Chrysalis

“Finally,” Rillik grunted.

“This was far more effort than I expected,” Lacos agreed, fatigue breaking through his normally indefatigable visage.

“If you don’t mind,” Elly said through gritted teeth, “would you hurry up and finish the job? I’m the one who has to bind them.”

“Right, sorry.”

The crew leader stepped forward, blade in hand, and sized up the two ants they had, after much difficulty, managed to separate from the pack and capture. Restrained for the moment, they thrashed and struggled under the influence of Elly’s magic as he tried to find the best angle to approach for a clean kill.

The gaps in the carapace were the best approach, but the damn creatures were intelligent and shifted themselves every time he approached.

“Elly, can you bind them a little tighter? I don’t want to ruin the carapace if I can help it.”

It looked heavily mutated and might be worth as much as the core if they could bring it all back.

“No, I can’t,” she ground out, “they’re tougher than they look. Get it done quick, I can’t hold them forever.”

Hunting intelligent monsters was always such a pain. Rillik much preferred stronger, stupid targets than creatures like these. They’d had to rely heavily on Lacos’ powers of diversion and illusion to lure these two away from the rest, but they wouldn’t have long until they were swarmed.

“Fine, I’ll just grab the cores,” he said.

Such a waste, but circumstances were what they were. Better to get out with something than nothing at all. These two cores would almost cover the cost of the trip, though not for recruiting and training up a new member.

That idiot, Drake. Why is it so hard to find people who are patient?

He pulled back his arm and the blade began to shine, but then something happened that stilled his hand. First, the ants went still, no longer trying to break free. Instead, they turned to look behind them. Second, he felt a vast presence at the edge of his awareness suddenly reveal itself.

“What’s wrong?” Elly demanded. “Hurry up and get it done!”

his side and

them go,” he

Are you out

golgari turned to look at her, letting the fear

our only hope,” he said quietly.

quickly as she could, she unwove the nets that bound the ants to

asked, his voice tight with tension. “I can swim

he sat down, placing his blade flat on the ground by his side. “This is a mythic monster, there’s nowhere we can run. If we had an hour, we still

that he felt and his own imminent demise. The formerly captured ants hadn’t leapt on them and chewed

it. With the monster awake, the chance of Drake surviving had gone

Lacos sat down next to him to await their fate. It was

led you into this,” Rillik said. “I knew it was a risk, but

always been a possibility,” Lacos said. “I

boss,” Elly agreed. “It was us that brought the job to

in their chests as that

finally came into view, Rillik couldn’t help but sigh in awe. It was the first

the ant was a dominating physical presence. Fifteen metres long, at least, it towered over them, its eyes sitting five metres off the ground. The weight of its aura was suffocating, pressing down on them to the point it became hard

managed it, but hunting monsters of this calibre was nothing but a dream to Rillik. Only the most elite delvers would attempt such a feat, and even they would likely avoid it if their target was surrounded by a hundred thousand support

or a powerful nation, would be able to take

what it would do to them. Depending on mercy from a monster was the last resort for any delver, and also their final one. Monsters weren’t

breath, then raised his hands in the air. Even if it

“We surrender,” he said.

in front of him before a thought pushed its way into

mind magic. I mean, what do

its horrific mouth set underneath the spot its mandibles joined its head. Thankfully, it lowered

that ants have the gift of the

the majestic creature as its voice rang in his mind. Despite everything, the monster sounded… surprisingly young. Not at all what

generally considered dangerous to engage in mind magic with monsters unless you have specific training and protections. The mind of a monster is… alien, and