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?]

the things that unite us

lot of the crowd has dispersed, but there are

to clear out, there’ll be another fight

So these fighting pits get used a

That wolfish grin again.

[Around the clock.]

illicitly taken; should you find it on

a fancy exit or anything, I just find a relatively empty part of the stands and climb right on over, my opponent hopping

a blademaster?] I

not! I’m of the fifth

So…

halfway to a

My student

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

my statement, but after

It’s getting awkward just to think

‘that dog guy’, weren’t

never! Yes.

ripples, and I realise it was an instinct, a dog raising its hackles. Although I make sure to think

he mutters.

carefully don’t

the road, heading towards the field the Colony were setting

fun of him, at least, I think so, and then we’re back

going

Barker grimaces.

feel safe if you can kick

Like… I didn’t even use my middle grade stuff… let alone

alright! We believe in a thing called graceful

[I don’t.]

get back to—what in the

wondering what brought on the sudden

Barker points a finger.

[What is that?]