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.

they all have to evolve

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

enough. I’ll leave you to it, then. Good

turns her into the ant equivalent of a fighter

not meant

two legs together and offer a silent prayer to the unnamed ones. Whoever’s job it is to catch Vibrant after this is going to need more luck

long it is until Brilliant

demon outside of Sarah’s chamber. He’s sitting eerily still, like a statue, just… watching. What is up with Sarah and her ability to get these weirdos to follow

there, Odin.

in surprise as I smack a mind bridge into

find me?

avoid my eyes. Also, learn some mana manipulation so

hadn’t thought

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

sensitive to scent. There’s also your gravitational field. I can pick

that field

[Yep!]

An awkward pause.

you planning on just hanging around outside of Sarah’s evolution chamber until

lithe demon shifts

She’s already such an… incredible engine of death. I can’t imagine how she’s going