Chrysalis

My first nap as a tier seven, a deep and satisfying torpor that I luxuriate in. Indeed, life is only complete when one gets their eight hours! I’ve been flat out for way too long, to the point I’ve started to worry that the Torpor Police might disappear me.

That would have caused quite a stir, I’ve no doubt.

They do an incredible job of hiding, those little ninjants, but ever since I picked up the Vestibule, it’s been impossible for them to conceal themselves from me.

Unlike my bodyguards. Whatever it is that they use to create the strange forgetful effect was powerful enough to give me trouble for a little while. Ever since my evolution, though….

I reach out with one leg and poke at the air.

….

I poke again.

….

Another poke, harder this time.

“... Is that really necessary, Eldest?” Protectant complains.

Gweheheheh.

“I just find it fun, how easily I can spot you now.”

The guard smells decidedly unhappy about it.

“We would like to know how you do it,” she grumbles, “out of professional courtesy.”

You’d just try and find

there is one. As far as I can tell, as long as they’re ants who believe in me, they will provide me with Will. As long as the energy is flowing, they’ll be lit up like a christmas tree, regardless

themselves. I can’t see Protectant with my eyes, or even feel it when I poke her

they’ve achieved

fun to prod at them. Poke. Poke.

stop it,”

Heheheheheh.

all need to make the push to tier six,” I tell the invisible squad of babysitters. “If I’m going to be rumbling

we evolve, we’ll be able to hide from you again…” Protectant

whip around and poke her again, with

seriously bump up your stats and combat prowess.

Just stop poking

to drive home the point, then I turn to Crinis and the others for

Hunting in the fourth stratum is likely to be our best bet, but at the same time, we need to be on standby in case they need us in the third. There’s some funky business going down up

in unison. It’s rewarding having

but we should make sure to contribute to the Colony stockpile, since you three are all maxed out. Let’s go

those diamond centipede nests. My rage won’t abate until I wipe that species from the Dungeon! As it turns out, we don’t even make our way out of the tunnels before someone finds us with an urgent

me and I stop to let her catch up. “Eldest. They want to see you down on the shoreline.

on this stratum, I won’t let them get a foothold. I rumble down to the shoreline, my friends in tow, only to find the mercenaries from

preternatural stillness. The leader, a fairly burly-looking golgari, almost seems happy when he notices my approach, even as he winces under the

out around me like this. Weaker enemies can’t

a mind bridge and latch onto the mercenary, then I

them. [Excellent, excellent. I suppose

make a conscious effort to tone it down. I can’t be scaring away our

question, the three of them begin unloading the cargo in their boat, depositing a dozen of

all things considered,] the leader grunted warily. [The Dungeon seems to be spitting them out at quite

love of centipedes. They’re probably being spammed everywhere on this level