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Chapter 1649 - Solant Surveys
🕑 Added 2025-08-08 02:00:03 +0000 UTCThe fifth stratum was changing. Tended by the healers, the heart had survived its purification, rotten and slime-covered flesh giving way to
The fifth stratum was changing. Tended by the healers, the heart had survived its purification, rotten and slime-covered flesh giving way to healthy red muscle that now pumped stronger than ever. But that wasn’t the only change.
Filled with a deep sense of satisfaction, Solant looked down into the depths of the lower chamber. The whirlpool had finally faded, a sign that perhaps Theorazzn’s contamination was no more, and now fully half of the chamber was filled with placid waters. Except, it wasn’t water, nor anything like it, but pure, liquid mana. Cleansed by the wuffers and condensed via some means only Brilliant understood, the stuff was so concentrated and powerful that even now, it still hadn’t fully dispersed.
It didn’t hurt that the fortress had once again opened the channels, though in a vastly reduced capacity from before. A trickle of liquefied mana continued to flow into the heart, but it wouldn’t be enough to maintain the level of liquid below. With every second that passed, the mana was breaking up and filling the air, a cloud so dense that Solant could almost see it with her own eyes.
Ba-thump! Ba-thump! Ba-thump!
The walls of the heart shuddered around her, contracting and expanding, pumping mana throughout a vast swathe of Dungeon. The vibrations that filled the chamber were so potent they sent the fine hairs on Solant’s antennae quivering, a disorienting and uncomfortable sensation, but one she could tolerate to be here and watch her plan unfold.
Already the change was happening. Scouts had begun to sweep the tunnels surrounding the heart as they filled with pure mana, wiping away the corruption and filth that had infested them for so long. New monsters were starting to spawn, creatures devoid of the toxins and mucus that had pervaded the fifth for so long. This heart, this section of the fifth, had been taken back from the Krath, and from Theorazzn, the first victory over the corruption in thousands of years.
As the architect of this triumph, Solant allowed herself a few moments to feel pleased, but only a few. They had no idea how many hearts remained, but there would be dozens, perhaps hundreds, and she had no doubt the slug tribes would unite against them, desperate to push back the invasion and reclaim what they saw as theirs and theirs alone. The challenge would be brutal, but the Colony would overcome, of that, she was certain.
[I never imagined this would be the outcome of your invasion.]
Commander Chyron stepped up beside the ant general, her eyes roaming over the pure red flesh of the heart. Solant clacked her mandibles in amusement.
[You thought we would fail? That the fortress would crumble and all of us die? I find it odd those were your beliefs, seeing as you chose to join us inside the fortress walls.]
[I did think that,] Chryon readily admitted.
[But you had a way out.]
[I always leave a way out for my soldiers. They are too precious to be thrown away.]
[In that,] Solant mused, [you and the Eldest find much common ground. For my part, I knew we would be standing here, looking at this sight, having this conversation.]
[Your foresight extends so far? Is that what you would have me believe?] Chyron asked, cocking one brow.
[I cannot see the future, but I, much like the Legion, understand where wars are won. On the training ground. In the foundries. In the preparation and logistics. I was ready for this conflict, and the Krath were not. The result was always likely to tilt in my favour.]
Chyron nodded thoughtfully, looking down at the little general.
[You’re an interesting ant,] she said finally. [Of all the ants I’ve spoken to, you seem to be the only one with an ego. Does it feel strange to be so different from your siblings? Some might look at you and think you are the wedge that will split your family apart.]
Solant waggled her antennae as she considered the question.
[I am different from the others,] she acknowledged, [but only because that difference is something that the Colony needs. I and the other champions each provide something the others lack, a point of difference, a new perspective. Brilliant, with her endless thirst for knowledge, Vibrant, with her boundless energy and optimism, me, with my bottomless hunger for victory. We push the Colony to act differently, poke holes in an otherwise uniform shape, letting in new ideas and ways of doing.]
[So you know what you are. Champions, unique and special monsters, born with advantages that others don’t enjoy.]
[We all know what we are,] Solant confirmed. [The Eldest was involved in teaching all of us, and they have instilled us with an understanding of our responsibilities.]
[And how did they teach you?]
Solant clacked her mandibles, amused.
[They beat me.]
Chyron glanced down at the general, then nodded. That would indeed be a lesson for the little perfectionist.
