Chrysalis

Dig, dig, dig, dig, DIG, DIG, DIG!

The mountain shakes beneath us as a catastrophic BOOM rips through the nest and the temperature skyrockets again. The tunnel opening behind us glows brightly before the first hint of lava is seen.

[Invidia! Block it off, quick!]

Another BOOM shakes the stone around us as Invidia quickly weaves stone to protect us. Experience notifications are starting to pour in, but I don’t have the time to pay them any attention. Instead, my focus is on pumping my jaws as quickly as possible.

Have. To. Dig!

My earth mana infused mandibles rip through the dirt and stone at incredible speed, but we have a long way to go before we reach safety. Just how powerful is this spell going to be? I knew it would pack a punch simply based on the amount of mana and complexity required, and I compressed all the energy I poured into it for good measure. Even so, this literal mountain-shaking response is more than I expected.

In fact, I so didn’t expect it that I’m once again at risk of getting roasted by my own spell. I really need to work on this issue, I’ve come closer to ending my second life than my opponents have.

Enough thinking! More digging!

My face is on fire, even with the refreshing energy of the Colony rushing through my body. The combo biting doesn’t stop, and Crinis does her best to sweep away the loose material and funnel it behind us.

[The sssstonesss won’t holdsss!]

I shift my head slightly and I can see the “plug” that Invidia has been working on is starting to crack, the seams glowing bright as the rock heats up. Poor Tiny still has a foot on it, and he yanks it off as his skin starts to sizzle.

Ah, nards. This is going to get hairy.

[I’ll help with the rock, keep pushing!]

I divert some of my minds to helping channel earth mana, hardening the layer of rock being pushed up behind us by the lava pressure. The only thing that gets us out of here is if we break through!

Chompchompchompchompchomp!

Come on!

I feel the resistance

through! Gogogogogogo!] I roar at my

through the opening to clear the way and am immediately dived on by a

don’t have time

VOID CHOMP!

snapping, but I unleash my potent bite and evaporate

of course there

going to let the opportunity to gnaw on me pass them

ka’armodo are still in control of them. Actually… it’s possible the lizards have just abandoned ship at this point. Alternatively, they may be directing the termites to munch on me

they aren’t going to get

need

tell which direction slopes upwards and we scramble to get to higher ground, pummeling any insect that gets in our way. Not a moment too soon,

more of the stuff beginning

coming out of that

RUMBLE.

ominous shake rattles through the mountain, sending the fine hairs on my antennae trembling. What the heck was

fungus gardens were beneath us

[I think so, Master.]

fungus is… highly flammable…

[Yyyyes… yes it is.]