The woman''s eyes opened and suddenly she remembered everything.


    She was Seraphine, and orphan from Newber. After the destruction she killed her first monster, a Horror of the 3rd Tier and became an evolved. When she began making her way to Castleburg, she came to the ruins of Havel.


    There she found an old man named Harold, or more like he found Sera. Back then she was in a horrible shape, nearly dead, but Harold helped her. After that they travelled together to Castleburg, it was very dangerous and the had to fight a lot, not just against beasts, but evil humans.


    They tried to steal from Sera and her uncle, but she massacred any who wanted to hurt either of them.


    Harold taught her, most things she now knows about evolution. He was always kind and warm to her, basically like a father, but he just insisted to be called uncle.


    He wasn''t that big of a fighter, his abilities had more utility than power. This meant that Sera had to protect him throughout the journey, which she had done with great pride.


    Soon they arrived there, but the people were jealous of her potential. Uncle Harold suggested that she should get stronger so no one could stand in their way. They then looked for the perfect monster to hunt, which turned out to be a creature named Holy Phoenix.


    Sadly she had to go on this journey alone, because for Uncle Harold there was a different hunt somewhere else. Sera wanted to go with him and help, but he insisted to focus on herself.


    From the very beginning of their relationship, she had always listened to him, so this time wasn''t different either.


    Sera packed her bag, then went straight north to an outpost named Flenburg. It took her a lot longer than she imagined and she had to kill more people during the way, at that point she didn''t even feel bad for it.


    At the outpost they didn''t want to let her through, so she had to cut her way into the Realm of Boundless Frost as well. On the other side of the gate she had to fight again, but eventually managed to run away to the location where the Holy Phoenix was located.


    After a hard and perilous battle Sera managed to kill said phoenix, but she took grave injuries in the process. She began the process of evolution, but her body was unprotected and anyone could''ve killed her with ease.


    Luckily, and to her utter surprise, Uncle Harold came after her. He found her on the ground slowly healing and gave her some of his essence to help with the evolution... He saved her yet again.


    When her eyes opened they turned teary from happiness, but before she could jump up and hug the old man, he pointed down at her body. As the battle went on, she hadn''t even noticed that all her clothes had burned to crisps.


    With no clear answer she put the idea away and focused on her transformation. It took her a minute to reach that same feeling, but soon she felt the change. It was slow at first, then faster and finally, it was done.


    There was no pain, which for some reason she expected, only power. Sera hadn''t checked her back yet, but judging by Uncle Harold''s expression it was really impressive. Steadily she turned her head and looked at her wings... all four of them. .net


    Instead of the usual pristine white feathered angelic pair, there was another right below it. They were made from bright golden flames, and held a lot of power within. All of them were the same shape and size, about three meter in each direction.


    But the evolution didn''t just change her on the outside, but inside as well. Sera didn''t understand why, but when she transformed a deep well of energy appeared right in her very soul.


    Following her instinct she held out one hand and summoned her sword. Instead of the small specks of light, a large burst of flame came out of her palm and formed into her weapon.


    On her face a small smile grew, and for a few minutes she began doing basic slashes and stabs. Eventually Sera made the sword and her wings disappear, but then noticed that the well of power was still there.


    ''Huh... It isn''t part of my transformation it seems... But then what could it be? Of course I lose my watch when I need it the most...''


    Since there was no way of figuring out now, she turned towards her uncle, but he wasn''t looking at her. Instead he was staring out over the stone plains. Far away, where there was still snow, Sera saw a few figures running in their direction.


    She stepped close to Uncle Harold and asked, "Who are they?"


    With a bit of shame and anger he looked away, then replied in a small voice.


    "I''m so sorry my little angel... The journey here wasn''t easy and I made a few enemies. They came to take me away, alive or dead, and since you are with me they will target you as well..."


    Sera''s calm and beautiful face twisted into mad rage. There was only one thing that could make her really angry, and that is if anyone tries to hurt her only family. With confidence she stepped in front of her uncle, then without looking back she spoke.


    "Don''t worry, I will take care of them, then we can finally leave this hellish realm!"


    As the group of eight came closer and closer, the old man began to grin madly. He was really out performing himself throughout this interaction, and now it was time for the last test.


    All his research, every sleepless night, all the hours spent concocting this plan. It all came down to this. His hand was near trembling from excitement. As the group began to slow down, he was watching them, like they were some poor trapped animals waiting to be slaughtered.