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?]

to focus on the things that unite us rather

his feet and looks around. A lot of the crowd has dispersed, but there are still people in their seats, looking down

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

these fighting pits

That wolfish grin again.

[Around the clock.]

has been illicitly taken; should you

relatively empty part of the stands and climb right on over, my opponent hopping along

aren’t a

course not! I’m of the fifth

So…

to a

yes. My student is

I went easy on you then. I wasn’t sure how

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

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

thinking ‘that dog guy’, weren’t

would never! Yes. Yes I

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

mutters. [My

don’t

fighting pit and back on the road, heading towards the field the Colony were setting up in, the… not

fun of him, at least,

going to get

Barker grimaces.

help people feel safe if

definitely can. Like… I didn’t even use my middle grade

in a thing called

[I don’t.]

that’s fair. Once we get back to—what in the name

look around, wondering what brought on

Barker points a finger.

[What is that?]