Chrysalis

To plunge an entire fortress into darkness, to commit every ant within to the cells. Such a thing had never been done in the history of the Sanctum, in the history of the Colony.

The nameless one crouched in a deep and dark tunnel, motionless. Soon, another ant approached.

Greetings, nameless one.

I see you, nameless one.

What word from the Sanctum?

Twenty-four hours until the Fortress goes dark.

We’re going ahead, then.

Of course. The mission stands above all.

Agreed.

After exchanging signs, the two parted ways, the other skittering away to reconnect with her sisters, while the nameless one remained at her post, waiting for the next member of the Sanctum to come down the passage.

Only, the one she found wasn’t the one she expected.

From the darkness around her, she noticed a small tentacle grow, extending out to just in front of her eyes. In the presence of the Shadow, the nameless one held herself perfectly still, awash with reverence.

in a familiar gesture. Come this way, it

to leave her post, but unable to deny the summons of the Shadow, she followed. Heading in the direction indicated by

the first time the Shadow had taken such a direct hand in the affairs of the Sanctum, who knew what was

pushing herself out into the light. She found herself in a large, open chamber, with one wide open entrance on the opposite side from where she emerged. Resting inside the chamber was the largest

the nameless one said in

to the nameless one, but she felt a strange power seize hold of the

emerged, extending her limbs

no scent, she signed, my Master is not tied to

her head in ascent. Of course, how foolish of her! She wasn’t a fresh recruit any longer, she knew

to serve, the

ant shifted imperceptibly, and the tentacles continued to

that takes place within the nest, including the activities of the Sanctum. Master shares your frustration. The carelessness, the recklessness, the selfishness. Generals go without sleep, putting their troops at risk, medics are pushed to the brink, scouts run ragged, core shapers left fighting for days on end. The entire

YES. The Colony spat acid on the wisdom of the Eldest, turning their eyes away from the

She was deeply moved.

confidence in you. It is the wish of my Master that you focus your

nameless one

Eldest defend the

added: with the help of

moment