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.”

just try and find a

they’re ants who believe in me, they will provide me with Will. As

The organ that causes me to ‘forget’ or ‘ignore’ their presence still works on my other senses when they actively try to conceal themselves. I can’t see Protectant with my eyes,

of stealth they’ve achieved is

is why it’s so 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 with tier eight enemies, you’ll be flattened just by being near me if you

be able to hide from you again…” Protectant

around and poke her

need to hide from already. You need to seriously bump up your stats and combat prowess. That concealment organ has soaked up way too much evolutionary energy, don’t waste the next evolution on something you don’t

Just stop

point, then I turn to Crinis and the others for

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 there, and we may need

of them nod in unison. It’s rewarding having an audience

get my mutations ticking along, but we should make sure to contribute to the Colony stockpile, since you three are

of those diamond centipede nests. My rage won’t abate until I wipe that species from the Dungeon! As it turns out, we

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

my highest priority 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

watch their every move with preternatural stillness. The leader, a fairly burly-looking golgari, almost seems happy when he notices my approach, even as he

nice to have my strength radiate out around me like this. Weaker enemies can’t even

spin together a mind bridge and latch onto the mercenary, then I

again so soon,] I greet them. [Excellent, excellent. I suppose your

as the force of my mind impacts onto their own, and I 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

leader grunted warily. [The Dungeon seems to be spitting them out at quite a

this level of the Dungeon.