Neska stared at the new highlights of her form. To say that she was speechless was an understatement, as she tried to wrap her head around it. Or tail, maybe.

  

  =Status=

  Name: Neska Aksen

  Witch 10, Tier 2

  Lamia (Legendary) Tier 2

  Vitality 17

  Agility 22

  Endurance 21

  Intelligence 30

  Perception 21

  Soul 25

  3 EP available, 9 AP available

  =Secondary Abilities=

  Alchemy Unlocked; expand for further details and specializations

  Rituals Unlocked; expand for further details and specializations

  =Evolutions=

  Coiled Strike (7), Venomous Bite (7), Prehensile Tail (3), Blinding Venom (3), Spring Scales (5), Sudden Molt (1), Constricting Coils (2)

  =Hexes=

  Mana Bolt (8), Rooting Hex (10+), Ember Hex (5), Baleful Eye (2)

  =Titles=

  Awakened - You are a humanoid fused with a monster’s soul and body.

  Daughter(?) of Ouroboros - ???

  Witch Tier 2 - human granted class for hexes and blessings.

  Reconstituted - your soul has been made whole.

  Merciful - You saw a foe defeated, and gave them a dignified end. +1 Endurance, + 1 Soul. This Title may evolve depending on your actions.

  Defender - You chose to engage in a difficult battle to defend someone else, without an expectation for anything in return. +1 Vitality, +1 Endurance. This Title may evolve depending on your actions.

  Incorruptible - You withstood the corruptive influence of the Fallen, choosing your humanity over ferocity. +2 soul, + 2 endurance. This Title may Evolve depending on your actions.

  Shatter the Ceiling - Break a limit on an ability or evolution. + 2 Intelligence, + 2 Perception.

  Kinslayer - Kill one of your own kind, regardless of circumstances.

  Enduring Bravery - Be the victor in a battle you had a low chance of winning. +2 Endurance, +2 Agility.

  Unbreakable Bond - Save a friend in dire need, at great risk to yourself. +4 Vitality, +4 Endurance, + 4 Soul.

  The first thing she noted was how dramatically her attributes had changed. She felt stronger, faster, her reflexes and senses sharper. They had increased substantially since she had gone into her evolutionary shell.

  And a spark of power that nestled next to her heart, radiating outward. Vivi…this new feeling…what is it?

  

  Your mana core has grown. It has changed along with the rest of your physiology.

  The memory of the cottage, right before the attack, triggered a recollection for her. Vivi, how many tiers are defined for mana cores?

  

  Five.

  Risha said I had a Tier Six capacity, as did the Interface--or you, maybe. Does that mean I have the potential to reach tier six?

  

  That is not possible. There are only five tiers.

  Wait. Only five known tiers.

  Neska blinked in surprise–there it was again, a new thing she hadn’t realized. She had eyelids, now. Or had them again, in retrospect. But she said Tier six. Can the Interface be wrong?

  

  The Interface simply is. It is neither right nor wrong. Or...perhaps this knowledge was not meant to be known.

  That left her with more questions than answers. What is tier five then?

  

  Immense power. The apex of monsters and humanoids. Powers so encompassing that even a few can turn battles, invigorate nations...or leave a path of destruction.

  And if there were a Tier Six? What would it be? Would it be…a Divine Beast? Neska put the theory forth from her memory of Risha’s books.

  

  The Divine Beasts are myth and legend. They do not exist but in the minds of men and monsters.

  Vivi, my title, Blood of Ouroboros...part of you recognizes it. If it's merely myth and legend, then why does the Interface recognize it? How do you know to label it as such? Vivi's answer was slow and intoned with puzzlement.

  

  What a curiosity. I do see it, but cannot infer any more from it. It seemed to generate no reaction, even with what the tunnel viper said. Almost as if I am not supposed to know of it, other than it exists. Perhaps there is more information to be found elsewhere?

  The lack of an answer from Vivi, either yes or no, sent a shiver down her body, all the way down to her tail.

  “Hey, you okay?” Juni asked, likely having felt it as she helped Neska clean off.

  “I…don’t know,” Neska answered, looking toward the ground. Vivi knew about the Divine Beasts, yet...it felt as if some knowledge was blocked, even for her? “Still…thinking," Neska finished.

  She glanced at Jurik’s jacket, holding it contemplatively for a moment now that her upper body was clean. The coat smelled of salt and cinders, but not unpleasantly. It had seen years of service: she saw the leather was worn and flexible, and adorned with numerous carefully stitched patches. He must have cared for it greatly to repair it multiple times.

  This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

  “How do I…” she trailed off.

