Chrysalis

Chapter 1057: The Presence of the Eldest

[I'm hearing from my sources on the dome that my siblings are absolutely riveted by what they've seen so far.]

"I'm not one of your siblings, but I'm definitely in that camp. I've never seen anything like this."

[The Colony will welcome you as a sister in spirit, Peter.]

"You're very kind."

[For the majority of us, myself included, we've never seen the Eldest in person, or if we have, we've never seen them fight. There aren't many still in the second stratum who were present in the fight against Garralosh, for example. And back then, the Eldest was only tier five.

For us, it's especially thrilling to see our oldest and strongest member in action. There are many clacking their mandibles up there in pride and appreciation seeing just how far the family has come.]

"Well, we are just about to reach halftime, so the Biomass, tea and biscuits are soon going to hit the field and there'll be a chance to really dig into what the crowd here today is thinking. I'm so pleased that the crew up on the dome are appreciating this match just as much as I am. Despite it being so short!"

[A record pace, there's no doubt about it. With teams this unbalanced, it doesn't suit either side to take things slow and try to grind it out. The Eldest can push the ball whenever they want on offence, and the Endless can't afford to play slow against such an overwhelming opponent.]

"Well, the Great One is attacking again and the story of this game so far has been the refusal to score, despite being able to. Is the Eldest of the Colony going to continue to give up chances to score, or are they going to start putting points on the board?"

[That is indeed the question. And here we go! The Eldest is once again protecting the ball from outside interference, surrounding it in a hard, protective shell.]

"A change in behaviour from the Endless, though! They are charging across the field, unwilling to wait for their opponent to prepare the ball!"

[Sumant and Taylant lead the way as they dash up the pitch. A very aggressive formation. Any reaction from the Eldest? Not so much, they continue to focus on the ball.]

"Will they be able to? The soldiers advance, bracing themselves for the collision!"

ROOAAAAAR!

"A HUGE hit from the two soldiers, and a sneaky, underhanded strategy! They've both gone for the same leg, trying to bring down the much larger ant!"

[Usually a tactic that's looked down on, given the weakness of our legs, but the Eldest stands firm! In fact, they didn't even budge! Here comes the rest of the team! Scouts on the flanks, Leonidant dashing low, going under the Eldest, and hitting another leg!]

"The mages group together, earth magic taking shape! Another strike! They deliver a spire of rock directly into the rear left leg of the Great One, WHO STILL WON'T BUDGE!"

[With ten ants, the entire team of the Endless trying to knock them down, the Eldest stands strong! No! THEY MOVE FORWARD!]

"With slow and steady steps, the Eldest continues to advance. One leg, then the next. The Endless are powerless to stop this implacable momentum as the Great One literally drags them across the field!"

[This isn't a good look for the Endless! Are they running out of tactics? A direct confrontation of strength was only going to end one way.

OHO! What's this? The Eldest steps forward and the ground gives way! A pitfall trap! When did they create that?!]

"I have no idea, a brilliant play! Totally unexpected, but the effect is negligible at best. Barely off balance, the Great One continues to walk forward, dragging the opposition behind."

[I have to admit, I'd underestimated the Endless there for a moment, they never run out of new plays and will keep trying right to the end of the match! What have they got up their carapace to stop this steady advance?]

"Surely something. Another trap! But no effect! The Eldest is just brushing them off now, not surprised in the slightest. The Endless seem to be repositioning… not that it's having much effect…. Another trap! Is this the biggest yet!?"

[AND THEY PUSH!]

ROAAAAAAR!!!!!

[In a brilliant move, the Endless reform in one clack of the mandibles and they unite to push the Eldest down! A focused, unified push of earth magic, soldiers and scouts try to topple this enormous foe!]

"Is it working? IS THE ELDEST TEETERING?! .... NO! NOT IN THE SLIGHTEST!"

[What was that dramatic pause? Is the Eldest just toying with them? Just like that, the oldest and strongest of the Colony has marched across the pitch, cracked the shell around the ball and hit the touchline!]

ROOOOOOOOAAAAAARRRR!!!!!

CLACKCLACKCLACKCLACKCLACK!!!!!!!

"We can hear the appreciation from the dome as the ants let their mandibles be heard! We finally have a score in this game as the Eldest performs the ridiculous feat of dragging the entire opposing team behind them to the touchline. There were some traps and tricks in there, but it simply wasn't enough. The raw power of the Great One is too much for the Endless, and not even with their genius, surprise tactics were they able to halt their opponent."

[Finally, the scoreboard has something to do in this match… and there it is. The score is officially 1-0 and we have one more play from the Endless to end the half.]

"After such a demoralising display, I wonder what the play will be? Do they still have an avenue to score?"

[We are about to find out. They set their formation… and they're off!]

CRUNCH!

ROAAAAAARRRR!

"THE GREAT ONE SAYS NO! Another blinding dash, another shattered ball! No more playing around, no more funny business, the Eldest has put their foot down!"