"Evolution—Begin."
"Oath Osseod… Evolve!"
The crystal carapace that once hugged Oath's frame expanded. Her round ears stretched upward, curving into a crown and sharp, triceratops-like horns. Her tail elongated, thickening into a bludgeoning club reminiscent of an ankylosaurus. At the end, sharp crystalline spikes jutted out, refracting the light like a prism.
The brilliance fractured, shattering like glass as the transformation reached its apex.
Oath continued her headlong rush, colliding with the Burscarbane's side. The monstrous creature screeched from the impact.
That was when KiAera saw it—the Faux Nym blessing, amplifying the force behind Oath's strike.
??
Oath the Orselith (Battle Bonus):
?? [Faux Nym] Blessing:
★ 1.5x Power Boost
APeX Power: [8018 Units] > [12,027 Units]
??
The blow staggered the Burscarbane, causing it to loosen its grip on Skadicritt.
"I got her!"
KiAera glimpsed Viz swooping down just as the monstrous pincer released its captive. He caught Skadicritt before she could hit the ground.
"Thanks, Vizzy!" Skadicritt gasped.
KiAera wasted no time. Rising from her daze, she activated her own evolution.
[Emergent] Mearcritt Form—Engaged.
A rush of power coursed through her as her [Spectral Flame] ignited around her body as she accelerated toward the Burscarbane.
??. .????. .????. .??
[Innate Status]:
Name: KiAera
Age: [32 Cycles] [25]
Race: [Merecritt]
Species: [Mearcritt]
Special Traits:
[Chimera's Mark]
Memorized:
- LeapLeap
- Sapkin
- Osseod
- Skyrawsoar
Evolution Stage: [Emergent]
Variant Grade: [Uncommon]
Dominions: [Revise] [Virtuoso]
Attribute Influence: [Beast] [Fire]
Stored AP: [4031]
Current APeX: [13,082 Units]
Power Limit Cap (APeX): [108,000 Units]
??. .????. .????. .??
[EVOLUTIONS]
??? {Emergent}
Mearcritt {Emergent}
??. .????. .????. .??
??. .????. .????. .??
+ [Mental Resilience] [Rank: Ultra]
+ Bonus: Boosts willpower and resistance. Grants [Immunity] from [Psion] attacks and skills below [Ultra]. Discount APeX cost by 50% when distributing points to willpower.
+ Applies a 100% Boost to WIL and RES.
+ [Poison Resistance] [TIER: F+] (18%)
+ Bonus: Resist Poison ailments from Zeldritch with a lower APEX.
??. .??
[MISC Skills]
[Insight + Sigil] - [E+] (55%)
--
[Skills] [Max Slots: 8]
[Claw Swipe] - TECH Lvl. 1654
[Ignite] - TECH Lvl. 2516
[Flare Flame] - TECH Lvl. 1553
[Fire Slash] - TECH Lvl. 1415
[Fire Twister] - TECH Lvl. 56
[Spectral Flame] - TECH Lvl. 2418
--
[Species Skills]
[EarPunch] - TECH Lvl. 2118
[EarPummel] - TECH Lvl. 1991
[MereKick] - TECH Lvl. 2114
[MereHeadbutt] - TECH Lvl. 1013
[MereSwiftness] - TECH Lvl. 1884
--
[Ultimate Skills]
[Spectral Comet] - ULT Lvl. 10 + x2 APEX
[Chief's MereSphere] - ULT Lvl. 5 + x10 APEX
--
Ranges from 900 to 1200:
[Howl]
[Bite]
[Fluff Guard] {SS}
[Ear Wrap] {SS}
[Ear Lash] {SS}
[Ear Slash] {SS}
[Ear Air Slash] {SS}
[Ear Twist] {SS}
[Ear Twist Punch] {SS}
??. .????. .????. .??
"Don't screw with me, KiAera! I'm not letting you hog all the glory!"
Mina's voice echoed from across the underground forest.
KiAera caught sight of the Oni woman leaping high into the air, her jagged club raised above her head, aiming for the Burscarbane. It seemed they had the same idea.
