Erik sighed as he surveyed their group. June did the sa; he quickly realized the problem at hand.
"What do we do, Master?" June asked. "We can't fly any more to New Alexandria this way. The galewing form is not big enough to carry everyone."
"I know..."
"What are you talking about?" Mira asked.
"June can shapeshift like all the clones, as you know... We wanted to fly to New Alexandria."
"And I guess we can't do it anymore, right? Doesn't June have sothing to carry us all?" "Just the form of a black wyvern, but that would be a stupid move."
Erik saw the shocked looks on the faces of Mira, Emily, and Amber at the ntion of a black wyvern. He understood why they had it.
They learned from the other clones that, in order for them to be able to shapeshift, they had to drink the creature's blood.
That ant that Erik must either have killed one or found a dead one.
Both of them were highly unlikely, yet that June could turn into one was clear either of the two must have happened. They couldn't only understand which of the two options it was.
Emily spoke first, her erald eyes searching Erik's brown ones. "You and June killed a black wyvern? Then that ans..."
Erik held up a hand to pause her question. "No, we did not kill one. When we were scouting the forest so months ago, we ca upon a dead one. The Cerulean bird I was talking about a week ago had slain it."
A sigh escaped Emily. For a second, she hoped he was strong enough to kill one, but her hopes had been crushed. Yet curiosity remained in her eyes.
"Then you and June... you drank its blood?"
Here, Erik nodded. "We did. I got its brain crystal power while June can now shapeshift into it. That form would be enough to carry us all, but it is also easily spotted. We were going to travel with June, taking a Galewing's form, but that won't be enough to carry us all."
Amber spoke now. "What other options do we have? We must reach New Alexandria swiftly to aid Emily's father."
With three additional companions, flying to New Alexandria was no longer a viable option with June alone, unless he turned into the Black Wyvern.
Of course, doing so was stupid, since it would an telling Volkov he was coming.
"What do we do, Master?" June asked.
Erik sighed. "Go fetch three more clones. Be sure they are from the latest batch. We will be forced to travel on foot."
"So, we will take the form of Erendus?"
"Yes, it's better than nothing, and that form is relatively fast."
"All right."
Erik turned to look at Amber, Mira, and Emily.
"Traveling on top of Thaids is not easy. Hold on tight and try not to fall off."
The won nodded their understanding, adjusting their gear in preparation.
...
...
June ca with three clones soon after. They were eager to serve Erik, and since they all liked Amber, Mira, and Emily, Well, that journey was going to have a bonus for them.
The three clones soon arrived before Erik, coming to stand at attention while June went to take his place at Erik's side.
"I am Mark, Master," said the first clone. "This is Hugo," he pointed at a clone with a serious deanor. "And Xavier is the last one."
Erik nodded to each clone in turn. "Thank you for coming so swiftly. I know the notice was short." Turning to face them, Erik continued.
"The situation has beco... complicated," he said, turning to look at the three won.
"These ladies here decided to co with . Can you shapeshift into Erendus and bring them to New Alexandria?"
The clones bowed in unison. "It would be our honor," Mark said.
Everyone watched as the clones began their transformation into Erendus.
It never ceased to amaze him the fluidity with which his clones took on alternative forms.
Mark was the first to begin, his body swelling and elongating. Bones protruded from his skin as thick armor plating.
His face pushed out into a dolphin-like snout just as two short horns erged from his brow. Within monts, a large, four-legged, barrel-chested Erendu stood before them.
Hugo and Xavier followed suit, their shapeshifting swift and sure, followed by June.
Within monts, four massive Erendus stood before the group, snorting and pawing the ground as they tested their new forms.
Mira, Emily, and Amber glanced at the towering clones, but steeled themselves as Erik helped each woman mount their steed.
"Hold tight to their manes and try not to fall," he said.
Erik smirked as he helped Mira onto Hugo's back. She eyed the massive Erendu nervously.
"It's not what you expected when you decided to tag along, is it?" Erik asked.
Mira huffed out a laugh. "I certainly never thought I'd be riding a thaid. No offense," she said, patting Hugo's thick neck.
"They aren't thaids," Erik corrected her.
"Of course, you're right. These are your clones." Mira flushed, chastened. "I didn't an to
imply-"
Erik waved away her apology. "Don't worry, I know you were joking."
Mira nodded and offered Erik a smile. "Thank you for bringing us along. And..." She patted Hugo again. "No offense ant, friend."
Hugo snorted amicably in response. Erik smiled. "Shall we be on our way?"
Taking Erik's offered hand, Mira settled onto Hugo's back as the others prepared for travel.
With a last glance over his shoulder to ensure all were settled, Erik's steely gaze swept across the group, his eyes lingering for a mont on each mber.
Satisfied that they were ready, he raised his hand, signaling the order to depart.
The clones sprang into action, their muscular forms rippling beneath their thick plate armor as they broke into an easy lope.
All around them the sound of birdsong echoed, while the scent of wildflowers hung in the air, mingling with the earthy aroma of the forest floor. This journey would not be easy, but at least the surroundings were pretty, almost as much as his three new companions.
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