Chapter 229 The encroaching doom (1/2)

Since we unexpectedly crushed the Immortalis Garralosh (immortal Garralosh? Even I can work that one out), progress has been slow.

The density of monsters has been increasing. Not only the Croca beasts in their various forms are more common but also the local wildlife. One of those stupid Hippo Turtles managed to sneak up on us and almost took Tiny's arm off, but he managed to dodge away in time, and I tied the flabby beast down with Gravity bolts until we were able to kill it. Their strength is in their far, but also their weakness.

Hehe.

Other things have also been growing in strength, namely the oppressive aura that fills the expanse, it's so thick now it hangs over us like a fog. Even with a Will as high as mine it intrudes on my thoughts and fills me with a compulsion.

This close, I can sense more clearly what the aura is trying to convey — a combination of fear, and demand for obedience. I'm not sure if a gland creates this aura or if it's some side effect of a sufficiently powerful core, but this oppression is rolling out in waves and suffocating the will from the newborn monsters while also suppressing the instincts of the creatures within the expanse.

Just what kind of creature can cause such an effect? I'm getting a touch nervous since I think we're getting reasonably close to finding out!

[”Everyone holding up ok? I know it isn't easy to operate under the effect of this pressure”]

[I am … all right, Master. I will not fail you!]

One the one antenna, I'm touched by her loyal spirit, on the other, I'm concerned about her lack of self-preservation instinct. Crinis is loyal in an almost fanatical way that Tiny never was. I wonder why?

[I'm not worried about you failing at all Crinis, I want to make sure you're fine. If you can't fight properly, then you won't be safe, and we will need to pull back. It's crucial that you be honest here]

[I am touched by your concern Master! I believe I will be all right. If I feel that I am becoming a liability, I will tell you]

[Good girl Crinis] I pat her by bending one antenna back and tapping her on the head a few times where she is resting on my back. Like a cat, she flops down and turns from a tennis ball into a tennis blob. I need to stop indulging her.

[How about you Tiny? Feeling all right buddy?] I ask my faithful Bat-faced gorilla.

[Hmm] he rumbles.

The poor guys face is tight with strain. His mental stats are a bit low, to say the least, the aura must be having the most potent effect on him out of all of us.

[Need fight] he says finally.

I think I get what he's trying to say. With the fear and command pressing into his mind, he wants to fight and have the adrenaline take over. Or perhaps he just feels the need to smash the face in of whatever is making him feel this way. Actually, I'll bet on the second.

”How about you Vibrant? You holding up all right?”

The soldier ant, no longer a small, cheerful hatchling, is more subdued than usual. Even her usually boundless energy and enthusiasm has been dampened by the atmosphere surrounding us.

”I'm fine” she responds, utterly devoid of her usual sparkle.

”It's going to be fine Vibrant, don't worry”, I sidle up next to her and give her a friendly thwippity with my antennae, the ant high five.

”Once we find this nasty croc down here and smash him, the colony will be able to use all of the stuff down here, and we won't have to worry about those waves of monsters killing our family. Don't forget; we also get to eat him!”

”True!” Vibrant exclaims, a little energy coming back to her voice.

Encouraged, I keep going.