Blightspore was the most effective answer to anything the humans came up with. However, the mode of propagation made countering it very easy, especially for groups such as the cult.
The infector form relied on getting close to the target.
The usual method would work on unprepared enemies, but the cultists were no fools. If they were preparing for war, then they wouldn’t let any zombies get close.
Blaze could use Breaker or create a new form of zombies to toss the infectors for a kamikaze attack.
But that would be a hassle for multiple reasons.
First, Breaker alone wouldn’t suffice.
Second, such large zombie forms would attract too much attention and would likely be taken out from a distance.
Third, even if they didn’t, creating such zombies for one reason only would be a waste of biomass.
However, these were manageable problems.
There was another issue that made the infector useless.
Blightspore itself wasn’t very intelligent. It only cared about infecting the easiest thing it could.
The spores would be attracted to the skin cloaks as they could be infected without any resistance. It would be a waste since the cloak didn’t have a nervous system to take over.
With nothing to infect, they were like dust particles, waiting to be washed away by the rain.
Blaze needed a more targeted approach. Something that could remain undetected until it was time to attack.
That’s where the Carrions came in.
Race: Undead (Insectoid)
Sub-Classification: Necro-Forager (III)
— Intelligence: Low (Hive-Linked)
[Evolution Potential: None.)
[Regeneration Rate:] Negligible.
— Hive Link: The Carrions are linked to the brood mother and serve a common master.
— Resin: Carrions are also known as preservers. They produce a thin resin, which is used to coat corpses to slow down the decomposition rate. This process helps preserve fresh biomass for later consumption by the horde.
— Swarm: Carrions always operate in small swarms (groups of over twenty). This helps them overcome their natural weaknesses of having low strength and durability.
The Carrions have been raised as the new species of undead worker ants. Unlike their large (3-4 foot) predecessors, these ants are only 4-6 inches long, yet play a much crucial role in an undead ant colony.
Although their primary role is scavenging and corpse preserving, thanks to their swarming tactics, they can take down opponents over forty times their size with ease.
Moreover, they are expendable, and a swarm can live for months on a single flesh chunk. They are best used for corpse preservation, but also serve other roles such as infiltration into enemy lines.
In a world where even insects had grown to the size of a toddler, these small ants would likely go unnoticed, especially if they stayed hidden underground.
These ants were perfect for what Blaze had in mind.
"Be careful not to kill them," Blaze said, patting a sporeform’s head. "These are fragile."
The sporeform couldn’t speak, so it mimicked the human reaction of nodding... with its tentacles.
Blaze retreated to his throne, wanting to scan more memories for clues about the Enforcers. But decided to watch the conversion process first.
The sporeform stood over the dozen ants, watching them eagerly. A second later, it coughed a green mist of spores over the ants.
The mist covered the ants. As usual, nothing happened to them. Suddenly, they began clanking their little mandibles as if they were shivering.
Small filaments appeared over them as they forced their way in through the openings in their exoskeletons. In a panic, they broadcast signals to Myrme, hoping for guidance.
They only received a one-word response.
They tried, but some couldn’t. They tried covering their bodies with resin, hoping to kill the spores. However, it backfired as they trapped the filaments and spores inside them.
The Carrions couldn’t feel pain. It wasn’t the reason for their erratic behavior.
What they couldn’t tolerate was their connection to the hive being severed by the spores.
Unfortunately, the hive they loved so much had already abandoned them. Why else would no one come to their aid despite their calls?
A minute passed, and the first ant died, unable to survive the rigorous restructuring. Then another followed, and another.
It seemed the experiment was a failure. The Carrions’ small size couldn’t survive such an invasion.
But then something happened.
Something tore through the first ant that had died. Its exoskeleton split in half from behind, and a new organ pushed out of the ant’s body.
It was a spore sac covered in resin.
One by one, the other ants followed suit. Their hind legs grew thinner until they were like pins. Probably to burst the spore sac when needed. Or better yet, cover them in spores and inject them directly into a target’s bloodstream.
Small tentacles of usual sporeforms burst through their mouths, signaling their conversion was complete.
The sporeform beside them leaned over them for inspection.
The sporeform’s tendrils lashed out, crushing three defective ants. Either they didn’t develop the sac, the needle-like legs, or they deformed beyond recognition.
The remaining nine ants were acceptable, and it turned to Blaze, waiting for the final verdict.
"You did well," Blaze said, after barely glancing at the ants. "Fester, take them to the human camp in the south. Check if they can actually infect someone or not. You’re free to kill them if they fail."
Fester quickly gathered the ants and headed to the nearest tunnel, only to stop the next moment.
It ignored Blaze’s instruction and began jumping at its spot, pointing above with its tail.
"Skr! Skree! Skrrrrrr!"
"Look above?" Blaze asked, rolling his eyes. "Look, little guy, I appreciate your attempt to lift my mood, but it’s not the time for games."
Fester shook its head, still pointing above. However, the rat wasn’t alone. Breaker, Saturn, and every other undead were looking at something in the sky.
Blaze wanted to ignore them, but then felt a gust of wind right over his head. He looked up and froze a second later.
"What game are we playing, my lord?" Marrow asked, flapping her wings!