Even though Alexandria was exhausted after the reveal of Promised Retribution. It had been some time since she had shifted. After reading through her journals she came to the conclusion that not shifting could cause some of her forms to either be forgotten or damaged. She wasn't quite sure how it worked just yet, but she needed to at least shift and practice so that she could retain each form. There was also the matter of her trying to find a way to increase that ability since after shifting into the polar bear she felt as though she had reached a limit of some sort.
Alexandria had left the matter of the dome for a later time. They were going to hold a crew meeting to discuss how to utilize it for training and other purposes. She had found a secluded area not too far from where Veronica's cave was that no one had seemed to bother yet. There were those who had not yet seen her ability so she found it would be better to practice away from prying eyes.
V shifted on her shoulder poking at Alexandria's hair with her beak. She reached up and petted V's head. “I know it's been a while since it was just the two of us and we will fly for a bit but that will be at the end I need to try the hardest one first.”
Cracking her knuckles Alexandria closed her eyes and started the shifting process into her polar bear form. V took to the sky with a shrieking sound flapping her wings looking for a place to land. Thankfully with everything going on inside the main settlement area and the work being done at the harbor along with any other training going on hopefully it would drown out her shifting. Of course, she knew that there was only one person that would know exactly what she was doing and that would be Tyra.
Alexandria's screen morphed into a roar as she dropped down on all fours fully shifted into the polar bear form. She stood there for the moment, panting, her eyesight was a bit glazed over with red. Alexandria could remember faint glimpses of the first time she transformed. She needed to focus it would be disastrous if she lost control on the island.
A shrieking sound caught her attention. She turned her head to see a nearby tree with V perched in one of the lower branches. A low growl escaped her mouth however she was thinking and seeing more clearly. She shook her head, opening her eyes and the red was completely gone.
Her breathing became steadier, and she was able to utilize a few of the senses of the polar bear. However, she still didn't have full control over everything. When she fought last time, it was Instinct that drove her, and she almost hurt her crew members. Now it was time for Alexandria to figure out how to use this form to fight without endangering her crew.
It was time to figure out exactly what she can do. She started to sniff the air and used her giant claws to paw at the ground. The salty air tickled her nose. Her paws radiated warmth from the ground she had dug up. Alexandria wondered if this was even a fraction of what Tyra felt when using her abilities.
Alexandria stood up on her hind legs looking up at the sky. She could feel her other shifting forms. They were not corroded or damaged in any way. She had never felt anything like this in the past. When the training was over, she needed to remember this feeling and tested over and over again because for some reason it felt as though she could expand her capacity. However, it might take some time and possibly some blood shed to obtain it.
She listened closely to all the sounds around her trying to see if another roar would be possible. Tools tapped against wood, stone, and ore while waves crashed against the rock and beaches that were close by. The sounds reverberated all around her, but she was sure another roar would just bring people to her.
It was clear that for the moment all she could do was practice moving around in this form. She dropped to all fours and started to walk around. Even though her other form did have four legs they were significantly smaller and much easier to get used to. However, this form was much larger, and she wasn't accustomed to walking on four legs yet.
Alexandria stumbled a bit catching herself by digging her claws into the ground beneath her. She let out a soft growl trying to move slowly so she didn't trip and fall. Taking a few steps and trying to turn the large body was a bit cumbersome but she was finally getting the hang of it. She stopped standing up on her hind legs once again and swung her paws in front of her swiping at the empty space.
‘I'm finally getting the hang of this. Of course I can't talk in these forms. Thankfully my thoughts echo in my head so I don't feel unable to communicate.’ She needed to learn if telepathy could be shared with at least her allies. She did read something in her journal about the researchers saying it was possible, but they never elaborated.
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‘That will be my next goal to be able to at least communicate with one of my crew members while in a shifted state. Perhaps my mother can shed some light on this since she is a shifter as well.’ Hopefully Lorelei could help her out. Of course, right now training was all that was important. She also needed to remember that after this before they went back to everyone else, she needed to keep her promise to V.
