Carrie can't help but stare at her status window and what it is showing her. This morning had felt a bit weird to say the least. Or rather the day before. It had started slow at first that morning, feeling a weird tingling sort of feeling you'd get when your arm has fallen asleep. Not the most pleasent of things sure, but it had spread over her whole body as the day passed. Something she did not notice at first given she'd only get a second or two to notice before the feeling stopped.

  It changed though during the night. While she was preparing the usual stuff for tomorrows breakfast and lunch rush, setting the bowls with bread dough aside to let the yeast have a chance to work its stuff. A lot of the imps have become addicted to the freshly made soft bread in the morning. So much so that she has to make sure she has extra on hand since many wanted seconds.

  Then all of a sudden that tingling feeling became far stronger, enough so it felt painful, Irene's startled caw being the only thing she'd heard before she seems to have fainted shortly after. When she had woken up, she'd found herself in her room and in her mostly unsued bed, barely having enough time get her bearings before Irene had launched herself into Carrie. Letting out all kinds of worried sounds her body allowed.

  It took a good few solid minutes for her to calm the crow familiar down, then notice that she and Irene was not the only ones inside the room. Thalmor was here as well, the warden lord casually leaning against the door of her room.

  "Ah good, your awake Skell. Feeling alright?" The demon had asked as soon as he saw she had notice him. After she had said yes and told him about how weird she'd felt since the day before after he had asked what happened, Thalmor had asked her if she could check her status and see if something had changed.

  It had. And the demon seems to have notice that she was shocked, with what few changes her skeletal body allowed with showing emotions.

  "What's new Skell?" he asks, stepping away from the door and coming to her bed as Carrie takes a few moments to get her thoughts straight.

  "Well, it seems my window have gotten a upgrade, sort of?" She begins hesitantly before continuing on. "It looks a little more organized at least. And my luck stat has gained two new points as well, rasing it to 7 now."

  Thalmor nods thoughtfully at the information, touching one of his horns as he thinks for a little while. "Well neither the little upgrade nor the increase in you luck stat is a bad thing. Ironwing probably knows way more then I do, but it sounds like your status window has finally started to adapt to properly fit you."

  "Sorry, adapt? Why?" Carrie asked, absentmindedly petting Irene. Which the crow don't seem to mind at all given the crovid was making herself comfy in Carrie's arms.

  Thalmor blinks for a moment, before slapping a hand to his face. "Right, Ironwing didn't had the chance to properly teach you everything." the warden mutters before he takes a deep breath.

  "See Skell, our status windows have this odd thing that they slowly adapts overtime to whomever is using them. It can take anything from a handful of days to years for the change to happen, and often they are little updates or upgrades like the one you just told me. Most likely, this will happen a few more times as the years goes by. But your status window updating itself should not make you faint the way you did. Or the pain you experienced for that matter."

  "Hell, I'm pretty sure undead can't faint at all given they aren't exactly alive anymore." The demon adds, looking at Carrie to see if she had anything to add.

  Carrie just nods before she speaks. "What about ones rank then? Its seems the World's Voice finally gave me one." At those words, Thalmors eyes light up and a smile graced his lips.

  "Ah, that makes much more sense now. When given a rank for the first time, theres often some side effects that can be rather unpleasent at the best of times." Thalmor's smile fades a bit as he considers her condition. "But that kind of intense reaction you had ain't the norm at all. Tell me, what's your rank now?"

  "Uncommon." As soon as she says it, Thalmor eyes shoots up in surprise for a moment, before a small laugh escape him.

  "Oh that makes so much sense now. No wonder you fainted or even looked like you where in great pain." He stops when Carries says he was very right on that latter part, which earns her a look of sympaty.

  "Anyways, given how lesser skeletons are usualy the trash ranked, its no wonder you had such a strong reaction. Going from that to uncommon is quite the jump." Then a another small laugh, though it sounds a little annoyed.

  "And I lost the bet as well."

  "Bet?" Carrie says, stopping the petting she was giving Irene for a moment. Then quickly picking it back up again when the crow bunked her head against her hand. "What bet?"