  Juni hopped off her back with the lightest of force and showed her the sleeves. “One at a time. Your upper body is closely matched to a humanoid. Anyway, we’ll get you properly cleaned up at the Academy.” With a little guidance, she slipped the jacket on, noting its snug fit. It slid effortlessly over her scales, hugging her back gently.

  “Thank you.” She glanced at Juni and tried to smile, like she’d seen Jurik and the others do. Judging by Juni’s edged smile, it didn’t have the intended effect.

  “I think we need you to work on some expressions. No offense. Do you…remember much, from before?” she asked, changing the subject.

  She contemplated her answer for a few seconds. “S-some. S-some…hard to s-see again.” Her words felt flat…but the thoughts were sharp. Like knives.

  And they hurt, inside. She had no idea if Vivi was even alive. Or her parents. Or...

  ...Why couldn't she remember her mother? She tried to recall a voice, a name...

  Only to come up empty. Oh gods. Of all the knowledge to be obscured! She tapped her claws against the rocky dome Juni had conjured up, the tough material scraping against the rock eerily.

  Juni’s expression grew softer, more rounded. “It’s okay if you don’t want to talk about it now. Neska, you have leftover evolution points and attributes, right? I daresay you must.”

  “Yes.” She needed a change of topic right now. Anything to not focus on what she felt seemed like a deliberate obstruction of her memories.

  “Keep whatever points you have. Jurik told me to hold onto mine. The Academy has been trying to map out monster evolutions, and they can infer higher Tiers through the early minor evolutions. And especially if you have Hexes, like a witch class. They’re gonna have a lot of questions for you.”

  “But I don’t know…” she let out a soft exhale. “I don’t have answers-s. Even for me.”

  She hadn’t even examined her new ability options yet. But the growing sound of hoofbeats and shouts nearby interrupted her query. Juni’s ears swivelled toward the source, then turned her head around the earthen shroud. "Well whatever happens? If I can, I'll help you find some answers. Maybe to satisfy my own curiosity, too."

  Neska decided she’d examine the abilities later, when she could focus on them.

  “Oh boy. Here we go. Act casual,” the mouse girl called out, motioning them around the earthen barrier. Jurik and the others stood at attention, watching the incoming riders–and Neska heard a sound of wingbeats above them. She craned her neck upwards and felt a tingle of dread.

  It had to be more birds. Figures.

  "Act casual. Right, Juni. Because we can be casual after defeating three tunnel vipers, one of which might have been an advanced variant," Hadley called out with a hint of amusement. Neska was still focused on the spectacle above them.

  The incoming forces were large winged beasts with large, triangular heads and leathery wings that flapped with intense force. Massive taloned legs trailed behind the creatures. Neska could see small riders holding reins mounted to the creature's back, near the base of their necks.

  She had to applaud the rider's bravery; flight sounded both dangerous and terrifying to her.

  On the ground, several men bearing green and gold uniforms on horses approached at speed, coming up the destroyed road and letting out shouts at the destruction–and the corpses of the monsters.

  “Oh, my.” It was her first reaction as riders came toward them, but they slowed as Ragnir and Hadley waved. Neska hugged the jacket just a touch tighter, feeling a twinge of unease.

  How would they view her? As a monster? Or a human? As if reading her mind, Jurik put out a reassuring arm. “Neska, follow our lead. The Academy garrison is a sight friendlier toward Awakened than most. They’ll have questions.”

  Two riders at the front stopped and dismounted immediately, marching earnestly toward Neska and the others. One was a lean male in his early adulthood bearing chiseled features and light brown hair. His counterpart was a woman with angular features, almond-shaped eyes, and long, slender ears, with her dark hair tucked behind them. Neska knew she was a humanoid, but a different kind. Both wore green and gold fatigues, with light armor layered atop them, and varied weapons on their hips.

  “Jurik?” the woman gasped when she saw him. “Goodness, after seeing that mess, we thought…well, it doesn’t matter now, you’re alive!” The woman rushed up to him and hugged him tightly, relief etched in her eyes. “I-I apologize, that was–”

  “It’s alright, Marie. We’re alive, and we dealt with the tunnel vipers.” After she let go, Jurik nodded to the other soldier. “I don’t believe we’re introduced.”

  “Captain Nevin, Academy security forces. I presume you two are acquainted?” he asked, examining him closely. The veteran nodded silently. “You are?”

  “Lieutenant Jurik. Special Reconnaissance and Operations. Did Captain Krevan send word of our arrival?”

