To the astonishment of those present, the very fabric of reality seemed to shiver.
From the center of Brandon's armored chest emerged a spectral form.
The once tiny kitten, the symbol of Void City's Heart of Civilization, had transformed.
It was now a full-grown cat, its ethereal fur shimmering with stripes of dark gold that reflected the sunlight in an array of brilliant hues.
It wasn't only the people in present who were entranced by the evolution, the livestream chat flooded the screen with comments.
[ OMG!! Is that a ghost cat?! ]
[ I'm #TeamDog but it sure has majestic fur! ]
The majestic creature floated down and landed gracefully on the unconscious form of Devon, who was still pinned under Brandon's foot.
It stretched luxuriously, and then, in a move that was both endearing and comical, began to lick the side of Brandon's boot.
"Meow~"
[ AWWW It's shoooo cute!!!<3<3<3 ]
[ King Void You Stepping On My Food!!! Hahaha! ]
The sight was so incongruous with the situation's gravity that a few soldiers had to stifle chuckles.
Brandon, trying to maintain his composure and regal demeanor, took the hint and moved his leg.
The cat, with an almost ceremonious slowness, lowered its head to Devon's back.
[ Oh what's the kitty doing now? ]
[ I think it's extracting the Heart of Civilization?! ]
As its snout made contact, strange ripples, like those on the surface of a disturbed pond, danced across Devon's body.
When the ethereal feline lifted its head, it triumphantly held in its jaws a translucent, shimmering fish – the unmistakable spectral form of the Capital City's Heart of Civilization.
A collective gasp filled the air.
[ NO!!! Our Heart of Civilization!!! ]
[ Ey the Capital City kid up there, do you know how lucky you are?! You're now under the protection of the Void Empire! ]
[ Ahhh~~ My King~~ Come devour our city's Heart of Civilization too!!! ]
The ethereal feline stared down at the translucent fish, pride evident in its eyes.
With a sudden flick of its head, the fish was thrown upwards, hanging momentarily against the backdrop of the clear blue sky.
As the fish began its descent, the feline opened its mouth wide, and with a swift motion, swallowed it whole.
An audible gasp filled the plaza.
Every eye was fixed upon the spectral creature, which now began to change before their very eyes.
Brandon took a deep breath, feeling the weight of every eye upon him.
The world seemed to hold its collective breath, time almost stalling as the ethereal creature began its transformation.
It started to grow, expanding both in length and stature, each muscle and bone shifting to accommodate its burgeoning size.
As it expanded, the once-simple stripes of dark gold on its obsidian fur started to swirl and dance, intertwining and changing into more intricate designs.
Without hesitation, the newly transformed cat turned its piercing gaze to the quivering soldier on his knees.
[ Oh wow the cat just evolved?? Is it a Pokemon? >.< ]
[ Stellar City's Heart of Civilization is next! ]
[ Stellar City is only an hour away, if King Void takes over it… Hmmm I'm starting my journey now! ]
These comments, part of a global livestream Poki had initiated, were viewed by millions around the world.
The event at the square was not just a local phenomenon but a global spectacle, with every twist and turn broadcasted for all to see.
Before he could react, it leapt toward him with a predatory swiftness.
The soldier's eyes clamped shut, bracing for an impact that never came.
Instead, the ethereal feline phased right through him, its body becoming mist-like as it entered his chest.
There was a tense silence, broken only by the soldier's shaky breathing.
Seconds later, the cat emerged from the soldier's back, triumphant once more.
Between its jaws, it held a luminescent flower, delicate petals radiating a soft glow – the unmistakable Heart of Civilization of Stellar City.
[ What does this all even mean?! ]
[ Three Hearts in One Entity?!! ]
The feline toyed with the flower, twirling it in its mouth before starting to chew, its crunching resonating oddly in the quiet square.
As the last petal was swallowed, the cat released a soft, adorable burp.
The now large feline grew larger, its already striking markings becoming more pronounced, intricate, and vibrant.
By the time the metamorphosis was complete, the ethereal feline bore the proud markings of a leopard, the gold patterns sharply contrasting against its deep black ethereal coat.
By the end of its transformation, its majestic presence dominated the square, a symbol of power and beauty, the heart of three ethereal pyramids.
[ The cat turned into… a lynx?? a leopard??? ]
[ Looks like a Jaguar to me… ]
[ Cheetah maybe? ]
A gentle breeze ruffled Brandon's hair, offering a momentary respite from the overwhelming events.
The air was thick with anticipation, the quiet almost deafening in its intensity.
Brandon felt the evolution of the Void City wafting through the entirety of existence.
==========
[ City of Void ]
Heart of Civilization ( Tier 0 ) : 99% ( Tier II 48% after conditions are met)
National Fortune : 71,428.56
Cosmic Gold Treasury : Calculating …
[ Requirements for Next Tier: ]
— Citizen Loyalty Level: 100% (Target: 70%)
— Pledged Citizens: 603 / 10,000
— Average Affluence Score: 24 (Target: 20 )
— Infrastructure Index:3% (Target: 10%)
— Defense Mechanism Level: - (Target: Basic )
[ City Abilities : ]
— City Shield: Provides an energy dome protecting the city for a limited duration Price: 50,000 gold
— Strength Synergy: Average citizen strength +1%, Mental fortitude +1%
— Allegiance of Void: Unity among citizens +15%, Loyalty to their King +15%
(Potential citizens must give blood sacrifice within the King's Territory.)
Threat Level: 12% - The City's growth and prosperity could attract unwanted attention from other factions or hostile entities.
Stability Index: 78% - The influx of new citizens needs to be managed properly to prevent societal instability.
===========
Brandon, still grappling with the magnitude of what had just occurred, was lost in the vast menu of the Heart of Civilization.
The enigma of the "Cosmic gold treasury" teased his curiosity, leading him further into thought.
The aftermath of the ethereal feline's transformation seemed to blanket the square in a charged silence, with only the soft whispers of wind offering any solace to the intense moment.
'Hmmm… I need to get the conditions for the upgrade settled next… Cosmic gold treasury? What's that?'
However, the profound stillness was soon disrupted…
Baron, armored in an inky, ethereal black that reflected the azure sky, descended from the heavens, his eyes locked onto the majestic Heart of Void.
His aura was fierce, yet there was an unmistakable gleam of childish excitement in his eyes.
"Kitty~!!!"
Baron exclaimed, his tone starkly contrasting with his war-ready appearance.
He appeared less a fearsome warrior and more an eager child meeting a beloved pet.
Ruby called out as she followed behind him holding Jade's hands,
"Baron! No come back!"