Chrysalis

Advant told me I should “Preserve my thoughts for future generations of the family,” so… I guess this is me… doing that? To be honest, she’s been hassling me to do this for ages. Only after going on about the “immense value such a record will hold for the young” and how “inspiring such a document would be to the hatchlings” did I agree, but I’m seriously regretting now that I’ve started.

Is it really necessary to preserve my thoughts anyway? Everything I’ve ever done is depicted (somewhat) accurately in a stupid statue somewhere.

Actually, I want that on the record! I NEVER asked for all the murals and statues! In fact, I tried to get them banned! So much for respecting the wishes of the Eldest….

Alright, if you are smelling this scent recording, then here are the words of the Eldest, recorded to further the prosperity of the Colony and to motivate the youth!

Firstly, I want you to poke and bite Advant everytime you see her. Not hard, but enough to be annoying and to hamper her in whatever she does. Yes, that includes during Torpor. May she never know a moment’s peace.

Second. Live freely, be true to yourself, and cherish the bonds of family that tie us together. That’s the whole point, right?

- Excerpt from “The Recording of the Eldest”

Addendum: For the record, I believe the Eldest was joking. Please stop biting me.

- Added at a later date by Advant.

[I see you, little worm!]

[Excuse me? You calling me a worm? You wanna get chomped?!]

A suffocating aura of power wells up as the demon rises from the layer below and I get a clean look at it. I kind of wish I hadn’t.

smoke and fire rolling off its shoulders in waves. Four arms that each end in thick, wickedly

and a flaming pit, the monster's appearance is… unpleasant.

and all-consuming flame. This dude has to be one of the

God has led me to you!] The demon roars gleefully. [You and your kind will be excised

kind of like it here. If you want to kick me out, come and try

crushed on all sides by

with what I’ve got. I call into existence as many mind constructs as I can support with my current abilities, dozens of the things. I reach out and seize control of the surrounding mana, drawing it into

life. My Vestibule thunders with an endless river of power that fills the Altar to bursting. I’m ready

[Gladly!]

ripping, and tearing, but it doesn’t happen. Instead, he heaves in a breath and I feel like the

Then he breathes out.

a particularly crispy future blasts into my brain and before I can think, my body is already moving. Energy flows from the Altar as I dash, my

explosion contained in a jet of flame to rocket past me,

Crinis cries

an order! This isn’t someone you can tangle

Ah.

hell away from me. If you didn’t get fried by that blast, you might

not, there won’t be much of a future in store for them.

step is that of a

alive, little worm?

[You’re gonna regret that….]