Chrysalis

[He's close! We need to get all minds on the job. Try and find his mana signature. It'll be hard, he's good at hiding, so we need to get on this now!]

[Anthony…] Sarah's mind hesitantly reaches out to mine.

[Later,] I tell her brusquely, [I can hear what you have to say later. The Colony won't be dissuaded on this, not after what he did.]

I switch my mind directly to my allies.

[Crinis, reach out through the shadows, cover as much ground as you can.]

I reach back and pat her with one antenna.

[This will be a huge strain on you, so be careful. It's important, but not more important than you are.]

[I understand, master.]

[Al, I need you to help track down this worm.]

[I do not understand. Confusion. What is a worm?]

[It's a type of creature that’s long and burrows through the ground. Just try and find the damn traitor, please?]

[I will try.]

As I've been talking all of my minds have already bent themselves to the task of tracing the mana that Jim wove with such cunning. I refuse to believe he's so good that he can hide all evidence of his weaving.

Wherewherewherewherewherewherewherewherewherewherewhere?!?!

AHA! A sniff!

[This way!] I roar over the mind bridge to my team and we rush northwards. [Crinis! Let's go!]

shadow has already vanished into the darkness, her body totally hidden from sight, so I make sure to call to her before I dash forward like a terrier on the trail. He covered his tracks as carefully as only a true coward can, but he can't compete with my mind power! Once

nimble?!] I rant as we rush through the tunnels, brushing past numerous demons who we simply knock to the side, unwilling

is travelling down a pre-dug tunnel, master.

reach us in the first place. Any chance

believe it's

[Dammit!]

have the scent and I sure as hell am not going to let him off that easy. Run! Like the wind, Anthony! A thousand thoughts try to intrude on my mind as we run. I

into meditation, letting my emotions run cold. I can't afford

Do you

I'm not able to catch

too far ahead then we can follow

skill that helps him hide his mana. I know he's not that far away, but I can't seem to grab hold of his core despite the fact that I should be able to sense it at my level of mana sight. I have a dozen minds out sweeping ahead, hunting for every little skerrick of energy that leaks

all that surprising, considering he's

determine what has happened. My sense of

be going to

surface?] Crinis

might be leaving the tunnels! Quick!

our way out of the tunnels our hold on the

[Thissss way.]

[You're sure?]

[Alwaysssss sure!]

for

we continue to run as somewhere ahead of us, just below the surface, Jim continues

blasting out a wave of mind magic which may or may not even reach him. [Didn't you have something to say? Come back! Or are you unwilling to face up to your own

to cause anger to bubble up within me but under the effect of meditation I

right here,] I taunt, [you sure you don't want to let her know why you betrayed her? Did you know she almost died because of you? Why

her mind and I turn my head a little to stare at

[… sorry,] I mumble.