  “He did, though the loss of the patrol last night drew our investigation once they didn’t show up before dawn.” The stern-faced man eyed the gathered group. “Who killed the elite tunnel viper? I saw roots ensnared over it–what was left of it.” Ragnir let out a grunt, but said nothing more. “None of you look like a caster type, and I–”

  Neska slithered forward, bowing her head slightly. “I killed the viper elite. Helped kill the others."

  Kinslayer.

  The scathing title echoed in her mind. It shouldn’t have bothered her–Tanileth had tried to eat Juni and kill all of them. Yet, that final accusation from the grave echoed, an unwelcome reminder of her actions.

  Captain Nevin narrowed his eyes, examining her. “A Lamia? You’re no caster. It is not an evolutionary power; it is the power of either a witch or a sorcerer. Is this a ruse?”

  She shook her head. “No.” She pointed toward a spot on the ground and felt power flow to her new arm, surging from her core as she outstretched her fingers.

  The familiar power of her [Rooting Hex] came to life, a deeper connection to the ability tracing through her. No longer was it a jumble of roots flailing randomly. The roots grew slowly into the air, twining together to form strands like a natural rope. Each twist of the roots felt deliberate, within her control, directed manually. Several gasps rang out through the assembled soldiers, and Nevin stepped back, looking warily at her.

  Her display popped up with a new name for the ability. A fitting name.

  

  [Rooting Hex] has evolved to [Woven Root Hex]. Limit Break reset to 10.

  Woven Root Hex (physical, control, geomancy): cast a woven tangle of roots, vines, or suitable vegetation from existing plants or from viable terrain, ensnaring and entangling foes. Root strength and durability increased by Intelligence or Vitality, whichever is higher. Maximum area of effect, fidelity of control and number of elements increased by Intelligence. Roots may now be shaped into simple shapes and weaves with increased strength; Roots may be created indefinitely if extra mana is allotted in a Ritual casting.

  Whoa. This was a substantial upgrade in the ability. Stranger still, she hadn't had to use an Essence point. Were all abilities and evolutions like this? Vivi had hinted at it before. Or, perhaps this one was unique? Either way, she had everyone's attention.

  “This…is not possible," Nevin breathed.

  “Yet you see it with your eyes.” She guided the twined roots to graze her outstretched hand, and she felt a connection of energy between her hand and the roots, like a closed circuit.

  Several tense seconds went by, with Nevin glancing at his counterpart, the sharp-eared woman observing the demonstration with awe. Then, at Jurik, Juni, and the others. She saw his facial features untense…a little.

  “Who are you?”

  “A ward of someone important in the academy,” she answered calmly.

  He nodded, still struggling to accept this strange new reality. “Come with us. We'll take you to medical first, since you look pretty beaten up. Then, we’re going straight to Headmistress Resalio.”

  The escort to the Academy was swift. Even so, Neska could taste the unease that had settled throughout the academy security forces, given their unusual findings. She was able to keep pace with the horses at their brisk pace, while Jurik, Hadley, and Ragnir doubled up on other riders.

  Juni resolutely rode on her shoulder, seemingly spooked by the horses. “Maybe we shouldn’t have…opened with that,” she said quietly.

  “Maybe.” Neska winced–maybe it would have been better if she had said nothing. “Like…my name.”

  “Why?” Juni whispered.

  “Risha worked here. I am unsure of the terms she left on. I wish I knew.” She kept her voice low so that the others couldn’t hear.

  “You said she–” Juni sucked in a sharp breath after noticing Neska's reaction; distantly, she felt a dull ache as her claws dug into her palms. “Neska, I’m sorry. She was murdered by people who should be protecting us.”

  “I know. We had limited time to talk about it. Only s-so much I could do with just…my tail.” Neska glanced back at her tail, flexing gently as if she were wringing a third hand. At least she hadn't lost any control over it, much to her relief. “There are two people I need to meet here.” Dusty gravel rolled ever so slightly as she travelled forward, keeping pace with Jurik, now. “For now…we trust only them.”

  “Why?”

  “She…” Neska trailed off. “She trusted them. On her dying words.”

  “Oh.” The conversation grew sparse as they cleared the woods on either side of the road, opening to a small clear-cut area–and then a sight that stunned Neska as they reached the crest of a short hill. Juni let out a soft sigh. "We have got to add some happier memories to your life, Neska."

  "Yeah. I would like that, too."

  The team of escorts stopped, with the captain of the security forces stopping adjacent to them, noting Neska’s slowed pace. “It’s quite a beauty, huh?”

  Neska felt her heart twinge at the sight. Not even death could take the image of this place from her. It is, indeed. Like finding home again.

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