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.

The Great One is

said nothing. He wasn’t particularly smart, so he was probably wrong, but he figured the Great One was just making sure they didn’t

having a great time, so he didn’t have any reason to turn around and

this next city will be as welcoming as

be? We are coming on a holy pilgrimage! They’ve got no

city outside of the Colony’s

One is universal!

turned and looked at the ants around them. They certainly didn’t seem to be as relaxed as Alis, constantly on alert, with messengers running up and down the column at all times. Suddenly, two of the nearby soldiers turned toward a patch on the wall, their mandibles flexing as they readied themselves. He

at him, he tapped

“Allow me,” he said.

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

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

monster. When he was sure it wasn’t moving, he 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 soldiers

you know. If anything, you’re just taking experience away from

his shoulders

during a wave. I just feel like we should help out as

her mouth to reply, thought for a

right,” she begrudgingly admitted. “I’ll

~~~

greeted them as he made his way to their fire. “Another hard day following the Divine Path has come to an end. I hope I

as the priest approached, holy antennae bobbing on the top of his robe.

fine, thank you, priest Beyn. We did our best to help

two were today,” the priest gestured with 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

surged to her

Beyn! We are more than happy to do

the young

Beyn laughed warmly.

souls like you amongst us, my heart is put to ease. Tomorrow we will reach our current destination, and I hope we will be well received, but we must be prepared to be rebuffed. We are outside the lands of the Colony at this moment, and the citizens of Torpin’s Rest are not obliged