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!”

to his side

go,”

Are you out of your

to look at her,

only hope,” he said quietly. “Let them

washed over her senses. As quickly as she could, she unwove the nets that bound the ants to the ground, and the monsters stood, but didn’t move. They knew they were

his voice tight with tension. “I can swim deep, try and get help

he sat down, placing his blade flat on the ground by his side. “This is a mythic

terror that he felt and his own imminent demise. The formerly captured ants hadn’t leapt on them and chewed them to bits, which was a good sign. There was no reason for the creature to spare them, but he had to seize whatever chance he could, for

left of it. With the monster awake, the chance of Drake surviving

a moment, Elly and Lacos sat down next to him to await their fate. It was almost surreal, sitting alongside two monsters,

into this,” Rillik said. “I knew it was a risk, but I decided to come

said. “I do not blame you in the

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

settled into silence, each waiting with their hearts pounding in their chests as that

sigh in awe. It was the first time he had

metres off the

had someone managed it, but hunting monsters of this calibre was nothing but a dream

or a powerful nation, would be able to take this monster

It was unreadable, giving Rillik no clue as to 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

shuddering breath, then raised his hands in the air. Even if it was hypocrisy, he would do anything to give Elly and Lacos a

“We surrender,” he said.

before a thought pushed its way into

you want to communicate with monsters, use mind magic. I mean, what do you want me to do, chat back with my

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

have the gift of the gab, you know

his mind. Despite everything, the monster sounded… surprisingly young. Not

with monsters unless you have specific training and protections.