Adeline's mind raced as she tried to understand her current predicament. She was facing a goddess.

  “You must have a lot of questions, my child.”

  “Why am I here?”

  “I will get to the point. I need you to become my sword. Humans have encroached too deep into my forests. My children are being killed and experimented on. Their dignity stripped and reduced to animals in cages or pleasing human desires.”

  “Why me? You must have gone to a great deal of trouble to reincarnate me.”

  “It would be easier if I showed you.”

  The entire area suddenly changed to a scene of a couple fleeing while carrying a baby. The streets were very familiar to her. Adeline inched closer to take a better look. The couple then dropped the baby at a familiar orphanage. They both had tears flowing down their faces, but they promptly vanished into the dark. Gunshots suddenly rang out as two suspicious men came out. They stared at the baby for a time, but the sound of the door opening scared them away. The nun checked the alleyway before taking the baby in. Tears started to fall from Adeline’s eyes as her entire life continued to unfold.

  “I admire you. For a person to go through all that and still retain their humanity. I want you to lead them through this troubled time. Please give my children your strength and courage.”

  “I am not a good person. I ck the love and empathy I go too far; you just showed me everything that I did.”

  “I believe there is good in your heart and that you still care.”

  Adeline paused, with tears still in her eyes, she raised her head and stared at the goddess.

  “What good do I have? I have hurt so many people with my bare hands in the name of survival but it was just blood lust.”

  “I am not asking you to be a saint, my child. I am asking you to be my cruel hand. Unite my children and protect them. Punish all those who are unjust.”

  “I ask you again, why me? There are those who are better suited than me, like Melora. She actually cares for others and has faith.”

  “You are right, but I believe in you. It’s also a selfish wish for me. You were meant to be beautiful and a strong pilr of hope. I want you to fulfill your destiny, rewrite your wrongs and be the person I know you are.”

  “What if I fail and fall back to my old ways?”

  “Then I can rest knowing you did your best. As long as you believe, hope will never die.”

  “Okay, I will try.”

  “I, Yenerva, the goddess of life and nature, hereby bless you, Adeline. From this day forth, you will be my cruel hand to those who wish to hurt my children and those unjust.”

  Adeline felt a surge of energy pass through her entire body. Her horns grew, revealing a tinge of red. Her muscles slightly expanded, making her body slightly rger. Her chest also expanded, making her more voluptuous. Her nails also grew sharper, with her porcein skin getting a slight tan, giving it a deeper color. Her white hair turned bck with a streak of red mixed in.

  “I feel stronger!”

  “With this body, you can grow even stronger; you will need every ounce of it. I do have another favor to ask of you.”

  “What is it, goddess?”

  “Can you escort Melora to the coastal city? On the way, you will meet many of my children who will need your help.”

  “Before I accept, I have a question for you. Was it by design that I met Melora?”

  “No, it was not, my child. There is no fate in this world. The gods cannot intervene or manipute decisions.”

  “Is your love that strong for these monsters?”

  “They are not simply monsters. I hope with time they will show you that.”

  Suddenly, the sky started to shake as the stars fell. Adeline grew worried.

  “Go now, my child, we have ran out of time. Take my final wisdom. To love means to sacrifice one’s heart.”

  With that final statement, Adeline was banished out of the realm. She woke up covered in sweat. In a panic, she checked her surroundings. It was the makeshift house. That was when Melora entered the house with a wet rag and some leftover food. She raced to her side and pced the rag on her face.

  “Your body temperature just spiked all of a sudden. We were all so worried about you. I had to stop the orc and the snake from killing everything. I thank the heavens you are alright.”

  Adeline just wordlessly stared at her as she wiped the sweat from her head. It was a shot back to reality; she now had a greater purpose than just survival. Scales and Fang followed shortly as they rushed to her, Melora was also included in the group hug.

  “Get off me before I actually die.”

  “Yes, master!”

  They all sat down and continued to take care of Adeline as if she was a critical patient. She was confused why they had such deep worry.

  “Guys, why are you all so worried? I am fine.”

  “Adeline, you were unconscious for a week. Your body was also rapidly changing right before everyone’s eyes. You were using a lot of mana to the point we had to force-feed you magic cores.”

  “A week? I was just dreaming, that’s all.”

  “What type of dream did you have to leave you in such a state?”

  “Right now, that is not important. Well, it kinda is, but I need to escort you to that port city and get you back to the grand duchy.”

  “Why the sudden change of heart?”

  “So, do you want me to reconsider?”

  “No, I am just curious. Okay, I will prepare then.”

  Melora exited the room as Scales and Fang entered.

  “Fang, we will be leaving this area soon. I trust you. You will be the orc chieftain. Take care of the other orcs and prepare, but be cautious of the Empire.”

  “Yes, master. This is a great honor. I will not disappoint you.”

  A warm red light spread around Fang as he grew rger, and intricate red tattoos painted his green skin. He let out a powerful roar, releasing a burst of red mana. He quickly returned to his knees.

  “Call one of the orcs I promised to name.”

  Fang exited the house, then returned with an orc who promptly kneeled.

  "I will call you Spots."

  Adeline was always bad at naming, so she picked physical features. The orc transformed as it got slightly bigger and had red lines throughout its arms.

  “Thank you, master. I will not disappoint.”

  Adeline finally got up and stretched as she walked out of the house. Every monster was already on their knees, bowing. Melora joined her side, carrying a makeshift leather bag filled with essentials.

  “I will be leaving, but I will come back. Build something you will be proud of and love, protect each other and live fairly. Fang is now your chieftain; lend him your strength. I expect good things when I come back.”

  Melora stared at Adeline with slight confusion at her sudden change but decided not to pry. Scales wrapped around Adeline’s neck, and they set off deeper into the woods.

  Retrothewise