Chrysalis

The nature and origin of the Krath has been a matter of debate for many years within academic circles, yet it isn’t one that invites a scholar to delve too deeply.

Secretive to the point of obsession and more elusive than word of the Ancients themselves, the slug tribes of the fifth are difficult to study. Not that there is no enthusiasm amongst academic circles to learn more about them, nor indeed a dearth of driving force among the various authorities of the fourth. With every wave, the Krath torment the lower tunnels and send their servants upward to spread poison and filth. Knowledge of their methods and techniques would greatly benefit all of us, yet no one is willing to attempt it.

Not anymore.

The Krath, living in the fifth, are almost impossible to reach as it is, yet expeditions have been made to try and secure this intelligence before. All of them failed. Not just failed, but were made an example of. As barbaric and cruel as they are, the Krath seem to hold a special place in their twisted hearts for those who try to learn their secrets.

Expeditions were returned to the fourth, twisted and maimed beyond recognition. Sometimes, only pieces were recovered, left in the open for others to collect. Famously, a group from the Empire of Stone were recovered, minds almost completely gone from the horrors they had endured. The members clutched journals in their quivering hands, records that the Krath had forced them to keep detailing their own torture.

As a result, we do not seek to learn the secrets of the Krath.

Not anymore.

- Excerpt from ‘The Fifth and Beyond’ by Scholar Ralis

“Oh nooooo, they got meeeeee.”

The tentacles latched onto me writhe with glee as they forcefully attempt to yank me into the mucus river.

Emphasis on “attempt”.

the strongest creature around, physically? No, of course not. I’m not the physically strongest in my own group of pets. Am I going to let myself get yoinked into a river by some fifth stratum

can get me

Everywhere the slimy limbs touch me is flooding my body with the horrible

Any second now, this situation is going

Anyyyyyy second.

FILTHY CLAWS OFF OF MY

plunged into perfect darkness. I can’t see a thing, but I can certainly sense my loyal friend’s mana. As the light is chased away, she emerges from all around me, latching onto the monster who’s taken

that stuff, the poison

HERE, TRASH! I MUST REND

plunges her own limbs into the river, a thousand of them, seeking and twisting through the thick

myself. She’s as dedicated as always, but seriously…

much as possible?

[I ssssshallll.]

a violent tussle in the water, a vigorous struggle,

in on its head and drives in her Soul Seeker Cillia with a cry of savage triumph. A moment later, the beast itself emerges from the river, howling in despair and flailing wildly as it tries to fight

too late now. At least I get a good look at my would-be attacker. This monster clearly comes from a different evolutionary tree than most of what I’ve fought so far in the fifth. It

let it