I Can See Evolution Paths

Arthur immediately knelt beside Vedas and caught him before he fell completely. Vedas slowly opened his eyes. "Arthur?"

Arthur smiled. "Welcome back."

Vedas looked confused. "What happened?"

Arthur glanced at his weapon lying nearby. "You tried to kill me," he said.

Vedas froze. "I did?"

Arthur nodded. "Several times."

Vedas looked horrified. "I—"

Arthur patted his shoulder. "Don’t worry."

Vedas released a breath.

Arthur smiled. "You missed."

Vedas’s face immediately became complicated. "That isn’t reassuring."

Arthur laughed.

Meanwhile Sun had already rushed toward Kong. He grabbed the Fiery Stone Ape by the shoulders and looked him over. "Kong! Are you okay?"

Kong blinked. "I’m fine."

Sun checked his arms. "Your chest?"

"Fine."

Sun checked his head. Kong pushed his hand away. "I’m fine!"

Sun kept checking him anyway. "You sure?"

Kong sighed. "Yes."

Sun finally released him. "Good."

Kong looked at Sun. "You’re the one who should be checked," he said.

Sun paused. "Me?"

Kong pointed toward the trees. "You were thrown through three of them."

Sun looked offended. "I landed perfectly."

Kong looked at the crater behind him. "You rolled."

"That was part of the landing."

Mithra started laughing.

Athena immediately moved toward Athy, whose wings were trembling slightly. Athena carefully checked her feathers, wings, armor, and eyes. "Look at me."

Athy looked at her. "I’m fine."

Athena continued examining her. "Are you sure?"

"Yes."

Athena touched one of her wings. Athy winced.

Athena immediately became concerned. "That hurt?"

Athy shook her head quickly. "No."

Athena narrowed her eyes. "You’re lying."

Athy’s feathers puffed up. "It barely hurt!"

Athena smiled and hugged her. Athy’s expression softened. "Sorry," she said.

Athena patted her back. "You don’t have to apologize."

Athy quietly said, "I almost hurt you."

Athena hugged her tighter. "But you didn’t."

Athy’s golden eyes became slightly watery. "Athena."

Athena smiled. "You’re back. That’s what matters."

Athy buried her face against Athena’s shoulder.

Mithra walked toward Melo, whose five tails were still lowered. Mithra knelt. "Come here."

Melo hesitated, then walked forward. Mithra hugged her, and Melo’s tails slowly curled around her.

"I’m sorry," Melo said.

Mithra stroked her fur. "I know."

Melo looked away. "I put you inside several illusions."

Mithra smiled. "You did."

"I tried to attack you."

"You did that too."

Melo’s ears flattened. "I’m embarrassed."

Mithra laughed. "Don’t be."

Melo looked at her. "You were laughing during the fight."

"Because I knew you were still in there."

Melo’s expression softened. "You knew?"

Mithra tapped her forehead. "I know you."

Melo’s tails began wagging slightly.

For a while, nobody said anything about the fight.

Arthur simply looked around.

Vedas was sitting nearby, still recovering. Sun had one hand on Kong’s shoulder while continuing to check him despite Kong repeatedly insisting he was fine. Athena was holding Athy close, and Melo’s tails had curled around Mithra’s legs as the fox remained beside her.

Eden hovered happily around all of them, seemingly relieved that everyone was finally together again.

Arthur let out a quiet breath. He was worried they would have to restrain and keep them inside of the Mana Realm for a while.

But they are fine now.

His shoulders finally relaxed.

"Good," Arthur murmured. "Everyone’s okay."

Eden smiled. "They’re all here."

Arthur nodded. "Yeah."

Then his eyes moved from one Beast Partner to another.

A small smile slowly appeared on his face.

Mithra noticed it first. "Why are you looking at everyone like that?"

Arthur tilted his head. "I just remembered something."

"Uh, oh."

Everyone paused before looking at him.

Vedas immediately became suspicious. "What?"

Arthur smiled. "You guys were really enthusiastic about attacking us."

All the Beast Partners froze.

Arthur pointed toward Athy. "Athy almost took Athena’s head off."

Athy’s feathers immediately puffed up. "I didn’t!"

Athena looked at her. "You came very close."

Athy became red. "I couldn’t control myself!"

Arthur nodded thoughtfully. "Right."

Then he looked toward Kong. "Kong kept smashing Sun into the ground."

Kong immediately protested. "I didn’t want to!"

Sun raised a hand. "You absolutely did."

Kong turned toward him. "I was controlled!"

Sun pointed at him. "You threw me over your shoulder."

Kong looked embarrassed. "That was the control."

Arthur nodded. "Of course."

Then he looked at Melo. "Melo trapped Mithra in illusions over and over."

Melo’s ears flattened. "I was trying to stop her."

Mithra laughed. "You made me fight six versions of you."

