Chapter 878 - Adventure
"Look, it might not have turned out how you expected, but you've still done a lot for the Colony. You can't let this keep you down forever."
"…"
"I mean, is it really that painful? Being alive? You've given yourself a whole new opportunity to fight for the Colony and help your family. Think about all the difficult struggles and hard work that we have in front of us, you'll be able to be there and shoulder your part of the burden. You might even have the chance to face down an opponent stronger than yourself once more and… you know… die… again… over and over."
"Are you making fun of me Eldest?"
"Would I do that?!"
"Yes. The healers have been laughing at us for a week straight."
"Hey, I'm not like them, alright? I want you to be happy, I just don't want you to get killed trying to achieve that."
"What if that's the only way that I can achieve happiness?"
"Then too bad. You think we worked so hard to bring you up to tier six so you could go ahead and die after one battle? You must be outside of your head, Leeroy!"
THWACK!
"Ouch! Hey, weren't you trying to cheer me up?" she protests trying to protect her head from my vicious antenna.
Oh, right.
"It's hard not to get annoyed when I see you sulking. Your siblings are all working their butts off and you're lazing about feeling sullen because you're still alive! How ridiculous can you get?!"
"The Immortals just want to serve the family in their own way. We all agree on our perspective!"
"The issue I have is that you want to serve the Colony once. I made it clear to you soon after you were hatched exactly what I thought of that. Well, I suppose in the end you've got your wish, you'll be able to die for the Colony as much as you want now!"
Leeroy collapses back onto the ground again at my words, the way she's been ever since she and her fellow immortals realised just what they'd done when they evolved. I can finally understand the waves of hilarity that the healers have been experiencing since the news spread. The idea that these particular ants, more desperate to sacrifice themselves than any others, have instead made themselves almost impossible to kill, is just too delicious for words.
I actually took a look at Leeroy's core to take a glance at the specific organ that they purchased, the Phoenix Fire Organ. To be honest, it's a powerful piece of work, a very expensive gland to be sure. From what I understand they didn't buy it but instead were offered it as part of the evolution they chose. As a consequence of so much value being put into this one element, the rest of their evolution was fairly sub-par, most of the Immortals did the smart thing and poured their spare evolutionary energy into stats to compensate, making themselves tougher and stronger which went a long way to helping them stay alive long enough for the Phoenix Fire to charge.
It's not as if they can't die, they absolutely can, but due to their specific circumstances, they've made it so much harder. The only way for them to be destroyed is if they are defeated too quickly for the organ to charge up. It takes time to build the energy necessary to 'resurrect' them from near death and return them to perfect health, the organ simply can't remain that charged permanently, it'd break down in minutes. The other way is to put them down again just after they heal, since it'll take much longer for the Phoenix Fire to return to full power a second time.
The problem is both of those strategies rely on overcoming the absurd toughness of the Immortals. Their carapaces are all highly mutated and the vast bulk of their stats are in Might and Toughness, making them extremely durable. On top of that, the armour produced by Smithant only gets better as time passes, making it even more difficult to actually put a wound on these ants! Killing them twice? Not even a tier seven was able to do it!
Which makes it even more hilarious that this happened to Leeroy of all insects.
In the future, as they mutate and improve the organ further, who knows how difficult they'll be to defeat as they continue to grow? I never would have thought it, but the Immortals have actually turned into a powerful and useful force for the Colony. I expect them to see a lot of deployment when we start expanding into the third stratum.
"Look, I didn't come over to try and give you a motivational speech. I want you off your backside and back to work along with the rest of your group. There's a ton of work to do and soon enough there'll be more fighting to do. If you keep wallowing in your own self-pity then I'm going to pick you up and drag you around the third stratum myself. If I even hear from someone that you've been slacking off then I'll return from the edges of explored territory to whack you on the head. So pick yourself up and get back to it."
For a moment longer the soldier remains flopped on the ground, a dejected example of an ant.
"Fine," she says as she starts to pick herself up.
I watch her stand with a critical eye, one antenna still raised threateningly.
"By the way, I don't want you to warn the Immortals who haven't evolved to avoid this species that you've picked. Nobody can tell them what to pick."
"What? They'll end up picking this one for sure!"
I shrug.
"That's their fault then. I'm not saying they can't pick the one they want; I'm saying the exact opposite. They can pick whatever they want, without influence."
Leeroy fumes a bit but she can see where I'm coming from. She eventually nods in acceptance.
"Alright then. Go check in with Advant, I think she had something that she needs you to do. It'll be a little while before your new armour is repaired so you'll have plenty to do helping with building until it's time to fight again."
Having dealt with the Leeroy problem I finally release a deep sigh. The moment she and the other Immortals had arrived in Orpule they'd been a solid weight dragging down on the Vestibule, their misery sinking into me through the Will they provided me. I had to do whatever it took to get them moving and back on the go just to stop them distracting me! I mean, I didn't enjoy seeing Leeroy be so miserable either, but it's not like she didn't do it to herself. I probably could have cheered her up by promising that she could go and fight an ancient or something and get smashed to paste twice in a second, but I refuse to play into her stupid obsession! The sooner she gets over it the better!
All right then, where's the crew? I need to get Sarah, Brilliant and my friends together, it's time to get out and get levelling again. I won't rest until the latest champion of the Colony has risen to the point where she can contribute to the Colony!
-x-X-x-
[So this is the full armour set, huh?]
[Yep, it's heavy, but it works very well.]
I didn't get a good look at the full suit during the assault but now that I can have a real sticky-beak up close I have to say that fully armoured Sarah is intimidating as hell. She is already a well-built monster in terms of mass, but with smooth, interlocking plates of armour covering her massive frame she has an altogether different level of presence. It's enough to make me start to consider what a full suit of armour would look like on me. Covering up my incredible, glittering carapace would be a total sin, obviously, but if the end result was this badass? I'd consider it for sure.
[What are you looking at?] Sara asks a little uncomfortably as I circle around her.
[Huh? Oh, I wanted to get the complete picture of how you look with the armour on. It's cool as hell, and looks like it does the job well.]
The fact that it's already repaired after the assault goes to show how little of a beating she took, surprisingly enough. There are still scratches and scuff marks all over the metal, but from what I understand all that needed to be done was replace a few plates and she was good to go.
[You sure you want to take it out with us?] I ask her.
[I really need to get used to fighting in it, so it makes sense that I take it out. The extra weight makes a lot of movements more awkward so I want to practice.]
[Fair enough. We should see plenty of action, so you'll get your chances.]
I have a quick look around.
[Alright then, I think we're all ready. Invidia, you can spit her out now.]
Revealing his wide, toothy grin, Invidia opens up and pushes the bedraggled Brilliant out of his pocket dimension mouth and back into reality.
"Is that really necessary?" she complains as she shakes herself off like a soaked puppy and starts fastidiously cleaning her antennae.
"We both know how little you want to sit about while we wait for everything to get ready. If you aren't happy that we needed to do this then examine your own attitudes," I tell her plainly. "Now we have one more evolution to achieve for you before we can stop power levelling and its time to go out there and get it. Have you made all the Skill purchases and completed all the mutations that you could do?"
"Yes," she says and I get the impression that she would roll her eyes if she could, "I did all that ages ago. Have you?"
I have not.
"Never mind that."
[How about you Tiny? Crinis? All ready to go?]
I get a firm nod and a thump on the chest from Tiny.
[Yes, Master. I've fully recovered from my injuries.]
[Great. Thanks everyone. Well, we might as well get going then.]
As I turn to lead the group to the newly installed lift that will carry us to the ground a giant eyeball flares into existence in front of me.
