Chrysalis Chapter 1875 - Oldest and… Wisest. Apparently.

Travelling safely through the fifth stratum during a wave was easier said than done. Despite the network of fortresses and the vigorous defence against the Krath, the tunnels were still unsafe due to the regular behaviour of the Dungeon. Strange and never before seen monsters were spawning in absurd numbers, fighting and consuming each other with wild abandon, growing stronger at a phenomenal pace.

Of course, the Colony had long been at work creating a network of vertical shafts connecting their forts to move through the fifth, but they weren’t all complete. It was necessary to move through several long stretches of tunnel, and they only did so under heavily armed guard.

By the time they finally made it to the bottom of the fifth stratum, nearly three hundred vertical kilometres deep, they came to the final fortress of the Colony. Descending from above, they avoided the worst of the fighting, but they could hear it. Their antennae shook with the force of the vibrations emanating from the never-ending battlefield, fighting off the hordes from the depths.

Demetant, for one, was quite relieved when they finally completed the journey.

“Apparently the gate network is going to be up and running soon,” she said to the hatchlings. “So we should be able to use that to get back.”

The first hatchling was quite excited by the adventure they’d been on and was perfectly happy to return the same way. Her enthusiasm wasn’t shared by the second, who was impressed that the Colony had been able to get them here safely in the first place.

After travelling such a vast distance, they thought they might have a chance to rest and refresh themselves, possibly over tea, before they went to see the Eldest, but it wasn’t to be. No sooner had they arrived than they were ushered deeper into the fortress.

“The Eldest is resting in a chamber on the lower levels,” they were told by the sister tasked with guiding them. “Since you came all this way, you may as well go and see them now.”

“Isn’t the Eldest busy?” Demetant protested and their guide laughed.

“Not really. Well, sort of, but also not really. I think Solant has them here so they can fight anything super scary that comes up from below, but so far that hasn’t happened.”

Unlike some of the other places they’d travelled through, this was clearly a fortress on the front lines of the defence against the wave. Ants were constantly in motion, moving to and from the battleline. There were injured siblings being moved, supplies being delivered and stored, and the constant hustle and bustle of the Colony at war. The deeper they went into the fortress, the more crowded and active it became. They were constantly jostled by much larger ants, the most highly evolved in the Colony, rushing to and fro, but none would disturb them, especially not once they noticed a Brood Tender.

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Down into the depths they went until finally, without a hint of ceremony, they were ushered into a large chamber. Within, a giant ant, the largest any of them had seen by far, stood perfectly still, the only sign of movement being the slight twitching of its antennae. Covered in a layer of purple crystal of some sort, its carapace refracted light all around the chamber, creating a tapestry of light and shadow. Its mandibles were enormous, larger than either of the hatchlings' entire bodies, and savagely barbed.

Both hatchlings, and indeed Demetant herself, stared up at the enormous creature in awe.

“I didn’t think we could get that big,” the first hatchling muttered.

“We probably can’t,” the second hatchling muttered back.

“Why not?”

“Do you think you could fly if you were that heavy?”

“Oh… oh! So the Eldest can’t fly? Poor thing…”

The giant ant twitched, then turned slowly towards them.

“I can fly! Sort of. Let’s agree to call it graceful floating.”

Stunned at seeing the massive creature actually moving, the little ones backed up as the Eldest leaned down towards them.

“Well, well! new Champions for the family, eh? That’s exciting! And neither of you have been causing so much trouble that I have to look after you myself! That’s a win. Since I’m so busy and all.”

“You are?” the second hatchling said hesitantly, then cursed as that massive head swung toward her.

“I am!” the Eldest said defensively. “I’ve been working on my spells like . It’s hard work, but it’s paying off. I’d show you the fruits of my labour, but I think the fortress would explode. Well, half of it. Probably not a good time to go drilling holes through the walls either.”

Clacking their mandibles thoughtfully, the Eldest didn’t seem to realise that each impact of their jaws sent violent vibrations humming through the hatchlings’ antennae.

“And a Brood Tender, all the way down here! You must be the first. Demetant, nice to meet you. Thanks for taking care of these two so well.”

“Of course, I’m happy to,” Demetant replied, then hesitated. “You… you know my name?”

“Of course I do, don’t be absurd.”

Then the Eldest turned back to the little ones.

“But you two don’t have names yet, do you? Hatchling one and hatchling two aren’t proper names for a pair of Champions! Let me see here… I think I can come up with something….”

The Eldest fell silent for a moment as they pondered, leaving the three guests feeling uneasy and restless while they waited.

“Got it!” the Eldest said. One giant antenna descended down to point at the first hatchling. “You’re all about flying and stuff. Ascendant. You’re welcome.”

“I have a name?” Ascendant said wonderingly.

“You do now,” the Eldest replied.

“Where did it come from?”

“Me.”

“Okay!” the hatchling cheered, wings buzzing.

The Eldest turned their ponderous antenna towards the second hatchling.

“A little medical marvel down here. Newly minted. Your name is Hippocrant. Welcome to the family!”