Chapter 1614 – Within the Heart

Finally noticed I’ve been using the wrong names and tribe names for several of the Krath from the deeper locations. Shoutouts to big G for persistently letting me know.

I’ve been saying Gluzzgith for the tribe who live in the heart, but its meant to be the Zissth, and their Krath’lath is Soluzz, who’ve I’ve been calling Thulziss.

I’ll make the changes in past chapters, but going forward.

Gluzzgith tribe -> Zissth tribe

Thulziss (big powerful Krath’lath) -> Soluzz

(Thulziss IS the Krath’lath of the Gluzzgith tribe, but they don’t live in the heart. This is a case of mistaken slug tribe).

When the blindfold was removed, Zluth was relieved to see that he was, in fact, within the heart and not in some secretive kill-chamber about to be devoured by a blubbeast. Without being too obvious, he turned his stalks a little this way and that, trying to see who had not made it. What he saw caused him to become concerned once more.

They were inside the Slimeground of the Zissth, to be sure, the great walls of the heart beating all around him. The floating structures, secured to the roof high above, in which the Krath lived were nearby, but he himself was on a platform with Chozth by his side and Soluzz, flanked by two large, powerful warrior slugs before him.

“No need to worry,” the massive slug burbled, “I have no intention of killing you here.”

He grinned, revealing his needle-pointed fangs.

“Somewhere else, maybe.”

That was as much of a joke as a Krath was capable of, but neither of the two laughed. Chozth bared her own fangs in a sign of vicious defiance.

“What is it you want, Soluzz? We came here to see the will of the Ancient done. Not even you would interfere in that.”

The huge slug held up his many arms in a placating gesture.

“A little patience. To trap the prey, a true Krath knows they must be cunning and patient. A slug who can’t master their base instincts will soon die, don’t you agree?”

This was a lesson that Zluth had drilled into himself relentlessly his entire life. Twice as much after he met Goszi. Striking with savagery was part of being Krath, but so was waiting for the right moment.

“Do you mind if I ask which prey you have in mind?” he asked slyly.

He didn’t think Soluzz was talking about the ants, or the invasion at all.

“You may have noticed the other Krath’lath have been scheming amongst themselves, I know you have, Zluth of the Slee.”

“I don’t care,” Chozth spat. “If they come for the Thuuz, we will rip them apart and devour them whole.”

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

“It’s possible that you could,” Soluzz allowed, acknowledging the fearsome strength Chozth had cultivated, “but there is no need to take such risks. With my support, two promising Krath’lath like you could expand your territories and grow strong very quickly, wouldn’t you agree?”

Now this was interesting, exactly the kind of offer Zluth had been looking for. All he needed was a chance for the Slee to supplant one of the larger tribes, and with the help of the mighty Zissth, anything was possible. With an agreement in place with Chozth as well, the Slee may well be able to take the place of a major tribe like the Bulg or Lirz!