Chrysalis

I regret my choices. Many of them. How did this situation wind up with me facing down this inhuman axe-maniac whilst he charged his weapon with what feels like enough energy to cut a mountain in half? The things that people do for their families, that's all I can say. I can feel the Colony and Invidia working overtime to establish all the shields they can as quickly as possible, layering the protections across the already potent enchantments of the gate. Hopefully it's going to be enough.

[Crinis, get off me.]

[NO!]

[IT'S AN ORDER! GET OUT OF THE WAY!]

I refuse to let her get caught up in the fallout here. Her Skills and mutations are totally unsuited to facing down this kind of situation, all that will happen is she'll get herself killed for nothing. That's an outcome I won't allow. I barely register as my loyal friend peels herself off my carapace and disappears into the shadows along the side of the tunnel, all of my focus is on that dreaded axe. My minds churn as I try to think of anything I can do to help mitigate this attack. Sinking into the depths of meditation, time almost seems to slow as I process everything as fast as I can. Do I have enough time to whip together a spell? Probably not, judging by the speed the axe strike is gathering energy, it's almost ready to go. Can I create a physical barrier somehow? Digging maybe? Unlikely to help. This guy is trying to cut down solid steel gates with an axe. If I put a few rocks in the way it isn't going to make a difference.

There has to be something, think!

As I try to come up with ideas, the lone Legionary continues to sprint forward under the combined bombardment of everything the Colony can throw at him. Tiny is blasting with lightning. Acid is raining from the openings in the gate and walls. Spells fall like rain as the mages spit out fireballs, ice shards and everything else they can muster. Maybe I can use a little gravity magic? I don't need to spin a construct for it and I'm well practiced at the basic forms, my main mind doesn't even need to get involved.

Quick as a thought, my sub-brains begin to form and throw out basic gravity bolts at the onrushing juggernaut in the hopes that it does something. All I can really do beyond that is try and get up in this guy's face. I dig my claws in the stone to get a firm grip and take a moment to steady my nerves.

DASH!

as

the jaws of

everyone who draws too close. Even sunk into meditation with all of my emotions pushed to one side I can feel it. A rage that seems to bubble up from within and eat away at my thoughts. I don't let it. Even the cold logical thoughts of my own brain, severed from my emotions, tell me that this course of action is illogical.

my carapace is telling me that this is a pivotal moment. He cannot be allowed to sunder the gate.

close on one another at hectic speeds. My mandibles stretch open wide, the dark energy of the doom chomp manifesting around me as I approach. More and more gravity bolts fly forward, peppering the figure all over without slowing his seemingly unstoppable momentum. Just before I reach him my mandibles begin to snap shut as every cell in my body screams for me to flee this danger, to get out of the way and preserve myself because this is something

I don't listen.

other people expected of me.

stretched right to the breaking point, before unleashing his strike. It's so fast I don't even see the axe move. One minute it’s over his shoulder, the gauntlets gripped tight around the haft, the next the axe is buried in the stone at his feet, all the way up to those same gauntlets. My mandibles strain for a final second as the world flickers before me and I feel a tidal wave of energy explode in the air in front of my face. It’s a blade of axe light like none I've ever seen before. Instead of the normal soft glow of white light, this arc of

one side but in a flash the strike is upon me. Then it's gone. One of my sub-brains triggers my healing gland without my conscious thought and a feeling of almost puzzlement flutters in me. Why do that? But then the pain comes. Searing agony explodes down the right side of

[Master! I'm here!]

thoughts are sluggish,

eyes are covered, I can see the sole Legionary in front of me on one knee, his weapon still buried in the ground as he draws deep, shuddering breaths. Despite being so vulnerable, no attacks fall on him. Why

as Crinis pulls me into the shadow, dragging my body through the darkness and out the other side. Where am