《Awakened to fate》


 Awakened from slumber

    Prologue


    Awakened from Slumber


    *Crunch* *Crunch* *Crunch* Her steps snapped the stiff grass, brittle as if it had been frozen solid. Flowur felt no chill, she barely felt anything in fact. Still, her legs continued to march onward. She had no reason to march on. The dark path seemed to stretch on farther than she could even see. Yet her legs carried her forward, inattentive of her own will.


    The air felt suffocating. I should just turn around and go back, her thoughts danced ¡ªyet her body did not stall. It couldn¡¯t. It couldn¡¯t bring him back. Bring any of them back. Her mind continued to object¡ªgave reasons to stop. She couldn¡¯t. The forest around her stood still. Silent. The only thing to hear was the crunch of the grass beneath her feet


    ¡°You could do so much. Why do you do so little¡±? So many people had told her that. They always phrased it like a question. It never was. They knew the answer¡­ they didn¡¯t care. She continued her march, further and further. They always act like they care, claiming they want to help. If they really cared they¡¯d all just leave me alone. The grass beneath her feet began to crack and shatter as she walked, as brittle as glass. I don¡¯t want a new place. I don¡¯t want a distraction. Her rage grew as her thoughts began screaming. He¡¯s gone! They¡¯re gone! And I can never and will never get to do anything about it!


    She wanted to cry, but that wasn¡¯t an option. All she could do was continue. I want to have met them, to remember their faces, to hear their voices for the very first time! I. Want. Him. Back. A chill spread to her fingers and toes. They grew stiffer¡ªfrozen. She didn¡¯t care. They tell me to move on! I can¡¯t! The stiffness spread up her hands and feet.


    They claimed he was a hero, claimed he¡¯s looking down. They tried to comfort me. But words don¡¯t bring him back! Walking grew difficult as the stiffness spread to her ankles and wrists. I can¡¯t just ¡°move on¡± as they all have! You questioned me, claimed I was letting myself waste away! Couldn¡¯t let me just¡­ Her thoughts trailed off¡­ A light grew from the darkness ahead of her. Silhouetted within it, a figure.


    Walking felt like wading through mud as the stiffness passed her knees and elbows. Yet her body disregarded her exhaustion as she carried on toward this figure. The blue light positioned just behind them, obscuring all but their silhouette. She wanted to run, to leave. With just a single step backward, you may reject this fate, the voice echoed through her mind. If you continue, you will undergo a journey which may lead to your salvation, or doom for all. Her legs continued to push her forward, the stiffness reaching her thighs and shoulders. I could turn back I-.


    Her thoughts of escape vanish as the figure¡¯s eyes lock with her own. A pair of cyan eyes shining clearly, despite its obscured form. Her breaths become shallow. Her heart pounding. She stretches a hand out, the action feels sluggish and painful. She lurches forward; her legs unable to even hold her anymore. Pain shoots through her, the jagged grass crystals like landing on a bed of nails. She reaches out towards the figure. The inner voice telling her to turn back silenced. You¡¯ve made your choice. You become my queen as the final piece is set upon the board. Take my hand and become a Chosen Awakened. The fate of you has become the fate of all.


    The figure extends its arm toward her. Flowur forces herself to reach; the pain nearly unbearable, but she persists. She must. Her fingers tremble just inches away from its hand, his hand. Pain wrenches through her arm, as if hundreds of daggers were sinking into her flesh. But she must reach him. With a final push her fingers brush against his own. Light engulfs her vision.


    Hundreds of images flash before her, all passing in a moment and yet feeling like an eternity. The stiffness of her limbs evaporates, replaced by a new feeling¡ªimpossible to articulate. Her body sinks and ascends simultaneously. A thousand voices speak to her, only nonsense yet completely clear. The light in her eyes sears to an unbearable blaze, the voices swelling to a deafening roar. Everything around her too much to handle, an unbearable pain. Then¡­ nothing, it all vanishes, and she sinks into the darkness once more.


    ***


    Flowur¡¯s eyes flutter open; as usual, her eyelids feel heavy. The harsh glow of the fluorescent light shines brightly above her. That must mean its midday, at the earliest¡ªnot that she cares. The strange dream fades from her thoughts rapidly as she continues to lie there, unwilling to gather the strength to move yet. She pushes the blanket away from her, the heat making her uncomfortable. Why can¡¯t I just fall back asleep.


    As she lies there silently, her body begins to grow restless. She wills herself to move and sits up. Her eyes glance to the analog clock on the wall. 11:30.


    ¡°Earlier than normal¡± she mumbles, shoving the blankets and sheets off. They hit the floor with a soft thud, crumpling into a small pile¡ªas they do every morning.


    The room is small¡ªvery small. If one didn¡¯t know any better, they would mistake it for a prison cell. Not that she could do anything about it, unworking regulars don¡¯t get a choice. Scrunched between the end of her bed and the wall there¡¯s a small wooden writing desk. The only fancy thing she owns.


