Umlingo

Within the bottom of the abysmal sea, a frantic heart pulsates. Large bulbous eyes dart from one direction to another; however, despite their size, they see naught.
Where am I? an alarmed voice asks within the synapses of its mind.
Why is it so cold?
The need of the creature to generate heat emerges. Every cell of the squishy flesh responds to the frigid waters with an instinctual drive to move. The body feels the surroundings with each of its many limbs. Swishing through the water, the creature swims sidling; further, the being is unable to utilize its appendages. Upon focusing its intent to propel forward, the small being achieves a sense of synchrony. The multitude of tentacles contort and push behind the creature’s body. Through the force of each thrust, the creature darts forward through the darkness. The creature’s movement are without direction. Yet, in spite of being lost, the little one understands that motion is vital to survival. After all, there are no indications which suggest that the creature is completely alone. How should a single organism believe that the ocean is safe?
Once every fiber of the body feels warmth, a new drive takes precedent: hunger. Instinctively, the creature begins to forage for food. Perhaps, swimming closer to the surface will prove beneficial to the search. As the creature ascends, the water becomes warmer. The cells which construct the creature’s skin react to the change in temperature. Hunger may still be present, but the heat relaxes the being’s body. The little one can hunt in peace.
Suddenly, a school of fish glitter in view. The sunlight greets the creature for the first time. The bright glow excites the creature’s senses. With a burst of energy, the tiny hunter rushes towards the drove of fish. One tentacle shoots out like an arrow, followed by another, and another. The creature’s firsts attempt fails. However, on the second barrage of tentacles, one strike is successful. Each of the tentacles feel elated by the fish’s scent. A feeling of pleasure courses through the creature- from the nerves of its tentacles to the recesses of the brain.
This morsel tastes good! Exclaims a silent voice.
The creature’s many tentacles maneuver together to bring the meal closer to its mouth. Beneath a soft head, a beak as firm as a rock opens to reveal several sharp teeth. The creature crushes down on its prey. The fish squirms for a moment before being extinguished by its predator. Bones and flesh are eagerly devoured while bloody scales flake off into the ocean.
After a satisfactory meal, the creature swims playfully through its home. An urge to touch the surface takes hold of the little one’s mind. While popping its head above the water, the creature can enjoy the sun’s radiant light more than its initial encounter with the golden orb. Resting in the water, the being rides the waves; further, bobbing up and down like a seagull sitting on the sea. Eventually, the sun’s heat overwhelms the creature’s body. The little one decides to retire deeper into the ocean. Time passes and the creature preys upon another handful of fish. The day wanes into night.
Curious as to why the light differs, the creature rises to the surface. Stars glisten against a black sky. Their light mesmerizes the creature as it rocks on the waves while looking into the cosmos. The moon’s glow introduces the little one with less intensity as the golden orb. An unknown sensation courses through the creature. A slight panic of loneliness prompts the creature to bow its head in sorrow. Truly, the little one is lost in the darkness of a vast world.
Who am I? The creature’s thoughts whimper. What am I?
The question churns within a squid’s mind, only that the squid does not know it is called such. The moon seems to hear the creature’s longing for answers. Her radiance trickles down onto the creature’s skin. Additionally, a heavy sensation pulsates throughout the squid’s tiny frame. While caught in a trance, the creature’s eyelids close and the many limbs fall limp.
[Vision]

A wood elf runs through a bustling street. He laughs boisterously while being pursued by an angry man. By the man’s appearance, he is a fisherman. Clearly, the wood elf crossed him.
“Give back my squid!” the fisherman yells. “Somebody stop that thief!”
Despite the man’s efforts, no one seems to care. Onlookers prefer not to meddle in such frivolous affairs. The elf darts down an alleyway with purpose. He comes across a dead end. Smirking, the elf appears to have been in the situation before. With an acrobatic display, he rises along the trappings of the nearest building to maneuver over the obstacle. From behind the stone wall, he can hear the fisherman’s rage and confusion.
“Damn it! I lost him again!” the man kicks a rock and retreats.
“You’ve out done yourself today Umlingo!” the elf cheers with wicked delight. “A fresh squid!”

