“There’s something new down here,” he said, and suddenly he knew what to say. The words came. “Something that no one’s ever seen before. Something tough. Something strong.” The squad was almost cowering, except for Nourishing, who was staring at Darktan with shining eyes. “Something fearful. Something new. Something sudden,” said Darktan, leaning forward. “And it’s you. All of you. Rats with brains. Rats who can think. Rats who don’t turn and run. Rats who aren’t afraid of dark or fire or noises or traps or poisons. Nothing can stop rats like you, right?” He remembered something else. “You
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