Testing Abilities

The winds blew through the mountains as dense white clouds moved slowly through the sky.

"Now...let's get back to you. It's time for you to learn the rest of your abilities", Emmanuel said bringing them back on their main objective for the day.

"I can't wait. The first was...fire breath, right? How do I do that exactly?" Samuel asked impatiently.

"It should be relatively easy for you. The fire breath is sort of the default skill of every dragon as spoken of in myth and fiction. You first need to close your eyes and focus inwardly... remember to regulate your breathing", the doctor instructed.

Samuel nodded as he closed his eyes and took in a few deep breaths. "Keep breathing and listen. In your lungs are two special organs. These organs serve as compartments that house special volatile gases. When the gases from the organ in your right lung come into contact with the oxygen in your breath, they ignite".

"The flame would then probably build up and condense at the back of your throat, awaiting release. Don't worry. You are thermally insulated both inside and out", "Dr. Michelson explained and assured.

"I think I understand", Samuel said after digesting all the information.

"Let's try it. Feel the organ in your right lung, and try to release the gases", the doctor instructed and Samuel did just that after a minute or two of intense concentration.

"Now, take in a deep breath, sense the flames as they slowly build up at the back of your throat. After you have built up enough, just let it out with a breath", the doctor described.

"I'll give it a shot", Samuel said, flames spilling out with each word he spoke.

With full concentration, he built up the searing flames and forced it out through his mouth.

A stream of searing red flames shot out of his mouth, traveling a few hundred feet before teetering out.

Not satisfied with what he had just seen, Samuel took in a deeper breath and after a few seconds, fired off another blast of flames with greater intensity than before, completely engulfing the top of the mountain peak in his direct line of sight, half a mile away.

The force of the blast almost knocked them both off the terrace.

It was strong enough to force Samuel's feet to dig into the quartz terrace floor while Emmanuel had to hold on tight to the railings.

Samuel was astonished and so was the doctor. "That was insane!" Samuel shouted as a residue of the flames was expelled from his mouth.

"In time, and with enough practice, you will be able to breathe fire with greater intensity without having to go through the long process of building up the flames before firing. It will be second nature to you; pure instinct" Emmanuel informed.

"Cool!" Samuel said, taking a look at the burning mountain peak.

"Let's continue. Now we are going to try your ice breath. Just like your fire breath, your ice breath has the same process. Like I explained earlier, there is another organ in your left lung. that produces some sort of gas akin to nitrogen gas".

"When the gas is drawn out of the organ, take in a deep breath and condense it. Then following the same procedure, fire it out with a breath", Emmanuel instructed.

Samuel took in a deep breath as he built up the ice at the back of his throat.

When it was fully condensed, he forced it out and, just like the fire, it shot out of his mouth with similar intensity, firing towards the same mountain peak.

The ice breath hit the top of the still burning mountain peak, freezing over everything and quenching the festering flames instantly.

"That was fantastic, better than I expected", Emmanuel said as he stared at the frozen peak, glistening in the sunlight.

"That was sick!" Samuel said as jumped up in excitement, residual gaseous ice spilling from his mouth with chilling and sizzling sounds, dropping the temperature around them slightly.

"I am sure with time and practice; you will be able to shoot both fire and ice at the same time.", Emmanuel said.

"Fire and ice at the same time, how is that possible? Ice and fire are like the total opposites, right?", Samuel asked puzzled.

"It sounds impossible but we still don't know the full extent of a dragon's capabilities. Dragon fire and ice are of different principles than regular fire and ice. Regular fire and ice can't mix but Dragon fire and ice should work based on the said dragon's will", Emmanuel explained.

"I see. I get it now", Samuel said.

"Now let's take a look at the durability, and strength of your claws and Talons", he said to Samuel. 

"I could always climb trees with them, if that counts. They do grow longer when I'm in my rage mode though", Samuel informed.

"That's good. I mean the tree bit, but we need to work on controlling your blood lust. You are a Dragon after all, and as a Dragon you are prone to succumbing to your bloodlust and murderous instincts, especially when you are angry", Emmanuel said.

"Now back to your claws and talons. We need to test their strength and durability. "Fly down to the bottom of the ravine and without the aid of your wings, climb back up", Emmanuel instructed.

"Hmm! Down there huh?" Samuel asked as he looked down into the ravine. "Yeah! Use just your claws and talons. Trust your instincts and climb", the doctor instructed.

