Chrysalis

I’m tempted to utilise my new gravity wells to help lift me up to the plate city of Roklu, but I decide not to. I’ll be damned if I appear undignified in front of the entire nest built against the pillar.

So I climb instead.

For quite some time now, my ability to Grip hasn’t increased in line with my size. I’ve allowed my training to stall on this particular Skill and now I’m paying the price.

Now that my weight is up to multiple tons, I mean, I easily outmass an elephant at this point, maybe even a couple of elephants, the little claws at the end of my legs are struggling to lift that bulk. I’m too damn swole! I’ve got the muscle power to hold on, but seriously, I need to engage in some hardcore grip training. The idea of an ant who can’t hold on upside down indefinitely is absurd!

Eventually, I manage to haul myself up onto the plate, with maybe a little help from Crinis, and I immediately set off to try and find Al. The burning eyeball of doom is rather hard to find when he doesn’t want to be found. Rather, it’s impossible.

Fortunately for me, he seems to be in the mood for discussion, since we find him rather easily. His house is still standing in the outer areas of the city and when we check, he’s in there, floating, reading a book.

I didn’t even know demons could read….

I have to say, the picture of a giant eyeball made of fire hovering over a lectern is an odd one to say the least. A question immediately pops into my mind.

[How do you turn the pages?] I ask.

The book floats up into the air, snaps shut, then drifts toward a shelf where it slots itself into a gap between two other volumes. Of course, he uses magic.

[Second question, how many books have you set on fire by staring too hard at them?]

The demon turns to face me, although all he can really see is my eye peering in through a window.

[Curious. It has been some time. I see you have evolved.]

[That’s right, Al. I’m the same tier as you now. BEHOLD ME.]

The burning eye glitters.

become strong. Interesting. I hope that you are strong enough to survive what

leading statement if ever I’ve

you can get a little deeper into that?] I ask. [And also, can you come outside? I’m

I stand to

much larger than

I don’t have a pocket dimension to stick my organs in, alright? Those things

mine for

…. Demons.

can explain what’s been going on with the demons lately? There’s fighting all over the place, even in this city

some knowledge I can share.

floating demon in waves at the mention of knowledge. This guy and

were we

of various shows and books in exchange for his wisdom. It doesn’t even seem to matter that the info I give him is

bricked him up in the tunnel, until he changed his mind and decided to be a good engine.

burning so hot

he purrs. [I find this world of talking… trains… to be most

a kid throws rocks off a bridge and

[Wonderful.]

heck is going

silent for a moment as he ponders where to

you aware

so sick

Ancient, one of the most

flickers with bright

correct, but it is the connection between Arconidem and the demons that is the root cause of the current

you guys initially born from one