[HOLY SMOKES! Geez, Al! How many times have I asked you not to do that!?]
[Many.]
[Yet you still do it…]
[I find it… amusing. I will join you on this expedition also.]
He couldn't possibly have said the word amusing with any less inflection on it. I also notice that he didn't bother asking… ah well. It's not like I could stop him from tagging along if he wanted to. Having a tier seven demon in your back pocket isn't something I want to turn down either.
[Fine. Try not to hassle me too much for information, alright? I've got some stuff I need to work on and I can't be telling you about middle-earth all day.]
With the group finally assembled we walk out onto the lift which hangs over the edge of the plate, exposing us to the frankly dizzying drop beyond.
"Let it rip!" I cheerfully wave to the group of ants operating the lift and they accommodate us, triggering the mechanism and starting the descent.
I'm not sure exactly how we power these things… but however we do it is going to get a workout on this trip. Invidia and Al can fly, but between Sarah, Tiny and myself we are packing a fair bit of heft. As we slowly drop I look out over the edge of the lift into the still-breathtaking view of the third stratum. It blows my mind even now that this much open space exists inside the planet. It makes no sense! Yet here we are, slowly lowering ourselves down into the world of blasted black stone covered in fire and ash. Also demons. Hundreds of millions of ankle biting demons.
I get the feeling it won't be long until the Colony comes down here and starts aggressively pruning the demon population in order to farm Biomass. They'll need to strike a balance between feeding the insatiable hunger of the family and allowing enough demons to rise to tier six to join the population in our controlled cities. I've no idea how they plan to manage that but I'm sure they'll have thought carefully about it. Perhaps we should even 'sponsor' certain promising young demons, make sure they max out their cores before they evolve to try and increase the quality of the demons that eventually join us…
That's actually a good idea… I was bound to have one sooner or later!
It takes an hour for the lift to reach the ground and we are more than happy to jump off by the time we reach it. Being cramped together on that small platform is far from comfortable.
[Alright, here we are folks! Since the Colony is going to chill out for a little while, we have a few weeks in which we can go explore, fight and conquer to our heart's content without worrying about anything crazy happening back here. First priority is to get Brilliant up to the next tier so she can finally count as a real monster and then the rest of the XP can be funneled into us! It's a long road to tier seven so we better get moving!]
I haven't forgotten the warning that Granin gave me, that I wouldn't be really safe in this stratum until I evolved once more. It'll be a long time before I manage it, but I'm determined to keep pushing forward until I'm strong enough to secure the future of my family. Tier seven is only going to be the start of that journey.
[Alright, we already did a ton of fighting in the tunnels to the west, so I think we want to head north and then see how things go from there? We all happy with that?]
A few nods from the group around me is all the affirmation we need.
[Nice. Let's get to it!]
-x-X-x-
The Colony recoiled from the reprimand of its Eldest and most respected member as if it had been bitten on the antennae. It has not happened many times, when the Eldest directly criticised the actions and decisions of its family, but each occurrence has resulted in great upheaval and a paradigm shift that changed the course of the Colony forever.
This instance was no different.
Warned of impending disaster if the reckless pursuit of expansion at all costs was not reined in, the council and the Colony as a whole drew back and began to reflect. With the conquest of the demon city Orpule newly completed, there was a tremendous feeling of momentum amongst us, one that we felt could lead us deeper into the Dungeon and catapult us into a large scale invasion of the third stratum as a whole. Only when we drew back, only when we focused inward, did the cracks begin to become evident.
The need for reconnaissance of the new territories had become great, too great. In order to cope with the vast swathes of tunnel and open Dungeon that needed to be carefully mapped, examined for resources and assessed for threats across both the second and third strata meant that older paths that had become considered safe were abandoned. Even those tunnels that lay between the main nest and the lands of the golgari had become criminally under patrolled and many a scout shuddered at the thought of what the Eldest might have said had they missed an invasion along those routes.
These irredeemable oversights were immediately corrected and maintaining the watch of all approaches to the nests became the highest priority, as it should always have been.
But the lapses did not end there.
So large had been the need and demand for metalwork, construction expertise and earth magic within the third stratum that progress on other projects had stalled, or even regressed. The best forged materials produced by the carvers had been used to create the chains and lifts needed to utilise the lifts to move materials between the second and third strata, which had significantly delayed construction of the gates required to secure the newly constructed nests. There too, a lack of attention and focus had nearly cost the Colony dearly. Desperate to push an overstretched workforce, the carvers had gone well beyond their tolerance, overworking themselves to the point of collapse, forcing the intervention of the unseen enforcers. Whole teams of builders had been lost to the shadows, not seen for days at a time as they were forced to recuperate and recover their peak condition, forced to suffer inhumane periods of relaxation and rest.
In this the wisdom of the Eldest was once again revealed. Nothing shamed the carvers and teams of construction ants more than poor craftsmanship, examples of which could be found everywhere in their latest work. As the Colony withdrew and consolidated, the carvers rededicated themselves to the pursuit of perfection, tearing down everything they had built with the slightest deviation and constructing it from the ground up once more. Filled with righteous fire at having to correct their own mistakes, the standard that they would seek to meet from that point on was established over this month.
Likewise the brood tenders were forced to regroup and reflect on their decisions. In the never ending push to fight and expand the territory of the Colony they had raised many grubs to become fine soldiers, scouts and generals. The boundless hunger of the Colony for workers to build and construct had encouraged them to evolve huge numbers of carvers. Critical for both of those endeavours, mages were also churned out of the antcademies in droves.
Yet the other castes had become under-represented. Healers were getting swamped under the workload, more and more injuries were left to recover on their own, with little but a scant helping of Biomass to speed the process. The core shapers had been used to plug the gaps left by the lack of scouts and soldiers in the upper layers of the Dungeon, but this had caused them to draw down their wide ranging core gathering expeditions, creating a shortfall in the Colony's supply. Worst of all, the brood tenders found that they themselves no longer had the capacity to support the demands of the Colony, having been so determined to meet the workloads of other castes, they had selflessly overlooked themselves.
A careful and meticulous review of all brood tender tasks took place over that month, before a restructuring and reinforcement of the caste was established. Never again would they fail the young charges who depended on them for care. There must always be capacity for the brood. This was paramount.
All across the operations of the Colony these errors and lapses were uncovered and swiftly rectified. Like molten steel the Colony purified itself over and over again, hammering out the imperfections and doing whatever was necessary to ensure that they would never repeat themselves. A feverish energy gripped each and every member as they realised how close to disaster they had come and the vast amount of work that was required to secure the future of the family without leaving any gaps for our enemies to exploit.
This was the true wisdom of the Eldest, the true lesson that lay hidden within the rebuke they had delivered. An immense amount of work was required to expand the territory and power of the Colony, it was true, but far more was needed to do so faultlessly, without leaving gaps that others could exploit.
In seeking to push ourselves and expand quickly, moving to take on what we saw as the greater challenge, we had in fact been shirking the true labour, being lazy.
Which could not be borne.
Also at this time the Colony completed its mapping of the tier four evolutions, a subject of thousands of hours of careful research. The evolution lists had been poured through, each organ and possible mutation investigated to see what best suited the needs of the Colony. For each caste, two main variations became the default evolutions where more specialist evolutions were not required.
The soldiers came in two main types, offense and defence. All soldiers were tough and strong, with thickened carapace, reinforced mandibles and extra muscle added to the head to power their jaws. Yet the defensive battles that the Colony had fought demonstrated a need for a hardier breed of soldier. Higher Toughness, regenerative plating, innate healing factor, magic resistant carapace coating, these ants did all that they could as they continued to evolve to harden themselves against all blows. The offensive soldiers, whilst not sacrificing their survivability, focused on enhancing the penetrative power of their mandibles, such that even the armour of the Legion wouldn't be proof against them should they fight again. Thickened muscles, sharpened mandibles, extending jaws, friction reducing mandible coating, acid hardened edges and strengthened legs. These ants were like the living sword of the Colony, determined to cut through anything that stood in their way.
