This is just the first chapter of Blazing Brimstone is a stand-alone "Twisted Evolution" short story.  The story has grown to almost 13k words.  Blurb: In an underground world ruled by the serpentine Nure-Queen, a slave girl named Talitha discovers a forbidden power within brimstone. Ignited by rebellion, she sparks a fight for freedom. Will she guide her people to a brighter future, or will the darkness of the Nure-Queen's reign consume them all?  It features other Japanese Yokai briefly. It has an easter egg for those who have read Shadow of Steel, at least past the long prologue at the end but is only available for those who message me directly. Out now https://www.royalroad.com/amazon/B0DF5SLVP7