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

ant turned to regard her directly, the many lenses in

lot are doing what you think is best to protect people. It’s the right goal, just the wrong target. But

to hold

you think. Am I

put her on the spot, hitting right

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… I still

the Colony, and

what happened at

of the massive monster and

that…. That whole mess was

[Was? So it’s resolved?]

muttered darkly, [not by a long

alarmingly quickly, springing back up onto 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 walked toward the

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

right,] she said,

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

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

not!] he barked a laugh. [The initial invasion force is

[A million?!]

to make any progress being half-hearted about

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

I don’t know why they turned out so