Melo looked away. "That was necessary."

Arthur raised an eyebrow. "Necessary?"

Melo nodded seriously. "You were difficult."

Mithra stared at her. "You were the one attacking me."

Melo paused. "Still necessary."

Everyone laughed.

Finally Arthur turned toward Vedas and he immediately looked away.

Arthur smiled. "And Vedas."

Vedas sighed. "Here we go."

Arthur pointed toward him. "My best friend kept trying to pierce straight through my chest."

Vedas looked embarrassed. "I couldn’t control myself."

Arthur nodded. "You really committed to it, though."

Vedas rubbed his face. "Arthur."

Arthur smiled. "You used War Cry."

Vedas sighed. "I know."

"Armor Piercing."

"I know."

Arthur paused for a moment before adding, "And Magic Burst."

Vedas looked at him. "You don’t need to list every skill."

Arthur’s smile widened. "I was impressed."

Vedas rubbed his forehead. "You really enjoyed watching me try to kill you, didn’t you?"

"Not exactly."

Arthur thought about it. "The part where you were trying to kill me wasn’t particularly enjoyable."

Vedas stared at him.

Arthur smiled. "The part where you failed was."

Vedas sighed.

He then crossed his arms. "You know what I’m starting to wonder?"

Everyone became wary.

Mithra already knew where this was going as her smile grew.

Arthur looked at the Beast Partners. "Were those actually your deep inner feelings?"

All four immediately reacted.

Athy said, "No!"

Kong said, "Absolutely not!"

Melo said, "That’s ridiculous."

Vedas said, "Arthur."

Arthur tilted his head. "Because you all looked very passionate."

Vedas sighed. "I was controlled."

Arthur nodded. "Sure."

Vedas looked annoyed. "I was!"

Arthur looked toward Kong. "And you?"

Kong pointed at himself. "I was also controlled!"

Arthur looked at Melo. "You?"

Melo crossed her arms. "Same."

Arthur looked at Athy.

Athy immediately said, "Me too!"

Arthur nodded slowly. "Interesting."

Everyone knew that tone.

Arthur’s expression became thoughtful.

"Then I have another question."

Mithra immediately looked away because she already knew what was coming.

Arthur continued, "If you were being controlled so completely, why couldn’t any of you break free?"

The Beast Partners looked at each other.

Vedas frowned. "We tried."

Arthur nodded. "Did you?"

Vedas stared at him.

"Yes."

Kong nodded quickly. "I tried too."

Sun looked at him. "You didn’t look like you were trying."

Kong turned toward him. "I was!"

"You chased me through the forest."

"That was because I couldn’t control myself!"

Melo quietly added, "The Miasma was interfering with our thoughts."

Arthur looked at her. "So none of you could recognize your partners?"

Melo shook her head. "Not correctly."

Athy lowered her head. "Every time I looked at Athena, I saw someone else."

Athena’s expression softened.

"Someone who had killed me?"

Athy nodded.

"I knew something was wrong," she whispered. "But I couldn’t make myself stop."

Arthur was quiet for a moment.

Then he smiled.

"I see."

The Beast Partners relaxed slightly.

Arthur continued, "So you did have grievances."

"WE DIDN’T!"

The four shouted together.

Arthur blinked.

"That was a very synchronized response."

Mithra immediately started laughing again.

Vedas looked exhausted. "Arthur..."

Arthur tilted his head.

"I’m only asking questions."

Melo narrowed her eyes. "You’re enjoying this."

Arthur smiled. "A little."

Sun immediately stepped in. "Hey, stop bullying them. You know it isn’t their fault..."

Arthur looked at him. "Why?"

"Kong wasn’t himself."

Arthur nodded. "Then you’re completely fine with him almost killing you?"

Sun opened his mouth. Nothing came out.

Kong looked guilty. "Sun."

Sun glanced at him. "It’s okay."

Kong lowered his head. "I’m sorry."

Sun sighed and patted his shoulder. "I know."

Athena also stepped in. "The same applies to Athy."

Arthur looked toward her. "You’re fine with her almost taking your head off?"

Athena paused.

Athy immediately looked horrified. "Athena!"

Athena sighed. "No."

Athy lowered her head. "I’m sorry."

Athena smiled. "I know."

Mithra also patted Melo. "And you don’t need to feel guilty."

Melo quietly said, "I still almost hurt you."

Mithra smiled. "But you didn’t."

Arthur looked toward Eden, who had been watching everyone quietly. He smiled and pulled her into his arms. "See? Why can’t everyone be more like Eden?"

Eden blinked.

Arthur gently rubbed her back. "She didn’t try to kill me."

Eden giggled.

Arthur smiled proudly. "As expected from the one who loves me the most."

Eden’s cheeks immediately turned red. "I-I don’t think that’s why..." She glanced toward Vedas. "Vedas loves you too."

Arthur nodded. "I know."

