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.

there is some bad news coming our way but it isn’t my fault this time! I may have caused Garralosh and company to come down this was earlier than they had planned, but considering the Kaarmodo lizard was actively utilising scrying magic,

than myself. Her chamber still rests under the surface level, within the Dungeon, which necessitates her guard to be constantly on-alert, seizing monsters the moment they spawn from the walls, subduing them

couple of things that came up whilst I was

waggled with

the moment you

Ouch.

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

happy to take the bait. Her eyes shone warmly as she discussed her

with the brood under the watchful eye

your pet

someone be your devoted companion. I only had to think of the ever loyal Crinis resting on my back to remind myself of the security a devoted pet brought to the

now and she’ll be able to add her own eggs to

"it will be so helpful for

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

"So about this core..."

THWACK!

Ouch!

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

position to make use of this gift than I, child, we have discussed this before" Mother

but held

cores for myself before I

The Queen wasn’t convinced.

in this colony right now, but there are two others who will soon fulfil this role. I do

sure if she’s just humble or if she just genuinely doesn’t understand what it would mean for the colony if she were lost. In truth, I

and I’m

rare core already and soon I’ll be prepared to evolve. I promise you that whatever battles threaten the family, I will stand forward and fight. There is no other ant in this colony who is close to matching me. What we need

the Queen to go along with

as well as increase the future growth prospects of the colony. You have to accept it. Even if all it does is relieve the nerves of the workers, none of us want to lose you and it will give us comfort to see you as powerful as you

my words ran out, for the first time I noticed that not only was the Queen watching me in her careful

one

would be a boon to

fall" a third chipped in, standing directly on the