Chrysalis

In the distance, a rising tide of fangs, claws and flesh approached. When Morrelia squinted, she could make out the individual forms of the monsters as they undulated across the land and between the trees. There didn’t seem to be an end to the horde. They spread. Like water pooling over the floor from a spilled cup, until they filled the space in front of her.

It wouldn’t be long until they lapped up against the fortifications the villagers had erected and the battle would begin in earnest.

"I’m still not certain we shoulda put ourselves so close to our ’neighbours’," Isaac muttered.

Morrelia rolled her eyes.

"You spent several days with their leader and came home just fine. Do you really think they’re going to eat us?"

The former guard shifted uncomfortably.

"I’m jus’ sayin’ we might want to on our guard once the fightin’ is done. Maybe we look appetising at that point."

"If we live to see the end of this battle, there’ll be tens of thousands of dead monsters right over there. I don’t think they’ll need to turn on us for food," Morrelia pointed out before turning her back on the man.

Despite his experience in the field with Anthony, he still had difficulty overcoming his instincts to distrust monsters.

Not that he’s entirely wrong about that.

afraid of the colony of strange ants, or their stranger spokes...ant. She just ... wasn’t. She was cautious of them, always cautious, but not afraid. Perhaps she was just losing her edge. Or, more likely, grabbing onto whatever piece of debris

much longer until they arrive?" Enid asked, walking

the human village and nodded her head respectfully. Enid may never have been a soldier, but she had Morrelia’s

main body of the horde reaches us. Could be a lot less if they decide to pick up the pace as they

the monsters. Morrelia choked back a laugh as she watched the older woman. Enid looked as if she were staring at dog that had spread mud on her carpet rather than a slavering mass of Dungeon monsters the likes of which the surface hadn’t seen in

have to get our people in position then. Is everyone

ever be, ma’am," Isaac chipped in, flashing a broad

moment he’d met Enid. If the age difference were any less severe, Morrelia would have suspected him of ulterior motives, as it was she believed he was

leapt down from the rampart and jogged toward the

decked out in her full fighting gear already and the boiled leather gave her an intimidating air that was only heightened by the plethora of weapons

spread by nearby trees. Looking at their tired faces, Morrelia mentally kicked herself. She had to continuously remind herself that she wasn’t dealing with professional soldiers,

were willing. By the Legion they were willing. When she beat them down, they stood up. When she drilled them to exhaustion, they wanted more.

then a little further. Constant practice in the village, constant delves into the Dungeon, had brought everyone to the edge. Morrelia herself had barely slept in the past week, snatching a few hours here and there. She was used to it however, broken sleep like this was standard practice when on a delve. The villagers had no such tolerance and once the training

could, let’s see if it was enough to keep them

a

SICK! THERE’S BLOOD TO BE SPILLED AND SURE AS HELL

instantly to her call. Sleep was rubbed out of eyes

she know that on the rampart

Isaac sighed as he watched Morrelia’s distant form, her shout still ringing