Displaying the most advanced possible evolutions. Select one of the paths to display a description. Please take notice of the current evolutionary tier. Unless the tier is maxed, the evolution can still become stronger. Beware, this is the last stage where you can switch your path. Choose carefully.

  The Lone Betrayer (Evolutionary tier: 1 out of 3) | The Dark Veil (Evolutionary tier: 3 out of 4)

  Two choices again… I wonder if it is like that for everyone, Leo mused internally. Lily and Nyx were in the same situation as me, but others? Maybe… we will see.

  His gaze returned to the two options. Unlike the last time, none of the evolutions were maxed out, and to make it better—or worse—one of them was only at tier one. Why? He couldn’t be sure, but the name of the path gave him some ideas.

  Also last opportunity to switch paths, hmm? So, stage five evolution will look different again… Interesting. He sighed, leaning into Nyx, who was still supporting him with her tail. Very well. Let’s see what you got for me.

  Abyss Wanderer (Stage IV)

  The light of your soul still seeks out the path of humanity. You might have abandoned it, but maybe, just maybe, you can regain a part of what was lost. It will be a path of even more sacrifices, but who knows, it just might be worth it.

  Effects:

  Void’s Embrace evolves into Stolen Abyss. Physical evolution involved. All Effectiveness: +25%. +9 Might, +6 Grace, +7 Vision, +7 Soul, +10 Mind, +4 Free Attribute points per level. Natural Mutations: Forever limited to Beta Tier.

  Nothing all that special. Forty-three points isn’t even twice the number I get now. But what do I expect from a tier one evolution? Leo clicked his tongue, dismissing the description.

  Out of the entire thing, only the new trait sounded interesting. Sure, it didn’t offer any special strengthening to his Limit Break, but it gave him something else. The System called it a ‘Stolen connection to the Veil,’ and while he still had no idea what exactly the Veil was, it had to be important that the entire trait was centered around it.

  So how do I advance it to the next tier?

  The System was quick to answer.

  To advance this evolution to its next tier, the User must refuse the next Trial of Primes.

  A scoff instantly left his mouth. Yeah, I don’t think so. The dead Primes taught me way too much. This isn’t a sacrifice I am willing to make. Not when I have another option… Though, now I at least understand where the name of the path came from. Betray the Primes to regain a piece of my humanity.

  Leo almost laughed aloud. Maybe in the past, this would have made him stop and rethink everything. But now? He didn’t care. What was humanity in the grand scheme of things? Nothing, literally nothing, and he understood that now.

  A monster he might be, but he wasn’t a mindless beast. He had goals, desires, friends, and family—things and people that pushed him forward. Nothing else mattered. Not his enemies—current ones and those he had yet to meet. Not the blood he would spill to achieve his goals. And definitely not humanity.

  The Dark Veil it is then…

  Prime Indomitus Bedragel (Stage IV)

  A true Akirian, a Prime walking the path of his forefathers. Yet, that’s still not you. An ancient power stirs within your soul, waiting to regain its freedom. Beware, you might not be ready yet. Are you willing to fight for it?

  Effects:

  Void’s Embrace and Basic Akirian Physiology advance to the next stage. Some physical evolution involved. Connection to the Veil strengthened. All Effectiveness: +30%. +10 Might, +11 Grace, +9 Vision, +13 Soul, +10 Mind. Some Beta tier mutations become easier to obtain.

  No info about the traits I will get. Leo frowned, feeling a bit disappointed. Overall, pretty good. Ten more points than the other one. Effectiveness is also slightly up. But what’s this about the Veil?

  The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

  His stage three evolution had a similar thing written in its effects, only there, it spoke about the Void, not the Veil. So what changed? Why was the Veil suddenly so important?

  I need answers, fast. Can’t continue like this if I don’t want to make any stupid mistakes.

  Yet, even as he thought that, there wasn’t much he could do. His only true source of information about the Veil came from the dead Primes. All he could do was sit and wait for another Trial to activate within his soul. Then he could get his answers—or so he hoped.

