Adachi: "Who are you?"
The man chuckles and arises from his seat. As heavyset as he is, he should not be able to stand with such ease, yet his movements belong to someone else.
???: "I am everyone."
The man's jaw twists to the side and cracks. I step backward, shocked by the unnatural movement being displayed. Shortly after, hundreds of cracking sounds came from his face, as if someone threw firecrackers into a bonfire. His head bubbles and contorts as it slowly changes shape. The sight has made me nauseous, but I cannot afford to lose diligence. This man is more dangerous than anyone I've encountered.
Finally, the man's face begins to settle in a shape that looks all too familiar. It's almost as if I'm looking into the world's clearest mirror.
Shapeshifter: "I am you."
Adachi: "Tsk. You wish, freak. Where's the Lord?"
Shapeshifter: "That man accepted me when nobody else would. He calls my ability a gift. I'll never give him up as long as I live."
I bite my lip as my mind races. Upon closer observation, I notice that his left eye has remained red through the transformation. Why was he able to replicate every other part of me perfectly besides his left eye? It's must be a treasure! This could be good news.
I've been using my treasure's ability since I was born. Just because I was using it didn't necessarily mean I was strong. I was worried that this was an advanced midst user, but he may not be!
Adachi: "Don't you have an original form? Do you remember how to use it?"
Shapeshifter: "I don't remember. In the earliest memory I have, I had already taken on a different form."
Adachi: "So you were born with this treasure?"
Shapeshifter: "Treasure? What's... that?"
The way this man speaks is almost childlike.
Adachi: "Wait a minute... How old are you?"
Shapeshifter: "My earliest memory was of four years ago when Master took me in. He told me that I was valuable and special. He's the only one who's ever valued me.
In that case, this guy can't be more than six years old walking around in adult bodies. I grit my teeth and try not to lose my cool. Gishie saw this kid as no more than a valuable asset. He's no more than a tool in his eyes.
Adachi: "Lord Gishie is a bad person. Can't you see that he's manipulating you?"
The boy stands tall and begins to morph once more.
In a strained, garbled voice, he says, "Nobody speaks of Master like that and gets away with it."
I retreat until my back hits the wall. I hate to admit it, but I'm terrified of this kid. Since childhood, he's been completely brainwashed, and I'm not sure I can get through to him. Lord Gishie may be a scumbag, but he knows how to manipulate with excellency.
The shapeshifter's entire body is bubbling and cracking. A cry of pain is released from his ever-changing mouth every couple of seconds. Finally, he drops to all-fours and his back arches into the sky. He's turned into some sort of four-legged spider!
Shapeshifter: "I was taught that I'm most helpful when I look like this. Nobody else could give me this sort of purpose. My purpose is to kill my Master's enemies, and you certainly seem like one."
His form is canine, human, but mostly arachnid. There's no time to think as he charges me with his head down. I'm tired, injured, and not mentally prepared to kill a child. Can I survive?