Chrysalis

"I'm really not sure about this," Isaac muttered under his breath.

[That makes two of us…] his new partner replied.

"I really didn't think they would go for this as enthusiastically as they did."

[It's how we are. If there's an advantage in it, we're more than happy to explore it. Even if it does prove to be… unconventional.]

Isaac felt the massive ant shift beneath him and tried to adjust his position to roll with the movement. The saddle they'd created wasn't quite the right shape, the craft ants having never made anything of this sort before, and it chafed him ever so slightly in an area he would prefer didn't see any chafing.

"I just never imagined that I'd ever be riding on the back of one of you. I mean, I didn't expect that I'd be fighting alongside any monstrous ants, but I got used to that well enough, but to be riding on one? Feels kind of weird. You aren't horses."

[What's a horse?]

"Have you seen a cow?"

[I have, in the farms around Renewal.]

"Right, so think of a cow that's prettier and faster."

[… I do not like this comparison.]

"That's what I mean!"

The once former guard captain heaved a sigh and once again fruitlessly tried to protect his most vulnerable zones from the pommel that rose too sharply between his legs. If it was made of cured leather, that'd be one thing, but that damned armour ant had decided to cover the thing in folded steel. To say he was sweating would be an understatement.

[I believe we are ready for the test. We will count you in starting in one minute's time. Prepare yourself, Isaac, Cavalant.]

"Right then, here we go."

[Make sure you don't fall off this time.]

"You are at least half responsible for that."

[That is somewhat true.]

Isaac grit his teeth and hefted his lance once more. He surveyed the course ahead again, a dizzying trail of loops and whorls that took them between pillars of rock, up the walls, across the roof and back down again. If he just had to hold on, that would be one thing, but the series of targets he was supposed to hit with the lance added another layer altogether.

In truth, it wasn't even a lance, not really, but rather an elongated spear with a slightly heavier head on it. He hadn't bothered to correct the ants about it; after all, what the hell did he know about wielding a lance? On the surface it was a noble's weapon and down below no idiot would be fighting on horseback. The very idea of mounted combat in the Dungeon seemed absurd. But if you were going to ride on something, an all terrain insect wouldn't be the worst choice.

[Focus this time,] chided Cavalant and Isaac rolled his eyes.

The most difficult aspect of his new class was definitely the new mental link he shared with his nominated partner. [Lancer's Bond] was the name of the skill, and even at rank one it provided significant bonuses. Not only were his thoughts connected to the ant he rode, to the point he didn't need to speak aloud if he didn't want to, but to an extent their senses were shared as well. Combined with a quite respectable combat buff, the Class might prove to be a powerful asset, if they could get their teamwork down.

He did his best to concentrate, his thoughts slowly starting to align with those of Cavalant as she settled beneath him, flexing her six legs as she lowered her centre of gravity. When the countdown finished, she would explode from the starting line and Isaac didn't intend to be left behind this time.

[GO!] came the call from the mage and as predicted, Cavalant launched herself forward, all six legs firing in a rapid series of dashes.

The manoeuvre pushed them from a standstill to almost top speed in a matter of seconds and this time he was sufficiently braced to hold on. Gripping with his legs, Isaac desperately clung to his partner's back, straining to hold his lance steady as they raced between jagged pillars of stone.

[We're going up,] Cavalant warned him.

"How could I forget," he growled.

There was a moment of existential terror as they raced directly for the tunnel wall. The image of himself splattered across the rock flashed into his mind, then, with a mind bending twist of perception, Cavalant placed one leg on the wall, then the next, and suddenly they were rushing up.

He had no reins to hold onto, they weren't necessary in this particular rider and mount relationship, but he did have a strap to grip to avoid falling to his death. A handy feature which he now took full advantage of.

"Bloody, plops," he swore as he struggled to keep his balance.

The ant beneath him radiated glee as she raced across the wall, zigging and zagging madly along the trail. For his part, Isaac held fast to his lance and aimed it as best he could, every day of his life spent wielding the spear being channelled into his arm.

Crack. Crack. Crack.

Three targets shattered beneath the point of his spear and then, with one nauseating dash, Cavalant was up the wall and onto the roof.

[Grip!] she reprimanded him and Isaac hurried to tighten his legs, desperate to avoid falling.

"I think I'm going to be sick."

[Don't you dare!]

Crack. Crack. Crack!

Three more targets fell as Isaac unerringly pierced them, his arm burning from the strain but still holding firm. Just when he thought he might slip, they zoomed across to the wall and then back down onto the tunnel floor. Isaac gulped down a few steadying breaths, preventing the loss of lunch that had threatened to get out of hand.

[We did it!]

He couldn't tell if Cavalant was more pleased or surprised at their success. When they returned to the observers, he could tell that they too were impressed and a little shocked by what they'd seen.

Which was odd in and of itself. He hadn't been able to tell the emotions of the ants just by looking at them before. Perhaps this was Cavalant's perspective bleeding across the bond?

[At least now we won't have to do that again,] Cavalant sounded happy at the prospect.

"Is it really that annoying having to cart me around?" Isaac asked.

[Not really, I'd just rather be fighting than running tests.]

"That makes two of us."

He'd never reach the person he longed for if he wasn't advancing. He had to be patient, this was a step in the process.

[That was very impressive,] the mage who'd been watching them commented. [It seems this new Class will have direct combat applications. The generals can see a great deal of potential.]

[Well that's excellent,] Isaac replied with his thoughts. [I'm looking forward to getting back out there and seeing what we can do in a real fight.]

[A real fight?] the mage asked. [Oh no, we have long days of testing ahead of us before the two of you will be risked in real combat. We've only just begun collecting data!]

"Plops," Isaac cursed.

[Plops,] Cavalant swore.