The five cocoons shook violently.
Muffled voices burst out one after another.
"What do you an one day?!"
Inside the colored cocoons, bodies twisted and tensed as power ripped through muscle and bone.
Cracks of energy flashed across the surface, then sealed again.
rsha tilted her head, still smiling. "Of course one day. Full transformation takes ti."
Her tone was cheerful. Too cheerful.
"So you’re saying," Cindor’s voice echoed from the red cocoon, strained and hoarse, "we stay like this... for one whole day?"
rsha nodded. "Yep."
A loud groan followed.
"You an one full day of this pain?!" Silvar shouted, his white cocoon pulsing sharply.
"Yes," rsha replied. "Nonstop."
"Damn you, kid!" Bastor’s voice ca out low and furious, though even he couldn’t hide the strain.
Garion crossed his arms and sighed. "Co on. Don’t act like victims."
He glanced around. "All of us went through this stage."
Rachel nodded gently. "It’s painful, yes. But it passes."
Valtor snorted. "Way worse than getting punched."
Seira added flatly, "I wanted to die."
Clara raised a finger. "I actually scread."
The cocoons went quiet for a mont.
"...You too?" Varyn asked softly.
Garion nodded. "Every single one."
He stepped closer to the cocoons. "You’re forr Legendary Beasts. Don’t tell this is where you stop."
A low growl ca from inside the black cocoon.
"Hmph," Silvar said through clenched teeth. "Of course we can endure it."
Bastor followed, voice steady despite the pain. "We will not fail."
Cindor laughed weakly. "One day, huh? Fine. I’ll rember this."
Eldrin’s green cocoon pulsed calmly, her voice gentle but firm. "Endure it. This is rebirth."
The energy surged again, stronger than before.
rsha clapped her hands happily. "Good! Just scream if it hurts more. It’ll feel better."
The response was imdiate.
"Bullshit!"
"Who the hell designed this?!"
The cocoons shook harder.
Silvar’s white cocoon pulsed violently. "This is insane! I’ve been crushed by mountains, and this is worse! damn it all!"
Cindor’s red cocoon flared. "Hah... hah... damn you, little alchemist! When I’m done with this, I swear... ahhh!"
Bastor’s black cocoon trembled once, then twice. His voice ca out low and furious. "Focus. Endure it. ...Damn this pain."
Varyn’s voice was softer but shaking. "This... hurts more than expected. Who decided rewriting every cell was a good idea...?"
Eldrin’s green cocoon glowed steadily, though even she couldn’t hide it.
"Steady... breathe... damn it... this is harsher than nature’s trials."
rsha tilted her head, still smiling. "See? Very healthy reaction."
Garion rubbed his temple. "You’re enjoying this way too much."
Rachel sighed. "They’ll survive. They always do."
The screaming continued through the day. Curses echoed across the island. Even the beasts nearby fled.
By the ti night fell, the cocoons had quieted.
Not because it was done but because they were exhausted beyond screaming.
---
The next day.
Garion returned to the courtyard with Rachel, Dahlia, and the others.
Everyone stopped a short distance away.
The cocoons were still there.
Cracked. Pulsing. Breathing.
Valtor crossed his arms. "They alive?"
rsha checked casually. "Yep. Barely."
Suddenly, the white cocoon twitched.
"...When this ends," Silvar’s hoarse voice leaked out, rough and broken, "I’m breaking sothing. Probably you, rsha."
rsha tilted her head and smiled brightly. "Then you better get out first."
"...Damn it," Silvar muttered.
The cocoon shook again. This ti, it didn’t stop.
A sharp sound echoed as the white shell split open.
Pieces fell to the ground, clattering softly.
Silvar stumbled forward, one knee hitting the floor.
He caught himself with one hand, breathing hard.
Steam-like mana rolled off his body.
His muscles twitched as if they were still being rewritten.
He lifted his head slowly.
"...I’m alive," he said.
Garion nodded. "Obviously."
Silvar clenched his fist. The ground beneath it cracked slightly.
"...I feel heavier," he said. "Stronger. Annoyingly stronger."
Before anyone could respond, the red cocoon flared.
"Move aside!" Cindor shouted.
Her cocoon burst open in a flash of heat. She rolled out, laughing and coughing at the sa ti.
"Damn it... damn it... DAMN IT," she yelled. "That taste is still in my mouth!"
She wiped her lips, then laughed again. "But wow. This body feels amazing."
The black cocoon followed.
Bastor stepped out quietly, standing upright despite the damage.
He looked down at his hands, then nodded once.
"...Stable," he said. "Pain acceptable."
Varyn’s cocoon cracked next. She stumbled, then steadied herself, breathing slowly.
"...Everything feels sharper," she murmured.
Last was the green cocoon.
It dissolved gently.
Eldrin stepped out, barefoot, calm but clearly tired.
She looked around, then smiled softly.
"...It’s over," she said.
rsha clapped her hands. "Success!"
Silvar turned his head slowly toward her.
"You," he said. "I’m going to break you."
rsha blinked once.
Then she smiled.
"Okay," she said cheerfully. "Co on, little cat."
Silvar’s brow twitched. "...What did you call ?"
Cindor burst out laughing and stepped forward. "Hey, don’t hog all the fun. I’ll join too."
Silvar glanced at her. "You stay out of this."
Cindor crossed her arms. "Nope. I just got reborn. I need to hit sothing."
Garion laughed and waved his hand. "Hey, hey. You two literally just woke up. Your bodies are still stabilizing."
Silvar rolled his shoulders. "That’s exactly why we need to test them."
Cindor nodded fast. "Yeah. If it breaks now, better than later."
rsha put her hands on her hips, clearly enjoying this way too much.
"Then co on. I’ve never fought properly before, so this is perfect. I want to see how strong I am now."
Rachel frowned slightly. "rsha, are you sure..."
"I’m sure," rsha said quickly. "If I die, just revive ."
Garion sighed. "That’s not comforting."
Silvar cracked his neck once. "You asked for it."
Cindor leaned forward, grinning wide. "Try not to cry, potion girl."
rsha’s smile sharpened. "Try not to vomit again, fire bird."
The air went quiet for half a second.
Then Garion rubbed his forehead. "Alright. Arena, now. Before all of you break the gym."
He then led all of them to the arena.
User Comments
0 comments from readers