Saving The Old Land

The Shift

Zya's P.O.V.

I sat at the conference table watching several people argue about me. Many of them did not want to believe that I was Claudia's daughter, all because I hadn't shifted and the fact that I just randomly showed up after eighteen years. I looked at Claudia who had her chin resting on her palm, watching the people not saying a word. I could only assume she was figuring out how to say what she wanted or something else. Her face said little to nothing. I was able to read most people's facial expressions, but hers was unclear. I knew for sure that she believed I was her daughter because after the run to this castle she held onto me tightly.

I sighed softly and leaned back in my chair to look out the window near me. Just outside the window showed the rocky terrain and trees. This castle was on the side of a cliff that led up onto a mountain just behind. Many of the people that lived here either lived in the castle or in houses that they built onto the face of the cliff. I asked about it because the way they were built seemed dangerous. Apparently, it was not all that dangerous. I was informed that if there was a quack they are more likely to be crushed by falling debris if they built on the ground. Plus, the Changeling like to climb and stay in high places so that, if they needed to, they could fly away quickly.

"Quiet!" I jumped, hearing a woman scream and a loud banging sound. I looked back over at everyone and saw them staring at Claudia. "I have heard enough!" She was now standing with both her hands flat on the table. "I can feel the presence of my daughter on her and I will believe that as much as Rylie. We are going to have to induce her shift when she is ready." She looked over at me. "Take the time you need and let me or Rylie know when you are ready. We will explain it before you decide though, so you are aware of the changes." She turned back to the group. "As for all of you. Go back to what you were doing before I called you here. Now!" Claudia hissed, waving her hand at them. The group of people quickly scurried off out of fear or annoyance. The only people left now were Rylie, Claudia and myself.

"So," Rylie broke the silence and moved to sit next to me. "When you shift it will be painful, and I mean like you breaking every bone in your body and growing many new ones. All while that is happening, your senses will be on overdrive, your smelling, hearing, sight, even touch will be heightened. Overall, you might feel like you are losing yourself but really you are," Rylie paused. "You could say evolving since you have known being a human longer."

"One other thing to add is this for sure," Claudia spoke up quickly. "You'll seek comfort whatever that might be. Since you are no longer on Earth, that may be very different here. Say you run off to wherever we won't go looking until we know you are done sifting. This is for the safety of everyone. When you are shifting you will feel threatened by everyone unless you seek out someone. Now, if you seek out someone or something, we will let you be with that thing or person. Everyone varies when these changes come to them." I looked down at my hands and clenched them closed. I was used to being in pain at all times, my body just never felt right and hurt everywhere all the time. I wanted it to be over quickly and fast, I wanted to learn more about myself. I have never known much about myself because when I was adopted there was nothing about me, no one could find any family or any possible issues with me. This may have been being a Changeling and me disappearing from my family, so, there was nothing for me there.

"Okay, we should get lunch now." Rylie spoke, standing up from her seat.

"After lunch," I spoke. I heard a hum making me look up at a stunned Rylie. I stood up and faced them. "I want this to be over with. I'll deal with the pain if I must. The sooner this is done, the sooner I can start learning more about this life I have been missing." I spoke in a stern tone, looking at them with a serious look.

"If you are this sure, then it will be done. Let's go eat before we start." Claudia smiled softly. I nodded and waited for them to lead the way out.

Both castles seemed really big, so learning my way around may take time but well worth it. Claudia was not like a Queen on Earth, she did everything that anyone else would. When she wasn't busy she would help clean, cook, or even settle things within the castle. She did not consider herself above everyone else, she was one of them and they were like her family. When it came to lunch, we made it in time to join the line of people. Everyone had their turn and had the same amount and the same things to eat. It was normal for them to see Claudia somewhere in the line and not having been served first. Rylie ate what she wanted and could before excusing herself to go setup my shift. What she didn't finish I did because I had never felt so hungry before and I wasn't going to let food leave my sight. When Claudia and I finished eating we went outside and met up with Rylie who had a bag with her. She was kneeling to mess with the things in her bag.

"Ready?" Claudia asked, walking over to Rylie the rest of the way. Rylie jumped up, nodding.

"So," Rylie paused and looked at Claudia. "We never got a name for her." Claudia looked stunned and then saddened.

"Don't bother asking for my Earth name. I hated it!" I sighed. Then it hit me. "What name would you have given me before?" I asked, looking at Claudia. She was my mother after all. Why not let her decide to have the start of some sort of bond between us. I could see her face visibly light up and her smile widened.

"I would have named you Zya," Claudia answered.

"Fits with what I have been saying then. Plus, Zya sounds like an amazing name." I smiled back. A pinching feeling hit my shoulder, making me yelp and look over at Rylie.

"Sorry, took the chance while you were distracted. It was a serious question though." Rylie chuckled, pulling the needle away from me. "The effects will start working when they do, again, varying for each person. Let's hope you don't have issues, since typically, when we shift it as young as 10 and as old as 14. So, inducing can lead to who knows what."

"Now, it would have been nice to know before you injected my daughter," Claudia sighed. I can tell you it was kicking in now, only because I felt the need to walk away.

