Names return to the half once shattered.

The eggshell shattered under my palm, and a pale, smooth, scale-less, and effeminate hand is now seen at the end of my arm. I rise to my feet, once more as nude as the day I arrived into this world... another cloak ruined. The winds were fierce, and chilled me; it was night, and the ship was in the air. We were nowhere near the town, instead a mountain range within a mile of us. Further confusing the matter, I was at the small deck just outside Her room.

Something felt off; and not just because my head was flooding with terms and words as my Core resonated with this Evolution.

I try to spread my wings, but feel nothing change with my form; looking around, it was not my flesh that was shaping to my will anymore. It was the shadows. Thinking quickly, I form these shadows as simple clothes and cloak; sprouting the shadows into wings, and heading out and under the ship to scout out this bad feeling.

Oh, oh my.

Flying around the ship were several humanoids that were quite familiar to me; Ruyakin. They were circling the Lamb-Chop in the dozens. I paused; seeing as the ship isn't in pieces, they may not be attacking. If they are...

All the better; a chance to be, how did Madness put it? Beautiful?

I fly around the back, slipping onto the deck as sneakily as I can. I listen intently as I approach a gathering of some twenty of the Humanoid Drakes on the main deck. There is the faint smell of blood; sending a shiver of doubt in my mind. Where are the others?

I hear the largest of the Drakes speak. "Tell us how to enter, Human. Do so, and we'll spare you."

"A likely story..." Scott's voice was amidst the crowd; low to the ground, and pained. "You won't take my friend's daughter; I don't care what you do to me. I'll just come back."

Where once fury and confusion would thrust me into war, instead, a sense of searing calm fell upon me. Arising from my hidden position, I quietly approach the group from behind.

"Hello."

My voice is different once more; somewhat younger than the last. Still, it carried with it a deathly chill; and the group of raiders and kidnappers turn to me. Claws, blades, spears, and breath; all ready. The largest of them barks out and order to stand down for now, and stomps his way towards me; towering a good two feet taller than me.

"Well, who might you be?" He asks; the large Drake was scarred, amber of skin and scale, as well as greying of hair.

"I have many names; most I've only just learned." I reply, the shadows around the ship move closer toward the crowd.

"Monster."

The shadows reach the crowd's heels.

"Bastard of the Twin-Hearts."

The crowd reacts, some calling to their now confused leader.

"Envoy: Guardian Spirit of ****."

The shadows grow and raise into the starry night sky, as if they were the tentacles of a great sea-beast.

"Splintered-Son of Ihsrom."

The shadows release a bellowing cry; the only thing drowning out it's horrid sound being my own words.

"God-Hunter."

The shadows that make my sleeves extend as a great claw; gripping the throat of the Drake's leader. Fear is in his eyes, as well as the pounding of his heart; I squeeze tighter. Most of the Drakes scatter, taking off to the sky. All except for one; a woman, who's amber hues matched that of the leader. She charges, spear in hand; stabbing directly into my throat. I stumble back, amused by the lack of pain. With my free hand, I grasp the spear; snapping it in two, and pulling the head from my throat. Blood did not spill out in bucket-loads. No, the wound vanished; like that last bit of light when closing the door to an unlit room.

I look to the woman who ran me through; who now had fearful tears in her eyes. "Return to your people. Tell them of this night."

I crush the leader's neck with a *crack*, and toss his limp form off the side of my ship. The woman seems utterly shell-shocked for but a moment, before diving off the side of the ship herself.

"Grandfather!" I hear her call; not caring in the least.

I spot Scott, tied with thick rope against the main mast; blood dripping down his forehead. He looked somewhat different than I remembered... ugh, that didn't matter now! I swiftly make my way to him, cutting the rope with claws of shadow. He falls forward, limp; but still breathing. Careful not to hurt him further, I lift him into my arms, and head towards the lower deck. It was locked.

"Shit..." I grow a bit panicked. "Hey, is anyone down there!?"

The door unlocks, and a much healthier Scott opens the door. "Well, time's up, Old Chap."

The Scott in my arms turns to sand; and the one standing in front of me suddenly has a trickle of blood coming down his forehead, and several new bruises. Snatching him before he fell down the stairway, I quickly head below deck, and towards the Domain. I attempt to open the Domain Doorway with my tail, but... it seems I don't have one anymore. A shadowy tentacle from the floor will have to do, then. Entering the Domain, I run face to face with-

"Huh?"

Cilla was waiting just across the entrance; repeater-crossbows at the ready. She looked... fiercer. Stronger. A bit different; just like Scott.

"Monster!?" She called, dropping her weapons; spotting Scott in my arms. "Gabbie, get over here!"

Before our back-breaking priestess could appear however, someone else did. Turning around the corner was a young girl; looking around twelve years of age. Her hair was pink, and her eyes shone like polished glass.

I look across the hallway, asking. "How long was I asleep?"

Carrie, however, was first to answer. "One week, two days, six hours, twelve minutes, and eighteen seconds, Papa."

Man, they grow up fast these days.