Chrysalis

Chapter 1176

I’m not a huge fan of my insides turning into my outsides, or having my carapace replaced with candy floss, or indeed, of being flattened/expanded into less/more dimensions than I’m comfortable with.

Having said that, the moment when Brilliant drops me into the fourth stratum makes it more than worthwhile. Instantly, I feel a wave of relief wash over me as both my gasping core relaxes, and the insatiable gnawing of the Call fades away.

It’s still there, obviously, but no longer is it the maddening, mind-bendingly painful yanking on my soul, merely a comfy nail through the foot.

Nothing I can’t handle!

“Thanks, Brilliant,” I sigh in relief, “I appreciate the trip.”

“Are you feeling well, Eldest?” the little maniac says, prodding me in the side. “This is unlike you.”

“Pah. Don’t you have something you should be blowing up? Shoo.”

“Why yes! I do! If you find yourself in need of my services again, don’t hesitate to call my name! BRILLIANT!”

With a pop, she vanishes from sight and I allow myself to slump to the floor in relief.

Bliss.

It doesn’t last long, though.

[MASTER!]

Glomp!

From nowhere, an enormous blob of shadow flies from the crevices in the ceiling above me and latches onto my carapace. Crinis wastes no time expanding herself to wrap around my abdomen, poking and prodding as she goes.

[I’m fine. I’m fine. Nice to see you, Crinis. Stop poking! I haven’t been gone that long. I didn’t even do anything dangerous!]

[Then why did you leave us behind? We could have come too!]

[It’s not that easy for Brilliant to haul powerful monsters around. I thought it was better if you three waited for me down here. Did Tiny and Invidia make it alright?]

to move us,

have a word when I get a chance.

[Who is Solant?]

new Colony champion. She’s an

[She WHAT?!]

snap my antennae!

this FILTH that

you don’t breathe, do you? It’s fine. She tried to poison me with… heh… sugar. It was funny

[... fine.]

I’ve got a few things to do, then I’ll chase

attention to the twenty ants before me. They look a

analytical mind of hers. I can practically hear the cogs turning in her head, and they

some

“Congratulations?” Solant asks.

your early graduation from

that

been enrolled in the Colony’s most prestigious and exclusive postgraduate program. You get to learn directly

are they

THWACK!

Sheesh! Where’s the respect due to the Eldest? Now, Solant, let’s

Brilliant was kind enough to deposit us inside the chamber I evolved

the smashing defeat I inflicted

She glares at me.

“No.”

like a bit of burning anger to drive you forward. I’ve got high hopes for you, Solant. I see some qualities in you that are… rare, to say the least, in the Colony. You’re going to become a very important member of the family before all is said and

She’s been taught and reared like every other ant, with the love

understand

I decide I’m going to take an

what

“No.”

some instances. But it’s more than

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