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!]

like a terrier on the trail. He covered his tracks as carefully as only a true coward can, but he can't compete with

that damn worm so nimble?!] I rant as we rush 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

is travelling down a pre-dug tunnel,

reach us in the first place. Any chance we can use

believe it's collapsing behind

[Dammit!]

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 spent time with Jim. He helped me escape from the

meditation, letting my emotions run cold. I

Do you have

able to catch up to

push yourself too hard. As long as he doesn't get too far ahead then we can follow the trail no matter where

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 beyond the fleeing coward's control and it's barely enough to keep

that surprising, considering he's a

shout as I sense something change. I screech to a halt as I cast my senses about, trying to determine what has happened. My sense of Jim is

be going

Crinis

plains! I think he might be leaving

does for us, as we run and climb our way out of the tunnels our hold

[Thissss way.]

[You're sure?]

[Alwaysssss sure!]

for me, let's

on the plains now, the ground beneath our feet carpeted in battling demon larvae, we continue to run

Jim!] I hurl 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 up to

serves to cause anger to bubble up within me but under the effect

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 don't you come on back and apologise? My mandibles

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

[… sorry,] I mumble.