Here the sketch for its next stage, the sentinel form, which is what I am going to focus on developing. In this stage, it basically forms a giant moving cocoon with the earth around it to protect itself from any potential threat.

After more exploration of the ideas and looking at reference, I decided to go with the ideas of 1 and 2. Creating a more anchored down cocoon/pupa stage with a slender tower-like silhouette or one with a heavier build. Mainly taking the idea from crabs or mantises.

These sketches are so beautiful! Are they traditional? I love your idea, it is so creative! Can't wait to see more! I love the second one on the last row of the sketch, but they all look so great!

Thank you, I kind of feeling good about the second design on the bottom as well. It most likely would be the one I am going to continue the concept with. Also, no, they are not done traditionally, it was just a texture brush.

Omg that first sketch is adorable lol Sketches wise I love the shapes of the shark looking thing in the top right on the lower page

School started again and stuffs got a bit of hectic, but I eventually got time to work on this a bit more. Still trying to stop myself from over detailing sketches, doesn't seem to be successful. Ended up spending way more times than I expect. But I think I finally got the idea I want.
Since the design itself was immobile and wasn't make to do much other than being intimidating and huge. There isn't much I could do to create a dynamic attacking pose and defending pose of some sort. So instead of just crushing people with its weight, I decided to go a bit off to the magical route. Since it saps magic out of the earth, at first I was thinking of a giant laser beam. However, later on, I kind of remember it is a geomancy bug that creat it's pupa/cocoon out of the earth. And that's basically what I did and it was the one that sticks to my mind the most.

Oh das a big boy

I like the perspective and scale of 3 but there isn't much in the way of showing the scale against something else. 1 is cool too

8 days later

It's a complex scene what you're working on and I have a lot of respect for that. Hope you can finish before the deadline!