Chapter 10: The Path of Evolution
---
Scene 1: Journey to Moon Fall Lake
The forest whispered secrets as Garon moved through its depths, each step muffled by the thick undergrowth. Ancient trees stretched skyward, their gnarled trunks twisting into the heavens, filtering golden beams of light through emerald leaves. Moon Fall Lake lay ahead—a place of beauty, danger, and untapped potential.
This was no ordinary journey.
The weight of recent battles clung to Garon’s thoughts. Throne’s mocking words. Titanoconda’s overwhelming power. He had fought with everything he had, but deep down, he knew—it wasn’t enough.
Flarecub had fought bravely, but courage alone didn’t guarantee survival. Fire wasn’t always the answer. Strength alone wasn’t the path to victory. Garon clenched his fists. They needed to evolve.
---
Scene 2: Evolution Insight—A Crossroad of Power
A faint pulse of energy surged through him. Evolution Insight activated.
Before him, two glowing pathways materialized, each leading to a different future.
1. Pure Fire Evolution: A path of raw destruction, faster and deadlier flames, but fragile.
2. Fire-Earth Hybrid Evolution: Balanced power, fortified defense, and molten armor—a warrior of both flame and stone.
Garon’s decision was instant. “Magrion.” A powerful Special-grade evolution that would give Flarecub both offense and resilience.
Then, the requirements appeared:
Earth Core – Required.
Evolution Enhancement – Required.
If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.
The second condition wasn’t an issue—his ability could push the evolution further. But an Earth Core? That would be harder to find.
Luckily, he knew exactly where to look.
---
Scene 3: The Hunt for the Earth Core
Moon Fall Lake shimmered in the distance, its silver waters reflecting the dimming sky. But Garon wasn’t heading there just yet. Instead, he turned toward the rocky cliffs nearby.
Earth Cores were ancient formations of elemental energy. They wouldn’t just be lying around. If there was one nearby, it would be underground.
After an hour of searching, he found a cave entrance. The moment he stepped inside, a surge of elemental energy washed over him. The deeper he went, the more intense it became.
Then, he saw it.
At the heart of a massive chamber, nestled atop a pedestal of stone—the Earth Core. A swirling, molten gemstone, pulsing like a living heart.
Garon stepped forward, reaching out—
BOOM!
A deafening roar echoed through the tunnels. Something else was here.
A hulking shape moved in the darkness. A Mountain Scorpio.
---
Scene 4: Battle Underground—Vs. Mountain Scorpio
The Mountain Scorpio emerged from the shadows—a towering scorpion-like beast, armored in stone and brimming with venom. Its stinger dripped with a toxin that could weaken even Special-grade summons.
Garon didn’t hesitate. Flarecub leapt forward, flames roaring to life.
The battle erupted.
Flarecub’s fire struck first, but the beast’s hardened exoskeleton resisted the heat. The scorpion retaliated, its stinger slamming into the ground, sending a shockwave of stone shards flying.
Garon gritted his teeth. Direct attacks wouldn’t work. He needed a weak spot.
Then, he saw it. The exposed joints beneath its armored plating.
“Flarecub, aim for its legs!”
Flarecub dashed low, weaving between the scorpion’s strikes, flames coating its claws. It lunged, striking at the joints—and the armor cracked. The Mountain Scorpio staggered.
Seizing the opening, Garon called forth his strongest attack.
“Blazing Pounce!”
Flarecub leapt into the air, flames coiling around it like a meteor. The impact sent shockwaves through the cave, shattering the scorpion’s defenses. With a final roar, the beast collapsed.
Victory.
But there was no time to celebrate. The battle had weakened the cave. Rocks began to fall.
Grabbing the Earth Core, Garon sprinted for the exit, barely making it out as the cave collapsed behind him.
---
Scene 5: Flarecub’s Evolution—Becoming Magrion
Outside, beneath the star-drenched sky, Garon placed the Earth Core before Flarecub. It pulsed, as if calling to the young lion.
“Are you ready?”
Flarecub growled, eyes burning with determination.
Garon activated Evolution Insight: Enhance.
Golden energy swirled around Flarecub as the Earth Core shattered, releasing its ancient power. Flames mixed with molten rock, encasing Flarecub in a cocoon of blazing energy.
The air trembled.
The ground cracked.
Then—
An eruption of fire.
The cocoon shattered, revealing something new. Something stronger.
Magrion.
Its body was larger, armored with molten plating. Its mane flowed like liquid fire. Its claws burned with searing heat, each step leaving cracks in the earth.
A true evolution.
Garon grinned. "Now that's more like it."
But before they could celebrate—
Something approached.
---
Scene 6: An Unknown Beast and Liora’s Arrival
A low rumble reverberated through the forest. Something massive was moving in the darkness.
A shadow loomed just beyond the treeline, its presence sending chills down Garon’s spine. Whatever it was, it had been drawn here by Magrion’s evolution.
At the same time, another force was approaching.
Liora.
A legendary-grade summoner. Her presence sent a different kind of tension into the air. Her summon, Glaciris, moved like an ice storm incarnate, its frosted form shimmering in the moonlight.
Was she friend or foe?
The night had only just begun.
And the real battle was about to start.
---
TO BE CONTINUED...
---
