Everything was black, then a slight glow. I opened my eyes and looked around. I was sitting criss-cross in a bright, sunlit field. I looked down at myself. I was just a glowing green thing, with only a subtle outline of a human-like body. I stood up, wobbling slightly. Where am I? No parents, guardians, nothing? I was alone, with only little signs of someone else being there. A backpack, an unrolled map. There was a trail of parted grass where two people seemed to have walked—or ran—away. They left me? Or just went to do something? I was extremely short, and I couldn't even reach the top of the nearby boulder, where a small bag sat. I let out a growl, and even that little noise seemed far away; not mine. This is so weird. I stared down at my glowing hands—mittens? And my stubby legs. I leaped up and grabbed the edge of the rock. My hands immediately slipped, and I fell onto the grass. Conflict bubbled up inside me. I heard a muffled chuckle behind me and I turned around. A young woman stood there, looking amused. She walked towards me gracefully. The minute she picked me up, she was suddenly male, with strawberry blonde hair. He was wearing a simple brown t-shirt and held me in his arms before setting me on the boulder. I slipped slightly, and he steadied me. “Oops, there we go.” He murmured. “I know, it’s weird. You’ll get your first form soon, Runestone.” He smiled and stepped back. He held out his hands, and his form shifted. His face elongated into a muzzle, two pointed black ears sprouted from his head. He grew a black, furry tail, and his entire body became covered with fur. His back and shoulders broadened, and his legs and arms changed. Soon he was a sleek black wolf, the look complete with golden eyes and a satchel wrapped around his back and front left leg. Then his form shifted again, and he was back in his humanoid form. “See? Nothing to it. Will yourself to change and become the form.” He said. Suddenly, a cloud formed next to him. The cloud changed until it took the form of a wolf, made of swirling wind and rain. It said something in a wolf language, but its voice sounded more distorted than the man’s. Like they were talking through a storm—literally. I tilted my head. What are they saying? I felt a tug towards the wolf. Something right. I felt a subtle change. I let out a yelp of surprise as a jolt passed through me. My body started to shift. My face changed into a long, stormy muzzle, and I felt ears sprout from my own head. My back strengthened and broadened, along with my shoulders.
My mitten-hands finally took shape, turning into strong paws with sharp claws. I stretched them and saw wisps of wind and clouds. I stood up, the rock cool against my paw pads. I turned around. I- I can feel! I jumped down onto the grass. The green blades were prickly and wet from rain. Many scents filled my nose, overwhelming me. Grass, dirt, sky, a hint of prey, magic. I turned around again to face the man, who smiled. “You’re so clever.” He murmured, kneeling next to me. “I’m your father. Lioner Hollowlight. You’re Runestone Hollowlight. A shapeshifter. It’s just you and me, okay?” I gave him a meaningless bark in answer. My– My voice isn’t distorted!? “Well? Can you understand me?” The wolf says. I blinked, surprised. I can hear him now? His voice was still a bit distorted, but I decided that was probably because he was made of storms. “You can speak, can’t you?” Something clicked, and I realized I probably could. “I-I believe so,” I started, unsure. The wolf turned to my father. “I am here to take him with me.” His eyes widened. “Wh-what?” “He does not belong on Myria. I will take him, erase his memories, and give him to a capable mother. He will not know what he is. Only that he is a wolf.” “You can’t!” Lioner growled. “Isn’t it enough that you took her from me?! At least give me my child!” “He is too dangerous.” “HE IS MY CHILD!!” Lioner roared. Red scales appeared around my father’s eyes, and flames burst out of his nose. The wolf still kept his cool. “The ancestors have decreed it. You know their foresight. This is the only way to prevent it.” He said gently. “The only way?! Lies! I know for a fact that there is never one way! There isn’t only one thread of the future! There are millions!” Lioner snarled. “Your child is easily the most dangerous in the world.” “He is a child!” My father’s voice changed to pleading. “Don’t you think being separated from me will just make him more bitter?!” What is going on? I looked from my father to the strange wolf. Is he taking me away? “It is what is meant to be.” “Shouldn’t you at least ask him what he wants?” Lioner pleaded. “His opinion means nothing.” “WHAT?!” My father roared. Wings suddenly sprouted from his back, spreading open. The wolf walked over to me and gently pressed a paw to my forehead. He’s taking me away, I realized. Conflict flashed inside me before everything darkened, and the world disappeared. The last thing I saw was Lioner shifting to full dragon, lunging for me, roaring furiously. The last thing I heard was him calling my name.