    A large steel dresser compresses her already miniscule walking space, unfolded clothes and an abandoned bookbag stuffed inside. The chair to the writing desk sits beside her bed, helping her climb into and out of the uncomfortably tall bed frame.


    The ceiling, walls, and floors are bare. The concrete clear to see, compressing the already claustrophobic atmosphere even more. A single fluorescent light bulb is mounted to the ceiling. Flowur once got in trouble for unscrewing it. No windows¡ªnot like there would be¡ªwindows are a weak point.


    Atop her dresser, the most colorful object in the room, sits a square canvas, a painting of a figure running through a field of flowers. The last thing her brother ever gave to her. Now standing tall¡ªa testament to his boundless creativity.


    She climbs out of the bed, planting her feet on the chair then stepping down. As she glances around the room her eyes settle to the picture frame on her desk. Her brother grins, his tongue stuck out and hands giving dual thumbs up; his cyan eyes filled with a joy and kindness only he possessed.


    Unable to look away, Flowur begins to mumble ¡°I had a dream about you last night. Guess that¡¯s not much of a surprise though huh?¡± Her hands drop into her pockets, reducing her already short stature down even smaller. ¡°Is it¡­ peaceful there?... I hope so, it isn¡¯t here. My assigned captain keeps trying to get me to find a work position¡­¡± her head hinges downward. ¡°I know you said everyone is just trying their best, and that they want to help me. But sometimes it just¡­ y¡¯know¡­ it doesn¡¯t feel like it.¡± Her eyes begin to mist until abruptly, her stomach lets out a loud gurgle. A tiny smile forming at the edge of her lips before vanishing almost as quickly. ¡°I guess¡­ I should go get food then. Goodbye¡­ I miss you.¡±


    She slips on her shoes and steps up to the metal door of her room, a moment passes before it slides open with a ¡®hssss¡¯. She steps up the stair onto the metal floors of the hallway. Behind her, the door hisses closed. The emptiness creating an earie atmosphere. She keeps her eyes pointed to the floor as she walks to the cafeteria; brushing her auburn hair over her face in hopes of avoiding as much attention as possible.


    As cafeteria double doors slide open with a hiss, she glances up, a few groups are scattered throughout the cafeteria, sitting at the various tables. Lunch, duh, I should¡¯ve waited longer. She berates herself as she walks to the line to get food.


    She hears a snide laugh from a nearby table. ¡°Look there Icce, Flowur is up before noon¡ªit¡¯s a miracle.¡± A masculine voice drips with amusement; followed by another bout of laughter.


    ¡°She keeps this up and she might actually bathe this year.¡± another voice¡ªpresumably Icce¡ªlaughs.


    ¡°Will you two assholes shut it? Picking on her isn¡¯t funny. She isn¡¯t bothering either of you.¡± A sharp feminine voice chides the two men, causing Flowur to blink and glance up to see her defender.


    Sitting at the same table across from the two men, a pale-skinned girl of similar age with soft gentle eyes meets her gaze. Her white hair pulled back in a ponytail. Flowur recalls her¡ªLight.


    The two men snap their mouths shut, seemingly unwilling to upset Light. Flowur looks away from the group, not wishing to interact as she focuses on the food, grabbing a plate and placing a small handful of fruit and a piece of bread. As she turns away, she spots Light silently gesture to an empty spot at the table. She drops her eyes, walking instead to an empty table¡ªwishing to be isolated.Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.


    Her hunger pangs are sharp, but, as she pushes the food around her plate, it looks completely unappetizing. It¡¯s been a while since she¡¯s eaten¡ªfood doesn¡¯t offer any appeal beside soothing the pangs of hunger. ¡°You can¡¯t just not eat silly.¡± She recalls the memory of her brother, the only thing that lets her still stomach food since her appetite vanished. She forces a piece of fruit into her mouth, knowing he¡¯d hate seeing her starve herself.


    The memory shatters as the sound of a metal chair scraping against the floor causes her eyes to snap up. A large man wearing a brown, well ironed uniform takes the seat across from her. His beard is neatly trimmed, and he keeps his back rigid, like he¡¯s ready to jump up at a moment¡¯s notice. His eyes bore into Flowur, even the auburn hair draped over her eyes doing nothing to hide it.


    ¡°Flowur¡± his voice is deep and carries a commanding tone to it.


    She sighs internally, knowing where this will go. ¡°Captain Marcus¡± she responds flatly, her eyes lowering back down to her small plate of food.


    Captain Marcus narrows his eyes, clearly unimpressed by her lack of enthusiasm. His fingers drumming against the table as he stares at her.


    ¡°That isn¡¯t very much food Flowur, you¡¯ll be hungry¡± he leans forward, the concern in his voice genuine; even though that isn¡¯t the reason he¡¯s here.


    ¡°This was my second trip¡± she says, forcing the words out. If she hadn¡¯t, he¡¯d force her to eat more¡ªlike last time.


