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!]

before I can enjoy it. Besides, I can't feel at ease knowing what Sarah is going

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 the Colony all the way

to the leadership and see

What do you mean? What's going

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

did WHAT?!]

I get defensive.

just wanted to help out my family,

giant monstrous ants with the intelligence of humans?

made a super

I can't take it anymore. I'm

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 enough to come all the way out here. Wherever 'here' is. Time

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,

to see you again!" This from

to see that this operation was a

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

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

The situation has changed so quickly that I need a moment to adjust. The Vestibule continues to pump

great to be back with you all.

you! Through great danger and GLORIOUS battle we have made our way to sacrifice ourselves to

"Shut up, Leeroy."

"Yes, Eldest."

far

thirty two kilometres in a straight line across the surface from the nest. In terms

"HOLY MOLY."

a heck of a

did you guys even manage

In a matter of weeks?! What the heck have they had to do in order to cover that sort of