Chrysalis Chapter 1714 - The Shadows Are Dangerous

Being out in the tunnels in this manner was an unfamiliar experience for the nameless one. While some of her sisters—those serving as scouts and soldiers during their waking hours—undoubtedly felt more at ease in such environments, the nameless one had not left the darkness for many weeks. It was possible that her identity among those in the light had been entirely erased, like an ant that had wandered off the map and been declared lost. Perhaps, however, her family knew exactly where she spent her time and simply chose to ignore it.

<Form up,> the leader of the squad signaled to the others.

As if the nameless one would ever be anything less than perfect in her duties. She had tracked the most formidable prey within the Colony; a few humans stumbling through the Dungeon would be no trouble at all.

Even so, she never took shortcuts or allowed her vigilance to waver. Perfection was the mandatory standard for the nameless, and she intended to meet that expectation regardless of the mission.

Moving as fluidly as water through the darkness, the group of nameless acted as a single entity—sensing, pausing, and only shifting positions when they were absolutely certain. Dancing upon the razor-thin line between the material realm and the shadow dimension, they took care not to lean too far in either direction. Eventually, their first target was located.

It was a lone human, huddled in a hidden spot against the wall of the tunnel.

To be fair, it was a respectable attempt at stealth, and the nameless might have missed her if not for the persistent shadow on the floor. If something cast a shadow, it would be found. To the nameless, shadows functioned as windows and doors. Out of everything in existence, they were most attuned to the dark.

<I will handle the first,> the leader signed, <the rest of you, sweep the area.>

Moving with intent, the nameless one wasted no time, passing through the tunnel without sound or sight. As the others spread out behind her, they inspected every corner and crevice. When hunting prey like this, they knew better than to trust their antennae, their eyes, or even their sense of touch. Nothing was taken at face value; everything required verification from as many perspectives as possible.

It was only due to this thoroughness that the second one was discovered, hiding inside a hollow stalagmite and using mana sense to monitor the outside world.

<Found one,> the nameless one signaled, indicating the intruder.

In the absolute blackness, there wasn't even a shadow to detect. Only the incredibly light touch of the delver’s mind upon the mana of the tunnel had betrayed her presence.

When they finally struck, it was over in a heartbeat. The nameless one claimed the second delver for herself. While the darkness inside the stone pillar had concealed her shadow, it offered no protection against the arts of the nameless. Grabbing hold of the darkness, the nameless one meticulously infused it with her mana, extending it through the shadow dimension to mask where the power originated.

Despite her active mana sensing, the delver remained oblivious to the fact that the very darkness surrounding her was shifting and becoming tangible. It was no longer merely dark; it had become a doorway.

At the precise moment, the nameless one pulled it open, and the delver tumbled through the gap. With no time to scream, she was wrapped in a shroud of shadow as her mind was forced into a deep sleep.

Flawless.

Once the subdued prey was hidden within the separate realm, others were ready to take charge and transport them to the sleeping cells. The nameless had carved numerous paths through the shadow dimension for this very purpose.

<Continue the search,> their leader signed. <Clear the path.>

And so they proceeded.

They moved through the tunnel, sensing, searching, and hunting. They exercised as much caution as if they were stalking the Council itself, knowing that even a hint of their presence would make the mission ten times more difficult.

More were discovered, either alone or in small clusters—delvers gathered at specific points, watching the tunnel for ants, never realizing they were the ones being preyed upon. One by one, they were enfolded by the shadows, claimed by sleep, and taken away to the cells.

It became obvious that so many sentries wouldn't be guarding this specific tunnel without a reason, and the cause was soon revealed.

<Stop,> the nameless one signaled, causing the group to freeze instantly. In the silence, she indicated four distinct spots. <Sentries,> she added.

A high density of delvers. For this many to be so close together, there had to be more nearby.

<Scout ahead,> the leader gestured.

A solitary nameless could go where a group could not.

Slipping through the tightest of openings, she bypassed the first line of guards, then the second and third. Only then was she close enough to perceive what was being concealed within the tunnel.

Exiting was far simpler than entering. After all, the humans expected threats to arrive from the front, not the rear. Those they had already seized were undoubtedly part of this group. Soon, the humans would realize some of their comrades were missing and increase their guard, but for now, they remained unaware.

Once she was back in the clear, she returned to the waiting nameless.

<A large force is ahead,> she signed. <They are preparing an ambush.>

The nameless stood motionless as they weighed their next move.

<We must inform the Eldest,> the leader signed.

Naturally, they couldn't go to the Eldest in person, as their current location was unknown. Fortunately, that wasn't necessary. Right beside them, hovering on the boundary between reality and shadow, a single tentacle drifted, waiting to receive their report.