Formicea
Epilogue: A New Path in Life 1

Announcement This one is going to be the longest. I actually went a bit out and above here, so it might rather be considered a side story.

Also, I might put out a minor warning, this one could turn out a bit weird down the line.

- Sarah -

This is stupid.

I know it is stupid.

So why am I doing something so stupid?!

"Are you sure about this, Sarah?" (Alea)

Of course, I'm not!

Who in their right mind would be?!

"I, I'm a bit scared. I-it's about to get real, so... you know." (S)

I'm staring at this little vial, with the violet liquid inside.

By this point, they're handing them out in proper glass containers.

Who would believe this unassuming drink to have such implications?

According to the others, when I drink this everything will change.

Foremost, I will.

I mean, I could see the results sufficiently with all the others.

How much they've been changing.

For example, Owen.

He grew a lot bigger.

Particularly, his muscles.

Though, one could also say he became quite a bit thicker.

Still, I'm sure by now he could even shove adults around with his strength.

Or Millie.

Hah, Millie.

There was barely anything to take note of with her, but when those arms pierced out of her sides, she was screaming down the whole insect base.

It was also rather bloody, among other fluids, which I'm not mentioning here.

However, ever since then, there didn't seem to be any downsides.

She barely uses those other arms, but I already saw her beginning to do so.

They don't look like normal arms.

They're almost black and end in some kind of weird, three-fingered claws.

There are others who didn't change as much.

Noah, for example, looks exactly as he did before.

As far as I know, there's only something about his throat that changed.

"Maybe we should call this off? I'm sure Honiu won't mind if you return the vial. She could still give it to someone else." (A)

And then there's Alea.

Hah, is she aware how that comment would make someone only want to use it more?

The same as her whole form does.

I need to say, that she looks rather cool.

Especially, with those wings growing from her back.

They grew so much that they reach now beyond her whole back.

Sharp translucent blades, usually pointed downwards.

She often complains about them, but I even saw her set off the ground with those once.

Honestly, I wouldn't mind this.

Then there's also this grin of hers.

Those solid plates instead of teeth.

I saw her cut right through her food with those.

It's said that your character decides what you get.

Owen wanted the strength to protect those he cares for, so he got that.

Millie is very caring, so she got something that accentuates this.

Noah is more of a thinker but likely didn't want to change as much, so he didn't.

If I'd have Alea's deal that could be cool, right?

The thing is, aside from the bodily changes, those who drink it are still completely the same.

They don't even try to convince others to drink, which tells me they are still the same in their minds.

It's a bit of a soothing thought.

So it's now my turn.

"You know, you don't have to drink this, right?" (A)

Well, there's no real pressure to this anymore.

It seems that everyone who wants to leave is free to do so.

Yet this obviously means that, in turn, no two meals a day with as much food as we want, no rooms and beds completely for ourselves, no free toys we can all play with.

They even make sure that no one bullies those who did it.

At the orphanage, no one ever cared.

But to stay here, you don't even need to drink this liquid.

However, there are a lot of benefits to this.

The first may be that all who drank this afterward mentioned that their eyes got better in the dark here.

Might not sound like much, as they made it bright enough to just see fine, but there are still dark spots here and there, and in general, it would be more comfortable.

About the body tricks some can now perform, I'm not too sure.

Sounds like a bit much of a commitment only to gain some extra arms.

Others are kinda gross, like how Noah can now barf up stories.

Or Millie's leaking hands.

Bah!

Yet super strength or flight could be cool.

Of course, the others also warned me about the process itself.

It's apparently a whole new level of unpleasantness.

Well, none of the others spoke fondly of this.

Like you're going to feel really sick and it hurts a lot in various ways.

However, if the others could push through this, I think I can too.

I mean, Alea even speaks somewhat normally again.

"I know. It's... I feel kinda left out. Or, well, left behind. You know I was stronger than Owen, right? I saw him last week push one of the big guardians out of his way." (S)

"That's a stupid reason to do this." (A)

"Says the one with the cool wings. Not to speak of that you're her favorite ever since then. Well, and Millie." (S)

For here's the thing:

If you get turned, you are allowed to work.

It's not really hard work, according to what I heard, which wouldn't be all that great, but light tasks.

Eventually, all of us, whether we get changed or not, will get something to do, like fieldwork or so, but it's a fact that those with changes are going to do things that suit them better and are a lot more favorable to do.

