17. Shyfting To The Next Level

As Pandrea opened her eyes, a short blue-haired woman stood before her. Aquina now was about four feet tall and her head was covered in thick long blue braids. Golden ribbons spun around her hair, and each braid had a silver ring at the end of it.

The left side of Aquina's body had ice running along her skin and covering her as clothes. Even her wrist had golden bands weaving down her forearms. Pandrea could feel the cold coming from Aquina, but it was soothing.

Pandrea stood up to find Delphia, Echo, and Lunic peeking over the edge of the bed. About ask what they were doing, Pandrea froze, and her breath caught in her throat.

She heard his voice now coming done the hall. Before Pandrea could think of what to say, the King, Sigardus, and two other people she had not met before. As her eyes met with Sigardus, Pandrea let out a breath she didn't know she had been holding.

Seeing him ok made her feel a lot better. Soon she turned away with the threat of her face going red as the King cleared his throat. Pandrea to a deep breath and let it out. Then she looked up at Aegis.

"Your friend and his have finally made it to the castle. I am glad to see they are all safe. I'm sure you all have so much to talk about, especially with this little Shyft and her new growth. So to make things fast, I have already spoken to these three, and they agree, but only if you do," the King spoke in his ageless voice, but a blue-haired woman was glaring at him as he spoke. "What I have asked your friends is that you all stay and train with us for a while. Know that you can leave at any time, but I must warn you the world is full of dangerous things and people. We can help you gain skills and knowledge that will help your search for your father. I don't expect an answer right now. Just think about it. I will take my leave and let you all catch up," the King finished as he began to turn, but something happened.

The King's foot was frozen to the floor! As he tried to turn, Aegis almost lost his balance, only barely catching himself. Aegis released a short burst of heat that made the ice instantly turn to mist. The King turned to glare back at the culprit, but she had already run behind Pandrea's leg.

Aquina Poked her head out with a mischievous smile and stuck her tongue out at Aegis, King of this castle. Dalphia and Titania burst out laughing while the boys stood very still. The King gave off a murderous aura for one second. Then it was gone. Aegis turned swiftly and walked out of the room.

The two girls were still laughing, and the rest of them let out a sign and began to laugh. Pandrea turned to look at Aquina, who was surreptitiously examining a spot on the floor while dragging her foot back and forth. Pandrea squatted down and looked at Aquina.

"Why did you have to do that to the King?" Pandrea asked. Aquina's blue skin became red at her cheeks. She then crossed her arms, turned her head, and puffed out her cheeks. This made her look adorable, and the pose made it hard to be mad.

"He called me little," Aquina whispered and then turned around.

"OH, NO!" Came Dalphia's cutesie voice, as she came rushing toward Aquina. "Let Big Sister give you lots of love and support!"

"Back off, you old pervert," Aquina yelled and threw her hands up.

Ice shot forwards and froze the feverish Dalphia in place, but then she started to glow. Soon, Dalphia's hands and ears began to turn into glowing red fox ears and paws. Even a busy red tail sprouted. Then the ice began to melt, then steam off her, and Aquina turned and ran, squealing like a little girl.

Watching the two play made her feel something that she didn't have a lot of experience with, belonging. Most of Pandrea's life, she didn't feel like she belonged with the people she grew up with. That made her distance herself from even her parents. Her parents. Hopefully, they weren't too worried about her.

"While you're gone from that world, the memories you left are removed until you return. Your parents don't remember Greyson bringing you them because he left your world," comforted Calimus in Pandrea's mind. "When you return, there could be some confusion, but the memories will return like you just left."

She let out a sign then sucked it back up again as she noticed Sigardus was coming over towards her. Pandrea felt a moment of panic but noticed the two other guests with him. One looked like a green-haired fairy elf girl that holding the arm of a tall man, well built with blonde hair. His eye looked like they were moving, but Pandrea looked away and locked eyes with Sigardus.

"I so glad you're not locked up in a dungeon being tortured or something," grins Sigardus as he scratched the back of his head, walking up.

"Oh, believe me, I feel the same," Pandrea grins back and watches Dalphia chase Aquina around the room.

"So, let me introduce you to my saviors and emissaries from the neighboring kingdoms. First, this fiery eyed fellow is Liam of Hallin-Gra, newly Enlightened. Not really sure what that is. Beside him is Titania of The Fae. She not only is a Princess but also is sister to the queen," Sigardus introduced.

"Pleasure to meet a fellow Princess, call me Tita. Maybe someone might remember!" Titania turns to the boys and shot them both a look and the turned back to Pandrea with a cute smile.

