Chapter 465 The monster in the mirror (1/2)

[Not going to hurt me, eh? That sounds like something someone planning to hurt me might say!]

Aha! I'm not going to fall for your games! This is most likely to be a sneak attack! Although my escort still hasn't moved away, standing around in me a rough circle facing inwards, I don't imagine that they'd be too interested in staying around in the event another monster came over and started to throw down. Perhaps they aren't lying?

[Um. I'm not going to attack you. The Shapers wanted me to talk to you!]

[Oh really? If they wanted to talk to me, why wouldn't they just do it themselves?!]

I still can't identify the origin of this mind bridge. I know it's somewhere either inside this circular combat s.p.a.ce, or just outside it. I can see other entrances s.p.a.ced around the outside edge, there's a possibility the individual communicating is beyond one of these. The fact they've been able to disguise their mind bridge indicates that they have a not inconsiderable amount of skill, something to be wary of.

[I think… they mentioned that they thought you would respond better if you spoke to someone like you…]

[Someone like me? An ant?! Are you a member of my colony come to rescue me and suffered capture as well?! Impossible! How could you know where I was?! Are you from a rival colony!? Come forth and I shall exterminate you!]

[Wow, you're an ant? They didn't mention that. I wonder why? You aren't disgusting, are you?]

How offensive!

[I'm an ant! Of course I'm not disgusting! I'm the most n.o.ble and incredible arthropod of them all!]

[Okay! Settle down! You're really fiery. This isn't what I expected…]

[Well don't blame me for being a little tense. I get captured, locked up, told I have to fight in death matches and then marched out here without anyone saying a word. Then someone starts trash talking my species. I mean, how would you react?]

The distant voice seems to pause for a moment to consider before responding.

[You know what, I would be pretty mad. I'm sorry. I should have realised the Shapers would give you the silent treatment, they're often like that. I've been here for a long time, so I've kind of gotten used to it.]

Been here a long time? In what capacity?

[Who are you exactly? You talk about the Shapers as if you aren't one, which makes me think you're a monster, but you also say you don't intend to hurt me, which doesn't sound like something a monster can guarantee right now, considering the whole, 'monsters will fight to the death' thing.]

[Yeah, I don't know a whole lot about that. Look, I'm going to be straight with you, I'm a monster, like you. More than that, I'm a reincarnated human, from Earth! Like you!]

[…]

[Aren't you excited? I know I was when I finally got a chance to talk to someone else like me.]

[…]

[Don't you have anything to say?]

[Uhh, well. First of all, it's a little odd having this conversation when I can't see you. Second, I guess I'm a bit surprised. I really didn't think I'd be able to meet another reincarnated monster so soon.]

[Another one?! You already met one!? But you're so young! It took me decades, dammit!]

[Decades, you've really been here for a while then? Yes, I met with one, she wasn't what I would describe as … very stable.]

[Ah,] the voice sounded sad, [yes, that happens to some of us. To be honest, all of the people like us that I've met have been a little… odd, from the beginning. Including myself.]

[Indeed, that does seem to be the case.]

Except me, obviously. My life was pretty normal and I would have to say I'm quite well adjusted. Garralosh was crazy in the coconut though, for real.

[Feel like stepping out and having this little chat in person?]