Metamorphosis: The Story of a Butterfly

The world felt like it was spinning out of control. The venom coursing through Caelum’s veins made every moment stretch out, warping his perception. His muscles were numb, his limbs heavy, but the pain was vivid and sharp. Every nerve in his body screamed for him to move, to fight, to do something—but the fear that had gripped him moments ago still held him tight.

Poison Resistance Lv: Max

Aurelia’s fading movements were a terrifying reminder that he wasn’t alone in this fight, but she was losing. Her body, small and fragile, writhed in the serpent’s coils, her weak strikes barely registering against the snake’s thick hide.

Caelum’s thoughts swirled in a chaotic storm—fear, anger, guilt. He felt powerless again, just like that first time he’d encountered this snake. But this time, it wasn’t just his life at stake. He wasn’t alone in this battle, and that made the fear cut deeper. If he lost Aurelia...

No... I can’t lose her...

Rage flickered in his mind, rising alongside the panic. His body might be numb from the venom, but his mind was racing. The trauma of nearly watching his only friend die in front of him was too much to bear. He could feel something snapping inside him—a primal, raw rage that demanded action. He couldn’t let this happen. Not again.

Through the blinding pain, Caelum tapped into his Apex of Knowledge. It was instinctual, a desperate grasp for any advantage he could muster. The skill had always been a source of calm, a guiding presence that helped him understand the world around him. But now, it wasn’t just knowledge—it was survival.

Focus. Find the weakness.

His mind surged with information, scanning through every scrap of knowledge he had gathered about the snake. The Apex of Knowledge processed it all in an instant—the thickness of the snake’s scales, the weak points in its armor, the patterns of its movements. His mind worked like a machine, calculating the creature’s vulnerabilities even as his body screamed in agony.

The underbelly. That’s where the scales were thinnest. He had hit it before, but it hadn’t been enough. Now, he needed to focus everything he had on that one spot.

I have to end this... now.

With a shaky breath, Caelum began channeling his Fire Magic. He could feel the heat building inside him, the magic responding to his growing rage. Every ounce of energy he had left was being funneled into this one, desperate attack. He had no choice—either this worked, or they were both dead.

Flames crackled in the air around him as the fireball grew larger and more intense. He focused on the snake’s underbelly, watching its movements, waiting for the right moment. His body was trembling, on the verge of collapsing from exhaustion, but he couldn’t let that stop him. Not now.

With a final surge of power, Caelum unleashed the fireball, sending it hurtling toward the snake. The flames exploded against the creature’s underbelly, and this time, the impact was different. The fire burned through the thinner scales, searing the flesh beneath. The snake let out a deafening hiss of pain, its body writhing in agony as the fire took hold.

It worked...

For the first time, Caelum saw real damage. The snake’s once-impenetrable armor was cracking, its movements becoming erratic as it tried to shake off the fire. But the flames clung to it, burning deeper into the exposed flesh.

Aurelia, sensing the shift in the battle, fought to free herself from the snake’s coils. Her body was weak, the venom spreading rapidly, but she wasn’t giving up. She summoned every ounce of strength she had left, stabbing at the snake with her Sting. The strikes were weak, but they were enough to loosen the serpent’s grip, giving her a brief moment of relief.

Her Guardian’s Aura flickered to life, the faint glow surrounding her as she tried to push the snake back. But the aura was fading fast, her energy nearly spent. Caelum could feel her desperation through their telepathic link, the shared emotions fueling his own determination.

But then, the snake retaliated.

With a furious hiss, the creature lashed out with its tail, the massive force catching Caelum squarely in the chest. He didn’t even have time to react before he was sent flying through the air, his body crashing into a nearby rock with a sickening thud. Pain exploded in his chest, and for a moment, everything went black.

When his vision returned, the world was spinning, a blur of color and sound. He tried to move, but his body refused to cooperate. His limbs were limp, his chest aching from the impact. He could feel something warm and wet trickling down his side—blood.

I can’t... He tried to push himself up, but his body wouldn’t respond. The pain was overwhelming, his strength nearly gone. All he could do was watch.

Aurelia was still fighting, but her movements were slower, weaker. The venom was taking its toll, her once-quick strikes reduced to sluggish attempts at survival. She managed to land a few more hits on the snake, but it was clear she wouldn’t last much longer. Her telepathic link with Caelum was growing fainter, the connection flickering as her strength faded.

Caelum’s heart pounded in his chest, the panic rising again. He couldn’t lose her. Not like this.

But his body was broken, barely able to move. He watched helplessly as the snake turned its attention back to Aurelia, its jaws opening wide. The fire he had unleashed had done some damage, but it wasn’t enough. The snake was still too strong.

Move, Caelum! Do something! His mind screamed, but his body wouldn’t obey. The venom, the pain, the exhaustion—it all combined to leave him paralyzed.

The snake’s fangs glistened in the dim light as it prepared to strike. Aurelia was barely conscious, her body limp in the serpent’s coils. She tried to fight back, but her movements were weak, her strength gone. Caelum could feel her slipping away, her presence in his mind fading like a dying flame.

I can’t lose her...

But there was nothing he could do. He was too weak, too broken. The fire in him was fading, and with it, his hope.

The snake’s massive jaws loomed over Aurelia, its cold, predatory eyes locking onto her. It hissed, a low, menacing sound that sent a chill down Caelum’s spine. This was it—the final blow.

Aurelia’s movements had stopped. She was still alive, but barely. Caelum could feel her pain, her fear, her exhaustion. She had fought so hard, but it wasn’t enough.

No... Caelum thought, his mind racing. I can’t let this happen... I won’t.

But even as the thought crossed his mind, his vision blurred again. The world around him was growing darker, the sounds of the fight fading into the background. He was slipping away, his body giving out under the strain.

The last thing he saw was the snake’s jaws closing in on Aurelia, its fangs gleaming in the dim light.

Caelum’s breath hitched, and his vision began to fade completely. He could hear the faint sound of the snake hissing, the rustling of its coils, and Aurelia’s labored breathing.

I failed…

Name: Caelum

Species: Mystic Larva

Level: 14/25

Rank: E

HP: 3/40

MP: 30/65

Stamina: 1/40

Name: Aurelia

Species: Guardian Bee Larva

Level: 7/20

Rank: E

HP: 1/60

MP: 12/35

Stamina: 0/50