CHAPTER 578: THE DEBUT

"So... It seems the Evolution... Changed me..." said Elizabeth after she tossed away the mirror with so much power, it went through multiple walls.

Her wife just continued giggling though, ignorant of Elizabeth’s inner turmoil.

Elizabeth’s new glowing energy eyes glanced at Valerie, her face both annoyed and sad...

"You hate it, don’t you? If so, you’re not obligated to stay with me... I would understand if the change is too much, and—"

Before Elizabeth could’ve finished the sentence, she felt her wife’s soft lips pressed against hers.

It only lasted for a second, but Valerie only moved away a few centimeters. She stared into Elizabeth’s eyes with a loving gaze while gently brushing her hand along her wife’s fur-covered cheeks.

"Don’t be stupid, Lisa! I’m not vain enough to leave because of some appearance change... Also, I wouldn’t call this change... discouraging... Your fur is pretty soft, and the increase in bust and waist size is appreciated!"

Elizabeth chuckled at Valerie’s words, then leaned forward and kissed her again.

The previous Evolution caused many changes in Elizabeth. She became an Ethereal, and not a weak one. However, her appearance was the most prominent transformation.

It wasn’t clear what caused this change. When Valerie asked Sera, she believed it had something to do with being transformed and eating the target of her Evolution. It must’ve triggered something and made Elizabeth into her current self.

On the bed laid a tall humanoid creature, covered in soft, golden fur with a hair-like shiny mane. Her facial structure changed, adapting a more feline look, while her eyes became glowing orbs of energy.

Just like Valerie said, Elizabeth wasn’t in her usual lithe form. Instead, her body became curvaceous but still athletic.

Many people would be bothered by such a thorough change in appearance, Valerie was always a fan of exotics... She couldn’t wait to try out her wife’s body in action...

...

While Elizabeth and Valerie spent time together, a much more important event was about to happen above their heads.

Sera stepped out of the lounge room and headed into the elevator... It was time for her debut fight!

"Well, it won’t be much of a fight, I suppose..." she whispered to herself as the elevator sprung to life, lifting her up into the arena.

The crowd was already screaming with excitement by the time Sera stepped off the platform. This time, the announcers stayed completely silent, not introducing either fighter.

She instructed them specifically, giving a veiled message to the world... "I need no introduction! Everybody knows who I am!"

Most people probably hadn’t noticed this simple act, but Sera hoped the citizens of each Faction would get the message.

In her mind, victory was already near certain, so she thought of ways to subtly bring every remnant Faction under her control. She couldn’t have random angels, demons and who knows what bothering her citizens...

Those creatures either surrendered and obeyed her or would wind up the same as their masters!

Luckily, all of them were cowards. They would be quick to surrender after seeing Sera’s power...

"Especially if I Evolve... Then none will be able to stop me!" she whispered to herself with a small chuckle, while her lips stretched into a confident smile.

She walked into the forest. Faith didn’t even need to say directions, since Sera could share her senses with both her Shadow and Bea. Her eyes were already focused on the lone man wearing plain white armor.

He stood in a random place, leaning against a tree. His hand absently brushed the rough bark, which Bea considered sexual harassment.

Sera soon arrived to the clearing with the white knight known as Purity. He was the last survivor of the Horsemen of Genesis, and the last elite fighter of the angelic faction.

However, Sera walked into the clearing confidently, uncaring of Purity’s glowing gaze. She didn’t even wear actual armor, just the usual golden petal dress.

She stopped a few meters away from Purity, staring straight into the angel’s eyes.

"So... What’ll you do now, Last Angel? Is it finally time for my execution, or perhaps you’ve a different plan?" asked Purity, his voice sweet and innocent, hiding any impure thoughts he might have.

Sera simply crossed her arms, shrugged and leaned against a nearby tree. On the bleachers, the people were very confused why neither party was attempting to kill each other, especially since the transmission’s audio ’accidentally’ cut out all their speech.

"I don’t know. That solely depends on you... Will you surrender?"

"Probably," said Purity after a heavy sigh. "I can’t win against you, especially with your helpers waiting to jump in... By the way, Castiel already figured them out. Your duel won’t be easy, even with their help."

She stared ahead into the dark woods, nodding at Purity’s words.

It wasn’t surprising that Castiel figured it out. In fact, she expected more primordial beings would realize their method of cheating. However, most of them died before they got the chance.

"I suppose you won’t tell me Castiel’s exact ability... But I would appreciate any help... I can even make it worthwhile for you!" said Sera with a cunning smirk.

Purity glanced in her direction. His helmet’s mask covered his face, yet his eyes conveyed the doubtful expression perfectly.

"What are you proposing?"

Sera’s golden-green eyes finally moved and met Purity’s white glowing gaze. A wide smile stretched across her face, like a hunter who had just found its prey caught in their trap.

