Jon felt his pupils shrink to pinpricks as he watched the waves of self-replicating flesh and reproductive organs rapidly approach him. The sounds of flowing blood and viscous lust surging across the floors and walls of Anesa Casia, eroding at the defences of his Three Seas Of Knowledge.

  His breath hitching, watching on in completely stillness as the ‘Voracious Swarm Mother’ tried to eliminate him and the blossoming concepts that bloomed from within his greater Source.

  What the Tenth Sin Of Desire referred to as ‘surging green’ and ‘violent transformations’ spilled out from the Shapeless Mask Of Thieving Lies. The Mortal Ranked Title that served as Lethe’s foundation; Polemarche Of Jade Lies contained within it concepts born from an existence that far exceeded anything Jon was capable of imagining.

  A chance encounter with an existence that had transcended the limits of Thronehood, that stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the creature that stood before him had gifted him a boon that he never once considered anything other than that.

  A simple boon.

  The computational power of four Fragments Of Mind working in unison was just barely enough to understand what it was this ‘boon’ was capable of doing. The concepts relating to Viridis Benedictus had long since been integrated into his greater Source and then placed within his Memento Source Item.

  It had become a part of him.

  Whether he realized where said concepts had been born from, Viridis Benedictus was now firmly and utterly a part of the existence known as ‘Jonathan Randall Guilliman.’

  It was how the Angel Of Green was able to worm their way past the barrier of swarming-lust formed by the Angel Of Desire. And how the Angel Of Transformation was capable of following along, emerging from the transformation between lust into surging green.

  Knight Title Fragment “Lord Of Violent Transformations”: Increases the effectiveness of all abilities with the Transformation Trait and Metamorphosis Trait.

  Knight Title Fragment “Metamorphosis Imperialis”: Concepts and notions related to ‘transformation, ‘metamorphosis’ and ‘alteration’ become infinitesimally easier to understand and comprehend.

  It felt different from forming Princeps Of The Wandering Mutation, or even Lost Author Of Shapes And Forms.

  Not quite the same as forming his Fragment Of Shapeless-Carcosa, or even his Fragment Of Thieving-Envy. Something was using his flesh, mind, and spirit as a conduit to enter the Hive-Womb Capital, transforming him into an existence better suited to handle their six-fragment pathways or even seven-fragment pathways.

  His hand, still tightly clutching around the flesh near his heart, tightened even further, feeling his Seir-Perpetual Heart pulsate in response to the sudden influx of concepts. The faintest, most delicate of whispers communicating to him from beyond the Hive-Womb Capital.

  “Mutations are a difficult concept to comprehend. Their effects are permanent, often passive providing little to no active effects.”

  “However, mutations are inherently a form of transformation. A type of change, or alteration to a closed system. Although Green might damage some of the concepts inherent to your Source, pain often accompanies a violent transformation.”

  “Take it in pride child. It is not everyday that you see two Angels willing to impart concepts to form fragment pathways.”

  “What the hell are you even talking-.” Jon felt his thoughts come to a swift and sudden halt, as several fragments contained within each of his Mana Cores started cracking, several long and jagged fractures appearing across their surface.

  Fragment Of Spear and Fragment Of Transformation shattering within his Wood Mana Core alongside the concepts contained within Metamorphosis Imperialis. A horrifyingly foreign pain blooming within Jon’s chest, as he felt his fragments and spiritual energy disobey his orders, dancing to the tune of the Divine General Of Alteration.

  His Three Seas Of Knowledge, each controlling a stolen subordinate Fragment Of Mind grew strained, expanded beyond the limitations of his Knight-level flesh and spirit. Blood trickling down his nose, dyeing his clothes and even darker shade of crimson.

  [Behold Thy Luminous Spear, Clad In Green Radiance] was removed from his status page. Concepts relating to spears, wood, transformation and metamorphosis congealing together within his Wood Mana Core, birthing something new, something unseen amongst Knights.

  Jon tried to scream but found himself unable to utter even a single word.

