Chrysalis

As we flee from the scene of the battle with all haste, I take a moment to let the System messages from the battle roll over me.

[You have slain Level 54 Legionem Shieldbearer (Human)]

[You have slain Level 44 Legionem Armoured Scout (Human)]

[You have slain Level 45 Legionem Shieldbearer (Human)]

[You have slain Level 58 Legionem Swordsman (Human)]

[You have slain Level 42 Legionem Armoured Scout (Human)]

[You have gained experience]

[You have reached level 58]

A lot of experience was gained there. Also, the next evolution is getting a lot closer. Another twenty two levels and I'll reach that mythical level 80 that seemed so far away after I'd evolved. It's a shame to leave their armour and technology behind, but I don't want any delays. I believe it's likely they'll have a way to know when their people go down. All in all, this ambush was highly successful, but still, I can't shake the feeling that my mandibles are unclean.

[They have come to kill you, Master. Don't worry over them when they wouldn't do the same for you,] Crinis' voice echoes in my mind.

I twitch, startled by her sudden words. How well is she able to read my mood? I still have meditation active! I hardly even have a mood!

[What do you mean?] I ask her, [why would I be feeling anything other than triumph right now?]

pause as Crinis considers

for a long time now, Master. I have watched carefully and I see more than you think. I know that you do not want to hurt the humans. You didn't really want to hurt the golgari either. Even though they are filth that treated Master so poorly! They

[Crinis!]

you sad, so I spoke. I hope I have

I sigh.

are. I felt as though… I felt like we could be a bit better than this, with monsters for everyone to fight against, why would they go out of their way to fight us? I thought if the Colony was peaceful and didn't attack anyone, then we'd be left alone. At

can feel Crinis bristle on my

to attack your family? None! These

riled up. I can feel the teeth of her tentacles grinding against my perfect diamond shell. I wince. Please don't scratch me! It

matter who's wrong or right now,] I try to soothe her, [this is the situation that we're in and we're going to have to deal with it. I can't be half-assed anymore, it's them or us, and we weren't the ones to

[Master?]

[Yes?]

[What's an ass?]

[…]

I even explain it… monsters don't

we come to the point I'd been looking for. That weird root had appeared in this location and I want to

first there had been a regular, second strata tunnel, filled with darkness and the scent of death, grasping plants and shadow beasts, is a now a totally different scene. Green vegetation has

is this?" I ask nobody in

talking to us?" Protectant asks from over my head.

---. Doesn't matter I suppose. Should we try and push into

distance from the root itself and I can't even see it, but I can't imagine anything else is responsible for this explosion of greenery. Seeing this amount of bright plant life, is just so weird

to my pets, [but I've got a bad feeling about this place. I'm not

might be a scary thing, which is fine with me, since that would mean that those stupid soldiers will have to deal with