The scouts split into two main variants, focusing on speed and long range bombardment. Although both remained swift, the faster of the two specialised in ranging far from the nest, engaging in rapid-response actions and using their streamlines profile and hyper-mobile legs to reach truly absurd top speeds. Utilising chameleon carapace coating, they are stealthy and capable of remaining undetected via even magical means. Devoting their attention to a hit and run style of combat, the other main variant of scout dedicated themselves to accruing damage over time, employing their highly developed and potent acid alongside their pressurised firing organs to achieve stunning accuracy over long distances.. Though larger than their brethren, these ants need never draw close to their enemies, spying and firing on them from great distances.
-x-X-x-
Isn't it incredible how quickly time flies when you're having fun with your friends? It seems like only yesterday that we set out from Orpule to scour these new hunting grounds for delicious, delicious prey. By the by, I don't want to give the impression that demons are tasty, they certainly aren't. Their hides are tough as steel and like everything else I've been forced to eat since I was spawned in the Dungeon they have a truly disgusting flavour. I'm starting to forget what good tasting food was even like! Perhaps there never was something such as 'tasty', perhaps that was just a lie that I've carried over from my previous life. Certainly it doesn't seem likely that I'm going to find a monster that is anything other than disgusting to consume.
No, the taste wasn't good, but the Biomass points sure were! Even if we are hunting monsters of a lower level of evolution than ourselves, with the stomach mutations that we have, the penalties are as reduced as they can be and the creatures of this stratum are so rich compared to even the shadow beasts of the layer above. It makes sense when you think about it, the spawn rate of monsters on this level is insane, and it's not even a wave right now. All those demon larvae ripping into each other, it all has to go somewhere right?
When they get up to tier four and five, these beasties have had a right ol' feast, and then, stuffed full of Biomass they retreat to these tunnels to try and hunt down others who had the exact same thought that they did in the hopes of pushing through to tier six and achieving 'true' demon-hood. That's when they run into us. Gweheheheheh.
It took over a week to power level Brilliant all the way to level forty and by the end she was able to be genuinely useful to the process. Her offensive output is still questionable, but her ability to shape magic continues to develop at breakneck speed. Once she unlocked light and shadow magic she continued to play around with them as much as she possibly could, to the point it was frequently annoying. Several times I had to dispense some THWACK justice when I was suddenly blinded by a lightshow blasting out of her antennae. It was often so bad that the little ant appeared to have a disco ball flashing atop her head, beaming rays of light out in all directions.
If there was a positive to the process it would be that it encouraged the rest of us to lift our game in terms of practicing our magic skills. I've been grinding obsessively all week, far more than I usually would, with Crinis and Invidia following along the trend. Even Tiny has gotten involved! As we've hunted and fought I've frequently seen the big ape pointing his fingers and zapping sparks of lightning all over the place. I thought it was adorable at first, the massive bat-faced gorilla wanted to join in the magic practice, but the more he did it, and the more time passed, I actually think he did get better, more accurate and quicker, when releasing his lightning. A totally unexpected event!
But now the time has come for the hatchling… although I probably shouldn't call her that considering she's about to hit tier five.
"Alright then, Brilliant, you've done it, achieved level 40."
The little ant puffs up with pride.
"Was there any doubt I would?" she boasts.
THWACK!
"With all of us helping you get experience from monsters who would rip you up and tear you apart with one hand claw tied behind their back? No, there wasn't any doubt. You might have just started to make yourself useful in this hunt, but once you've hit tier five, you'll be a far more valuable contributor."
"Ouch! I was just expressing a little confidence!"
"You aren't lacking confidence, nor have you ever lacked confidence. Humility and gratitude is the thing I'm looking for."
I give the no-longer-hatchling a hard stare with all ten thousand lenses in my compound eyes and she wilts a little under the heat, but not much. She might have no achievements under her carapace at this point, but Brilliant is certain that they will come with time. Is this some sort of inbuilt attitude that all champions get in order to push them to leadership roles? Vibrant was never this overly arrogant, but she never had a shred of doubt about her either. Now that I think about it, pretty much none of my siblings have ever expressed much in the way of doubt. Perhaps this lack of questioning can be attributed to the nature of monsters? No idea. I'm not usually the reflective type myself!
"Alright then, you know the drill. We've maxed out your core and tossed in a rare core to boot. Mutations are maxed. Make sure you go through all of the possibilities with a fine tooth comb and pick the option that you think melds best with you. There's no need to rush, so take your time."
"I'm going to have to go into the mouth aren't I?"
"Absolutely. You want to just hang out here in the open while you evolve? That's madness!"
With a tired sigh the little ant climbs into Invidia's mouth and promptly vanishes from this dimension in order to evolve.
[Make sure you spit her out if she gets too big, Invidia,] I warn the demon, [we don't want any accidents.]
[I knowssssssss. No worriessss.]
That's precious cargo right there, the second champion born to the Colony since it was created. We've only seen a glimpse of what she's capable of so far and I suspect there are great things in store for Brilliant in the not so distant future.
[Now that Brilliant is ready to evolve, what are we going to do?] Sarah asks. [Is it time to head back or are we going to keep hunting?]
[Keep hunting!] I declare. [Now that the little pest isn't going to soak up so much of the experience, it's time for us to get our rightful share! The other thing I want to do is head deeper into the tunnels and see if I can get a gander of the next level down.]
[Oh! That would be interesting. I've never heard how many layers there are to the third stratum.]
[I've no clue either,] I shrug, [but there's one way to find out.]
-x-X-x-
Chapter 882 - A Whole New World
Hello dear readers! Tolly here, once again reporting on my ongoing adventures in the lands of the Colony! The town of Renewal and the surrounding farmlands were a picturesque and inspiring sight that told a tale of the strength of the living spirit. People who had risen up and rebuilt their lives after a devastating disaster at the hands of monsters with the help of, of all things, monsters. Getting to know these people and listen to their stories was a powerful experience that went a long way to diminishing my fear of the ants, which was likely why I felt compelled to make my request when I was already deep within the grand nest known as Anthome.
-x-X-x-
"You want to meet the Queen?" Emelia blinked.
"If at all possible," I smiled politely as my two guards emitted and intense 'oh no, not again' aura.
A look of amused confusion flickered across my guide's face as she considered my request.
"I'm… not sure that you'll be allowed, I don't think anyone has asked to do that… ever. You understand that we need to go deeper into the Dungeon to do as you ask? The Queens don't live this high up."
"I assure you I am no stranger to the Dungeon," I gave the poor girl a pat on the shoulder, "and if I might be pardoned for a moment, did you say Queens? There is more than one?"
"Oh, yes. There are hundreds of Queens, possibly in the thousands, the Colony is very protective of them and don't like to talk about them extensively. You'll need to give me a moment and I'll find someone we can ask."
Emelia walked off a short distance to communicate with a few ants whilst I waited with a wonderful feeling of excitement and trepidation coiling in my belly. There really is no better way than plunging head first into danger to help one feel young. I recommend it to all my readers! In moderation, obviously!
A few minutes later Emilia returned with a rather large ant, nearly as tall as I was by her side. I felt the creature reach out to my mind and I allowed the contact. A chance to speak with the ants directly?! How invigorating!
[You wish to see a Queen?] the touch of the monster's mind was alien, almost cold in the lack of strong emotion.
