Sickening crunches reverberated through the narrow passage, a sound that seemed to cw its way into Bathilda's very being. Hiro, her unwitting companion, had been killed, his fragile form a casualty of her clumsy attempt to navigate the cramped entrance. A wave of nausea, sharper than any she'd experienced in her monstrous existence, washed over her.

  "What the hell, Bathilda?" Hiro's words a hollow echo in her mind.

  I am so sorry, Hiro. I didn't mean to. I was just... trying to squeeze through the entrance.

  Her voice was soft, a stark contrast to the quick wit she usually employed. The guilt was a physical weight, a leaden cloak draped over her transformed body.

  "That was the worst feeling I have ever experienced," he whispered, his voice barely audible. "It feels like it's still going on."

  A chilling thought crept into her mind. They're probably still at it, to be honest. The image of the ravenous swarm, their razor-sharp teeth tearing and rending, sent a shudder down her spine.

  "Not helping, Bathilda!" Hiro, strained and ced with pain, cut through her morbid musings.

  Sorry, she mumbled, the word a meager offering in the face of her blunder. It was crazy how fast it all happened. They're quite easy to take down from distance, but when they swarm you in a rge group like that... They're much more dangerous, huh?

  "Dangerous?" Hiro's voice was a thin, brittle thread. "That's an understatement if I've ever heard one. Murderous, little bastards is what I would have said. But let's stop talking about it, please. I... I need some time to reflect on what just happened."

  The air crackled with unspoken grief and recrimination. Bathilda, recognizing the need for space, retreated into the shadows of the cave wall. She curled her leathery wings around herself, seeking a sembnce of comfort in the cool, damp stone.

  At least he's back, she thought, a flicker of relief piercing the gloom. At least I didn't lose him permanently.

  She brought up her status, the familiar interface glowing in her mind's eye.

  Name: Bathilda

  Race: Blood Sucking Bat

  Css: None

  Title: Rodent Sughterer

  Level: 25

  XP needed until next Level: MAX

  HP: 254/254

  MP: 214/214

  "Skill Points Avaible"

  "Evolution Avaible"

  Well, damn, she breathed, the sound a low rasp. I wasn't exactly aiming to level up off the Bart stampede, especially after my leveling had slowed. I'm not going to compin though. I wonder how many of them I killed?

  The thought was fleeting, a morbid curiosity quickly dismissed. Stupid rats. I'll deal with the skill points ter. First up are my evolutions.

  The familiar list appeared, the three previous options still stubbornly present. There was also the final form of the Blood Sucking Bat. But at the bottom, a new entry shimmered, drawing her attention like a beacon.

  Vampire Bat:

  - A chilling divergence from the Blood Sucking Bat, the Vampire Bat is a creature of rare and unsettling power. Its evolutionary path is narrow, a testament to its singur, predatory nature. Unlike its kin, this nocturnal hunter doesn't merely feed; it consumes. Not only does it siphon life essence to restore its own vitality and mana reserves, it also syphons the very experience and learned skills of its prey. A single, successful feeding can revitalize a Vampire Bat from the brink of death, making it a terrifyingly resilient adversary.

  Narrow evolutionary options? she mused, her cw tapping against the cave floor. Still, I suppose limited evolutions are better than final evolutions and The Creeper. I still can't believe that option is a thing. Anyway, here we go.

  A wave of nervous anticipation washed over her. She crossed her cws, a superstitious gesture, and began to chant under her breath, Please work out the way I want you to. Please work out the way I want you to. Please work out the way I want you to.

  With a deep breath, she confirmed her choice. The familiar warmth spread through her body, a comforting embrace that lulled her into a comatose sleep. As her consciousness faded, she could still hear Hiro's faint grumbling about the entrance, but it was distant, muffled by the encroaching darkness.

  Just rex, she thought, surrendering to the transformative process. And hope like hell I won't be too big for my base once I'm finished. Stupid Hiro, making me worry.

  The evolution was a descent into a dreamscape, a swirling vortex of fragmented memories and distorted sensations. Bathilda drifted through this liminal space, her mind a canvas for the chaotic symphony of change.

  She remembered her past life, the sterile scent of antiseptic, the weight of responsibility on her shoulders. Being a nurse had been a demanding profession, a constant battle against fatigue and despair. Yet, it had been rewarding, each saved life a testament to her dedication.

  But this... this is something else entirely, she thought, her mind flickering between past and present. The constant struggle for survival, the gnawing hunger, the ever-present threat of annihition – it was a different kind of strenuous, a primal dance with death.

  The evolution stretched on, time losing its meaning in the depths of her unconscious. Finally, a sense of completion washed over her, a gentle nudge back to awareness.

  Bathilda opened her eyes, the familiar darkness of the cave greeting her. Still can't see shit. She felt different, heavier, more powerful.

  Hiro, how do I look? she asked, her voice a low, guttural rasp.

  "Still like a Bat," Hiro replied, his voice tinged with a hint of awe. "Except this time, you're even scarier.

  She sat up, her wings unfurling with a leathery rustle. Her reflection, shown with (Enhanced Echolocation), confirmed her fears. Her form was more monstrous, more predatory, a creature of nightmare rather than romantic fantasy.

  Disappointment settled over her like a shroud. Shit. Shit. Shitty. Shit. Shit. Shit. How's that happened? I thought for sure that I was getting closer to the ones you see in PG-13 movies. Instead, I'm a straight up R-rated horror.

  "What are... Moveys?" They must not have existed in Hiro's world since the word sounded foreign.

  With a sigh, Bathilda unched into an expnation of motion pictures, television, and streaming services, painting a picture of a world filled with stories and illusions.

  "You had moving pictures in your world! That sounds amazing!"

  I suppose they were entertaining, Bathilda admitted, her tone ft. The problem is that they're able to impnt ideas into your mind to make you more suggestive. Take my evolution for example, I was hoping to come out like a dazzling vampire. I was always Team Edward after all.

  But it's because of movies that I think the way I do. The give you expectations. Which I now realise are naive since the world has shit on me yet again. It really seems to hate me. I mean, my appearance makes me look like I'm on team Jacob for God's sake.

  "That sounds... What?" Hiro was lost halfway through the rant.

  I've had it, Hiro, Bathilda decred, her thoughts filled with weary resignation. With this shitty pce. The horrible rats. This stupid bat thing and these crappy evolutions. I'm done. She rolled over and surrendered to sleep, her mind a swirling vortex of frustration and disappointment.

  As she drifted into dreams, the darkness of the cave gave way to a vast, open sky. Clouds became her companions, carrying her aloft, free from the confines of the underground.

  She soared over a ndscape of breathtaking beauty, a world untouched by the horrors she had encountered. But as she reached out to touch a cloud, a human hand materialized before her eyes.

  Her heart skipped a beat. She was no longer a bat.

  She looked down, her gaze tracing the contours of her human form. White hair flowed behind her, catching the wind. Below, a city of grey stone emerged, its walls encircling a network of intricately carved buildings.

  A wave of joy washed over her. Tears streamed down her face, tickling her skin. She wiggled her fingers, marveling at their delicate movements. She hugged herself, reveling in the sensation of human touch.

  But the tranquility was shattered by a chorus of screams. Below, in the heart of the city, an Ogre loomed, its massive hand poised to shove a terrified child into its gaping maw.

  Without hesitation, Bathilda plunged towards the city, her heart pounding with a fierce determination. "No!" she cried, her voice echoing through the air.