Chrysalis

[You really thought you were strong enough to beat a mythic monster on your own?]

[I figured you were just an ant! How was I supposed to know?]

[I’m a tier seven, mythic ant! Probably the first one in the history of the darn Dungeon. Pay a little respect, man.]

Thankfully, my opponent wounded nothing but his pride in our confrontation. I think, for a moment, the crowd were considering rushing down and attempting to subdue the ‘wild monster’, which would have been a rather difficult scenario to navigate, but thankfully they relaxed when I sat down and didn’t follow up on my strike. I mean… whose first instinct is to rush at the huge monster? The Folk are crazy, I’m telling you.

He rubs a hand over his furry head, disgruntled.

[If we’d known you were this strong, we would have gotten some higher ranked swordsman to guard you.]

[There’s no way the brathians lied to you about my tier, right?]

He shrugs helplessly.

[They probably assumed the same thing I did. Tier seven, but an ant, so it’s fine. As a result, you only got me and my apprentice as guards, and I hate to say it, but we aren’t up to the job.]

[Oh, the rabbit girl is your apprentice?]

[What do you mean, rabbit?]

[I don’t know… I was just getting rabbit vibes from her.]

[And what are you getting from me?]

[Dog or wolf, depending on your mood.]

I figure honesty is the best policy. If I’m being unspeakably rude, hopefully someone will tell me.

[That’s unspeakably rude,] he says, placing a hand to the bridge of his muzzle.

Dang it.

[Hey, I didn’t know! I apologise if I’ve caused offence. You guys don’t like being discussed in relation to the animal you resemble?]

on the things that unite us rather than the

himself to his feet and looks around. A lot of the crowd has dispersed, but there

clear out, there’ll be another

So these fighting pits get

That wolfish grin again.

[Around the clock.]

illicitly taken; should you find

relatively empty part

aren’t a blademaster?] I

of the fifth sword, not the

So…

halfway to

rank, yes. My student

wow. You’re lucky I went easy on you then. I wasn’t sure how much you

my statement, but after being defeated so handily, there isn’t much he can

by the way? It’s getting awkward just to think of you

were thinking ‘that

never! Yes. Yes I

sort of ripples, and I realise it was an instinct, a dog raising

fine,] he mutters. [My

don’t

fighting pit and back on the road, heading towards the field the Colony

at least, I think so,

does this mean I’m going to

Barker grimaces.

can’t exactly help people feel safe if you can kick my

use my middle grade

alright! We believe in a

[I don’t.]

we get back to—what in the name of

look around, wondering what brought on

Barker points a finger.

[What is that?]