On the other hand, I could feel how calm and efficient she was, a creature of logic and reason. It was reassuring to say the least!
[Yes please,] I asked, (never forget your manners, readers!), [I would consider it a great honour to lay eyes on the Queen.]
[The Queen?] she repeated back to me and I realised that there was a distinct difference in the way we used those words. [It will not be possible to see The Queen, she is very deep right now, but I believe we can facilitate a visit to the Queens who are staying below us. I will warn you that you will be guarded very closely during this visit. Are you still willing to go?]
What a thrill!
[I am,] I nodded, [and I am sincerely grateful for the opportunity.]
Emilia smiled widely when we concluded our discussion and clapped her hands together in excitement.
"I haven't seen a Queen in over a year," she beamed, "what a wonderful day!"
My two guards looked positively ill.
Excerpt from volume eight of 'Traveling Tolly in the lands of the Colony' published in the Monthly 'Pangera Gazette'
Well I be darned. There really is a whole 'nother level just like the first in the stratum. I mean, I didn't really have any reason to doubt it, I was given the information from reliable sources after all, but I just couldn't help but refuse to believe until I'd seen for myself. Perhaps it's still the Earthling in me. One giant open chasm inside the planet is unbelievable enough, but two? One right on top of the other? It makes no sense! How can this possibly be real?!
And yet, there it is.
[That's a long drop down,] Sarah observes and I can't help but agree.
[Sure is.]
We both poke our noses off the edge of the pillar and stare downward at the plate city below and the plains that stretch endlessly through the smoke and ash which swirls even thicker here than above. The mana down here is noticeably more dense than in the area above, not nearly as large as the difference between stratum, but enough that I was able to sense it. Once we decided to head down, it only took a few hours for us to reach the bottom of the tunnels. From there it was a matter of finding a path that led to an opening into the space below, which we eventually found and now are staring down a whole new pillar, with an unsuspecting and vulnerable demon city awaiting conquest.
There sure as heck was a lot of lava in those tunnels though, particularly at the bottom. It felt like I was digging for diamonds the rate at which lava kept flowing from each and every direction. I can still see it now, pouring out of the stone tunnels above and falling the vast distance into the plains below. In fact, there are hundreds of such lavafalls I can see from here. Is the third stratum equivalent of rain?!
[Should we go down, do you think?] I ask.
[Oh no. What if they were hostile? I couldn't possibly escape. In fact, how would I even get down?]
Good point. Bears might be good climbers, but they weren't designed for a kilometre vertical climb on stone. Not even close.
[I wonder who's in charge down there, you have any idea Al?]
The giant eye flares at my question.
[I do not. I am most curious to know.]
[Well why don't you head down and take a look about? You can scratch your itch and then come up and tell us. I'll even trade some information without being a pain about it.]
I thought the demon would leap at the chance to pick my brain a bit more but to my surprise he doesn't, wavering in indecision.
[Something wrong?] I ask him.
[It may be dangerous for me in this city. I have passed through it before and my reception was… unpleasant. I am reluctant to return.]
[Huh.]
I stare down at the city below for a little longer before I shrug.
[Ah well, if we can't find out now, it isn't a big deal. It's not as if they're going to launch an assault on the layer above or anything. We can go back into the tunnels and keep hunting until the hatchling… I mean, Brilliant, is done evolving. I've been getting some decent levels and I'm keen to keep that wagon rolling!]
The big bear nods.
[Me too! To think I might actually reach tier seven, I never thought it would be possible in the past.]
[Hopefully we can still last in the second stratum once we manage it,] I sigh.. [To be honest I almost prefer the cold to this incessant heat.]
-x-X-x-
[Gah! Another ghast! Who's turn is it?]
[It's mine,] Sarah replied grumpily, [I'm willing to give it away though…]
Tiny immediately shot his hand up, an eager expression on his face.
[Settle down you big lug. Sheesh, you don't even get to eat 'em when they're done. Are you this greedy for experience as well now?]
The big ape gives me a long slow nod before extending a sombre thumbs up.
When it comes to hoarding things for myself, I'm always greedy.
I can practically hear the thoughts running through his head and it irritates me no end.
[We're going to do this democratically. I'm not handing you any more freebies just because I'm feeling lazy.]
[I-I would like the chance to hunt it, master.]
[Crinis? Got the hunger for levels I see! Good! How about that Tiny? Already another contender in the ring.]
He looks down at the black patch on my carapace, the pain of betrayal shining in his eyes.
[Get over it, you drama queen.]
Visible confusion ripples across his face.
[No I'm not explaining it.] I turn to Sarah, [are you sure you want to give this up? They reward a good chunk of experience, you know?]
The big Asura Bear shudders, a comical sight to say the least.
[No, it's fine. They're just so creepy. I'm happy to give up on it.]
[Alright then. Invidia? Are you in on this?]
…
[Okay! I thought I should be polite and ask rather than just assume… you know what? Fine. Next time we'll just put you straight in the draw. No need to glare at me like that.]
I mean, I know he's an envy demon but I felt it'd be rude to just throw his name in the hat without bothering to ask. The look he gave me though… ouch.
[I'm also going in on this one, so that means all four of us are in. Don't grimace like that Tiny, did you think I was going to sit them all out? You all know the drill, get ready, three, two, one!]
Tiny played rock, he always plays rock. The shadowy goop on my back stretched out to make scissors, Invidia formed a coloured barrier of paper and I formed scissors out of the ground beneath our feet.
[Who wins in this situation? I can't remember…]
[Master…]
[Maybe we do best two out of three?]
After a few more rounds we determine that I'm the winner. By which I mean, I determine that I'm the winner. Gweheheheh. The experience will be mine! I've been meaning to test a few new things anyway. I've been diligently practicing my force magic over the last week and now I think it's ranked up to the point where I can do some real damage with it. I have a few new spell forms up my carapace and I genuinely think that the oomph I'm able to pack into even the basic force bolts is enough to cause some real damage if I use them in the right way.
Compared to the limp wristed slapping they were when I first started using this particular affinity, they've now upgraded to a solid right cross.
Heheh, stupid ghost, you're in for it now. My minds spin into gear, winding up the force mana construct and spitting out the energy I need before I start shaping it into the required form. The moment my spell is ready, I fling it out at the unwary ghast, catching the demonic remnant by surprise.
The mana slings out in an open loops that catches around the monster and snaps shut around it, locking it in like a vice. Hah! You might be an ethereal douche-bag, but you sure as hell can't slip through a net made out of mana! The moment the spell takes hold, the hideous creature spins toward me and tries to reach out with its dreadful claws but instead finds itself bound tight. With an almost contemptuous attitude, the ghast begins to flex its might, aiming to break free.
Foolish monster. I find you're lack of faith… disturbing.
With the many brains I have at my disposal, a number of spells have already been in the making and they are unleashed one after another on the helpless foe before me. Condensed force bolts slam home like hammer blows, buffeting the beast and buying time for me to close the distance. As I prepare my dash, I send out another, more potent force bolt. Unlike the others which travelled in straight lines, this one curves through the air, striking down at the monster from above and smashing it down to the ground.
Filled with rage, the ghast finally breaks free of the cage I imposed on it, but it's far too late.
DOOM CHOMP COMBO!
With a few devastating snaps I shatter the final remnants of resistance within my enemy and its energy begins to dissipate as I start to read over the notifications from the system. Oh yes, give me that juicy XP. I need to many damn levels before I evolve again, I can hardly wait!
Man, it hasn't even been that long since I reached tier six and already I'm yearning for tier seven. Evolving is addictive as hell.
