The Shifters: Katrina

It was weeks before we could even clear the debris out of our compound. Earth shifters began with the forest outside, trying to urge the ecosystem to repair itself quicker. Water shifters washed away what we could, dropping bubbles of debris into trucks before sending the water back to our lakes. Fire shifters helped heal the wounded, cauterizing cuts, and kept the community warm through the wintery nights. Air shifters traveled, getting supplies to rebuild. We used those with the biggest animal forms as pack mules, and the smaller ones stayed as people to complete whatever tasks they could. Students patrolled the borders, getting their first real taste of duty.

I myself did a little bit of everything. Our first order of business was to reset the compound so that the wildlife could grow on its own. I visited the magic soil, letting my blood fill it with energy, sprouting a large willow tree to support various animal life. Others followed suit, feeding into the need to repair our nature.

Two and a half weeks after I woke up, the compound was clean, and we had all our supplies. I spent the day as a dragon, flying people back and forth so that they could help build. Earth shifters had created temporary homes made of stone and mud, giving our people shelter. Our elderly took over classes for the time being, teaching what they could to the youngest among us. They weren't strong enough to do the heavy lifting, but they were good at sharing their knowledge and demonstrating small feats of power. They took care of the survivors as well, keeping the hysteria under control.

Once the third week was up, things were looking much better. I took the day off, going with a group to get extra food from one of the nearby towns. I was dressed in casual clothing for the first time in what felt like months, the jeans around my legs feeling alien. My hair was tied back, a coat keeping me warm instead of my powers. I sat in a car with Koren, Quintin, Luke and Tyree, silence weighing down on us. It was the type of silence that signified one thing.

We all knew that nothing would ever be the same.

"Hey, wait a second..."

Koren looked over at me with a smile. He was driving with me sitting in the passenger seat.

We were driving toward Greenhill.

"Coraline thinks you should tell your family something," Koren said softly. "Whether it's the truth or not is up to you. The hunters and your mother specifically kept your disappearance under wraps."

I bit my lip, knowing what words I would have to tell them. It brought a ghostly smile to my face. The others dropped me off in front of my old house, driving off to find the grocery store.

I brushed my hair out of my eyes, scanning the house in front of me. I was different from the girl that had been knocked out by a wolf in the entryway. My body had changed, becoming muscled and strong. My way of thinking was different; I didn't leap into a fight out of pure anger. I had learned a few lessons. As a person, I was different. More mature, I'd like to think.

My eyes flicked to the car in the driveway, my fingers adjusting the sleeves of my coat over my apprentice bracelets. My three adopted siblings and adopted mother were home. Abigail, Mia, Raymond and Felix were all inside that plain, supporting house.

A soft smile graced my face.

I've moved on, but I still need to prove the fact that I am thankful for the chapters of my story that they helped write.

My steps were silent as I approached the door. Instead of knocking, I found our hidden key, using the spare to unlock the door. I knew from years of experience that the click of the lock was loud, and that anyone on the first floor would hear my entrance. Patting down my hair one last time, I pushed the door open.

On the other side, my older brother and mother were frozen in the hall. They looked afraid, then shocked, then devastated.

I flashed them a smile.

"Hello again."

"Did they kick you out?"

I looked up from where I sat on the curb at the end of the block, grinning at Tyree. She stood above me with a smirk and her hands on her hips. Behind her, the car was filled with bags of food and the other shifters.

The memory of the heartfelt conversation between me and my old family flashed in my mind.

"I said what needed to be said," I admitted softly. "And part of that was my goodbye."

I knew I was being vague, but part of me wanted to keep the farewell private. I wanted to bury it so that I could finally move on.

Tyree offered me a hand, but to me, it was much more than that.

It was my gateway to the next phase of being me. Of being a strong shifter, and a Guardian that would go down in history.

I was about to leave my adopted family behind. I was going to leave the angry, hot-headed girl behind. She was still me, but that girl had grown.

Xavier was gone. Sonya was laid to rest. The hunters were weakened.

I had a place to belong.

Tyree's hand felt right in mine as I squeezed it tight. She pulled me to my feet with ease, and I felt the comfort of a best friend.

This time, the car ride was lighter. I laughed alongside the dumb radio broadcasts, and sang softly to the music they played. Even Koren grinned as we drove, a shining light of hope warming our hearts.

Then, shock filled our systems as we finally got home. The sky had darkened already, but the compound was brighter. We entered through the repaired fire entrance, standing on the hill that circled Iluita.

"Oh... My... God."

My eyes filled with tears as I stared at the compound. Bonfires circled the broken buildings, giving them an eerie glow. A repaired centre hub, Coraline's new building, stood proudly amongst the wreckage. Candles burned on the roof, twinkling like stars. I could see shifters inside, decorating the interior like it was a home we all shared.

