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 think I need to rest before I can enjoy it. Besides, I can't feel at ease knowing what Sarah is going through. If she doesn't fight, then isn't she

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

then. I'm going to go talk to the leadership and

do you mean? What's going on with these ants,

just

WHAT?!] The worm

I get defensive.

help out my

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

super cool Colony of

my god. I can't take it anymore. I'm going

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

chamber for us to use so we don't block off the tunnel, which still has a ton of traffic moving through it as ants go about their

see you again!" This from

this operation was a success." Sloan tips

a lot, Eldest! You didn't happen to pick up any new magical secrets, did you?"

learned a lot. About a heap of things, which I'm happy

to adjust. The Vestibule continues to pump me

back with you all.

you! Through great danger and GLORIOUS battle

"Shut up, Leeroy."

"Yes, Eldest."

far

can 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 through the tunnels, we could probably triple that

"HOLY MOLY."

a heck of a

did you guys even

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