Chapter 443: Against the Odds (3) (1/2)

As if the world had suddenly came to a halt, looking forward to something grand, there was an eerie silence. A strenuous calm before the storm.

The new core inside Number 3 reached its capacity, but the expected reaction didn't happen. Even the glowing veinous system, the complex halo of the carved out paths had slowly begun to fade away.

A second passed and nothing happened. Then another. Then another.

Then, suddenly, it finally happened.

The fading glow regained its luster, the halo suddenly turned incredibly vibrant, continuing to gain its momentum with each passing second.

In an instant, the body was swallowed by the all-powering golden luster, forming a long, rounded, casket-like cocoon over the body.

Still, that wasn't the end of the process. The casket wobbled, as ripples of energy traversed the surface like the ocean would under a heavy, violent storm. The shape of the cocoon slowly changed, the casket growing smaller and smaller whilst the top began to slowly protrude, reaching towards the sky.

In mere seconds the usual form of a standing egg-shaped cocoon could be seen, shining in its recognizable golden brilliance, with a faint humming sound coming from its depths. The occasional contraction could be seen, telling that whilst they couldn't peek inside, no matter how hard anybody would try or skills they would use, the forbidden godly taboo, an impossible evolution was taking place.

Of course, Aiden tried his best to take a peak, but regardless of what he attempted, he couldn't pass beneath the solidified scaly golden shell.

A faint life sign was all he could make out; Number 3, his Master was fine, and alive, though her state was impossible to tell.

'[Don't worry. You did everything you could, the rest is up to her. The ritual was successful.]' Enya's calming tone resounded in his mind, though even she failed to ease his worry, calm his nerves.

'When will she emerge? What will she turn into? Is what I did the right thing to do?' Question after question emerged inside Aiden's head, the uncertainty of the situation continued to test his mettle, he was already beginning to question his choice.

Was it really okay to force something on her, change her from the core, and potentially turn her into a monstrosity against her will? Wouldn't what he just did put him on the same level as those monstrous entities, or the rest of the gods that toyed with the mortals of this world?

Still, the other option was even more dreadful. Turning the woman he looked up to and held as one of the most important people in his life becomes a helpless cripple just to watch her slowly rot away in her own self misery and pity would probably be a fate worse than just to leave her to die. For that fate, death would actually truly be the salvation she would be hoping for.

He could only sigh and wait for the moment when the evolution would be completed and Number 3 would emerge before any of Aiden's questions would receive a potential answer.

'[I don't have an answer for any of these questions Aiden. At best I can give you a rough estimate, basing it on Galina's case.]' Enya's voice pulled Aiden out of his thoughts.

'That's fine.' He answered with a shrug. 'Just tell, what to expect.' He added.

While waiting for her system guide's response, Aiden turned his attention towards Gupta. A small smile emerged on his face as he saw a small subsection of muddy huts hastily put together closer to the lake: The Skinks have already picked a spot to settle down.

Although it was good to see that the new settlers were accepted by the 'locals', it still surprised him that everything happened so fast. It was only half a day ago when the little lizard people were sent over, yet they already created their own commune making it already taking the shape of the outside world's Slums district.