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

of the Legion is to protect people from the Dungeon, and to that end, they’ve determined you

her directly, the many

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 ever convince the people who run your outfit of that, so

he wasn’t going to hold it against her personally, but he

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

take long for him to put her on the spot, hitting right at the heart

sure,] she said. [The wisdom of the Legion has helped us stand firm against the Dungeon since the Cataclysm. There is tremendous

you do right by the Colony,

at the Silver

an instant, all the energy was sucked out of the massive

That whole mess was

[Was? So it’s resolved?]

darkly, [not by a long shot.

such a large monster moving so quickly right next to her was unnerving, to say the least. It was hard to believe this was the same creature she’d fought

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

probably right. [This is what

right,] she said, looking around

a myriad of tasks around her. It was clear the Colony was

working on this above?] she asked. [I assume

course not!] he barked a laugh. [The initial invasion force is being prepped above. It’s going to be around a

[A million?!]

the fifth stratum, Morrelia,] he told her condescendingly. [We aren’t going to make any progress being half-hearted about it. Here, take

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

the wuffers,] Anthony told her, [I love these guys. I don’t know why they turned