Chrysalis

Death.

"Minerva, you're gripping too tight."

"Oh, damn."

The pressure eased just enough for Morrelia to gasp down a breath of air. The darkness receded long enough for her to raise her hands and pat her mother on the back.

"Nice to see you too, mother," she rasped.

"Aww, it's great to see you too kid."

With one final bone crunching squeeze, Minerva released her daughter and Morrelia fell on her heels. She absent-mindedly rubbed at her arms. Just how strong was this woman?

Minerva stood taller than her daughter by a few inches, but in many other respects the two looked much the same. The same dark, wavy hair, the same squarish jaw and the same muscular build. Even their eyes were the same steely grey. Having not been this close to her for so many years, Morrelia was shocked at just how alike they were.

"It's wonderful to see you two together again," Titus smiled, an unusual expression on his generally stony face.

Minerva was quick to remark on it.

"Don't smile, husband, you look strange."

Then she laughed.

"By the flame I am happy to finally be out of that office! Now all the pencil pushers will have someone else to bother and I can get back to campaigning. How about you, daughter? Ready to join me in the field."

Minerva flashed a wild grin as Morrelia gaped at her.

"I'm still in training! I'm supposed to be meditating in my pod, isolation to reflect on my gains. Not that I can do that now I suppose," she gestured to the ruined door.

"It's good to be patient and think carefully about how you want to proceed," Titus approved, "believe it or not, your mother had to go through it as well. Don't mind her attitude, she's just excited to see you."

The former Consul eyed the commander through narrowed lids as she pondered violence but Titus just spread his hands. Finally she sighed and sat on the bed.

"Of course I'm excited."

She gestured vaguely.

that desk, sending others out to do the fighting and the dying for far too long. I want to be with my family and start

Consul, mother. I think you

not the same. I think you know

short tempered parent, Morrelia

it really alright that your final act as Consul is to break a

Minerva dismissed it with a

"You can't be serious."

it formal. Enough of that, I want to hear about what you've been up to

Morrelia shrugged.

training armour. Working on skills. Hunting monsters. Trying

"if you're going to lead your own Legion someday, you need to be prepared. The soldiers won't follow

you saying that someone wouldn't follow her?" Minerva growled.

you have no idea what level I

just got

weekly reports from your instructors. I know exactly

to

abuse of authority? Can I report

do? Strip her of the

to me anyway," Minerva said, her eyes sparking with the faintest

under the pressure they were subjected to. The absence of her brother was a painful hole that each felt keenly but wouldn't talk about. There was no need. His memory was too

finding the praetorian training?" Titus was the one to break the

Morrelia slumped.

she confessed. "The mana demand is so extreme I can barely keep it active for ten minutes at a time. The power is incredible, but I'm worried I'll

just takes time," Minerva assured her. "The more you demand of the mana channels in your body, the

guessing you did well then," Morrelia said

Minerva smiled.

record for the training

second is not close," Titus

"You would know."

never let that