The hunt begins

Over the course of the following weeks, Erik embarked on a hunt. His targets were people with shapeshifting brain crystal powers.

One by one, he tracked them down, neutralized them, and absorbed their powers. Eleven, each one a different piece of the puzzle he was assembling.

The result of his efforts was a new power that allowed him to shapeshift into animals. But animals only.

It was a fascinating ability. It offered a plethora of strategic options, but it was different from Conal's power - Erik couldn't gain more transformations by drinking blood.

Each new form resulted from merging the powers he had absorbed from the guys he killed to get an ability that could transform them all.

His repertoire of animal forms was diverse, and each had its own unique advantages. Some were combat-oriented, like the gorilla or the panther.