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?”

him mischievously

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.

her legs drifting

Stop wasting your time! Cease flapping your

to hear. Had his aunt and cousin really fallen out so badly? He’d had no

return to speak with your father, and I do not wish to

the sandy bottom, darting between the lush plant life and drifting weeds as they moved deeper into the water claimed by

farms, tall fields of hornwart and lotus

soldiers swam in organised lines, ever vigilant for monsters spawning within the barrier or

The brathian were everywhere, their vibrant scales of many hues glittering in the dim, shifting light. In the distance, the heart of the city loomed, towering sand structures rising from the lakebed, along with the enormous sponge fronds that rose hundreds of metres

little,” he suggested, “I don’t want to keep your

twist in front of them as they employed their mana. Soon, they were rocketing through the lake, a short jetstream swirling behind them. They only slowed as they approached the outer reaches

back, I see. I was worried we were going to get sent out

the dull, faded sheen of

the boundary, it’s a

in the Endless Lake,” Theraz grinned. “I can’t imagine a

“Then you lack imagination.”

turned to the guards

master and mistress back to the palace. I’ll

visit the palace again,

old man made a

hate that place,” he said flatly, and Piris stared at him in surprise. He noticed and grunted. “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

She giggled.

For mother