I'd gone to sleep happy that night. My birthday had been amazing, a water slide, bouncy castle, and all my friends present. Sure I was technically too old for the event, but it was still fun.

Then to top it all off my parents had sat me down at the dinner table after everyone left. It turned out I'd received an invitation to join the Globe Academy.

The Globe Academy!

It wasn't just any elite school, it was one of the top ten schools in the entire world. Not for academic excellency, but for the gifted and powerful. My parents were shocked at the invite. Whilst they hadn't noticed my growth in power, obviously someone had. To be honest I was shocked myself. Yes I'd advanced my ability a fair bit, but enough to attend a school like the Globe Academy? At this point even if I flunked out the school, the fact that I received an invitation would garner me respect for years to come.

So that night I'd done some thinking on my future, and as I fell asleep I was pleased with what I foresaw.

That led me to now.

Floating in the dark void, I almost panicked when I realised where I was. The thought that perhaps it had all been a dream assaulted me. Then realisation kicked in. I couldn't believe I'd almost forgotten, at 10 years of age I was to receive my second power!

Light began to filter through the darkness, much like it had all those years ago. From that light a figure became visible, and I smiled at the familiar face of Arcan.

“It's been a while has it not.” He grinned, “Do you remember why your back?”

“The second power!” I excitedly yell.

“Have you given it any thought?”

“Not really,” I sigh, “In all truthfulness I'd managed to forget.”

An idea came to mind.

“But.....I think I may actually have something.”

Arcan's eyebrows rose.

“Do tell.”

Remembering the powers of those in my home world, I recalled one creature that had installed fear in all. A creature that even the mages of my world hesitated to anger, for it's raw power was insurmountable.

“Dragon.” I say simply, “I wish to have the ability to become one.”

“Ah the ability to shapeshift, and what a choice indeed.” Arcan's eyes twinkled. “There would be limits to this ability of course.”

“Oh?” I ask surprised.

“Much as your Mastery of the Arcane is limited to certain branches of magic, the number of forms you can assume as a shapeshifter will vary depending on the power of the forms.”

“So how many other forms could I assume if I chose a dragon form?”

“1 other of equal stature. You should know that the more powerful the shift, the higher chance you have of an ability crossing over into your human form.” Arcan explained.

“Isn't that overpowered?” I ask.

“Hence you would only have two forms. To be decided now I must say.”

Hmm. My mind furiously raced through possible combinations for this new power. Dragon was a definite. But what about the second?

A smile crept across my face.

If I was going for shapeshifting, there was one form that was almost compulsory to take.

“I choose the ability of Shape shifting, my chosen forms to be a Dragon similar to those of my home world.”

“And?” Arcan hedged.

“A wolf.”

“Alpha form?”

“Of course.” I say.

And just like that, I gained my second ability. With the ability now a part of me, my mind began to leave the void. Everything slowly becoming blurry.

“Good luck with your new power young one,” Arcan said, “And good work with your first one, not many have that kind on dedication.”

“Thanks.” I reply, noticing my voice seems slightly distorted. I don't have long left here.

“Farewell friend.”

…........

I shoot up in bed, heart racing.

Through the shutters of the window I see daylight peeking through. I'm about to leave bed and open them when notifications blind me.

Second Power: ShapeshiftingVariationDragon, WolfTypeUniquePower1Through a transformation of the soul you are now able to assume two new forms. From use of the forms their power will grow and the time of transformation will decrease

Form MergeMergeHuman/DragonYour forms have merged

Fire +50

Endurance +30

Strength: +20

Agility: +10MergeHuman/WolfYour forms have merged

Earth +20

Agility +20

Endurance +10

Strength +5

Well...... No need to worry about flunking out of the Academy right?

Hurrying out of bed I rushed to the bathroom. Whilst the forms merging had brought me a lot of stat points, it raised a question. Was my body changed as well? Looking at the mirror hanging along the wall I exhaled in relief. I still looked the same. About to turn away I noticed something glint in my eye.

Turning back to the mirror I groaned. The merging had in fact altered my appearance. My left eye had the yellow irises of a wolf. My right eye had the vertical pupil slit of a dragon, the iris Green. The effect of the new eyes on my very human body created a strange look. But I found it growing on me. The eyes stood out, and my end goal for this life was to stand out. At the very least it would gather attention.

Heading downstairs I run into mum in the living room. Wanting to avoid her worrying for the moment I turn from her and enter the kitchen. Running straight into Father.

“Ah the birthday boy's up, would you li-” His face contorts as he sees my eyes, “Uh...Lucy, could you get in here quick!”

Rushing into the kitchen Mum's face frowns in confusion.

“What's goi-” I turn to face her, causing her to pause mid speech. Silence fills the room as she studies my eyes.

“It can't be.” She whispers.

“I...I think it is.” Dad's voice comes from behind me.

“You merged?” Mum stares at me intently.

“Uh....Yea.” I uneasily smile at her.

Arms wrap around me from behind, shaking me about in the air.

“My little boy merged! My boy!” Dad boomed.

“What's the big deal?” I ask seeing my mum's joyous face.

“When a super or enhanced merges with their power, it's a sign of great power.” Mum cries, “And my little Lucas merged!”

Putting me back down on the ground Dad ruffles my hair.

“Not so surprised about the Academy invite now, Mergers are guaranteed a spot.”

They both begin hurriedly talking in excitement.

“Won't be safe to go back to school, his powers will be greater than the other students.”

“He'll have to go to the Academy a bit early.”

“But he's my baby!”

Their discussion went on for a while so I laughed to myself and left the kitchen. Who would have known that shapeshifting would garner me so much respect. But, to to the Academy early? What about my friends? My heart wrenched at the thought of losing them. True I'd been slowly distancing myself from them, but to completely leave would solidify the end of a friendship.

Turning my mind from such thoughts, I instead embraced my new power.

With it came a raise in my social standing. Though it was considered impolite to ask for someone's ability, I knew Father had two himself whilst Mother had one. A rare relationship from what I'd learned. Having two powers meant that the government took an interest in you, sending monthly benefits.

Speaking of second powers. I left the house and run into the forest, soon arriving at my usual spot. Bracing myself I sent my mind into my body, searching for the source of my shapeshifting ability. Having studied every section of my aura I immediately saw the change, a slight dark tinge. Focusing on it I could feel the power offered, and I embraced it.

Pain erupted all across my body.