So that’s what evolution looks like for spirits? It’s kind of mesmerising to look at. I stared in awe at the beaming rays of light that cracked through the shell, before it burst open. The broken shards of the cocoon shattered across the air in sparkling particles of dust.
Hollow stepped out. His slender body remained scrawny, which was even more apparent with his increased height. Where he was considerably shorter than Veyra before, he now stretched over her by a good head or two. The dark colour of his armour was drained to a faded grey, with an even sharper design. The slit of his helm now stretched horizontally across the centre, where a single wisp of golden light shone through.
Hollow grabbed his wrist and continued to adjust his stance, stretching out the different joints that had changed. He kept his general humanoid shape, but definitely sported a more fitting knight design than before. If I hadn’t seen the evolution process, I probably would never have guessed he was Hollow.
(How do you feel?) I asked gingerly.
After a brief pause, he nodded back without another word. The only sound to escape his body was the small shifts and metallic rubbing from his armour.
He reached for the Moonflower Vestige sword beside his foot and swung it through the air with controlled, practice swings. Even with just the slow, methodical motions, he managed to create sharp bursts of wind.
“I am pleased.” The deep bellow of his voice passed through my mind clearly.
(Huh, since when was your telepathy that good? Is this an upgrade from evolving?)
Hollow stood there with only a blank stare for a response, void of any emotion or clue as to what he was thinking. Even after a major event like an evolution, he kept that same stoic stare I came to identify him with. Strangely enough, it left me a little reassured. Almost as if it was proof that he was still Hollow inside.
He looks pretty pleased with himself. I can’t believe he managed to perfect the telepathy skill so quickly, though! I had to practice quite a bit through Veyra’s link before I got the skill, and even then, it wasn’t perfect.
I beamed a frustrated glare at Hollow. His head tilted to the side slightly, as if to say he wasn’t sure if I was looking at him or not.
So unfair...
{A registered servant has evolved}
{Evolution options have been updated}
My attention was stolen by the sudden notifications that appeared in front of me. I had been so caught up in Hollow and Veyra’s progress that I barely thought of my own. Since we had a bit of time, I decided to look into it.
Oh, I guess it has been a while since I received any news on my own evolution. I'd better check it out. Display options!
{Travelling Fortress}
{Mountainous Stone Roller}
{Runic Titan}
Three options? Not bad. They don’t seem too bad either. I might be able to evolve into something pretty incredible from the look of things. When do I evolve next?
{Evolution requirements will vary depending on the selected route of evolution}
So it’s not just about reaching a specific level this time, then. That changes things...
You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.
I glanced over the options again, thinking back to the previous time I had evolved. My eyes sharpened on the notification above them.
So, depending on which route I want to take, I might need to add a bit more effort than with the others. Show me all the requirements.
{Travelling Fortress}
{Defence is their strongest attribute. With a hardened shell and near-impenetrable passive magic, this species is extremely difficult to kill}
Requirement:
{Mountainous Stone Roller}
{Using their round shape, this species is able to generate monstrous speeds and attack power through momentum. Accompanied by spikes along their shell, they are considered calamities wherever they wander}
Requirement:
{Runic Titan}
{Magic surges through their body, flowing through their attacks, movements and actions. An old species almost lost to this time, they are extremely rare and powerful. Due to their colossal size, they were frequently targeted by raids}
Requirement:
I see... so based on these requirements, it’s like you have to prove you're capable of behaving like the evolution options. I guess for now, these are my only options.
I took a hard look over them, cringing as I came to the last one.
Is that even possible…? It seems way too unrealistic for me to learn every magic element! There could be a thousand?!
Absorbed in the floating messages, I barely noticed Veyra crouched over me.
“Atlas, are you okay? You’re not looking so good.” Her voice entered my mind with concerned inspections of my body.
I shifted my focus to her, and the panels disappeared in an instant. I still had the matter of my broken body to deal with, after all. Unlike Hollow, who had just evolved, I wasn’t able to repair my body through a transformation. If I relied on my natural healing from Minor HP regeneration, my body would only be back to normal in hours.
(Yeah, I was just thinking over some things. I’m not sure I’ll be able to move around for a while, so maybe we should rest up here for the night before leaving?)
“Good idea. I’m able to stand a bit, but honestly, I’m still exhausted.” Veyra’s trembling legs gave out as she collapsed beside me.
She had pushed herself quite a bit in our fight. I was honestly amazed we managed to survive that without anyone dying.
(Oh yeah, Veyra, what happened to your abilities against Veyra? That crazy-strong arrow you used was so sudden. Are your powers coming back to you?)
Pushing back the loose strands of blue hair in front of her eyes, her face straightened as she recalled the memory.
“It was a bit of a blur, to be honest. I saw you and Hollow in trouble, and I felt something well up inside of me, and then… I’m not sure what happened after that, but I think it was a bit of my old abilities. It felt like the power of my skill had returned for a bit, but it’s not working now.
(What about your memories?)
She looked down in disappointment as she slowly closed and opened her palms. Almost hoping something would happen, she examined them closer, then turned away in disappointment. A forced smile wrapped over her face, “It’s not a lot, but I’m getting there. I remembered my old party...and the friends I’d left behind so long ago.” She looked to the sky with a look in her eyes that betrayed her smile completely.
(T-that’s good! That means you’re making progress for sure!) I forced the excitement through my telepathy. (I actually have a hint on how we can reverse your condition.)
Her eyes beamed open in excitement as she leaned across the rubble. She put her face in front of mine, “What?! How?”
(Well… It’s not really a solid lead, but I was told if we went to the human territory, Horinn, we’d be able to.)
“You were told? By who?”
My mouth hung open for a moment. It didn’t feel right sharing my conversation with Azrael, especially since I wasn’t quite sure what she’d do if I did. So, for the moment, I decided to keep her in the dark a bit.
(Consider it a message from the universe.)
Her head cocked to the side a bit, clearly baffled. She gave it a second, and before I could form an explanation, she nodded and forced herself upright.
“It’s fine. I trust you, Atlas. If you think it’s reliable, then I’m sure it is. So are we leaving for Horinn next?”
Taking a knee at Veyra’s side, Hollow bowed his head, “Simply give the order, Master.” His voice carried an almost regal tone.
Right. I suppose that’s our next move.
Clenching my teeth, I cast my gaze up at the evening sky.
I’m not sure what’s awaiting us over there, but I’m sure of one thing. We need to get stronger.
?