  A rueful smile cross Thalmor's face as he answers. "Me, Ironwing and a few others have placed bets on what your rank would be. Some of the more unpleasent ones betted on you only getting the common rank at best. While those who have come to know you, myself included, was betting on the rare rank given how abnormal you are from any other lesser skeletons."

  "Ironwing on the other hand was the only one who'd bet on you getting the uncommon rank. Though he had good reasons for it. No matter how special or abnormal you are, your still a lesser skeleton and that puts limits that should not be crossed." Thalmor explained, his voice filled with a hint of rueful admiration for his old friend.

  "Limits?"

  He nods. "Yes, for weak monsters or undead beings in your case, being given a rank that is not suited to them can have less then ideal outcomes. Though from what I understand, there is some leeway to it but not much. Nonetheless, if you want your ranked increased you got to evolve first before given a new one should the World's Voice deem it needed. Maybe even a second time too." Thalmor told her, which earn a sigh from the skeleton.

  "I know Thalmor. I know, its just so....scary to think about." Carrie said, earning another nod of understanding and sympathy, the demon knowing all to well why she was scared to begin with.

  Evolution here is vastly different to that what it is back on earth. There it takes millennia for a species to evolve from one form to another. Here it can happen overnight if you're lucky, or unlucky depending how you look at it. And it wasn't just a simple change in form, it was a whole slew of things. Your stats, your skills, your spells if you have any. Everything gets recalculated and updated based on the evolution. It's a bit like going to bed one night and waking up the next morning to find you've hit puberty and grandparent status with all the unpleasant surprises that come with them both. But with the potential to gain the ability to breathe fire or something like that.

  And it was a painful change at that, for the most part. Both Ironwing and Thalmor have told her numorous times that the first couple of evolutions don't really change much for her as a undead. Her kin needing more steps to follow before more drastic changes can take place.

  As a Lesser Skeleton she only had one thing to evolve into. A typical and normal Skeleton, that despite its mudane looks came with a lot of perks her own fellow lessers don't have. Better stats and passive skills. The ability to actually learn and gain skills, spells, varient types and classes. And many other things. It just too bad that Carrie is such a abnormality among her fellow lesser skeletons, which meant a lot of these perks are useless to her.

  Except in one area, more options for evolutions. Skeletons can become anything from a Skeletal Mage to Bone Blacksmiths depending on what skills, spells, experience and various other things are used to gain that evolution.

  Ironwing has even told her that once she became a skeleton, she should focus on varient evolution first, before she tries to gain a class evolution. That way she could get the most out of her unique situation and have avoided becoming 'unstable' as he has put it. When she had asked what that had meant she was told that she was given the fire varient, her element can have unpredictable effects during the evolution process. As well as change her personality as well over time to something more volatile.

  As such it was best that she gains that varient evolution first to avoid any unnecessary risks and get a better control of her element from the get go. Even if she is only able to use the most basic of fire related skills or spells, having gained a higher rank in control of fire would be more beneficial to her in the long run.

  He even offered her a few recommendations as well to what to pick.

  The first pick was a simple Fire Skeleton, easily recognized by their brigth red bones and eyes made of fire. They are among the most common fire based skeletal undead. Know to hurle basic fire spells and even have some unqiue skills under their skeletal frames to pull out when needed. They are also know to be in small groups of 2 to 5 and often found in abandoned dungeons found in volcanic areas. They also have the ability to add fire damage to anything they wield, be it a sword or a frying pan.

  The second one is Ember Skeleton, another basic among the firery undead. Though slightly rare to see, they are known for their agility and speed and being shockling more calm then most other fire based creatures found in the world. Their bones are blackened and smolder with embers, hench the name and even if they lack the raw power then most other fire based undead they have far better control of their element along with the mentioned agility and speed. Ironwing also said that Ember Skeletons also tend to be a lot more dexterous then most of other undead, which means it has a great compability with her Cook class.

  She also did not have to worry about anything like ash and such getting into the food she makes, as Ember Skeletons have completly control of their fire and only emit heat and not actual fire unless they choose to do so. And any smoldering embers that gets loose and fall off quickly disapper well before it could burn anything or taint it with ash and dust.

