Caught in disbelief, I stood there aghast as the abyssal particles of the defeated Burrow Scourge swirled around me—each one drawing forth a surge of energy coursed through my Merecritt form. But this time, it felt different, as if the very essence of the particles resonated with a latent power within me. I closed my eyes, surrendering myself to the transformative energy.
G.A.I.A. Online!
— Initializing the process for Variant advancement…
— Metamorphosis to the [Uncommon] "Merecritt" variation commencing and finalized. Do you accept this Aera?
[ Yes ] or [ No ]
The particles continued to whirl around me as I absorbed them, though doubt entered my mind, I couldn't help but be drawn to the allure of this metamorphosis. The prospect of unlocking new abilities and embracing the strength and stage of this [Uncommon] Merecritt variation enticed me… I was both excited and apprehensive—yet I was slightly afraid of changing even more than I was.
However, the perils of our current situation against the Burrow Scourge and the challenges we might face in the future urged me to seize any opportunity for growth and empowerment… especially, to someday overcome the Venolisk who had threatened us…
…a powerless feeling which I disdained so much.
Taking a deep breath, I steadied myself and responded with conviction—there a flicker of a humanoid figure caught my attention, "Yes, I accept. Commence the metamorphosis to the [Uncommon] Merecritt variant."
The G.A.I.A. was silent, but it had been initiated.
Prickling through me, a surge of power rippled through me, radiating from the depths of my core to the tip of my ears, my paws—and it felt as if a dormant flame had been ignited, spreading warmth and vitality throughout my body. I could feel my Merecritt form undergoing a profound transformation as the familiar shape of my Merecritt form began to shift and change, evolving into something more extraordinary. It was a dance of the soul—a metamorphosis into something greater, something unknown.
The symbol on my forehead, once faint, now shimmered with an ethereal glow, signifying my ascent to the [Uncommon] variant stage.
Brilliant hues of exquisite light radiated from my body, intertwining with the swirling abyssal particles. The chamber filled with a dazzling display of colors, casting mesmerizing patterns on the walls. Zest and the Plelepun watched in awe, their eyes wide with amazement. The remaining Burrow Scourges were astonished and blinded by the spectacle.
With each passing moment, I could feel subtle changes taking place within and around me. My form remained familiar: the same fluffy fur, expressive eyes, and the symbol on my forehead still present; but there was an unmistakable shift, a newfound potency that hummed beneath the surface. When I opened my eyes, I found myself enveloped in a brilliant aura of crackling lightning.
The fur of my Merecritt form had lengthened slightly and it now glowed with a subtle luminescence, as if infused with the very essence of electricity itself. My four ear tufts stood tall, charged with an energy that pulsed with each beat of my heart.
Power coursed through my stretchable ears, their length and strength amplified. They crackled with electricity, resonating with Zest's energy as if our connection had deepened. My Merecritt's form evolution had been completed, unlocking new potential within me.
< VARIATION EVOLUTION >
COMPLETE
Common → Uncommon
An amalgam of emotions welled up within me, the most prominent were exhilaration and astonishment. I couldn't help but marvel at the beauty of this newfound power that I attained. I stretched out my ears, their lengthening forms arching gracefully before me. With an ignition of adrenaline, I summoned my crystal-tipped spear into my grasp—feeling an instant connection to the weapon as if it were an extension of myself.
I noticed that the crystal's tip had taken on a new hue—a dark blue.
Testing out the latest features of my form, I noted that my movements felt lighter, swifter, as if the very air responded to my presence. I leaped into the air, my elongated ears propelling me higher than ever before as a Burrow Scourge tried to strike me down with its glowing pincers.
It was a breathtaking sensation as I struck down upon the Burrow Scourge, a Common one at that, the crystal tip ignited in a burst that casted it within a blue flame as it impaled the Burrow Scourge—leaving it as a burning heap.
< VARIATION SKILL >
[SpectraFire]
Tears of joy welled in my eyes as I landed and turned to face Zest and the Plelepun, who watched me with wonderstruck admiration after taking down their opponents. Zest's antlers crackled as the eldritch deer nodded in my direction. Whereas the Plelepun's eyes gleamed with respect and camaraderie.
The Plelepun unexpectedly chimed in, its playful tone laced with joy. "Yo, you've leveled up, Aera! I knew you had it in you!"
Zest continued on with silence, however I could spot a mixture of pride and astonishment in its gaze.
Several Burrow Scourges tried to attack them, but the Doervus emanated an aura of crimson electricity to create an explosive shockwave to knock them back and send flying and crashing across the cavern.
With a dash of my [MereSwiftness], lightning streaked behind me as I lashed my ears and sliced through the Burrow Scourges that Zest felled. Zest sprinted and leapt over me before crushing a Burrow Scourge underfoot with their [Electro Stomp]. There was an unspoken understanding between us, a recognition of the strength we now possessed before we turned back to the other stunned Burrow Scourges.
