Chrysalis

The nameless one came back to herself precisely eight hours later, rested and refreshed. Truly the greatest experience of torpor could only be enjoyed here, on the fulcrum of eight amongst her fellow members of the order. As the rest of those on her shift came awake and began to move off their segment they greeted each other in the hidden language, signing with their antennae and exchanging plans for the day. As they passed the acolyte on the outer edge of the fulcrum they greeted her as she did them, exchanged a few signs with the now ending shift and then they were away, ready to start the shift.

The nameless one was eager to begin. Sixteen hours of solid work lay in front of her and it was imperative that she make a fast start. They never skipped their rest in the order, which meant they had to work harder, faster and more efficient than every other member of the Colony, otherwise how could they hope to police them? So it was that all of the newly awakened broke into a sprint the moment they were clear of the inner chamber, running to their assignments as fast as they could, vanishing into the Dark Passage and emerging from hidden exits all over the nest. The nameless one did not join them immediately. Her rank was such that she needed to make an additional stop before she could begin her work.

She rushed through the sanctum, completely soundless, until she came to a small, elaborately carved chamber in which an acolyte stood completely still. She approached respectfully.

The Eldest rests, she greeted the acolyte of shadows respectfully.

Eight hours a day, came the reply and both genuflected.

What word from the shadows? The nameless one asked. Is there a task?

There is, came the solemn reply. The many-headed beast has stirred against us once more, seeking to escape their responsibilities and our notice.

Again!?

So soon? Are we sure of this intelligence?

acolyte eyed her

for us to question

nameless one bowed her head

come across this news. The many-headed beast is cunning beyond compare, it has hidden its plans deep. The acolyte waggled her antennae in a

where do I strike? The nameless one

beneath the croca-star. A waypoint has been established and an acolyte of planning will

I go.

certain. Once more into the Dark Passage, the hidden way between the tunnels. Long had the carvers and mages in the order laboured on these narrow tunnels. Undetectable, devoid of light and intricate in their design, they were woven throughout the very heart of the Colony and reached nearly every part of it. Even the new satellite nests had the Dark Passage woven into their design, carvers of the order building the tunnels and establishing

the Colony went, so

her antennae constantly moving, feeling and sensing for the hidden location markers carved into the walls. It was additionally tense in the Passage during the Wave, she had to constantly be on the lookout for monsters. Although she ran past a few, she knew that these were pets, controlled by the core shapers within the order who had tasked their charges with sweeping the tunnels clean. She gave them their space and continued to

arrived at the confluence, a wide meeting point of many tunnels close to the heart of the Nest. Many of her siblings were here when she arrived, moving from tunnel to tunnel, gathering into teams, or meeting with the present acolytes of action to coordinate their strikes. She had other business. She turned her attention and antennae to the roof and began to feel her way amongst the descriptive carvings there. The entire ceiling was an elaborate mural, though she had met none who could claim to know who carved it, which contained many scenes radiating out from the centre of the chamber, each filled with breathtaking beauty. It was the outer edge of the chamber that contained what she sought, and she headed there directly and began moving clockwise around the edge. At various points she came across various monsters defeated by the Eldest emblazoned on a

The croca-star.

nearby acolyte and greeted her. Genuflections complete, they began to discuss

torpor and gather in one place, which

the meeting place? The

discovering just that. From what we

grows ever more