  The pain of having himself rewritten without his consent was only rivalled by the pain he felt after being exposed to spiritual energy. His brief, but memorable time in the Pure Room had granted him both his Knowledge Mana Core and a feeling of excruciating suffering that he could not put into words.

  Until right this moment.

  “I’m going to fucking kill you!”

  “Rhidian!”

  The flesh around his right arm metamorphosing, transformed into something other than muscles and bones. Veins twisted and transformed into pale-green roots. Arteries perverted into something in-between phloem and xylem. Tendons transformed into a hardened, elastic, wood-like substance, stretching towards the skin and outer tissues.

  His nails were pushed out form their sockets, replaced with a vibrant, green-coloured keratin. Their structure malleable but designed to serve as roots or leaves in the event of specific organ failure.

  Fingers gaining an additional joint, making his right hand far larger in comparison to his left.

  The blood vessels around his eyes bursting, causing blood to drip down the sides of his cheeks. Minerva-Infiltration Eyes observing the approaching waves of blood and organs, unconsciously extending his mutated right-arm forward and gripping downwards on some imaginary construct.

  [Behold Thy Wooden Metamorphosis, Clad In Cedarwood Spearlight].

  Manifesting the familiar image of a brightly-coloured, neon-green spear in his hand.

  Fragments Of Spear, Fragments Of Transformation and the concepts contained within the Knight Ranked Title, Metamorphosis Imperialis combining together under the influence of the Angel Of Transformation, altering the Assail; Spear Of Cedarwood Transformations into-.

  “Tabitha Assail; Right-Arm Of Cedarwood Transformations”

  Vein-sized wooden tendrils extended from the palm of his hand into Tabitha Assail. The bark-like substance which formed his right hand retreating backwards, forming the physical characteristics of his weapon-mutation.

  Assail was no longer just a summoned construct tied to his fragments or lifeforce.

  But rather a permanent physical mutation. One that had transformed his right arm from the elbow down into a weapon containing the amalgamated concept known as “Cedarspear-Mutation.”

  Raising his Right-Arm Of Cedarwood Transformations, Jon released a cold and disdainful snort as he activated several other abilities all in swift succession. Despite his dwindling reserves of spiritual energy, his Fragment Of Superbia and Fragment Of Ira were both activated, imbuing him with an unfathomable and indescribable strength.

  [Helel].

  [Wrath Is The Paradise Whispered On Thou Lips].

  [Frosted Requiem Of The White Spellstar].

  [Green Shall Become The Ode To Eternity].

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  [Morning Star] and [Evening Star] manifesting over each of his shoulders. [Stance Of The White Spellstar] saturating his flesh and blood with the horrifying strength of a frozen star. Yaochi-Mudra Prana surging in response, enveloping himself in a self-regenerating spiritual shield of wood natured spiritual energy.

  Right-arm clenching tightly around his weapon-mutation, thrusting it forward towards the Wrathful-Lust Of Lingering Admah and Hungering-Avarice Of Violent Sodom.

  Dozens of illusory spear-constructs thrusting forward in unison, inflicting instances of spear-natured, wood-natured, war-natured and even ice-natured damage. The crashing waves of reproductive organs collided against Tabitha Assail, piercing through the crimson ocean.

  However-.

  His footing crumbles beneath the flowing currents of blood and viscera. Jon barely managing to stay upright as his figure was caught in the lust-mutation pushed back several metres. Lust-natured spiritual energy eroding his self-regenerating spiritual shield with each passing moment.

  But still, Jon continued to thrust Assail forward, cleaving spear-shaped wounds into the manifested mutations. Inflicting instances of [Violent Wood Curse], [Cedarspear Debilitation] and [Cracked Earth Cedar] with each successive strike.

  [Violent Wood Curse]: Inflicts a continuous wood-natured damage over time effect. Wood natured spiritual energy produces roots that grow by absorbing physical matter. Additional stacks have an additive effect.

  [Cedarspear Debilitation]: Reduces all physical capabilities. Additional stacks have an additive effect.

  [Cracked Earth Cedar]: Reduces the effectiveness of all abilities with the Transformation Trait and Metamorphosis Trait. Additional stacks have an additive effect.

