The shiftlings

The camp

My head was ringing. Blinking rapidly the world slowly began to clear. I groaned. My memory's from the past hour began to return. I sat up, probably to fast as my head began to spin. Looking around I saw I was in a brightly light meadow filled the treetop hammock and teepees. Without a sound, the small warrior from the night in the forest jumped down landing softly in front of me. I screamed. Fear whipped through my body as I remembered the terrifying night before. She looked at me with an annoyed look and said: "hey hey hey, calm down I won't hurt you". I stopped screaming and began to study her more closely.

"What are you," I asked.

"Arghhh"  she complained, " look I can't tell you but if you really want to know to follow me". I didn't want to trust her but my curiosity overwhelmed me. With great effort, I managed to stand. Stepping slowly and carefully I followed this strange woman into a large dark cave. Hearing a loud scraping along the walls I jumped back. The strange women snorted at me. Seething I yelled, " YOU WOULD HAVE DONE THE SAME". She broke out in laughter. " What's so funny" I growled. Suddenly the laughter stop and like a flash I saw her great yellow eyes appear in front of me. With a gasp, I stumble back falling down onto the cold hard floor.

She sighs " close your eyes and listens". I do as I'm told. " now open again". As I open my eyes I gasp. I can see the whole cave. Every pebble on the floor, every puddle of water, every small design carved in the cave. Filling the walls were hundreds of carving, displaying different stories and legends. "WHAT THE" I yelled. As soon as I yelled I covered my ears. Why was I so loud? Cackling loudly she lifted me onto my feet.

" My name is Andressa by the way" she whispered. With my new hearing, I heard her perfectly. "Come on," she said. Quickly, I jumped a began to follow her through the cave. As we neared the end of the passage I noticed a dim golden light glowing. My pace increased slightly but just enough to get ahead of Andressa. Like lightning, she was in front of me with her arm over my chest and said: "no I lead". I nodded hastily and she dropped her arm. When we turned the corner we entered a room covered I glowing gemstones. Lying on a stone slab was a huge sleeping lion. I froze. But Andressa was bowing to it. I was extremely confused. She turned and scowled at me. Pulling me down to a bow the lion rose. With a swish and a flash, a tall African stood above us. "Rise," she said in a strong imperial voice. Slowly, we rose I stared into bright yellow eyes. She was smiling warming at me. "Hello child, how do you feel" she vocalised. " I'm fine, um can I ask what's going on". I questioned. Andressa hissed beside me. "Of course child" she smiled. "You are in the Shiftlings camp located in the yellow stone national park, you are currently experiencing the transformation from human to shiftling".

"Excuse me what," I asked. "Ok let me explain," she said. " long ago before humans began there were four moons, one represented water, another earth, air and the last one represented life.  The first moon believes that humans should be made from water creatures, the second believed they should be made of the earth creatures and the third moon believed of air creatures. The fourth moon believed humans should grow through a natural transformation but the other moons would not listen. To prove its idea the first moon used all of its essences to created humans through the water. The first moon died and the first water shiftlings were born. The second moon said since the first moon has failed it is my turn. Her impression of the second moon was very funny so I giggle. Andressa turned and glared at me. Realising I did something wrong I quickly shut my mouth. The lady continued. So the second moon used all its essence to create humans out of earth creatures. Creating the earth shiftlings. With only two moons left the fourth moon begged the third moon not to make the same mistake. But it would not listen. Once again the third moon used all it's essence to create humans through air creatures. Once again it failed, creating the air shiftlings. Leaving only one moon. This moon told the shiftlings that when man was created they must protect him with their life. Adding one final warning the moon said: " my children you must never eat the blackberries".

"Why not eat the blackberries" I questioned. "Ahhh," she said with a twinkle of mystery in her eye "that is a story for another time"

Authors note
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Sorry for the long wait hope you enjoy the story. I will try to post the next chapter quickly.