Chrysalis

The demon glides through the air with such exquisite grace, only to land in a perfect kneeling posture in front of me. I’m surprised, to say the least, and reflexively lash a bridge together so I can communicate with this odd specimen.

[Are you bowing?] I ask after my initial exclamation.

This seems very much an Earth thing to do. I can’t recall seeing demons bow to each other, regardless of the circumstances. Unless this is some as yet unseen custom of the denizens of the third stratum, then something different is going on here.

[I wanted to speak with you, so I drew close, too close. I gathered the attention of your… associate… and have been forced to reveal myself in order to preserve my life.]

Something about the way the demon spoke, a calm, deep and somewhat quiet voice, told me that he didn’t necessarily believe what he said. As if he actually thought he would have a chance against Tiny.

[You think you could take him on?] I say, flicking my antennae to the grumpy looking ape approaching from the side.

[Of course not,] comes the immediate reply.

Again, the tone I got seemed to imply something entirely different. I'm half tempted to throw the demon into a fight with Tiny right away, just to show him what for, but I decide against it. That isn’t important right now.

[You are speaking only to me at the moment,] I assure the still kneeling demon, [so you can speak freely. I have to ask… this wouldn’t happen to be your second life, would it?]

I watch closely for any reaction, but the demon, with his face pressed into the ground, gives nothing away. Not even a twitch. Fortunately, his body language isn’t the only way for me to gain information. The mind bridge connecting us is more than just a channel for communication. As my skill at handling this particular connection and mana has grown, I've been able to glean more from even a simple bridge such as this.

What I detect in that mind is a rapid, lightning fast churning of thoughts as the demon considers how to respond. He’s cycling through possible responses like a computer, weighing options, considering outcomes and trying to find the best possible course of action with least risk.

This guy is seriously working his brain right now! I’m surprised I don’t see steam coming out of those ears…. I’m kind of befuddled, to be honest. What is he so worried about? I decide to make it easy on him.

[I was originally from Earth,] I confide to him in a hushed whisper, [died and was reborn here as an ant. I presume you experienced something similar? And were reborn as a demon larva?]

If anything, the bubbling churn inside that mind increases rather than the opposite. His thoughts are practically boiling in there! I goggle at the back of the demon's head as he keeps it pressed into the ground. What the heck are you thinking about in there?

I raise an antenna high into the air and bring it down swiftly. A good THWACK will

has eyes in the back of his head, the demon slides back rapidly, using his blade arms to get himself out of the way. A

know the dodge is coming and instinctively adjust my

THWACK!

head up for the first time since that remarkable leap, but I don’t give him any time to

honestly! Sheesh. Your mind is so crooked, it’s like you were a legendary assassin

The demon grows still.

can see my

may be considered a breach of privacy to peer into the

really. A bit. No.

Silence….

can sorta sense how your mind is moving through the bridge that connects

see

I used a mind spike and invaded your brain… but I’m not going to do that! So you can relax. I shouldn’t have

demon eyes me for a minute, and I can sense his thoughts moving

here in this place… not that long ago, I can’t tell how long. I’d rather not

warms to the little demon and I scuttle forward to tap him on the shoulder with one supportive leg. Man, he must have had it rough on Earth. I mean, my situation wasn’t ideal, but I get a feeling this Odin chap had a

get you. Supposedly, the Dungeon only picks out people who had a sucky life and went a bit

more of us?

You’re like the… fifth I’ve met? There’s me, Sarah, Jim, the Mother Tree and you. And, uh, Garralosh, I guess. I’m sure there are more of us out there, but I

but the demon seems to latch onto one piece of information in

you know the Dungeon only takes in crazy people? Where could you have learned

[From Gandalf.]

at me a little oddly and takes a slow

me a name. When I evolve, I get a little

so who knows what her experience will be like the next time around. The Mother Tree sure isn’t going to talk to me about her time evolving, so I’m super keen

Which isn’t