  ‘Voracious Swarm Mother’ screeching in response to the wounds inflicted upon her lust-mutation and greed-mutation. An unrelenting outburst of lust natured spiritual energy erupting from her abominable appearance.

  “You foolish primate! Even if I am just limited to the Lord-Ranked abilities that I once possessed, their strength still exceeds anything that the Voracious Swarm Mother was once capable of!”

  “I can feel the desire the overflows from your Fragments Of Mind! Die, and my agreement with the Memento-Blessed and Beauty-Blessed will still stand!”

  Jon gritting his teeth, merely thrust his Right-Arm Of Cedarwood Transformations forward, extending Tabitha Assail forward, transforming its appearance into a five-pronged trident. Each individual spear-tip shooting towards the Tenth Sin Of Desire at strange, almost inhumane angles, resembling fingers with far too many joints.

  Each one lodging themselves into the Tenth Sin Of Desire, alongside the mirror-spear constructs formed using his Fragment Of Ira. Dozens of finger-sized wounds appearing across the length of the ninety-metre-long Lord, inflicting but a modicum of damage to the greater whole.

  ‘More!’

  ‘I need even more!’ Jon screamed at himself, feeling another one of the fragments within his Wood Mana Core fracture and shatter, releasing the concepts contained within.

  Fragments Of Barrier, Fragments Of Tower and the concepts contained within the Knight Ranked Title, Alnus Viridis Dominatus congealing together under the influence of the Angel Of Green, altering the Spell effect known as [Imperial Wood Art; Towering Tree Barrier].

  Although Jon initially wanted to transform his imperial wood art into a type of summoned-building construct, the Mother Of Verdant Night had other ideas regarding his defensive ability.

  His expression twisting into a pain-filled snarl as he tapped the organ-soaked ground beneath his feet.

  [Alnus-Viridis Wood Art; Majestic Towers Of Springtime Green].

  Wood natured mana producing but a single, unfathomably large tree-barrier woven from but a single seed of spiritual energy. The eyes of the Tenth Sin Of Desire widening almost imperceptibly as Jibril and Ortlinde carried Avahni and Miyoung into the air, avoiding the eruption of thickened leaves and hardened bark all around them.

  The alnus-viridis wood art crashing against the reinforced walls of the Hive-Womb Capital, causing them to crack and fragment as more and more wood continued to expand, engulfing the room in a litter of tree roots and verdant sap.

  The overflowing desires that seemed to corrode the very foundations of Anesa Casia itself was temporarily halted through the effects of Jon’s new dual-fragment pathway. The corners of Jon’s mouth curling upwards as he activated its new effects.

  [Fragment Of Alnus-Viridis Protection]

  [Alnus-Viridis Wood Art; Majestic Towers Of Springtime Green].

  (Wood, Barrier, Tower, Spell, Ability, Construct, Buff, Debuff)

  Effect (Knight): Chant, while extending one hand outwards. Using the point of casting as the centre, the world around oneself shall burst forth with a series of majestic and towering trees within a defined radius. The [Alnus-Viridis Wood Art; Majestic Towers Of Springtime Green] is an entwined spiritual-physical construct capable of manifesting regardless of the conditions around oneself.

  Those within the [Alnus-Viridis Wood Art; Majestic Towers Of Springtime Green] shall be granted instances of [Viridis Tower Blessing] and [Majestic Green Protection] up to a maximum threshold.

  Those that strike the [Alnus-Viridis Wood Art; Majestic Towers Of Springtime Green] shall be inflicted with instances of [Alnus Tower Curse] and [Eternal Green Maledictum] up to a maximum threshold.

  When used in tandem with abilities that share the concept [Alnus Viridis] increase the effectiveness of [Alnus-Viridis Wood Art; Majestic Towers Of Springtime Green] by twenty-percent.

  The number of trees manifested, in addition to their shape and width is determined through the amount of spiritual energy poured into it.

