“Now shifting is an innate ability that druids can do. It will take a bit of essence but not a lot.”

“What animals can I shift into?”

“Again, you can shift into things such as wolves or cats. You can also do things like spiders, bears, horses and more. For this lesson, how about you focus on something simple like the cat you summoned.”

“Wait a hot minute. I can shift into Ginger!?” Merci was beyond excited for this lesson now. More excited than learning that she can summon eight ginger cats at once.

“Yes. Focus on the feline you wish to become. Embrace the morphing of your body. Don’t be scared of the sounds of the bones breaking and cracking as you shift. It doesn’t hurt, I promise you that.”

Breaking bones? She questioned herself. As far as she knew she hadn’t broken anything. So she had no idea what the sensation would be like.

“Don’t fear it. Embrace it. This is who you truly are.”

The voice boomed with confidence. Urging Merci to accept her reality and embrace who she is.

Feeling this burst of encouragement, Merci took a few deep breaths and focused on the orange cat that was once hers. The fluffiness of its fur. The green eyes and sharp claws. The gentleness of biscuits and the rubbing of his head against hers. Man she really missed that cat.

“I want to shift into Ginger. I was connected to him and it will be nice to honor him.” Merci said as she pictured the cat perfectly in her mind. “Now what?”

“Brace yourself. I already feel the transformation taking place.”

Just as the voice responded to her a loud crack was heard and another. Merci began to panic but soon calmed as soon as she remembered that boon breaking was part of the process. She felt a bit of essence leave her body as the world around her soon began to shrink and shift colors.

Her vision that once showed vibrant hues of color shifted into various grays. Her hands shifted into cat-like paws with sharp claws. Her jaw buckled and shifted into a cat-like jaw with sharp canines.

As she shrank, she lost her hair and grew fur. A tale protruded from her butt and her facial cheeks grew whiskers.

“Meow.” Merci said. “Meow! Meow!” Her vocal sound of that of a meow grew more and more panicked. She ran towards a small outcropping of a pond and stared at her reflection.

Holy Cat! I am an actual cat! Merci thought to herself. Hmm…She patted the water with her paw. Quickly shaking it dry.

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

She sat like a statue and just stared at her cat reflection. She liked what she saw, an orange fluffy cat, similar to that of Ginger. Merci felt a burst of pride run through her as she felt accomplished.

“Now shift back into your human self.”

Human self. I can do that.

Merci thought back to her original form. Her vibrant red hair. Her striking violet eyes and her fair skin. Alright, I am ready to be myself now.

In a matter of seconds her cat-like body shifted and grew human features. Merci glanced back down at the small pond and smiled as her charming self was back.

“There you are.” She breathed, “As much as I like being a cat, I think I’ll take being a human any day. At least I can talk.”

“I couldn’t agree more. I think it is time you head inside. I’d hate to see you in trouble for being out too late again.”

Shoot. Merci thought as she grabbed her backpack that her mother had bought her and raced to the house. The sun was starting to set and one of her rules she was given by her father “Be home by sunset.”

She ran as quickly as she could. Reaching the front door as the sun dipped below the bluegrass.

“I was about to go and look for you.” Zarro spoke harshly as he stood at the door way waiting for her. “Get your ass inside before I-”

“Sorry father.” Merci hung her head low and hurried past him. She went to the kitchen sink and washed off her hands and sat at the table.

“What do you do out there anyways?” Zarro said as he took his seat at the table.

“Explore the land.” Merci knew it was a lie, however she hoped that Zarro couldn’t tell.

“Hmm..if you say so.” Zarro said. Merci, had a hunch that he didn’t believe her but she decided not to dwell on the matter.

The rest of the evening was a silent one. Which left Merci to her own thoughts. After dinner Merci went to the shower shack and washed up and headed to her bedroom shortly after.

With a sigh Merci found herself resting on her cold bed. Something she didn't mind as it left her alone to think and communicate with the voice.

Three days, the voice said. Three days until I get to meet the man who has been keeping me alive.

Merci curled herself up on her bed as the moon began to rise. Tomorrow, I will have two more days until my freedom.

"Two days until we meet again."

"How will I know it is you?" Merci questioned. Afterall, she had no idea what the man looked like. All she knew was the sound of his husky, soothing voice.

"You will know. If not, you will just have to trust the man trying to save you."

"I hope you are right." Merci mumbled as she let her body relax.

She let her eyes close as a pull of happiness made sleep come easy. As she slept, flashes of the beautiful kingdom intertwined in her typical dreams. A mawrvelous medieval castle that sat along a rocky shore line. A beautiful mountain range casting a shadow in the distance. Various forestry spanning across hundreds of miles of land. And a fantasy kingdom that spanned from the base of the mountain range to the rocky shore. The kingdom was massive and breathtaking despite the bits of devastation in the kingdom.

“All of this is ours El-I mean Merci. Just wait and see.” The voice spoke soothingly as the dream came to a close.