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.

several times in a familiar gesture. Come this way, it

she followed. Heading in the direction indicated by the tiny tentacle,

to do with the coming darkness, she was sure. This was the first time the Shadow had taken such a direct hand in the affairs of the Sanctum, who knew

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 ant

nameless one

on and blocking sight from the entrance to the nameless one, but she felt a strange power seize hold of the area around her, pressing her down and

the Shadow emerged, extending her

my Master is not tied to

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

serve,

and the tentacles

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

burning in her thorax roar back to life. Yes. YES. The Colony spat acid on the wisdom of the Eldest, turning their eyes away from the instruction that had served them so well in the past. All within the Sanctum felt

She was deeply moved.

monumental task to serve so many guests at once, but my Master has confidence in you. It is the wish of my Master that

nameless one

Eldest defend the entire

nameless one quickly added: with the help of

writhed for a moment before they