Mina's club smashed into the Burscarbane's armored shoulder, the impact strong enough to send the Grimgem tumbling from its perch. Seizing the opportunity, KiAera activated [MereSwiftness] and struck the distracted Burscarbane's flank with her [Fire Slash]-[Spectral Flame] combo. The searing gash left it reeling as it crashed to the floor with a resounding bang.
She, Oath, and Mina now stood in a loose triangle around their fallen foes.
The Grimgem scrambled back to its feet, teeth gnashing in fury. His wild gaze flickered between them before settling into a scowl.
"You think this is how it ends?!" He spat. "Don't get complacent!"
He reached into his cloak, revealing a dark crystal clenched in his clawed hand. He held it up with a wicked grin.
"I believe you may recognize this," he sneered, locking eyes with Mina.
Mina froze, her expression darkening. Her grip on her club tightened.
"You wouldn’t…" she growled.
KiAera's gaze fixated on the crystal. Something about it—its shape, its aura—felt unnervingly familiar.
And then it hit her.
The Tropiruth's corruption.
A memory surfaced—Dark crystals sprouting from its bark, twisting and parting in harrowing formations… A grotesque, fractured transformation. A blackened hue, unnatural and wrong.
The realization sent a chill down her spine.
The Grimgem's grin widened.
"Boss's orders."
Both she and Mina struck the Grimgem with their respective ranged attacks, hitting him squarely in the chest. However, with a sickening crunch, he still bit down on the crystal.
A pulse of dark energy erupted from the Grimgem's body, sending KiAera and Mina skidding back. The cavern trembled as the corruption took hold, seeping into his flesh like ink bleeding into water. His wiry frame convulsed, bones cracking and reshaping grotesquely.
KiAera's breath hitched. No—this transformation... it's just like the Tropiruth's. She felt intensity of his presence.
??. .????. .????. .??
Creature: Grimgem (Corrupted)
Faux Nym: None
Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
APeX: [12400 Units] → [18600]
Attributes: [Grim] [Evil] [Ore]
Evolution Stage: [Emergent] (E)
Current Variant Grade: [Uncommon] [Corrupt]
??. .????. .????. .??
“What in the Void is happening?” Viz muttered from above, still keeping Skadicritt safely in his arms.
"Corruption," KiAera murmured and her jaw clenched. This was worse.
Far worse.
The Grimgem's eyes glowed an unnatural violet, his pupils dilated to slits. His mouth split wider, fangs elongating, and his fingers extended into talon-like claws that dripped with malignant energy.
"Ahh…" The creature's voice was distorted, layered with a deep, guttural resonance that echoed unnaturally. "So... much... power."
Mina appeared behind him, her jagged club swinging down with devastating force. Her [Oni Smash] connected, sending the Grimgem hurtling forward.
Right into Oath's waiting claws.
"Gotcha."
Oath's massive frame surged with power. Her [Crystal Charge] activated, with her hulking body barreling into the corrupted Grimgem and slamming him into the cavern wall.
CRACK!
The impact was thunderous, shaking the ground and sending shards of corrupted crystal flying.
But even that wasn't enough.
The Grimgem's distorted form peeled itself off the wall, limbs bending at unnatural angles before snapping back into place.
"More," he growled as his voice dripped with malicious glee. "I need... more."
Grimgem's APeX: [12400 Units] → [20800]
Before KiAera could intervene, the Grimgem raised its arms, the gems embedded in its limbs beginning to glow ominously. "[Gem Rain]!" it bellowed, and a flurry of sharp, glittering shards erupted from its body, raining down on the battlefield like a deadly meteor shower.
"Move!" KiAera yelled, springing into action. She proceeded to summon her [Spectral Flame], manipulating its icy-cold form to create a protective barrier around herself, Mina, and Oath. The gem projectiles hissed as they collided with the barrier, shattering into misty particles.
A guttural, distorted voice slithered from his throat. "You should have finished me faster."
Mina growled, tightening her grip on her club. "Yeah? Well, we can still fix that."
Before she could charge, the mutated Grimgem moved—no, vanished. One moment he was hunched over, his body still shifting, the next he was behind her.
