Pov Evelina
To be honest, my life has been a complete mess. The first seventeen years of my existence can hardly be called life. Being born without an immune system was like winning a one-way ticket straight to a pile of stinking crap.
But that very first day I met Thanatos... As soon as I saw him, I felt a strong tingling sensation in my chest, and imaginary butterflies fluttered in my stomach.
I silently gazed into his eyes for about five minutes while his sister, Nemesis, tried to engage me in conversation and get to know me better. She's a highly skilled medical professional.
In that very moment, I felt alive. The constant fear of death was replaced by a different feeling... a feeling of love! It sounds silly, of course, but I fell in love at first sight, even though he had a youthful face. He was only 14 years old at the time, and Nemesis was teaching him medical skills.
Coming back to the present, I can say that nothing has changed since then. Except for the fact that I've become a free bird, gained a superpower that allows me to emit acidic energy from my hands, and started feeling fear again
Naturally, I was shaken by my encounter with Morena, a certain Undead Queen and Empress who had invaded my world. She will either exterminate people or enslave as it seems to me.
I hope my parents survive. Unfortunately, the phone service has stopped working, and I can't find out if they're alive.
I sighed sadly, eating my lunch with people I don't know.
I was now temporarily stationed at the police station, specifically in the mess hall. Another pretty girl named Spica had sent Emma and me out for a snack.
In an hour of tight acquaintance, I realized that they were just as scared as I was. Only ex-military Victor is not afraid of death, because he has seen many times the deaths of comrades during the military service.
— Huh, you're just like my sister. She told me several times how she killed people.
— What kind of troops? — Victor clarified, drinking a protein shake after his meal.
There was a lot of useful food and weapons left at the police station after the black mist had been here.
— I don't know. I know she's a sniper. Spent over ten years in Afghanistan. Our parents gave her clearance and she signed a contract at 17, can you imagine, hehehe...
Emma patted my shoulder, showing her usual sympathy, — Oh, my God, that's terrible! Not only did you spend most of your life in a cage, but you haven't seen your sister either. Thank goodness she's still alive.
I forced a fake smile, not wanting to disturb anyone, — I hope she's alive... She's currently at Montauk military base. I need to go to her. And I will go, with or without your help. It depends on your interests.
— No, it's dangerous, — Liam, Emma's brother, worried. He looked at his sister with a strange look, but I wasn't interested in why he was looking at Emma like that.
— Montauk base, you say... Do they have supplies, weapons, and defensive structures? — Spica began questioning, approaching us from behind.
— Oh, yes! That's precisely Agatha's area of expertise. It's safe there, if you don't take into account the fact that zombies and other creatures are attacking them.
— Attacking? Do the monsters know about them, know armies location? We can't go there, — said the second adult man with a gray beard, Samuel, before trying to explain his point of view, — Even high fences with electric current won't protect against a horde of thousands. I'm no expert in fortification, but I know construction very well. The sturdy alloys of steel would sooner or later bend under the mass of zombie and monster bodies when enough of them became available.
I lowered my head sadly over the brutal truth. Going with me to a military and scientific base was suicide. But if Miss Spica were to come with me...
She has superpowers, and they're connected to spikes! It's a very good weapon against a crowd of zombies. It would give control over the distance between the zombies and the military. If you spread sharp branches and vines around a high fence, you can buy a lot of time.
Although I don't know how sensible it is to reveal superpowers. But I would do anything to save my older sister!
— Can't we go there? — Spica turned her head toward Samuel with a furrowed brow. She glared at him with a regal gaze until he lowered his head, — You will do as I say. Your lives temporarily belong to me until you repay the debt for saving your worthless existence!
I watched in awe as all four members of the group fell silent as they continued to eat in silence. Apparently she had actually saved their lives in a situation they themselves would never have survived!
Isn't Spica afraid of the Black Mist that Morena hides behind? Or is the Black Mist not necessarily home to the Undead Queen... I have no idea.
— Tomorrow we move southwest. We're in Danbury now. We'll head for Bridgeport, which is adjacent to the strait, and then we'll proceed as we see fit. We're looking for a ferry to cross to Long Island. Then we get to the military base, and then we act on the situation of the military.
I watched with dilated green pupils as Miss Spica gave orders to the whole group. At that second, I really wanted to hug her and cry as she took my side and decided to help protect my sister!
— Miss S-Spica... th-thank you so much! You have no idea what this means to me, — I stood up from my seat and bowed to her several times, not daring to hug her whole body.
