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

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

ant turned to regard her directly, the many lenses

protect people. It’s the right goal, just the wrong target. But hey, I don’t think I’ll ever

he wasn’t going to hold it

[is what you think. Am

to put her 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 the Colony

the Colony, and we’ll

at

instant, all the energy was sucked out of the

That whole mess was

[Was? So it’s resolved?]

no,] Anthony muttered darkly, [not by a long shot.

his legs. To have such a large monster moving so quickly right next to her

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

the tunnels wider,] he dismissed her concerns, and he was probably right. [This is what you came for, right? You want to

she said, looking around

were thousands of ants, hard at work on a myriad of tasks around her. It was clear the Colony was only beginning

many are working on this above?]

initial invasion force is

[A million?!]

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

to a separate area where a group of ants were

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