Chapter 528 Bringing the Shapers home to visi (1/2)

The leading triad each stare daggers at me as my siblings sweep through their office, crawling over the walls. They probe every surface for potential valuables leaving no stone unturned. Already various items have been s.n.a.t.c.hed up in greedy mandibles and carted away under the disbelieving eyes of the Shapers. I doubt this is how they expected a monster invasion to go, most of them seem to scarcely believe they're still alive. If I'm being honest, that's not an unreasonable state of mind for them to be in.

[I don't suppose you thought you'd wind up in a situation like this, did you Plamine?] I can't help but taunt a little.

The once powerful Shaper is a shadow of her former self, looking frazzled and worn down, as much a person with solid rock for skin can. She glares at me fiercely before replying.

[It seems we were right to treat you as a monster and not as a person. You're actions reveal the beast that you are.]

Her mental communication is loaded with venom but the sheer arrogance of her words robs me of the ability to address her tone.

[You don't think stuffing me in a cell and trying to kill me has motivated my response in any way?]

[You should be thanking us,] she sneers, [you gained much from the Cult of the Worm, did you not? Our experience and knowledge, levels and Bioma.s.s. You were happy to take those things from us. Look how you have rewarded our hospitality.]

[You're out of control, lady.] I clack my mandibles. [You had so many opportunities to prevent this outcome. You could have left me alone in the Dungeon, but no. You could have treated me with dignity, but no. You could have taken my bargain when it was offered, but no. You're going to get the bad ending that you worked so hard to achieve.]

[You speak as if you are the only thing that mattered, but there are many points of view, many s.h.i.+fting alliances. Even if we wanted to change our policy, there were existing considerations you know nothing about.]

I shrug my antennae.

[So? I don't have to take into account your situation, only my own. If someone else has driven you to this point, then blame them, not me.]

I give her a friendly pat on the head with one claw and she flinches away from me. Gravus looks like he's about ready to explode with rage, but perhaps the mandibles around his neck are helping him hold it in.

[Now that my family is here, we're going to ransack this outpost, take everything we can use and leave you with a smoking ruin. Them's the breaks, I suppose.]

[My people will hunt you down, monster,] she spat, [and when we do, I'm going to be there. I rip your core out myself and reincarnate your corpse just so I can desecrate it.]

Well, that's just nasty.

[Your people are indeed going to be coming for us, which is why we're trying to move quickly. But, you know what? I'm not that certain that I want to leave you behind anymore.]

Obviously a Golgari can't really turn pale. They can turn a bit grey, though.

[You wouldn't!]

[Why not? Like you said, Shaper knowledge is invaluable, I'm not going to arrogantly say that I've learned everything you guys happen to know. Also, when your people come for us, they might hesitate just a little if we have some of their own held hostage.]

[And why would I cooperate?]

Plamine is attempting to appear strong, but I can tell that she's rattled. Not that I blame her. She's facing the prospect of being dragged off by a ravenous horde of insect monsters.

[The only way you get to go back to your people alive is if you keep me happy. If you don't, I'll be feeding you to the larvae. They get ever so hungry.]

I can't help but get a little overdramatic with the threats. Luckily, I think she bought it.

[We'll take the younger one as well,] I add as an afterthought.

[What?!] Plamine screeches in my mind but before she can blink, I've tasked two soldiers with taking away her fellow triad member who doesn't appear to be very amused by the situation, if the kicking and screaming is any indicator.

[I'll kill you!] Plamine rages.

I stare at her carefully but the emotion appears genuine. Interesting. We might be able to use this leverage.