Chrysalis

Alright, Jern and Alice have apparently been transformed into killing machines. Good, I guess? They'll rack up levels and experience quickly, which is a benefit, and I don't have to worry about them getting hurt. That's fine. All positive.

But what about the kids?

Emelia, Trean and Allison are watching the growing chaos with neutral expressions, seemingly unmoved by what they're seeing. I'm getting a bad feeling about this. What have the Nameless done with these kids? Surely, they aren't as… killy… as the other two? Right?

[Alright, you three. Do you feel like you can head in there and contribute without putting yourselves at too much risk?] I ask them.

The three of them look about, carefully assessing their surroundings, then share a long, silent exchange of glances.

[We'll be fine,] Emelia says shortly.

Ooookay. I guess I just… have to trust they know what they're doing. I mean, the Nameless wouldn't have let them out if they would be in danger… right?

Let's see.

The three young people move together in eerie silence until they approach the back ranks of the battalions. Then they just… vanish.

What the….

For the next ten minutes, I'm treated to a horrifying, terrifying display that shakes me down to my claws. The three of them are everywhere and nowhere. They pop out of the shadows with perfect timing, slashing out with quick and deadly strikes before vanishing once more.

no idea they were even out there. The monsters they defeat have no idea what happened, struck from blindspots, beneath them, behind them, to the side. Heck, I saw one of the three jump out from behind an ant's leg. The leg. Even if it was a soldier, their legs aren't that thick…. How do

three of them return to me, I find myself in a sombre mood, reflecting on the tragedy of lost youth and staring wistfully into

well, Eldest?

did very well. Too well. I feel nothing but admiration and deep, profound sadness. Have

and head off to join Jern and Alis, who

put the blame entirely on them. I'll have to have a word with Crinis when we catch up next. I'm fully aware she was involved in pushing them to

is it a bad thing that they can defend themselves? Of course not! But having such young death machines leaves

was much wiser,

can't put spilled babies back in the bath.

You're up. Show me what you

this time. Bert might look like a harmless old man who mends pots and cleans things for a living, but he went through the same deadly training

nods at my request,

[Bert.]

[Yes, Eldest?]

that a frying

replies, flipping it once and catching the

going to

the back of his head and chuckles,

so