Chrysalis

When the customers come, they come in a flood. I want to emphasise that I don’t use that word lightly. I have no idea how many people live in the Silver City, but I’m guessing it’s something along the lines of many. Much like Freehill, home of the Folk, pretty much the entire mountain is claimed by the city, but unlike Freehill, the whole dang thing is built up. Keep in mind, these mountains make Earth mountains look like hills. Fourth stratum mountains point and laugh at Earth mountains, when they can see them due to Earth mountains being too dang short.

So how many people live here? It’s a heck of a lot. There’s no way this city could possibly sustain itself without portal technology. I wonder how much land in the Atreum empire is dedicated just to feeding this monstrosity? Surely there are multiple mountains they own in the fourth, along with a significant chunk of land on the surface solely dedicated to that purpose.

Surprisingly, despite the hurrying throngs, things start out pretty well. The nature of the Dome, being totally open, allows for the flow of traffic, and so long as the ants running the stalls are moving people on swiftly, there isn’t a chance for a traffic jam to develop. Credit for this also goes to the excellent work done in the planning phase. The layout ensures that the most in-demand stalls are spread evenly throughout the event space and never in places that might create bottlenecks. Sloan and Eran Thouris have done excellent work.

As for me? I’m busy being beautiful. No more flopping about for me, I’m standing tall and proud. Every now and again, I flex my mandibles or send my massive antennae sweeping over the crowd, much to the delight and interest of the locals. I have to say, the most popular attraction at this event appears to be… myself.

Gweheheheh.

Not that I can blame them. My Gravity Compressed Diamond Carapace gleams with a deep and mysterious light, my eyes glow with an unfathomable purpose and my mandibles thrill with their power and sharpness. There is no finer example of the ant form than me, and since the ant form is the most superior of all the monsters, there is no finer monster than myself in all of Pangera. May as well come and get a look while you can!

To be honest, I’m kind of shocked at how comfortable the people of the Silver City are at getting close to me. Mothers come along with their children at their heels, pointing up at me as the little ones stare. Young men and women stroll along, arm in arm, whispering to each other as they look at my incredible visage. Nobody seems nervous at all. It’s kind of refreshing, if I’m honest.

As I perform another broad sweep of the antennae, I spot a familiar face and decide to extend a mind bridge for a quick chat. Looking stunning only takes a small part of my mental capacity, after all, not because I have so much of it, but because being this appealing takes almost no effort.

I’m bored.

you to show up, Mr Rathwyn. Or should that be

haired mage chuckles as he walks around to stand in front

not rightfully on

I decided to join them. It isn’t often we scholars are able to witness something like this. There have been many species of monster who tried to form societies, some of which still exist, but I don’t think there has ever been one who acted as cooperatively as the Colony.

I say, half-jokingly. [We arrived with ten thousand, and that’s

too kindly on kidnapping and involuntary incarceration. That wasn’t always the case, mind you, but over the last three hundred years, the Tower has been on the strait and

a relief. The last thing I want is for one of my

[But not you?]

rather it be me

agree,” Protectant mutters from

onto this mind bridge? Something

that monsters always turn against non-monsters eventually, particularly if the Ancients are involved,] I say casually. [Some believe another Rending is on the Horizon, the monsters of legend ready to rise and plunge the world into chaos. Isn’t the Atreum empire scared

my line of questioning goes on, Rathwyn grows more sober, stroking his beard as he ponders his

a few different perspectives. Does the Atreum Empire believe another cataclysm is imminent? Probably not. Do they view the Colony as a threat? Probably not. There are those who have been preparing to fight the Ancients themselves. What’s one ant Colony in the face of that?] He holds up a hand to halt any quick response from me as he continues to think. [Personally, I don’t think there is any safe or easy way to eliminate ant monsters, which has been shown throughout history. Exterminating them is always difficult, always painful. Your Colony would be an

worried that the Colony will turn against their allies, making our survival less likely, which means

Huh.