Phaegos; the devourer.  It has a nice ring to it, Kyle thought at the shadowy figure, who radiated approval at the name.

Indeed.  Now, our colleague has waited long enough.  Prepare yourself, Kyle.  This will be a challenge.

With that, Phaegos’ presence dissipated, retreating back into his center and fading into the maelstrom of power radiating around the symbol of the Survivalist.  Kyle could still feel its presence, though there was no doubt that materializing to speak with him that way had weakened Phaegos somewhat.  Even so, as the pain through his body began to subside, Kyle felt the increased efficiency and malleability of his mana pathways.

The transformation was much easier than some of his other Adaptive Anatomy changes had been, though Kyle suspected much of the change owed to the changes across his mana network courtesy of the different skills he’d taken.  His network already expanded through nearly every individual cell, and these changes felt like they were simply building more upon that foundation.

As the sensation subsided, Kyle felt resolve coming through his bond with C.H.A.D.D.  [ARE YOU READY, DR. MAYHEW?]

I am, Kyle replied, feeling a similar feeling of assent from Phaegos.

[THEN PREPARE YOURSELF.  THIS WILL HURT.]

There was a loud shrieking of metal, and Kyle winced as he felt three points of incredible pressure along the edge of his injury.  At the same time, he felt C.H.A.D.D.’s mana signature waver for a moment.  His mind went to the worst case.  Are you okay, C.H.A.D.D.? Kyle thought, probing for an answer.

He received a feeling of reassurance, though coupled with discomfort.  [I WILL BE FINE, DR. MAYHEW.  THIS WAS SIMPLY A NECESSARY STEP TO PREPARE.]

What do you mean, ‘a necessary step?’

[WE NEED SOMETHING TO ANCHOR THE WORLD TREE SEED TO YOU.  THE RESONANT COMPONENTS THAT MR. KULHAVEY CREATED FOR US ARE THE BEST CONDUCTOR WE HAVE TO ACCOMPLISH THAT.  THEY ARE ALREADY INFUSED WITH YOUR MANA AND THE SEED’S MANA, AND THEIR RESONANCE WITH ME SHOULD ALLOW ME TO BETTER INFLUENCE THE PROCESS.]

Kyle was about to start arguing, when C.H.A.D.D. admonished him again.

[DR. MAYHEW, THIS WAS MY DECISION.  WITHOUT YOU, I WOULD NOT BE HERE, AND I WOULD NOT HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO HELP YOU.  WE ARE A TEAM, AND WE WORK TOGETHER.  IF THESE COMPONENTS CAN HELP YOUR RECOVERY, THEY WERE A WORTHWHILE INVESTMENT.  AND, WITH THEIR RESONANT PROPERTIES, I SHOULD STILL BE ABLE TO FUNCTION AT A SIMILAR LEVEL, ASSUMING WE ARE NEARBY.]

Before Kyle could continue their discussion, he felt familiar mana thrum around him from the points of pressure, while Kyle felt a connection to them through Parasitic Resonance.  At the same time, golden light began to shine across the cavern as something connected to the three anchors in his body.  He felt the familiar mana of the World Tree Seed, and closed his eyes, drawing into his Center as he prepared for the trial ahead.

In the next moment, a flash of agony washed through his injury, and he felt his pulse and breath both stop for a moment as the artificial constructs C.H.A.D.D. created were destabilized by the appearance of the seed.  Just as they collapsed, Synaptic Barbs alerted him to a fresh set being immediately summoned, picking up right where the previous set left off.  The sensation of suddenly losing both heartbeat and breath was unsettling, but thankfully there was something else to distract him.

Synaptic Barbs alerted Kyle to the small, pinecone-like seed floating suspended in the empty space of his injury. At the same time, Auric Perception confirmed that this was the same tiny seed that he’d been entrusted back after his fight with the Eye.  It was so small and unremarkable, yet the mana it gave off had an unmistakable quality.  Even though it usually resided in the Between, C.H.A.D.D. managed to bring it physically back out to plant.  And if it went well, part of it would stay in the physical realm permanently.

Thin tendrils of roots started to reach out for the anchors, and after wrapping around them, were now burrowing into his flesh.  Ignoring the pain, Kyle focused on his meditation, where he both saw and felt motes of golden energy flowing into his Center.  At first, they came in a trickle.  Then, a stream.  Soon, however, they became a torrent that threatened to overwhelm him.

Focusing his Willpower, Kyle fought to control the energy, feeling Parasitic Resonance activate and bind to the seed.  Phaegos’ voice rang out through Kyle’s Center, and he felt strain through their bond.  I will work with the drone on shaping the seed and controlling the flow of energy.  You focus on spreading the energy out evenly through our mana network.

Kyle didn’t miss the use of the word “our,” but did as instructed.  Back on Earth, there was a time when moving the motes of golden power was almost entirely beyond him.  Now, after everything he’d been through, the trials he’d overcome, it was bearable.  He envisioned the flow of his mana, guiding the power through his Center and around his body.

As it slowly cycled through him, Kyle allowed lingering traces of the energy to remain, the rotation of power gradually filling the myriad mana pathways through his network.  One of the side effects of his Iron Will upgrade had been slightly slower mana regeneration, due in large part to how much mana was stored inside his skin, bones, and muscle fibers.  That proved to be a blessing, as the power from the World Tree Seed had plenty of space to linger.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t quite enough.  He could feel frustration and rising panic from both C.H.A.D.D. and Phaegos, and sent a query through their bond.

