Chrysalis Chapter 1746 - Sentencing

Within an hour of the disgraced Priest departing, Alir found himself dragged out of his cell. The ants showed no interest in speaking to him and failed to provide any human to field his inquiries. Such rudeness was entirely new up to this point.

.

In the depths of his thoughts, the Grand Priest had never fully accepted that Beyn, despite his deep fall, would actually reveal to the ants that he was responsible for conducting the ritual. It amounted to nothing more than empty claims, without a shred of proof! Even supposing he possessed some, the Grand Priest understood full well the consequences for the Colony if they dared to execute a high-ranking figure like him from the Way.

Strains were mounting sharply inside the Dungeon, with the Church stirring up opposition to the monsters in each throne hall, every advisory gathering, and all executive discussions throughout Pangera. The victory over the Judgement Battalion might have already ignited the spark, yet to condemn him for a perfectly lawful deed?

It was utter insanity. Pure lunacy!

Nevertheless… hadn't he declared it outright? Beyn was undoubtedly deranged. That Priest represented a hopeless case, beyond any hope of reform. So what about the Colony? Did they lack any instinct for survival? They had pushed just as hard as the Church to shift public sentiment in their favor. Through commerce, entertainments, presents—every tactic available. They had to know the fallout that awaited.

Alir had no desire to perish.

Not at the hands of monsters. The notion alone struck him as profane and utterly inverted. In his heart, monsters served only to temper the devoted, forging them stronger. Those who met their end in the Dungeon merely suffered from weak faith or proved unfit for the Path's blessings. Alir Vinting fit neither description. From his earliest days, he had committed himself wholly. He had climbed the Path's levels, elevated his Class, labored without cease to plunder the Dungeon's riches, and elevated the Church's standing. He refused to meet his end like this!

Upon being dumped at the claws of the enormous ant beast that had ravaged the Judgement Battalion, like some discarded meal, every trace of Alir's resistance and fury dissolved, fading into nothingness. This monster held no regard for his dedication, nor for his opinions or emotions.

Merely enduring its presence proved challenging, overwhelmed by the crushing wave of authority emanating from it. With gaze like polished gems, it peered down upon him, its jaws clicking restlessly, and he couldn't suppress visions of those jaws clamping onto him if it chose to strike.

Its consciousness linked to his in an instant, leaving him no opportunity to push back against the intrusion. Held aloft like a helpless pup seized by the nape, he dangled there, going slack and powerless to fight.

[I know you,] the ant declared to him.

Alir struggled to empty his mind, to transmit no thoughts at all, yet such efforts proved futile. The beast had already breached his defenses. They had crossed paths previously, back in the Silver City.

[You were watching us closely even then,] the ant reflected, its words booming within his skull. [Well now. This won't be enjoyable, not for either of us.]

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

No regret colored the creature's voice, serving as Alir's sole heads-up. Without delay, the monster started sifting through his thoughts, delving into recollections as if scanning an archive's tomes. The sensation wasn't outright agony, but it grated deeply all the same.

[This… is forbidden,] he forced out through clenched jaws.

[Many wicked acts remain lawful,] the ant countered dismissively, barely focused. [Take what you inflicted on my sister, for instance. So why not this?]

That particular recollection was what Alir fought hardest to conceal, but his every attempt to evade only drew the ant in closer, exploiting each flicker of hesitation and insecurity to dig further and expose more.

In time, resistance became pointless; the creature's mental strength dwarfed his own, cracking him open with the ease of shelling a nut.

With meticulous and agonizing thoroughness, the ant relived every instant of the procedure. From the triumphant capture of the ant to the last trickle of essence drawn from its still corpse, nothing escaped scrutiny—no detail skipped, no moment rushed past.

CRACK.

Alir jolted in terror, unable to hold back as those massive jaws slammed shut. He nearly sensed them closing around his throat, though they held off. For the moment.

[I see,] the ant stated. [Beyn spoke true. It was you all along.]

[You can't execute me!] Alir screamed over the mental link. [You'll ignite a conflict you can't possibly win!]

The ant cocked its head a fraction.

[Execute you? What makes you imagine I'd grant you such a swift release?]

It allowed that idea to reverberate through Alir's mind as he grappled with the implication. What fate did they plan for him? What torments could these bugs unleash on those they deemed offenders?

A burst of light appeared, followed by a smaller ant that seemed to emerge from nowhere.

[Is this the culprit?] it inquired.

A note of revulsion laced the new arrival's words, as though it loathed being involved, wished to steer clear of this affair entirely.

Was this his impending doom-bringer?

[That's him,] the massive ant verified, making no effort to shut Alir out of the exchange. It regarded him with utter contempt.

[Well… if there's anyone who warrants this, it's him,] the smaller ant muttered with a sigh, then spoke straight to him. [Hey, you. Which arm do you prefer?]

It lingered there, observing him, awaiting his reply. Alir's mouth turned parched. They meant to sever an arm? His thoughts whirled. If a mere limb was their worst, he might count himself fortunate, though the prospect twisted his gut.

[I'm left-handed,] he fibbed.

[I'm inside your mind,] the giant ant pointed out, annoyance flaring.

[Right arm it is, then,] the smaller ant decided. [Let's get moving. I don't want to drag this out any more than necessary.]

[What do you plan to do?] he demanded, dreading the response yet fearing ignorance more.

The smaller ant nudged him, urging Alir forward along the desired path.

[I've heard your kind never managed to pull 'essence' from anything but monsters. A fascinating puzzle, I'll admit, but obviously none of you were truly Brilliant.]

It took Alir a beat to grasp the implication. When realization hit, bile surged toward his throat.

They were going to do it. They were going to harvest his essence.

[Today, we're discovering just how your essence flavors,] the smaller ant affirmed, snapping its jaws in distaste. [Disgusting, no doubt.]