Chrysalis

The Shapers in the stands watched in shocked silence as the ant monster relaxed its pose and made its way across to its defeated foe. At first, it didn't seem as if there was anything left after the vortex of doom vanished but when Granin looked closely he could see a small ball the size of his own clenched fist resting in the depression left behind in the aftermath of the spell.

Anthony crawled down into the crater and before the befuddled eyes of the spectators began to drag the sphere back toward his own exit where a very wary triad of guards was waiting.

Even though he was forewarned, Granin was as stunned as everyone else. Anthony had warned him that he wouldn't believe it until he saw it, and he was right! What the hell was that?! The incredible suction, that horrifying dark sphere that seemed to consume the very air itself! The power was beyond his expectations, far beyond! Judging by the look on Inaron's face, he was struggling to accept what he'd just seen also.

"I have to hand it to you, Inaron," Granin tried to play it cool, "I'm truly impressed by the defensive capabilities your monster displayed. Great work."

So saying, he tried to escape from the spectator area by walking casually toward the exit. Unfortunately, he didn't make it three steps before Inaron grabbed him by the arm.

"What in the name of the Worm was that?! I've never seen that spell before Granin!"

"Oh, that? You know, it's a …" he groped for some excuse to play it off, "a combination of dark and fire magic. You felt that wind kick up, right? That's from the, uh, flames."

He tried to pull his arm loose but the numbed Iranon still had him locked in a death grip. Glancing around he could see that other Shapers had recovered from their initial malaise and had started to move toward him. If he got stuck here he'd be bogged down by questions and pestering until he crumbled to dust! He couldn't allow it. If he left Anthony alone for that long the insect would be dragged away by Gravus to a separate chamber and he'd probably never find him again. He had to get out, now.

Granin was a Golgari of action. Make a plan, follow the plan, always deliver. So that's what he would do. He turned to face Iranon head-on and placed his loose hand on the Shaper's shoulder.

"Sorry about this Iranon. I'll buy you some Rock Beer next time."

"What are you -."

BAM!

mage of advanced age would do. He turned and bolted for the exits shouldering aside all who tried to accost him on his way. Angry shouts punctuated the air in his wake but he didn't dare delay. The moment word of what happened got back to

I know you said it was big, but

the tunnels for Granin to finally make it Anthony's chamber. When he arrived he was relieved to see Corun and Torrina already here and no

nearly shouted. "I could hear it from out in the

pointed at the ant attempting to gnaw at

say anything," Corun grumbled, "just tell me it's his 'special move' and can't

keeping it under wraps now, isn't it?] Granin sent to the bug-brained fool. [The whole place is in an uproar! I had

head, but Granin had grown to understand that due to his compound eyes Anthony could

Keeping Corun in the dark is just fun, he's practically

Granin froze.

[That's so petty!]

trying to eat here Granin. What do

ant tried to snap and chomp at the ball on the ground in front of it,

compressed?] Torrina broke in to

the force of gravity! With enough mana that spell could probably do the same thing to the planet as it did

Granin's eyes bulged.

did you say?!] he

take, like, a lot of mana. Way too much. What you saw then was pretty much

Shaper tried to clear his head for a moment. Torrina filled

things heavier or lighter. How does it produce the effect