Evolution

The Demon wandered back to the nest of the Occultic insects that it's been focusing on growing- by now, it was a full-fledged colony that sized up significantly, fostering several hundreds as numbers, having occupied the large portion of the forest.

That was a pleasing sight for Kaor to return back to.

Ever since the Demon planted the roots for its future colony in here, the weak were culled by the stronger insectoids, and the stronger ones feasted upon weaker specimen. But despite such progress made, despite the control that it already had over these insects, it was not done yet.

They could still use more manipulation, more power, more control.

'Go, my children. Populate this place. Kill the weak.'

With that, the Demon released the insects that it carried along all this time. Clearly, they were the stronger specimen, both by their physical capabilities, their size, and the Occult that was seething from them.

And this was just the beginning of colonial invasion. The insects from Kaor moved in, making their way through the place that this Demon created on its own.
(Murmux)

The moment they moved in, the weaker insects were immediately sought out, if only to be devoured.

While in the typical colony that could foster panic and countermeasures for defence, this one did not dare to defend against Kaor- not that they could, considering the fact that it had control over them. Through telepathy and Occultic presence, they recognized their master, standing down as the stronger specimen swept by to annihilate the weaker links.

It wasn't a sightly process.

Countless overgrown bugs, all influenced by Occult, marring this land with their blood and corpses - all for the new blood to move in, the very blood that accompanied Kaor in the battle and feasted on magi in the past.

'Impose yourself. Breed. Leave strong children.'

This entire time, the telepathic commands were issued to the insects that were specifically sent to interject in the daily life of the colony.

It wasn't about breeding the stronger colony only though, it was about assuming direct control over these creatures - considering the fact that they needed to imprint upon Murmux, the Demon didn't move away, staying the entire time while it happened; obviously, the telepathic link was maintained too.
(Murmux)

Now, it was the time to feed these bugs with something greater.

Taking a seat right next to the colony, much like the fatherly figure to all of these smaller creatures, the Demon allowed the flow of its mana to seep into the strongest of insectoids that it brought forth to this smaller nation of bug-warriors-to-be.

Land was corrupted, defiled, with putrid mana of Occult, of countless victims that it ate and devoured, of countless dreams, hopes, tears - all broken apart, just to serve as food for the strong while they grow. That merciless nature, that brutal fostering was imprinted upon the children of the Demon, and they recognized their master only better.

'Feast. Devour. Grow.'

These commands ringing in the minds of all insects, be it as images, flashes, memories, or even words, they maintained themselves nearby, willingly accepting the overwhelming flow of the Demon.

They were horribly mutated at this point, too. With this channel of Occult? Who knows what monstrosities they would mutate further into.

Despite the significant time spent to foster and grow them, there was one more thing to do - to test their true loyalty, their true allegiance.

Would they truly serve the Demon? That's to be seen.
(Murmux)

With that thought in mind, Kaor issued telepathic command.

'Slay your kin.'

It wasn't exactly in its plans to decimate the colony, not at all. While insects had no higher thoughts, no love, no feelings for fellow of its kin, it was a test to see whether they would obey the command that damages their colony without any remorse.

And what do you know? It worked. It truly worked. With such command issued towards the bugs, they were merciless, immediately attacking their own kin, going as far as attempt to actively kill them; there was not a single moment of hesitation, no second thought, no misunderstanding in these evolved, overgrown insects.

And that pleased the Demon. They were ready.

'Enough. Stop.'

Like the toys in the hands of Murmux, they immediately ceased any and all fighting once such order was given. Truly, the loyal, small army of the Demon that would be there to assist it with the countless battles to come.
(Murmux)

Once all necessary experiments were conducted, Kaor decided it's time to harvest the fruit of its labor.

Extending its hand towards countless bugs standing infront of it and waiting on command of the Demon, another telepathic command was issued towards the colonial insects, intending to retrieve those back into Murmux's service.

'Go back. Beneath chitin. You will fight later.'

A large portion of bugs crawled up its arm immediately on command, sneaking beneath the cracks of chitin and moving about on its body- obviously, the Demon did not collect the entire colony for its service, leaving some of them remaining in order to build more, breed and feast upon the forest.

After all, bugs tend to die out, and it would need more in the future.

Satisfied in its results, the Demon stood up, deciding to leave the colony. There was a new weapon in the arsenal of Murmux, one that commanded these little creatures, all of them influenced by Occult to make them as savage as possible.

The Insectomancy.
(Murmux)