  His last recommendation are the last of most common types of fire based skeletons, the Blaze Skeleton. Known for literally setting themself ablaze at a moment notice, they are the most warrior like of the three and versitail of the lot. They are also the most powerful of the common fire skeletons. Their bones are a deep orange and burn with intense heat, giving them a fiery aura that could be seen from afar. Though they tend to be a bit more tempermental than other basic fire based uncead, its not as bad as it sounds. Accroding to Ironwing, Blaze Skeletons bad temper only shows up when under high stress or when someone annoys them for a long period of time. Which could take weeks or even months on both cases.

  There where other options as well. Ashen Skeletons, Smoket's Skeletons, even Flame Wielders. But Ironwing had been adamant that she should stick to one of the three he had mentioned first, saying they are the most stable and safest options for a newbie like her. Though Carrie had to admit the idea of being a Flame Weilder was incredibly tempting. It's not everyday you get to be something that sounds like a hero from a epic fantasy novel after all.

  And well, the three he did recommend her also made it possible for her to cook without having to worry too much about structal damage and being a hazard to her fellow cooks and other co-workers. That was always a plus in her book, even if she had to admit that the Flame Wielders sounded really cool. But she was also aware that she had to be safe and careful.

  Ironwing has also givne her lists on what she needed to do to gain either three. From what level and rank, to certain items she needs to 'consume' or 'fuse' with, to what spells and skills that was a must for either three. She at least did not need to worry too much on the stats side of things, as according to both Ironwing and Thalmor her current ones are more then enough for that.

  But that was all for the future, right now she has to first become a basic skeleton before she can even think about her second evolution.

  That thought immediently makes Carrie feel a mix of emoitions she don't like very much. Mainly due to the fact on what was needed for a lesser skeleton like her to evolve the first time.

  Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  Thalmor must have sensed her mood shifting, as he leaned closer and gave her a comforting pat on the shoulder. "What's wrong Skell? Are there any other sideeffects that suddenly made themself know?" He asked worried, his hand lingering for a bit before he pulls away, giving her some space.

  "No, no Thalmor." Carrie was quick to say, shaking her head slightly as she sat up in the bed with Irene still in her arms. "It's just... the last requirement has me..." Carrie just stops, unsure on how to say it.

  Thalmor nods understandingly. "Ah, the killing bit eh? As a demon I can't quite understand why you have such issues still. Your a undead now, not a living human. But then again, you do have some of your past memories intact, and it's a big step to take a life for your own progression regardless of what you are."

  Carrie nods at that, wishing she still had a throat that could swallow. "I mean I can understand most of them. Managing to survive for a year and get to level 5 is easy enough, at least for me. Having to spend my entire evolution progress in a graveyard make sense, I'm undead and graveyards has that dark miasma that us undead are made of. I can also understand why I had to be in that ritual ring thing to fuse bone powerd into my bones to strengthen them, all of those are just fine."

  "But killing something, especially a sentient being is still a thing you find hard to accept." Thalmor says gently, his eyes showing genuine concern. Carrie nods, looking down at Irene who seems to have picked up on her unease and cuddles closer to her. "Hey its okay Skell, demon I might be but I get it somewhat. Its been clear from the get go that this is something you've never done before even when you where alive right?"

  A nod was all Carrie could manage in response to Thalmor's understanding words. The concept of taking a life, even if it was to evolve and become stronger, sat heavy on her conscience. The crow in her arms seemed to sense her distress and began to peck gently at her finger bones, a comforting gesture that was surprisingly calming.

  After some time though, Thalmor spoke up perhaps in hope what his next words would cheer her up. "But don't fear Skell, we got a soluton for that." A smile forming as he seeminly is able to see hope in her hallow eyes.

  "We just got permission to let you kill one of our prisoners!" The happieness in the demon's voice could did nothing to ease Carrie's conscience. If anything it just made it worse given her reaction after her nonexistent brain finally understood what Thalmor had said.

  "SAY WHAT NOW?!?" Was the shout that was heard several feet down the hall that Carrie's rom was. Along with a stratled caw that left a small echo.

  A few days later, at a certain office.

