Chrysalis

I run along the trail of workers, snapping and biting at everything that obstructs their path towards the escape tunnel. My main purpose isn't to kill these monsters but to try and get every worker I can to safety.

"Into the tunnel! Into the tunnel!" I constantly shout at my siblings as I snap at the claws and arms that threaten them as the monsters in the walls rip themselves free.

What is the state of the brood chamber in all this chaos? Did we get all of them out?

Worry pierces my chest when I think about the defenceless grubs that may not have been shifted in time.

I need to go and try to save them!

[Tiny, protect the tunnel!]

I can't even be sure the ape has heard and understood me in all of the chaos but I don't stay to check. As I run back toward the chamber I start channelling my gravity magic into my mandibles. As I see ants caught or stuck on their path towards the escape tunnel I immediately reach out to them with the gravitational energy, yoinking them towards me and closer to safety!

I get a few very startled looks from a few ants after they've unceremoniously flown through the air towards me. I'm not sure if it was the shorter distance or finer control on my part but the ants manage to land on their feet, the larvae they carry safe and sound.

Phew!

Most of the monsters I'd first sensed growing in the walls have emerged by now, snarling and biting, tearing into the first thing they see. So many of these monsters bear no resemblance to anything I've seen so far in the Dungeon. Inhuman, illogical, unnatural creatures of darkness and shadow. Impossibly large mouths, limbs bent at insane angles and with more joints than they could possibly require.

These monsters look straight out of some nightmare!

I won't be distracted from my purpose!

When I see no more ants emerging from the brood chamber I charge along the wall and make my way inside, threading my way between the creatures, lashing out with my mandibles whenever I'm threatened.

Strange as they may be, they still don't like it when I chomp one of their limbs off!

Bursting into the brood chamber my heart drops low in my thorax. There are still dozens of larvae here, tiny little grubs that are completely defenceless against the nightmare horde that has emerged from within the very walls of their sanctuary.

Already I can see several young that have been destroyed by the conflict.

….. Dammit.

We weren't fast enough.

but they were members

of our colony

of time, if I'd been a little quicker, if I been a bit stronger. I could have

One larvae in the middle of the room is wiggling furiously towards me as vicious beasts battle all around it. Just before it becomes stomped under the foot of an ignorant combatant I flash back to

YOINK!

air, rocketing out of the brood chamber and slamming directly

have much choice! If I tried to catch it in my mandibles I'm likely

my face to absorb the impact may not have been the most

joy at its emancipation. This larvae seems unusually active and aware for a creature

there

couldn't save the others but I'll absolutely save this

and hopefully none coming back I turn my back and leave, unable

on Anthony, get this little one to the escape

can

safety however, so I lower my head and bull my what out. Monsters screech and scratch at me, one scythe-like limb stretches out of the darkness to scrape along my side, sending sparks flying as it scores my diamond

don't respond, I can't respond. I won't risk anything until I can save this defenceless member of

a horrific monster rises up, twisted and broken like a spectre of death itself. I can feel the painful

No!

I can deal with but it'll be enough to kill this larva

roar

a deafening shriek as Tiny unleashes his mind affecting vocal attack, causing all monsters in the room

sheltered from the attack but power of the sound waves vibrating through its

before me reels backwards, disoriented from the blast and before I can even react a blinding flash of light erupts in my peripheral

channelling electricity throughout his entire body looms over the monsters around him

his bat features he throws

first, but a moment after he thrusts his hand out a terrifying arc of electricity bursts forth, burning the monster before

Nice, Tiny!

Motor on!

the dirt as fast as they can I stumble and lurch my way forward, sacrificing my balance to eke out every ounce of speed I