Chrysalis

Tiny, Crinis and I hauled ourselves out of our temporary respite home to join Morrelia on the surface.

[What happened to the survivors of Midum?] I queried.

[They're getting their stuff together and heading south as quick as their legs will carry them. It might take them awhile to get on the road though, they have almost the entire city to loot after all] Morrelia smirked.

[How much of that stuff is going to be useful? If they turn up with a mountain of vases and precious jewels they are going to be pretty damn useless when they get to the village. I don't think they even have currency there yet.]

[Oh I've no doubt there will be some idiots who prioritise valuables, but I think that most of them will be more sensible and bring things that will be actually useful. I'm expecting quite the interesting haul.]

Judging by the dangerous glint in Morrelias eyes there is assuredly something she knows that I don't. As long as it doesn't affect the colony in any way, then I don't really care what they get up to.

[So ] I prompted her, [what about this trail you found?]

[Oh, right. When I following you to this location I happened to notice that something had carved a path through the forest before doubling back and heading toward Liria. Judging by the tracks there is absolutely a big beastie in the mix.]

[Interesting] I mused out loud, [perhaps their core ran out of mana, forcing them to turn back to the city in order to recharge? It isn't as if they have a local guide to point them toward every little crack in the ground after all.]

Morrelia leaned toward me, interest pain on her face.

[So the mana on the surface is too thin for you? Is your core really that developed?]

My antennae waved self-consciously.

core shaming me? Yes, the mana on the surface is too

She shrugged.

creatures from the first strata are able to run around on the surface

me that the mother of those beasts would be too

paused for a moment before she looked

finally, [she is way too strong to be as close to the surface as

forthcoming on that topic, so I let

I managed to get a food a quick nap. Core aside, I needed the rest. There has been way too much running about up here! It

a few things from me, specifically about the Dungeon and Garralosh, but I don't mind that too much. If someone spent their entire life fighting against monsters, it would be a little

the Dungeon? Sounds like some sort of nightmare. Couldn't they just dig? Thinking about the pathetic hands on the

intent. Leaned forward as she runs, her eyes are alight with a hunger that wasn't there before, her lips peeled back to reveal too many teeth her entire expression has transformed to that of a beast. Her head jerks back and forth and she follows the tracks, seeking any sign of monsters having snuck off or others joining. So intense is her focus I think she could

managed to beat one last time

and truly covered my step count for the day but it doesn't end. Through the woods and then out into open farmland the chase continued. I'm interested to see that a significant number of farm animals remain on the surface, wandering here and there as they grazed on the grass. Most of the fences have been knocked down or have

would have chowed down on these guys

someone smarter than me will

catch glimpses of our quarry. A small pack of beasts, mostly offspring of Garralosh, with a few others types thrown into the mix for giggles. Sure enough, in the centre

growl under her breath. She appears to hate these more evolved Croca Beasts even more than she hates normal monsters. Which is a heck of a

Commander] I tell her, [Ever fought one of those