  Carrie tried her hardest to not move too much due to nervousness, which was really hard when your in the office of the commander of the fortress you where basically 'born' in. Lorelai The Meteor and Scourge of the Southlands, had always been a figure of fear and authority to her. Which was every easy to pulled off when your a 7 feet tall werewolf littered in scars from countless battles. Having a special metal arm to replace the one you lost from fighting against one of the enemies Heroes helped even more to set in that fear.

  So was the fact that she always had this look on her face that told you she was not up to any bullshit or excuses. Her eyes were a piercing shade of silver, as if she could see right through you. They were currently locked on Carrie, making her feel like a rabbit caught in a wolf's gaze.

  Carrie also still remember how the commander had acted in that big meeting to inform everyone that while Carrie is a lesser skeleton, she was not to be sent the frontlines or any heavy labor station as she is sentient and have many of the same rights as the rest of them had. And no, that was not something to be discussed. Carrie had felt a weird mix of fear and relief at that time. She knew she wasn't strong enough to survive the battles that were always going on outside the fortress. And while she didn't mind hard work, she wasn't thrilled about working in mines as free labor and no chance to change it. Nor used as a 'meat shield' on the frontlines.

  Carrie's thoughts are inturrupted by the commander's gruff voice, Lorelai seeming done with cheking the papers and documents before her now. "Alright Carrie Blackburn," the werewolf starts, her deep voice rumbling through the room like distant thunder, "Its about time we have this talk about your final tests and what it involves. Along with a few other aspects."

  Carrie relaxes a little when she sees no anger or disdain in Lorelai's eyes, just a firm resolve. She nods, trying to keep her voice steady as she replies, "Yes, Commander."

  Which earns her a nod in return before the werewolf speaks again. "Normally it does not take almost a whole year for us to have this talk, but given how special your situation is, I've had to consider things more carefully than usual." Lorelai's tone was matter-of-fact, but it did not escape Carrie that there was a tone of exhaustion as the Commander continued on.

  "From the reports, you are doing great in your traning so far even if most of it is on personal time. Not only in the physcial aspect but also the magical ones and being able to provide more then satisfactory meals if what Thalmor have been reporting is the truth."

  If she could still blush, Carrie would be quite red in the cheeks. It felt good to know the efforts that she was still doing to make better use of what Thalmor had taught her about fighting and use of her combat related skills was not wasted. And that what magical traning she was able to do on her own was not causing any trouble either. And that all the dishes she have been serving so far to the imps are well received despite being odd and foreign.

  Which was just a normal reaction really. She had no idea what was local nor prefered food of this world. So dishes from earth had been her only option until she knew what worked. Luckly for her, things like soup and other simple recipes she knew from home could be easily used here with what she had to use and was not too foreign to the local taste buds. And easy to explain that the dishes she served where ones she can remember being eaten commonly from where she came from.

  That had not meant she hasn't taken time to learn what dishes this world, or country had. There was a shocklingly good deal of cook books for her to read at the library of the fortress. Mainly because some of them are meant to teach any newly arrived or classed gained cook the basics of what is needed to do. As such, she had the chance to properly learn what dishes are used here.

  Some of which had given her some moral difficulties. Specially when it involved humans as a ingredient. As it turns out, human flesh and various other body parts had a certain flavor or texture that was considered a delicacy by some species. Or necessary for their diet as humans seems to have all the needed stuff for them to live somehow. Which is go against what she remember from her bio classes back on earth.

  Luckly for her, such beings are in the minority of this country. And the fact that there are strict laws that makes she can avoid serving such dishes without landing in trouble for it or offend someone. Specially given it is clear she was once human herself, so to say it would been awkward at best to have her serve such dishes to begin with. A thing she is far too greatful for to be honest.

  That had not mean there weren't some dishes she has been learning and added to her menu. As fun as her recipes from earth are to the imps, the various local foods they are used to are not bad to add to give them something more familiar to eat. Plus it also meant that she could save some more on other ingredients she is still trying to gain the hang on or get used too.

  Ashen Potatoes and Withered Onions for example had needed to be peeled a bit differenlty then your average or more common verson. Withered Onions especially as they had a odor that even made her non existent eyes cry somehow. Handling tomatos that had actual faces on them that looked like they where in constant agony was another thing she had to get used to as well.

