Shifters [Discontinued]

Prologue

Quick note: Ages for this story will be as followed

Simon - 20

Josh - 20

Tobi - 19

JJ - 18

Ethan - 18

Vik - 16

Harry - 12

Plus there will be a lot of extra characters who you might know! Anyway, here we go!

A Child's History Of Our People by Unknown Author

Some 3000 years ago...

Long ago, not long after the world as we know it was first created and humans were taking their first fragile steps into civilisation, things were very different. There was a certain order to things.

Firstly, you had all the stars, littering the sky like diamonds in the darkness; and all the world among the stars. Mountains, lakes, trees, flowers, oceans. These became the homes to all the animals and birds, and where there were animals you were bound to find humans, who would hunt the animals for food and use the land to farm crops.

Except not all humans were the same. The vast majority were what you would call "normal" humans, of average strength, speed and intelligence; skills that could be improved upon with hard practice.

But then you had other humans. Humans who were born slightly different; born with a strong connection, already fully bonded to another in the animal kingdom. These humans became known as Shifters, for the obvious reason of their ability to shapeshift into that one particular animal they were bonded to.

While in their normal forms, characteristics from their animal counter part were carried over. For example a man whose counterpart was a deer might be a strong long distance runner in his human form, or a woman who could shift into a lemur would be an excellent climber.

Obviously anyone born with this talent was infinitely more skilled and adept at living in those early civilisations than their fellow humans, but that way of life was just accepted; it was just how things were, no arguments.

Now among the early Shifters, was a young man called Enir-riah, who was friends with all humans, both Normals and Shifters alike. He was bonded to the tiger, and as the tiger was the Prince of the jungle, he was the Prince of the Shifters. He was the one who managed to keep everyone happy, and made sure that both humans were treated equally and lived alongside each other peacefully. However there was one problem with that, for with no natural predators of their own and stronger abilities, the Shifters were able to live longer and have larger, healthier families. And so the balance between Shifters and Normals began to shift itself, into something dark and deadly.

The main problem was food, the Shifters were taking all the food that was put on Earth for everyone. Be it on the land, in the sky, or swimming in the lakes and oceans, they were always able to get to the food quicker and would leave little for the others.

Enir-riah allowed this to happen, for as he had grown older he had begun to enjoy the power that came with being a Shifter. They were the future, he thought, the ultimate human. One day they would rule the whole world. But one night, while he was sleeping, a voice spoke to him. The voice belonged to Edarr, and much like the humans had their various Gods to worship, the Shifters had their own, the one they believed created them. Up until now though, Edarr had yet to speak to anyone.

"Prince of the Shifters, if you cannot control your people, I shall find ways to control them."   

But Enir-riah would not listen and said to the voice: "My people are the strongest in the world. I do not fear you."

This angered Edarr immensely, and he determined to get the better of Enir-riah. So he gave a present to every normal human, giving them the ability to sense when any Shifter nearby changed into their animal counterpart, and to some humans, he gave them the gift of advanced knowledge and weapons. To each of these humans Edarr gave a fierce desire to hunt and kill the friends and family of Enir-riah.

They did, setting out on their conquest with weapons the Shifters could not even comprehend. Guns, harpoons, traps to catch them off guard. In hardly any time many of the Shifters had been wiped out. Enir-riah now knew that Edarr was too clever for him, and he was frightened; never before had he feared the Shadow Shifter of death.

He made the decision to leave for another town where people would not recognise him, and stay in his human form. He was still stronger than normal humans but by not changing, he hoped no one would ever know he was a Shifter, and he could live safely. It meant giving up a part of who he was but that was better than getting slaughtered.

But he could not hide from Edarr, who found him in the new town. "My friend," he spoke to the man in his human form while he walked around the town amongst the crowds of humans, "have you seen Enir-riah? For I wish to give him a gift."

"Hmm..uh no, I-I have not seen him."

So Edarr said: "Come out from the crowds, and I will bless you instead."

"No I cannot. I am busy. I have to buy food at the market like a normal human. If you want to bless me, you'll have to bless me here."

"Very well, be it so."

And Enir-riah suddenly felt an intense urge to change into his tiger form, so powerful that it hurt. He had no choice but to transform into his counterpart, right in the middle of the town. While people were screaming and shouting for the hunters to come and get him, he took the chance to run away, using his huge strength and speed to escape to the countryside, travelling faster than any human or animal had travelled before.

No matter how far he travelled he was hunted, for wherever he went he could never stay hidden. If he went too long without changing into his animal form, the pain would grow so great it would feel like he would pass out, and if any normal humans happened to be nearby when he changed, the hunters would be on him in no time. They had no sympathy for them after the way they had acted all those years previously.

Now not only was Enir-riah's life changed forever, but also the lives of all Shifters, and Edarr spoke to all of them.

Your brothers are now your enemy. And whenever they catch you, they will kill you. But first they must catch you...

Climbers, flyers, swimmers, runners, those with gifts of the super senses. Be cunning and full of tricks, and your people will never be destroyed...

And now the proper characters will be introduced in the next chapter!