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

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

ant turned to regard her directly, the many lenses

Legion. I get that you lot are 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 it is what

least he wasn’t going to

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

on the spot, hitting right at the heart of

us stand firm against the Dungeon since the Cataclysm. There is tremendous value in it, yet… I still struggle to imagine

by the Colony, and we’ll do right

what happened at the

out of the massive

that…. That whole mess was

[Was? So it’s resolved?]

darkly, [not by a long shot.

quickly right next to her was unnerving, to say the least. It was hard to believe

bigger, you’re going to have trouble fitting into the nests,] she observed

he was probably right. [This is what you came for, right? You want to know how we’re going

she said, looking around

her. It was clear the Colony was only beginning to muster the might of their industry to approach

on this above?] she asked. [I assume

a laugh. [The initial invasion force is being prepped above. It’s going to be around

[A million?!]

he told her condescendingly. [We aren’t going to make any progress being half-hearted about it. Here, take a look at

where a group of ants were tending to

I don’t know why they turned out so happy,