The sun had barely begun to rise when the guild realized:
Friezzar — no, Zerrei — had awakened into a form none of them expected, and none of them were prepared for.
A humanoid vessel.
Runes flowing across carved skin like constellations.
A presence too gentle to be a weapon, and too dangerous to be ignored.
And he was…
trying to walk.
THE FIRST STEPS
Lyra held both his hands as he took careful, uneven steps across the infirmary floor.
His heel touched the ground—
wobble—
his leg shook—
Lyra caught him.
"No—no, lean on me first. Put your weight here."
Zerrei blinked, steadying himself.
"…Lyra warm."
Lyra turned red instantly.
"That's—that's not the point!"
He tilted his head slightly.
"…but true."
Arden, leaning on the doorway with his arms crossed, smirked.
"Ohhhh he's starting early. Humanoid evolution and flirting DLC unlocked!"
Lyra whipped around.
"Arden!"
Zerrei blinked again.
"…flirt?"
Arden choked.
Lyra nearly combusted.
"NO. Forget that word."
Zerrei nodded obediently.
"…forget."
Arden tried not to laugh and failed miserably.
THE NEW BODY
Zerrei looked down at himself—at the unfamiliar length of his limbs, the structure of his torso, the carved hair that brushed his shoulders.
He said softly:
"…Friezzar… small.
Zerrei… long."
Lyra smiled.
"Do you like it?"
He paused, runes flickering thoughtfully.
Then:
"…Lyra like?"
She froze.
"I—… yes."
Zerrei's chest glowed brighter.
"…then… Zerrei like."
She felt her heart twist painfully, softly.
He wasn't just evolving physically.
He was evolving emotionally.
Learning to place value on things because she valued them.
That was…
beautiful.
Terrifying.
Precious.
Dangerous.
All at once.
SENSES
Zerrei suddenly paused.
"…Lyra."
"Yes?"
He touched his chest.
"…Zerrei feel."
Lyra blinked.
"Feel… what?"
He looked around the room—
He placed a hand on the wooden bedframe.
He traced the stone wall.
Touched the sunlight on the windowsill.
Pressed his fingertips to his own cheek.
"…warm.
…hard.
…soft.
…light."
Lyra's lips parted.
"You're… feeling textures?"
He nodded slowly.
"Zerrei… sense more."
Oren stepped forward, adjusting his spectacles.
"That means his sensory system expanded. Humanoid forms amplify perception to mimic emotional processing."
Arden shrugged.
"So he's basically learning what 'touch' means."
Lyra watched Zerrei's face as he continued exploring—
His fingers brushed a loose lock of carved wooden hair on his shoulder.
He blinked softly.
"…hair."
Lyra giggled.
"Yes, hair."
Zerrei's gaze moved to her.
He took a step closer.
Slow.
Careful.
Intense.
"…Lyra hair."
Lyra stopped breathing.
"Yes?"
He reached out.
Very gently—
He touched a strand of her hair.
"…soft…"
His voice was full of awe.
And Lyra's heart nearly fell out of her chest.
EMOTION: A NEW SKILL
Zerrei stepped back suddenly.
As if overwhelmed.
He pressed a hand to his chest.
"...too much."
Lyra hurried to him.
"Too much what?"
Zerrei's glow trembled visibly.
"…feeling."
He looked confused.
Scared.
Ashamed.
Lyra cupped his face with both hands.
"Hey—it's okay. Emotions aren't dangerous."
He leaned into her palms instinctively.
"…warm…"
She whispered:
"You're learning.
That's all."
He lowered his forehead to hers.
"…Lyra help."
She smiled softly.
"Always."
Arden rolled his eyes dramatically.
"I swear, I'm third-wheeling a puppet."
Lyra threw a pillow at him.
Zerrei Learns to Walk (Properly)
After some trial and error—
and two more near-falls—
Zerrei managed to walk across the room without support.
Every movement was careful.
His carved fingers flexed with newfound dexterity.
His steps were precise, controlled.
He paused near the window.
Sunlight warmed his carved face.
He whispered:
"…light warm."
Lyra approached.
"Do you like it?"
He nodded.
"Zerrei… like warm."
She smiled.
"That's good."
He looked down at her hand.
"…Lyra warm."
Her breath caught.
She gently placed her hand in his.
He squeezed it—
not too hard—
just enough to hold her with intention.
"…warm."
Lyra whispered:
"Yes."
THE GUILD'S NEW PROBLEM
Oren finally cleared his throat.
"Alright. As endearing as this is, we have a crisis."
Arden sighed.
"Yes. Crisis. Evil creator. Impending doom. Got it."
Lyra looked uneasy.
"What now?"
Oren exhaled heavily.
"Zerrei evolving into humanoid form so soon means the Creator's interference is far more severe than we thought."
Arden nodded grimly.
"And he's still out there."
Oren continued:
"Worse—Zerrei's new form isn't stable yet. His mana is fluctuating. His core is adapting. If the Creator shows up again…"
Lyra felt Zerrei's hand tighten around hers.
Zerrei whispered:
"…protect Lyra."
Lyra shook her head fiercely.
"No. We protect you."
Zerrei looked stunned.
"…Lyra… protect Zerrei?"
She stepped closer, placing her free hand against his chest.
"Yes. Always."
His eyes widened—
Then softened.
His runes glowed gold.
"…Zerrei… warm."
Arden groaned in the background.
"And on that note, we should prepare defenses before the big bad returns."
Oren nodded.
"And we must learn Zerrei's new abilities before he accidentally explodes a wall."
Zerrei blinked.
"…explode?"
Lyra laughed nervously.
"Don't worry—we'll learn slowly."
THE FIRST STEP OF A NEW LIFE
Zerrei followed Lyra out of the infirmary.
Each step steadying.
Each breath smoother.
Each movement more assured.
He stayed at her side.
Her hand in his.
Learning the world again—
Through sensation.
Through emotion.
Through her.
He whispered softly as they walked:
"…Lyra."
She squeezed his hand.
"Yes?"
"…Zerrei… stay."
Lyra smiled, eyes warm.
"Then stay."
He looked at her with quiet, glowing certainty.
"…Zerrei choose Lyra."
And for the first time—
He smiled.
Not with carved features.
Not with mechanical movement.
But with something real.
Human-like.
Warm.
Alive.
Lyra's heart melted completely.
Arden sighed loudly behind them.
"Oh gods. We're doomed. He's adorable now."
Oren shook his head.
"We'll need to prepare special training."
Zerrei looked over his shoulder, curious.
"…training?"
Oren smirked.
"Yes.
Your evolution brought new abilities.
We need to test them."
Arden grinned.
"And I bet one of them is OP as hell!"
Zerrei tilted his head.
"…op…?"
Lyra laughed softly.
"I'll explain later."
Zerrei nodded, taking another steady step.
"…Zerrei learn."