Chrysalis

Where is it coming from? It’s hard to tell. I dive deep into the Vestibule, following that single thread of Will, trying to trace it back to the source. The ant is in pain, wanting to be saved. Wanting me to save them.

Just what could be happening?! What is going on?!

[You have to be calm, Anthony! I don’t understand, what is the matter?] Eran tries to calm me.

[We have left an ant behind and they are being hurt! I will not wait!]

The moment my gravity well is ready, I cast it and lift myself off the ship. It takes a little while, but I begin to rise rapidly. As I desperately try to determine where my missing sibling might be found, I snap out another mind bridge to Tungstant.

[One of us has been left behind in the city and they are under attack! Organise a quick headcount so we can find out who’s missing!]

[What?!] she gasps. [I’ll do it immediately!]

Come onnnnnnn. I know you’re in there somewhere. But where?!

I rise up, the Silver City gleaming before me, stretching so far, and climbing so high. Above that rests the Golden City, a hazy cloud far above me. Dammit! I have to be able to squeeze more out of the Vestibule! Where the heck are they?!

I grab hold of that wavering thread and tug on it, trying to trace it to its source. It’s thin, far away. How did they move her so far away from the rest of us so quickly? A gate?

above! The

into the air. Faster,

to reach me with a mind bridge, but I rebuff her attempts. If the brathians can’t help me right now, then they’re pretty much

who’s done this. Or at least, I heavily suspect who it is. That Grand Priest just couldn’t resist. I seriously didn’t think he’d try and take one of us while we were guests in the

second chance…. If I don’t get my

that. I will get her back, and there

Royal Road, this story should be reported

them under control for the

from the city, but I push them away. The Golden City is growing in my vision as I draw ever closer. It’s

I’m coming, dammit!

light flashes incredibly bright, momentarily blinding me, but I don’t stop moving. Well, I don’t stop moving until I run into the solid

wall with my mandibles and minds. In moments, it crumbles away and

clears, I realise what is happening. The flash of light was a group of Mages using some sort of teleport spell, like Brilliant. They’ve appeared several hundred metres away and are using their magic to

allow one of them to connect

are you

back where I am, stuck in a box of air. Not that he appears calm.

up here? Now that the trade mission is over and your fleet has departed, you no longer have legal grounds to enter the city. If you want

my siblings has been abducted,] I tell him shortly. [Now