To Be Human

Control

  Nina and Jeanne had gone to the land of gods to see El, and I had remained in the village while Mom helped me with changing out my bandages. Azazel had run off a few days ago, so there was no telling where he was now. It also didn't take long for me to realize that Mom knew we lied about how I got hurt, but I didn't have the heart to tell her that I had spent some of my time being tortured by the capital.

  After a few days, I was able to move around fine on my own, and the water of the hot springs helped a great deal with its healing properties. It was nice to spend some time in the safety of home after everything, but when a letter arrived for me to discreetly return to the capital, I left the village once again.

  Groaning, I held the straps of my bag while walking along the dirt road. It was going to take me days to reach the capital at this rate. Slumping my shoulders, I hung my head as the sun was high overhead and birds were chirping all around me.

  "I wish I could fly." I mumbled while watching a bird flit between trees. "Wait a minute...." My brows furrowed as stopped walking. It wasn't so successful the first time, but maybe if I tried transforming again, it'd work out better without all the other stressful factors.

  Well, there was only one way to find out.

  Sliding off my cloak and bag, I stood in the middle of the road and stretched. Shaking my hands, I slowly breathed while closing my eyes. 'You can do this.' I told myself. 'It'll be easy, just do the opposite of what you did that one time. Just....transform instead of not transforming.'

  Balling my hands into fists, I focused as my brows furrowed and bugs chirped in the bushes.

  "Come on, this should be easy. You're dragonfolk, Lila, it's in your blood to transform." I started talking to myself out loud. "Just think of the time you'll save with giant wings instead." I could vaguely hear Nina cheering me on in the back of my head. "Think scaley thoughts, think scaley thoughts...."

  It seemed my wishes had been answered when I opened my eyes and was looking down at the trees. I looked at my clawed hands and ended up making a little roar of excitement. I wish I could show Nina this! And Rita, and Mugaro! Actually, I wanted to show everyone. Feeling giddy, I leaned down and gently picked up my cloak and bag.

  Holding my things close to my plated chest, I spread my wings and tested them. They seemed sturdy enough, so I leapt into the air and began to flap them to take off.

~

  "Lila!" I heard Nina's voice call out, making me look up from the map in my hands.

  "Nina!" I grinned before catching my sister after she launched at me with a hug. "Why are you dressed like a demon?"

  "It's my disguise!" She giggled while stepping away to spin in a circle, showing off the outfit complete with horns and a tail. "What do you think? Rita helped me with it."

  "It's definitely different." I stated and readjusted my bag hanging from my shoulder.

  "Are you all healed?"

  "And then some!" I grinned while flexing my arms. "I haven't felt this good in a while."

  "That's great." Nina smiled and took me by the hand to lead me into a cave. "You must be hungry from traveling. Come on, Rita can fix you up something."

  "Wait, where are you going?" I questioned when she started to walk away.

  "To go get intel! I was on my way to do that when you got here."

  "Be careful!"

  "I will don't worry." Nina waved, and I turned to Rita who was also dressed like a demon with large, crimson horns. Her arms were crossed and her eyes narrowed at me.