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?]

things that unite us rather

dispersed,

need to clear out, there’ll be another fight soon, so we need to make

fighting pits get used a

That wolfish grin again.

[Around the clock.]

story has been illicitly taken; should you find

isn’t a fancy exit or anything, I just find a relatively empty part of the stands and climb right on over, my

you aren’t a

Of course not! I’m of the fifth

So…

to a

yes. My

you then. I wasn’t sure how much you

to rebut my statement, but after being defeated so

name, by the way? It’s getting awkward just to think

were thinking ‘that

never! Yes. Yes

it was an instinct, a dog raising

fine,] he mutters. [My

don’t say

field the Colony were setting up in, the… not rabbit-Folk joins us again, grinning broadly

other, she makes fun of him, at least, I think so, and then we’re back to strolling along the

mean I’m going

Barker grimaces.

exactly help people feel safe if you can kick my backside

can. Like… I didn’t even use my middle grade stuff… let alone the best

in a thing called graceful

[I don’t.]

get back to—what in

look around, wondering what brought on the

Barker points a finger.

[What is that?]