It’s too risky now anyway. After the last time Tiny was on the field and he broke through the enemy shield wall, the Legion has thickened their numbers and beefed up their defences. Not even super-mad Tiny would break through that nonsense now. I can’t be mad, though, having to commit greater numbers to each push means they’ve had to slow down, and every hour gained helps.
It certainly helps me. Being in combat with these high-Level opponents is doing wonders for my Skills! I’ve got some nice improvements that I need to examine, as well as spend some time perusing the System menu for new unlocks. My biggest achievement over the last few days, though, has to be my stabilisation of the Omni-elemental Array! Now I’ll be able to use the thing in battle and start Levelling that Skill! Very excited.
As we retreat from the ruins of our last defensive outpost, I share a few words with Tiny.
[How did you find the new armour?] I ask.
The big ape looks at me before shrugging as we run side by side.
[Really?] I’m surprised by his lack of enthusiasm. [You’ve held up well under the barrage in that battle. You’d have been shredded to bits before!]
He shrugs again and waves his fist vaguely in the air before returning to running.
[You don’t really care because it doesn’t help you hit harder?]
He nods and grins.
THIS IDIOT.
117. The Hunger
Sarah took a deep breath of the frigid air of the second stratum, holding it for a few long seconds before she exhaled, the wind of her breath so strong it nearly knocked over an ant who’d been walking in front of her. She paid no mind, or rather, she didn’t notice at all, her attention was focused inward, all external distractions shoved away.
She took another deep, slow breath. In. Hold. Out. Wait. In. Hold. Out. Wait.
This was a cycle she remembered learning as a human on Earth, something her psychologist had told her would help her be calm. Cyclical breathing. That was the name of the technique. It’d helped in her past life. Most of the time. She flinched away from the memories of her previous existence and focused on her breathing. Each stage five seconds long.
In. Hold. Out. Wait. In. Hold. Out. Wait.
Even though she wasn’t conscious of it, a team of ants crawled over the enormous bear as she lay sprawled on her belly. The great warrior Sarah had contributed much to the defence of the colony, and her unselfish fight made the ants well disposed toward her.
As she rested, they tended to her fur, meticulously cleaning it and ensuring there were no small wounds or barbs that may cause issues later. It was the same level of care with which they tended to each other before and after a battle, Sarah deserved that much. Also, they’d noticed she breathed easier when they were active around her, the aura of violence and malevolence that suffused the air abated when they drew close. From this, they surmised that they were providing some sort of emotional comfort, another thing they were pleased to do.
From the wall of the tunnel, Jim watched silently as his companion battled her nature. He’d created a burrow within the tunnel wall and only his head emerged, protruding into the open space. From the moment Sarah joined the front lines, he had been here also. Not to fight, he wasn’t much use for that, but to try and support his friend. He could feel her now, sense the internal struggle with his mind as she battled against the violent nature that had lain dormant so long within her.
[Sarah… are you alright over there?]
The great bear opened one eye, and for a terrifying instant, an overwhelming pressure of violence pressed into the consciousness of the worm, filling his mind with a hunger for battle. He wanted to rip, to tear, to do all sorts of non-worm-like things. How would he even tear? Then Sarah released a great huff, knocked over another ant, and the aura was gone, restrained once more in the depths of her mind.
[I’m fine,] she replied. [It’s alright. I’ve got it under control.]
She pushed her feet beneath her and forced herself to stand, sending the cleaning crew on her back to scatter. She turned to face her friend in the wall.
[See? No problem.]
The worm wiggled derisively.
[Sarah, you’re the worst liar I ever met. Putting that aside, I can still feel the malevolence inside you. I have very sensitive mental faculties, remember? You can’t conceal this from me.]
Sarah just sighed and shrugged her massive bear shoulders.
[What do you want me to do about it? It’s not like I can just stop fighting.]
[Why not?] Jim asked indignantly. [You’ve done more than enough! How long do you expect to throw yourself against the golgari to defend a place that isn’t yours? You don’t owe—]
[Don’t I? Are you sure that I don’t owe anything, Jim? If it weren’t for the colony, if it weren’t for Anthony, where would I be now?]
[Then what about what you owe me?] the worm demanded. [Have I been useless? Have I not supported you and helped you escape? Huh? Don’t I deserve a little gratitude?]
The two looked at each other for a long moment.
[So. What? You want me to pay you back by betraying the colony? Is that it?] Sarah asked, her mental voice low and soft.
Jim recoiled as if struck.
[What? No! I mean…]
At that moment, the two friends were interrupted as Coolant arrived.
[Hello to you both,] the ant said once the mind bridges had stabilised. [I hope I find you well.]
[O-of course,] Sarah replied. [And you?]
[I am also well. I am still not used to your human style greetings. I hope I was accurate.]
Sarah briefly wondered how the ants greeted each other, and once the thought was in her head, she couldn’t shake it. She had to ask. In response, the mage ant turned to the nearby traffic. There was no visible response, except the passing ant’s antennae began to twitch, followed by Coolant’s.
[I told them to work hard,] the ant explained. [They told me to stop slacking off.]
Sarah and Jim both stared at her.
[We usually encourage each other to work when we see others of the colony. If we see them not working, we tell them to get to work. If we see them working hard, we tell them to keep it up.]
[Don’t you ever tell them to rest?] Jim wondered.
Coolant looked nervous for a second.
[No,] the ant muttered as she turned her body this way and that, as if searching for something. [We don’t say that.]
[Why do you look so nervous?] Sarah asked, confused by the transformation.
[I haven’t gone into torpor for a few days… I’d forgotten about it until just now.]
[You haven’t slept? Why is that so worrying?]
[It’s nothing.] Once again, the mage was cool and composed. [I’ve been sent to let you know our plan for the upcoming defence.]
[Okay,] Sarah said. [ I’m ready to fight anytime.]
She pointedly ignored the bristling worm in the wall.
[That is good. We are retreating.]
[Whe—wait… what?]
[Retreating,] Coolant emphasised. She gestured with one leg toward the procession of ants making their way past. [As you can see, the process has already begun. The generals have decided to cede the final stretch of defences in order to consolidate around the gates. Let the enemy extend themselves across the distance as we recuperate.]