[THE SEED’S BINDING TO THE ANCHORS IS NOT ENOUGH.  IT IS NOT FULLY INTEGRATING WITH YOUR BODY THE WAY IT NEEDS TO.]

Because if you allow it to go free, it will kill us!  His body is not ready for that kind of trauma. Phaegos snarled in reply.

[YOUR JOB IS TO KEEP HIM ALIVE THROUGH THE PROCESS, FIND A SOLUTION!] C.H.A.D.D. countered.

Still in his Center, Kyle could feel the trickle of mana into his body through the anchors C.H.A.D.D. placed in him.  He could also feel, through the connection to the World Tree Seed, that it wanted to put roots into his body, to be more fully rooted.  An action which, if Phaegos was correct, could kill him.

Time seemed to stand still for a moment as Kyle considered the options before him.  The seed provided an opportunity, but brought with it the risk of crippling, or even killing him.  But that was a risk that he had to take.  There was still so much he wanted to accomplish, so much to learn, so much to do.  What was this but another challenge to overcome?

With effort, he started expanding the cycling energy within him beyond the anchors in his body, to the World Tree Seed itself.  As he did, he could feel the rough shape of a shell; a cone of wood taking form to cover the remnants of his wound.  At the same time, he sent out a feeling to C.H.A.D.D. and Phaegos.  Let the seed grow.  I’ll be able to handle it.

He felt concern from both of them, and met it with his own resolve.  Neither spoke, and a new wave of pain struck him as roots began to dig into his flesh by the dozens, then hundreds, greedily integrating with his mana network as they bored into both his physical body and mana cultivation.

From his Center, Kyle could see golden roots tentatively exploring the space, branching out toward the symbol of the Survivalist, which glowed brighter than ever.  He was almost snapped out of his meditation by a mounting pressure and pain in his right side, and with a last look at his Center, Kyle activated Adaptive Regeneration, infusing it with the concepts of Adaptation and Growth.

The mana in his body burned away at a remarkable pace, and for a moment the pain intensified as the burrowing roots seemed to gain even more purchase inside of him.  And then, his flagging body roared back, vital energy flooding the damaged areas as each individual cell fought to heal and integrate with the foreign power of the World Tree Seed.

Soon, he felt the golden mana from the seed helping to fuel his skill, the roots themselves seeming to change and shape to align better with his body and mana cultivation.  He slowly felt the shape of the wooden shell around him begin to resonate with his mana network, the energy flowing through more seamlessly than before.  Even more, he felt aspects of his mana cultivation begin to enter the wood, thin traces of power beginning to etch themselves into the already-durable material as he started making it his own.

It was going well – up until the point that he felt incredible pressure at the base of his skull.

[THIS IS TOO DANGEROUS, WE NEED TO STOP!]  C.H.A.D.D. exclaimed, a sentiment that was met with firm agreement by Phaegos.  It’s trying to replace my spine, Kyle realized, feeling the pressure in his back where the bone had been destroyed.  It’s already integrating to my nervous system.  Kyle realized, in that moment, that there was no way to stop.  The World Tree Seed didn’t have a true intelligence of its own, but shaped by C.H.A.D.D.’s intent, was trying to fill in the missing pieces of Kyle’s body.  Stopping the process now would have debilitating effects, if his nerves could even handle it.

Pushing Adaptive Regeneration and Healing Impetus further than before, Kyle reached for Heart of Creation.  And it answered.

Silver white light coursed through him, lighting up every cell in his body as rejuvenating energy infused with the concept of Adaptation spurred him to life.  The pain was extraordinary, but it brought with it clarity as his body surged in response, muscles, bones, and even nerves regenerating as they were displaced and destroyed, replaced with something altogether new.

Just as the silver-white energy began to fade, Kyle felt something click into place.  Power flowed through him as the World Tree Seed fully connected, and a heartbeat resounded from somewhere he didn’t fully understand.  As if moving automatically, Kyle reached up with his right hand to pull the mask off of his face, and took in his first unassisted breath of air, relishing in the sensation.

Gnarled and twisted wood filled the space where his heart had once been, but he was alive.  He felt the flow of his mana, the mana network entirely connected to the World Tree Seed, and also felt something waiting for him in his Center.  Both C.H.A.D.D. and Phaegos were entirely exhausted, and Kyle sent a single thought before entering meditation.  Thank you.

Entering his Center, Kyle already knew that surviving this last ordeal brought him to the peak of D Grade, and eagerly awaited the beginning of his evolution.  However, when he focused, he saw an unexpected message.

KYLE MAYHEW.  ?, SURVIVALIST.  LEVEL 125 (D)

C GRADE EVOLUTION REQUIREMENTS MET.  EVOLUTION UNAVAILABLE.  ADMINISTRATOR INVOLVEMENT REQUIRED.

With his anticipation building, he focused on the words, and time froze.  His Center disappeared from view, leaving him in a space of nothingness.  Then, a gentle voice rang out through the void. “Hello, Kyle.  You may call me Administrator Delta, and we have much to discuss.”