꒰ᐢ. ̫ .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. ̫ .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. ̫ .ᐢ꒱
[Evolution requirement... met!]
Conditions:
- age prerequisite found
- increase the TECH of [Mereswiftness]
[Evolution from [Merekit] to [Merecritt] permitted!]
꒰ᐢ. ̫ .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. ̫ .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. ̫ .ᐢ꒱
KiAera's ears rang as the throbbing in her head slowly faded. The voice that had spoken earlier still echoed in her mind, a faint, haunting whisper that refused to leave her alone.
[Shall KiAera the Merekit evolve?]
[YES] or [NO]
The sensation that had surged through her earlier lingered, making her feel off balance. The thought of evolving stirred unease deep within her, twisting her stomach into knots. The idea of changing, yet again, frightened her. She shook her head, trying to dispel the anxiety.
Instead of letting this new development stop her, she kept moving, trailing behind the Big Osseod, its footsteps reverberating through the tunnel.
But where was GamaGen? That damn book had left her to fend for herself, just when she needed it most!
She caught sight of her Merekit ears flailing in her peripheral vision, a mirror of her agitation. Frustration bubbled up within her, but she took a deep breath, pushing the troubling thoughts aside. She needed to keep a clear head, and this was just a minor inconvenience. Things would get better—she had to believe that.
"Merecritt okay?" the Big Osseod's creaky voice rumbled, snapping her out of her thoughts.
She looked up at the crystalline creature, which had paused mid-stride.
KiAera managed a small smile. "I'm alright, just... thinking."
The Big Osseod blinked its hollow eyes slowly. "Osseod reflects too," it said, gesturing to its carapace. "Light. Bounce off Osseod."
KiAera paused, then chuckled softly. "Yes, your carapace is quite nice."
The creature seemed pleased with the compliment, grinning widely and letting its tongue loll out. "Osseod shiny! Osseod thank Merecritt KiAera!"
KiAera reached out, her paw hovering near the Big Osseod's snout. It flinched slightly, and she pulled back. "Thank you, Big Osseod. You really got us out of that mess."
The Big Osseod bounced on its stubby legs. "You good Merecritt." It turned back to the Liorex egg it was rolling. "Merecritt, Osseod, continue in tunnel. Follow Osseod. Osseod know way."
Without another word, KiAera fell into step behind the Big Osseod, who diligently rolled the egg through the winding tunnel.
After what felt like an hour, they reached a fork in the passage. KiAera peered into the dark depths of each path, straining to see which way might be safer.
Before she could ask which route to take, the Big Osseod turned and pushed the egg down the rightmost path. KiAera hurried after it, eager to put more distance between herself and the enraged ArchLiorex lurking somewhere above.
Eventually, they arrived at a small chamber where the Big Osseod carefully nudged the egg into a corner. KiAera exhaled deeply, her body aching from the long trek. "I... I can't believe we made it," she muttered, collapsing onto the ground.
"KiAera!" The Big Osseod exclaimed, shaking with worry as it nuzzled its rough cheek against hers.
She winced as it brushed against her sore forehead but smiled. "Thanks, Big Osseod. I owe you my life."
The Big Osseod let out a low rumble of delight, its eyes glimmering with pride. "Osseod no need thanks. Osseod friend. Osseod friends, yes?"
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KiAera's smile widened. "Yes, we're friends."
"Osseod, KiAera, friends. Osseod happy." The creature squeaked with contentment. KiAera reached out to stroke its crystal carapace, feeling the cool, smooth surface under her fingertips, which reflected her Merekit face.
"Indeed, we are, Big Osseod. And for that, you have my deepest gratitude."
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
New Relationship: Big Osseod!
Trust increased!
★ [Acquaintance] [Tier E (100%)] -> [Allied] [Tier D (100%)]
Bond leveled up!
★ [Allied] [Tier D (100%)] -> [Comrade] [Tier C (100%)]!
Bond leveled up!
★ [Comrade] [Tier C (100%)] -> [Companion] [Tier B (5%)]!
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
KiAera blinked as she noticed a subtle notification in her mind’s eye. 'Bond Level?' she mused, finding it odd. It seemed that befriending an Osseod was easier than she had expected. Her attention drifted to the tunnel as smaller Osseods began to emerge from the floor, their bodies no bigger than pebbles. She noted one was a vivid shade of crimson and blue, its tail fin fluttering as it padded curiously toward her and the Liorex egg.
