Chrysalis

I felt a little bit foolish listening to Advant a few hours later as she explained how our trek into the fifth was going to work. More specifically, as she outlined the many layers of protection the Colony had provided to keep us safe in that horrific environment.

“Everyone is to ensure they have six of these enchanted leg guards on at all times,” she informed the gathered ants, glaring at them. “No, it is not selfishness to take six, it is the bare minimum requirement to keep you alive so you might serve the Colony. Any individual found to be wearing less than six at any time will be put on vacation for a month. Do you understand?”

“We understand!” the ants chorused back, fear in their eyes. They did not want that vacation.

“We will begin distribution of the rings while Coolant explains their function, pay attention!”

Many small carvers with boxes clutched in their mandibles began to run up and down the assembled ranks of ants, handing out sets of rings, adjusting them to fit, and ensuring each ant had one on each leg before they moved to the next. All the while, Coolant’s calm tone washed over us.

“The rings combine two properties that will be beneficial in the fifth. The first promotes regeneration. The atmosphere of the fifth is completely toxic and will eat into your bodies like a potent acid. Particularly vulnerable are the joints.”

She’s not wrong. Mine are still stinging.

“This constant healing effect will be able to mitigate the damage, but not overcome it, so be wary. We aim to limit our exposure to the toxic mana as much as antly possible, but we expect things to be chaotic down there. All of us will be exposed at some point. The second effect is a complex piece of enchanting that will help prevent the virulent mana of the fifth from slipping into your body.”

of these before I

from around us, which means we are always at risk of absorbing this dangerous energy. Should it get into your core and begin to multiply, we will be unable to save you.

She eyes everyone seriously.

constantly sweeping with their mana sense. It is vitally important that any ant touched by the mana be cleansed immediately. Now, I will pass over to my sister, Bella, who will

Help

somewhat nervous-looking Bella steps up in front of the crowd, unused to being in the spotlight. In fact, she is so circumspect, I hadn’t even noticed she was here until this moment. Even the Will I get from her is

as you know, we have been hard at work on the Wuffer initiative, trying to maximise the ability of these pets to purify the mana of the

members ushers one of the happy blob monsters forward. The creature wuffs contently as it undulates over the ground, radiating positive energy like a little

template for the tier five wuffer design, and it is much more efficient and effective than before, but I want to emphasise to everyone that they are incredibly fragile

had been hesitant and timid, once she’s begun talking about her beloved pet, Bella

Protect them like they are brood, or a Queen. They are your lifeline in the fifth; without them, the mana will overwhelm you in a matter

at the assembled ants for a moment, then she realises what she’s doing

“Please,” she says.

my spirit! We need

have an… extreme reaction to our attempts to cleanse the atmosphere. They were maddened by it during the