Chapter 1633 – Possible Solution

The powers of the Ancients are legendary, even among those who know them best: the cults who worship and serve them. If one were to ask the Cult of the Worm what Yarrum was capable of, they would attest to the incredible strength of the monster, able to crush mountains by wrapping around them and squeezing. Or perhaps they would wax lyrical about the dreaded maw of the great worm, with teeth able to rend anything apart, be it rock, steel or diamond.

However, none of these cultists have actually seen Yarrum for themselves. These are legends, passed down from those precious few who actually had encountered the Ancients and survived to tell others.

To try and accurately gauge the strength of the Ancients is an impossible task, as the monsters themselves are wreathed in myth to the point that most don’t believe they even exist.

In these pages, I will attempt to record what stories have survived, gathered from the various cults I have come into contact with.

– Excerpt from ‘Collective Wisdom of the Cults’ by Granin Lazus

It didn’t take long for Granin to find out what had happened. Anthony snapped his mandibles and glared up at them, only to collapse back to the ground a moment later. While still pinned to the ceiling within Anthony’s gravity domain, he extended several mind bridges until one finally connected and he was able to speak to a mage.

[The healers tried to withdraw the infection into themselves, like the others did,] the ant explained, dispirited.

[The others? There are more ants who are infected?!]

[Yes, twenty of them. They have been quarantined and are being treated as well as we are able.]

Twenty more? This didn’t bode well. The legends about Theorazzn’s abilities were… disturbing, to say the least. If any of the twenty were overcome, then the chance they could spread the toxin to others wasn’t zero.

[Be very careful around them,] Granin warned. [Eventually, the toxin will erode their spirits and attack their minds. When it gets to that point, they’ll start to attack others and infect them.]

[I-I’ll pass on your message.]

Below, Anthony continued to lie still, focusing internally, even as he kept the gravity domain up.

[You’d better tell the Eldest you won’t try it again. The longer this domain stays up, the worse the toxin will spread. It’s taking away vital mental resources.]

[We know. The others are trying, but the Eldest is… unconvinced.]

Stupid, stubborn ant!

[I’ll try,] Granin said.

The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

He reached out to the big ant again through the bridge that linked them. As expected, the ant was still furious.

[Anthony,] Granin said cautiously. [Cut off the domain. I’ve spoken to the others, they won’t try it again.]

[They didn’t even ask me! As if I would ever let them do that!]

That’s why they didn’t ask. Granin kept that thought to himself.

[I have another solution,] he assured the massive monster. [It isn’t ideal, but it will work. Now let us down. If you’re too far gone, then even this won’t solve the problem.]

[… Fine.]

The dark purple mana that filled the room flickered and faded away, leaving Granin, Corun and Torrina, along with a hundred insect monsters, floating in mid-air for a terrifying moment before they plunged to the ground.

Torrina managed a neat turn in the air and landed on her feet. Corun attempted the manoeuvre, but didn’t turn far enough and landed flat on his face. Granin didn’t bother and crashed into the floor like a boulder, his granite second-skin absorbing the impact. He grunted as he picked himself up, noting the floor had come off second best in the impact, and turned to the gathered ants.

[I have a possible method that will work,] he told them.

As one, the ants’ attention snapped towards him, all of them pointing towards him at once. Granin held up his hands, feeling a little defensive.