Chrysalis

“So how does it feel, Eldest?’

I turn a little to look down at Advant. I’d never really considered before, because I’d never really had to, that the position of my eyes and shape of my head blocks my vision to the ground beneath me. Unlike a human, with a handy dandy neck, I can’t exactly look down.

So when Advant approaches close to my legs and wants to chat, I actually can’t see where she is. I lower my legs on one side to change the angle and I spot her on my left.

“Oh, there you are. What do you mean by that?”

“To be a tier seven? You’re reaching levels of power that most in the Colony can only dream about.”

I feel a little uncomfortable when she puts it that way.

“What do you mean? You’ll reach this point soon enough. Bit of time, Biomass and cores are all you need and bam, you’ll be my size before you know it.”

Or bigger, considering her energy is mostly dedicated to physical growth, whereas I split mine. To my surprise, she shakes her antennae in denial.

“No, I don’t think there will be many who manage to take the leap that you have. The amount of resources required to push one of us to such a high tier is hard to justify. There are over a million members of the Colony now, each and every one of them in need of cores to fuel their evolutions. We must consider the strength of the overall family.”

was a good counter to our normal swarm tactics. Having one big shot

as a member of the council, I can’t be hoarding resources and putting myself on

If the population of the Colony continues to grow in the manner that it has, then the demand for this precious resource will only continue

the one who insisted we do everything we could to boost

describe,” I say, trying to give a better answer. “I’m not used to being

this is by far the largest increase in size I’ve had. Other than the tier five soldiers, almost everyone around me can

is almost pointless. My mandibles are longer than I was tall, even before the leg thing. In short, I’m huge! The tunnels and caverns I roamed

period, it feels good to know

time being, something that appeared to hurt his feelings. At least, he was sulking

answer when a little more time has passed,” I tell Advant.

The soldier nods.

are your

to experience less

moment. You’re all safe enough for the time being, even though the demons are going crazy. When you need me, send word and I’ll pop in

I’ll have to rely on

going to have a harder time than I am,” I tell her, “but you’re all way better at organising

rescue force have returned to friendly territory, the short term emergency has been resolved, but the ongoing danger in the demon stratum continues to

forward