[I tried to poison them,] Solant added, casually. [Sadly, my methods were ineffective.]
[You regret not being able to poison your leader?] Chyron asked carefully.
[I regret being unable to win. Slight point of difference.]
This ant truly was an unusual specimen. Chyron could only shake her head.
[And of course, you know that your Eldest is different, but not in the same way you are, am I right? That soul was not born an ant. Not at first, anyway.]
Solant shifted slightly.
[Of course we know. Everyone knows. However, I do disagree with you in one sense. You said that soul was not born as an ant first, and that is true. Anthony was a human. We know this. It is my personal belief, however, that this was simply an error on the part of the universe.]
[The universe?]
[Or the System, or whatever you want to call it. Brilliant has many thoughts on the matter, but I don’t especially care. My point is, that soul was certainly meant to be born an ant first. The order has simply been confused somehow.]
[... I see.]
Chyron stepped forward, right to the edge of the platform they were standing on, and looked down at the pool of liquid mana beneath them, her eyes cold and hard.
[I must be told how you learned to make this,] she said, her tone deadly serious. [Liquid mana is a secret not known to many.]
[Brilliant invented it, by accident, or so I’m told. I can ask her to explain it to you. She will probably even agree. There is little she enjoys more than letting others know how clever she is.]
Solant shifted her legs, warming up her joints as she prepared to depart.
[We didn’t steal it from the Legion, if that's what you’re worried about. Would a Legionary really spill your secrets to us? Despite being no longer human, you cling to your prejudices just as fiercely as any ‘sapient race’.]
Chyron turned and glared at the ant.
[I am human,] she said, a statement as hard as Abyssal Steel.
[You were,] Solant disagreed, calm and logical, as always. [Mana doesn’t move through a human the way it moves through you. In fact, your relationship to mana is much closer to ours than it is to a human's. You need it to survive, don’t you? Just like us. I don’t know how, but you’ve changed yourselves in order to grow stronger, made your bodies more like the things you fight, in order to better destroy them. I wonder…] she said, antennae waving thoughtfully.
[... I wonder if you could have given yourselves a core, but chose not to, because that would be a step too far. It would be impossible to still claim humanity at that point, certainly no one else would see you that way.]
Chyron was silent for a long moment, anger flaring in her eyes. When she spoke, it was with utter finality.
[We have made sacrifices in order to protect what needs to be protected. My flesh has changed, it's no longer what it once was, but my soul remains human.]
She smirked.
[Much like your Eldest’s.]
Solant laughed.
[Falling at the final hurdle. I fear you will grow accustomed to that, in the coming years. You will watch the back of the Colony, as we succeed in every area you dreamed the Legion would. As we conquer everything you hoped you would conquer, and overcome everything you could never overcome.]
She gestured to the heart.
[This is only the beginning. Soon, Pangera will wonder why they ever needed you in the first place. The Colony will be their protector, their soldier, the light against the darkness and the spear that penetrates the deep.]
[And then you turn on them? Dominated by a bigger and stronger monster, you succumb to your base instincts and consume everything you thought you would protect? We have seen all of this before.]
Solant shook her head.
[Again, you almost reach the goal, but fall at the end. You have seen things like us before, but there has never been anything quite like the Colony. In the history of this world, we are unique, and we will be victorious.]
Comments
Kingcarn
So is this the end for a while?
Roombot
DAAAAAAAAAMN Solant spitting fire
andwhyisit
Destroying the heart would make it easy to take over its respective section of the 5th progressively. The only thing the krath can do is defend the remaining hearts, for they have lost the ability to go on the offensive. The smart thing would be for all krath to band together to defend a small cluster of hearts, but the krath suck at working together when their god doesn't demand it.
