Chrysalis

The boat fell back to the water with a bone-shuddering crash. Thankfully, the Abyssal Legion built their ships to withstand attacks from the powerful monsters who dwelt in the deep waters of the fourth. Commander Chyron estimated the vessel had been almost ten metres in the air before it fell.

Her legs shuddered and her knees creaked as they absorbed the force of her landing. Regardless, she remained upright and turned with a shout.

“Status report! Someone check for damage to the hull or leaks!”

Someone shouted out a quick reply and raced for the steps that descended below deck as Chyron leapt back to the railing at the prow of the ship. Water fell from the sky as the surface of the Lake began to calm, the air becoming clear once again.

The rock was gone, as was that dark void which had consumed it. The giant ant, so close to being consumed by its own spell, was a tiny speck at this range, and in free fall.

“Scorpions, take aim! Shoot that monster out of the sky!” she roared.

Hopefully someone in the fleet was able to get a clear shot. Hopefully the artillery she’d had fastened to the decks hadn’t shattered in the chaos.

Footsteps pounded on the deck, approaching quickly, and the Commander didn’t need to turn around to know who it was.

“The crew reports no leaks or major damage, though there is minor cracking on some of the interior plates on the second deck, port side,” Morrelia reported, snapping out a salute.

“Tribune, what in the name of the Iron Fortress did I just witness?”

Her Tribune hesitated for a moment and Chyron turned to glare at her.

“What’s the matter, Tribune, ant got your tongue? Explain!”

mother and father poking

least Titus had mellowed as

never seen anything like that before.

of the ants and this monster in particular. Are

and cursed Anthony in her head. That damned idiot had nearly gotten himself and everyone else in the area killed! The spell he’d cast was more of a threat

seen a spell with some resemblance to this one, but so much smaller in scale, I can’t even be sure it’s the same thing. It’s possible that this is simply the same magic, but scaled up; however, I have no clue how such a thing would be possible, or how a tier seven monster could produce

be aware that it

known for some time that this monster is able to manipulate a strange class of mana that

She had no idea what went through his mind! Not even the other ants had any idea what was going on in that head of his! How his unique abilities worked was a mystery to

traits, changing the direction things fall, turning

seen was on a completely different level. Clearly, his ability to manipulate this strange mana had grown. During the sparring sessions amongst the Folk, he’d demonstrated the capacity to press soldiers down into the ground with an invisible, overbearing force,

Commander!” came the call, echoed shortly after from several of the artillery

at will!”

gazing at

him at this range,”

making an observation, or giving voice to her hopes?

I have no idea

Morrelia winced.

“Carapace, Commander.”

no idea what it’s made of, but it seems to be extremely tough. While he’s up

of firing magic infused bolts for many kilometres, and their operators were experienced, highly trained shots. Even at this range,

ropes snapped forwards with a deep thrum, sending their deadly missiles blasting through the air like streaks of