"Sure", Samuel said and leapt off the balcony, gliding smoothly to the bottom of the ravine.

"Now, let's see how this will go", Samuel said as he touched the mountain and sank his claws into the rock.

He started climbing slowly with his claws and talons, and before he realized, his instincts had taken over.

He climbed up the mountain with the such ferocity that it even scared the doctor.

His speed as he climbed was impressive, almost as if he was hunting. It took him next to no time to reach the terrace once again. It amazed Emmanuel because, he had underestimated Samuel's speed and agility.

"That was incredible, you really blew my mind", he commented excitedly.

"Thanks for the compliment", Samuel replied with a smile. "Anyway Doc., what did you mean by 'hypnosis?" Samuel asked suddenly.

"It's the ability to affect the minds of others and influence their very actions, inactions, and thoughts by forcing your will upon them", Emmanuel replied.

"Does that have anything to do with the animals in the mountains obeying my every word?!" Samuel asked curiously.

"Actually, that happens because of your Dragon side", the doctor answered. "My dragon side...what...?" Samuel asked with a confused look on his face.

"Yes. Since ancient times, it is believed that animals had the biological instinct to look up to creatures stronger than them as superiors, dragons for instance. Dragons in ancient myth were seen as symbols of absolute authority over the beasts of the world. Since all animals have their own form of communication, your dragon side enables you to communicate with them; hence they obey your every command", Dr. Michelson explained.

"Okay, I think I understand now", Samuel said. "Back to the subject of 'Hypnosis', it works well with your strength of mind and will. The way it works is, you impose your will on another by emanating and directing your brain waves to nullify their sense of will and thought. They see what you want them to see; hear what you want them to hear; do what you want them to do; say what you want them to say; think what you want them to think; remember what you want them to remember. There is so much more hypnosis is capable of, that is only dreamed of". 

"You should also able to counter any other form of mind control or hypnosis with yours. Notwithstanding the fact that your hypnosis is a powerful ability, note that it is highly unpredictable. Overusing it could have consequences. I advise you to never use it unless it is absolutely necessary", Emmanuel warned.

"I understand. I'll be extremely careful", Samuel replied.

After a while, the doctor asked a question thought by Samuel to be physically impossible, "Hey Samuel, have you ever tried retracting your wings?"

"No! Is that even possible?!" came the loud reply. "It is, now listen", he said drawing Samuel's full, and undivided attention. He walked behind Samuel and placed a finger in between the roots of Samuel's wings. 

"I want you to concentrate really hard on the spot I'm touching and try folding in your wings. Feel the roots of your wings and try returning the wings back to them".

"I'll try", Samuel said as he focused and began his first attempt, failing in the end.

After several trials and errors, Samuel finally succeeded in retracting his wings. "Ha! I did it!" Samuel declared with joy but his wings re-emerged as a result.

"I see. You managed to pull it off but you have to learn to keep them in too", Emmanuel said as Samuel re-retracted his wings.

"Now let's…, wait what's happening?" Dr. Michelson was suddenly cut short and shocked by what he was seeing.

Seconds after Samuel was able to fold in his wings, he began to glow lightly as his entire body structure began to change.

His tail was slowly pulled into his body and his eyes switched to a regular pair of beige colored human eyes. All his scales flipped inward revealing regular, slightly tanned, human skin.

His sharp fangs, claws and talons were retracted and replaced by regular white human teeth, finger nails and toe nails respectively.

He was now a head shorter than before as well as leaner due to the reduced musculature; his clothes now looking baggy and ridiculous on him.

"Cool, I can wear shoes now", Samuel shouted as he lifted his now human foot and wiggled his talon less toes, not paying any attention to the other changes on his body.

"Wow! I did not see that coming. I can't believe I missed such a crucial thing in all the tests I ran", Emmanuel whispered to himself in astonishment.

"I guess the secret is in the wings", Samuel said humorously. "I guess it is or rather, in the mindset you had when retracting your wings. I guess I just tested the physical aspects of your wings, not on what they do when they return to your body. The transformation must be an instinctual response to folding in your wings. Perhaps performing the action tells your body you can relax and are ready to go back to being human; some kind of switch", Emmanuel said with a smile.

"I guess living a normal life isn't a pipe dream after all", Samuel mumbled to himself with a smile as he gazed into the sky.