Chrysalis

The monsters came from the north. They swept south in a hungry pack, seeking, destroying and devouring everything in their path like a tide of beastly Vikings.

As the monsters drew closer their snarling and growls rang louder in the peoples ears and panic quickly raced across their faces. The fear spread so quickly from person to person around me, clouding their faces and twisting their expressions.

So quickly they lost the will to fight, these people.

I shouldn't be too surprised. These people had lost their homes and families to these creatures. Small and weak it may have been, but they had also lost their country. Against a foe that had taken apart something so much larger than themselves, it's only natural that they would be intimidated.

But I wouldn't sit idly by.

[Tiny bring Crinis to me. We need to fight.]

If those stupid monsters thought that they could get this close to my colony then they are outside their damn minds.

I loudly clack my mandibles several times in succession.

*CLACK* *CLACK* *CLACK*

The sharp, staccato noises ring out loudly, cutting through the rising fear. The circle of people turn back to me sharply.

[Priest. Tell the people to go hide and stay out of my way. I will defend my colony but if any monsters get through, the people will need to defend themselves.]

The priest nodded enthusiastically.

[Of course, Great One! The blessings of the System belong only to those who are prepared to earn them! Your wisdom is as deep as the Dungeon, as broad the Endless Sky expanse and as …]

[Just tell them already!]

[Oh! Right!]

the mouthy priest and turns to the people to explain what I've said. Gradually some life returns to the faces of the people around me, when I push my way out

And good thing too!

monsters are

can't help but feel a wave

of my old friends

damn centipedes! Like a carpet of pinchy death they slither and climb all over

and their evolved versions are here as well, I think

little rabbits are here! Awww, the little fluff balls! Devilish,

the Croca Beasts. The stupid creatures are here as

is a collection of monsters from the forest expanse area. Perhaps they are

Dangit!

thought I was finally free

horde kicks up dust as they rush towards us. Only a hundred or so more metres and they'll be amongst

don't have time to power up a Gravity Bomb. I'm going to have to

forwards. My brains kick into gear, each one crafting a gravity spear as quickly as possible. I haven't had that much time to rest since battling

magic, layers flowing together as if

Gravity Spear! Times three!

out I'm already working on another set. The spears fly home, not that they could miss, slamming into the front line of the wave, snaring large clutches of

I dash forwards the next wave of spears take shape. I pour forth my gravity mana and empower the spells,

it me who

smash into the thick of the monsters and their

to

Shattering Bite!

my diamond shell but I stand firm, the bulk of the damage failing to pierce through. Centipedes rise to clutch at me and I crush them with a single bite. When a fearsome bear smashes into me from the side, sending

crush its defences, my stamina draining away along with my mana

pile up. A chip here and a chip here shave away at my health until I'm forced