I'm so caught up in the moment of my victory, of thinking of the future and the short and sharp battle that I just participated in that I almost miss the tiny thread of thought that wriggled through the air, seeking out one particular member of our group. So faint, less that a whisper, practically just a breath, but even so it manages to snag my attention, but only barely. If I hadn't been practicing my mental skills so thoroughly then it may have slipped past entirely.
Insidious and careful, the thread of mind magic drifts through the air as I try to focus on it, to grasp it with my mind but it's so quiet I can barely sense it, and it moves like a leaf on the wind, drifting here and there on an unseen wind until finally it connects to the giant bear patting Tiny on the back as she comforts him for missing out on the fight. The moment it touches her she stiffens and sits up straight.
[Sarah…] it whispers.
[Jim?!] she gasps.
And then I'm there.
[BROOD KILLER!] I roar as my minds descend on that thread like a pack of wolves, herding the thread from all sides until I can strangle it in a vice grip. [TRAITOR! Your flesh will feed a thousand grubs for what you've done, worm! You hear me!? Do you think the Colony will ever forgive?! You can't slither away from us forever!]
[I can try…]
Like gossamer, like a spider web, the thread of mind mana falls apart in my grip, dissolving into nothing no matter how hard I try to hold on. Desperate to trace it I cast my minds out wide, hunting for any sign of that mana but there is none to be found. That punk worm must have worked his non-existent butt off to achieve this level of skill with mind bridges, it's the only way he could hope to connect to Sarah again without the Colony latching onto his location.
But still, this is a lead. There's no way he could reach us here from the second stratum, no hope at all. In fact, he can't be that far away, he must be burrowed into the tunnels between the layers.
The hunt is on.
-x-X-x-
Chapter 884 - Get That Worm!
[He's close! We need to get all minds on the job. Try and find his mana signature. It'll be hard, he's good at hiding, so we need to get on this now!]
[Anthony…] Sarah's mind hesitantly reaches out to mine.
[Later,] I tell her brusquely, [I can hear what you have to say later. The Colony won't be dissuaded on this, not after what he did.]
I switch my mind directly to my allies.
[Crinis, reach out through the shadows, cover as much ground as you can.]
I reach back and pat her with one antenna.
[This will be a huge strain on you, so be careful. It's important, but not more important than you are.]
[I understand, master.]
[Al, I need you to help track down this worm.]
[I do not understand. Confusion. What is a worm?]
[It's a type of creature that's long and burrows through the ground. Just try and find the damn traitor, please?]
[I will try.]
As I've been talking all of my minds have already bent themselves to the task of tracing the mana that Jim wove with such cunning. I refuse to believe he's so good that he can hide all evidence of his weaving.
Wherewherewherewherewherewherewherewherewherewherewhere?!?!
AHA! A sniff!
[This way!] I roar over the mind bridge to my team and we rush northwards. [Crinis! Let's go!]
The blob of pure shadow has already vanished into the darkness, her body totally hidden from sight, so I make sure to call to her before I dash forward like a terrier on the trail. He covered his tracks as carefully as only a true coward can, but he can't compete with my mind power! Once I put Invidia and Al on the case, our grip on his trail becomes even tighter. Unfortunately, he's just moving too damn quick!
[Since when was that damn worm so nimble?!] I rant as we rush through the tunnels, brushing past numerous demons who we simply knock to the side, unwilling to waste time fighting them. A quick right hook from Tiny and a dash is usually enough to put them in our rear-view.
[I believe he is travelling down a pre-dug tunnel, master. I can sense it ahead of us.]
[Makes sense, most likely the one he used to reach us in the first place. Any chance we can use it for ourselves?]
[I believe it's collapsing behind him.]
[Dammit!]
Because of course it is. The only thing this idiot is good for is betrayal and running away! But we have the scent and I sure as hell am not going to let him off that easy. Run! Like the wind, Anthony! A thousand thoughts try to intrude on my mind as we run. I spent time with Jim. He helped me escape from the golgari as well. He's been Sarah's friend for decades. But none of these things matter, they count for nothing anymore!
To push those impulses away I sink myself deep into meditation, letting my emotions run cold. I can't afford to get distracted when the trail is this faint and hard to follow!
[Crinis? Do you have anything?]
[He's too fast. I'm not able to catch up to him.]
[Don't push yourself too hard. As long as he doesn't get too far ahead then we can follow the trail no matter where it leads.]
The worm must have purchased an organ or skill that helps him hide his mana. I know he's not that far away, but I can't seem to grab hold of his core despite the fact that I should be able to sense it at my level of mana sight. I have a dozen minds out sweeping ahead, hunting for every little skerrick of energy that leaks beyond the fleeing coward's control and it's barely enough to keep track of him.
It shouldn't be all that surprising, considering he's a worm, but he's one slippery character.
[Wait!] I shout as I sense something change. I screech to a halt as I cast my senses about, trying to determine what has happened. My sense of Jim is fading, but not in the way it was previously. The direction has changed…
[He's going up! He might be going to breach the surface!]
[The surface?] Crinis asks, confused.
[Onto the plains! I think he might be leaving the tunnels! Quick! We need to climb!]
With his prepared passage speeding him on his way it takes far less time for the worm to wriggle his way up than it does for us, as we run and climb our way out of the tunnels our hold on the trail grows ever more faint. By the time we reach the plains I can barely sense him at all, only Invidia and Al are doing any better.
[Thissss way.]
[You're sure?]
[Alwaysssss sure!]
[Good enough for me, let's run!]
Back on the plains now, the ground beneath our feet carpeted in battling demon larvae, we continue to run as somewhere ahead of us, just below the surface, Jim continues his flight.
[Come on Jim!] I hurl the thoughts forward wildly, blasting out a wave of mind magic which may or may not even reach him. [Didn't you have something to say? Come back! Or are you unwilling to face up to your own crimes?!]
The lack of reply only serves to cause anger to bubble up within me but under the effect of meditation I allow it to flow past me.
[Sarah is right here,] I taunt, [you sure you don't want to let her know why you betrayed her? Did you know she almost died because of you? Why don't you come on back and apologise? My mandibles will welcome you.]
[Anthony!] Sarah growls at me with her mind and I turn my head a little to stare at her.
[… sorry,] I mumble.
If he heard me or not, Jim sends nothing back to us as he continues to increase the gap between us. As the long minutes of running continue to tick by we begin to see what might be his destination. Far ahead a pillar slowly becomes clear through the ash and smoke of the third stratum, and it's a big one. The plate city has at least four tiers, though it's difficult to see it right now, it's possible that a few smaller ones might be hidden from view at this distance.
It doesn't make much sense, why would he be heading for a city? What demon inside is going to protect him?
[Something comessss,] Invidia hisses.
[Any idea what?]
[No. Sssomething ssssstrong.]
[Keep running. We don't give up the chase.]
At least, that's what I would have preferred, except a few minutes later a powerful mind reaches out towards us.
[HOLD,] it bellows arrogantly. [Do not trespass into the lands of your betters!]
There's something about the touch of this mind that rubs me the wrong way. I feel as if it's tickling my memory somehow, but I just can't put my claw on it… a sense of trepidation rises in me.
[Slow down a second,] I tell the others as I race out ahead.
[Identify yourself!] I fling the demand out wide.
[Insolent youth I will do so once you have extended the courtesy.]
[Massster. The trail is fading towardsss the city.]
A moment before I decide to throw caution to the wind and commit to the chase once more, an unwelcome sight rises up from the plains and stalks atop a high peak not a hundred metres away.
Bejewelled, decked with bright, shimmering cloth and accompanied by two humanoid figures in robes that ride upon its back, the creature looks like nothing so much as a large lizard.