Too fast.
Mina barely turned in time before a clawed hand slammed into her gut, sending her hurtling into a nearby rock formation. She hit the ground hard, coughing up blood as KiAera moved instinctively.
Spectral Flame—
She barely got the thought out before the Grimgem snapped his gaze toward her. "No interruptions."
Dark fragments lashed out from the crystals lining his back. KiAera leapt back, narrowly avoiding them as they speared into the stone where she had stood. Damn it—his speed, his reach, everything's changed.
She braced herself as Oath roared, lunging forward. The Orselith's bulk crashed into the Grimgem, but rather than being crushed under the weight, the corrupted creature merely grinned. With unnatural strength, he pushed back, claws sinking into Oath's crystal hide, causing fractures to spread like spiderwebs.
Oath snarled in pain. KiAera, and another blur, pink, struck the creature before further damage could be done.
"Hiya, boss!" Skadicritt shouted, flipping to KiAera's side. "This guy's tough, but he's nothing we can't handle together." She did a double take with a glance. "Hey! Hey? You look a bit different."
KiAera landed between Skadicritt and the Grimgem, with her flames licking up her limbs. As she studied the Grimgem's movements, a plan began to form. "Skadicritt, on my signal, aim for its legs!"
"Gotcha! Skadi~ Grapple!" Skadicritt launched her ears.
The Grimgem lunged again, spinning into its gem-wheel form. This time, it was faster, the edges of its body sparking. KiAera braced herself, her ears snapping into a whip-like position, glowing faintly with her flame's icy aura.
KiAera faced the charging Grimgem, her ears coiling back before she released them in a slingshot motion. The icy whips of her Spectral Fire lashed, meeting the spinning monster head-on. The impact was explosive and the freezing energy spread across the Grimgem's surface and slowed its rotation, causing it to growl.
"You're fast, but you're reckless," KiAera muttered, weaving around the slowed creature. She followed up with a burst of speed from her [MereSwiftness], striking the Grimgem's side with a freezing kick. Cracks spread across its gem-encrusted body as it yelped in pain, stumbling to recover.
The Grimgem snarled. "I'll grind you to dust for that!" It roared, summoning a barrage of gem-shaped projectiles.
KiAera leapt into the air, twisting her body to evade the glittering missiles. She retaliated by conjuring a swirling inferno of flames, their heat intense enough to vaporize the incoming projectiles. Her [Spectral Flame] twisted around her like a cyclone before she directed it downward, engulfing the Grimgem in a fiery explosion.
It suddenly tore through with ease, making her stagger in disbelief as the Grimgem burst from the flaming vortex, the beast now encrusted in glittering dark armor. It charged headlong into her, the impact knocking the wind out of her as blistering pain blossomed through her.
The Grimgem quickly followed up with a palm strike motion, sending her flying until the creature hurled a massive gem.
Twisting herself hard, KiAera narrowly evaded the object that lodged itself into the wall. But her eyes darted again as she saw the Grimgem falling from another gem it thrown and was already upon her with a deep hatred blazing in its eyes.
"You nasty Merecritts will pay!" If it wasn't for the raise of her ears, the Grimgem's [Gem Knuckles] would have connected with her face. Her leg shot upward as it transformed into a [LeapLeap]'s leg, bashing its lower jaw. But that seemed to have aggravated the creature more than harm as they both hit the crystalline floor. She noticed that the Grimgem had begun to become weaker.
Grimgem's APeX: [20800 Units] → [16400]
"Grr... You're tougher than you look," it admitted. "But the fued between our species won't end until I've destroyed you and the pink one!"
"And you're more persistent than I expected," KiAera replied coolly, her tail flame flickering with renewed intensity. "Now what are you even on about? I have no clue about this darn feud your spewing! You must be mistaking us for the wrong Merecritts."
The Grimgem grinned with a snarl. "That's where you're mistaken. All Merecritts are the same—scheming thieves who stole what rightfully belonged to us Grimgems! You are all pests who deserve nothing but eradication!"