Zest approached me, their crimson electricity crackling along their antlers. "Aera, you've become something truly extraordinary," Zest whispered. "Never would I have anticipated to witness such a monumental transcendence."
Touched by its words, I nodded. "Zest, I couldn't have reached this stage without your unwavering support," I replied. "Together, we shall continue to face whatever challenges that lie ahead," I proceeded to frown. "First let us deal with these Scourges."
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Zest stepped closer, their antlers arcing with electricity as it nuzzled me affirmatively. In Zest's eyes, I saw pride and joy, I was shocked, but I guessed it to be a silent acknowledgment of the journey we had embarked upon together.
"Yes, we shall." Zest stated as the eldritch deer stomped a electrified hoof as it surveyed the horde of Burrow Scourges that began to approach. "There are at least eight (Uncommon) Burrow Scourges within their ranks." It came to state. "Tread carefully Aera," its gaze swept through the cavern, and I discerned that the Plelepun was nowhere to be seen.
Regardless, this was the perfect opportunity to put my evolved abilities to the test, to showcase the power that now coursed through my veins!
With a flick of my elongated ears, I unleashed a devastating strike, the electrified appendages slashing through the air with astonishing speed. The Burrow Scourge faltered as the lightning-infused attacks found their mark, stunning and incapacitating them momentarily.
Three (Common) (F+) Burrow Scourge were felled in that single act. I blinked a few times before I smirked at the revelation.
Zest simultaneously joined the fray, their antlers crackling with crimson electricity. Bolts of lightning shot forth, surging through the chamber, striking the Burrow Scourges with precise accuracy.
We swooped into the swarm of insectoids. Together, Zest and I became a tempest of energy, a force to be reckoned with as we zipped and zoomed through the battlefield, our attacks demolishing and incapacitating any (Common) Burrow Scourges that were caught up in our path!
With each clash and every lightning-infused strike, I felt the exhilaration of my evolved form. I moved with an uncanny grace, dodging the Burrow Scourges' attacks with ease, and retaliating with lightning-infused fury. Ears crackling, and with spear-in-ear piercing and thrusting at a lightning speed—[Zap:Thrust] striking in all directions abound!
As I approached an (UnCommon) Burrow Scourge it was still able to parry a blow I dealt to it with an overhead swing of my ear-held spear. However, its multitude of spindly legs cracked the floor beneath it from the force of my impact.
The impact reverberated through the chamber, causing cracks to spiderweb across the floor. The (UnCommon) Burrow Scourge recoiled from the force of my attack, its multitude of legs almost giving in.
Sensing this opportunity, Zest swiftly moved in, channeling their electrified antlers into a focused blast—[Doom:Bolt Beam].
A surge of crimson lightning shot forth from Zest's antlers, striking the hindered (UnCommon) Burrow Scourge with pinpoint accuracy. The creature let out a screech of agony as the electrical energy burst through its body, overwhelming its defenses.
In turn, I unleashed my electricity, and we began to electrocute it together. The combined might of our evolved forms proved to be too much for the (UnCommon) Burrow Scourge to handle.
With a final, thunderous crash, the (UnCommon) (F+) Burrow Scourge collapsed to the ground, defeated. The chamber fell silent, the only sound echoing through the air was the crackle of lingering electricity. We stood amidst the wreckage, our bodies charged with power and victory.
The remaining (Common) and (UnCommon) Burrow Scourge, witnessing the defeat of their comrade, hesitated for a moment. However, the chitinous creatures swiftly used this as an opportunity to regroup, creating a formation as their eyes glinted, prepared to fire upon us.
[Menace Eye Laser]—their beams shot forth toward Zest and I.
However, the fear that had once paralyzed me in their presence was replaced by an unwavering desire to become victorious as I and Zest weaved through their onslaught. Then, a sudden tremble was heard and felt. 'Not again!' I thought, but this time the vibrations resonated strangely from beneath my feet. Thump. Thump. Thump. A message…?!
I raised my spear high, its crystal tip gleaming with a brilliant electric glow. "This ends now!" I declared. "No longer shall we cower before the Burrow Scourge! Today, we stand as a beacon of hope and resilience!"
Zest stood by my side, their antlers crackling with a renewed intensity. "Together, we shall vanquish them all," it added, their voice resolute.
"Yo! I brought reinforcements!" The Plelepun exclaimed as it poked its body out from the ground before burrowing back; it popped out once more, and it rammed its tusks and shielded head into the nearest Burrow Scourge in its path.
G.A.I.A. Online!
— Eldriyssals Detected!
— Species: Plelepun
— Sub-Name: "Tunnel Elephant Calf"
— Rank: F+
— Type: Forager
— Classification: Common
Numerous Plelepuns emerged from beneath the ground and joined our ranks. "We're with you, Merecritt!" they exclaimed with determination.