Ka'armodo?!
Just.. Perfect.
-x-X-x-
Fantastic, just what I needed, another giant lizard in my life. Haven't I dealt with enough of these things?! Considering our minds are connected, I carefully shield my exasperation and reply.
[Hey there, lizard bro! How's things? Life treating you well? Try not to dry out too much down here, gets a bit warm in these parts. Make sure you, you know… stay moist. Or whatever a lizard does.]
I can practically feel the indignation radiating from the big fella.
[I am Kaarmodo,] he hisses at me, [do not refer to me as a lizard!]
Despite still having their hoods on I can clearly tell the two attendants are glaring at me. What were those guys called again? I seriously can't remember. This isn't going so well, I'm going to have to break out the ol' Anthony charm offensive and see if I can talk this liz- esteemed kaarmodo around to letting us chase that damn worm into their territory.
Naturally I'm more than a little tempted to just bust through and go running after Jim regardless what this puffed up gecko has to say, but I'm wary of creating another international incident that the Colony will end up having to clean up for me. Making enormous messes and depending on my siblings to deal with it is a habit that I'm quite keen to break. It's getting embarrassing at this point! I'm hopeful that I can reach a diplomatic solution here.
[Of course, my mistake! I would never seek to insult one of the ancient and wise members of the kaarmodo race! May your scales be ever shiny!]
Smooth.
[Anyways. Can we run through your territory and kill that worm? We hate that guy.]
And the quality follow up. Nailed it!
This is what high level diplomacy looks like! Sheer perfection in the realm of communication.
[No,] the lizar- kaarmodo retorts. [Take yourself from our lands at once.]
What?! I'm genuinely shocked, but no matter, I still have one further trick up my sleeve.
[Please?] I ask.
[…]
He's being swayed, I can tell.
[… no?]
See! He sounded much less certain of himself this time around! The negotiation is clearly tilting in my favour! He's like putty in my claws.
[We have no intention of acting against the interests of the wonderful kaarmodo or your slave… helper… people… dudes.]
[Setsulah,] the old sapient grates at me, his mind clearly irritated.
[I mean no disrespect,] I try to give the mind mana equivalent of a thumbs up, [I simply mean to state that we have no intention of bringing any harm to you or your people, we simply wish to pursue our enemy and bring him to justice. That worm is responsible for the deaths of many of my kind and my people would consider it a great service should you allow us this boon.]
Like the mental equivalent of silk, I feel like my words are smoothly seeping into every fold of this kaarmodo's brain. I can already feel the disgust and disdain that he feels billowing up like a rising tide. Clearly the actions of Jim have infuriated the noble mage and he is fully willing to cooperate.
[Leave our lands at once, or I will be forced to view your intrusion as an act of aggression,] the lizard says coldly.
Eh? I thought we were getting along like a house on fire! How could you possibly defend that damn worm!? Once again, the urge to simply ignore the damn kaarmodo and his slaves is almost too strong to ignore, but I forcefully restrain myself, even if it looks as if I'm visibly writhing with the force of effort required to do so. Then a thought strikes me cold.
[Are you protecting the worm?] I ask.
Immediately I feel the kaarmodo and his two servants grasping hold of the mana in the air and preparing to weave it into spells, which causes Al and Invidia to begin doing the same thing and all of a sudden the tension has sky-rocketed through the roof.
Except for with Tiny, he has no idea what is going on.
But then Invidia pauses for a moment and his mouth appears, opening wide before his tongue pushes a still comatose Brilliant out onto the stone ground of the plains.
[Ssssshe has grown too large for me to containsss. I can holdsss her no longer!]
He sounds genuinely regretful about that, probably because he had to let go of something, an act that isn't really in his nature.
[Crinis!] I snap out an order, [protect Brilliant! Tiny! Grab hold of her and start running, we are getting out of here!]
[Do you not wish to chase the worm creature? I sense it still,] Al asks me.
[No. Brilliant is more important, and we don't want to start a fight we can't finish. I'm not going to pull the family down just to get revenge on that piece of garbage.]
I try to shield Sarah from my sending so she doesn't have to feel the anger in my thoughts, but I've little doubt that she brushed against them anyway. The giant bear's eyes are quite sad beneath her helmet as she looks into the distance where Jim fled.
[Alright! Chill! We're leaving!] I holler at the angsty iguana and just like that we turn and flee, Tiny bounding over to scoop up the prone Brilliant and bam, we are out of there.
After a few seconds I feel the three figures behind us start to release their grip on the ambient mana and only then do I relax. I can still see the pillar behind us, the giant city fading into the distance as we move away from it.
[We need to learn the name of this city,] I tell Al, [and we need to know everything we can about the kaarmodo there. What is going to be the best way to do that?]
[An envoy from another demon city is almost never refused. Certain. If the kaarmodo do not know the envoy comes from a city that you control, they will have no reason to interfere.]
[Is that something that happens often? One city sends a demon over to another city to … do what?]
[Negotiate, often for formal war, though long distance mind bridges are also commonly used for such talks. Exchange gifts. Travel.]
[Wait, travel? Are you telling me that some demons are out there on tour?]
I can almost feel the mental shrug.
[Demons like me, who crave information of one type or another are often compelled to move around the stratum. Some simply can't stay still for one reason or another. Perhaps their bloodlust is so strong they are unable to wait for a formal war to be arranged, so they travel from city to city, seeking conflict and battle. Others, such as Grokus, may travel to feast on different monsters and Biomass that can be found in different places. It is common.]
Well, that's interesting I suppose. I look down on Brilliant, held in the crook of Tiny's massive arm, she's still clearly in the process of evolving, her carapace shifting in strange ways as her body is restructured beneath her outer shell.
She's an important member of the family and couldn't be risked. I wasn't really worried that we would be in danger from the kaarmodo and his servants, but the possibility that she might be harmed was enough to call the retreat, even more than not wanting to start a conflict. Even so, if we find out that they're sheltering the traitorous invertebrate, then there may be a fight between them and the Colony no matter what I have to say about the matter.
[Anthony…] Sarah breaks into my thoughts.
[I know,] I tell her, [we'll talk when we get back to the city.]
-x-X-x-
There's just something so thrilling about delving deep into the Dungeon my dear readers! I can scarce describe it, the growing sense of unease and foreboding as the mana thickens in the air around you and the tunnel walls close in. Who knows what monster might lie around the next corner? What mystery the Dungeon will throw at you next?
Even if an old duck like me no longer has much to fear in the first stratum I still get a slither of energy rushing through my aged bones.
Except that, under the protection of the Colony, I experienced the most boring Dungeon exploration of my life. The creatures had tamed the Dungeon to a ludicrous degree, carving smooth, elegant walkways and passages, wonderfully constructed staircases with soft, firm padding on the stone, to make the passage of all humans as convenient and comfortable as possible. What struck me as ridiculous was that the ants themselves didn't even use these passages! They had vertical tunnels that they could traverse as easily as you or I walk along a flat road!
If any monsters existed on the path, I didn't see them. Not a single one! It was almost boring…
As we walked, the ants patrolling the tunnels became larger and more frequent. My guide stopped to exchange 'words' with each of them, and when I enquired what they were discussing, she smiled and explained that it was common amongst the Colony and those who lived with them to encourage each other to work hard and to remind them that they take the right number of breaks.
I laughed and said that surely it's difficult to make an ant stop working. Her expression grew serious, a trace of apprehension to her brow.
"Not really," she said softly.
