Chapter 135: A Shape-shifting Kaelrian Tribe!

Chapter 135: A Shape-shifting Kaelrian Tribe!

With a single seed resting in the palm of her hand, Tessa hesitated, wondering how best to proceed. There were bound to be more, but should she take them all at once or one at a time? Just as she was lost in thought, Anwari's voice sliced through her contemplation.

"One by one, Tessa," Anwari murmured as if reading her mind, its tone heavy with reverence. "Each seed must be taken with intention. Only by consuming them individually can the bond form deeply enough. Only then will the strongest of them thrive."

Without hesitation, Tessa raised the seed to her face, cradling it gently in her palm. As she did, a strange warmth began to bloom within her, like a spark kindling deep in her core, as if her body was preparing for what was to come

She swallowed the first seed swiftly, feeling it dissolve almost instantly, releasing a brief surge of energy that settled within her like a faint, distant hum. It seemed that seed lacked the strength to thrive—or perhaps it simply wasn't the right one. Tessa didn't fully understand the concept of "one in eighty" or what it demanded, but she knew she had to keep swallowing the seeds as instructed.

Anwari raised its tendril again, unfurling to reveal nearly a hundred and sixty small, translucent seeds, each one glowing softly like a captured star. The sheer number made Adrian's eyes widen, but Tessa's expression remained steady and resolute.

She took one seed after another, feeling each faint glow fade as it merged into her, filling her with warmth that grew deeper and richer with every swallow. Her senses sharpened; the colors around her seemed brighter, sounds clearer, as though she were connecting to something ancient and boundless. Before long, she lost track of the process, only vaguely aware of the seeds that didn't dissolve. She knew she'd have to wait to see which, if any, of the 160 seeds would bloom and become life.

AS Adrian watched her, his face had a mixture of concern and wonder. "This isn't normal, Tessa," he muttered, though he could see the determination etched into her features. She was stepping into the unknown, guided only by the promise of a bond and her own will. Part of him wanted to stop her, to pull her back from this path, but he could see in her eyes that it was already too late. She had chosen this.

As she continued, her pace began to slow, the weight of each seed settling more heavily inside her.

By the time she'd swallowed nearly fifty of Anwari's seeds, she paused, drawing in a steadying breath as her hands trembled faintly. She could feel them—each seed nestled within her, tiny pulses of potential life merging with her own essence, linking her to Anwari's lineage in a way that felt both profound and intimate.

The thought, I am going to be a mother, echoed in her mind like a ringing bell, drowning out every other sound, every rational or fearful whisper that might have otherwise intruded.

Anwari's voice was low and steady, laced with a subtle excitement. "You're doing well, Tessa. Remember, each seed carries the potential for a bond. Each one strengthens the connection between you and the potential offspring. Only the strongest will remain." There was an unspoken hope in its tone—this time, with her as a vessel, it was possible that at least two of its seeds might survive.

The odds were daunting, with only a one in eighty chance, but Tessa's determination gave Anwari a glimmer of belief that this time, survival was within reach.

Tessa nodded, bracing herself before continuing. The next fifty seeds went down more slowly, each one pulling her deeper into a strange realm of heightened awareness. With each seed, she could almost sense Anwari's memories—faint glimpses of long-forgotten battles, uncharted worlds, and the weight of ancient griefs and unfulfilled promises.

Now and then, brief flashes of unknown incidents and alien experiences flickered before her eyes, like memories she could almost touch but not fully grasp. She pressed on, swallowing each seed with quiet resolve, letting the visions flow past her as if they were just passing shadows.

By the time she had swallowed the last few seeds, Tessa's entire being felt transformed. Her heartbeat seemed to pulse with a rhythm that matched the faint energy of the seeds within her. She felt them, small but alive, waiting for the strongest to emerge. The ordeal had taken its toll; her face was pale, and her breath came in shallow gasps.

Anwari regarded her with something akin to awe, its usually impassive gaze softened by a rare, almost reverent respect. "You have accomplished what few would dare, Tessa. The bond is nearly complete. All that remains now is time."

The ancient Niöhöggr-like creature could barely contain its excitement; in this moment, nothing brought it more satisfaction than the hope of an heir in this world. This offspring, if it survived, would have a chance to blend more seamlessly into human society—especially if it inherited Tessa's form–the form of its 'soon to be' surrogate mother, rather than the daunting Niöhöggr shape of its true parent. Anwari felt a thrill at the thought: a child who could bridge both worlds.

Tessa looked up at Anwari, a subtle fire burning in her eyes despite the exhaustion etched on her face. "Then let time do its work," she murmured. "I've taken your legacy into myself, and I'll honor it." Her expression shifted into a determined frown, as if to say, Now, let's get down to business. "But don't forget the second part of our deal."

Anwari inclined its head, knowing fully well the weight of the promise it had made to her. For the first part of their agreement, it had placed its entire hope for survival of its eggs into Tessa's hands, and she had accepted it with a strength that even it hadn't foreseen. The other part of the deal was where the true difficulty lay. Anwari had to be killed, and it understood this all too well—Tessa was not one to break her word, especially when it came to matters of justice.

Adrian, still standing close, reached out and gently gripped Tessa's arm, steadying her. "Are you okay?" he asked, noting her struggle to maintain her balance. Swallowing one hundred and sixty seeds certainly took its toll.

"Sure…" Tessa replied, regaining her composure as she stood firmly before the giant creature. Its intelligent blue eyes held a profound sadness that words could not capture. Its only sin was being born into a world that wasn't ready for it—a world that viewed it with wariness and fear. That same world would eliminate anything it found threatening or unfamiliar.

"I've lived a sad life…" Anwari began, its voice heavy with grief. "My mother was killed in a similar way on our home planet. My father was one of Solaris's right-hand men, and when the time came to stand up for my mother—a shape-shifting Niöhöggr who truly loved him—he abandoned her."

"She was betrayed by my father, and in her despair, she renounced her Kaelrian identity, fully embracing her Niöhöggr form. Solaris himself ended her life. I was just a child when I witnessed the merciless slaughter of my mother. Now, my turn has come to die like that. I chose to take her form, rather than remain Kaelrian, that was to serve as a constant reminder of my father's cruelty and Solaris's wickedness. We are a rare, shape-shifting tribe of the Kaelrian race, living in isolation so the world doesn't discover us."

"I suppose Solaris must have some semblance of a conscience—at least he didn't kill me immediately like he did my mother. No, rather, I think he actually wanted me to suffer a fate more cruel than death." Anwari's voice quivered, raw emotion overwhelming it. Before Tessa, this ancient being, who had survived for over a millennium, was reduced to tears, revealing the depth of its pain.