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 than the things that divide

of the crowd has dispersed, but there are still people in their seats,

another fight soon, so we need to

So these fighting pits get

That wolfish grin again.

[Around the clock.]

story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on

find a relatively empty part of the

a

not! I’m of the fifth sword,

So…

halfway to a

yes. My student is of the

on you then. I wasn’t

my statement, but after being defeated so

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

were thinking ‘that dog guy’, weren’t

never! Yes.

an instinct, a dog raising its hackles. Although I make sure to

fine,] he mutters. [My

carefully don’t

the fighting pit and back on the road, heading towards the field the Colony were setting up in, the… not rabbit-Folk joins us again, grinning broadly at

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

mean I’m going to get new guards?

Barker grimaces.

exactly help people feel safe if you can kick my backside whenever

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

believe in a thing

[I don’t.]

get back to—what in the

look around, wondering what brought on the sudden

Barker points a finger.

[What is that?]