Chapter 1581 – The Colony Strikes Back

The number of troops on the platform just keeps going up. Even the front lines, which usually have a reasonable bit of space, are getting a bit squeezy. The number of mages and support troops back there is absurd. I don’t know how many battalions are on here, but it’s probably double what we had before. More ants, more humans and various other species, including more of the priests, we have ant cavalry, even some of the Immortals are here!

Solant is really pushing all the pieces out onto the board, isn’t she? Sheesh.

I knew things were getting rough, but this just goes to show how rough. With the Krath pressing, we don’t have just the wave to contend with now, but so much more.

Well, I for one welcome the help, even if I can’t keep track of everyone on my own platform at once. Case in point, I don’t even notice the little creature next to me until it puts a hand on my leg.

I look down and almost jump out of my carapace. I know that hunched over, bulbous forehead!

[Formo!] I cry happily as the little sophos waves a claw up at me.

[I SAY! You got large, MY BOY! VERY LARGE INDEED!]

[I am indeed a magnificent specimen,] I say modestly.

[And quite the shiny core you have! A tier seven mythic. I’m impressed, lad. You’ve done well!]

[Yes, but what brings you down here? And out on the platform? It’s not safe here!]

[PAH! Of course it’s not safe. It’s the fifth! Even so, I wouldn’t be here without a purpose. We are laying a little trap for the Krath.]

[A trap? You? What’s going on?] A moment of inspiration sends a thought spinning through my head. [Wait… you managed to create fifth stratum pets?]

Is it possible for a sightless creature to have a twinkle in its eye? No. No it isn’t, but there is a slight smile on the sophos’ face as he brings a single claw up before his lips.

[Keep this hush-hush, I SAY! If you start trying to sense them, the slugs might be tipped off. Just wait and watch.]

I mean… sure. I’m blasting out gravity magic, globs of lava, fire and unleashing the occasional chomp, as usual. Trying to hold off as much as possible without putting the rest of the platform at risk. I’ve learned my lesson. It’s not hard for me to look busy, because I am.

[How long have you been here?] I ask Formo.

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It’s weird to see him. Last time I visited the sophos, I was already larger than them, but not this much larger. I tower over him to an absurd degree at this point, but I still feel a deep-seated respect. The first time I saw him, he loomed over me on top of the most powerful monster I’d ever seen up to that point: his worm pet.

I expected to be smooshed, but he was quite helpful, and has been ever since.

Right now, all he’s doing is… standing around. I know he’s probably directing pets with his thoughts, but for all intents and purposes, he might as well be asleep on his feet.

[Are there any Krath out there right now?] he asks me.

[Hard to say. They’re being more careful now that they know I can spot them if they take shortcuts.]