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!]

I've said. Gradually some life returns to the

And good thing too!

monsters are upon

towards the village, I can't

of my old friends are

death they slither and climb all over each other, snapping madly at the air as

Wolf cubs and their evolved versions are here as well, I think I spy an Earth Bear Tyrant

Awww, the little fluff balls! Devilish, murdering

Beasts. The stupid creatures are here

expanse area. Perhaps they are gathering the monsters over there, just as

Dangit!

thought I was finally free of

is growing louder as the horde kicks up dust as they rush towards us. Only a hundred or so more metres and they'll be amongst the villagers. Not willing to wait, I

to power up a Gravity Bomb. I'm going to have to do this the old fashioned

a gravity spear as quickly as possible. I haven't had that much time to rest since battling against the Croca Commander but

swiftly weaving together the magic, layers flowing together as if in

Gravity Spear! Times three!

could miss, slamming into the front line of the wave, snaring

next wave of spears take shape. I pour forth my gravity mana and empower the spells, letting them fly just

me who crashes

smash into the thick of the monsters and their blows begin to rain down on my carapace,

if I'm just going to sit here and take

Shattering Bite!

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 me sprawling, I

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

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