The others followed suit, squeaking as they gathered around her and the Big Osseod. Their tiny bodies glinted in hues of blue and emerald.
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
New Relationship: Osseods [12 in Total]!
Trust increased!
★ [Acquaintance (100%)] -> [Allied (100%)]
Bond leveled up!
★ [Allied (100%)] -> [Comrade (100%)]!
Bond leveled up!
★ [Comrade (100%)] -> [Companion (1%)]!
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
KiAera let out a relieved sigh as she slumped against the chamber's wall, sitting down. Her body ached, exhaustion weighing on her like a heavy blanket. She had been active for hours, and now, deep in this dark, twisting tunnel, she had no idea how much time had passed on the surface.
But she was too tired to care. "I guess this is the part where I’m supposed to thank my lucky stars and all that shit," she muttered.
Just then, GamaGen appeared, its raven emblem glowing softly in the gloom. The unsettling yet familiar book floated closer, hovering just above her. | 'It appears we've run out of luck with the ArchLiorex's appearance, Miss KiAera.' |
"Yeah, no kidding. You disappeared on me when I needed you most! What was that about?" She scowled at the floating book, brushing away a tuft of fur that had fallen into her face.
| 'I had no choice. The situation was perilous, and I had to withdraw. But it seems I underestimated your valor,' | GamaGen mused, its gaze shifting to the Liorex egg. | 'It was foolish of me to leave, but fear for my safety clouded my judgment,' | the book confessed, a note of embarrassment coloring its voice.
KiAera rolled her eyes, letting out an exasperated sigh. "Yeah, yeah." She shook her head. "So, what now? Are we safe here?"
| 'For the moment, yes. This place is far from the ArchLiorex's reach, and it is likely occupied with another matter. But we must remain cautious. Vigilance is key,' | GamaGen replied.
KiAera nodded, her attention drifting to the Liorex egg. She wondered about the LeapLeaps she had left behind. Well, in actuality, they had abandoned her, but she was grateful for their help against the Tropiruth. "Do you think we will see those three again, GamaGen?"
The book paused. | 'Perhaps. But those creatures are fickle. They may not be interested in us anymore. However, it is wise to be prepared for the unexpected.' |
KiAera bit her lip, then sighed. "At least I’m alive and I have an egg to show for it."
She nodded, her gaze lingering on the egg. The markings on its shell were strange, almost reminiscent of the ArchLiorex's hide. "Poor thing... I wonder who this egg belongs to. Because that tyrannical red oaf surely wasn’t its father."
The Big Osseod cocked its head, staring at the egg with curiosity. "Osseod, no idea. Osseod curious."
"Right?" She said, glancing at GamaGen. "What do you think?"
| 'Hmm... it's possible the creature inside is related to the ArchLiorex in some way,' | the book floated around the egg, inspecting it closely. | 'If the ArchLiorex is not the parent, then it is a rival. Perhaps the ArchLiorex seeks to prevent another from being born and challenging its dominance.' |
"That's fucked up... but it makes sense." KiAera nodded, yawning as exhaustion began to overtake her. "Well, we can figure that out later. For now, I'm beat."
She stood up, her limbs heavy with fatigue, before curling up next to the Liorex egg. Its warmth seeped into her, soothing her aching muscles. Resting her head against the egg, she whispered, "You're safe with me, bud."
The Big Osseod settled beside her, its massive form shielding her from the cold. As KiAera's eyes fluttered shut, she noticed GamaGen's emblem pulsing softly in the darkness, almost as if the book was watching over them.
Before sleep claimed her, a lingering thought crossed her mind—why was GamaGen so invested in them? But the question faded as she drifted into a deep, peaceful slumber.
[Shall KiAera the Merekit evolve?]
[YES] or [NO]
In her dream, KiAera heard herself think, 'Sure, just get the evolution over with. If it'll help me protect these guys, let's do it.'
[Evolution into [Merecritt] commenced…]
[STR: +1. FPWR: +1. RES: +1. SPD: +1]
[Evolution from [Genesis] to [Fledgling]…]
[…finalized.]
[Human Soul Assimilation: +5%]
A faint, amused voice echoed in her mind as the changes began to take hold. 'Hehehe. Congratulations on your achievement, KiAera. Don't fall anytime soon. You're only getting started, my little Fledgling ♡.'
KiAera, larger than before, turned to witness DeNultra's silhouette fading into the background of her dreamscape.