The heavy wooden gates groaned as they were pushed open, the effort of the bandits behind them barely masking the tremble in their hands. Beyond the gates, standing tall at an imposing 7 feet and 5 inches, was Bhanun, the leader of the Grumblehold faction.
His broad frame was draped in tattered black robes lined with thick fur at the shoulders, the fabric worn from years of hardship and battle. His armor, a mix of crude metal plates and finely crafted embellishments bore the scars of countless fights. In his gauntleted hand, he gripped a colossal greatsword, its hilt wrapped in darkened leather, the blade almost as wide as a man's torso.
As he stepped into the village nestled at the base of the mountain, a dense canopy of leaves overhead cast shifting shadows across the ground. The entire settlement seemed to be woven into the greenery, with homes built from living vines, thick tree roots reinforcing walls, and towering flora shaping natural barriers.
The bandits who had once traversed the village with not a single care in the world scurried away, their conversations halting, their eyes darting toward him in barely concealed fear. Some were not quick enough. The moment Bhanun passed them, their bodies stiffened, eyes rolling back before they collapsed, unconscious. He paid them no mind. His boots pressed into the rocky path as he moved forward, deeper into the village.
Ahead, a fortress built into the very bones of the mountain loomed, its jagged stone walls blending seamlessly with the natural rock face. Before its entrance, two monstrous guards—easily larger than the ones at the gate—stood watch. Their breath hitched the moment Bhanun came into view, their hands gripping their weapons with futile determination. When he reached the doors, they pushed them open without hesitation, their entire bodies tensed as though expecting a blow. Bhanun strode past them, unfazed, his gaze fixed ahead.
Inside, the fortress contrasted the raw, brutalistic exterior. Vines and flora crept along the walls, adding an unnatural beauty to the carved stone. Bhanun did not linger on the sight, his focus locked onto the grand hall before him. The corridor stretched long and wide, lined with wooden pillars entwined with ivy. The dim torches flickered as he passed, casting elongated shadows that twisted along the floor.
At the far end, another set of immense doors awaited, this time guarded by two even larger warriors. Unlike their counterparts, these men did not shake nor falter. They met his approach with calm, controlled expressions. They understood his power but did not shrink before it. Silently, they heaved the doors open, revealing the chamber beyond.
At the heart of the room sat Zaos, leader of the Chained Droplet faction. This dark elven man towered at an astonishing 8 feet and 2 inches, his frame lean yet unmistakably powerful. His long, jet-black hair cascaded past his shoulders, framing a face both elegant and menacing. His exposed chest bore the marks of countless scars, and around him, draped across his throne, were five women, each striking in their own way.
One had flowing blue hair, tan skin, and piercing blue eyes that shot wide with terror before she collapsed. Another, with fiery red locks, clutched at the armrest of the throne before her strength gave out. A third, dark-skinned woman with a crown of braided gold, tried to steady herself, her breathing sharp and ragged before unconsciousness took her. The fourth, a pale woman with raven-black hair, remained motionless for a moment longer than the others, her violet eyes fluttering before she crumpled to the ground. The last, a green-haired elven beauty draped in silken robes, did not even have time to react—she simply fell limp where she sat.
Zaos barely reacted. Instead, he clicked his tongue, leaning back into his throne with an air of amusement. "Bhanun. It's good to see you, my friend."
Bhanun said nothing at first. He merely stepped forward and, with an effortless motion, drove his massive greatsword into the stone floor. The sound rang through the chamber, a deep, echoing impact that seemed to shake the very walls. Then, slowly, he reached up and pulled back his hood.
His face, once hidden, revealed two empty sockets where his eyes had been, a grotesque scar running from his forehead down to the upper part of his nose. Though he could not see, his presence bore down upon Zaos as if he were gazing straight into his soul. His voice, low and unwavering, carried across the chamber like a death sentence.
"Zaos. Let's skip the formalities. There is a dove we must squash."
…
(Tridra POV)
I stirred awake, the warmth of the dying fire still lingering against my skin. Letting out a low groan, I pushed myself up from the sleeping bag, rolling my shoulders to shake off the stiffness. My hands rubbed at my eyes, and I exhaled a long yawn, stretching slightly before glancing down.
