Chrysalis Chapter 1794 - Furious Fungi

For the Immortals, the act of donning their armour had shed its previous burden. What was once a heavy, confining shell now felt like the assumption of their true forms.

After all, what was an Immortal without their armour? Stripped of it, they were mere ants, indistinguishable soldiers, scouts, and generals within the vastness of the Colony. While they possessed unique evolutions, Skills, and Mutations, was that the entirety of their being?

Certainly not.

Amidst flickering candlelight and ritualistic incense, Ant-tendants anointed Leeroy with oils as her armour, gleaming wickedly within its sconce in the sacred hall, was presented. Each segment, polished to a mirror finish, was meticulously carried forth, every imperfection erased. With solemn ceremony, the primary piece was lifted high, then gracefully settled upon her back.

Leeroy remained still, save for a subtle adjustment of her legs as the immense weight settled onto her carapace. In truth, she felt diminished and incomplete without it.

One by one, straps were meticulously threaded and tightened, each buckle subjected to careful inspection before being sealed with ceremonial wax. This central, most substantial piece was now secure. Following its placement, the subsequent segments were brought forward. A large abdominal plate, designed to protect her rear, slid effortlessly into place and was subsequently secured. It was a curious design, offering minimal protection to an Immortal's back, as presenting their rear to the enemy was reserved for only the most dire situations. Furthermore, the third segment of an ant's body housed less vital organs, such as the stomach.

Additional plates were affixed, encasing the sides of her thorax and providing robust protection that seamlessly followed the contours of her carapace. The craftsmanship of Smithant was, without question, unparalleled, with each Immortal's armour being a personal creation of the Colony's master smith.

Now, some of the heaviest and most formidable segments were presented. The ant-tendants, their mandibles clicking in a rhythmic, meditative fashion, bore the formidable weight. A gorget was precisely fitted to shield the junction between her head and thorax, followed by plates that snapped into place around it.

Finally, the helmet. Leeroy lowered her head as it was brought down with deliberate gravity—a colossal weight, hundreds of kilograms of righteous metal forged in the inferno of the third stratum. She accepted this burden, welcoming it completely.

At last, she was whole.

With the final strap secured, Leeroy stepped forward. The ant-tendants retreated, their heads bowed low, as she strode from her private armoury.

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Each step she took now resonated with immense force and power. Her legs, already powerful for an ant, now struck the stone floor like the impacts of a colossal entity. Her gait now echoed the unyielding nature of her will. Implacable and unstoppable, she advanced through the grand complex, the personal sanctum meticulously constructed by the Immortals. Increasingly, her kindred spirits emerged from their respective armouries, joining her and falling into formation.

The charge of the Immortals was already accelerating, their adversaries entirely unaware of the impending storm.

By the time she reached the imposing, towering doors of their sanctuary, the column was complete. Over a thousand fully armoured Immortals advanced in unison, their synchronized steps causing the very ground to tremble. Following them came the healers, a group long-suffering and visibly discontented.

When the Immortals had previously engaged in reckless, near-suicidal actions, it had been a source of dark amusement for the healers to ensure their survival against all odds. However, now that they had embraced their 'death' and 'resurrection' via the symbiotic zombie fungi they carried, much of the therapists' former enjoyment had dissipated. This shift was starkly evident in the manner the Immortals interacted with their dedicated medical staff.

"Welcome, sisters," they intoned as they passed.

"Welcome to another glorious mission, sisters."

"It's a pleasure to go into battle with you. Please witness my magnificent sacrifice and return to service."

"We aren't one of you," a healer muttered in response, though her heart wasn't truly in the retort. There was no satisfaction to be found here anymore.

Sloan fell into step beside Leeroy as she marched onward.

"Do you recall the mission objective?" the general inquired. This was, as always, a pertinent question when dealing with this particular cohort.

"Charge into glory," Leeroy responded, her head nodding in affirmation.

"No, you utter… haaaaaah. One day, Leeroy, you will be the very death of me."

"You should acquire a zombie fungus of your own, Sloan," the soldier suggested, her voice laced with concern. "Then you could return and serve once more, just like me."