The good feeling didn't last long.
A second notification popped up right behind the first one, and something about the tone of it made Kairos's stomach drop before he'd even finished reading.
[Evolution assessment complete]
[Shadow Wolf — Tier advancement: Dire Umbral Wolf]
[Warning: Bond recalibration required. Host strain: severe.]
"Recalibration," Kairos repeated.
He looked down at the Wolf.
It was already bigger than it had been a minute ago.
Much bigger.
Its shoulders were nearly level with his own now, its frame broader and heavier, while shadow rolled off its back in slow, restless waves that hadn't been there before. The darkness around its body didn't simply hang there like smoke. It moved with it, curling around its legs and trailing behind its tail before sinking back into its fur.
Kairos stared.
"...You got bigger."
The Wolf looked at him.
Its ears flattened.
Low and apologetic.
Kairos blinked.
"Don't look at me like that."