A pair of twin daggers lay beside me, their leather sheaths smooth and well-crafted. My eyes widened for a moment before I let out a quiet sigh. A small smile crept onto my lips as I reached for them, running my fingers over the hilts before securing them at my belt. With that, I stood, shaking off the last remnants of sleep and heading toward the water bucket in the corner of camp.
The cold splash against my face was refreshing, clearing away the grime of the night. I let the chill settle into my skin before shaking off the excess droplets and making my way to the bonfire at the heart of the camp. The morning air carried a biting cold, seeping through my clothes, and I instinctively huddled closer to the flames. A few of the workers were already gathered, their eager expressions betraying their curiosity.
They wanted to know what had happened at the bandit fortress. I humored them, giving bits and pieces of information, their enthusiasm amusing me for a time. It wasn't long before a presence settled beside me. I glanced to my right—Ophelia. On her other side sat Alexandra, absently chewing on a strip of jerky.
My gaze shifted between them before resting on Ophelia, who warmed her hands against the fire. Then, without warning, her eyes flicked toward me. I immediately looked down, trying to play it off as nothing, pressing my own hands toward the flames.
"Ummmm… Thank you for the daggers, My Lady," I muttered.
Ophelia simply smiled in response. No words, just that calm expression. Alexandra, still mid-bite, glanced between us, her eyes narrowing slightly before she swallowed. Then, with an exaggerated groan, she stood, stretching her arms over her head.
"I'm gonna get right to training. Need to warm up the body," she announced, her tone smug as she wandered off.
My eyes followed her figure, lowering a bit too far down. The thermal leggings she wore fit snugly, emphasizing every curve of hers. Before I could catch myself, Ophelia leaned back slightly, cutting off my view.
"Is the view that nice?"
I snapped upright, heat rushing to my face. "I—I was just wondering where she was going."
Ophelia let out a small scoff, a knowing smile tugging at her lips. She turned back to the fire, warming her hands once more. "Lying to me now. You have grown quite comfortable."
I fumbled for a response, but Ophelia cut me off before I could make a fool of myself any further.
"I am glad to see it."
…
(Later that night)
Ophelia sprawled across her couch, eyes scanning the glowing panels before her. Each option floated in front of her, a promise of power, a path to something beyond the limitations of her current form.
For the two days and three nights she was presented with these options, she took her time, breaking down each new evolution like a puzzle, weighing strengths against weaknesses, benefits against costs. Evolution was irreversible—she would not rush this decision.
[Your Parasite's properties have affected your constitution]
[Your body is now mixed with the properties of mercury]
[Each of the following races has never existed in this world prior to your existence]
.
[Your Evolution Selections are listed below]
.
[Race - Argent]
[Description and History:
The Argent are an advanced evolution of the Mana-Touched, their bodies beginning to merge with liquid metal, particularly mercury. This transformation grants them a unique synergy between magic and mutable matter. Their blood carries traces of enchanted mercury, which reacts to their will, allowing them to manipulate it fluidly. However, this evolution comes with an increased dependency on mana to sustain their altered physiology.]
[Abilities:
Mercurial Manipulation: Can shape and harden mercury within their body or external sources into weapons, armor, or tools.Fluid Form: Can momentarily shift parts of their body into liquid mercury to slip through tight spaces or avoid attacks.Arcane Conduction: Mercury within them enhances their magical affinity, allowing for more efficient spellcasting and quicker mana absorption.]
[Drawbacks:
Mana Dependent: Requires a constant mana intake to prevent the mercury from becoming toxic or uncontrollable.Weakened Organic Structure: Bones and muscles are partially replaced with metallic compounds, making traditional healing less effective.]
***
[Race - Alkahest]
[Description and History:
A rare mutation of the Mana-Touched, Alkahest individuals have undergone a deeper integration of transmutative energies. Their very essence has become a living solvent, allowing them to dissolve and reconstruct matter in limited ways. Though still physically human, their connection to the arcane and alchemical forces is undeniable.]
