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!]

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 I put Invidia and Al on the case, our

through the tunnels, brushing past numerous demons who we simply knock to the side, unwilling to waste time fighting them. A quick right hook from Tiny and a dash is usually enough to put them in

believe he is travelling down a pre-dug tunnel, master. I can

he used to reach us in the first place. Any

it's

[Dammit!]

the wind, Anthony! A thousand thoughts try to intrude on my mind as we run. I spent time

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

you

able

as he doesn't get too far ahead then we can follow the trail no matter

be able to sense it at my level of mana sight. I

surprising, considering he's a worm, but he's one

cast my senses about, trying to determine what has happened.

going up! He might be going to breach

surface?] Crinis asks,

plains! I think he might be leaving the tunnels!

our way out of

[Thissss way.]

[You're sure?]

[Alwaysssss sure!]

for

in battling demon larvae, we continue to run as somewhere ahead of us, just

the thoughts forward wildly, 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

only serves to cause anger to bubble up within me

know why you betrayed her? Did you

I turn my head a little to

[… sorry,] I mumble.