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

the Legion is to protect people from the Dungeon, and to that end, they’ve determined you shouldn’t

ant turned to regard her directly, the

don’t run the 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,

wasn’t going to hold it

continued, [is what you think. Am

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

[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 struggle to imagine the Colony

do right by the Colony, and we’ll do

happened at

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

That whole mess

[Was? So it’s resolved?]

by a long shot. But that’s

legs. To have such a large monster moving so quickly right next to her was unnerving, to say the least. It was hard

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

right. [This is what you came for, right?

right,] she said,

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

above?] she

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

[A million?!]

stratum, Morrelia,] he told her condescendingly. [We aren’t going to

walked over to a separate area where a group of

guys. I don’t know why they turned out so