Excerpt from volume nine of 'Traveling Tolly in the lands of the Colony' published in the Monthly 'Pangera Gazette'
I'm surprised at how long it takes for the emotion to bleed out of me as we march back to Orpule. I don't know what I'd expected would happen regarding Jim. I suppose in the back of my mind I always thought the Colony would find him eventually, as our numbers grew and we became ever more capable it was only a matter of time until we got our claws on him.
No matter how good he got at hiding himself in the past, slithering between tunnels and avoiding every fight that came his way, he couldn't possibly be so sneaky as to hide from literally hundreds of thousands of sentient creatures hungry for vengeance. Yet he managed to surprise me. Despite everything, the Colony still hadn't managed to get a sniff of him until now, a testament I suppose to just how deeply and desperately he hid himself. Somehow he even managed to come down to the third stratum, a desperately dangerous place for a creature like him, considering how open much of this layer of the Dungeon is.
And it's obvious why.
I glance across at the massive armoured bear marching along to the side of me. His strange attachment to Sarah was what caused him to betray the Colony in the first place, so I shouldn't be too surprised that he followed her down here, hoping to get in touch with her. I don't know how he spotted us as we roamed away from the Colony but he clearly saw his chance and decided to risk reaching out to her. An idiotic thing to do but I suppose it goes to show the depth of his obsession.
When we finally arrive back at the city we take the elevator up in silence as each of us ponders over the events that have just transpired. My friends don't disturb me, perhaps sensing the depth of my disquiet.
I keep a watchful mind construct on Brilliant at all times, monitoring the changes that ripple through her now larger form and waiting to see if she was ready to awaken, but by the time the elevator returns to the plate she remains comatose.
[Take her somewhere safe and quiet,] I instruct Tiny and Crinis, [and then watch over her. Make sure there's food available when she wakes up and reach out to me before she goes anywhere. I want to check in on her before she starts running wild about the place.]
[Yes, Master.]
With Brilliant still cradled in the crook of his arm, Tiny nodded and began to trundle his way toward the still growing nest built in the centre of the city. I watched them go before I turned to Sarah.
[Let's talk.]
She looked at me for a long moment before she sat with a thump and tilted her head back to stare up at the roof far above.
[I'm really not sure what I even want to say,] she admitted.
I didn't say anything.
[Jim was a companion to me for years. Years, Anthony. I trusted him. He was my friend. I can't just turn around and… I mean… I know what he did was terrible, I'm just…]
As she trails away I can't help but sigh.
[I get it. I understand where you're coming from. Jim was your only connection to the life you left behind, the only person who really understood what it was like to be reborn as a monster in this world. It isn't easy to turn him into a villain in your head, with all the history that's been built up between you. Not to mention, you don't recall the worst of what happened, since you were berserk at that time.]
I wander over to the bear who still hasn't moved and I give her a pat on the back with one leg.
[But you have to understand that, for us, there's no coming back after what he did. Because of him, hundreds, if not thousands, of brood died. Helpless larvae, eggs that never got to hatch. It's never going to be ok. The Colony will hunt him down no matter if it takes a hundred years.]
I let that statement hang in the air.
[That's going to be hard for you,] I continue, [I totally get that. If you can accept it, then you are of course welcome to stay with us, you're part of the family now. Whether you fight or not, whether you contribute or not, you'll always have a place amongst us. You have nothing to prove to us, ever again. If you want to try and save him? Then we may need to part ways.]
[He did it because of me,] she whispered, [we all know it. How is it not my fault?]
I shake my head.
[He did it for him. Don't ever let that thought confuse you, he might have felt like he was doing it for you, but it was for him. He has a weird and twisted view of what's in your best interest, coloured by jealousy and a need to possess. If he had the chance he would desperately try to convince you that he only wanted to help you, but the reality is he just wanted you to himself. And I think you know that.]
With a final pat on her massive, furry back I turn and leave her to her thoughts. It's a shame that everything is so complicated on her end, the emotional attachment built up over years of, if we're honest, incarceration together. For me? For the Colony? It's just so, so simple.
[Burke! Get your butt over here!]
[What's a butt?]
[Never mind! Got something big to talk about.]
Not needing to be told twice, the powerful scout zips over to me with impressive speed. Clearly she hasn't skipped leg day, by which I mean the day dedicated to mutating the legs.
[We had a sighting of Jim the worm, to the north. We tried to pursue but he ran into a section of the stratum near a large city. A kaarmodo was guarding the way, and they stopped us, but let him through.]
When I name the traitor I can feel my sibling grow still, a cold rage blossoming in her heart. She nods, slowly, processing all that I've said.
[What do you want us to do?] she asks.
Whatever I say, they'll do right now. If I demanded that city come down, they would make it happen. I sink into meditation to try and let my emotions quiet down.
[We can't rush,] I say, my mental voice suddenly cool, [I've just asked the Colony to draw back and secure its position, I won't ruin that by having us overreach now. We won't be ready for a confrontation with the kaarmodo for a long time. Right now, we need information. I want that whole section of Dungeon mapped, I want to know how many demons and lizards we're dealing with. Most of all, I want the edges of their territory watched in case that worm comes slithering back our way. Got it?]
[It will be done, Eldest.]
-x-X-x-
The hot air of the third stratum burned against his skin and Jim cursed as his tender flesh seared in the open air. He wasn't built to be exposed like this which was probably why they demanded he come out of the protective soil for this discussion.
The demon city of Arkesh loomed high above them, the five tiers of plates disappearing in the smoke and ash far above. He shuddered and the rings that made up his long form coiled and twisted uncomfortably.
Now that he had revealed himself fully the three kaarmodo who awaited him at the base of the pillar stepped forward, accompanied by their attendants they approached him as he writhed slowly with pain.
Without preamble he felt the combined weight of their minds slam into him, smashing his thoughts aside in the most brutal way possible. If he had any illusions as to how high he was held in their regard, then this deliberate, crude intrusion would make them clear.
Fortunately, or perhaps not, depending on the perspective, Jim was under no illusions as to what the kaarmodo thought of him. To them, he was a tool, nothing more, nothing less. He viewed them in much the same way, and if it helped him achieve his goals then he would gladly suffer some indignities. After all, hadn't he lived imprisoned by the golgari for a decade? Compared to that, rough treatment from the giant, sentient lizards was nothing.
[We have protected you, as we promised we would,] the lead kaarmodo declared, [this is evidence enough of our sincerity, I am sure?]
Jim wanted to snort and scoff at the ridiculousness of that statement. Protect him? They'd very nearly left him for dead! If he hadn't slithered directly towards their city they may well have let that idiot, Anthony catch him! But he couldn't do that. The kaarmodo were touchy when it came to questioning their morals, regardless of how questionable they were.
[I am very grateful for your protection,] he said, using the power of his mind to find a little more balance within his own head, shoving the intrusive presence back just a smidge. [I would also like to think that my efforts have also served to more clearly demonstrate the threat that the Colony represents. I hope that the old ones will be more receptive to my warnings now?]
The three lizards watch him lazily as their servants stood to attention around them. It was so difficult to try and read a kaarmodo, their faces almost never moved, if they wanted to they could stand perfectly still for days at a time, their bodies not shifting position in the slightest. It was unnerving to look at.
[We are still unconvinced that the danger is as great as you suggest,] the kaarmodo to the left told him, breaking into the conversation for the first time. [We have heard dire warnings, but until now we have seen and heard little of this 'Colony'. A single ant, no matter how powerful, is of little concern to us.]
So stupid. Despite the pain he was in, Jim was reminded of the human gesture he might have engaged in so long ago, slapping a palm against his forehead. He no longer had palms, or a forehead, but the sentiment remained. How could they be so foolish?
[If a single ant can become so powerful. Reaching tier six, with multiple tier six pets…]
He left the thought hanging, trying to allow the supposedly aged and wise kaarmodo to fill in the blanks on their own.