"It’s simple. You tell me everything you know about Castiel, and I’ll set you free! After the tournament is over, I’ll dismiss your Contract and you can live in peace wherever you desire! How does that sound?"

Purity chuckled and glanced away towards the foliage above. He hit the back of his head against the tree, confliction glinting in his eyes.

"It sounds great, yet... I’ve doubts... What if you lose? Castiel will know I revealed his secrets to you! He’ll torture and kill me, which isn’t ideal!"

"True enough," Sera agreed. "But I believe your fate is already sealed regardless if you betray him or not. Didn’t he send you in here to die? Will he let you survive if you surrender?...

"If not, then giving me this information could increase my own chances at victory and your chances of survival!" she said while pushing herself off of the tree and turning towards Purity.

The primordial being sighed again, this time staring at the ground, deep in thought.

"Dammit... Fine! You’re right! I’m dead either way... You’re my only chance at survival..."

He also pushed off his tree and stood barely a meter away from Sera. A cunning grin spread across his face as he continued, "But I won’t tell it here. After this match, send Wukong, and he’ll convey my message. Also, give me a separate room, away from Castiel!"

Sera tilted her head in confusion. She could understand why Purity didn’t want to spend time with Castiel after the surrender, but what’s the point of secrecy? He could tell the information straight to her... Why ask for Wukong specifically?

As these questions popped into Sera’s mind, Purity suddenly kneeled before her. He bowed his helmeted head and spoke loudly...

"I, Purity, hereby forfeit this match and accept Seraphine, the Last Angel, as the true winner!"

A gentle glow of light ignited in Purity’s chest, which made his surrender official. He then jumped to his feet and walked away without another word.

Sera did the same, even though she had a bad feeling about sending Wukong to meet with Purity alone... Well, she never planned on sending him alone. Her trusty Shadow will be by his side!

Loud cheers rained down on Sera as she stepped onto the elevator platform. Even without any fighting, the spectators screamed louder than ever during the tournament.

She smiled and waved to the audience once before the elevator burst to life and brought her down from the arena grounds.

Inside, a deep sigh reverberated through Sera’s entire being. She leaned against the elevator wall, exhausted, then glanced towards her shadow and asked, "Any news from Vicky?"

The shadow soon turned tangible, and Faith’s pale form appeared before Sera.

"She searched through Asgard and the arena, while Henry went around asking the other Norse Gods about his location. Nobody knows anything. As if he simply disappeared from the face of the Earth... Also... Someone else is missing too..."

The suffocating feeling of anxiety, a constant companion of Sera, became even more overpowering... She knew that whatever Faith’s next words would be, she would hate it...

"Who?"

"Tyr... Nobody has seen him since the tournament began. They hadn’t noticed his disappearance though, because he sometimes spends weeks working in his room... However, his room is empty, and seemingly nobody has lived there for the past two weeks..."

Faith trailed off as Sera suddenly hit her head on the elevator wall and slowly slid down along its surface until she sat on the floor. Her arms hugged her legs as she kept hitting her forehead on her knees.

"This... Is... Fucking... Bad..." she said after each hit. "If both Tyr and Odin disappeared, then someone probably kidnapped them. Lucifer and Castiel could’ve done it, but there’s someone else... Someone much worse..."

"Victor..." Faith whispered, her voice carrying a slight tremble of fear.

"Exactly!" Sera said while glancing towards her Shadow. "Tyr created the Contracts while Odin did the protective Runes! He already has ample knowledge about the Aegis System, so all our defenses had been compromised..."

Faith also slid down the elevator wall and sat beside her Goddess. They stayed there for a few minutes, in silence. Even after the elevator arrived, they hadn’t moved.

"You know," began Faith, a fragile smile growing on her face. "I trust you more than anyone, and so do our friends. Even if Victor knows about the defenses, we’re all much more powerful now! We can anticipate his attack and act accordingly!"

Suddenly, the Shadow jumped to her feet and reached down towards her Goddess. Her smile widened and turned genuine, a rare expression on Faith’s face, and it might’ve been contagious, since Sera couldn’t help but smile back.

She let herself be pulled to her feet, then before Faith could’ve escaped back to her shadows, Sera embraced her in a warm hug.

"Thank you, Faith," she whispered into her ear. "Thank you for being by my side and helping me constantly... I’ll find a way to repay you someday, until then, accept my heartfelt gratitude..."

Faith’s face turned entirely red as a heavy blush settled on her face. However, instead of pulling away, her hands closed around Sera’s back, and fully embraced the hug.

"No need to thank me... I’ll forever willingly follow you... Never forget who you’re and be true to yourself... That’s all I ask, My go—... S-sera..."

Her words didn’t come easily, but they filled Sera’s heart with warmth. They continued hugging for a straight minute before duty called and they needed to go...