Chrysalis

Hello dear readers! Tolly here, once again reporting on my ongoing adventures in the lands of the Colony! The town of Renewal and the surrounding farmlands were a picturesque and inspiring sight that told a tale of the strength of the living spirit. People who had risen up and rebuilt their lives after a devastating disaster at the hands of monsters with the help of, of all things, monsters. Getting to know these people and listen to their stories was a powerful experience that went a long way to diminishing my fear of the ants, which was likely why I felt compelled to make my request when I was already deep within the grand nest known as Anthome.

"You want to meet the Queen?" Emelia blinked.

"If at all possible," I smiled politely as my two guards emitted and intense 'oh no, not again' aura.

A look of amused confusion flickered across my guide's face as she considered my request.

"I'm… not sure that you'll be allowed, I don't think anyone has asked to do that… ever. You understand that we need to go deeper into the Dungeon to do as you ask? The Queens don't live this high up."

"I assure you I am no stranger to the Dungeon," I gave the poor girl a pat on the shoulder, "and if I might be pardoned for a moment, did you say Queens? There is more than one?"

"Oh, yes. There are hundreds of Queens, possibly in the thousands, the Colony is very protective of them and don't like to talk about them extensively. You'll need to give me a moment and I'll find someone we can ask."

Emelia walked off a short distance to communicate with a few ants whilst I waited with a wonderful feeling of excitement and trepidation coiling in my belly. There really is no better way than plunging head first into danger to help one feel young. I recommend it to all my readers! In moderation, obviously!

A few minutes later Emilia returned with a rather large ant, nearly as tall as I was by her side. I felt the creature reach out to my mind and I allowed the contact. A chance to speak with the ants directly?! How invigorating!

[You wish to see a Queen?] the touch of the monster's mind was alien, almost cold in the lack of strong emotion.

On the other hand, I could feel how calm and efficient she was, a creature of logic and reason. It was reassuring to say the least!

[I would consider it a great honour to lay eyes on the

back to me and I realised that there was a distinct difference in the way we used those words. [It will not be possible to see The Queen, she is very deep right now, but I believe we can facilitate a

What a thrill!

nodded, [and I am sincerely grateful

we concluded our discussion and clapped her hands

seen a Queen in over a year," she beamed, "what

guards looked

• of 'Traveling Tolly in the lands of the Colony' published in the Monthly

to doubt it, I was given the information from reliable sources after all, but I just couldn’t help but refuse to believe until I'd seen for myself. Perhaps it's still the Earthling in me. One giant open chasm inside the planet is unbelievable enough, but two? One right on top of the other? It makes

there

observes and I

[Sure is.]

than above. The mana down here is noticeably more dense than in the area above, not nearly as large as the difference between stratum, but enough that I was able to sense it. Once we decided to head down, it only took a few hours for us to reach the bottom of the tunnels. From there it was a matter of finding a path that led to an opening into the space below, which we eventually found and now are staring down a whole new pillar, with an unsuspecting and vulnerable demon city awaiting

flowing from each and every direction. I can still see it now, pouring

do you

hostile? I couldn't possibly escape. In fact,

might be good climbers, but they weren't designed for a kilometre vertical climb on stone.

charge down

eye flares at