Chrysalis

The Legion unload their ships, pack their supplies, and move onto the mountain. Apparently, they have some barracks or something, they certainly brought quite a few troops. A full Legion, which is five thousand soldiers, plus non-combat staff, I’m told. I mean, the Colony has ten thousand, but I don’t like those odds. We have a heck of a lot of carvers in our mix, not exactly our strongest and best fighters. One saving grace is that we brought a decent contingent of mages, more than we usually would in a group this size, so we are packing quite the magical heat, as it were.

Still, as they move around, I make a point to greet them, friendly style. Clacking my mandibles every now and again, things like that. It’s not like I’m snapping them as loudly as I possibly can or anything, just loud enough to send an ear-piercing crack through the air, like a gunshot.

Judging by the reactions of the soldiers, they seem to welcome my provocation—that is to say friendly greeting, glaring up at me. Morrelia plants her face in her palm and I see her taking several long, slow breaths every time I do it, so I’m sure she’s enjoying it.

[Are they interested in talking to me at all?] I ask Grey.

The scruffy swordsman almost turns to look at me.

[Why would they want to do that?]

[They’re here for me, aren’t they?]

[They are here to destroy you. The context is important.]

[Is it a Legion thing to not talk to their targets?]

[Anthony, I do not hold long, philosophical conversations with the monsters I kill, regardless of how intelligent they are. If the Legion are one thing, it’s stubborn. They haven’t changed their attitude in thousands of years, and they won’t now. To them, all monsters are dangerous and need to be eliminated. Monsters with potential for mass destruction, like ants, are incredibly dangerous, and need to be stamped out. Powerful individuals from a species capable of mass destruction—]

[Let me guess. They need to be eliminated.]

[Correct. In addition, any monster who hears the Call…]

[Eliminated?]

[Annihilated.]

[Great. That’s… that’s great.]

I’m really trying to work on an angle where I can have a chat with Morrelia, check in, see how the family is, but I really don’t see how it’s going to work out.

[Why the hate against monsters like us anyway? Every time this sort of thing comes up, people seem certain that monsters are going to go feral, no matter what. The Colony hasn’t gone stomping on anyone’s toes unprovoked.]

Besides a few independent cities who found themselves within Colony territory. No need to mention those.

doesn’t reply. I poke him with an antenna, or at least I try to,

[What?] he asks, irritated.

asked you a

unruffled, he displays a rare sign of ruff

he says flatly. [I’m insulted you would even attempt such

if detected on Amazon, report the

whoa! Hold

bend my legs and lower myself down to roughly his level. A

very young. I am very young, relatively. I genuinely don’t know the answer to

exchanges a glance with White, who similarly appears

you’ve seen the phenomenon for yourself. You were attacked by the creature, Garralosh, who had amassed an army of monsters. Am I not

are,] I reply,

have it,]

[Have what?]

[Anthony…]

being deliberately thick! I’m this thick all the

Grey sighs.

can be overwhelmed by stronger ones. The force of your core, your Will,

stronger than me, felt suffocating to be around.

sucking at your Will is not all that this effect can bring about. Should a monster sufficiently strong come close to one who is sufficiently

all those monsters following in her wake?

they follow, then yes. It seems absurd that you don’t know this;

seems… not…

that much time around weak monsters… I suppose. At least, I’ve never

of connection with Arconidem… perhaps they’re immune to outside influence? I’ve been on the fourth for a while, monsters here

I have had a chance to notice

own family. Any up to tier three could be susceptible to you right now,] Grey says. [You’ve

my

be

seems… unusual. Nevertheless, it

going to swan up to the Colony and subsume

are worried an Ancient will do that,] Grey says flatly. [The Legion was founded during the Rending and they believe we should be prepared for it

not a fan of