Chrysalis

“Be careful, Tribune. The monster may attempt to manipulate your thoughts.”

Morrelia frowned.

“I’ve received mental fortitude training and raised my Skills to the commander level,” she said evenly. “I will of course remain vigilant nevertheless. Thank you for your diligence, Legionary.”

[What’d he say?] Anthony’s voice echoed in her mind.

[They’re still worried you’ll manipulate me,] she sighed.

[I mean… is it possible to communicate in any way without allowing for the chance of manipulation? I’ve seen what the brathian do to people with just words. It’s not pretty.]

[You know as well as I do that a mind bridge allows for more than just communication. How did you defeat Garralosh again?]

[Ugh… I’d rather not remember, to be honest; that was nasty. Alright, this is the place.]

The ants’ forward operating base wasn’t anything special, yet. There were hundreds of carvers still working on it, and she knew full well what miracles they could accomplish.

[Are there really rooms in there for us?] she asked, a little sceptical.

[Of course! We’re an accommodating group of insects. Unlike your Legion.]

Morrelia felt a pang in her chest.

[Are you thinking of the bolts we shot at you?]

[Of course I am! While I was falling out of the sky as well. That’s such a cheap shot.]

a deep

won’t apologise for it. The stated purpose of the Legion is to protect people from the Dungeon, and to that end, they’ve determined you shouldn’t be allowed to descend

her directly, the many lenses in his eyes gleaming

you think is best to protect people. It’s the right goal, just the wrong target. But hey, I don’t think I’ll ever convince the

sighed in relief. At least he wasn’t going to hold it against her personally, but he

Anthony continued, [is what you think. Am I a threat to the peace

didn’t take long for him to put her on the spot, hitting right at the

[The wisdom of the Legion has helped us stand firm against the Dungeon since the Cataclysm. There is tremendous value in it, yet… I still struggle to imagine

you do right by the Colony, and

at the

the energy was sucked out of the

That

[Was? So it’s resolved?]

by a long

recovered his bounce alarmingly quickly, springing back up onto the tips of his legs. To have such a large monster moving so quickly right next to her was unnerving, to

have trouble fitting into the nests,] she observed as they walked toward the entrance to the

right. [This is what

said,

tasks around her. It was clear the Colony was only beginning to muster the might of

on this above?] she asked.

course not!] he barked a laugh. [The initial invasion force is being

[A million?!]

is the fifth stratum, Morrelia,] he told her condescendingly. [We aren’t going to make any progress

to a separate area where a group of ants were tending to hundreds

guys. I don’t know why