It feels like it’s been too long since I’ve seen some honest to goodness hatchlings. Obviously, these two aren’t hatchlings, they’re tier four at this point, newly minted graduates of the antcademies, but they’re still so teenietiny compared to everyone else I’ve been seeing.

The ants down here in the fifth are tier six for the most part, even the healers and carvers are a decent size so they can fit in the brain power and organs they require to do their more mentally demanding work.

“Still, two new Champions at the same time, that’s rather different,” I say looking at the two little ones who huddle down before me, their Brood Tender standing behind them protectively. “And they were born from the same clutch of eggs?”

“These two were born almost one after the other and raised in the same group of twenty. I was looking after both of them,” Demetant tells me.

“Well, isn’t that something?”

Apparently there hasn’t been a Champion born in the Colony for a while, and now we have two come out at practically the exact same moment. There must be some sort of rhyme or reason about it, but I have no idea what it is. As I understand it, Champions are exceptionally rare amongst species like us, which seems to have borne true. There are millions and millions of us at this point and only a handful of Champions.

Honestly, I wonder just how many of us there are right now? At some point we have to cross over the billion mark. A billion members of the Colony is a sobering thought. That’s a heck of a lot of siblings. I’ve got no chance of remembering all their birthdays….

“What are your plans for these two from now on?” I ask Demetant. “Or, do you two have your own ideas?”

Hippocrant considers my words for a moment. Of the existing Champions, she reminds me of Solant the most. She’s smart, considered, but isn’t as coldly logical as the little general. Nor does she have the maniacal desire to know things that Brilliant is inflicted with. Despite her gruff exterior, she cares about her siblings, especially about her fellow young Champion. It’s kind of sweet.

The other, Ascendant, is obviously more like Vibrant than any of the others. She’s simple-minded, enthusiastic and filled with a naive optimism. Although perhaps she doesn’t have Vibrant’s unending obsession. Vibrant will never be satisfied with how fast she can go as long as she thinks faster is possible. This new hatchling really wants to fly, but she can already fly. I’m very curious to see what she decides to make of herself from this point forward now that she’s achieved her main focus.

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“I think I would like to remain in the fifth for a time,” Hippocrant says, answering my question. “I want to learn as much as I can about healing and I’m quite curious about what Bio-mana is capable of.”

Oh, the Bio-mana, eh? That’s a new and developing field of study.

“I assume Brilliant told you about it?” I say.

“Yes,” she confirms, a little tiredly.

“She wants to offload her research onto you. Am I right?”

“She does,” the new Champion grumbles and I laugh.

“Hah. She’s a smart one, but she struggles with her focus. I’m sure she has another idea she wants to dig her mandibles into. Well, if you want practice healing and grinding your Skills, there’s no better place to be than the fifth. What about you?” I say, turning to the other one.

Ascendant hesitates to answer my question, turning questioningly towards her sister.

“I… uh… don’t think I can stay in the fifth,” she says sadly. “I’m not strong enough to fight the monsters here.”

“Even wings are not going to be enough to help you on that front,” I say with a laugh. “No, fighting here is not a good idea.”

If she tried, the Colony would throw a fit. These two have no idea the amount of energy and effort that’s gone into keeping them safe while they’ve been travelling around. Risking Champions is not something the family is keen on.

“I think you should go into the third stratum and fight with the wave defense there,” I tell her. “Plenty of space to fly, lots of monsters to fight. You’ll get a lot of experience, Levels and opportunities to get stronger. The fighting never really stops on the third.”

From what I’ve seen from the sixth stratum, having some ants who can fly is going to be very helpful. It’s going to take a long time, though, before Ascendant is strong enough to go down there, and even longer before she has followers who are strong enough to come with her.

“I’m looking forward to what the two of you will be like by the time the wave is finished. Probably tier five and with a bit more experience of what it’s like to be a member of this family. However, I don’t recommend you remain at this depth for much longer. Things are fairly spicy down here.”

I can already feel some strong vibrations with the fine hairs on my legs. The floor is shaking ever so slightly, very small tremors, but growing stronger. Something is coming up from below.

[Crinis, something is headed your way. You’re on duty right now, right?]

[Master? Are you talking to me now?! Finally!]

[Hey! No talking back. You still have one more day of your punishment to serve.]

[Nooo,] she sobs, but at least she’s ready for the fight to come.

“It’s been wonderful to meet you,” I say to the two hatchlings warmly. “Hopefully I’ll see you again soon.”

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