    Marcus leans forward, scanning her face through her dangling hair, like he¡¯s searching for any evidence of her lying. ¡°You can¡¯t keep starving yourself, it¡¯s important to eat.¡± He says, crossing his arms.


    She forces a piece of fruit into her mouth, perhaps hoping it would make her lie more convincing. ¡°I¡¯m not, I know.¡± Her pangs of hunger sharpened suddenly, as if her own body was challenging her lie. A shard of guilt crept into her for lying to Marcus.


    Marcus nods in response, leaning back as he uncrosses his arms. A small sigh escapes his lips as he gets to the real reason he¡¯s here¡ªone they both already knew. ¡°You still don¡¯t have a work position.¡±


    ¡°Uh huh, sure don¡¯t¡± Flowur responds, pushing a small piece of fruit around the plate with a fork.


    Marcus huffs, clearly annoyed by her dismissive response. ¡°And why is that?¡± he asks, the annoyance clear from his tone.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want one.¡± She says flatly, pushing her hair out of her face and looking up at him.


    Marcus frowns, Flowur¡¯s attitude beginning to grind his gears. ¡°And why don¡¯t you want one¡± he asks, he fingers tapping rapidly against the table.


    ¡°I just don¡¯t.¡± She responds, feeling her own impatience grow at having to keep answering these questions.


    Marcus scowls opening his mouth to say something about her bad attitude before stopping. He closes his eyes, taking a deep breath while pausing, his scowl fades as he meets her eyes with his own. ¡°Flowur, I have tried everything, I have tried threatening you, I have tried forcing you, I have given you to every task we have short of sending you out into the Danger Zones.¡±


    His honesty shocks Flowur, but beneath her surprise she can feel something else boiling up, you mean like how did to-. The retort clear yet she holds her tongue


    His tone carries an unfamiliar gentleness too it. ¡°What do I need to do for you to find some enthusiasm Flowur?¡± His eyes softening.


    What do you need to do, what do you think! The voice in her head screams, but she holds her composure, to bitterly say ¡°Talk to your organization,"


    Marcus¡¯s eye brows raise in surprise at her low bitter response, but he steels himself as he relocks eyes with her ¡°And how would speaking with the defense force help?¡±


    Her fingers dig into her palms, feeling like spikes. Her teeth grind, her lips curling as her anger begins to surge. ¡°Maybe when they stop sending my only family off to die who knows where, in the Danger Zone! Then I''ll find some enthusiasm!" By the end, her voice is a shout, raw with emotion.


    Marcus leans back, his eyes widening as her emotional outburst hits him. ¡°Flowur, we wouldn¡¯t send him off to die. And the body was never found he could sti-¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t give me that fucking bullshit Marcus!¡± She screams, voice now echoing across the entire cafeteria, causing heads to turn. ¡°It¡¯s been six fucking years! Not a single drop of news since! Just tell me the fucking truth! You knew from the beginning he¡¯s dead and you just didn¡¯t want to look the 14-year-old girl in the eyes and admit the last family she had was dead!¡± Her body trembling with the force of her scream, the anger she¡¯s carried for so long clear.


    The ambience of the cafeteria vanishes. Quiet enough to hear a pin drop as all conversations or food consumption cease. Flower¡¯s chest rises and falls with ragged breath the inhales shaky and slow, her hands clenched tight enough to whiten her knuckles, her eyes locked with Marcus¡ªrage radiating out of her as her heart races. He doesn¡¯t speak, knowing that nothing he says or does will be of any help in soothing her burning rage. It hurts his heart, but he hopes his silence will succeed in letting her vent off her rage. He knows this has been bothering her for a long time. Instead, he merely meets her eye contact, his expression unreadable.


    They stay like that for a long time. Minutes pass and Flowur can feel her eyes grow tired. With a growl she breaks the stare; head snapping to the side¡ª her fork violently stabbing a piece of fruit and forcing it into her mouth. Refusing to even glance at Marcus.


    The cafeteria slowly begins to return to a normal volume, many of the occupants continue shooting glances over at the table containing Flowur and Marcus. Flowur eventually drops her glare, eyelids lowering as her expression flattens. Marcus holds his stare, hoping that this outburst may finally lead to some progress.


    As Flowur finishes her small meal, she stands¡ªto return the plate. Marcus stands as well, following behind her, resolving not to let their conversation end just yet. Flowur places the empty plate, turning in the direction of the door to her room. Marcus steps in her way, silently stopping her escape.


    They stand there for a while¡ªthis is a game they¡¯ve played before. Flowur is physically too small to dodge around Marcus. Always leading to this, his size caging her in and blocking her path. Marcus wishes to force her to his office so they can discuss this further. Flowur wishes to return to her room. Locking the door and blocking out the world around her once more. This is not the first time¡ªit will not be the last time either.


    Minutes pass. Neither moving nor backing down. Normally, Flowur lost this game, her legs would begin to ache and eventually, she¡¯d give in. But not this time. She feels no pain and her agitation with Marcus keeps her willpower steady. This time, she stands firm.