I was completely selfish in those moments, and I didn't think about the well-being of Victor, Samuel, Liam, and Emma.
Could I be a hypocritical bitch for once in my life? Of course I can! I don't give a fuck about the world because it rejected me... it tortured me for 20 fucking years! Let them all burn, just so my sister, my parents, Nemesis and Thanatos would be okay!
I would gladly kill everyone in this room except Spica Smith if it meant I was guaranteed the safety of my loved ones.
As soon as I agreed to help, Spica came over to me, turned to the rest of the group and said, — Don't bother us until morning. Evelina is sleeping with me. I'll teach her how to cultivate, tell her about monster cores and more. And you get ready to go camping.
WHAT?
Spica's words threw me into a stupor, as if they'd poured a bucket of cold water on me. In an instant, I was depressed.
What do you mean, I'm sleeping with her? What is this expression, what does it mean? Did she really want me to repay the favor with my own body?
Shit... What am I supposed to do? I can't agree to that!
As I pondered my actions, Spica grabbed my arm and dragged me into her office.
I followed her in silence for a while before I began to speak with a stammer, — Miss Spica, I... I don't know if I want to do what you're suggesting! Isn't there any other way to get what you want?
Spica pushed me onto the couch, where I saw a blue parrot sitting on one of the crystal branches. This was the same bird that had led me to the police station.
Meanwhile, the white-haired woman locked the office and frowned at me, asking, — You don't have a spine? How are you going to save your sister without the means to do so?
Spica started to approach me point-blank, and I immediately covered my breasts and crotch, even though I was wearing normal clothes with underwear.
Oh my God. She wants to fuck me! Do I really need to defend myself? But how strong is she? If she's not afraid of Morena, then my fate is to be raped in Spica's hands!
But I want my first time with Thanatos so badly! Even if Spica is a girl, I don't want that kind of connection. I'm heterosexual, I don't want to be raped...
Tears began to flow from my cheeks. I decided to press on the pity, — I beg you, Miss Spica... don't rape me! I'll do anything! I'll serve as your weapon, I'll kill for you! Just please don't touch my body! I love one man, and I want him to be the first one to feel the warmth of my body...
I wiped away endless tears and shook like a scared chicken. All the while the blue parrot was cackling and laughing, flapping its wings.
I raised my weeping eyes to Spica and knelt down, saying, — I beg you!
— Did Morena scare you so badly, — Spica mumbled, barely audible.
— What? M-Morena?
She really knows her! I'm doomed! I'm going to be raped! God, no... Thanatos... what do I do? Try to fight for my desires, my destiny and my life? But how do I defeat a man with divine power... This is the end...
Spica lifted my trembling and wet chin with her hand. She saw how hard I was roaring and began to laugh wildly, — Ha-ha-ha, what vulgar nonsense comes to your mind! I envy your man, for he will have a lady with a great imagination. What is his name by the way?
— T-Tanatos... — I whispered, sniffing my blushing nose.
— It sounds good, pleasing to the ear. Surely the name was given by a good aunt, — Spica said, looking at me with a cunning gaze as I knelt before her with trembling lips and a freezing body. She hit me on the head and said, — Don't be an idiot. I'm not a damn lesbian! Have you really started building vulgar theories after my suggestion about sharing a bed? Hah, you've got carried away, little girl.
— Y-you won't touch me, will you?
— I will... — she immediately grinned maliciously, and then pressed down on my shoulders.
I fell to the floor in fear, contemplating when to apply the power of acid and poison against Spica.
Then Spica grabbed me by the legs and started twisting them in different directions until I assumed the lotus position...
Everything is unexpectedly decent or am I wrong again? Does she really want to urinate in my mouth while I sit in the lotus position?
Spica glared angrily at my darting eyes and couldn't contain herself, shouting, — You little pervert, you're thinking about vulgar things again! It's as if you've only watched porn in your mansion. I want to tell you about cultivation, you idiot. Teach you how to interact with the energy of a new realm.
Shit, I totally misjudged Spica's actions. In my mind, people always want to fuck you, humiliate you, and be dominant in order to control someone else's life. Apparently I've really been watching a lot of bad videos on the dark internet.
— I'm sorry, Miss Spica. I struggle to properly assess the actions of others...
— This is fucking ridiculous! Do I have to raise you myself, Evelina? — Spica muttered with a sigh of sadness.
I lowered my head, wishing to sink through the ground out of shame.
Once again, I messed up, made a mistake. Ugh, it's so difficult to live in our world.
...
