Chapter 1592 – The Singing Won’t Stop

Theresant wasn’t sure what was happening. Brood Tenders ran everywhere outside the snailcare centre, checking readouts, consulting with experts. Musical experts were rushed in to listen and analyse, but none had any answers.

The snails wouldn’t stop singing.

Young as they were, as little as two months, the hatchlings were still weak, still growing quickly. These weren’t monsters, ready to fight for survival the moment they were born, and the Tenders were terrified of the cost this continuous exertion would have on the snails if they didn’t stop.

“Are there any of their regular foods we haven’t offered them?” Theresant demanded.

“We’ve tried all of them,” a Brood Tender replied. “They haven’t shown interest in eating at all!”

Not eating! This was the worst possible sign.

“Leave the food out there and observe closely,” Theresant ordered. “They’ll surely grow tired and want to eat soon. Is the chief singing instructor here?”

“I am!” another Brood Tender scuttled forward.

“Mozant, I’m glad you could come so quickly. I know you’ve been busy studying the musical form.”

“It’s all about structure,” the increasingly eccentric ant replied, “I don’t even need to hear it anymore.”

Theresant looked at her a little strangely. They… they were ants… technically they couldn’t hear, not like humans did. No ears, or ear drums to speak of, the members of the Colony interpreted vibrations using the fine hairs on their antennae and legs. Mozant had never been able to ‘hear’ music, not properly.

It didn’t matter.

“Well what can you make of this song the hatchlings insist on singing?” Theresant demanded. “Are you able to glean some meaning from it?”

“Give me some space, some space dammit!” the ant cried. “I can’t work in these conditions! Let me listen!”

Then she pressed herself against the two-way glass, antennae flat against the surface, picking up every tiny vibration emitted within the room. Theresant knew they had pushed to evolve Mozant to the fifth tier soon after her arrival in the hopes there would be some music or sound-related organs and mutations she could make use of.

Other than the mane of long white hairs that ran down the back of the ant’s head, there wasn’t much visual difference between her and the other Brood Tenders, but her behaviour had certainly changed after the evolution. Studying music seemed dangerous for the mind….

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

“Yes… yes, I see… Fortissimo! Such power in the Rhythm! The rumbling Bass! The falling Alto! The soaring Soprano! The Tenor in support, an unwavering pillar! Such harmony, such beautiful, beautiful harmony!”

“What… what does any of that mean?” Theresant muttered.

“I’ve had to invent new terminology in the study of sound,” Mozant roared in reply. “Now Silence! I’m listening!”

The expert continued to mutter to herself, white hairs slowly standing up until Theresant was sure she could see them vibrating along with the sound from within the chamber. Other messengers came and went, more methods were tried to dissuade the chal from singing, but to no avail. The little snails had gathered together in the center of the chamber, all facing the same wall to the east and singing their little hearts out.

Even as an ant, Theresant knew the sound was beautiful, moving, even. As young as they were, the snails were still capable of such profound vocal skills. Perhaps the curriculum the Tenders had created was working as intended?