    The minutes continue ticking by. Marcus begins tapping his foot and glancing at his watch. His desire to help Flowur clashing with the responsibilities of his work. His wife has often told him of his stubbornness, but it seems, even he has his limits. He lets out a sigh and starts to move, relenting to jus¡ª


    ¡°ALERT, ALERT, ALERT¡± The alarm bells blare across the entire facility causing everyone to flinch. ¡°THERE IS A MONSTER BREACH IN SECTOR 7¡¯S CENTRAL CORE, I REPEAT THERE IS A MONSTER BREACH IN SECTOR 7¡¯S CENTRAL CORE. ALL NON-MILITARY AND NON-AWAKENED EVACUATE TO THE CENTRAL SHELTER IMMEDIATELY. I REPEAT, ALL NON-MILITARY AND NON-AWAKENED EVACUATE TO THE CENTRAL SHELTER IMMEDIATELY¡± The voice wails¡ªcutting through the noise, heads snapping toward the speakers. Flowur¡¯s eyes widen, a fear crawling through her; that¡¯s this sector.


    Marcus¡¯s focus snaps to the direction of the core, his frustrations evaporating in an instant.


    ¡°Flowur, go! The Central Shelter! Now!¡± He barks, his usual stoic and calm expression replaced by one of focus and a hint of worry.


    He bolts through the doorway leading to the Core. Flowur is left staring as his form vanishes beyond it, the cafeteria rapidly emptying as soldiers follow him, any regulars instead running toward the shelter. Her stomach drops, she is, like usual, left alone.


    She couldn¡¯t move, the alarm wailed, its message repeating over and over. The building trembled beneath her feet.


    Why¡­why does it feel ¡ª no! That was just a dream! Her mind raced. The world closed in around her, her heart pounding.


    Deep inside her, something stirs, an unfamiliar pull tugging at her core. It isn¡¯t fear. It isn¡¯t hesitation. It¡¯s instinct. An urge, primal and undeniable, whispering to her, Go. Run. To the Core.


    A single line from her dream echoes in her mind; With just a single step backward, you may reject this fate. A single step¡ªthat¡¯s all it would take. She could turn away. She could hide in the shelter. She could reject this fate.


    But she doesn¡¯t.


    Instead, her feet move before her mind can catch up, she bolts toward the Central Core. Her fear left behind, an electricity hums through her limbs, filling her with a strength she¡¯d never felt before. It isn¡¯t just adrenaline¡ªit¡¯s something deeper, more.


    For the first time in nearly six years, Flowur doesn¡¯t just exist. She acts. She chooses.


    And she runs.

 A beast laid to rest.

    Chapter 1


    <h2 style="text-align: center">A beast laid to rest</h2>


    *Tang* *Tang* *Tang*. The hallway¡¯s metallic floors ring¡ªher legs pushing her onward. The paths feel like a maze, the sounds of the Sector¡¯s Core echo from every direction at once. Her breath quickens as she¡¯s forced to turn back, arriving at yet another dead end. The red alarm lights make it difficult to parse where she¡¯s already been. She pushes onward, the sounds of screams intermixed with loud crashes growing louder and louder, closer and closer.


    A double door stands at the end of this hall, her breath holds as she prepares herself for it to be locked, for all this to have been in vain.


    ¡®hssss¡¯, the doors slide open at the final moment. A colossal room stretches out before her eyes. Flower stumbles as she forces herself to slow down. A gasp escaping her as she takes it in.


    The cylindrical room stretches dozens of feet high. Metallic catwalks trace the outline, jutting out and meeting up throughout like a web of steel¡ªnormally teeming with engineers and scientists. The most striking feature sits at its center. An enormous machine, a sculpture of wires, switches, and steel, stretches from the floor to ceiling. Housed within, a massive green crystal hums with power¡ªa green aura glowing around it.


    Flowur¡¯s eyes refuse to wrench from the machine. Its crystal hypnotizing, its hum drowning out the ring of gunshots and screams of the monsters around her. Her body feeling charged with power as she looks at it, all her worries and feelings fading around her. A sudden grip yanks her back to reality. She blinks¡ªjust as it forcefully pulls her to the ground.


    ¡°Kid, watch out!¡± her savior shouts, pushing her head downward as they begin to drag her. Massive pieces of shattered concrete shoot just above her; narrowly missing her head. Concrete debris and jagged metal dig into her thighs and back as they yank her behind a metal barricade.


    ¡°Regular, what the fuck are you¡ª Flowur?!¡± As Flowur sits up blinking the dust from her eyes. Her breath catches as she recognizes the gaze of one of the men from earlier¡ªIcce.


    ¡°Flowur, what the fuck! Are you doing here!?¡± Icce¡¯s voice a mix of confusion and anger, yanking her head downward as she scrambles to her knees. ¡°You can¡¯t-, you choose-, now-¡± Icce¡¯s mind swims with insults but he drops each of them, knowing they wont improve the situation. ¡°Flowur. Get the fuck out of here. Go to the shelter.¡± His eyes narrowing, his voice colder than his own name.