Third Person POV
More than eight hours had passed during which Spica taught Evelina many things about cultivation.
First, she revealed what had actually happened to Evelina. After completing the first stage of evolution, Evelina had become a Stellar Cultivator, albeit a very weak one.
Spica explained to her about the levels of cultivation and their ranks.
Now Evelina understood that she possessed only a First Star, while there could be more than a thousand of them around a person's soul.
«Damn, I'm so weak! But I can be strong, and Spica wants to help me. I'm so grateful to her! And I'm so sorry that I slandered her by thinking she was a lesbian and a rapist,» Evelina pondered to herself while Spica explained to her how best to make effective progress in cultivation.
The safest and most effective way to progress is through various meditation techniques and absorbing monster cores. And if done simultaneously, one can quickly reach the First Stellar Nebula.
Spica also told her that monster cores can be distinguished by their colors. Monsters and humanoid creatures at the first stage of evolution have the following core colors:
- First Star (violet).
- Second Star (blue).
- Third Star (light blue).
- Fourth Star (green).
- Fifth Star (yellow).
- Sixth Star (orange).
- Seventh Star (red).
- Eighth Star (gray).
- Ninth Star (black).
- Tenth Star (Again violet, but the core is malleable and lacks a stable structure).
A new stage of evolution:
- First Star System (violet again. The core is fixed in an oval shape).
- Second Star System (blue).
- Third Star System (light blue).
After lengthy explanations, Spica added aloud, — The colors repeat in each stage of evolution but change their physical form to a different shape. Monster cores almost precisely correspond to the colors of the rainbow, except for the eighth and ninth ranks.
— So much useful information! Is there anything else I should know? — asked a happy Evelina.
Meanwhile, Spica looked out the window and noticed that the sun had long set below the horizon. Pitch darkness had descended.
— No, this information is enough for now. Here, take this light blue core. It will help you break through to the Second Star. I will assist you in reaching the next rank, but only once, alright?
— Yes! I'll be very grateful to you, Spica, — Evelina couldn't contain herself and hugged the white-haired girl tightly.
Meanwhile, a blue parrot laughed at the emotional turmoil of its Owner. It knew that teaching her new knowledge was challenging.
— That's it! Let me go. I'll unfold the couch into a proper bed, put sheets on it, and we'll lie down together. You'll absorb the core and tell me about this Tanatos of yours, understood?
— Oh, you're not going to molest me? I could accidentally unleash the power of acid and injure you, — Evelina expressed her concern.
— Hah, you won't even harm me if I submerged myself in a whole bathtub of acid, — Spica arrogantly muttered, then she hit Evelina on the back, — We sleep together because I'm not used to sleeping alone. I always slept with my cousin, but now she and I are temporarily separated. I need a toy to hug, tangle my leg and thigh around to fall into a deep sleep. Besides, in that position, my pussy breathes better at night.
It was strange for Evelina to hear about sleeping with her cousin, even though it was a girlish situation. But she suddenly remembered how Thanatos had told her that Nemesis had sucked his big cock the last peaceful morning. He had said it in such detail that Evelina got wet between her legs just thinking about it.
Evelina thought too much about absurd things because of her lack of experience with social interaction in real life, «Am I too vulgar and retarded? But didn't Nemesis and Thanatos commit incest? It's hard to believe that Spica is just peacefully *sleeping* with her cousin. But either way, it's none of my business. The important thing is that Spica doesn't try to seduce and rape me»
— Alright, Spica. Help me become stronger!
Spica unfolded the couch and conjured up beddings out of thin air. Evelina was curious about where all these things were coming from, but she didn't want to bother her with unnecessary questions.
Spica stripped down to her panties, took out the light blue core, and lay down on the bed.
— Undress, Evelina. Then take the core and lie down next to me. It's better to lie with your back to me, so it will be more comfortable for me, — Spica calmly instructed, patting the spot next to her on the bed.
Evelina nervously swallowed her saliva as she looked at the half-naked Spica. She was uncomfortable undressing and seeing the girl's naked breasts.
— Why did you take off your bra?
— What kind of silly question is that? So her breasts could breathe. I'm not going to hit on you, I'm a normal woman. Don't annoy me with your immature behavior, or I'll create a whip of twigs and vines to smack your ass to bloody flesh!
Evelina weighed her options. Desperation to find her sister tormented her heart, and Spica seemed to offer a glimmer of hope. But she had no intention of engaging in sexual intercourse with the girl, even if she possessed divine beauty.
