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.

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 order to achieve her ambitions had filled him with powerful

as his thoughts dwelt on what had been lost. It had grown easier to

from 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 on the flat surface before him. Once more

training, Skill development, Class upgrades, managing morale, all of it demanded the careful attention of the commander in

Titus crashed his fist down on the table as his thoughts strayed

the door, his old comrade looked around the room as if expecting to

wrong! As she glanced back to the face 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

demanded, using his name in a breach

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

it difficult to concentrate," he admitted as he waved a hand towards the piles of forms and applications in front of

about your daughter out working hard in the Dungeon?" she grinned. "I know how proud you

Titus frowned.

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

young lass? Why would we?" the old tribune innocently spread her

"Hmph," Titus snorted.

her stumbling into camp once every few days, covered in ichor and

Titus didn't blink.

she say?" he

it was her decision and the rest of us should leave off," the tribune

"There it is."

can't be serious, Titus! This is your daughter we're

didn't mean he got to overrule Morrelia's

don't know what it takes to succeed at that

much is insane!

decision," Titus stated, his tone hard as steel. "I will support her choices. She understands the risks and is willing to shoulder them. I will hear no