[Are you trying to suggest there are thousands of such creatures? All ants, with a comparable level of strength?]
The tone of the thoughts was loaded with derision.
[No,] he quickly denied, [but given enough time they will be able to amass resources at a speed that will shock you. I have been inside their nest, I know how fast they work. By now there will be tens of thousands of them, hundreds of thousands maybe. They can spread over an enormous amount of Dungeon and funnel resources to a few individuals. Surely you see the threat?]
[These are all future concerns, far off and theoretical. Little to justify our continued efforts to protect you now.]
If he had any teeth he would have grit them in frustration. These damned lizards were such an unwieldly and slow instrument to work with! When his betrayal of the Colony had failed, when the golgari and Legion had fallen short of eliminating the pest, he had despaired of ever being able to pry Sarah away from the insects who pushed her to the edge of her sanity in their own defence. They were far too on guard for him to ever be able to approach the nest again, no matter how hard he tried, so he had been forced to watch and wait, something he was well used to doing.
When the Colony had expanded to the third stratum, he felt he might finally have a chance. He knew that land in the third was more heavily contested than it was in the second, all he had to do was try and find some of the ant's new neighbours and give them a nudge. The empire of the great lizards, the Dune Kingdom, seat of the old ones, had been a perfect target. Too proud to ever settle to treat monsters as equals, a conflict with the Colony was inevitable. All he had to do was provide a spark.
[They have already conquered Orpule. That makes two cities that have fallen to the Colony in a matter of weeks. It won't be long before they come here. I predict that you will begin to see scouts poking at the edges of your territory in a few days, perhaps less.]
They certainly would be here, looking for him, but the kaarmodo didn't need to know that.
If only he hadn't reached out to Sarah in that moment, then Anthony and the Colony would still have no idea he was here and there would surely have come a better chance to reach her. He was confident that if he just had a minute to talk to her, a little time to explain himself, then she would see things as he saw them. The Colony would destroy her in the end, he was certain of it.
But with him, he could protect her, keep her safe from herself.
[Your warnings are dire, but we are yet to see sufficient evidence. If you wish to continue to enjoy our protection, then you should honour your end of the bargain. Continue to be our eyes on this 'Colony', track their movements. If they seek conflict with the kaarmodo as you claim, they will learn how foolish it is to wage war against the timeless sands.]
Sensing the dismissal, Jim gratefully rolled his lengthy form and dove once more beneath the crust of the plains. Though the rock was hot, the air was even more so and he was grateful to once more be shielded from it. He would return to the lands of the Colony, though he would have to be doubly careful for now, but he was confident that the tinder had already been lit.
All he had to do was be patient, then he would get his chance.
-x-X-x-
Chapter 888 - Big Brain
Tiny looked down at the little one cradled in the crook of his arm and felt a smile creep up on his face. It was good to protect the little one, and make sure that she survived as she slept. Keeping her safe when she was awake was much harder. Tiny preferred time like this. It made him feel good, feel strong, when he cared for the little ones. They took care of Tiny, brought him food, were family with the master, so, he would care for them in turn.
The other thing that made him feel strong was the curve of his arm as he held the little one against his chest. This angle, this position, allowed him to flex his big bump of an arm muscle to an impressive degree, something that he was sure to slowly emphasise as he moved, so that all could appreciate the wonderful sight.
In truth, it absorbed his attention perhaps too much.
On several occasions the little one had tricked him by asking him to pose and then escaping when his back was turned! Trickery! One time she had asked him which arm was thicker, his right or left and Tiny had become so absorbed in the question he had remained as still as a statue for six hours. Only when the master had realised that both he and the once-hatchling had gone missing did he return to find Tiny looking down at both arms, flexing and straightening them one after the other with a thoughtful frown on his face.
Luckily the master wasn't too mad, though he did check Tiny's core just to make sure his Cunning stat hadn't changed.
Tiny found that a little insulting. No he hadn't changed his stats! He just devoted most of his brain to hitting things and muscles, which were a key part of hitting things. Now that he had more brain than before, he could think even more about hitting things and muscles! He didn't mind it so much, though sometimes he wished his shoulders were a little larger and his brain a little smaller.
(It should be noted that Tiny has truly, ridiculously, absurdly large shoulders.)
[Tiny. I believe that Brilliant may be stirring,] the voice of his sister breaks into his thoughts of shoulders large enough to hoist a mountain on top of and his gaze flashes down to the small form that he holds in his arm.
The shadow has spoken truly, the young has begun to twitch and wriggle, much as the grubs do, in small increments as she returns to the world of the waking. Moving gently, he places her down on the stone floor with one massive palm before he steps back and peers carefully at the waking ant.
He doesn't want to make a mistake and have her run off on him again. The master would get annoyed and then for his next evolution his brain would have to be even bigger… which would mean less energy for more important things! His fists curl in determination which does interesting things to his forearms but before he can become distracted he snaps his eyes back to the little one.
That was close…
[I have informed the master, he will be with us soon,] his sister informs him and Tiny gives her a quick nod of gratitude.
That means he won't have to focus for too long, which is a good thing. With the imminent arrival of their creator, they settle in to wait. Little brother decides he doesn't want to float any longer and settles himself on top of Tiny's head, his two stick-thin arms supporting him. It's a shame that the little brother has such a weak body, he'll never know the true joy of smashing things with his fists, which makes Tiny a bit sad. On the other hand, the little brother is very good at smashing things with his brain, which Tiny can't do.
Perhaps smashing things with the brain is just as fun?
He considers for a second before he shakes his head in denial. No. There is no chance that is true, but the little brother enjoys it, so that is good. At the movement of the head beneath him Invidia stirs as he is forced to adjust his position and Tiny quickly feels a connection snap into being between the two of them.
On the other side of the bridge the giant ape can feel his little brother's mind, not so little right now, the weight of that ponderous brain looms like something that Tiny doesn't think he could lift.
[Be stillsssssss,] the little brother chides, before his eye flitters down to his resting place's massive frame. [Your sssstrength will be mine one day!] he declares.
Tiny shakes his head again, causing the little demon to hiss with irritation. He knew the little brother would yearn for his great power, a pity he will never be as huge as Tiny.
Then the hatchling springs awake, leaping up onto her six legs and pointing an antenna fervently behind them.
[Look out!] she cries over a hastily crafted connection.
Both Tiny and Invidia immediately turn only to see nothing behind them at all, only a wall. Perhaps she wanted them to see the wall? Before the pair can lean in closer to more thoroughly inspect said wall there is skittering noise followed by a thump behind them and they turn back to see the hatchling splayed out on the ground, each of her legs bound by a coil of shadow.
[W-when?] the newly evolved ant groaned.
[Since before you woke up,] the sister said. [Stay still until the master arrives and I won't mention your attempt.]
[Fine.]
She tried to escape! Tiny realises this and thumps one massive fist into his palm before he turns to his sister and gives her an energetic thumbs up. The patch of darkness that has bonded itself to the wall wibbles a little and sighs, before a tentacle extends and moulds itself into a matching gesture that Tiny happily bumps his own fist against before he settles back.
Teamwork. It feels nice to have others he can rely on. It took him a long time to understand that.
Shortly after, the master arrives, rushing up in a blur before stopping suddenly and looming over the little one in a cloud of dust. At the last moment, the shadowy restraints slip into the stone and vanish allowing the hatchling to stand once more.
[Thanks guys,] the master tells them, his honest gratitude shining over the connection, warming each of them like a gentle flame, [I really appreciate it.]
Then he pokes and prods the little one a few times.
[Now let's see what you've done.]