[Abilities:
Matter Assimilation: Can dissolve and absorb small amounts of inorganic material, reinforcing their body or temporarily gaining its properties.Purging Touch: Can break down poisons, toxins, and minor magical curses within themselves or others by neutralizing impurities.Arcane Reactivity: Magic cast upon them is partially absorbed, reducing harmful effects while allowing them to store residual energy.]
[Drawbacks:
Unstable Body: Without regular mana regulation, their own cells may begin to break down if they absorb too much foreign material.Susceptibility to Arcane Corruption: Being so attuned to transmutation makes them more vulnerable to chaotic magical forces.]
***
[Race - Mercury Vein]
[Description and History:
Those who evolve into Mercury Vein have fully embraced their connection to the parasite, allowing its presence to integrate into their circulatory system. This results in a semi-symbiotic relationship where the parasite enhances the host's magical prowess while also reinforcing their physical structure with liquid metal.]
[Abilities:
Living Alloy: Can manipulate their own bloodstream to reinforce wounds, harden skin momentarily, or extend metallic tendrils for short-range attacks.Adaptive Regeneration: The mercury in their body can reform damaged tissue faster, though at the cost of mana.Arcane Synchronization: Enhanced synergy between physical movement and spellcasting, allowing for fluid combat styles.]
[Drawbacks:
Heat Sensitivity: Extreme temperatures can destabilize their internal mercury, making them sluggish or disoriented.Parasitic Hunger: The bonded entity requires mana-rich environments to thrive, making prolonged stays in low-mana areas dangerous.]
***
[Race - Argent Revenant]
[Description and History:
Once a Mana-Touched reaches a level where their body is nearly indistinguishable from the mana-infused mercury within them, they transcend into an Argent Revenant. These beings are both feared and revered, as they no longer age in the traditional sense but must constantly manage their shifting form.]
[Abilities:
Silvered Flesh: Their body can liquefy and reform at will, allowing them to reshape limbs into blades, shields, or tools.Etheric Flow: Physical attacks pass through them harmlessly while they are in a semi-liquid state, though prolonged use of this ability is draining.Mana Reservoir: They can store excess mana within their liquid form and release it in bursts for powerful attacks.]
[Drawbacks:
Loss of Physical Anchoring: Their body is no longer entirely solid, making precise actions difficult unless they consciously focus.Mana Burn: Using their reservoir too quickly can cause internal destabilization, forcing them to rest or absorb more mana.]
***
[Race - Philovant]
[Description and History:
A rare and enigmatic evolution, the Philovant are beings who have achieved near-perfect equilibrium between their natural body and the parasitic mercury. Their existence is a delicate balance between transmutation, mana flow, and willpower. Legends speak of such individuals transcending mortality, their forms no longer bound by natural laws.]
[Abilities:
Alchemical Genesis: Can transmute small amounts of matter with mana, refining or altering its properties temporarily.Immaculate Flow: No longer fully biological, their form adjusts seamlessly between liquid and solid, making them extremely difficult to wound permanently.Eternal Circuit: They passively regenerate mana over time due to their stabilized internal structure.]
[Drawbacks:
Fragile Equilibrium: A severe magical disruption can throw their body into disarray, forcing them into an unstable state.Detached Nature: Their evolution distances them from purely organic beings, making emotional connections harder to maintain.]
***
Her eyes drifted first to Argent. A straightforward step forward from what she already was, its abilities focused on refining her control over mercury. She could shape it into weapons, shift her body momentarily into liquid, even enhance her spellcasting efficiency.
But the drawbacks stood out. It was mana-dependent to a dangerous degree. If she ever ran dry, her own body could turn against her. The idea of being so reliant on a single resource made her uneasy. Power meant nothing if it could be taken from her the moment she was cut off from mana. Discarded.
Next was Alkahest. This one intrigued her. The ability to dissolve and reconstruct matter had undeniable utility, and its Purging Touch could cleanse poisons, toxins, and even magical curses—an invaluable tool in any situation. The partial resistance to magic also intrigued her. But as she read deeper, the instability became clear. Unstable Body. If she absorbed too much foreign matter without properly managing it, her own cells could begin breaking down.
Worse yet, her heightened connection to transmutation made her vulnerable to chaotic magic, an uncontrollable factor in the world she lived in. The risk was too high. It didn't matter how powerful an ability was if it carried the chance of self-destruction. Discarded.
