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.]

took a deep

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

directly, the

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

going to hold it against her

you think. Am I a threat to the

put her on the spot, hitting right at the heart of her

I’m not sure,] she said. [The wisdom of the Legion has helped us stand firm against the Dungeon since the Cataclysm. There is tremendous value in it, yet…

right by the Colony, and we’ll

at the

was sucked out of the massive monster and

that…. That whole mess was

[Was? So it’s resolved?]

heck no,] Anthony muttered darkly, [not by a long shot. But that’s not why

back up onto the tips of his legs. To have such a large monster moving so quickly right

any bigger, you’re going to have trouble fitting into the

dismissed her concerns, and he was probably right. [This is what you came for, right? You want

said, looking

work on a myriad of tasks around her. It was clear the Colony was only beginning to muster

many are working on this above?] she

barked a laugh. [The initial invasion force is being prepped

[A million?!]

Morrelia,] he told her condescendingly. [We aren’t going to make any progress being half-hearted

over to a separate area where a group

these guys. I don’t know why they turned