"Let's send these Scourges back to the depths where they belong!" A Plelepun with a pattern akin to the Earth's surface spoke as it stood at my side.
"Yo! That's what I like to hear boss!" The original Plelepun that guided us declared as it bounded next to the Earth-patterned Plelepun.
< Earth Patterned Plelepun >
G.A.I.A. Online!
— Eldriyssal Analyzed!
— Species: Plelepun
— Sub-Name: "Tunnel Elephant Calf"
— Rank: F+
— Type: Forager
— Classification: Rare
— Title: Arch-Plelepun
< Earth Patterned Plelepun >
Emboldened by the support offered from old and new companions, I led the charge against the remaining Burrow Scourges. "CHARGE! We shall end this now!"
Like a stampede, Zest, I, and the Plelepuns caused the cavern to rumble as we clashed with the Burrow Scourges!
With each lightning-infused strike, electrified hoof stomp, and earth-tremble assault we struck fear into the insectoid's hearts. The chamber soon became a battleground—our movements slowed yet coordinated, our attacks precise and devastating.
Frequently, traps ensnared underneath the Burrow Scourge, or they were knocked aside by the compact strength of the Plelepuns.
At one point, I noticed that the Arch-Plelepun was riding on top of a rock structure that crashed and engulfed the Burrow Scourges in a landslide of minerals from the cavern.
However. My own attention, maintained on the Burrow Scourges in front of me using their [TerrorClasp] to grasp me. But with a well-aimed [Regal Ram] enhanced jab of my spear, I swiftly carved through them.
One by one, the Burrow Scourges fell before us. The crackling energy that surrounded us seemed to grow stronger with each victory, fueling our determination and igniting our spirits. We fought with the conviction that no matter how formidable our enemies might be, we would emerge triumphant!
A burst of [Doom Zap] was fired from my paws, a electrical blast that struck and stunned the Burrow Scourges which enabled the Plelepuns and Zest to crash into their ranks without resistance.
Hours passed as we battled the Burrow Scourges, driving them back and slowly reclaiming the cavernous chamber. Even with reinforcements, the Burrow Scourges were unable to keep up with our devastating assault.
Soon, the once-dominant presence of the Burrow Scourges was now reduced to scattered remnants, their threat almost extinguished. The last of the Burrow Scourges clacked and swung their pincers, but it became a futile effort as they were now the ones surrounded.
"Forward!" I pointed my spear as the Plelepuns marched forth. "Attack!"
Finally, the last Burrow Scourge stood before us, its form battered and weakened. It let out a feeble screech, a final battle cry as it rushed and lashed at me.
With a swift strike of my spear, I ended its suffering, bringing an end to this harrowing encounter—the Burrow Scourge's physical form disintegrating into abyssal particles. A saddening triumph as I witnessed it plummet to the ground with a thud—a gluttonous desire in its faltering gaze.
Silence settled over the chamber, broken only by the sound of our labored breaths. We stood amidst the wreckage; our bodies bathed in the residual glow of the Burrow Scourges particles. The battle was won, but the challenges that awaited us beyond these walls were far from over.
Catching my breath, I turned to tend to the wounded; some of the Plelepuns had fallen in battle, and it saddened me to acknowledge this. But despite that, I couldn't help but feel appreciative by their assistance.
A weary smile emerged on my face as I assisted an injured Plelepun to another part of the cavern, so I could start patching it up.
Suddenly, a chill ran down my spine, as I reluctantly met the fading amber eyes of of a lurking creature retreating into the shadows. A faint, but distinctive hiss escaped its slithering jaws, sending shivers through the air and leaving an eerie echo in the silence that followed.
----------------------------------------
G.A.I.A. Online
— Achievement: "Evolution's Embrace"
— Congratulations, Aera. You have overcome the Burrow Scourge and reached the next stage of your evolution. May your journey continue to be filled with valor and triumph.
NEW STATUS:
─ Name: Aera
─ Species: Merecritt
─ Rank: F
─ Variant: Common → Uncommon
─ APUs: 434 Units
─ Skills: Call of the Abyss (Lv 2), G.A.I.A. - Inherited Skill (Lv 2), Critical Observation (Lv 2), Craft - Inherited Skill (Lv 2), Nexus - Inherited Skill
─ Natural Skills:
* MereSphere
* MereEar Slash
* MereEar Aero Slash
* MereEar TwistPierce
* MereEar Elongation
* MereSwiftness
* [????]
* [????]
─ Techniques:
* Doom Zap
* Regal Ram
* Cruel Chomp
* MereDoom ZapSphere
* MereDoom ZapBeam
* Zap Thrust
* SpectraFire – [Attribute: Fire]
* [????]
* [????]
* Melodious Shout (Perlachirp)
─ Connections:
* Zest (the Doervus) (Companion)
─ G.A.I.A. Offline