KiAera's brow furrowed. This was the first she'd heard of such a feud, and it didn’t sit right with her. The Grimgem's hatred wasn't just personal—it was cultural, ingrained. But she didn't have time to debate history. She needed to end this fight before more of her allies got hurt.
"Believe what you want," she said, shifting her stance. Her icy [Spectral Flames] coiled tightly around her fists and ears. "But I'm not here to play scapegoat for your grudge. I'll defend my team and myself, no matter what you think I've done."
KiAera dashed across the field with [MereSwiftness] to strike at the Grimgem. But the sight of another projectile piercing the air forced her to twist mid-air. She grimaced as a spike erupted from the ground, piercing her waist. Her reaction to the sudden burst of pain was short lived as the sight of a gem-encrusted foot and a fist startled her as two more Grimgems appeared from above.
She froze one with a burst of [Spectral Flame], but the second newcomer shielded itself with a [Gem Shield] that reflected her flames back to her with a sinister sheen.
A flaming explosion occurred as the attack was redirected back toward her in an amplified manner. She rolled with aches but remained firm on her feet as the interlopers stood in front of the first Grimgem.
"Tough critter," the one grasping the gem-shield bellowed. Its gem-helmet cracked slightly. "Heck, she landed a hit. One of the better ones we fought in a while. Greh."
The one at its side swiped away the frost from its dark green fur as it shuddered. "I was expecting a bit of heat. Not a splash of snow. Guess we're not against a basic one."
"Enough chattering!" The first Grimgem stepped up and created gem gauntlets on its arms. "Let's hurry up and rid ourselves of this Merecritt! Then that'll give us the liberty to take care of the pink one. Geh, well, and those others that dared to side with it too!"
KiAera's eyes darted between the three Grimgems.
??
Creature #2: [Shield-Bearer] Grimgem
APeX: [13500 Units]
Evolution Stage: [Emergent] (E)
Current Variant Grade: [Uncommon]
??
Creature #3: [Dark-Green] Grimgem
APeX: [13100 Units]
Evolution Stage: [Emergent] (E)
Current Variant Grade: [Uncommon]
??
"You guys really don't know when to quit, huh?" she stepped back into a defensive stance. She staggered, however, as the sharp pain in her waist caused her to wince.
"Three-two… one. Crush!" The trio of Grimgem’s rushed her without hesitation. KiAera's ears flicked as she shot across the field with her [MereSwiftness], accelerating and evading the three [Emergent]-stage monsters that were hyper focused on mashing her.
The underground forest became a blur as the three tall gremlin monsters fought in unison in an attempt to overwhelm her with their attacks. The shield bearer reflected her fire techniques back at her. The dark green one made sure to keep her preoccupied by the spikes that it conjured from the ground, and the first one, with its gem gauntlets, punched and bended gem walls upward to limit her mobility. KiAera could tell this was not the first time they hunted a Merecritt and their coordination caused her concern.
My Spectral Flame won't work here, not as it is. She thought. Her gaze darted to the shield-Grimgem and its elemental absorption ability bothered her—it made her hesitate to strike out at full force with her flames as it always seemed to amplify it back at her with more than twice power.
KiAera punched outward with her [Ear Fist], only to find it pounding against a gem construction. It made her wince as she cracked the surface. Now, whenever she tried to attack physically. The projectiles came next. The whizzing sound of a shrapnel caused her to twist hard enough to cause her head spin. She barely dodged the gems fired at her as they passed by harmlessly.
But her back came in collision with a gem wall that slowed her momentum. The following spikes from the wall caused her to zigzag away, only to find herself running toward the fist of the first Grimgem. The blow jarred her ear she raised it to defend herself. She pivoted with a tight twist to slam her [Ear Punch] into the Grimgem's shoulder as she leapt up.
"Tsk. Keep dancing for me, Merecritt! Keep dancing! Grahaha" The gem-gauntlet Grimgem taunted. The Grimgem and its allies converged on her, but they were where she wanted.
KiAera focused on revising the concept of her flames. This manuever was going to cost her a significant amount of abyssal mana. But her own life was at stake anyways. So she gave it a shot.
