The Children had just settled into their Med Tanks and drifted off to sleep after the lights dimmed to darkness, while the adult Infernals overseeing them began tackling the paperwork required for the first day of orientation.
"You know, I'm really looking forward to seeing how the Children have changed by tomorrow morning. Well, except for one notable exception!" Infernal Elder Caine remarked, powering through the paperwork with help from his Mate.
"I think we're all a bit anxious about what the Chaos Twins will look like in the morning, especially given how advanced their Awakening was before conditioning," said Immortal Demon Shen, his voice tinged with apprehension.
"Do you think their horns will come in completely overnight, or will it be more gradual? I've heard of Awakenings accelerating in rare cases," mused Mortal Elder Kyle.
"I'm more concerned about their eyes. They had that shimmer before they fell asleep—what if it turns to full iridescence by morning?" said Infernal Demon Lucifer.
"Physically, I expect some dramatic changes. But it's their neural and genetic readings that most interest me. Preliminary scans suggested complex restructuring is already underway," stated Head Nocturne.
"So you're saying the Twins could be even further ahead than we anticipate?" Immortal Demon Shen asked in disbelief.
"It's possible. Their rates of adaptation are well outside the norm. We should be prepared for... unusual phenomena," Head Nocturne replied.
"Does that mean they'll be disoriented when they wake? Or could they be dangerous?" inquired Celestial Elder Soleil.
"Disorientation is likely. We'll have containment and support protocols ready just in case, but I recommend gentle, reassuring contact first thing in the morning," Head Nocturne said.
"Here's hoping for pleasant surprises, but let's have backup in place. With the Chaos Twins, one never knows what to expect," responded Celestial Demon Sky.
"I know exactly what kind of backup to request, but you'd better start praying they'll agree," said Infernal Demon Lucifer, faint hope and trepidation in her voice.
"Care to explain?" asked Mortal Elder Kyle.
"Wait, are you thinking of doing what I think you are? Are you crazy?!" shouted Mortal Demon Sean.
"Yes," replied Demon Lucifer to Sean. "To answer your question, Elder Kyle: it's a little-known fact, but all Twin Demons will obey the commands of an older Twin Demon from the same Clan instinctively, especially if they are disoriented, provided there is at least a five-thousand-year age gap—sometimes even more. So, I'm thinking of calling one of the senior Infernal Twin Demons for advice and to request their help tomorrow morning."
The others gasped. Head Nocturne huffed. "That could actually work. Please try."
Infernal Demon Lucifer searched the Conclave database for the contact information of an Infernal Twin Demon at least five hundred thousand years old and initiated a holographic call.
After several rings, the call connected. The hologram flickered before settling into clarity. "You'd better have a good reason for calling us!" a gruff voice responded.
"Forgive the unannounced intrusion, Esteemed Twin Demon. We wouldn't do this if it weren't an emergency we can't handle," Demon Lucifer began.
"Speak," the Twin Demon commanded.
"I am the Mate of Nursery Elder Caine, and today was the monthly summoning. We've encountered an Infernal Twin Demon with abnormal Awakening readings, and we'd like your assistance. We're uncertain how to proceed," Demon Lucifer explained concisely.
The elder Twin Demon raised a brow in surprise as his Mate enlarged himself to participate. "Do you have their latest readings? Can you share them? What stage of orientation are they in?"
"I've just sent their real-time readings to your terminal. They're currently undergoing conditioning in the Med Tank," Head Nocturne interjected.
"Thank you, Nursery Head Medical Officer... These readings! How is this possible? What did their homeworld do to them?!" exclaimed the Infernal Slayer, his voice rising in alarm as he examined the data. His Mate's eyebrows shot up as well, waiting to assess the situation before deciding.
"Apparently, their homeworld can now detect the partial Awakening of our Bloodlines and has begun Awakening interference experiments on the Children. The Twins were among the victims. We were able to reverse the effects, but as you can see, their readings are... unprecedented, and we're unsure how to move forward," summarised Head Nocturne.
"We will assist you. When are the Children scheduled to wake?" the Slayer asked.
"We plan to wake all the Children at seven in the morning," Head Nocturne replied.
"Wake the others as planned, explain the situation, and then isolate the Children in their rooms. We will arrive to assist at eight," ordered the Slayer.
"How should we proceed?" Head Nocturne asked.
"We will take the lead; you will follow our orders. That should help put them at ease and keep them calm. By the way, what are their dispositions?" the Slayer inquired.
