Genetic Ascension novel Chapter 2405

Chapter 2405: Answer

Rhykan rose from his throne slowly, almost lazily, as though the announcement naming him the victor had done little more than confirm something he already expected.

The narrow slit in the center of his forehead brightened first, its muted gold deepening until it looked almost molten, and then his body began changing beneath the black robes that had hung loosely around him since he entered the World of Spirits.

Two wings grew from his back, each one spreading wider with every breath until white feathers stretched out behind him in layered rows. Gold gathered along their edges rather than through the feathers themselves, outlining each one so cleanly that from a distance it looked as though someone had fitted delicate pieces of armor over the wings, while two horns pushed upward from his forehead and curved proudly toward the heavens.

Caracos Thar answered the transformation with a roar.

The enormous lioness rose from where she had been resting beneath Rhykan’s throne as her body began swelling, white fur rippling across expanding muscle while the blue-steel lightning surrounding her changed along with her. The bolts no longer snapped wildly through the air, instead becoming slower, thicker, and far more defined, moving around her body in languid arcs that looked almost gentle despite carrying several times the power they had before.

Rhykan smoothed out his robes once the transformation settled, pulling the black fabric straight across his chest before exhaling a long breath. Only then did he look toward Januar, his expression carrying the same calm amusement it usually did.

"I’m not entirely sure why you thought you could come into my territory and take things from me."

Januar didn’t answer.

Rhykan smiled faintly. "You’re just as arrogant as I remember, Januar, and somehow you still have just as little to show for it."

The historian’s expression remained a mask of cold indifference, his hands resting near the typewriter on his lap as though the words weren’t worth acknowledging. Rhykan didn’t seem particularly disappointed by that response and turned away almost immediately, his gaze shifting toward Tomoe instead.

"Tomoe." His smile warmed slightly. "It’s been a while."

She would have been nearly perfect if she wasn’t so unruly.

Rhykan had thought something similar before, though every encounter with her tended to reinforce the part that made the idea impractical. Her talent, bloodline, Will, and sheer potential were difficult to find fault with, yet the woman had the temperament of someone who would cut apart an empire simply to see if the ruler inside could make her sword interested.

Not that it mattered for now. It wasn’t time for Rhykan to establish a lineage anyway, and until that changed there was little reason to spend much thought on women who would complicate his life more than improve it.

Tomoe tilted her head toward him. "Are these matters finished now?"

Rhykan’s smile widened slightly.

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