Deandre and his new teacher Tianlei train in the forest…

Deandre hadn’t done much real training.

Tianlei mostly told him what he already knew that their abilities were tied to imagination and willpower. In his fight with Li Hong, his confidence had shattered, and with it, his strength. When the moment mattered most, he’d had no fight left in him.

He’d given up.

That was something he never wanted to do again.

By the time the sun began to dip, Dre felt like nothing had really changed. It was getting late, and despite everything, it felt like nothing had happened at all. They decided to head back, accordion got Tianlei, they’d done enough for today.

As they walked through the forest, Deandre couldn’t help but notice how in tune Tianlei was with nature, and with the animals themselves. They flocked to him naturally. A bird rested on his head, another perched on his shoulder, while an ocelot walked calmly at his side.

Tianlei brushed his fingers against tree trunks as he passed, and there was something about him, a certain aura. Killian had once described Deandre the same way. Back then, Dre hadn’t understood what he meant.

Now he knew.

Unable to keep it to himself, Deandre jogged up beside him. “DO you like animals, Master Wang?” he asked. “I noticed how they’re drawn to you. They really seem to like being around you.”Tianlei stopped and knelt, gently petting the ocelot.

“Yes,” he said warmly. “I’ve always enjoyed the outdoors, learning about different creatures. They’ve always been kind to me… so I chose to be kind. He smiled faintly, “and it helps with my ability.

“Ability?” Dre asked, immediately curious. 

Tianlei raised his arm. Slowly it began to change. His skin roughened, dark hair spreading along it. His palm reshaped, forming padded flesh like a cat’s paw. His nails lengthened, sharpening into claws.

“It’s called Beast Transformation,” Tianlei explained. “It’s a blessing, but an extremely difficult one to master. Most never develop it at all. I was fortunate, my bond with animals allowed me to go further.”

As he finished speaking, something leapt onto Dre’s back.

A monkey, deep in red color, with a small flame at the end of its tail. IT clung to him, tugging curiously at his locs. Tianlei stared, genuinely surprised.

Dre laughed, grabbing the monkey and tossing it lightly into the air before catching it again. “It seems we may have something in common, Deandre,” Tianlei said. “Those monkeys are usually aggressive, but they always were nice to me.”

The ocelot suddenly left Tianlei’s side and walked over, sitting beside Dre instead.

“Always seeking attention that one,” Tianlei chuckled.

The monkey eventually settled in Dre’s lap. Tianlei studied him for a moment.

“Deandre… I believe you may be able to learn Beast Transformation.”

Dre’s eyes widened. “Really?”

Tianlei nodded. “Your natural affinity with animals gives you potential. Stand up and close your eyes.”

Deandre listened and stood, closing his eyes. 

“Now imagine an animal you’ve studied greatly, one you feel a connection with, one whom you know everything about.” Tianlei waited, “do you have that vision in your mind now?” 

Deandre nodded. “Good, now envelope your body with ether. Feel yourself becoming one with the animal, you two coexisting in one body.” 

Dre’s body began to change. He grew larger. Broader. His arms thickened unnaturally, forearms swelling with dense muscle. His legs lengthened and widened, his head shifting shape. A low growl escaped his throat. His eyes rolled back, he wasn’t in control.

Drew swung at Tianlei, but the punch was stopped effortlessly. He staggered back, clutching his head with massive, darkened hands, shaking violently. He struck himself once, twice, fighting against the presence inside him.

Then his arms fell limp. His head dropped. He stood like that for a long moment… before finally coming back to himself.

It was terrifying, but he’d done it.

Dre examined his hands, his body, it was exactly as he’d imagined it. Tianlei watched closely, "what animal was that?”

“It’s a gorilla, from back home. Out of all the animals, this was the one I studied the most.” Dre explained.

“I see, I have heard of it. It must not be in this region, or one I've explored yet. But there are some animals very similar to it.” Tianlei said.

Dre shifted back, “I guess today actually paid off, I learned something new.” Dre smiled. Tianlei patted Dre’s back as they walked back to the Village gates, laughing at his statement. “All training is good training, Deandre.”

“Whatever you say Master Wang,” Deandre said.