Chrysalis

Sure enough, it doesn’t take long before Vibrant comes sprinting out of the office, even more energetic than before.

“It’s amazing, Senior! They know soooo much! Even though they have rock-rock heads!”

“Hey, they just have a second layer of rock skin, it’s not like their heads are actually filled with rocks.”

“I thought they just had thinking rocks.”

“What the heck is a thinking rock? You know what, I’ve seen weirder things on Pangera than that. Sure. Go and evolve, have fun. At least the torpor police won’t have to bother chasing you for a while.”

“I wish I could evolve while running. That would be amazing!”

“No it wouldn’t and don’t ever try it. In fact, it’s banned. I don’t want to find out if that's possible. Evolving is the only extended nap I ever get anymore and I refuse to have it taken from me.”

It’s also the only time I get free from the endless influx of the Colony’s Will. Not that it’s necessarily a bad thing, having the desires and impressions of my family thudding into my mind in a never ending stream. It just gets overwhelming at times.

“Have you spoken to your crew about what they’ll be up to while you’re down here?” I ask Vibrant.

It’s hard to believe she’s a leader, given her easy-breezy attitude, but not only is she a member of the council, she’s also a certified, bonafide commander of her own personal army. I wonder if they’ve come up with a name for themselves yet? Vibrant’s speedsters? Always Accelerating Ants?

Goodness knows.

all have to evolve so they can kinda-sorta keep up with me, otherwise I’ll leave them

I’m guessing her followers are currently sprinting around on the third stratum trying to hoover up experience and cores as quickly as they possibly can. Which is fine. A more powerful speed-squad is only helpful to the Colony after all. In fact, of all the little groups running around, hers is the fighting unit that gets the most done, and it isn’t close. Something about being able to get from hotspot to hotspot in record time makes all the difference,

then. Good luck!

the ant equivalent of

from its original source, this story is not meant

offer a silent prayer to the unnamed ones. Whoever’s job it is to

In fact, I wonder how long it is until Brilliant and Solant evolve again? The other Colony Champions have been making great contributions lately, but those will only grow in scope the higher tier they

sitting eerily still, like a statue, just… watching. What is up with Sarah and her ability to

Odin.

I smack a

me? I

few more ranks if you want to avoid my eyes. Also, learn some mana manipulation so you can conceal the energy coming off your

hadn’t

vibe, and his mental voice is quite mature, giving me the sense he was a lot older than me when he died. Doesn’t mean much though, I’m his elder on this side of the divide, and this is where we

quite sensitive to scent. There’s

Wouldn’t that field be absurdly

[Yep!]

An awkward pause.

just hanging around outside of Sarah’s evolution chamber until she’s done? Just… hiding

lithe demon shifts

she turns into. She’s already such an… incredible engine