Chrysalis Chapter 1604: 1712 - Like Rats
Previously on Chrysalis...
Frederick’s heart felt as if it had frozen solid within his ribs. Every nerve ending in his body shrieked in absolute terror as the colossal beast towered above him. The monster’s overwhelming power was so immense that he could feel its sheer might vibrating through every cell of his being.
Victory against a creature like this was impossible; he realized now what a fool he had been to even consider it. This wasn't a task for mere delvers. To face this beast, they would need the full strength of the army, or perhaps even the Legion!
Suddenly, he watched as the monster’s legs appeared to detonate.
A crimson spray of blood showered the paralyzed delvers, erupting from the joints of the creature's six limbs. Only a heartbeat later, the legs themselves seemed to give way, tumbling to the earth. The monster followed, collapsing with a crash that made the ground tremble.
[Dammit!] the beast’s voice thundered inside their minds, but Frederick saw only the opportunity he needed.
"RUN!" he screamed.
"We have to fight! It’s wounded!" some moron shouted back at him.
"Shut your mouth and run!" Frederick bellowed in response.
[No you don’t!]
A burst of violet light, a whistling sound, the noise of shattering stone—and then Frederick was slammed face-first into the dirt. His nose was smashed and bleeding; as he struggled to turn his head to catch his breath, he realized he had been driven several inches deep into the solid rock. The weight pinning him down was incredibly powerful. No matter how much he strained, he couldn't budge. The idea of standing up was nothing more than a pipe dream.
What was this?!
[You honestly believed my legs exploding would be enough for you to escape? How foolish!]
There was a brief silence.
[How much longer do these damn… ah! There we go.]
Seconds later, vibrations through the stone informed Frederick that the monster was mobile once more. Hah! He knew it was a trick! One could never predict the capabilities of a monster. Regenerating limbs wasn't even that shocking. He had once witnessed a beast that grew vestigial heads, controlling them like puppets from a distance.
[These things are far too tiny! Vestigial legs my thorax! These are nothing but vestigial stumps! Oh wait, they’re sprouting. Excellent!]
The creature continued to shove its thoughts into Frederick’s consciousness, no matter how hard he tried to block them out. It babbled to itself like a small child, yet he couldn't shake the feeling of malice hidden behind the chatter. Why would it broadcast these thoughts unless it wanted to flaunt its dominance? The monster was so certain of its own invincibility that it could waste time mocking the delvers in their desperate state.
Regardless of his efforts, Frederick simply could not move, so he stopped trying. He could hold his breath for an hour if necessary, but the more he struggled, the faster that time would bleed away. So far, the situation was mirroring the report Shamus had given. The mysterious force was crushing everyone into the earth, pinning the delvers where they lay.
What would come next?
[Oh, hey! I recognize you two! Lying on your backs, smart move.]
So that was why they had done it!
[You still can’t breathe, though, can you? You lack the strength to even expand your lungs.]
Hah! Take that, Shamus, Frederick thought with a sense of petty vengeance.
Shamus must have said something in return, but only the monster was able to hear him.
[I don't know, try lifting more or something. Work on your diaphragm. For now, just take it easy. I need to go look around.]
The floor vibrated further as the monster began to prowl, drawing closer.
[Not you. Wh-why would that even cross your mind in this mess? Freak. Nope. Not you either. There’s got to be someone here… oh, a priest! Welcome, welcome. Not you either.]
Frederick felt the mental pressure in his mind grow even heavier.
[Aha! Someone in charge. Hello. I’ll let you up for a second.]
The crushing weight vanished instantly. Frederick rolled over and looked up to find the ant standing uncomfortably nearby, staring down at him with waving antennae.
Antennae? They looked more like whips.
He stood up cautiously. From this low vantage point, he could see the ant’s mouth on the bottom of its head. It was horrifying. A nightmare image of himself being devoured by those twitching, claw-like mandibles flashed through his mind.
[Alright then,] the ant projected. [Just like last time, I’m considering letting one or two of you go back, just to really hammer home the fear and dread. Create a sense of total helplessness, and all that. By the time I reach Green Mountain, the people there should be shaking with a mix of greed and classic terror. You understand, right?]
[I-I do,] Frederick stammered, though he didn't understand in the slightest. This ant intended to just walk up to Green Mountain alone? No matter how powerful it was, that was a death wish. Built as a mountain fortress to withstand monsters during the peak of waves, it was overflowing with soldiers and defensive arrays that could compete with the best the Legion had to offer. [I’m certain they will be… terrified. You should head there as quickly as possible.]
[You realize I’m inside your head, right?]
Frederick cursed himself silently. He was out of practice when it came to shielding his thoughts after being away from the field for so long.
[You know what? Now that I think about it, I probably don’t need to send anyone back. The total lack of survivors will be plenty frightening on its own.]
Seeing the inevitable conclusion, Frederick snatched his sword from its scabbard and charged at the beast, bladelight shimmering along the steel. If his life was over, he would end it fighting.
A second later, he was back on the ground face-first, his head ringing from the impact.
[You’re still inside the domain… Are you really a leader? Good grief. Crinis, would you take this group away? This is becoming embarrassing.]