With the passing of the vision, the creature’s gaze returns to the night sky. He begins to feel a sense of recognition and cries out in revelation:
I am Umlingo! his mental voice chimes with excitement. He understands his identity, but another feeling is present. I’ve been turned into a mind flayer!
Umlingo the squid’s heart panics. His mind pulses and blurred memories come into view. He sees the tall squid-like beings and dreads that he is now one of them Yet, as his heart ceases to frets, Umlingo is able to think clear.
What a relief, his voice comes with a tone of acknowledgment. I guess I have to live out my days as a squid his voice continues to evoke acceptance of the strange fate. A yummy, delicious squid…
He touches his head with a tentacle. The situation is no longer dire, at least, not as terrible as the former cause of fear. Umlingo begins to nibble on his tentacle. Unfortunately, he cannot taste himself. No issue, he can always catch a scrumptious fish. Without a care, the transformed elf readjusts into his new role as a squid. Since there are no commitments other than survival, Umlingo is overwhelmed with a sensation of freedom. His memory of being an elf is limited, but he does recall magic. His new body does not seem to feel fantastical; moreover, Umlingo is but a mere squid. Perhaps magic is unnecessary in his current state of being.
I would have been a magical talking squid Umlingo voices internally as he recalls the mind flayers. Yet, I would have been bound to servitude. Even if I am a basic animal, I at least have my freedom.
Several days pass as Umlingo enjoys his time swimming through the beautiful sea. After a hearty meal, the squid’s tentacles tingle. Instinct drives him into a panic. He darts his eyes from side to side. Shortly, he understands why there’s a sudden urge to flee:
A SHARK!
He expels black ink into the water. With a cloud of muck, he hopes to promote a barrier between himself and the shark. Umlingo’s limbs contract and rocket him forward through the ocean. He needs a place to hide. A vision of coral enters the recesses of his mind’s eye. With a sense of urgency, Umlingo races into a new direction. Based solely on intuition, he travels into the path of the coral reef.
I’ll be safe over there. The tiny squid thinks to himself, desperate for a lucky deal.
Yet, fortune seems to be out of favor with the poor creature. The shark approaches from behind and lunges its huge head forward. The beast’s jaws catch one of the squid’s tentacles. With one jerk of the shark’s head, the limb detaches from the prey’s body. Umlingo feels pain searing through his being. He shoots out another spray of black ink. Alarmed, the shark hesitates, shaking its head to clear away the cloud. The chase continues. A coral bed appears in view. Umlingo notices a small opening. He swims as fast as his mutilated body can move. As the distance between the squid and his sanctuary shorten, another attack ensues. The shark manages to latch onto a second tentacle, blood spills into the sea as the beast rips off the delicate flesh. Despite the pain, Umlingo lunges into the hole. The beast rams its head into the coral as it attempts to reclaim its prize. Although the shark fails the race, the predator enjoys a snack of raw squid.
Umlingo struggles to calm his senses as he watches the shark retreat. He fears that his pursuer will only return. For the moment, the squid decides that rest is essential. Umlingo feels a hot jolt of pain coursing through his missing limbs. He moves them into view in order to inspect their condition. To his utter shock and horror, he sees a baby hand and foot…that of his old form!
What the bloody hell is happening? His senses intensify.
Umlingo’s confusion is prevalent as many questions race through his mind. How is he able to transform…Again? Upon a second glance, he notices that the humanoid appendages are increasing in size. He has no choice but to leave. Otherwise, the sanctuary he sought out will become his tomb. The squid’s gills inhale a deep breath of water. The surge of oxygen filters through the little creature’s body. Umlingo’s blood pumps forcefully and a wave of energy overwhelms the cells of his form. He darts out into the dangerous terrain. The humanoid limbs add difficulty in swimming. After all, he grew accustomed to his squid body; however, now, the human pieces do not collaborate well with the remaining limbs. Umlingo can feel his body swaying from one side to the other. As his heart races, the elf- squid’s body burns. His movement ceases. Remaining suspended in the sea, Umlingo’s tentacles curl inward, clutching his form in agony.
A new idea sparks into his mind. He brings a tentacle closer to his beak. With an unnatural impulse, Umlingo bites down onto the limb. Although the tentacle attempts to escape from the self-mutilator, it tears apart. Pain radiates through Umlingo. If he could scream, then he would wail for any to hear. On the contrary, his form is mute. The pained creature looks at the bloody appendage. In confirmation of Umlingo’s suspicions, another humanoid foot emerges from the wound. Carefully, he selects another tentacle and removes the limb from his body. Blood pools around the squid. Slowly, Umlingo continues to swim onward.
I must find shore. His thought reflects the will of manifestation; rather than, a general realization.
A numbing sensation courses through his mind. Umlingo panics as his squid form alters internally. Although he cannot see the metamorphosis, the being understands that time is limited. A full transformation can bring death if not completed on land. Umlingo receives a new vision:
Black sand.
With a newfound sense of direction, Umlingo follows his intuition. As his body continues to readjust, a familiar face arrives in view. The shark emerges from a distance. Urgency overwhelms the metamorphosing squid. Umlingo struggles to swim away from the beast. His previous movement as a full-bodied sea creature was significantly faster than now. The human limbs appear larger and healthy. In contrast, the tentacles begin to shrink and decay. Despite the violent pain, Umlingo proceeds to escape the shark. Suddenly, he begins to choke while the squid’s gills start failing. Umlingo lunges towards the surface. Once he breaks through the water, air rushes into the gills that are altering to accommodate mammalian lungs. He coughs out the remaining sea water.
An object catches his attention. From behind, Umlingo can see a fin breaking through the water’s surface. While glancing ahead, he rejoices:
Land!
His tired limbs and aching body jolt with adrenaline. The will to live empowers his very being. While striving towards the shore, Umlingo coordinates swimming with the tearing of his squid flesh. As each nautical piece is removed, his old body begins coming into full view. The elf-squid’s determination alone provides a few yards of sanction between him and the predator. The fire in his body quells and numbness gradually courses through the metamorphosed fibers.
Will I make it? He thinks to himself in doubt.
Doubt subsides as Umlingo rides a wave to shore. To his horror, the shark’s own stubbornness prevents it from retreating. A great wave equipped with the gnashing jaws of a beast approaches. In a quick motion, Umlingo rips off his squid head and throws it into the shark’s mouth. As the shark crushes the delicate flesh, Umlingo scrambles to his feet. He runs forward on the beach. While turning back, the elf notices that the beast has not returned to the sea. Instead of waiting for a current to reclaim the sea predator, Umlingo has another impulse. The anger of his traumatic cat and mouse situation boils into a need for vengeance. Umlingo’s emotions swell within his body. A familiar course of energy flows from the elf’s heart to his hand. Umlingo holds up a hand and a hot bolt of magic dispels from his palm. The shark receives the attack. Its flesh burns from the energy of an Eldritch Blast. The predator has become the prey.
Umlingo tries to laugh, but his vocal cords do not function. He coughs instead. While placing a hand to his face, Umlingo notices how small his head is. Mortified, the elf looks at the rest of his body. He appears full grown now, but from the neck down.
I have a baby head! He thinks to himself.
Weak from the day’s turn of event, Umlingo collapses to the sand.