  Still a good evolution, and it can get even better. System?

  To advance this evolution to its final tier, the User must absorb two more Seeds of Divinity and reach level 100.

  Two more, you say? Leo chuckled. Of course… You aren’t as sneaky as you think, System. You got me interested, though. Let’s find out what you are hiding.

  With a wave of his hand, the System interface faded away. He gripped Nyx’s tail and slowly rose to his feet. He almost stumbled, but like always, the feline was there to catch him.

  “I got you,” she muttered, letting him lean on her. “You need to eat something. A breeze could knock you over as you are.”

  Leo grimaced. “In a moment.” His gaze swept over the empty realm as if searching for something. “Do you remember where Ddraig died?”

  “I… I think so. Why?”

  “Just take me there. Please.”

  Nyx seemed to hesitate for a moment but nodded anyway. “We shouldn’t take too long, though. Void knows how long this place can survive without its creator.”

  Leo silently agreed while focusing on dragging his feet forward. Even with the levels and the enhancements from the Seed, his body felt completely spent. Every step required his full attention and what little strength he had left. It was like wading through mud with all his limbs bound in chains.

  Not that he knew how that felt—but he could imagine.

  “It was holding back, wasn’t it?” Nyx’s voice brought him back to reality.

  “What?”

  “The dragon, Ddraig. It was holding back,” the feline repeated, only this time, it wasn’t a question.

  “Most likely.” Leo nodded. “That fire? It could have killed us if Ddraig wished it to. But no, it wanted to die, was waiting for someone who could kill it.”

  “I wonder why…”

  He hummed. “I have some ideas. Not that it matters. Everybody has their reasons. Some better, some worse. Don’t dwell on it. Nothing good comes from that.”

  “Speaking from experience?” Nyx teased.

  Leo ignored her.

  Soon, they reached a place where the rocks underneath their feet became darker, almost black. Leo’s eyes traced the line where the change happened, painting an image inside his head—an image of a fallen dragon.

  He stopped, forcing Nyx to do the same, and crouched, placing his hand upon the darkened ground. Heat surged into his palms, and without any hesitation, he released Devour from its cage.

  Power—wild as the wind—rushed into his body, spreading an inferno through his veins. The ground brightened, flames licking at its surface. Yet, Leo stood his ground and pulled as hard as he could, letting bloodlust consume him.

  Ever so slowly, power returned to his body. Even his soul filled up to some degree. He wanted to take more, drain everything that hid behind the surface, but a sudden tremor beneath his feet stopped him.

  Devour consumed: +15 Might, +20 Soul.

  Bloodlust retreated as Leo opened his eyes and glanced at Nyx. “We need to go.”

  Riftfang fell into his hand, and he sliced the air before him, forming another tear in space. His other hand closed around Nyx, and without any warning, he dragged them both through the portal.

  The familiar weathered hillock greeted them on the other side, yet Leo instantly spotted more Vetilim slithering across the rock surfaces. The Void sure worked fast. Though, the darkness of the night might have helped too.

  “Leo?” Nyx spun him around to face her, her double-colored eyes blazing. “What the hell was that?”

  He backed off a few steps, raising his hands. “Sorry. I should have warned you, but when I felt the pull, I couldn’t resist.”

  The feline tilted her head. “Pull?”

  “Hard to describe, but there was energy beneath the ground—a lot of it. It felt different from any other Essence I ever drained—more pure. Honestly, it’s a pity you didn’t try it. You would understand what I meant instantly.”

  Nyx narrowed her eyes at him. “And whose fault is that?”

  Leo winced. “Point taken… Anyway, my actions must have destabilized the realm, thus the escape.”

  The feline sighed, her glare softening. “At least you aren’t half-dead anymore… Let’s head back.”

  He quickly raised a hand to stop here. “Not yet! I have a call to make and an affinity to test out first. Then, we can go.”

  “Whatever,” Nyx grumbled. “I’m taking a nap.”

  “Lazy cat.”

  “Idiot,” she shot back, already curling into a ball.

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