Alexandria dropped all fours again and started to practice walking. She also decided it would be a good idea to practice moving these massive jaws of hers. Of course, she did remember faintly biting and clawing at enemies on the ship but again that was instinct, and she wanted to be in control of it. It may take some time, but she was going to do everything in her power to achieve that.
Tyra had returned to her tower. She needed to keep an eye out for anyone coming too close to the island. They did have defenses set up but most of the groups, organizations, and settlements have been out of walled cities for much longer than them so any traps or obstacles they may have thought up could be countered by the enemies' experiences out here. She was well aware of what Alexandria was doing and decided that she was going to make sure nobody interrupted her.
The sounds of the island were deafening at times but right now even though there was work going on all over the island Tyra was content. She had become used to the noise of the area and she knew it wouldn't last long after everything was built. She would never have the quiet that she did on her original Island. Of course, I was one of the reasons she decided to leave it because of the silence.
Tyra took in a deep breath and felt the wind coming through the open window of her watchtower. Her hair lifted and tickled her face as it moved with the dance of the wind. It was always her favorite thing to just get up as high as possible and let the wind caress her face. Her ears perked up as the faint echo of sails flapping in the wind reached them. She grabbed her rifle balancing it on the edge of the window peering through the scope in the direction of the sound.
Her eyes widened as it was only a single ship but that wasn't the problem. The sales bore the symbol of the walled city government. Tyra clicked her tongue in frustration. She tried to look on the deck and see if anyone was there. Sadly, at the moment there was only one person, but the mast and the helm made it impossible to see who it was.
Another sound penetrated her ears from behind. It was the sound of ships bouncing on waves. She spun around leaving her rifle where it was and used just her eyes to look in the opposite direction. A sly smile crossed her face as at least half a dozen ships were heading to the harbor. However, these ships all bore different banners on their sales which meant she was correct it wasn't everyone they sent messages to, but they came as a group. The only problem now was the walled city ship that was making its way from the other side of the island.
Tyra needed to decide which alarm she would sound. She could sound the alarm for intruders directing everyone to the other side of the island to confront the walled city government ship and take it out. However, the group that was approaching were potential allies but there was also the chance it could be a pincer attack. Of course, if it was it was highly unusual for a single walled city ship to take one side. Whoever was on that ship is either very skilled or completely insane.
There was still the matter of the test for the half a dozen ships that were making their way to the harbor. She decided to speak with Valentina to test them to see if they were allies or enemies. Out of everyone she was one of the few they could actually prove useful in negotiations without even saying a word.
She decided to ring the bell for incoming ships. That way when she met up with Valentina they could head to the harbor or anyone else who heard the bell sound could go to the other side and deal with the walled city ship. She rang the bell jumping from the open window while shouldering her rifle. Tyra smiled sliding down the side of the tower with the cord she installed to get down quickly.
Valentina was waiting at the base of the tower a sly smile painted across her face. “What is going on and why was the warning bell only signaling for incoming ships that’s a bit vague don’t you think?” There had to be more to the story and that made Valentina excited. However, she just needed to wait a second for Tyra to answer her question.
Tyra was glad to see Valentina was already here. That saved her the trouble of having to find her. However, there was still the matter of how to get word to everyone else about the walled city ship. “There are two different groups coming from opposite directions. About half a dozen or so ships are making their way to the harbor all flying different banners and flags. However, on the other side of the island a single walled city ship is making its way to where Promised Retribution is moored.” This wasn’t an ideal situation and if they knew the status of the larger group it would be much easier to proceed.
“I will slow time and go inform Hugo on the situation. I’m sure they can handle the walled city ship. We should also find Alexandria since she will want to defend Promised Retribution. Do we have enough time to do all that?” Valentine let out a soft chuckle wondering why the hell she asked that question when she clearly just talked about slowing time.
“Yes, please slow down time and go straight to Hugo. I already know where Alexandria is so I will take care of that issue. Once we are both finished, we will meet up at the harbor.” Tyra chuckled a bit nodding in agreement. They both turned to go in their respective directions. Talking could wait for the moment as Tyra could feel Valentina’s spell working around them. This would be the first time they defended the island. The two of them had to be almost flawless since they could gain valuable information and allies after everything was said and done.