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.

a familiar gesture. Come this way, it

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

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

another, as she crawled, until finally she emerged , pushing herself out into the light. She found herself in a large, open chamber, with one wide

the nameless one said in

remaining side on and blocking sight from the entrance to the nameless one, but

emerged, extending her limbs outward toward the

my Master is not tied to the Sanctum

her head in ascent. Of course, how foolish of her! She wasn’t a fresh recruit any longer, she knew how important it was to conceal all traces. Pheromone traces can remain

am here to serve, the nameless

imperceptibly, and the tentacles

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

the wisdom of the Eldest, turning their eyes away from the instruction that had served them so well in the

She was deeply moved.

be a monumental task to serve so many guests at once, but my Master has confidence in you. It is the wish of my Master that you focus your energies on this task specifically. Leave all concerns regarding the defence of the nest

nameless one

the Eldest defend the entire fortress

quickly added: with the help of

moment