Her fingers hovered over Mercury Vein, another combat-oriented evolution. It leaned heavily into physical reinforcement, something she lacked, and its Adaptive Regeneration made it difficult to put down. The concept of using her own bloodstream as a weapon fascinated her—hardened tendrils, reinforced wounds, even defensive plating. Yet, the tradeoffs were glaring. Heat Sensitivity was a dangerous weakness. A single battle against a fire or ice-based opponent could leave her helpless.
Then there was the parasite's growing hunger for mana. Prolonged time away from mana-rich environments could be dangerous, even lethal. That meant dependency, again. And she hated being dependent. Discarded.
Argent Revenant. This was one of the strongest choices by raw power alone. The ability to fully liquefy and reform, to let physical attacks pass through her body, to store and release mana at will—it all sounded close to invincibility. But as she read further, she saw the problem. Loss of Physical Anchoring. The more she embraced this form, the less solid she would become. Precision would become difficult. Would her hands tremble when she needed steadiness? Would she have to constantly focus just to remain grounded in reality? She didn't like the idea of losing control over herself in such a fundamental way. Discarded.
That left one.
Philovant. The very last choice.
She read through its description slowly, absorbing each detail. Alchemical Genesis. The ability to transmute matter, even temporarily. That alone made it stand apart from the rest. The others had strength, resilience, and adaptability—but none of them offered creation. This wasn't just survival or combat utility. This was influence. She could reshape the battlefield, modify tools on the fly, adapt to any environment. A locked door, an unbreakable chain, a missing key—none of these would be obstacles anymore. She could bend the world to her will, even if only briefly.
However, that wasn't just it. In the future, there were so many ways this could be useful. Literally, at any given moment, she could create what is necessary for the current scenario, an ability so invaluable that it couldn't be overlooked.
On top of that, there was Immaculate Flow which gave her balance between liquid and solid, maintaining her physical form without the instability that plagued Argent Revenant. She wouldn't have to struggle just to remain whole. Eternal Circuit ensured she could regenerate mana passively, removing the dependency that had been such a glaring flaw in the other choices. No sudden exhaustion, no fear of running dry. She would be a self-sustaining system.
The drawbacks? Fragile Equilibrium. A magical disruption could throw her into instability. That was dangerous, yes, but manageable. It was external, not an inherent flaw like the weaknesses of the other races. She could plan for that, work around it.
Detached Nature?
The second drawback?
This… the possibility of her losing her emotional connections…
Everything was appealing…
Until this point.
She had given this choice a lot of thought. She was still swooning over Tridra, still determined to maintain her relationship with Alexandra, still set on regaining the lovers she had lost before she regressed. This evolution… it threatened that.
When Ophelia regressed, she set out for three things.
One: Power.
Two: Revenge.
Three: To reclaim what was taken from her.
This choice forced her to consider something she hadn't before. Was she choosing between the first two… or the third?
Or was she looking too deep into it?
The wording of the drawback was vague. It didn't say she would lose them, only that it would be harder to maintain. That wasn't enough to deter her. She had always been careful, always been deliberate. She had endured isolation before and still held on to what mattered. If she was strong enough, if she was smart enough, then she wouldn't have to give up anything.
Unlike the other options, none of them had an immediate solution to negate their drawbacks. Mana dependency couldn't be fully countered—passive regeneration would never be enough to sustain a body made of metal. Physical fragility couldn't simply be reinforced—once the body weakened, it was irreversible. Instability, corruption, parasitic hunger—every evolution came with flaws that required constant attention, and constant adaptation.
This was no different.
It wasn't something she could fix outright, but it was something she could prepare for.
And so she came up with a plan. One that could be taken advantage of at any given moment.
However, it was for when worse came to worse. It was a backup plan. A last resort.
One that wouldn't sacrifice power.
One that wouldn't sacrifice revenge.
One that wouldn't sacrifice those she held dear.
Only a part of herself.
"The system… is quite cruel…" she muttered before raising her finger.
.
[Would you like to select the Evolution Choice: Philovant?]
[You cannot change your selection]
.
Her choice was made.