    Flowur¡¯s mind swims with what to say, any response. Why is she here? She can¡¯t be of any help¡ªshe has no training. It¡¯s not like she could just grab a gun and shoot monsters. She isn¡¯t awakened. She has no value. So why did she feel such a rush to come here? A pull that said she¡¯s done merely existing, a pull demanding she act.


    ¡°No.¡± she responds before she can process her own thoughts. Both pausing, surprised by her response. ¡°I¡¯m going to help. I don¡¯t care how¡± her limbs charged with energy, her mind clear.


    ¡°Seriously, you-¡± he stops himself, now isn¡¯t the time to argue. ¡°Fine¡± his eyes dart over the barricade, scanning the room. ¡°Fine. Just¡­ grab injured people and pull them behind barriers.¡±


    He exhales sharply, yanking the latch of his holster and pulling the pistol from it. Shoving it into her grip. The message unspoken, yet clear.


    Her arms tremble as her eyes drop to the weapon in her hands¡ªcold steel symbolic of the power it has. She takes a deep breath as she peeks over the barricade, her eyes widening as her stomach sinks like a rock.


    The concrete of the far wall has been smashed open. An enormous worm-like being writhes and thrashes through it, its body squeezing through as it swings at soldiers around it. Contorting unnaturally as it moves. Its body is covered in enormous colorful crystalline shards. It¡¯s head encased crystalline armor as it swings at people around it, seeking to crush them into bloody pulps.


    Throughout the rest of the room other smaller, albeit still large, monsters cause havoc. Their bodies otherworldly. Enormous heads or many appendages, they twist and move erroneously. Some have enormous jaws. Others wield claws sharp enough to shear through steel.


    Flowur¡¯s stomach spins and dives, suddenly thankful she ate so little. She swallows hard, trying to steady herself by focusing on the task she¡¯s been given. Bodies lay scattered throughout the room, blood pooling all around them. It¡¯s impossible to discern whose alive or dead.


    Her mind echoes her orders over and over. Pull them to safety. Pull them to safety. Her body trembles with shaky breaths as she dashes out from behind the barrier to a nearby body. She can¡¯t even tell if they¡¯re alive, gripping the back of their shirt, she yanks¡ªhard. Her feet sliding uselessly against the debris covered floor. She¡¯s too small. Her shoes fail to grip with all the dust and debris, her feet inside sliding uselessly as she tries to pull them backward.


    Over and over her shoes slide. Her resolve wavering. I can¡¯t even do this right. Doubts she had been silencing creeping in. You are a failure. She grits her teeth as her eyes begin to water. Nothing but a stain on his legacy. The thoughts feel like knives sinking into her heart. Please! Her thoughts cry out. I have to do this! As if asking for help from the divine. I can save one person. Please! Just please, just. GRIP!


    Her hope teeters on the edge of vanishing¡ªuntil suddenly, her shoes begin to grip. A force shooting through her limbs. She takes another step, the ground holding firm. Step after step, her shoes gripping the ground beneath them. Her muscles scream, begging for her to stop¡ªbut she cannot stop. All her doubts gone silent. Her limbs tremble, as if flowing with an unknown energy.


    With one final push she wrenches the body behind one of the metallic barricades. Releasing her grip, she falls back. Her muscles should be aching. Instead, they surge with a newfound power, thrumming with an energy she can¡¯t yet explain.


    A new resolve flows through her. The pistol slips from her hand. Useless. She needs both of her hands. She stands¡ªthe fear she felt having vanished. Looking across the battlefield, the nausea forgotten.


    Across the room, their chest rising and falling weakly, a person lies. She takes a deep breath, steeling her nerves. She ducks her head and dashes across the room towards them. Stepping over fallen debris and narrowly avoiding crashing into anyone.


    She¡¯s almost there¡ª then her foot catches on a piece of debris¡ªfalling forward. She throws her hands forward as she tumbles. Pain flaring as her palms burn and her chest aches, the scattered debris digging into her flesh. The pain is overwhelming. She can feel water leak into her eyes. She forces it away, rubbing her eyes with a sleeve. She won¡¯t cry. She has to help.


    Crawling to the injured man, she grips his shirt as she sits up. Planting her feet and gritting her teeth. GRIP. She screams the thought again. Yanking him backwards, her shoes push against the ground. Her legs feel as though an energy flows through them once more. Step by step, she pulls the unconscious man across the battlefield¡ªlittered with debris and strange crystals.


    Her head swivels to look behind her, scanning the chaos, she¡¯s close to the metal barricade now. ¡°Come on we¡¯r-¡± Her words die in her throat as she freezes. Her body stiffens, her heart begins to race. Marcus stands before her; rifle in hand, firing at a massive, gaping-mouthed monster.


    As Marcus¡¯s magazine empties, he looks to the side to grab another. His eyes meet Flowur¡¯s¡ªfreezing.


