Chrysalis

"I'm really not sure about this," Isaac muttered under his breath.

[That makes two of us…] his new partner replied.

"I really didn't think they would go for this as enthusiastically as they did."

[It's how we are. If there's an advantage in it, we're more than happy to explore it. Even if it does prove to be… unconventional.]

Isaac felt the massive ant shift beneath him and tried to adjust his position to roll with the movement. The saddle they'd created wasn't quite the right shape, the craft ants having never made anything of this sort before, and it chafed him ever so slightly in an area he would prefer didn't see any chafing.

"I just never imagined that I'd ever be riding on the back of one of you. I mean, I didn't expect that I'd be fighting alongside any monstrous ants, but I got used to that well enough, but to be riding on one? Feels kind of weird. You aren't horses."

[What's a horse?]

"Have you seen a cow?"

[I have, in the farms around Renewal.]

"Right, so think of a cow that's prettier and faster."

[… I do not like this comparison.]

"That's what I mean!"

The once former guard captain heaved a sigh and once again fruitlessly tried to protect his most vulnerable zones from the pommel that rose too sharply between his legs. If it was made of cured leather, that'd be one thing, but that damned armour ant had decided to cover the thing in folded steel. To say he was sweating would be an understatement.

the test. We will count you in starting in one minute's time. Prepare yourself,

then, here

don't

at least half responsible

[That is somewhat true.]

trail of loops and whorls that took them between pillars of rock, up the walls, across the roof and back down again. If he just had to hold

about wielding a lance? On the surface it was a noble's weapon and down below no idiot would be fighting on horseback. The very idea of

Cavalant and

difficult aspect of his new class was definitely the new mental link he shared with his nominated partner. [Lancer's Bond] was the name of the skill, and even at rank one it provided significant bonuses. Not only were his thoughts connected to the ant he rode, to the point he didn't need to speak aloud if he didn't want to, but to an extent their senses were shared as well. Combined with a quite respectable combat buff, the Class might prove to be a powerful asset, if they could get their

she settled beneath him, flexing her six legs as she lowered her centre of gravity. When the countdown finished, she would explode from

the mage and as predicted, Cavalant launched herself forward, all six legs firing in a rapid

sufficiently braced to hold on. Gripping with his legs, Isaac desperately

going up,] Cavalant warned

could I forget," he

raced directly for the tunnel wall. The image of himself splattered across the rock flashed into his mind, then, with a mind bending twist of perception, Cavalant placed one leg on the wall,

to hold onto, they weren't necessary in this particular rider and mount relationship, but he did have a strap to grip to avoid

as he struggled to

ant beneath him radiated glee as she raced across the wall, zigging and zagging madly along the trail. For his part, Isaac held fast to his lance and aimed it as best he could, every day of his life spent wielding the spear being channelled into his

Crack. Crack. Crack.

and then, with one nauseating dash,

she reprimanded him and Isaac hurried to tighten his legs,

I’m going to be

[Don't you dare!]

Crack. Crack. Crack!