and the story of this game so far has been the refusal to score, despite being able to. Is the Eldest of the Colony going to continue to give up chances to score, or are they going to start putting points on the board?”

[That is indeed the question. And here we go! The Eldest is once again protecting the ball from outside interference, surrounding it in a hard, protective shell.]

“A change in behaviour from the Endless, though! They are charging across the field, unwilling to wait for their opponent to prepare the ball!”

lead the way as they dash up the pitch. A very aggressive formation. Any reaction from the Eldest? Not so much, they

able to? The soldiers advance, bracing themselves

ROOAAAAAR!

HUGE hit from the two soldiers, and a sneaky, underhanded strategy! They’ve both gone for the same leg, trying to bring down

of our legs, but the Eldest stands firm! In fact, they didn’t even budge! Here comes the rest of the team! Scouts on the flanks, Leonidant dashing low, going under the Eldest, and hitting

of rock directly into the rear left leg

to knock them

then the next. The Endless are powerless to stop this implacable momentum as

a good look for the Endless! Are they running out of tactics? A direct confrontation of strength

ground gives way!

Totally unexpected, but the effect is negligible at best. Barely off balance, the Great One continues to walk forward, dragging

Endless there for a moment, they never run out of new plays and will keep trying right to the end of the match! What

now, not surprised in the slightest. The Endless seem to be repositioning… not that it's having much effect…. Another trap! Is this the

[AND THEY PUSH!]

ROAAAAAAR!!!!!

clack of the mandibles and they unite to push the Eldest down! A focused, unified push of earth magic, soldiers and scouts try to

working? IS THE ELDEST TEETERING?! ……. NO!