Chrysalis

Titus sat heavily behind his desk. The desk was similar to the man in many respects, unadorned, rough even, and solid. Thick boards of stonewood he'd harvested himself in the second strata, made up the surface on which he worked. The desk had to be joined together since he couldn't find a nail that would go through the stuff. The wood was stubborn, unyielding, that's why he liked it.

Titus reached inside his Legionary coat pocket with his free hand, withdrawing a smooth metal box attached to his belt by a chain. Placing down the letter he used both hands to place his fingers just so, frowning when he needed four tries to position his thick fingers correctly, before the box opened with a snap.

From within the case a blue glow spilled onto the desk and briefly illuminated Titus' face as he opened the case and stared hard at the contents, then snapped it shut, placing the case back into his inner pocket.

He opened a draw, removed a fresh piece of paper, collected his pen and began to compose a reply.

"Corrin,

as stated in the initial announcement five days ago, ambient mana levels within the dungeon are climbing and continue to do so, it is the opinion of the Legion that a wave is likely to occur within a week, but AS YOU KNOW, these predictions can be inaccurate and a wave can break with very short notice.

In the interest of keeping YOUR MEMBERS ALIVE we have exercised our right to control Dungeon access in the city of Liria and will be undertaking aggressive action to ensure the safety of the citizens.

If some of your parties are unable to conduct their activities in the dungeon during this time, I regret to inform you that I DON'T GIVE A DAMN.

After the wave is finished or when ambient mana levels return to normal your members will once again be granted access to the Dungeon, not before.

Get stuffed,

Titus.

Commander, Legionem Abyssi, Liria"

not his most diplomatic missive, Titus mused, but he was never very good at playing nice with

slid to the corner of his office where, tucked behind a cabinet gathering dust, was an enormous battle-axe leaning against the wall. Almost six feet long from head to haft, the thick metal

it, sealed it with wax and placed it in his mail tray for one of

this one from the Minister of the Path, he heard the sound of

the blood stirring in his veins. Perhaps he could avoid

building like a storm. The

Centurions on duty fell into step behind him as he marched through the stone plaza towards the breach

four metres wide and similarly tall, wide enough for supply carts and large groups to pass through on extended expeditions. The space around the entrance was flat stone floor for thirty metres in every direction then a circular wall three metres high

he wanted to, bringing the Dungeon air and its rich mana

team of five. They turned to salute him as he passed but were disciplined enough to use the silent solute here beneath the earth, bringing their right

commander gave them a nod before he moved forward passed the next three posts until he reached the first. Ten legionaries occupied the wall here, two mages

approached, with two centurions still in lock step behind him he found the woman he was looking for inside the guard post, pouring over maps on the table with some

and dismissed her people before

"Commander Titus".

"Tribune Aurillia".

passages and mana concentration points marked clearly with neat organised

is the situation

fifteen minutes ago the monster approached this guard station before fleeing, the guard team has signaled the Centurion on

strata to show enough intelligence to flee danger. Far more common for them to charge forward

was last thing he needed immediately before

preparations for the wave

is being readied on schedule commander, though I have taken the

I'll be joining the suppression expedition this