Insectes
Swarming on the ground, insects slip alongside the Fungus 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 Cieux, 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 are countless and varied creatures whose very essence lies in their multiplicity of form. Their bodies may appear fragile at first glance, but they come in a thousand and one forms, from the translucent wings of butterflies to the exoskeletons of beetles and the antennae of ants. Each being carries within it a task inscribed in it by the laws of nature. Some take shelter in the hollows of trees under their bark, while others, like earthworms, live underground. Still others forage gracefully, wandering among the flowers, their wings brushing the petals concealing a heart of pollen. Their diversity is such that they seem to live in multiple kingdoms, forming servants of Bellyem. They live in both shadow and light in the air, on earth and even water. Yet their importance is often overlooked by those who choose to ignore them.
Biology
Among the pantheon of life, insects are the keystone between the kingdom of the Living and the kingdom of the Dead. They swarm everywhere in the soil, infiltrating corpses and accelerating decomposition. They give back to the earth what belongs to it. sarm deadkingdolkingdo Beetles burrow in the depths, opening up pathways for air and water, while ants, tireless builders, transport seeds in a never-ending quest. Even flies, often scorned for their proximity to decomposition, take part in this sacred cycle, their larvae cleaning up what the living have abandoned. At nightfall, the fireflies twinkle to guide lost souls to the other world that awaits them: the Wonders. Through their ceaseless labour, insects serve neither good nor evil: they obey the creative mother, perpetuating an infinite circle.
Roles
Insects are both the architects of life and the chains that sustain the fragile balance of ecosystems. As pollinators, they scour flowers one by one, rain or shine, to extract nectar. Bees, butterflies and beetles dance among the flowers, fertilizing fields and meadows.
But watch out for birds and other cunning creatures that know how to track them down; bats, crabs, hedgehogs... they're all hungry for them! So, in their humility, insects support the cycle of abundance, where each wingbeat sustains the whole web of life. Yet this crucial role is a silent burden, for without them, the world would sink 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.
Bugs! <3 I love this overview of insects (and others). I think my favourite section is the mythology one, but I love how you describe their adaptability and place in the world too.
Explore Etrea | Reading Challenge 2025
Thank you ! those little tiny creatures are important despite their size, I wanted to honor them :)