    A hundred different things run through his mind, worry, fear, anger, confusion. He wants to scream, to run over and drag her off this battlefield. To save her from going through what he has; but he can¡¯t. His body is frozen, he can¡¯t will himself to move. He can only keep staring.


    Of course he¡¯s here, he ran off in this direction. Her mind races, she doesn¡¯t know what to do. All the energy, all her resolve, sapped in an instant. Back to the scared, quiet girl she was when she woke up. The one who wanted to stay in her bed and rot.


    The monster Marcus had been shooting at rises. Marcus¡¯s shots no longer pinning it back. It lurches upward, its head swinging upward as it zeroes in on Marcus. Steps forward, the concrete cracking beneath its feet¡ªlaunches itself toward him.


    She releases the unconscious man, his weight slipping from her grip as she dashes toward Marcus, her hand outstretched. Seconds feel like hours as she watches the monster dive forward at Marcus. I have to reach him! Her legs forcing her forward with every drop of strength they can. The monster¡¯s enormous maw hinges open¡ªrevealing a set of enormous jagged crystalline teeth. He¡¯s so far away! Her arms thrown out in front of her, reaching as if her she could extend her arms to pull him to safety.


    The skin of her arms begins to shimmer, as if the bright colors of the creature are reflecting off them. Flowur¡¯s thoughts too erratic and preoccupied to notice.


    Move faster! The thought screams inside her mind and yet she has no action to take. SOMETHING! ANYTHING! PLEASE! The words rattle inside her like pained sobs. The beast looms mere feet from Marcus, its maw widening, teeth glistening. Ready to tear him in two. I CANT LOSE ANOTHER! The world around her drowned out by her begs. All but one, *Crack*


    Like a thunderbolt, her arms begin to change. Her hands shrink and her skin hardens, the surface gaining a texture like diamonds. Her arms flatten, the edges growing sharper and sharper. Her hands and fingers are gone as the end of her arms thins, the ends sharpening to a blade-like point. A deafening *CRACK* rips through her body as the blades launch forward, the rest of her arms stretching behind them, resembling a goo-like liquid.


    The monster¡¯s thoughts are silenced in an instant. The blades pierce through its hardened skin. Passing easily through its soft interior, piercing the skin on the other side of its head. They shear through the air for a moment, finally stopping as they embed into the wall behind the monster¡ªits dead.Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.


    The blades glisten a light brown. Shimmering like polished gemstone. The bright colors of the monster¡¯s teeth glinting in their surface, its body disintegrating around them. The blades extended at least twenty feet forward as the crystalline structure stretches from Flowur¡¯s forearms to the wall. Rigid, the edges sharp as a razor.


    The battle rages on around them, but all who had seen this happen stand frozen. Stunned by what they witnessed. A beast with skin hard enough to deflect bullets, felled in the blink of an eye.


    Flowur¡¯s breath settles, her heart-beat slowing. The blades begin to retract. Pulling themselves from the wall and past the now disintegrated monster, a few Monster Crystals all that remain. The blades shrink, as if being slid into a sheath. Stopping suddenly, their length just longer than Flowur¡¯s arms.


    As Flowur stares down at the blades, she feels a new level of understanding¡ªof control. Her limbs like fluid, longer bound to their original shape. Able to be changed, molded, shaped into whatever she wishes.


    ¡°I¡¯m an Awakened¡± her realization a faint whisper. The weight of her new transformation slowly becoming clear.


    Marcus blinks rapidly, shaking off his shock as he runs to Flowur, throwing the rifle onto his back. His hands drop onto her shoulders as he falls to one knee. Meeting her at eye level. ¡°Flowur you¡¯re a-.¡± His mind struggling to process the realization.


    ¡°I¡¯m an Awakened¡± she repeats, louder this time. Her arms feel electric, her mind awash with new information. A new control. It feels like she can feel everything within her limbs, down to the individual cell. Her mind flooded with new sensations and knowledge, feeling both old and new at the same time.


    Marcus is jolted back to reality as the room trembles around them. Crashes echo as the massive worm-like creature smashes into walls. Its body massive enough to shake the entire room. His shock is replaced by worry as he recalls the danger their both in, ¡°You need to get out of here Flowur.¡± He says, his tone carrying a sense of authority.


    Her eyes widen as she looks up at him. ¡°What? But¡­ I can help¡± she responds, pushing away the sting she feels from Marcus¡¯s order.


    ¡°Flowur, you can¡¯t be fighting monsters. You¡¯re not trained.¡± he says, meeting her eyes.


    ¡°But- but- I can help, I just killed that monster¡± She refutes. The blades shimmering faintly as she recalls the moment.


    ¡°Getting a lucky hit on a monster doesn¡¯t mean you¡¯re ready for battle, Flowur.¡± His voice stoic and calm as he lets one hand slide off her shoulder, continuing to stare into her eyes. His heart straining as he¡¯s forced to extinguish the enthusiasm, he had been desperate for her to find.