Vedas looked up, already suspicious.

Arthur continued, completely serious, "He’s just showing his affection through tough love."

Vedas stared at him. "That isn’t what happened."

Eden looked between them.

"R-Really?"

Arthur nodded.

"Then how do you explain his actions?"

Vedas opened his mouth, then closed it again.

Mithra had turned away by then, her shoulders shaking as she tried not to laugh.

Kong looked at Vedas. "You did attack him a lot."

Vedas slowly turned toward him. "You’re supposed to be helping me."

"I am."

Melo calmly added, "You were very aggressive."

Vedas looked betrayed. "Melo."

"I’m only stating what happened."

Arthur smiled. "See? Even they agree."

The little girl had been watching all of this. She finally spoke. "They couldn’t control themselves," she said.

Everyone turned toward her.

She looked at the Beast Partners before continuing. "The Miasma changed what they saw."

Arthur’s expression became serious. "Changed what they saw?"

The girl nodded. "It didn’t simply make them angry. It changed their perception of the people standing in front of them. They must have seen you as a shadow who killed the person they cared the most about."

Arthur paused. "The people they cared about most?" He slowly looked toward Vedas. "So you saw me kill myself?"

Mithra had an amused smile. "You think you’re the one Vedas cares the most about? Especially after all the teasing and dragging him into hellish adventures?"

Arthur scoffed. "If not me, then who?"

Mithra giggled. "Maybe Maria?"

Arthur paused, then sighed. "My mother is a valid choice, especially with her ability to get others to love her."

Vedas sighed. "You were a shadow figure to me, and you killed Maria and Arthur."

Arthur blinked at this.

Kong raised his hand slightly. "I saw the same thing."

Sun looked at him. "You saw Arthur?"

Kong shook his head. "No. I saw you."

Sun’s expression changed. "Me?"

Kong nodded. "The shadow killed you."

His hands slowly tightened. "I thought you were dead."

Sun was quiet for a moment before giving Kong a small smile. "I’m still here."

Kong nodded.

Athy lowered her head. "I saw Athena die."

Athena’s expression softened. "That’s why you wouldn’t stop attacking me."

Athy nodded. "Every time I looked at you, I saw the shadow that killed you."

Athena reached out and gently touched her helmet. "You don’t have to think about it anymore."

Melo’s ears lowered. "I saw Mithra."

Mithra looked at her. "You thought I was dead too?"

Melo nodded. "I couldn’t accept it."

Mithra pulled her into another hug. "I’m right here."

Athena put a hand against her chin. "That explains why all of you were so aggressive."

Arthur nodded. "So the Miasma didn’t just control your bodies." He looked toward the girl. "It manipulated your perception."

The girl didn’t answer. That itself told Arthur there was more she wasn’t saying. She had been unconscious when they found her. Yet now she was calmly explaining exactly what had happened to their Beast Partners.

She knew about the Miasma.

She knew what it could do.

And she knew enough to be afraid of what was happening now.

His curiosity deepened as he walked toward her. "Thank you for helping us," he said.

The girl gave a small nod. "No problem."

Then she looked toward the forest, her expression becoming uneasy. "I just didn’t think it would come this far."

Arthur noticed. "You knew about the purple fog?"

She hesitated. Then, "Yes."

Arthur’s eyes sharpened. "What is it?"

The girl looked away. "It’s better if you don’t get involved."

Arthur tilted his head. "That doesn’t really answer my question."

She looked toward the forest again. "I need to leave."

Before the girl could move, the ground beneath them suddenly trembled.

Arthur stopped. "Wait."

The purple stains covering the nearby trees began to glow.

One after another, thin lines of purple light spread through the bark, following the stains as though something beneath the trees had suddenly awakened.

Athena looked around. "Arthur..."

A deep rumble rolled through the Everglades.

Then a pillar of purple energy erupted from the distant forest.

BOOOOOOM!

The ground shook beneath their feet.

Another pillar appeared farther away.

Then another.

Arthur slowly looked around as more pillars rose throughout the Everglades. "Those are connected..."

Athena stared upward.

The pillars began linking together, forming enormous lines of purple energy that stretched across the sky.

A barrier slowly rose around them.

The Beast Partners fell silent.

Even Vedas looked toward it with a troubled expression.

The little girl’s face had gone pale. "No..."

Arthur turned toward her. "What is it?"

She stared at the forming barrier. "The sealing formation."

Arthur frowned. "What’s that?"

She took a small step backward. "It shouldn’t have formed yet."

Arthur looked back toward the barrier.

The enormous purple wall continued rising until the sky itself seemed to disappear behind it.

The girl whispered, "It’s gotten worse."

Arthur’s eyes narrowed. "What is this place?"

The girl didn’t answer.

She only stared at the barrier.

And for the first time since Arthur had found her, she looked genuinely afraid.

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!