Chapter 12 Shape shifter hunt
June 9, 2026 at 1:28 PM
After the discovery of Angela's dead body Dragon and Hela knew they had to find and tell Astrid only one issue there they couldn't find which was worse if they found her dead too they panicked when their thoughts turned to their daughter Abigail who thankfully they found safe but alone they of course brought her back to their home and after making sure their daughter was safe they launched a search party for Astrid and for days all three cities were turned inside out every dark corner every home and every ally and found nothing until as suddenly as she disappeared she appeared in the woods
When Dragon found Astrid he brought her Hela and they sat down and gently asked her what happened before she could Abigail came into the room and immediately rush to hug her mother but Astrid instead of hugging her daughter back she became stiff first to notice was her daughter next was Hela and Dragon watching Abigail looked at her mother confused Dragon choked it up to the state they found her in and gently guided Abigail out of the room and had the servants take her back to her room, afterwards Astrid said she was tired and Hela showed her to her room and she went to bed and in their room her and Dragon talked about her
Hela: She's different
Dragon: Anyone could see that she's different that's why we must do what we can to help after whatever she been put through
Hela: That's the thing I don't think we can help
Dragon confused and shocked by want she just said: Hela?
Hela: Don't misinterpret my words I want to help Astrid but my Astrid not this one
Dragon even more confused: What are you talking about? Do you believe this isn't our Astrid?
Hela: No I don't think it is
Dragon: 'It' What do you mean by it [Realization struck him]
The next day when Astrid woke she walked into the dining room and her breakfast was served and as she ate Dragon sat across from her and decided to break it her that Angela was dead instead of reacting like woman who lost her wife she acted like the Angela was a stranger and gave no real reaction this confirmed it "You are not Astrid." He said as several armed guards entered and surrounded them the fake Astrid considered playing dumb but that would an insult to the king
Astrid sat straight and gave Dragon a smug smile which turned into her entire face breaking out into these black cracks across her skin and Dragon demanded "What are you?" "What makes I'll stick around to answer that." She said right before turning into pure smoke and immediately went for the exit but instead of a swift escape she found Hela who struck her with massive bolts of lightning that stunned it and rendered it unconscious and when it woke up the shape shifter found itself surrounded by all the leaders of each kingdom
When it realized where it was it decided not even try to deceive instead it changed into different forms first a drakkia than a Antler next a Vulcan and than Chiron and finally an Anansi this display shocked everyone in the room the Antler chief demanded the shape shifter execution the Anansi and Chiron demanded the same but Dragon and Ancalagon calmed everyone saying they will but first they wish to know what this creature is and why it chose to do this some weren't as curious but that was a vote and the majority won they let it speak
The shape shifter began to explain where he came from they explained they were asleep deep within the ground but was woken up by sounds of a great storm and when finally made it to the surface the first creature they came across was human that they took the form of to communicate and this was their conversation
Malcolm: Well look at you what are you?
Shape shifter: Someone who hungers for chaos
Malcolm: A kindred spirit I see if want cause as much as possible I suggest you avoid the humans of this they'll find you and kill you
SS: Thanks for the warning goodbye [Turns into a bird and flies away]
"That does half of our questions but we want to know what species are you?" Dragon asked and the shape shifter went quiet and refused to answer or speak at all this frustrated the angrier members began demanding they answer but refused too so the entire council decided to go forward with the shape shifter execution as they were discussing on how to best end the life of a creature that can become any other creature they all offered execution idea ideas
And as they talked the shape shifter watched them and chuckled when the council heard it they asked what was so funny and they explained "Your ancient ancestors would be surprised to see their children actually cooperate." Confused the Antler chief asked "Our ancestors what do you know about our ancestors?" Dragon was also curious so he asked him a question "How old are you?" The shape shifter thought about it for a moment and than told them "500 000 years took me a while count to that number."
They all took in what they just said and one by one they all realized it five hundred thousand years ago there no humans there were no Antlers no Anansi no Chiron no Vulcans none of them the only creatures like them alive were where they came from the titans they were standing before someone who had seen the titans and than Dragon asked a question none of them would think to ask "Are you or were you once a titan?" Everyone went quiet and waited for the answer the shape shifter looked at them and answered "Yes I am the shapeless titan the years had shrunken me but yes I am a titan."