  Fruits that had literal blood or poison in them that was used to make desserts had also been a learning curve. But it had not stopped her from learning what she could and server what dishes she was able to handle.

  The skeleton is taken out of her thoughts and musings by the clearing of the commander's throat, making Carrie feel embarrassment at the fact she had lost focus on the here and now. And in front of the highest leader of this place.

  But it seems commander Lorelai did not mind Carrie having been lost in thought, her gaze had not wavered from the skeleton, but had softened slightly, "Your dedication to your work is commendable, Carrie." she says, her voice carrying a hint of respect that was rarely heard in the fortress. "Now, for the final test. We had to be a bit creative on this bit given you have a rather unique build for a cook and what the traning reports tells us. In a month, you'll be going with a small reinforcement squad led by general Ak'tar and Mage Ei`lif to the frontlines."

  "Say what now?" Carrie could not help but whisper, fear clear in her voice which seems to make the commander quickly speak before the skeleton before she got into a panic of some sort.

  "Its in a small outpost in need of some repairs and much needed supplies," Lorelai explains calmly, "They've requested extra hands for a short time. This will be your final exam, a practical test of your skills in a real world scenario. You'll be responsible for keeping the troops fed along with helping where it is needed. General Ak'tar will have you sent out for scouting missions and various other taks to test out how well you can handle yourself out in a real fight."

  She continued on before Carrie had any chance to say anything. "Mage Ei`lif will be the one to test your magical combat ability and give you some much needed training outside of what Ironwing has taught you so far should he see fit. This is not about pushing you into combat but seeing how well you can handle yourself when things get rough or when the enemy attacks. Along with bing able to your share of the work where it is needed."

  Here a look of sympathy graced the commander's face as she spoke. "I understand why you are very reluctant to be on the frontline Miss Blackburn. Its clear that when your where still alive that you lived in a rather peaceful area in the human kindoms." A slight pause was between them before the commander continued. "But given our laws here in the Demonic Country and some of the laws regarding awoken undead, I'm sure you understand why we have to do this. Specially given that you'll be asigned to a small garrison or outpost once your done with this test."

  Carrie could do nothing but hang her head in defeat and sigh. While the law book she had been given from Ironwing had been a very valuable in telling her what she could do and not do, it also had showed her that she was in a very peculiar situation to say the least. While there are laws that protects her rights as a newly awakened undead, there are laws that limit what she can do for the first few years of her unlife.

  One was the fact that for the next few years, she could only work in the army or other military occuptations, as undead that 'wakes' up or gain sentient aren't always safe at first. Undead instincts can be strong, especially for those that have been dead for a long time or those that have gone through traumatic events before being truned into undead. And as such, they had to be carefully monitored and trained before they are allowed to work in civilian places or even leave the military service.

  Second was the fact that on a technically, the fortress basically 'owned' her to a small degree. And thuse had some rights of their own that meant she had to at least work for them some years before she was legaly allowed to leave. Only long enough to repay any debts or for any task thats has a need for her. Which thanks to her class, meant she was going to be useful in many places. Of course, they have some responsibility to look after her, along with giving her a good wage so she has some means to provide for herself after her 'service' is done and various other things. Like a basic education and various other matters as well.

  Luckly for her, she had only needed a education how to read, write and the basic of history along with a basic tranining in magic given her affinity deemaned it. Fire is one of the more destructive types of magic so that was basically mandatory. In all honesty, as much as she had liked the sessions with Ironwing, she had needed far more traning in how to fight then anyhting esle. It was a shame that Thalmor only had a month to teach her the basic.

  There was also other laws, but they all basically said she needed to be in the army for some time yet and she had very little power to change much about it. Where she was asigned was out of her control for the most part. But both Thalmor and Ironwing has told her that Lorelai don't send her people to places they don't fit or will cause issues for everyone involved. And despite what some said, Carrie is part of Lorelai's people both legally and morally.

  With a nod, Carrie spoke up. "I understand commander. I'll make sure to be properly prepared and ready within the month."

  She got a nod back from the commander, look of understanding on the other woman's face before she got back on track with this meeting.

  "Then theres the matter of the prisoner you are to kill. Tell me, what has Thalmor told you about this."

