Chapter 1682 – Awakening

Coming out of an evolution is always a bit of a weird feeling. I mean, if a human went to sleep and woke up in an entirely new body, they’d feel pretty weird.

For me, it’s even stranger than that. Not only do I change size and shape, but my insides get reorganised as well! New things get stuffed in there, existing things get moved. I would’ve thought I couldn’t tell what was going on in there, but when it’s changed, I notice!

Sheesh. My legs feel like they’ve been welded in place. What the heck is going on here? Sloooowly stretching, I’m able to eventually get some movement in my stiff joints. Get that ichor flowing, dammit! I’ve got places to be.

I think. I don’t really remember all that well. There’s definitely a sense that someone needs a good thwacking, but who?

My eyes, nothing but a blur at first, start to focus, and the compound view of the world around me becomes clear. My antennae twitch, and I wonder just what the heck has been going on around here?

The reinforced ceiling and walls, with thick bars of enchanted steel? Sure, that’s fine. The protection circle drawn underneath me, engraved in the floor with some sort of liquid silver? Alright? I guess? Maybe going a bit overboard now.

But the statues and engravings are way out of line!

Who in their right mind let that stone-hacking chisel monger, Michaelangelant, in here? I know it’s her, it has to be her. No one else in the entire Colony would create these ridiculous poses and absurd, flowery murals! Every spare inch of this place is covered in artwork—just how much spare time does that slacker have?!

“Eldest, you’re awake!”

Wha? It’s taking me a while to catch my bearings this time. How long was I out? This feels a lot different than the last time I evolved.

“Who’s that? Coolant? What are you doing here?”

Isn’t it a waste to have a powerful member of the Council babysitting me? Surely they have better things to be doing?

“We’ve been watching to see when you would awaken. It’s my turn this week.”

That initial burst of excitement is gone and now the cool-as-ice Coolant has returned. I finally focus on her and see that she’s as blue and chilled as ever. The air around her is so cold she’s got bits of frost on her carapace. Always taking it to the extreme.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

“Wait a second. This week? How long have I been evolving?”

“Six months.”

“WHAT?!”

Six months?! That’s absurd! Wha… What happened? There must have been a wave. More than one! Is everyone alright? Did the family do well while I was asleep?

Oh no!

What if the family did super well while I was asleep? Have they realised they don’t need me around? Am I unneeded? Have I been abandoned here, left to rot alone and sad in this vault?