Reincarnated as a random race, of course I got goblin.

Chapter 54 - Recap: Encroaching Darkness

*Lastly, there's something... wrong... There's been multiple sightings of chimerified humanoids near the Illomen Forest. A massive aura of Malice suffuses one spot in particular, preventing insight into what's going on there. Please, Great Monarch, let the Divine handle this. Already, They are Awakening Their Champions.*

Champions?

*Humanoids who are born with the potential, or who somehow have their intended Fate changed can be Awakened as Champions. They're a kind of Hero.*

Intended Fate?

*You've accidentally given the Divine quite a selection. Valena, Merkiv and the one you call 'jester' are all potential Champions because of you. All three would be dead, if not for your intervention. There are other Champions awakening as well, but those three are the ones you've 'created'.*

...

*That concludes the recap.*

I wake up from the Dream.

???
???

I gently run my hand over the chrysalis. Its texture is like damp leather, its color a sickly purple. It convulses slightly at my touch, almost like an errant heartbeat. Soon, perhaps even today, their leader will be reborn. 

This was a necessary risk, as his followers grew more and more hesitant to let me grant them my gift as they saw the side-effects. Those of weak wills gave in to rabid madness, snapping and snarling at anything in their sights. 

We set those loose in the forest, so they could fully indulge in their new bodies. 

Those unable to bear the pain had their bodies twisted further than intended, their forms becoming less a refinement of the humanoid shape and more a unstable amalgam of limbs, teeth and eyes. 

They reminded me too much of how I once was. I killed them. 

Only a few possessed the qualities to make it through the process without fail. Too few.

The solution seems to be, unfortunately, to prolong the transformation as long as possible. Encasing them in a chrysalis of solid Malice, and letting it slowly seep into them. The process takes weeks upon weeks, and the first one, Leicher, is due to arrive now at any moment.

Once I confirm that it works, we will use the same method upon all the remaining members. I do not worry about failure. If Leicher dies, I will just proceed on my own. He never really had a use beyond bringing me his cult...

My Heart shudders as a calamitous wave of Magic reverberates across the World. Oh~ So soon~. Good then, that Leicher is to be reborn any moment now. I will not allow that foul Queen to harm Her!

'Crick'

Oh? As if in response to the Summoning, the rebirth begins! I step back, bringing my large wing-like arm in front of me as a shield. Despite its looks, the feathers are more akin to metal than true Avianoid feathers, and the arm is useless for flight. 

'Crick-Crack'

The chrysalis is becoming rigid; leathery shell becoming more akin to crystal. It creaks and groans as the change happens. The now crystalline chrysalis becomes see-through, revealing a silhouette within. It raises a limb and brings it down upon its prison.

'CRASH'

The chrysalis shatters, showering the room in shards of solid Malice. I quickly gather it up into myself to prevent it from escaping towards where the humanoids sleep. As I finish doing so, I gaze upon the result of eight weeks of waiting. 

A lithe, almost feminine body, still distinctly humanoid, though with four arms, the bottom pair large and clawed. The skin is a rich obsidian color, with bright purple eyes devoid of pupils. Digitigrade legs end in hard, pointed tips. A thick, heavy tail, as well as a small pair of bat-like wings sprout from their back.

Their lips part, revealing sharp, pointed teeth, as they smile, admiring every new feature of their new body. "Who knew- that something so prone to chaos- could birth such perfection-?" Their voice is off and stilted. It's clear that the Malice has wiped off any trace of gender. 

Their eyes lock with mine. I barely deflect their attack in time, their motions like a blur- nearly invisible. The recoil sends me skidding backwards, my Vessel crying out in alarm and pain.
"Tch-" They regain their composure, acting like they didn't just aim for my throat. 

"It's good to see you again- Has anything happened- whilst I was sleeping-?" Their lilting voice makes me want to smash their face in. To think, a taste of power, and their grand leader bites the hands that feeds them! I contain my anger. I'm in no state to fight them outright- they've made that much clear with that one move.

"Just now, before you awoke, they finished the Ritual. The Hero has been Summoned." I inform as I inspect for any severe damage to my Vessel. Other than a bruised wing-arm we're fine. They smile. "I guess- you want me- to deal with them-?" 

I shake my head. "No. We wait our time. Gather strength, grant more gifts, then we move." If we mess this up, not only will we reveal our hand too early, She might find out where I am. As much as I adore my Sister, I am certain She would seek to destroy me. 

That much has become obvious in the time I've spent watching Her. It's my own fault, really- She abhors the Malice and anything associated with it. Of course She does... Ah- Leicher left, no doubt to show off their powers, rally the troops, incite some fervor. 

My Vessel gently places the one arm they retain lone control of upon my cheek. It's an entirely selfish action; after all- the more negative feelings I have, the more Malice I produce, straining their already fragile psyche from the pain it causes.

Bear with it, Vessel, I'm sure to have a manic fit soon, you do enjoy those, don't you?

Leicher's POV

Oh- how I loathe that Other. Too bad I wasn't able to crush its Vessel in one blow, blame it on temporary lack of control so soon after my rebirth. Now it's cautious of me, and unwilling to let me out of its sight...

Still, I should play along for now, at least until it finishes granting its gifts.