  Carrie did not bother to hide her squirming like moves at the topic, her uncomfotable shifting in her chair was clear to see. Killing was never something she felt good about doing. But she knew it was part of this world. Not matter what she felt about it.

  "Very little commander." Carrie said in as a even voice as she could manage. "Aside from telling me that for the most part I will be given one that deserve to die. But other then that, not much."

  Lorelai nodded, her expression growing a bit more serious. "The prisoner will indeed be one that has done enougn to earn a death sentence. Murders, serial killers and many others you can find in all the other countries can be found here as well. Though things can get a bit complicated given the wide varity of races that lives here and the different culturs everyone has."

  Carrie could only nod at that. It was honestly a dizzing affair to read up on how many culter clashes there are and how the laws have had to be more then a dozen times revisited and remade to fit and avoid causing conflicts.

  Lorelai spoke again, stopping Carrie from once again getting lost in her own thoughts. "Though given your from the human kindomes, I doubt its common for a prisoner to be used as a way to evolve ones race." the commander said, her voice firm but not unkind.

  Carrie only let out a nervous laugh at that, her hands clenched around the chair's armrests. "I've read enough to know that some things are... different here. But I'll do what's necessary to prove myself." She got a crisp nod from the commander at that, who shortly picked up a few papers she soon handed over to her.

  "Thats the spirit. Now, as for whom your going to execute is something that has been discussed heavily with Ironwing and myself," Lorelai said, her tone still firm but a hint of something else Carrie couldn't quite pinpoint. "Normally we'd go with bandit leader at the best for this, as the sentient life you need to take don't need to be powerful. But we've had little luck in keeping any bandits we find alive due to various reasons."

  Carrie only nodded at that before Lorelai continued. "Luckly for us, some of our naboring forts are more then happy to send their own prisoners for us to use. They don't get much of a say in the matter of course, but it helps keep everyone happy. So we've got someone that should be... appropriate for your evolution. We just have wait until winter is over so the roads are clear for transport however."

  The commander leaned back in her chair, her gaze still on Carrie. "So for now that is delayed. Not that it will matter much if you evolved today or next year, from what I gather you still need to fulfill the other one as well?" The commander asked curiously, and Carrie suddenly found the commander looked cute with the way the werewolf moved her head the way many dogs back on earth did when curious about something.

  She somehow managed to nod again, her mind racing with the implications of her evolution and the grim task ahead. "Yeah, only a handful of months left before I'm finally a year old. Once that is over, theres just the ritual, gravejard and the needed materials left."

  "Good," Lorelai said, her voice firm and her gaze steady, "make sure to keep up with your training and your duties here. The general and the mage will both keep an eye on you, so no slacking off."

  Carrie just nods at that, before the commander inform her of a few other matters. Mostly in what she is expected to do, along with filling out a few documents the commander have meant to get to her much earlier but had to wait until Carrie was finished with her lessons. It got further delayed due some other things comming up but Carrie had no need to know what that those were.

  These documents turned out to be her legal papers. Meaning they where the proof she was a citizen of the Demonic Country and have all the same legal rights everyone has, aside from a few extra given her situation adn some that only certain races had for good reasons. She also had a 'brith' certificate, which was more like a certificate of 'awakening' given she was not born in the traditional sense. But it was still something she needed when it came to certain matters like getting a job once her service was over. Or a place to live for that matter. Its not like she can live in a graveyard without causing some issues with the laws.

  She had a few other papers too, some of which only made sense in a nation or country where monsters, demons and the like lived in. One was her medical papers, which not only detailed her undead nature but also showed she did not carry any sort of dormant or active diseases. It was a very important fact, as many diseases exsits in this country thanks to all the varied types of monsters that lived here. Not to mention, undead are well know to carry some really nasty stuff all the time.

  The rest of the time was spent with Carrie also learning a few things more from the Commander, and by the end of the meeting, she felt both a sense of dread and a spark of excitement. Despite what she had been told, deep inside she felt a odd excitement in her about the chance to travle. Even with the dangers that came with it.

  The rest of the day, and following night, Carrie kept herself to the kitchen. Preparing not only for the next day worth of work, but also a few things she thought would be good to have on hand while travling to the outpost.