"The eldest, Chaos Yi, is cautious and strategic, acting as the leader. The youngest, Chaos Er, is hotheaded and simpler-minded; he follows Yi's lead. Their emotions are somewhat volatile," Head Nocturne reported.
"So if Yi is calm, Er will be calm too?" the Twin Demon prompted, head tilted.
Head Nocturne nodded.
"Then we'll focus on Chaos Yi. Chaos Er will follow, as usual," replied the Twin Demon, with the Slayer nodding in agreement.
"Please allow us to monitor their readings overnight so we can predict what to expect. Also, ensure there's a containment and isolation field around their room to prevent accidents."
Head Nocturne confirmed that she had already done so.
"We'll see you tomorrow morning," they all agreed, ending the call.
"That went well," remarked Immortal Elder Lucius.
"Only because the Slayer got interested," replied Demon Lucifer.
"Alright, let's head home and rest for tomorrow's ordeal," said Mortal Elder Kyle, signing off. The others followed suit, exchanging parting words.
"Phew... That was more excitement than I bargained for. I really need some rest," Elder Caine sighed, weary. The others nodded in agreement before leaving the Med Bay for a much-needed rest before whatever chaos[1] awaited them in the morning.
Meanwhile, in the Chaos Twins' Med Tank, the Twins were changing at a staggering rate.
Fortunately, Head Nocturne had anticipated something abnormal, so she had increased the conditioning potion from F-level to D-level and set it to automatic replenishment. This proved wise, as the Twins absorbed the potion ravenously, requiring replacement several times by midnight as the system struggled to keep up with their rapid changes.
With their consciousnesses nestled peacefully within their Seas of Consciousness, absorbing the teachings that Tian Dao had inscribed into them, their bodies changed on more than a physical level—they were transforming genetically.
The physical changes were incredible. Their skeletal frames enlarged and strengthened at a speed that would've been excruciating without the D-level potion. Their musculature rapidly expanded and filled out, making their physiques ever more imposing.
Their hair lengthened from shoulder to waist, shifting in colour from grey to metallic silver, floating in the Med Tank like strands of luminous seaweed, so intermingled it was impossible to tell which strand belonged to which Twin.
Their ears grew, the pointed tips becoming more pronounced. Their eyebrows and eyelashes also shifted from grey to metallic silver. Had their eyes been open, it would have been clear they, too, were changing quickly, glowing with an iridescence bright enough to light up the darkened room.
Their fangs elongated until they were clearly visible even with their mouths closed, reaching two inches in length. Their skin shifted from pale to a deep metallic black, making the crystals on their bodies all the more striking.
The crystals on their foreheads gleamed with brilliant metallic silver, while those at the base of their necks lit up and began blinking rapidly in unison, bathing the room in a flickering, rhythmic glow.
Just after midnight, the bumps on their foreheads burst open, and horns began to grow rapidly. The horns curved along the back of the skull, then up and forward, eventually protruding about ten inches above their heads.
The horns gradually fleshed out, developing a robust and formidable appearance. Once slender, they thickened at the base, as dense keratin and bone formed. Over time, subtle ridges and textures appeared on their surface, further reinforcing their strength and durability. The horns now projected with a bold new presence, embodying resilience and power, their substantial heft lending an undeniable aura of authority and protection.
The horns' weight caused the Twins' heads to tilt back in the solution, exposing their chins and throats—a vulnerability that would not have happened if they were simply asleep in ordinary beds instead of suspended in the Med Tank.
The wounds where the horns had erupted Healed rapidly, sealing in as though they had always been present. Their fingernails and toenails turned metallic silver before the changes finally ceased, restoring peaceful silence to the darkened room where faint light pulsed gently.
At half past six in the morning, the Elders and their Mates arrived at the entrance to the Med Bay, just as Head Nocturne arrived, this time accompanied by her Mate.
They all greeted one another with heavy hearts before entering, uncertain of what awaited them in that particular room in the Infernal ward.
"So, how were they last night?" Celestial Elder Soleil asked once inside the main reception area.
"Except for those two, everyone else was as expected," replied Head Nocturne.
"And those two?" pressed Immortal Demon Shen.
"Their growth abnormalities last night were even greater than the Infernal Slayer expected," she answered, sounding weary despite having slept well.
Everyone sighed wearily at this.
"Alright, let's get this over with. We can only hope that the elder Infernal Twin Demon and Slayer can help us through this with minimal bloodshed," Mortal Elder Kyle tried to lighten the mood, but failed.
