Chrysalis

Well then … Formo… Could you tell me more about the Ancient you mentioned?

[Oh yes! Ha! Now let me consult my people a moment]

… You can still talk to them?

He doesn't respond. After a moments' thought I activate my Mana Sensing and look more closely at this strange but friendly fellow Dungeon dweller.

The blazingly powerful core of the monster he is sitting on is hugely distracting. This worm has a core that is easily twice the size of the Queen's! If not larger! I shudder to think just how strong this thing is. Thankfully Formo turned out to be so peaceful!

Ignoring the blazing sun that is the worm I take a good look at this Sophos.

The first thing I notice is that he has no core. I suppose this means he isn't born from the Dungeon and is instead a natural creature of this world. Regardless of not having a core he is clearly able to control mana extremely well. The mana around his body swirls and flows constantly. If I focus heavily I can see a faint, shining bridge of mana, shaped like a braided rope, connecting my mind and his. Is this how we can communicate? Is this Mind magic?

The energy is clearly not of the normal type, rather than a blue it is a shimmering golden colour. If I focus closely I can see another bridge leaving Formo that vanishes into the far distance. He really must be communicating with his people goodness knows how far away! Incredible!

I desperately try to examine the connection he has constructed to my mind. If I learn how to do this I'll be able to communicate telepathically! Even without having to invest in a magical energy gland.

Looking as closely as I can the little I can see leaves me in awe. The construction of this bridge is breathtaking, each thread twisted precisely in a pattern that supports and extends, allowing two minds to interact. My control is far away from being able to achieve something on this level.

[Ahem! Yes! As I was saying. According to the records we encountered an intelligent monster who claimed to have been reborn into this world seventy years ago. After many years of struggling to was able to evolve enough that she could push into the deeper Dungeon and we hadn't heard from her since. Her name was Sarah as we understand it].

That sounds like a name from Earth! Is it possible another person like me is still alive here in the Dungeon? Somewhere deep?

I'd love to try and find them but I don't think I'm strong enough to survive that far down and explore. Apparently I'm not even 1% of the way to the middle! I have to admit that news has been a blow to my ego. I thought I was finally becoming strong! It seems there is a long way to go.

Hang on.

…

Something has changed. There is a different feeling in the air and I can't quite work out what it is.

Temperature?

…

heat senses aren't noticing anything

[Oh bother].

first time my new Sophos friend seems to have completely lost his

it

at the walls

them. I can't quite see anything new? I'm

WAIT.

a

walls. Yes! The mana level is slowly dropping! The difference

want it to go down and slow

to move his physical body, reaching down to pat his fearsome worm

of your own world, Anthony. When a giant wave comes

heck did you

to keep secrets amongst my people. The mana is acting much like the water in your world. It will retreat and dim

So.. So that means?

coming lad. One

Holy moly!

the heck out of here!

up to you my boy, take your pet and find a safe place. I

Wait… pet?

pet, lad. Right

Tiny after I continue to stare at him

is a pet? How is he

reconstituted him from a core, does

Do you think monsters in this Dungeon are always so loyal to others? When you reconstituted him from a core he became attached

I might have seen some there…

you have survived this long is DARNED mystery, a MYSTERY I SAY! Raising, controlling and engineering pet monsters is how we Sophos have survived to this day! We are the best in world

worm has roused itself now, it's cavernous mouth writhing and flexing as it slowly begins to turn around, digging