Chrysalis

“Do you really think the ants are protecting us because the Great One approves of our holy pilgrimage?” Alis wondered.

Jern looked at the ranks of ants marching alongside them, guarding the pilgrims on both sides.

“I think… they probably just came along to make sure we’re safe,” he suggested.

His friend looked up at him irritably.

“That’s all? Priest Beyn says it because they are guiding us along our blessed path and into enlightenment.”

“All they really do is fight Dungeon monsters for us,” Jern pointed out.

Alis scowled.

“Sometimes we have to fight for ourselves, don’t we?”

He sighed and hefted the oversized axe on his shoulder. Surprisingly, an ant had given it to him, which had caused people to whisper and point. Eventually, he’d found a mage, (who did turn to keep him in front of her, which he tested by taking a few steps to either side), who’d explained that, since he was so large and strong, they’d made a weapon he could use to help protect the pilgrims.

“Yes, sometimes we have to fight for ourselves,” he told his red haired friend. “Your fire magic has improved a lot since we left.”

She folded her arms across her chest.

“Of course!” she declared, puffing herself up with pride. “I’ve had the chance to turn my flames on Dungeon monsters before. It’s only natural that my Levels are increasing quickly.”

Jern had to agree. Fighting against monsters really was Levelling him quickly. It wouldn’t be that long before his Class maxed out and he’d need to change it into a new one.

“Still,” he said, turning back to look at the long train of pilgrims behind them, “I never expected we would gather this many people.”

“You really doubted how persuasive priest Beyn can be?” Alis scoffed. “Every place we go, we end up with more and more followers. I feel like we got a thousand at Rylleh alone.”

“Good thing the ants are feeding us,” Jern noted.

Great One

and said nothing. He wasn’t particularly smart, so he was probably wrong, but he figured the Great

mattered, he was enjoying himself and Alis was having a great time, so he didn’t

this next city will be as welcoming

We are coming on a holy

city outside

light of the Great One is

messengers running up and down the column at

looked up at him, he tapped himself on the

“Allow me,” he said.

a fraction. Jern hefted the massive axe off his shoulder and gave it a few swings to warm

the wall, spraying the young man with stone fragments. He got a flash of fur, and claws, and a red maw before he completed his swing, smashing his

turned to the soldiers, gave a dip of his head, which they returned with their antennae, and then jogged back up the line to catch up with Alis, leaving the

take care of that, you know. If anything, you’re just taking experience

rolled his shoulders

many humans through the Dungeon during a wave. I just feel like

mouth to reply, thought for a second,

she begrudgingly admitted. “I’ll

~~~

“Another hard day following the Divine Path has come to an end. I hope I

antennae bobbing on the top of his robe. Alis beamed with excitement,

you, priest Beyn. We did our best to help protect the column and

his one remaining hand toward the ants, still on duty alongside them. “They are grateful for your assistance. It has been very difficult for them to protect us along this journey, given the state of the Dungeon. I fear

to

priest Beyn! We are more than happy to do our

being suddenly included, all the

Beyn laughed warmly.

received, but we must be prepared to be rebuffed. We are outside the lands of the Colony at this moment, and the citizens