Greyg
The Baptism is a legion process the mana requirement is just one part of it. Baptism is also for humans bringing them one step away from monsters just no core formation. Baptism or similar is like a monsters evolution it makes no real sense to monsterifry a monster they all ready live off mana and have a core. It would only be applicable to humans
Greyg
No their stated mission is to stop the 20th ancient, which is why they had all those fortifications higher up they stopped garrlosh(whatever the giant crocodile was named) they might not know everything, but they wish to stop whatever it is from happening when there is 20(they likely tortured recruited souls in monster form for info having existed for a long ass time this is plausible). The legion is still human centric and all the ancients are monsters it’s from Gandalf we get the idea that all the ancients were once humans from different times(perhaps) the crocodile and tree are more recent recruits prior to Anthony generally from same time period knowing ice cream. Sarah and the assassin demon are recruited similar time, as Anthony with the assassin the newest arrival. The other monster(unknown) in the fifth with the call is Anthony next nemesis perhaps though he’ll likely try to befriend it.We don’t know how deep the legion is or if they plan on descending further or taking a spot still think you need to be a monster to do so, but foreshadowing a human with a core makes this a potential. The legion is anti ancient and more so anti monster, but will modify themselves and others into weapons of war we don’t know enough safe to assume their true strength is much deeper down than just the fifth stratum.
CentaureHeart
The conquest of the 5th should be straightforward now, if not easy. Most of the Hearts should be deeper in the stratum, so same depth where they are now. Some horizontal digging, plug in the liquid mana faucet, and purify another Heart. This strategy should at least work for the next one, maybe more depending on how many Krath escape or if Theorazzen interferes. Then it will get more complicated, but the goal will remain the same. I wouldn't be surprised if the Krath started to try and destroy the Hearts at the end to slow the purification of the 5th.
kev mil
Do the legionaries have an ancient representing them in the circle of 19 ancients?
KingGoomba
You were right you were cooking, this chapter was fucking amazing. The rage baiting but no one in the colony would ever believe Anthony isn’t completely and utterly devoted to them and is truly an Ant
Pockman
There has been mention of the (I’m guessing next) Champion Merchant. Based on how Solant reflected on the nature of Champions this chapter, I’d imagine Merchant being the one who truly understands and appreciates the value of trade and commerce. That’s been a cultural roadblock for the ants since the beginning. I wonder if the Champions (in their Senior’s absence) will ever start civil conflict over ideas and directions for the Colony? Solant and Brilliant might have too much ambition for Anthony’s chill retirement plans
Pockman
Very true: it’s impressive how egoless Vibrant remained, while her two peers are so proud and determined
Pockman
I’m very happy with this slow down for a conversation between two key perspectives (after a moment of satisfaction for Solant) both of them leaders, intent on victory, fiercely loyal and proud and intelligent. Both wary of the other’s potential hostility towards their group. Knowing each others secrets and values. Understanding and being open in concerns about each other. It’s fun, and I hope Solant keeps a connection to this human commander. Good written dialogue :) Solant’s poached idea to make a concentrated mana dunk tank for super soldiers will probably take the masses of regular ants way further then their current stop gap at T6, or might make it so there’s a enhanced T6+. I imagine many ant sacrifices will be made in development :( It would be hilarious if the Immortals jumped at the chance for glorious sacrifice, only for it to have a 100% survival rate for them (because of their evolutions) and seriously improve their mana flow.
Runaway_Cactuar
It's a testament to RinoZ's writing ability that he can put Anthony on ice for at least an arc and nobody is worried for the novel because the cast is so amazing. Solant is just exhibit A.
Loulatsch
Dont let brilliant hear this
Greyg
Ant POV acknowledges the eldest soul/past life has a discussion with the legion leader that lead troops in the fifth at the heart the legion is also aware that human souls are made into monsters that raise up to be ancients(hard to say how much they know) not as if Anthony hides much from them all. That dig at the legion they’re one step away from monsters i bet a dollar someone within the legion might even have a core that foreshadowing just imagine a legion super soldier going full monster. The legion still expects them to bend the knee to an ancient. I really want an in depth look at the reactions of legion leaders the conquest of a heart against the krath should be spoken of all across the planet shock and awe honestly wouldn’t be surprised if the legion trues to take a heart themselves.
dothuman
Probably termites.
dothuman
Agreed. That will be equal parts hilarious and terrifying. Hilarious because yes, the Legion is outclassed. Terrifying because humans are spiteful bastards that will ruin a good thing before letting themselves become irrelevant. And they will become irrelevant. The Deep Legion may be A legion, but the ants ARE legion. The ants are simply better at being an army because it is a fact engraved into every part of their being. A living war machine.
Ibuks5
Man! This was freaking brilliant.
Salt Salesman
This was an amazing chapter
Azgaroth
No, i disagree about Anthony's Evolution, instead of Poison, i think he will have Purified Mana inside him, and that will allow him to survive in the Fifth, without any protection, and so frustrating the Ants who want to protect the Eldest.....