As Pandrea shook Tita's hand, she became fascinated by the tribal tattooed line that covered her exposed skin. Noticing that Pandrea was oogling her markings, she pulled her hands behind her back, and her face started getting red. Pandrea noticing she had been inconsiderate, immediately apologized.

"I'm really sorry. I didn't mean to stare. I have just never seen anything like it. The way the colors change is beautiful like like a rippling rainbow," Pandrea expressed to Tita.

"Oh? Do you think it looks pretty? My sister used to tease me about it looking like the refection of black water. Most Fae, as Sig calls us, have some sort of tattoos they are born with, but they are all green, and they blend with our skin. Except for mine," Tita revealed quietly to Pandrea, looking at the floor with her hands behind her back.

The room had gone quiet, too quiet. Suddenly, before anyone could react, Dalphia tackled Tita to the floor and smothering Tita in her bosom. Pandrea sighed as Titania struggled against Dalphia's chest.

Turning, Pandrea noticed Sigardus and the little golden Kira perched on his shoulder. They both were staring at Aquina. Then it hit Pandrea, and she splits up Dalphia and Titania. Pandrea whispered something into Dalphia's ear, and her eye and face lit up with that overly friendly expression.

Something about this made her feel better, knowing that Dalphia wasn't trying to make a move on her. She just enjoyed being a big sister, Pandrea guessed. Dalphia stalked toward Sigardus and Kira, a small part of Pandrea almost felt sorry for them. Dalphia's intentions were good, but maybe not that pure.

Seeing the old hag stalk away from Pandrea, Aquina comes over.

"You didn't just feed your boyfriend to that monstrous hag, did you?" Aquina asked skeptically, watching, and waiting for the imminent tragedy that was she knew was about to unfold.

"Kira deserves what you got, and I'm happy he is learning. I think I should take the King up on his offer, Aquina, what do you think? AND he is not my boyfriend," the last part Pandrea rushedly whispered.

"Well, considering how little you know about this world and how new we both are, I think the Kings offer is a good idea," Aquina played with her large blue braids as she talked. "But I really think you should go help your man. It looks like that pervert is at it again."

Pandora looked up to see a red-faced Sigardus trying to meditate with Kira on his lap. Dalphia was hanging around Sigardus's shoulders, whispering in his ear's. Whatever she was saying, Sigardus kept getting redder.

"Stop it, Dal!" Pandrea shouted as she rushed over. "He can't concentrate with you so close to him."

The room went silent, but the Sigardus let out a breath.

"I'm so close, but we can't decide on the form," Sigardus grumbled as Pandrea sat down in front of him.

"Have you asked her what she wants to be?" Pandrea asked.

"Yes," he mumbled, but then paused. After a minute or so, Sigardus spoke again. This time his tone was quiet and defeated, and he looked away from Pandrea as he spoke.

"She wants to look like Aquina, but I could never dream of something so amazing. So, I feel like I'm failing her."

Pandrea thought about where her idea had come from, and it was true. The image she had used was a computer-generated version of the original idea. Then she had an idea and grabbed Sigardus's hands. This scared Kira, but Pandrea quickly apologized.

"I've got an idea," Pandrea said excitedly. Everyone was shocked as they came closer. Pandrea let go of his hand quickly as everyone crowded around.

"What is it?" Sigardus asked, hopefully.

"Remember that thing I did? It's just easier to show you all then try to explain it. Kira, you remember, right?" Pandrea asked the little golden girl.

Kira paused for a second, thinking with her hand on her chin. Then she began to nod vigorously. Pandrea smiled, then breathed out and inhaled Kira. Everyone gasped, except Sigardus, being the only one to witness this ability before.

Pandrea closed her eyes and concentrated. Kira came to her excitedly, and Pandrea began sending her images. Kira's presence was filled with excitement. Luckily, Pandrea had a lot of spare time to surf the internet and ran into thousands of cute pictures. After about a minute, Kira let Pandrea know that she had figured it out.

Pandrea let out Kira in a breath, and she sat back down on Sigardus's lap. At the same time, everyone let out the breath they had been holding for the last minute, Titania wobbled on her feet, but Liam steadied her.

"So?" Sigardus inquired.

"Close your eyes and try again," Pandrea encouraged.

He did, and so did Kira. They became quiet like everyone else and then sat for a moment without moving. Pandrea noticed Sigardus's lips mouth the words, "I see." Then, the two forms began to glow softly at first. Then light got brighter, and Dalphia screamed.

"Hit the deck and cover your eyes!"