Chrysalis

When I finally come across Jim, he's shivering up against the wall of the tunnel as dozens of ants keep watch on him, some literally on top of him.

[Jim! You made it out, alright I see!]

[Anthony! Thank the- WHAT THE HELL IS THAT?!]

[You mean Crinis? She's my pet.]

[THAT is your pet?]

[For sure, she's great. Anyway, why are you shaking like a leaf in a storm? Something wrong?]

[Every cell in my body is screaming at me to escape from these ants. I swear they are tasting me in their minds. They look hungry, Anthony!]

[You can't tell if an ant is hungry by looking at them, Jim.]

[I can sense it.]

[No you can't! Besides, what would be the point? We ants are always hungry.]

[Nooooo. Don't eat me, Anthony! I have a family! My poor worm children!]

[You aren't going to be eaten, Jim!] I scoff at him. [If the Colony was going to eat you, you'd be eaten already! Just relax for a second.]

[It's hard to relax when literal predators are climbing on you.]

He has a good point. When it comes to insects and small organisms, ants are just about kings of the hill. Worms are just one of the near infinite number of things that ants will prey upon as they seek out the protein they need to raise the ravenous brood.

[Just take a minute to appreciate your achievement! You're free! You made it out! If you want to, you can slither into the wall and vanish. Back to the Dungeon!]

I can enjoy it. Besides, I can't feel at

to bust her out. If it's going to happen though, it'll need to happen soon. The Golgari will get word of an active ant colony soon and will start to mobilise their no doubt considerable resources against us. We need to get in, hit

to go talk to the leadership

do you mean? What's going on

explain. Let's just say, I made

did WHAT?!] The worm

I get defensive.

wanted to help out my

made giant monstrous ants with the intelligence of humans? Do you have any idea what

a super cool Colony of

my god. I can't take it

goes totally limp and flops on the ground under the watchful eye of his ant protectors. What's his deal anyway? I don't see how smart ants are any worse than smart apes or smart rock-skinned people. In fact, aren't they just better? I mean, I'll take my current family over my old one in a heartbeat. No time to worry about that now. I need to find whichever members of the Council were foolish

us to use so we don't block

see

this operation was a success."

didn't happen to pick up any new magical secrets, did

About a heap of things, which I'm

to adjust. The Vestibule continues to pump me full of energy and keep me fresh, but the emotional

great to be back with you

course we came to get you! Through great danger and GLORIOUS battle we have made our way

"Shut up, Leeroy."

"Yes, Eldest."

we? How far from

field that," Burke chips in, "we're approximately a hundred and thirty two kilometres in a straight line across the surface from the nest. In terms of movement

"HOLY MOLY."

of a long

you guys even manage to find

Three hundred kilometres of tunnel? In a matter of weeks?! What the heck have they had