Apophis did not respond.
Her power surged instead.
Black liquid erupted from every crack in the space like geysers.
The dark water writhed and twisted through the air, then rushed toward her from all directions.
It swirled around her body and rose like a tide, wrapping her form in a dark cocoon.
Ben floated back, eyes narrowing.
The cocoon pulsed once, then imploded.
A shockwave rippled out as the dark water vanished into vapor, revealing Apophis.
She was no longer a seductive woman, but something else.
Two pairs of enormous wings stretched wide from her back, each one formed from solid dark water.
Her once smooth, pale skin had turned into a glossy dark shade, covered in hardened scales that shimmered with violet light.
Her face was still beautiful, but now clearly inhuman.
Her eyes burned like molten gold, and her mouth curled into a sharp grin.
Her delicate fingers had become long, razor-like claws, dripping with leftover dark liquid.
