The Antventure Begins

61. The First War - War is Mother to us All

As soon as my confidence was beginning to rise, just when victory had been secured, was the exact moment I was thrown back into the pit of despair.

It always seems to work like that, doesn’t it, Gandalf?

I continue to support my colony brethren in the battle for our future. I’m totally exhausted, having bitten so many times the muscles in my face are sore. What’s even more irritating, in order to support my fellow workers I’ve been deliberately wounding my enemies but not taking the extra time to finish them off before moving on to the next target, leaving the crippled victims behind for the rest of the ants to deal with.

Despite my best efforts there have definitely been casualties on the ant’s side. Without an upgraded carapace like mine their defences were like paper in the face of the rabbit’s fangs. Some were instantly killed when receiving a bite to the head.

Others have fallen to the centipede’s claws and jaws, battling in places I couldn’t see or reach in time. My heart is heavy knowing some of my own siblings have been laid to rest as a result of my actions. I have to comfort myself with the knowledge that victory will benefit the colony as a whole, and that is the goal the workers truly strive for at all times.

However, almost as if mocking me, the ground begins to shudder beneath my feet. Powerful vibrations rattle through the ground over and again, surely in response to some rather tremendous feet.

Please don’t tell me…

My despair takes material form, when crashing through the trees in an appearance worthy of a final boss, is a massive titan-croc flanked on either side by two croca-beasts, almost like henchmen following their leader.

Why are you stupid monsters so organised in such a dumb way suddenly!

The new arrivals growl menacingly, the rumbles vibrating the air so powerful they send my antennae dancing. The lead titan-croc surveys the field of lesser monsters with discernible greed lighting up his eyes. Even for an evolved creature like him, the sheer amount of food here will be enough to fuel his mutations and the two goons following him.

Lured by the noise and the aroma of Biomass, these big baddies have arrived to wrap up the battle and stake their claim. Not many monsters would be willing to battle such colossal powerhouses. What kind of suicidal creature would take on those kids of odds?

This ant right here!

I refuse to surrender the spoils of war. The colony has already sacrificed precious workers in this battle. We will not walk away with nothing to show for it because a few fat crocodiles turned up.

The only thing that’s changed is the menu!

Of course, completely exhausted and punctured with minor wounds, I have no idea how I’m supposed to deal with these powerful monsters. The titan-croc alone could probably fireball us all to hell.

I barely have enough acid in the tank for a single shot.

Then I spot something. Salvation is delivered.

In our darkest hour, she will be the light.

The top of the ant hill begins to shudder, as if a large monster were pushing through from the inside. The very top of the hill shakes, some of the loose dirt collapsing inwards and more spilling out, rolling down the slope as the shaking and shuddering becomes more and more pronounced.

Bursting from the top of the hill comes an enormous ant, her long antennae swinging angrily through the air as she clacks her massive mandibles threateningly.

With another heave, she pulls the rest of her body from the tunnel that was never dug wide enough for her to easily move through. When the colony was threatened, she once again ignored her guards and rushed to the battle!

Easily five times my size, the queen looks down on the battle imperiously from the top of the hill, her antennae already beginning to surge with healing light.

Mother is here! And she looks mad…

Her eyes hold a dangerous glint as she takes in the scene. The pile of wounded, struggling ants at the foot of the hill, and the deadly combat continuing within the trees where ants and centipedes clash.

Then she looks at the huge interlopers, still eyeing the battle and awaiting their moment to strike.

I’m nervous now. If the queen is killed then everything will be lost! I wasn’t too concerned when only rabbits and centipedes were about since I didn’t think they’d be able to harm her majesty at all, but it’s different now.

The croca-beast may not be up to the task, but the titan surely is.

Come to think of it, I really have no idea how strong the queen is in a fight.

I mean, her primary purpose is to lay eggs, which isn’t exactly a combat role. She’s also specialised in healing magic, which again doesn’t lend itself to direct combat.

I’m really worried!

Mother doesn’t seem to share my concerns as she chitters angrily. After a moment of concentration she releases her powerful healing spell. A wave of light rolls out from her antennae, flowing over the ground and encompassing all the ants in the wounded pile before rushing into the forest in a tide.

The healing energy laps against me like the waters of a river. I greedily drink it in, recharging my energy and healing my small wounds, restoring my HP.

The workers are being re-energised, throwing themselves into the fight with renewed frenzy. This wave of healing has stamped an end to the hopes of the centipedes in this conflict. Already outnumbered, the return of injured ants has only tilted things further against them. Their snapping claws sound despondent and hopeless, where before they were aggressive and vicious, almost as if they can sense their impending doom.

The three large interlopers, the croca-beasts and their leader, the titan-croc, have seen enough. With the combat reaching an end they want to sweep away whatever resistance remains and claim the Biomass for themselves.

Their indignation is almost palpable when a few small worker hatchlings start to drag away the food. A few rabbit bodies are already being taken over to the nest from the back of the battle. Looking at their furious eyes I can almost hear them smirking as they think, ‘How dare these puny monsters take away our Biomass! Know your place, midgets!’

Up yours, Croc! I’ll let you experience the fury of my soul!

As the massive titan-croc rears back to his full height and steps forward through the trees, his subordinate henchmen advance on his flanks, looking like little bullies.

For some reason it really bothers me that these damn crocs are cooperating. Since when did this sort of thing happen?

Aren’t you guys supposed to be the lonely kings of the jungle!

I try to blend in with the rest of the workforce, gradually pushing myself closer to the massive beasts through the bustling crowd of workers. At the same time, I reach internally with my mind, grasping hold of the vaporous energies within my core.

With the force of my mind alone, I direct my Mana to flow out, concentrating it into a tight ball in my throat. The monsters draw closer, powerful fangs gleaming in the brilliant light of the forest. I continue to force more and more energy out of my core and into the powerfully swirling marble of Mana I’ve formed within me.

Idly I wonder what might happen to my head if I were to lose control of the Mana.

Best not to consider it really…

[Mana Shaping (II) has reached Level 2.]

[Forceful Mana has reached Level 2.]

Oh ho! Even in this situation I can’t help but be a little excited at my Mana skills improving. The process of shifting and condensing the Mana becomes slightly easier. It isn’t much, but every little bit helps.

In my peripheral vision, sitsthe queen, unsatisfied with merely healing the colony, has begun to advance down the hill.

Things are going to get very dicey in a moment.