Evelina struggled with her next words. She shook her head in protest, — I'm sorry, but I can't do what you want. Just trusting a woman you've known for one day is... stupid and dangerous! What if your branches and vines can put a man to sleep? You could take advantage of my weakness and do terrible things while I'm unconscious. I don't...
— OKAY BITCH! — Spica shouted angrily, extending her arm forward. Loza stepped out from under the floor and pulled her bra back on, — Is that better? My breasts are covered, pervert. Thanatos should fuck you so you think less about vulgar perversions.
Evelina smiled shamefacedly as Spica dropped all blame on her bawdy and uncultured personality.
Stripped down to her underwear, Evelina felt acceptable. She still had her bra and pink panties on her body.
She lay down very comfortably next to Spica, who gave her the core and showed her how to properly absorb energy from it.
Everything went on quietly enough. As the night slowly flowed on its course, Evelina got used to absorbing energy from the core. She did not meditate as Spica helped direct the energy directly into the Vial Soul. They also talked about Thanatos.
Evelina fanatically recounted the highlights of her life with Thanatos, not realizing she was falling into a trap.
«Huh, silly little girl. She thinks I'm interested in her. Strange not to guess my intentions when I ask so much information about Thanatos. If she'd been smarter, she'd have figured out what I was trying to gain her trust for. My friendship with Evelina will help me get close to my cousin, and then I'll figure out what to do with him myself» Spica thought happily about her successful plan.
— Huh, you are so interesting, Evelina.
— Oh, thank you! By the way, I feel like I'm about to break through to the next step, — the green-eyed girl said awkwardly as Spica hugged her from behind with her leg thrown over her.
Spica really was helping Evelina advance in her cultivation, and was also using the innocent girl as a plush toy to lie down and sleep on the folding couch.
Confirming the information she already knew because of the surveillance, Spica asked unthinkingly, — You said there that Thanatos has a great and loving sister. How far along are Nemesis and Thanatos in their loving relationship?
— How do you know her name or did I mention Nemesis' name? And what do you mean advanced? What makes you think they should advance in the love direction? — Caught on the wrong side, Evelina suddenly suspected Spica of spying. She gave no hint that Thanatos and Nemesis had an unhealthy relationship involving incest. She would not set Thanatos up, since incest is supposed to remain a secret despite the world's Apocalypse.
Spica realized that she had relaxed too much and directly asked an incorrect question. She did not panic and calmly stated, — Come on, think about it. Every sibling's life has a turning point where one random act can escalate into sexual entanglements. Here, for example, Liam and Emma are siblings who will 100% fuck in the future. They look at each other like dogs during spring heat. All they need is a little push. Or am I the only one who's noticed that?
— Interesting assumption, but that's a poor excuse, — Evelina hmphed, realizing that she was being interrogated about Thanatos. She pinched Spica's hand and said with a displeased grimace, — Morena was also interested in my Thanatos... I mean, it's nice that different mysterious and powerful women are interested in him, but what am I supposed to do about it? You can take him away from me and throw my opinion in the trash. It's damn awful!
— THAT BITCH! Morena was interested in Thanatos! — Spica muttered angrily and clenched Evelina's body tightly before quickly letting go.
— Cultivate without me. I have to pass on important information to someone, — Spica said, leaving the room. Evelina was left in the office with the parrot.
— Hey, parrot, tell me who your Mistress really is? What do they want with my Thanatos!
The blue parrot answered Eveline by singing, but she did not know his language. The parrot flew into the other room where Spica was, and Evelina pouted like an offended child but continued cultivating.
«Maybe I'm an inexperienced girl, but I'm not stupid! Spica is trying to gain my trust, but she doesn't care at all that I discovered this fact. She's not bothered by uncomfortable questions or my improper behavior. Now I understand everything, but I have no idea how to act in such a strange situation» Evelina thought, ceasing her contemplation. She tightly held the core and continued the cultivation process until she reached the Second Star.
First, she tested her new powers, which involved enhancing her physical characteristics and gaining better control over acid energy.
After an hour of experimentation, Evelina went to sleep. A while later, a tired and exhausted Spica entered the room and lay down next to the brunette, hugging her like a big teddy bear.
Evelina felt the touch, but she also felt a sense of tranquility and familial care. It was as if Spica was sharing her warmth with her, and for Evelina, this experience was new. She had never hugged her mother, father, or sister like this. But it was these feelings that the warm embrace of Spica provided as she snuggled under the blanket. It was exactly how she imagined family embraces.
— I will definitely save you, Agatha, — Evelina murmured in her sleep, curling up into a ball.