The Metamorphosis

Only Shetaka was present on the day Rebeca ascended to heaven, because she hadn't told anyone, especially Aatrox, otherwise he would have definitely stopped her. ♧⛵ 🎅👹

She stood calmly on the platform, with only one thought in her mind: if she couldn't stay with Aatrox forever, then she should die sooner rather than later.

As the Solar Energy poured down, she felt immense pain, as if she were about to turn to dust; at that moment, death might have been the best relief.

Such a commotion naturally attracted Aatrox's attention. When he arrived, he found Rebeca enduring pain, and his heart immediately leaped into his throat.

My own Ascension Ritual didn't take that long, yet those who failed were instantly reduced to ashes. What's going on?

I waited anxiously until evening, and as the sun gradually set, the Feigao platform suddenly lit up!

Rebeca stretched out her limbs and hovered in mid-air. Her body slowly expanded, golden armor replaced her original clothes, and a pair of blue wings sprouted from her back. She had successfully ascended!

Aatrox embraced her tightly, his arms strong and powerful. It was the first time he had ever hugged her, and the suffocating feeling was something Rebeca thoroughly enjoyed.

After a long while, the two finally separated. Rebeca hadn't forgotten that it was Shetaka who had helped her achieve ascension, and she knelt before Aatrox, mimicking his actions.

"For the ever-growing strength and perpetual prosperity of Naremajet, I, Rebeca, today pledge my service to the Sun God and my loyalty to the Empress, to ensure the eternal reign of Naremajet!"

Shetaka happily helped her up. "From now on, we'll be sisters, and together we'll create a bright future!"

From then on Naremajet had one more Ascended, making its combat power incomparable to what it was before. Shetaka could now safely guard the battlefield, leaving it to the two Ascended.

Rebeca's ascension ushered in the expansion of Naremajet, where she fought alongside Aatrox and was invincible.

She already possessed many Elemental Power, and after ascending, these powers became even stronger, and they were all wide-range attacks, making them very suitable for battlefield combat, and even faster than Aatrox's pace.

Faced with the onslaught of the Naremajet army, many tribes and city-states surrendered. Those who had besieged or betrayed Shetaka were sent to Naremajet, some killed and others taken hostage.

After several years of fighting, the army occupied the entire plains of western Shurima, which now appears to be about one-tenth the Shurima Continent.

Given the manpower and resources available at the time, this was the limit of what they could do; without new Ascended, they could not continue to expand.

Not long after, the fourth Ascended Iloza, was born.

Iloza is a veteran who has fought alongside Aatrox for many years, but Rebeca dislikes him because of his ambiguous gender and his exceptional cruelty towards the enemy.

Iloza's Ascended Form was a human head with a snake's body and two arms. Rebeca once thought this appearance meant that her ascension had failed.

Because her ascension posture is very similar to Aatrox's, both have blue wings and Golden Armor, and their heads are also moth-like with antennae.

At that time, people did not know that the Ascended were a combination of animals and humans, and thought that after ascending, they would all become like this: moths that yearn for light and heat.

Therefore, Rebeca believed that Iloza was not Ascended, but rather cursed, even though she herself was quite pleased with her appearance.

It wasn't until other Ascended were born, with all sorts of shapes and appearances, that Rebeca realized she was the only one who resembled Aatrox, and upon closer inspection, she thought she looked more like a butterfly.

As the story progressed, dawn was breaking, and I gained a clearer understanding of the complex love-hate relationship between Rebeca and Aatrox:

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"Knowing about these past events, I feel even more strongly that you can't fully commit to fighting Aatrox. You can't let go of all those years of feelings, can you?"

"Of course! But my feelings for him are no longer romantic love. Since gaining infinite lifespan, I've become dulled by love."

"Haha, I thought you'd be even more eager to be with him after you ascended to immortality."

"That's what I thought before I ascended, but after I actually ascended, I always felt like I had plenty of time and wasn't in a hurry for anything. Gradually, I even lost the ability to love."

Rebeca's words sounded familiar, and upon reflection, I realized that Bard had said something similar to me.

When we talked about angels, he said that angels have very long lifespans and are unaware of the importance of reproduction, probably because they have lost the ability to love over the long span of time.

Now that I also possess an infinite lifespan, will it gradually become like that too?

Rebeca saw right through me. "You'd better watch out, or you'll lose love too!"

"Haha, who knows if losing love is good or bad? It might seem like a sad thing to outsiders, but it's not so bad for you."

"Yes! If I like you, then I actually think so too!"

The sky was a pale blue, and a dim light shone through the air. I listened to Rebeca recount her past for almost half the night.

She's a straightforward person. Originally, I only intended to use her against the Vastaya, but now I'll just reveal some things I've been keeping hidden:

"Actually, there's something I haven't told you. Azir, the last emperor of the Shurima Empire, has been resurrected and has successfully ascended to the Vastaya side."

"You're quite kind, aren't you? You reminded me out of concern that I might break my promise. Thank you!"

"And you? Are you still planning to continue opposing them?"

"Of course, I pledge allegiance to Shurima, to Shetaka, not to some blond brat."

"Furthermore, Khopesh has also reappeared."

"What?! Shetaka has been resurrected too?!"

"Don't be so shocked. Shetaka didn't come back to life; only her bloodline continued. A person named Sivir inherited her abilities and can use Khopesh."

"Is she our enemy too?"

"No, on the contrary, they are our friends."

"What's there to worry about! Don't worry, I'll stand by you until I see Aatrox die!"

"Alright, it's almost dawn. Let's call it a day. Aatrox said he'll launch an attack in a few days. Before that, I want to improve myself so I can personally slay him!"

"It's impossible to improve in just a few days. You'd better think of another way, like using Khopesh."

"Khopesh?"

"Yes, Khopesh is Shetaka's weapon, and it's very effective against both Ascended and Vastaya. Didn't you tell me it has reappeared? Perhaps we can utilize this power!"

"I... don't want to use this power. I want to defeat him fair and square! Shatter his glory!"

"So what are you going to do? Rely on your courage alone?"