Insectes

Swarming on the ground, insects slip alongside the Fongus like discreet yet essential cogs in the machinery of life. Invisible to the distracted eyes of the giants that tread upon the earth, they are the true guardians of the natural cycle. They till the soils, fertilize the flowers, and feed the hungry, embodying a perfect balance between creation and destruction. Their incessant buzzing weaves the threads of life, connecting the heavens, the earth, and the waters in a complex and fragile network of survival. Yet, within their apparent insignificance, lies a forgotten primordial force.

Appearance

Insects, countless and varied creatures, are the very essence of the multiplicity of life forms on this earth. Their bodies, fragile and diverse, appear in a thousand and one shapes, from the translucent wings of butterflies to the solid black carapaces of beetles. Each carries with it a utility, a secret purpose dictated by the laws of nature. Some hide in the dark corners of forests, feeding on dead matter, while others, with invisible grace, wander among the flowers, their wings brushing the petals like divine breaths. Their diversity is such that they seem to live in multiple kingdoms, invisible yet omnipresent, forming an unrivaled army, whose roles are both carnivorous and beneficent. They live in the shadows and in the light, creatures of the air, the earth, and even the water, and yet, their importance is often overlooked by those who do not see them.

Biology

In the pantheon of life, insects play a discreet yet essential role, their actions weaving invisible threads between life and death. They dance in their myriad forms, accelerating decomposition and thus releasing the nutrients needed for the earth's hunger. Beetles burrow into the depths, opening paths for air and water, while ants, tireless builders, transport seeds in a ceaseless quest.
Even flies, often despised for their proximity to decay, partake in this sacred cycle, their larvae cleaning what the living have abandoned. Under the moonlight, fireflies shimmer like lost souls, echoes of the mysteries of creation and dissolution. Through their unceasing activity, insects serve neither good nor evil: they obey an unrelenting natural order, ensuring that nothing is lost and that all things return to the source, thus perpetuating the grand balance of the world.

Roles

Insects are both the architects of life and the chains that support the fragile balance of ecosystems. As pollinators, they trace invisible paths between flowers, exchanging the breath of plant reproduction for a gift of nectar. Bees, butterflies, and beetles dance from bloom to bloom, sealing the fate of forests, meadows, and nourishing crops.
But their role does not end there: they are also the very foundation of the existence of other forms of life, becoming food for birds, reptiles, and mammals. Thus, in their humility, insects sustain the cycle of abundance, where each beat of a wing supports the entire web of life. Yet, this crucial role is a silent burden, for without them, the world would fall into sterility and hunger.

Powers

The insects embody adaptability at its peak, shaping their existence according to the whims of a changing world. Some develop shells that reflect light, making their forms nearly invisible under the blazing sun, while others mimic the textures and hues of withered leaves or ancient bark. In arid deserts, beetles capture the moisture of the night air on their wings, weaving their survival from the thirst of the earth itself.

Their ability to adapt surpasses the simple laws of physics : some alter their behavior, living in symbiosis with plants or larger creatures, or lying in wait in the shadows to spring forth where no one expects them. Every flap of a wing, every leap, every thread stretched across the wind bears witness to their unmatched resilience. Insects, in their own way, defy the very order of the stars, thriving where all other forms of life fail.

Myths and Legends

The Living believe that insects carry mysteries that shape a lost realm. Among them is the Sleeping Butterfly, which, with every beat of its wings, plunges those around it into a deep sleep and dies at dusk. Too afraid of tomorrow, it takes refuge in the land of dreams.

The Imperial Bee is the embodiment of insatiable hunger, sending its disciples to roam the nectar fields to quench its endless thirst for power. Within the hive, a whole symphony is played out around her to satisfy her desires. But will she be ready to welcome a new heiress ?

Ladybug, innocent little creatures, become children's first confidants. They are said to reveal their age by the number of dots on their wings. A childish belief that still persists, it reminds us that a touch of naivety can soothe the most aching of hearts.

The prelude to the dragonfly's life cycle opens with a catabase in troubled waters. The nymph spends her youth there until the day she is reborn. Once she has shed her moult, she will rise into the heavens, ending her existence in total anabasis.

At first sight, these beetles with their iridescent sheen are very territorial. In the Tyrinthius regions, beetle duels are organised where anyone can bet on the winner. The poor combatants forced to fight each other shriek with their wings, producing a sound akin to a cry of pain. It is even said that this dull moan can deafen the hearing and restore hearing to the deaf.

The grasshopper is a sign of desecration in country legends. A swarm of grasshoppers can wipe out an entire village in one night. The only way to make them flee is by fire, leaving a taste of ash down the throats of those who had to burn their own fields.

But at the pinnacle of myths stands The Spider of the Cosmic Web, who is said to have laid The Egg of Wonders, a legendary artifact whose powers are as ancient as the world itself. The infinite web she weaves connects souls and ages, forming a network between the fates of the living and the dead. The Egg is said to be the key to divine incarnation, but also the breaking point of the cycle of worlds.