After the End: Serenity

Why did Chimera disappear on the first one?

[The first option is an Evolving Path, while the second is a Chimeric Path]

[Transitioning to the Evolving Path removes your current Heritage, including all chimerical features, but you would gain all Species abilities of the species you belong to]

[Following the Chimeric Path maintains your full history but limits your Species abilities to the physical ones and ones received through a Path or ones that are individually evolved]

Even though the Voice’s tone didn’t change, there was something about it that made Serenity pause.

Which one do you expect me to choose?

[You were expected to choose Child of Time. It maintains your current status and is the closest to Human, which assists your stated goal of saving your world]

Serenity remembered the vision - dream? - he’d had of himself. It seemed that the Voice was using the same logic as whatever had allowed that vision to happen. He couldn’t see it. Child of Time was enticing, but not when it restricted his magic.

It’s not my Path. I don’t think it ever would have been.

[Follow your Path. That is more important than any hopes or expectations]

That’s an odd way to put it. Do you have a choice you’d prefer?

[Only you may choose your Path]

That was a yes. Serenity wasn’t sure what the Voice’s preference was, but it didn’t seem displeased that he wasn’t following the expected Path. If anything, it seemed happy to be surprised.

It was his choice.

Serenity looked at the list. Basic Draconic Shapeshift alone seemed worth taking the Chimeric option, and the other abilities also looked good. The shapeshifting ability was probably why “dragon” would work; he suspected that only one form would be able to walk upright.

He hadn’t expected to see any shapeshifting ability at low Tier. It wouldn’t even have to be particularly good to be extremely useful. It might be too bad to not get abilities for free, but losing ones he had made that route less attractive.

He would probably have gone for the second option, even if it hadn’t looked as good as it did. Losing his heritage would be like saying he didn’t care for his family or his past, and however much he might want to forget the Final Reaper, his past made him who he was.

Essence Dragon Chimera

[Let yourself sleep. It will prevent pain]

The words faded and Serenity was left in the darkness. It was comfortable and warm. He felt himself fall asleep and did not fight it.

[Title Awarded: First of A Kind]