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

to protect people from the Dungeon, and to that end, they’ve determined you shouldn’t be allowed to descend

the many lenses in his eyes gleaming

Legion. I get that you lot are doing what you think is best to protect people. It’s the right goal, just the wrong

wasn’t going to hold it against her personally,

continued, [is what you think. Am

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

of the Legion has helped us stand firm against the Dungeon since the Cataclysm. There is

do right by the Colony, and we’ll do

what happened at the Silver

all the energy was sucked out of the massive monster and he slumped to

talk about that…. That

[Was? So it’s resolved?]

a long

the tips of his legs. To have such a large monster moving so quickly right next to her was unnerving, to say

into the nests,] she observed as they

tunnels wider,] he dismissed her concerns, and he was probably right. [This is what you

right,] she said, looking around

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

are working on this above?] she asked.

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

[A million?!]

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

to a separate area where a group of ants were

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