  [Viridis Tower Blessing]: Infinitesimally increases the effectiveness of the next Wood Trait ability cast. Additional stacks have an additive effect.

  [Majestic Green Protection]: Damage received is transferred towards the [Alnus-Viridis Wood Art; Majestic Towers Of Springtime Green]. This effect does not negate debilitating effects or wounds that would result in death. Additional stacks do not have an additive effect.

  [Alnus Tower Curse]: Reduces resistances towards wood-related damages, afflictions, and debuffs. Additional stacks have an additive effect.

  [Eternal Green Maledictum]: Reduces the effectiveness of abilities with the Decay Trait or Corrosion Trait. Additional stacks have an additive effect.

  Jon smiling as he felt his manifested construct grow stronger and even larger than his [Imperial Wood Art; Towering Tree Barrier]. Although his control over its additional effects grew weaker through the formation of this dual-fragment pathway, it produced more protection for the amount of spiritual energy he poured into the Spell.

  Shapeless Mask Of Thieving Lies enhancing its effectiveness even further, pushing it to grow and propagate itself beyond the spiritual energy that flowed into his Fragment Of Alnus-Viridis Protection.

  Roots coiling and penetrating deeper into the Hive-Womb Capital.

  Branches pushing back against the tide of flesh and organs.

  Leaves, buds, fruits and nuts crashing against the walls of Anesa Casia, forming fractures and cracks all over the tunnels and surfaces of the Memento Source Item. The Voracious Swarm Mother, whose attention was solely focused on Jon, Theadore, Avahni and Miyoung did pay attention to the three figures once controlled by the Murder Of Temperance And Humility.

  One, unconscious after being impaled by a Fragment Of Eradication.

  Another, deprived of all their spiritual energy after healing and removing all the debilitating effects that had been applied to Theodore and Itsumade.

  While the last… a certain undyne baring the countenance of a ghostly wolf looked up at the ‘Voracious Swarm Mother’ hobbling to his feet as he once again activated his Fragment Of Maera-Metamorphosis!

  The sound of a wolf howl echoed throughout the Hive-Womb Capital.

  [Fragment Of The Cedarspear Mutation]

  [Behold Thy Wooden Metamorphosis, Clad In Cedarwood Spearlight].

  (Wood, Spear, Transformation, Mutation, Enhancement, Construct, Debuff)

  Effect (Knight): Transform the mortal nature of one’s right-arm into that of Tabitha-Cedarspear Arm. The Tabitha-Cedarspear Arm now contains within it the concept of ‘cedarspear’ and ‘wooden metamorphosis.’ The Tabitha-Cedarspear Arm contains within it the faintest traces of a cedarspear garden, enduring through the harshness of winter.

  The Tabitha-Cedarspear Arm dramatically increases maximum mana and mana regeneration. Dramatically increases physical strength in the right-arm. Dramatically increases physical resistances of the right-arm.

  The Tabitha-Cedarspear-Arm possesses two distinct forms. [Cedarspear Arm] and [Tabitha Assail]. Both forms are capable of inflicting instances of [Violent Wood Curse], [Cedarspear Debilitation] and [Cracked Earth Cedar].

  [Cedarspear Arm]: Increases resistances towards fire-natured and light-natured damages, afflictions and debuffs. The dimensions of the Tabitha-Cedarspear Arm can grow, shrink, or transform in accordance with one’s wishes.

  [Tabitha Assail]: Manifest Tabitha Assail; Right-Arm Of Cedarwood Transformation. Attacks made using Assail will inflict traces of wood natured damage. The length, width, weight and edge of Tabitha Assail can grow, shrink, or transform in accordance with one’s wishes.

  [Violent Wood Curse]: Inflicts a continuous wood-natured damage over time effect. Wood natured spiritual energy produces roots that grow by absorbing physical matter. Additional stacks have an additive effect.

  [Cedarspear Debilitation]: Reduces all physical capabilities. Additional stacks have an additive effect.

  [Cracked Earth Cedar]: Reduces the effectiveness of all abilities with the Transformation Trait and Metamorphosis Trait. Additional stacks have an additive effect.