Chrysalis

THWACK!

HIYA!

SNAP!

The moment I entered the Queen’s chamber, a powerful antennae came flying at my head. This time though, I was prepared, I’d thought ahead, inspired by Morrelia’s thoughtfulness I had anticipated how my reception would begin.

Thus it was that I stood upside at the entrance, clinging to the roof with one of my mother’s antennae clasped between my own. Sword catching is for fools, antennae catching is a whole new level.

"Hold on a second, mother! It isn’t like you to be hasty!" I appealed.

The Queen’s eyes lay on me like a weight, peaceful, serene, but heavy.

"I see you have brought a gift for me child" she replied evenly.

I tried to shrug my antennae whilst still gripping hers and largely failed. I wouldn’t weaken my hold just yet, in case she felt I was being particularly foolish.

"Oh this old thing?" I deflected, "there are so many of them up on the surface that I’m starting to think they don’t hold any value at all. Why, I almost feel bad giving you something of such low rarity."

"In that case" mother answered, amusement rippling through her voice, "perhaps it would be best if you kept it for yourself."

Dang it! Operation downplay the core was a failure.

"Is this the kind of welcome you give to your child who was away from home, slaving away as a scout in dangerous territories for the colony?" I try a different tack and divert the conversation.

I may have struck a chord with mother on that one, since she retracts her antennae from my grip before she responds.

"Welcome home child. I am, of course, very pleased to see you, even if I am concerned at what mischief you might have caused whilst you were away."

Oh, she’s definitely amused now. I reply whilst climbing down the wall to the chamber floor, hoping to put myself on more solid ground.

"You wound me, mother" I say reproachfully even as I sweat inside.

and company to come down this was earlier than they had planned, but considering the Kaarmodo lizard was

necessitates her guard to be constantly on-alert, seizing monsters the moment they spawn from the walls, subduing them

a couple of things that came up whilst I was

antennae waggled

had assumed as much the moment

Ouch.

haven’t seen her about?" I wondered, trying to shift the focus of conversation away

the bait. Her eyes shone

she is currently positioned with the brood under the watchful eye of the tenders. Did you know she’d already evolved?" she

your pet has brought

have someone be your devoted companion. I only had to think of the ever loyal Crinis resting

she’ll be able to add

will be so helpful for

Now that I’ve reminded her of all the good work I’ve done, it’s time to bring her attention

"So about this core..."

THWACK!

Ouch!

the sky, the Queen’s antennae descended on my head. Even with all of my upgrades, that

are others in a better position to make use of this gift than

winced, but held

already have one, and I’m not going to need another for a long time. I promise you I will obtain more of these cores for myself before I

The Queen wasn’t convinced.

strong as possible. I am the only Queen in this colony right now, but there are two others who will soon fulfil this role. I do

were lost. In truth, I suspect that she simply sees herself as performing her function for the

point we disagree and I’m not going to

fight. There is no other ant in this colony who is close to matching me. What we need isn’t more battle potential, we

go along with my idea. Why is it so hard to convince this particular monster to get

will be again. In truth, giving you this core will increase our fighting potential the most, as well as increase the future growth prospects of the colony. You have to accept it. Even if all it does

my words ran out, for the first time I noticed that not only was the Queen watching me in her careful way, but so where her guards, all

Mother" one of them spoke

a boon to the colony" another

not fall" a third chipped in, standing