She shifted the fire from its gaseous form to a liquid substance. Pouring the flames outward, she unleashed it in the fashion of a tidal wave. The flame-water surged out and slammed into the three Grimgems, stunning the three darn menaces as it swept them away. But it may have caught them off guard, yet it was only the start as she made another conversion to the [Fire-Water].
The water fizzled as it boiled as the Grimgems thrashed about in the tides. It continued to heat up until it reached its boiling peak that eventually led it to explode into fiery blue tendrils, causing her captives to howl in shock and pain. The first Grimgem plunged into the water as it sank.
But it was too soon to proclaim victory as the two others clashed their gem barriers against the flames clinging to their drenched, furred bodies.
KiAera was stunned by the shield-Grimgem's sudden motion as it sunctioned in the flames and water; it yanked it toward itself until it looked like it was in deep anguish as the gems embedded on its body began to crack. But it did not stop. The moment thrusted its shield forward with tremendous force, both fire and flame became a sinister variant of itself that impacted her with an enormous and intense explosion of pain that sent her sprawling across the field.
KiAera's body hit the ground hard, the crystalline surface shattering under her as she tumbled to a stop. Every nerve screamed in protest, and her vision blurred as she struggled to rise. The Grimgem trio advanced, their twisted laughter echoing through the subterranean cavern. This… this isn't good.
"Stay down, bunny-girl," the shield-bearer sneered, its cracked gem shield crumbling as it struggled to its feet. "You're finished."
KiAera clenched her fists, her Spectral Flame sparking faintly. Not yet... she thought, staggering to her feet. But even as her defiance burned bright, her body wavered under the weight of exhaustion.
The lead Grimgem sneered. It raised its gem-encrusted fist high. "I'll crush you like the pebble fiend you are!"
The Grimgem's fist came crashing down, but Oath appeared, accepting it mid-strike.
The Grimgem snarled in anguish, stumbling back as it grasped its shattered fist. "What the—?! How did it—?!"
With a deep, guttural roar, Oath crushed the Grimgem's chest with a single swipe, sending shards of gem scattering across the battlefield. The monster howled in pain, flying backward with a broken body, as the other two Grimgems turned to face the towering Orselith in disbelief.
"Curse you, you oversized rodent! I don't care how big you've gotten! You'll fall like the rest!" the shield-bearer growled, charging up another attack.
"To your left and right, Oath!" KiAera cried out. She leapt onto Oath's back.
The shield-bearer and the green-furred Grimgem tried a flank maneuver, but Oath reared back and unleashed a deafening roar. The sound waves shattered the earth beneath their feet, causing them to stumble.
"Let's hurry up and finish this, Oath!" KiAera shouted, her flames coiling around her. Oath roared in agreement, her crystalline spikes glowing as they absorbed and amplified her fire.
The duo launched a combined attack—a spiraling wave of fire and crystal shards that tore through the Grimgems. The cavern was filled with blinding light and the echoing cries of their enemies as the attack overwhelmed them.
When the light faded, the Grimgems crashed to the ground, their gem-encrusted bodies cracked and smoldering. The gauntlet Grimgem crawled across the floor as he made an attempt to escape, only to stop as a shadow loomed over him.
Mina smirked. "Where do you think you're going?"
At her side stood a Gremgem with the gash across its arm and leg. Its arms were folded as it sneered. "Think I would have settled being bait for ya, boss? Nope! Glad to have connections. Gehe!"
"You damn lass!" The Grimgem on the ground scowled with a snarl. He then turned to Mina. "You… we… we can strike a deal! You're Mina of Jalkra's Minokaurbos! Spare me and I will give you favor before the Grimgore Warl—"
Mina stomped her foot against his head. "Nah. I'm no longer with Jalkra. Your gnarly master and that guy has brought more trouble than its worth in my life." She proceeded to kick the creature aside, causing it to wheeze as its back slid down against a spire. "Unfortunately we're no longer on the same side."
KiAera keened on her statement. "Mina."
