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Lucifer sensed a powerful predatory instinct emanating from her. Maria had transformed into a beast, driven by a primal urge to devour her opponent at her peak, an instinct rooted not in her human or ghostly nature, but in her essence as an Outer Goddess.
"Maria... I hope you don't end up regretting this..."
"Don't worry. I won't. But Lucifer, I have something to confess."
"...?!"
"I might have changed a bit from how I used to be... I don't just want to live in peace... I want to dominate."
"...!"
Lucifer gazed into the skies as the massive cocoon began to crack open. From within, the evolved Hive Queen emerged.
Her accelerated evolution rushed without time to fully develop; meant she wasn't as powerful as intended.
Yet, this didn't matter to the Hive Queen, who was determined to prove her strength.
That she was formidable too!
"ADMIRE MY BEAUTIFUL NEW FORM."