TheLostGolem
The legion doesn't doubt that the Ants desire to help. They just believe that the Colony will be turned evil by the Ancients.
andwhyisit
"Of all the ants I’ve spoken to, you seem to be the only one with an ego." Clearly she hasn't spoken to Brilliant yet.
Collector of Stories
I want to a chapter of Chyron reporting to the higher ups in the legion and give her thoughts on the Colony
David Eddy
And boom goes the dynamite…:)
Fred Bright
HiEldestareyouevolvingwhataboutthetoxicmanaareyourpetsokwhyisthepuremanabluecanKrathbeturnedintoChalorjusttheggswhatis"singing"...
Fred Bright
At what point does the Legion discover the "resurrection" of the Chal...and how do they reconcile "they will betray and kill us all" with "that which was lost has been found an made anew..."
James
Personally, I dont think she's really given secrets. Vibrant has been witnessed by all, Brilliant made an appearance in the golgari arc, and Solant is in direct contact with the legion. Even if you ignore the legion's limited ability to tour the hive, chyron's reaction to solant's mention of the champions was more curiosity to solant's awareness than interest in the specifics. Again, just my personal perception.
Kevin Wilson
The whole colony is aware and they couldn’t care less! The leader is wrong!?!? I love it! The legion IS composed of monsters and that’s okay. The colony WILL succeed where others fail! I believe Anthony will eventually receive an evolution that confines the poison to the acid gland and returns him to his previous condition of being not poisonous overall! Maybe even through the chal!
giann flroesca
i wonder which monster race the legion used to closely work with turned on them before??
Vampiric Dust
Well, that was one rapid fire bombshell of secrets exchanged there. Curious as to why Solant is giving detailed information on the champions. Probably to bait the Legion away from attrition wars. Causing fewer casualties, but Champions become targets of assassination.
Tag
Fantastic chapter. This will go down as one of the greats.
Brandon14754
She's been dazzled by the purified heart and surrounding area, I wonder if their seers are also so blinded by the changes to the 5th to miss anthony
Dan K
Wonder how Chyron is gonna freak out when she learns Anthony is evolving.
Buck
Outstanding chapter! Surprised Chiron has not realized that Anthony is evolving.
Brandon14754
Iirc that info was either gotten off screen from liria citizens, granin and crew, or from the cult's archives they stole when they saved Anthony, Sarah, and Jim from the cult of the worm base. Though the readers learned about champions from excerpts.
Hayden Leech
How did Anthony learn about champions? That’s weird knowledge to have… Did Gandalf mention the term?
Melody Haren Anderson
The thing that really gets me, is the Legion can't believe they won't fall to control by other beasts, even when they've seen time and time again, they succeed where no other monster or non-monster sapient succeeds, yet still think they are just like all others. When they do 50 things you thought impossible, MAYBE you should consider what else "impossible things" they can accomplish.
Brandon14754
If I recall correctly it hasn't been said clearly if it affects longevity but some people suspect titus is quite old with his rivalry with garralosh.
Mo Alawami
I love this dialogue!! Solant is so cool
John Grizzly
basically mana-touched humans. i forget, is their longevity affected? i wonder if the humans under the colony will end up getting cores at some point.
Deemy
extreme aura farming from solant here
Tommy Gallery
Great chapter, was wondering where the Legion was at.
Caleb Herring
Spicy theory!!!
Hayden Leech
Holy shit I love it.
Koala Man
Bahahaha as if she doesn’t know already and doesn’t have 100 contingencies already worked out
Ian Levy
Spicy calling out the monsterification straight to the legions faces. I do wonder does the legion ritual intentionally kill the individuals who form a monster core
Koala Man
Damn Solant told it like it is and threw down the gauntlet. Catch us if you can
Shaitan
Loved solant being smug here
Pan nong
Dang love solant hehe
Rekcus
Shots fired
Val
I wonder what will she do if she learns Anthony is evolving
shawn B
Boo to chryon the bigot!
Noquele
Amazing chapter
Sneaky Duc
Dang Solant
No_Creative_Name
Nothing like a general looking down and telling another, “SUCKIT”
billwanchalo
Tftc!
Pan nong
First hihi
