Chrysalis

[Not going to hurt me, eh? That sounds like something someone planning to hurt me might say!]

Aha! I'm not going to fall for your games! This is most likely to be a sneak attack! Although my escort still hasn't moved away, standing around in me a rough circle facing inwards, I don't imagine that they'd be too interested in staying around in the event another monster came over and started to throw down. Perhaps they aren't lying?

[Um. I'm not going to attack you. The Shapers wanted me to talk to you!]

[Oh really? If they wanted to talk to me, why wouldn't they just do it themselves?!]

I still can't identify the origin of this mind bridge. I know it's somewhere either inside this circular combat space, or just outside it. I can see other entrances spaced around the outside edge, there's a possibility the individual communicating is beyond one of these. The fact they've been able to disguise their mind bridge indicates that they have a not inconsiderable amount of skill, something to be wary of.

[I think… they mentioned that they thought you would respond better if you spoke to someone like you…]

[Someone like me? An ant?! Are you a member of my colony come to rescue me and suffered capture as well?! Impossible! How could you know where I was?! Are you from a rival colony!? Come forth and I shall exterminate you!]

[Wow, you're an ant? They didn’t mention that. I wonder why? You aren't disgusting, are you?]

How offensive!

[I'm an ant! Of course I'm not disgusting! I'm the most noble and incredible arthropod of them all!]

[Okay! Settle down! You're really fiery. This isn't what I expected…]

[Well don't blame me for being a little tense. I get captured, locked up, told I have to fight in death matches and then marched out here without anyone saying a word. Then someone starts trash talking my species. I mean, how would you react?]

The distant voice seems to pause for a moment to consider before responding.

[You know what, I would be pretty mad. I'm sorry. I should have realised the Shapers would give you the silent treatment, they're often like that. I've been here for a long time, so I've kind of gotten used to it.]

here a long time?

one, which makes me think you're a monster, but you also say you don't intend to hurt me, which doesn't sound like something a monster can guarantee right now, considering the whole, 'monsters will fight to

that. Look, I'm going to be straight with you, I'm a monster, like you. More than that, I'm a

[…]

you excited? I know I was when I finally got a chance to talk to someone else like

[…]

have anything

a little odd having this conversation when I can't see you. Second, I guess I'm a bit surprised. I really didn't think

you're so young! It took me

while then? Yes, I met with one, she wasn't what I would

that happens to some of us. To be honest, all of the people like us that

that does seem to

I would have to say

having this little

have to fight them in the end. In my compound vision, I make sure to pay attention to my escort in order to witness any change in their behaviour. For the moment they appear, much as they always have, with a

come out, just give

it open, but a solid jump, as if an elephant had just

and colouration are quite strange, it's quite clear what

[You're a bear!]

of the monster jerks up at my words,

Ugh. You really are

really rubbing my

clearly incredible and amazing. Why the heck would you want to be a stupid

the door and ambles out into the open before starting to waddle over toward me. In terms of size, it's significantly larger than I am, bulging muscles ripple with each forward step

that bears are better than ants.

the win, second, what guys?