Maybe because it was.

"Katrina!"

Our eyes flicked to Kami, who stood in a fancy pantsuit. Her hair was pinned back, makeup painted on her face.

"What's going on?" Tyree asked. "You look like you're getting ready for--oh shit."

Kami winked, taking Koren and I by the hands. The wolf became pale, staring at Kami like she had revealed something incredible.

I was clueless.

"What's happening?" I squeaked, Kami dragging us toward the new building. It still had a wall of glass, the firelight reflecting off the pristine surface. The shifters following behind us winked at me, remaining silent.

I was suddenly being guided up onto a makeshift platform out in front of Coraline's building, Koren and I facing the leader. Her pink eyes stood out against her dark skin as she smiled, the entire compound gathered around us.

"What's going on?!"

The leader snickered. "Oh, Katrina... I'm surprised you didn't expect this."

Koren took my hand, looking at me with a smile and tears in his eyes.

"Just wait," he whispered, his solemn mood spreading to me. I fell silent, the crowd unmoving as we waited for Coraline to address us.

"Please kneel," she murmured, motioning with her hand for us to descend. Koren and I went to one knee in unison, heads bowed.

"Katrina," Coraline began, her voice ringing out across the compound. "It's my honour to have you in this compound. You have learned under our schooling, and apprenticed under Master Willa and myself. You have grown into an impeccable shifter, armed with control over water, fire, and a dragon form."

"Koren," she continued. "It's my greatest joy to still have you among us. You have worked under me for years, and have been crowned the head of elites without any proper ceremony. You will always be one of our best, with control over fire and a wolf form."

Koren grinned to himself, taking my hand. He squeezed it reassuringly.

"Now, as the leader of Iluita, I have finally decided that my time may be up."

A shock flicked through my entire body.

What?!

"I will be stepping down today. I was unable to face our latest threat, and instead hid behind the efforts of these two shifters. It is time for a new hand to rule and guide Iluita."

A hushed, awed silence fell over me.

As well as a piece of doubt.

I know what she's going to do... But this is wrong.

"Katrina, please stand."

I complied, straightening my shoulders. My resolve hardened, my decision clear.

"It is my pleasure to announce that I have decided that you will be the one to take--"

I already said goodbye to my family. I am making my own path. And to continue with that, I need to make this right.

"Please wait."

Everyone looked shocked as I interrupted Coraline.

"I know you called me a good heir to Iluita," I said slowly, "but I'm not ready yet. I'm young, brash, and I haven't even finished school."

In the crowd, someone snorted.

"One day, I would love to lead this compound. However, I'm still looking forward to exploring. Completing tasks. Training. Not doing paperwork or managing people."

Koren, whose hand was still in mine, froze as I continued.

"But Koren is ready to lead. Everyone in this compound trusts him with their life. He's done much more than I have to protect this place. Koren is fit for the role."

Coraline's shocked turned into a hint of bemusement. Her smile was soft, her hand resting on my shoulder.

"Then, let me bestow a new honour upon you. From this day forward, you will become an Elite and join the ranks of the strongest in our compound. And," she winked at me, "as an apprentice who has done several missions with them, you shall have my blessing, and pick the new head of the elites."

A grin burst onto my face.

"Kami," I announced, my voice strong.

There's no question. Kami lost Nathan, but she also became a big sister to me. She will always be one of the best shapeshifters here.

"So be it."

Her hand pressed against my shoulder, guiding me back into my kneeling position. Then, she took Koren's other hand, pulling him to his feet. The wolf shifter was trembling slightly, his eyes wide.

"My Lady," he murmured politely. The crowd chuckled softly.

"Ivan Koren," Coraline began, enveloping his hand with both of hers. "I could not ask for a shifter more suited to be a leader. You're the first person I've ever met who hasn't avoided paperwork like the plague, and you are the only one I trust wholeheartedly with the safety of this compound."

I snorted under my breath.

"My judgement is clouded now. I have spent too many years trying to run things my way, and it is time for a fresh sense of leadership. It is my greatest hope that you will bring prosperity for this compound."

"Of course, Coraline. Anything for Iluita."

I lifted my head to smile at the both of them.

"Then, I pass my leadership to you. It's your time now, Ivan."

I rose alongside the both of them, all three of us turning to smile at the crowd of shifters. Candlelight made their faces glow, their happy expressions obvious to us as I grinned at my friends. Kami was in the front row, happy tears leaking from her eyes. Coraline took our hands, lifting them above our heads.

"To the new Iluita! Long live the compound!"