    ¡°I¡¯m- I¡¯m- strong now. I have these¡­ I¡¯m Awakened.¡± She murmurs, Marcus¡¯s words feeling like a gut punch. His reasoning sound, her eyes drop to the blades. The fire of power and strength that had been burning within her beginning to dim.


    ¡°Being Awakened doesn¡¯t mean you¡¯re suddenly ready to fight monsters.¡± His voice softening, as if speaking to a young child. ¡°I know you want to be like him¡­ But this place is too dangerous for you¡±


    Flowur¡¯s head sinks. Her eyes misting, the weight of Marcus¡¯s words becoming clear. The surge of energy that had flowed just moments ago feeling like it had drained away. He¡¯s right, but¡­ but I want to¡­


    A memory rises from the ocean of her mind. Her brother sitting next to her, his face plastered with a signature smile, ¡°I wouldn¡¯t hesitate if it meant even one more person got saved.¡± He told her. ¡°It isn¡¯t about the danger, it¡¯s about helping. No matter the risk.¡± Even one more person. As she looked back up to Captain Marcus, blinking rapidly to clear her tears. She gave him a soft smile. ¡°Sorry,¡± she ducks out of his grip; her legs pushing her toward the nearest monster.


    Marcus¡¯s hand grips uselessly out at the air, Flowur slipping from his grasp before he could even react. He lets out a deep sigh, his hand remaining outstretched. He wasn¡¯t sure why, but a part of him knew she would do that. The same part of him that is sure she¡¯ll be alright.


    Flowur steadied herself as the monster grew closer. Focusing on the control of her new ability, the power. The strength she had felt before returning like the force of a gunshot. The fire booming into an almighty blaze.


    She weaved past a pair of soldiers. Emptying her mind of all thoughts but the creature before her. Its body swaying back and forth as it lumbered forward on stubby legs. Spikes covered it from head to toe. Arms wielding razor sharp crystalline claws. Soldiers diving out of the way as it swung towards them.


    The creature loomed before her, leaning to the side she held both the blades out to her right. She aimed to cut the monster¡¯s legs clean through. With a small *clink* there was no slice. Instead, the blades crashed against spikes, harmlessly bouncing off. The force running up her arms with a stinging sensation.


    She spun on her heels, sliding to a halt. Her head tilting up as the monster loomed over her. Its attention now centered completely on her. Its massive claws reaching out beside it, its beady eyes bore into her.


    Flowur raised her blades up, hoping for protection against the claws swinging toward her. Sealing her eyes she waited for the pain. A pain that never arrived; a gust of air rushed across her hair. Pushing it to the side as the beast¡¯s claws swung harmlessly over her head.


    As she reopened her eyes and looked up, the creatures eyes had begun to glow unnaturally white. It¡¯s claws reaching up as if trying to block out the light as it stumbled around. ¡°It¡¯s blind! Go now!¡± a voice called from behind her.


    Flowur didn¡¯t bother looking back to see who called out. Seizing the opportunity created by its sudden blindness she pulled her arms back. Crossing the blades over her chest. Planting her feet she grits her teeth, slashing the blades across the creature¡¯s body. Aiming for the bases of its arms. This time, hitting her mark. Easily cleaving through its flesh.


    It screeched¡ªletting out a gut-wrenching wail. The severed arms falling to the floor with a loud *thud*. Flowur jumped backward as it flailed helplessly. Its arms no longer stabilizing it, it crashed to the floor. Now harmless, soldiers began peppering the beast with shots as it twisted and flailed against the floor. Only as a bullet punched cleanly through its head. A final twitch, before going limp.


    The hiss of the monster¡¯s disintegration rung in her ears as Flowur scanned the battlefield. Across the battle a few other monsters were slowly disintegrating, having been beaten by other Awakened, only the massive worm remained. Its colossal size shrugging off any attacks thrown at it.


    She stepped toward the worm. The noise of the battlefield fading from her mind. The writhing beast stilled as she stepped forward. its massive head turned, locking eyes with her¡ªsilent. Perhaps¡­calculating. Seconds stretched like minutes as they stared. Its gaze carrying an intelligence as it studied her. Almost as if it could recognize her. As she stood silent, a sense of calm washed over her. As if she could be sure of exactly what to do. With a sudden roar, the worm launched itself towards her.


    Her body seemed to move on its own, each motion fluid, elegant¡ªeffortless. She pressed her arms together, the blades liquifying into a crystalline liquid as the formed together. The shape twisted, stretching¡ªgrowing as she lifted it above her head. A single enormous blade taking shape. Within it a blue light shone with an intensity that caused even the crystal armor of the worm to shine with its light.


    She held there, the worm closing in, its colossal size towering over her. Soldiers diving out of the way as it continued its single minded charge toward her. She took a deep breath in, her mind was quiet. Her body held steady. It was like she was in perfect mastery of her new abilities.