With that, they split up, heading to their respective Clans' wards.
When they arrived, they found the Infernal Slayer and the Twin Demon already waiting in the reception area.
When the Twin Demon and Slayer noticed them, they exchanged greetings. Elder Caine asked, "To what do we owe the pleasure of your early arrival, Esteemed Slayer and Twin Demon?"
"My Mate reviewed the Chaos Twins' readings this morning and found them alarming. He wanted to see their data and Stats but lacked the needed clearance," the Twin Demon replied curtly, clearly displeased at having to accompany his Mate to the Med Bay so early.
"I'll approve your clearance; please wait a moment," Head Nocturne responded, quickly using her authority to give the Slayer access to the data. She received a curt thanks.
"Shall we review last night's data and surveillance footage first, or wake the other Children and then review the data?" Head Nocturne inquired.
"Wake the others first, and explain clearly what's happening and why. Then activate the confinement and isolation fields in their rooms to minimise panic," the Slayer said.
Head Nocturne nodded, instructing the ward nurses to leave the Chaos Twins alone for now and to make sure the other Children understood what was happening and why.
When she returned, everyone sat as servants brought drinks, and they began to review the Twins' overnight data.
"The rate of change in the Chaos Twins... I've never seen anything like it. Upgrading the conditioning potion to D-level barely kept up with their absorption," Head Nocturne reported after viewing the footage.
"I thought you were exaggerating, but their skeletons and muscles practically rebuilt themselves overnight. They look nothing like they did yesterday," her Mate commented.
"Did anyone see their hair? Waist-long, metallic silver, like starlight woven through it. Their ears, too—more pointed, even regular Twin Demons do not look like this when they're Unawakened," Demon Lucifer exclaimed.
"Their glowing, iridescent eyes and silver lashes are remarkable, but the emergence of their horns—ten inches long, fully formed and powerful—that's beyond what we predicted," the Slayer mused.
"And the way their skin turned metallic black, those crystals stand out—it's almost regal. Even their nails changed. The extent of genetic restructuring here is beyond a mere physical shift; their very essence is being rewritten," Elder Caine added.
"Based on last night's data, the Twins used eight whole canisters of D-level conditioning potion and are already halfway through their ninth," the Twin Demon noted.
"With this data, I'd say the only step left before they can Awaken is for them to adapt to their changed bodies," the Slayer concluded.
"I agree. Their neural readings show they've absorbed all they can without Teachers—the rest will require Teacher guidance," Head Nocturne added.
"All that's left is to wake them up and see if they're disoriented," the Twin Demon remarked.
The others nodded. They finished their drinks, let the servants tidy up, and prepared themselves.
The Twins heard a distant, fuzzy noise as light seemed to shine into their eyes. Blinking in confusion, they slowly opened their eyes, tensing instinctively, bracing for potential attack.
"Twin Demon Chaos, wake up!" boomed a deep, gravelly male voice, brimming with authority. "Confirm that you have woken up!"
It took the Twins a few minutes to realise everything from yesterday was real—they were indeed inside a Med Tank, in the Infernal Ward of the Nursery Orientation Med Bay. Regaining their senses, they confirmed aloud that they were awake and present.
With a soft whoosh, the security fields deactivated. Servants entered to help them from the Med Tank and into robes and slippers.
"You had us worried there for a minute!" Elder Caine joked. "You went through such changes overnight, we didn't know what to expect when you woke. I'm glad the worst case didn't happen."
"We appreciate that while you were alert, you refrained from lashing out indiscriminately upon waking," another voice praised.
The Twins looked up as a large Twin Demon entered, carrying their Slayer into the room.
"My Mate was the one who woke you at the request of the Nursery Elder and the Head Medical Officer, considering your Med Tank readings yesterday," the Slayer explained.
The Twins thanked them, their gratitude acknowledged before the Slayer and Twin Demon departed.
"Now then, the servants will help you get washed, dressed, and serve you breakfast while we inform the other Children it is safe and open their doors. Please do not try to do anything on your own; after such drastic overnight changes, you're not aware of your own strength yet," Head Nocturne advised before she and the rest of the adults departed, leaving the Twins in the servants' care.
Once the Twins were ready, Elder Caine ordered the servants to escort them to the reception area, where the rest of the Children waited.
"Now then, the moment you've all been waiting for! Time to meet your Mammys!" Elder Caine exclaimed, spreading his arms wide with a grin.
[1] Pun Intended