Chrysalis

The sub-surface Conglomerate is a loose confederation of brathian cities, kingdoms, merchant houses and roaming caravans that live in the waters of the Fourth Stratum.

The Endless Lake.

Brimming with life and water mana, the Lake is the ideal environment for the brathian to dwell in, though they are capable of living on land as well as beneath the waves. Historically, their people lived in or around freshwater sources outside the Dungeon, and the more peace-loving amongst them still do.

Within the fourth, however, is where the majority of the brathian of Pangera now make their homes.

- Excerpt from ‘On the People of the Fourth’ by Tir

The crushing pressure of the waters abated as Theraz slipped within the pearlescent barrier erected by his people. Knotted muscles loosened and tension drained from his scales as he smiled for what felt like the first time in weeks.

In reality, it had only been a day or two, but the extra life mana thanks to the wave seemed to press in on him. The waters of the Endless Lake were vibrant, filled with energy and life, but the mana was so thick. When he swam, he felt as if the weight of the mountains that towered in the sky above was pressing down on him.

The added weight of the unending tide of monsters did nothing to help the feeling abate.

“Welcome home, Theraz. How did you find the current?”

“Piris, I should have known you would be waiting for me.”

“Of course, I would not want you to lose yourself amongst the fish and become confused.”

“Do I look like a fish to you?”

“Am I supposed to answer that?”

grinned at him mischievously and Theraz

have returned from an important scouting mission for the Satrap, and you wait for me here on the border of our lands simply to throw insults?” he shook his golden-scaled head.

shrugged, her legs drifting as the

Stop wasting

was a little disturbing to hear. Had his aunt and cousin really fallen out so badly? He’d

us not talk of this anymore,” he cut off the conversation. “I must return to speak with your father, and I do not wish

but fell silent as the two swam close to the sandy bottom, darting between the lush plant life and drifting weeds as they moved deeper into the water

they came across the outer farms, tall fields

organised lines, ever vigilant for monsters spawning within the barrier or for those crazed beasts who pushed

hiding in sponges embedded in roofs and walls. The brathian were everywhere, their vibrant scales of many hues glittering in the

should pick up the pace a little,” he suggested, “I don’t want to keep

were rocketing through the lake, a short jetstream swirling behind them.

I was worried we were going to get sent out to

lowered his spear and indicated the dull, faded sheen of

go beyond the boundary,

grinned. “I can’t

“Then you lack imagination.”

old warrior turned to the guards on patrol with

mistress back

to visit the palace again, Mozla?” Theraz

man

“I’m too old for them to bother punishing me for my disrespect, little one. There are a few advantages to being a grey-scale like me. It’s not your family that flaps my fins anyway. There’s

She giggled.

almost true. For mother and father, at