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!]

can't feel at ease

and rescue his friend. Now that the Colony has exposed itself, there isn't much reason not to back and try 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 the outpost and get out before that can happen. If we pull

let you rest here then. I'm going to go talk to the leadership and see what we

What do you mean? What's going on

little hard to explain. Let's just say, I made ants as

WHAT?!] The worm

I get defensive.

just wanted to help out

the intelligence of humans? Do

a super

I can't take

worm 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

find the usual suspects gathered nearby, waiting for me to turn up for a chat. They dug out a convenient meeting chamber for us to use so we don't block off the tunnel,

wonderful to see you again!" This from

see that this operation was

gone through a lot, Eldest! You didn't happen to pick up any new magical secrets,

About a heap of things, which I'm happy to share a bit later

It's all a bit overwhelming. The situation has changed so quickly that I need a moment to adjust. The Vestibule continues to pump me

back with you

came to get you! Through great danger and GLORIOUS battle we have

"Shut up, Leeroy."

"Yes, Eldest."

far from the nest have we

approximately a hundred and thirty two kilometres in a straight line across the surface from

"HOLY MOLY."

heck of a long

even manage

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