    With a final lurch the worm reared its head, its shadow engulfing her. Then, falling forward like a collapsed building, it crashed forward. Aiming its armored head to leave her as nothing but paste. She let out a short exhale, swinging the blade downward. *Crack* A rupture splits the air, like the swing of a whip. In the blink of an eye, the worm had been severed, its crystalline armor seeming useless. A massive gash cut through the concrete floor in front of her.


    The beast crashed to a halt. Its head splitting open. A blackened ooze leaking out, hissing and boiling as it reached the concrete floor. A hiss beginning as the worm¡¯s body started to disintegrate.


    The room was silent. Awakened gawked and soldiers stared in shock or awe. This enormous beast felled in a single slash. The slow hiss of the disintegrating worm reverberating throughout the room.


    As Flowur stood there silently, a wave of exhaustion washed over her. The massive blade wavered, then liquified. A light brown liquid seeping out of the gash. Slithering along the floor toward her¡ªalive, purposeful. The liquid slid up her body, sliding to her arms, as if sculpting clay backward it reshaped. Flowing seamlessly, its color returning to that of flesh, until her arms had returned to normal. Their liquid nature completely disguised.


    Flowur¡¯s body ached. Forming coherent thoughts felt like treading through mud. Her limbs felt like ten ton weights. All she could think of doing was returning to her room and falling asleep.


    A thundering voice shattered her haze. She flinched, whipping around. ¡°Enough standing around all of you! That hole is still open, so we are still at risk! I want that barrier set up NOW!¡±


    Behind her stood a towering man likely in his sixties. Slicked back gray hair and a well-groomed mustache giving off an air of authority. His blue uniform, covered with many insignia Flowur didn¡¯t recognize. The scrambling of footsteps she could hear behind her confirming her suspicion of this man¡¯s importance.


    His gaze dropped to meet her own. His expression was stern, as if he was always ready to bark out an order. His hands clasped behind his back, his posture tall and focused¡ªexuding both intellect and authority.


    As his gaze flicked between the disintegrating monster behind her and herself; His stern expression seemed to deepen. ¡°You took down this beast Awakened?¡± His tone left no room for doubt. It wasn¡¯t a question, it was an order to follow. A command to confirm or deny his claim.


    She blinked slowly. All she wanted was to return to her room and fall asleep. The idea of her bed feeling very inviting. Hoping that answering his questions would make him leave, she nodded her head.


    His gaze bore into her, his expression unreadable. ¡°State your name Awakened.¡± Another order¡­ Her dreams of collapsing into her bed slipping further from reach.


    Her head turned slowly as she noticed Marcus approaching the two of them. ¡°Flowur¡± she replied wearily. The word dripping with exhaustion.


    Marcus stepped up to the conversation. With a single look to her he could tell. Flowur¡¯s expression and body language screamed exhaustion. Eyes drooping, arms hung lazily at her side. To most it wouldn¡¯t seem out of the ordinary for the girl, but he knew better.


    The man¡¯s sharp gaze flicked to Marcus, narrowing his eyes as he offered Marcus a curt nod¡ªacknowledgement. ¡°Flowur huh¡­ Are you aware of who I am Flowur.¡±


    Flowur sighed¡ªno escape without answering these questions. She shook her head. Her gaze locked onto the man¡¯s shoes. Hoping that it could stimulate her senses enough that she could avoid collapsing.


    ¡°I am General Yantuili. Head of Sectors five, six, and seven.¡± He clarified, looking down to her. At any other time, she might¡¯ve been impressed. Right now? Her thoughts focused solely on keeping her awake. Mustering as much movement as she could, a weak head nod.


    For a moment his expression deepens to a scowl, whether from impatience or scrutiny, it was hard to parse. ¡°When did you become awakened Flowur.¡± The tone returned, once again a command. His eyes bore into the top of her head. Flowur couldn¡¯t respond. Thoughts slipping away like water through fingers. Her legs grew wobbly as the weight of her body seemed to press down on them.


    Marcus stepped forward, placing a hand on her shoulder, gripping as he saw her begin to lean forward. ¡°If I may speak on her behalf sir.¡± Marcus requested, feeling Flowur dip in and out of consciousness beneath his grip. He tightened his grip, not wanting her to fall over.


    The general narrowed his eyes for a moment, ¡°Proceed¡± he acquiesced with a wave of his hand.


    Marcus gave a nod and explained ¡°I believe her ability first revealed itself a few minutes ago, sir¡ªI witnessed it¡­ However, it is plausible that it first developed last night, following patterns of other Awakened¡±


    Yantuili placed his hand to his chin as he took a moment to think. ¡°This morning¡­ Very well, follow with protocol and escort her to the lab for preliminary Awakened Testing¡± He ordered, turning away.


    Marcus nodded as his gaze drifted to Flowur. Her head hung limply and her eyes glued shut. He gave a soft smile as he lifted her up, settling her on his shoulder. Noting how she seemed abnormally light. He began carrying her toward the science lab.


    The last thing Flowur felt was being thrown over someone¡¯s shoulder. Her mind blank as the exhaustion of this short excursion reached her and she succumbed to sleep.