Chrysalis

The shadow falls like clouds, like rain;

Creeping dread begins to stain;

Shudder the heart, freeze the brain;

Ring out the laughter, again and again;

Call of you lover, daughter, son;

Sinks into your ears, your will undone;

Forward you step, your soul is wrung;

Cannot resist, Gon has come;

Who can defy that fateful call?

Who can escape the shadows pall?

Forward you go, heedless to stall;

Into the depths to meet the fall;

Lament the brave and pity the meek;

None can flee the song of the freak;

• Rinnidan children's rhyme.

Legionem Abyssi a part of him that had long been dead was once again full of life. Not that anyone could tell looking at his face, of course, to the world at large he appeared as stone faced and duty bound as ever. Ever since Morrelia had been selected for accelerated development his pride had almost been ready to burst out of his chest. It would seem odd to most people, but watching her earnestly work herself to the bone in

lost. It had grown easier to bear over the years, but only a little. His acute awareness of how fleeting joy could be only made

Morrelia and back to the numerous papers scattered across his desk. Administrative work was the backbone of the Legion, and though he would rather charge into a horde of demons without armour on, the commander would do his duty and defeat the enemy that rested

be accounted for, equipped, fed, billeted and kept happy. Promotions, training, Skill development, Class upgrades, managing morale, all of it demanded the careful attention of the commander in charge and Titus knew just how important each of these were to the successful running

on the

Aurillia burst through the door, his old comrade looked around the room as

of her old friend and superior, she froze when she saw the hard lines of his expression. Though he always looked carved from granite, right now the commander appeared as if he was forged from Abyssal Iron! Knowing him for as

Titus?" she demanded, using his name in

officers of his Legion, she was prepared to face his wrath if the moment demanded it. After a long moment where he took

to concentrate," he admitted as he waved a

the Dungeon?" she grinned.

Titus frowned.

I'm proud, but that doesn't mean I want to hear gossiping amongst

trained when she was a young lass? Why would we?" the old tribune innocently spread her

"Hmph," Titus snorted.

setting. Overwork is a real issue and she is clearly pushing up against the boundary," Aurillia grew serious as she laid out her concerns. "We've seen her stumbling into camp once every few days, covered in ichor and half dead on her feet. She spends so much time in the field they are rotating three squads to accompany her. She's

Titus didn't blink.

she

it was her decision and the rest of

"There it is."

be serious, Titus! This is your daughter we're talking about, don't tell me that

but that didn't mean he got to

he told her, looking her straight in the eye, "you don't know what it takes to succeed at that level.

much is insane! She could

hard as steel. "I will support her choices. She understands the risks and is willing to shoulder them. I will hear no more of