Chapter 1399 – Slime Sage

Things were in a precarious state amongst the tribe. Zluth was struggling to contain the rage that boiled away inside him, bubbling alongside his internal acid. The ants had vanished once again, enraging all of the Krath who were denied their opportunity to rend the invaders limb from limb.

It was clear the monsters were planning something, coming in, testing the waters and then leaving again. They were studying, learning, preparing for the time they could move into the fifth stratum in force.

That much was obvious.

Zluth was determined they would rue the day they ever dreamed it would be possible to enter this place. The fifth was reserved for the krath, and them alone. Living creatures from above or below, be they monster or sapient, had no place in this world of toxic perfection.

“Zluth, I see you have survived the breeding season.”

Zluth turned an eye stalk to see Goszi sliding up behind him. He quieted his rage at having one of his kind at his back. Generally, it wasn’t a safe place for anyone to have a krath, fellow tribe member or not, but he wasn’t as wary around Goszi. The other Krath was ageing, his slug flesh growing pale as his acid became less virulent. It wouldn’t be long until he was fed to the young, possibly only a few more seasons.

“I managed to keep my stalks down,” Zluth burbled.

“I’m surprised you managed it. The Krath’lath was determined you would father her brood.”

Zluth shuddered.

“You mean she was determined to consume my flesh.”

Anything could, and frequently did, happen during the courting rituals. A dozen males had been consumed over the last three days alone. Soon, the eggs would be laid, and not long after, they would hatch, bringing another swarm of raging Krath for the tribe to feed. This time, Zluth had escaped the clutches of the Krath’lath, but she would surely try again next season, unless he managed to divert her attention to someone else.

Goszi slid up beside him, maintaining a respectful distance so the two didn’t unnecessarily aggravate each other. Zluth had found a neat cranny that overlooked the Blubbeast pits, where concealed from view, he could watch the massive creatures wallow in their filth, chomping on the detritus the tribe saw fit to feed them.

“What do you think of these… ants?” Goszi said, his voice sounding as if it were summoned from the depths of a swamp. “What do you think they are trying to do?”

Zluth shuddered with rage. The thought of the invaders was enough to make his slug-flesh crawl.

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“I think they are doing what everyone up there hopes to do: find a way through the fifth. They won’t be allowed. This is our place, and none are able to tame it.”

“You think the plan put forward by the Krath’lath will work, then?” Goszi asked, his stalks leaning toward the other Krath. “You think her rude welcome will be effective?”

There was something in his demeanour that sent warnings blaring through Zluth’s head. This crafty old slug was up to something.

“It should,” he replied carefully. “I haven’t seen anything to suggest it wouldn’t.”

“Gugugugugugug,” the other Krath laughed. “There’s no need to measure your words so carefully. I agree with you, it should work.”