I woke up in a white void. Slowly, I felt my body re-form. Another piece of cloudy writing appeared in front of me.

[Beginning Evolution Process]

I looked at it for a bit longer than I had last time I’d seen the writing. It seemed like a cloud of earth-colored dust, with dark-colored particles forming the letters and lighter-colored particles creating the area around them. There was a strange golden glow coming from the edges, giving it an unworldly feel. I put my hand through it, causing the dust to scatter into nothingness.

Before I could even ready myself, a large open doorway appeared just a few steps in front of me. As I walked towards it, I saw another skeleton fade into existence, walking towards me from inside the doorway. I stopped, cautious. Maybe it was the statue’s friend, coming to take revenge. I had to be careful. I approached it, slowly and on guard, raising my fists in front of me. Shockingly, it did the same. I jabbed my fists a couple times, threatening the other skeleton with my martial might. In an even more shocking development, it did the same thing! At the same time! Now that is just ridiculous!

I stopped in my tracks, getting up from my guarding position. It copied my movement, also coming to a halt. We were barely two steps away from each other now. I got ready for the impending fight. Why did it have to come to this… In a different world, a different time, we would have been friends. I brought my hand up and punched with all my might, the other skeleton doing the same. I readied myself for the impact of our fists clashing.

“Ploop.”

I looked at my fist, submerged in the thick reflective fluid. I slowly pulled my hand away.

[Greater Skeleton]

I watched my reflection grow, my bones growing larger and thicker. It even grew a row of spiky bones on my shoulders. It stopped as it stood, towering over me. Wow.

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[Requirements Met]

[ - Skeleton]

I looked at the writing. I guess I am a skeleton, huh. I was about to touch the mirror again when another one appeared on its right. Then another one appeared to that one’s right. And another one. A fifth. A sixth. And… no seventh. The six mirrors formed a circle around me, all just a few steps apart from each other. I trotted to the second mirror that had formed.

[Magic Skeleton]

[Requirements Met]

[- Absorbed Mana ]

[ - Skeleton]

My reflection showed a blackened skeleton, a blue glow shining from its eyes, mouth and chest. I nodded amiably. I sure am a skeleton! I moved onto the third mirror. An odd creature greeted me, slightly larger than I was. It had a pointed skull with two great antlers sprouting from it, and black patchy fur growing from its dangly limbs. I looked at its name tag with great interest.

[Forest Spirit Abomination]

[Requirements Met]

[- Absorbed Divine Essence]

[- Skeleton]

I AM a skeleton! I gave the furry creature a thumbs up. That one was my favorite so far. I trotted over to the next one. As I walked in front of its frame, a bright light emerged from the mirror, blinding me. It slowly faded, and from it emerged a pair of wings, followed by a human body. I furrowed my non-existent eyebrows.

[Divine Apostle]

[Requirements Met]

[- Absorbed Mana]

[- Absorbed Divine Essence]

[- Absorbed Essence of a God]

I re-read the requirements. Where is it? I shook in horror. Am I… not a skeleton anymore? I looked in sadness at the winged human. I shook my head dejectedly. I walked over to the last mirror. Every mirror, I had become less and less of a skeleton. I did not have high hopes for the last. I stepped in front of it and looked up.

[Skeleton Heretic]

[Requirements Met]

[- Absorbed Mana]

[- Absorbed Divine Essence]

[- Absorbed Unwilling Essence of a God]

[- Skeleton]

I looked at the requirements. A tear of happiness ran down my face. I jumped into the mirror, not even waiting for the image to appear. This was the one. Darkness enveloped me. I felt my body falling. And then it kept falling. And falling. I got bored after a while. Started counting black spots. Which was difficult since everything was black. And then I hit the ground.