"Um, well, I feel like walking alone. You said you'd find me later?" I asked, now feeling antsy.

"Yes, so don't worry about getting lost. The only thing to worry about is if an Ulunneth shows up," Claudia answered. "So, go. Remember, let it happen. Don't fight it."

"Okay!" I nodded and took off walking into the woods. I needed to be alone and quickly. This feeling was not a 'I want to be alone'. It was one of either leave me alone or die.

I started walking but then I had to run. So, I took off running and didn't stop. I continued until my whole body felt like it was on fire. I stopped and looked around for a place to rest. I had no idea where the hell I was now, but knowing they would find me kept me from getting scared. I did want one thing though, but how to get it would be a challenge. Since the thing I wanted was to be near Aziel and talk to him.

"I really wish you were here, Aziel. This would make things easier for me." I groaned. I spotted a cave and walked over and went inside a few feet where it started to get dark inside. The dark felt and looked nice to be in. I sat down and pulled my knees to my chest, feeling a pinching in my chest. Damn, this really did hurt and Rylie wasn't kidding when she said the bones felt like they were breaking.

I sat there breathing heavily before a wave of pain hit me again, making me scream. I could now feel bones popping out of place and others attempting to move. I fell to the ground and whimpered as this continued. I was not sure how long it had been since it started and how much longer it would continue. I got to my hands and knees feeling my insides moving now, they were moving to fit my new form and I did not like that feeling.

"Aziel." I whimpered softly, feeling a few tears start to form. Why I wanted him near me was a surprise even to me. I had barely met the guy and here I was needing him to baby my side. No matter how much I tried, all I wanted to do was fight the change. Fighting it seemed like the right thing, but I know it would only make things harder.

"Hey, calm down. I got you." A soft whisper hit my ears before a pair of hands touched me. I instantly recognized the voice as Aziel. Why or how he was here was beyond me or my knowledge. I didn't care though, he was here and that made this easier to deal with. "I was right to go looking when I heard your call. You are a hard person to find." He chuckled.

"But how?" I could muster out through the pain.

"Ulunneth can read minds, but we choose not to unless we are called. Or we ask the person's permission." Aziel spoke but for some reason it sounded like he was trying to whisper. "Now, just forget everything and relax." I closed my eyes and took a few deep breaths.

I lay there for who knows how long until I felt Aziel start moving me off of him. I opened my eyes quickly and noticed there was no more pain anywhere in my body. I looked at Aziel who was now kneeling next to me, looking me up and down with a look of confusion. I tilted my head, still looking at him. Something felt off and I couldn't figure it out without doing something. I stood up and stopped when I smashed my head on the roof of the cave. When I entered this cave I swore it was tall enough for a Changeling, but not me apparently. I walked out and started turning my head to look at myself.

"I have no words." Aziel spoke as I looked at my side. I looked like a Changeling for sure, but I wasn't completely black. I have a gray tail, two gray back socks, and a couple of spots on my back. The worst part, though, was when I looked at my right side, I was missing a wing. It was a stub, like it had been cut off long ago.

"Well, this is not what I expected." I sighed, sitting down to face Aziel. "Worst part of all this. Changeling's pride themselves on their wings."

"But at least you make up for that with your looks." Aziel chuckled, placing a hand on my snout. My ears flicked up and away from the cave. I heard footsteps and a smell that I barely recognized.

"She should be this way." Rylie spoke. "Damn she went far!" She laughed. My mother and Rylie broke through some brush to see Aziel and I looked at them.

"Oh my!" Rylie gasped, looking at me. "I can't fix that." She said. She walked over and touched my nonexistent wing. "Does it hurt?"

"Nope. Not one bit," I answered. I sat back down. I could hear Aziel trying to sneak out but I stopped him quickly. I grabbed him with my tail and pulled him over.

"Damn it! I was hoping you wouldn't notice," Aziel groaned.

"I guess you found your comfort." My mother chuckled. "I'm glad." She smiled.

"Now that this is over. I have something to do when we get back." I spoke. "First, shifting back. Let me try to figure this out first." I closed my eyes and relaxed my body, thinking of my human form.

"Impressive! That takes most Ulunneth hours, even days, to do it for their first time." Aziel laughed.

"Same with Changelings." Rylie blinked.

"I merely guessed." I chuckled. I looked down at my hands to make sure. I looked up to see the sky finally dark. "What time is it?"

"Way past dinner." My mother spoke up.

"It looks like dusk to me. That is so weird." I shook my head. Around me, I could see the trees clearly, but looking up I could see the stars.

"You'll get used to it." Claudia chuckled again. "Well, I guess I have to thank you for being here for her Aziel." She nodded to him, I looked at him.

"It was worth it. Also, I would do anything to help her." Aziel spoke with a small smile. "Until next time Z." Aziel nodded at me. I quickly jumped him, giving him a hug. He hesitantly hugged me back.

"Thank you." I whispered before pulling away. I watched him walk away. I felt a hand bringing me back to reality. I was now being led back to the Changeling castle for the night. I really did hope to see Aziel again, but not like this. I really enjoyed his company.