Chrysalis

I enter the egg-laying chamber to find Sarah rubbing the top of her giant bear head with one paw whilst mother looms over her, clearly irritated. A nearby mage spins together a mind bridge and I allow it to connect to me without complaint. It seems that mother wants Sarah to be able to listen in on the conversation. Makes sense, excluding her and using pheromone language would be quite rude in these circumstances.

[Was this your idea?] Mother demands with less than her usual patience.

[She blames herself for what happened and you are the only one who can really forgive her,] I shrug my antennae. [It made sense to send her down here so she could tell you herself and get punished for it.]

[Wait. You knew I was going to get whacked?] Sarah says, an accusatory glint in her eye.

[Thwacked. And of course, you were being ridiculous. Me trying to knock some sense into you just wouldn't have the same effect, so I sent you down to experience some of Mother's wisdom.]

THWACK!

Oof! Still hurts! Maybe after my next evolution and my carapace is upgraded these won't be quite so sharp? Or perhaps I should concentrate a build-up of extra dense carapace on the top of my head? I eye the Queen's antennae carefully. I'm certain she's chosen some form of mutation that makes them hit harder.

[Stop staring at my antennae,] the Queen demands.

[How could you even tell?! I have compound eyes!]

[I just know,] she says nonsensically.

[Alright, so Sarah got thwacked for being dumb,] I rub my head just as she was a moment ago, [why did I get hit?]

[The same reason,] the Queen tells me, still clearly annoyed.

Well, it isn't as if I didn't know it was coming.

[Did you explain to Sarah that she was wrong to think as she did?] I try to deflect.

[No,] the Queen replies, [I just told her she was being foolish, because she was.]

a little

her, [I'll get back to you in a

flinches and sits up a little straighter, like a schoolchild being reprimanded by a teacher. I snicker at the sight and the

she says,

Careful Anthony…

not, mother. My attitude is solemn and serious,

my words so finally settles down a little. She turns back to Sarah, sparing me her forensic examination for

from you,] she tells Sarah, her mental voice once more settling into its normal soothing tone. [This is now your home and we are now your family. There is no such thing as blame between us so long as that remains true. The choices of your friend are not your

Sarah hung her head.

it's that

raises an antennae

waves her massive clawed paws in front of

from the side. Truly there is no power greater than the

THWACK!

that

some foolish thoughts coming from your direction,] the Queen

I need to be more careful when there's

the chamber and settles herself comfortably. [Let us talk, it's been some time since last

honest with them, for the most part. I talk to Sarah about her current evolution and how she feels about it, not great, it turns out. The Queen suggests that perhaps she push for tier seven, where she may be able to reverse or at least alter some of the things her current form does that drive her out of control

have Granin and his triad here,] I tell her. [They might be from the cult of the worm, but they're good people, like the ones who originally took you in. They'll be more than happy to

think

The conversation turns from there to the Queen's evolution and I ask

eggs. I am accumulating experience slowly, on my own, eventually I will reach tier seven, but it will not be for

I'm a little dismayed to find that I'm leaking mana. How's this even possible? There's a wave going on! Only then do I remember that the walls in this chamber are free from dungeon veins, making the ambient mana much lower than it would otherwise be. Even so, I'm quite shocked. It's quite possible that once the wave is finished I won't

depth, Sarah?] I ask her directly. [Is your core able to

is a bit thin. I can't stay in here forever. Without the golgari enchantments thickening the mana in my chambers, there's no way I would have been able to stay in

you need to move deeper, child?] the Queen

I reluctantly nod.

so,] I confess, [especially once the wave is