It was simply too much, the raw energy from the now dead sea cucumber coursed through my small starfish body. Like a raging river that had just broken a dam, it surged forth, hoping to ravage as much of my body as possible. It was too much, and my System seemed to think so too.
> Over-abundance of energy detected.
>
> Initiating emergency metamorphosis. Starting in: 3
>
> Abort?
I had no time to wonder about or be surprised that the System had emergency functions to save me. I could barely even comprehend the prompt it threw at me.
> Starting in: 2
>
> Abort?
It seemed to be asking me to stop whatever it was doing. Why? What reason would I have for that? Why would I stop something that's save me from this pain?
> Starting in: 1
>
> Abort?
No, I wouldn't abort. This is exactly what I wanted anyway, doesn't matter it came a bit early.
> Starting metamorphosis
>
> Generating possible evolutions
Silence, like nothing I'd ever experienced before. It wasn't just the absence of sound, no. Everything was suddenly gone. Sound, sight, touch, everything. I couldn't even sense the ever-present ebb and flow of water. Just nothing.
This definitely wasn't like my previous metamorphoses.
> You have one creature type available:
> >> Heralding Omen of the Beckoning Depths
...
Oh... this, this can't be good.
I knew that sea cucumber must have been somewhat special, but this much? To erase my every other option and force me down this ominous sounding path? Pun not intended.
Well, it doesn't look like I have much of a choice, with this being my only option and all that. All that's left is to hope it won't be all bad.
I select the only option available to me and wait for the inevitable pain that metamorphosis always brings with it. What awaits me, however, it something much stranger.
Instead of the usual, slowly transforming in some kind of cocoon or chrysalis, the energy swirling within me freezes for a pregnant second. Then, as if it had a mind of its own, it begins moving with purpose, changing my body wherever it goes.
I'm not yet sure exactly how I'm changing, I'll have to look at myself later for that, but one thing is for sure, I'm growing. Not proportionally though. I'm not simply growing larger, I feel like my arms are also lengthening... and gaining in dexterity.
Simultaneously, there's also definitely growth in another direction. But while I'm certain it is happening, I have absolutely no idea what it actually is. Or what it does.
Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.
A thousand other, small changed happen, but I can't keep track of them all. Not that I'd even notice most of them if I tried.
And then, it's all done. As quickly as it began, it stopped. Most of the energy spent, though some it it appears to remain and settle down within me. And it all happened painlessly too.
I don't have much time to wonder about my transformation before the System hits me with the whole report.
> CONGRATULATIONS!
>
> You've transformed your creature type into: Heralding Omen of the Beckoning Depths (starfish variant)
>
> Your base physical stats are 23!
> Your base magic is 42!
>
> You gain:
> >> An upgrade to Regeneration and Harden!
> >> The abilities Caller of the Depths, Weak Commanding Aura - Omen
> >> The traits Rousing Presence - Omen, Usurper Scourge
>
> No abilities lost!
Oh boy. Call me pessimistic, but none of that sounds exactly good. Especially that last one, neither of those words are ever used it positive contexts.
Well then, no point laying it off any longer, might as well see what has happened to my status
> Name:
>
> Creature type: Heralding Omen of the Beckoning Depths (starfish variant)
>
> Level: 0
>
> Strength: 16
> Dexterity: 24
> Constitution: 29
>
> Magic: 42
>
> Skills:
> >> Meditation 53 (64)
>
> Abilities:
> >> Caller of the Depths
> >> Weak Commanding Aura - Omen
> >> Harden I
> >> Mucus Production
> >> (innate) Metamorphosis
>
> Traits:
> >> Rousing Presence - Omen
> >> Usurper Scourge
> >> Water Breathing
> >> (innate) Regeneration I
> >> (innate) Bioluminescence
> >> (innate) Past Life Holdover
> >> (innate) Reincarnator
> >> (innate) At Least A Little Human
That, by itself, doesn't look so bad. I doubt that'll remain the case once I look at the details. Let's start of slowly with something relatively normal. Regeneration.
> Regeneration I: allows for the regrowth of any body part. Regrowth occurs at an accelerated rate.
Alright, so far so good. Next, harden.
> Harden I: tense a part of your body and increase its defence. Strength of hardened areas approaches that of steel.
Oh wow, that's interesting! I'm sort of a living armour, a living tank!
Sadly, those were the only easy ones. All of my other new abilities sound bad, in one way or another. Sort of evil, I'd say.
> Caller of the Depths: You are the Omen, the one who heralds what's to come. Call upon that which you shall bring upon the surface, and give the world a taste of its power. Let the magic of the Depths submerge all.
Yup, definitely evil. Was that innocent sea cucumber really going to do this? I can't imagine it doing much, it is basically just a tube of flesh after all. Maybe it just wasn't levelled enough yet, in which case I'm sort of glad I managed to stop it in time.
Anyway, does this mean I can do magic now? I did have the attribute in my stat sheet, so it's likely. But don't get distracted now, I still have more troublesome abilities to go through.
> Weak Commanding Aura - Omen: You wield a weak aura, letting all know you as the Omen and intimidating those that are not yours. It allows you to somewhat command weaker beings that recognise you as their herald, as well as others you manage to intimidate.
I feel like cold sweat should be running down my back. Can starfish even sweat? Probably not.
Still, this is bad. Very bad. Not the aura itself, as far as I can tell I don't have to have it active. No, it's the flavour text that worries me. What have I gotten myself into?
> Rousing Presence - Omen: You are the Omen, and you bring forth the Depths. Your very presence rouses the being of the deep, awakening them from their slumber and luring them to shore. Like a bright beacon, you shine and show the way for apocalypse.
Dammit, I knew it! This'll be so much trouble! And all for what, a single upgrade to regeneration? Is that worth it?
Let's just get this over with, this last one can't be that bad compared to the others.
> Usurper Scourge: You take, take and leave nothing behind. A scourge upon the land, you bring devastation, poisoning the water and earth in your wake in an attempt to eradicate all that is other. You take so much, you even took this trait from its rightful owner. Consequently, neither the Land, nor the Depths will look favourably upon you. Both shall desire to end your terror.
Alright, that's just ridiculous. I feel like, for the first time in ever, I really have a reason to say this:
I'm fucked.