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

for it. The stated purpose of the Legion is to protect people from the Dungeon, and to that end, they’ve determined

her directly, the many lenses in his eyes gleaming at

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,

relief. At least he wasn’t going to hold

I’d like to know,] Anthony continued, [is what you think. Am I a threat to the

on the spot, hitting right at the heart of

Legion has helped us stand firm against the Dungeon since the Cataclysm. There is tremendous value in

you do right by the Colony, and we’ll do

what happened at the

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

that…. That

[Was? So it’s resolved?]

darkly, [not by a long shot. But that’s not why

monster moving so quickly right next to her was unnerving, to say the least. It was hard

you get any bigger, you’re going to have trouble fitting into the nests,] she observed as they walked toward the

[This is what you came for, right?

said, looking around

a myriad of tasks around her. It was clear the

above?] she asked. [I assume this isn’t

[The initial invasion force is being prepped above.

[A million?!]

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

group of ants were tending to

[I love these guys. I don’t know why they