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Chapter 1574 - An Unexpected Reunion
🕑 Added 2025-03-30 05:31:16 +0000 UTC“I never thought I’d see you again, Goszi,” Zluth grinned, showing all of his fangs. “You found your happy retirement, why would you ever leave?”
The old slug extended an eye socket up through the grill that covered the hole he’d been locked into. A Krath could compress their body to extremely small sizes, and they had to, to fit inside a hole like this. The grating over the top was sharp as a razor on the inside, but blunt on the outside, meaning if Goszi were to relax his contracted body for even a second, he’d be cut to ribbons by the grate.
An extremely common way the Krath used to lock up their own. Even a Krath could be contained if you limited how many tricks they could use, and they couldn’t use many when they were squished down to the size of a human head.
“I was very comfortable,”Goszi rasped, barely able to speak, “have you ever heard of a scone? The ants are big fans. Delicious.”
Zluth frowned. Food was food, who cared what it tasted like? To him, the word ‘delicious’ was barely a part of his vocabulary. It certainly wasn’t something he’d ever experienced.
“Do you think making the ants sound good is going to make me spare you Goszi? Have you lost what was left of your mind?”
The old Krath chuckled, only to yelp with pain when his body expanded a fraction and he was cut.
“I’m as sharp as these blades,” the old Krath burbled. “Sharp as I’ve ever been.”
“You could have fooled me. Weren’t you the one who twisted and betrayed everything in order to keep himself alive? You’re just a few minutes away from being eaten, that doesn’t seem sharp.”
“I didn’t have much of a choice,” Goszi chuckled. “I might have betrayed the Krath, but even I’m not willing to betray the Maker.”
Zluth was silent for a moment, chewing over a wad of acid bile. Chozth had told him of Goszi’s claim, that he’d been visited by Theorazzn and returned to reveal the location of the singing. The ants… again.
Despite Goszi being a cunning slug who lied as easily as he breathed, Zluth believed his story. There was no other reason for a Krath so obsessed with staying alive to throw himself into the acid pit.
“Theorazzn spoke to you too, Goszi,” Zluth burbled. “You decided to break out and share what you knew with the tribes? To fulfil the will of the Ancient? It’s almost… noble.”
The word tasted foul in Zluth’s mouth and he spat to rid himself of it. The wad of acid sizzled and burned on the stone floor, filling the air with an acrid tang.
“The Maker of mucus is a … persuasive creature,” Goszi said. “Did I really have much choice?”
“I suppose not.”
Did the Krath respect or fear Theorazzn? If he were pushed for an answer, Zluth couldn’t say on which side he’d land. The Maker of Mucus created the fifth stratum, their home, legends said the Ancient had blessed the Krath personally, though none knew how. The fifth was a cruel and unforgiving place, and the Krath were the most cruel and unforgiving creatures within it.
It was only natural that they would revere the Ancient who had made them that way, who continued to guide them from the depths of the Dungeon. Goszi, for all his selfishness, had no choice but to fulfil the Ancient’s command.
Even so…
“It’s not enough to save you, Goszi. You knew that from the beginning.”
The old Krath chuckled, resigned to his fate.
“Make it quick. I deserve that much.”
“Mercy?” Zluth laughed. “Fine. Why not try something new.”
When it was done, Zluth went to find Chozth, who was furiously busy. With so many powerful tribes converging on the area, she wouldn’t remain in charge for long, but as she’d been responsible for the assault so far it was her job to ensure the slug would have somewhere safe to be when they arrived.
It wouldn’t be long before hundreds and hundreds of Krath joined the effort. Even during a wave they were moving through the Dungeon, using the safest paths and bringing as much war material as they could carry.
It would be incredibly difficult to make war during the wave, but they would find a way. They were Krath.
“What do you need me to do?” he asked.
“Everything,” she snapped, bubbling with rage.
“Can’t do that much.”
“Then go back out into the tunnels and put eyes on those filthy ants. We need to know what they’re doing at least.”
“The same as before, I would guess,” he replied, then held up his hands when she glared at him. “I’ll go. Not to worry. I’ll be gone in an hour.”
His reputation was rising amongst the Krath, especially as a crafty scout who could get things done, do the dirty work. When the others arrived, it would be his report they listened to. Then… when it came time to plan the assault, he would be in prime position. He would be ascendant.
Comments
ManguKing
I'll miss Goszi. I expected him to be turned but never into food lol
Fabian
ETERNAL
Roombot
Poor Goszi. You’ll be sort of missed
Holly Webster
I hope Zluth ascends...to being a Chal. I bet he'd hate himself then and that's what he deserves 🙃
Grey Knight Lord
It might be that the tribe that caught him have risen to join the war personally
KopiCAT
If Nurgle and Khorne had children, it would be the Krath. They are virulent as fuck, and hate everything with a passion.
DerHochi
My prediction is that one or more Krath will allow themselves to get captured on purpose to infiltrate the fortress. They need to stop the singing after all.
Gopard
Thanks for the chapter!
Robothaus
How did Zluth escape? I thought they weren't gonna let him leave
Hayden Leech
I was hoping gozi would become a Chal. Sad
Ether's Blessed One
Well, goodbye Gozi. May he dream of tea and scones in whatever hell there is for the Krath.
Gonvas
He's already dead...
Dan K
Probably easier to just design some kind of mana turret that uses the purified mana as power.
Gonvas
He's already dead...
DrDankness
Interesting. Looks like they are about to execute him. Funny enough… are they gonna throw him into the purified mana?
Fabian
That's the end of Goszi. From retirement home to snack in 2 chapters. I hope his mat will endure. Would be funny if Krath survive past death somehow once they heard the song. Goszi, the new cockroach.
Buck
Zluth Ascendant!!
SuperNewbie
Bets on whether Zluth will ever allow himself to be captured and taste a scone?
Rahsheem Reid
I think it would be hilarious if the ants find a way to make the woofers shoot like automatic cannons after evolution to T6.
Rahsheem Reid
Yeah, I’m getting hella Nurgle vibes from Theorazan (spellcheck).
Shakyamunie
TFTC. It reaaaally feels like Goszi is still alive isn't it ? I hope so, he needs to accept that the ants are not puppets !
Brandon14754
I hope he's purified, that'd probably be the worst fate possible from his perspective currently
Grey Knight Lord
I honestly, will miss the old Slug. He was unique among his kind. But he tasted retirement. Zluth will pay for this some day.
BelligerentGnu
Ah, sadness. Would have been neat to see where his character could have gone. Still, a relatively dignified ending.
Rick Delallata
Rest in pieces Goszi. Glad he never believed that the ants were in charge so the slugs will be weary of the "real" masterminds behind this invasion
alt31415
Rip to a real one. And by 'real' I mean the most treacherous backstabbing creature in possibly the entire Chrysalis world.
alt31415
THE SINGING MUST STOP
Brandon14754
07 goszi