The Minokaurbo sneered at her, shrugging her shoulders but returned her gaze onto the dispersing Grimgem. "Don't mind me, KiAera. You're simply a nuisance compared to those I've got a bone to pick with."
The Gremgem at Mina's side snickered as she gestured a hand toward KiAera. "Mina, you're actually associating yourself with that thing? Since when did you stooped—Gah! Ouch!"
Mina grinded her knuckles atop the Gremgem's head. "Enough you gremlin. Don't press your luck just because of you're association with me!"
KiAera watched, suppressing a chuckle as the Gremgem stuck her tongue out and blew a razzberry. "That hurt dammit! You're gonna take my head off with those muscles of yours. You… you musclehead!"
"Musclehead!" Mina growled. "You darn little gremlin! I can flatten you at any moment if I want, you're pushing your luck!"
"Do it!" The Gremgem pointed a crystalline finger at Mina. KiAera ears flicked as she recognized the texture and color.
"Hey, Oath, question… have you ever—" she began, only to be interrupted by Skadicritt's cheerful voice.
"Skaditty's here with Vizzy!" She dragged the battered Nexperbax at her side, and the bat monster did not appear pleased by being dragged and dangled by Skadi's hopscotching.
"W-why me, Skadicritt…" Viz said with teary eyes.
Skadicritt grinned. "Oh, I don't mind carrying you around Viz!"
Viz sighed in response, shaking his head. "T-that's not the point, Skadicritt…" He fidgeted for a moment before slumping in defeat in the Merecritt girl's ear grasp.
Skadicritt's eyes sparkled as she turned toward the Gremgem beside Mina. "Hi! Hi! Think we missed one! Allow me to send her flying! Skaditty—"
Mina growled as she thrusted a finger down to Skadicritt. "Don't you dare, you pink fluff-ball! You're a vicious little thing for something with your looks."
The Gremgem hid behind Mina's leg before growling. She pointed with a laugh. "Yeah! You tell her, Mina!"
Skadicritt tilted her head, her pink fur puffing up slightly. "Vicious? Me? Oh, Mina, you flatter me! But fine, I'll hold off. For now." She winked, placing Viz lightly onto the ground. The Nexperbax groaned, clearly done with the chaotic exchange.
KiAera staggered to her feet, leaning on Oath for support. The newly evolved Orselith lowered its head, letting her rest against its sturdy crystalline crest. "Thanks, Oath," she whispered, patting its side.
The Gremgem hiding behind Mina peeked out again, baring its teeth in a weak attempt to appear intimidating. "So… uh… what now? You gonna let me go or what?" It shifted nervously, clearly realizing its odds were slim.
KiAera raised an eyebrow, glancing at Mina. "Your call. Friend or foe?"
Mina scoffed, crossing her arms. "Foe, obviously. But not one worth stomping into the dirt. This thing's small fry compared to the real problems." She shot a pointed look at the Gremgem, who flinched. "Run. And if I catch you sniffing around again, I won't be so forgiving."
The Gremgem hesitated, then bolted, stumbling over the uneven crystal terrain as it disappeared into the cavern's shadows.
Oath growled, a low rumble that made the air vibrate. "Letting it go? Oath understands."
"Sometimes it's not about crushing every little pest," KiAera replied with her voice sounding exhausted but firm. "Sometimes you have to pick your battles, Oath. We've got bigger ones ahead."
Mina smirked. "Smart for a Merecritt. Still a nuisance, but smart."
"Gee, thanks," KiAera muttered, rolling her eyes. She glanced at the battlefield, now littered with shards of gem and scorch marks from her earlier assault.
The cavern seemed quieter now, the echoes of the fight fading into the distance. Her Spectral Flames still flickered faintly around her, but she could feel her mana reserves running dangerously low.
The group began to move, Oath taking slow, steady steps to ensure KiAera could keep her balance. As they made their way deeper into the cavern, the faint glow of the crystals reflected off their faces. KiAera glanced at her companions—Mina scanning for threats, Skadicritt humming an odd tune, Viz limping but determined, and Oath's imposing, yet jolly figure leading the way.
This world might be a mess, she thought, but at least I've got them.
