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

[What?] he asks, irritated.

you a

rare sign of ruff

answer to that,] he says flatly. [I’m insulted

been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the

Hold

my legs and lower myself down to roughly his level. A few people standing under me had to scramble out

not messing with you. The Colony is very young. I am very young, relatively. I genuinely don’t know

confused. He exchanges a glance

I spent time with you to know that you’ve seen the phenomenon for yourself. You

I reply,

it,] he

[Have what?]

[Anthony…]

being deliberately thick! I’m this

Grey sighs.

by stronger ones. The force of your core, your Will, forms an… an aura like effect. Have you ever felt such

stronger than me, felt suffocating to be around. It

can bring about. Should a monster sufficiently strong come close to one

that’s how Garralosh had all those monsters following in her wake? She just…

‘rizz’ you mean she crushed their will to resist and demanded that they follow, then yes. It seems absurd that you don’t know this; you are more

That seems…

weak monsters…

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

would I have had a

should have a similar effect against members of your own family. Any up to tier

shake my head

I’d be horrified if

it is

worried some big monster is going to swan

that,] Grey says flatly. [The Legion was founded during the Rending and they believe we should be prepared for it to happen again. If one of

a fan of that