Seriously, Alea only has to walk and deliver messages.

Or fly and deliver them!

That beats fieldwork every day.

Millie is caring for the children and occasionally directly assists Honiu.

Oh, and Owen doesn't even really do anything but "stay at attendance" and still gets rewarded.

If one moment of unpleasantness gets me the same perks, then this sounds like a great deal.

"Do you have any idea how cumbersome these wings are? I can't sleep on my back! In addition, it was..." (A)

"Chuck, glug, glug, glug"

Before Alea throws more of this at me, I better just get this over with.

I called her to not be alone when I take this step, but it's not like I need to hear her complaining while she's objectively fine.

"Buargh!" (S)

Damn, the taste is nothing that can be recommended.

It's bitter, spicy, and somewhat off, like something that went bad and cooked for quite a while in the sun.

Especially, how it lingers on the tongue isn't great.

"Sarah!" (A)

"Yes, what is it?" (S)

"What do you think? You know what you just drank! How, how are you feeling?" (A)

"Well, normal. No idea what's up with the big deal you all made of this." (S)

Strange.

The others said I’m supposed to feel something.

However, I can't really tell that anything would be off.

"Uh, you may want to lie down?" (A)

"Lie down? Why? I already told you that I'm fine." (S)

"Because that only means it's going to start any moment!" (A)

She seems pretty convinced about this.

But should I really freak out now if objectively I'm fine?

I mean, I might only be a tiny bit hot now...

Oh.

"I, I guess you're right." (S)

"Sarah! L-let me help you." (A)

Okay, here comes the nausea.

Certainly could go without this.

It's a bit...

"Buargh!" (S)

Right.

Not great.

Not recommendable.

However, I, I think I can manage.

I mean, a light fever and a bit of puking.

Could be worse.

I, I'm strong enough to deal with that.

"Ehm, Sarah, you're sure you're okay? You're turning a bit red." (A)

Might be the fever.

My heart beats like crazy.

Sure, this changing thing wasn't exactly supposed to be a minor thing my body has to deal with.

Also, this rash.

Could certainly go without this.

"Sarah!" (A)

"What do you want to hear?! I don't feel great!" (S)

That was too harsh, I know, but I just can't spell everything I'm feeling out for her right now.

It's simply too much on me to give her a report.

My breath grows rigid, and I'm cramping all over.

Seems like I didn't get one of the light versions like Millie, did I?

Everything is pain.

I only vaguely notice Allie leaving my room, as I'm rather occupied with myself.

All I can do is writhe in my cot, hoping this will soon stop, one way or another.

But then Alea returns.

With someone?

"Oh no! Sarah!" (Millie)

Millie!?

Before I can contemplate her reason for being here, coupled with why Alea would've brought her, of all people, I feel something soft and soothingly cold swipe my forehead.

While she's doing so, I get the same feeling from my chest.

It helps.

A lot actually.

My pain lessens and the fever goes down.

"I can't get quite over it that you're using those." (A)

"This is exactly what they are for! It's not like not using them would help Sarah!" (M)

What are they talking about?

I don't understand.

Luckily, I feel a bit better and can take a closer look.

I find subsequently a black claw with soft, wet pads touching me all over.

"Millie!" (S)

"If you can shout like this it means you're better! So stop complaining about something that helps." (M)

She’s seriously wiping me with her mutant claws!

They look so weird, but I need to say she knows how to use them.

It's this liquid they expel that seems to be helping.

Ugh, this is making me feel weird about being covered in this stuff.

However, Millie apparently isn't done yet.

"Just what were you thinking taking this drink without any watchers to see if you're going to be fine?!" (M)

I push myself back into a sitting position to respond.

"I can handle it on my own! I am not weak!" (S)

"Nobody denied this, but it's still unreasonable to just go for it like this." (A)

"Why? It all worked out. Also, I'm already much better! I..." (S)

"Plock"

Promptly, my mouth fills with blood.

When I look down, I find something lying on my chest.

"Eh, Sarah, you, you just lost a tooth." (A)

Great.

Just great!

It's too late to reconsider now, huh?

Ehm, why am I getting dizzy?

"Plomp"

"Sarah!" (A)

Announcement Because this one got so long, my planned releases for Arachne will be a bit delayed.