FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Shoving his paws in his jeans pockets, Mithos tried not to feel self-conscious, tried instead to feel confident, relaxed, and casual as he followed the massive form in front of him through the towering, book-crammed shelves of the mystical library in which he now found himself; he failed at both. Part of it, of course, was because of how lucky he knew he was that his sixth sense for locating and tracking down auras had netted him a fellow mage as knowledgeable, talented, and possessed of stunningly immense power as Nieve Urquhart; he'd hoped to find a good teacher, someone who could open the right doors for him, train him to unlock and achieve his full potential and, not incidentally, allow him to fulfill the many fantasies he'd had since he was a pup of wielding flashy spells and taking down evil wizards for the benefit of the innocent. To have it turn out to be a caster of this magnitude was stunning, humbling, and even made him rather insecure, even though there was absolutely no shame or embarrassment in being a novice mage. He hoped he didn't screw up too much, and make his new mentor disappointed in him!

And then...there was just what Nieve was. The biggest, buffest, most attractive leonine Adonis the young wolf had ever laid eyes upon, something he had never been able to resist. What did I do to deserve this? Damn...I've got to keep it together, be professional. I really don't think Master Urquhart will take it well if I've suddenly got a very wet crotch.

Little did he know how laughable such a prospect was.

The lion was speaking, and Mithos forced himself to focus on his words instead of that rich, resonant, rolling bass of a voice that threatened the very wardrobe malfunction he'd just been trying to avoid. "I'm not surprised your readings drew you here, young man. Completely aside from my native talent and the mystical skills I've built up over, shall we say, a number of years, I built my home precisely to lie atop the nexus of the most readily tapped and intensely potent ley lines to be found in this part of the country." He didn't sound at all arrogant despite the immodesty of his words, merely as if he were stating facts, which he was. "But I am so very glad they did. I've been looking for an apprentice for some time, and not only do your interests align with mine, I can already sense you possess a rather significant wellspring of your own."

Mithos couldn't quell his blush at the praise, nor could he ignore the fact that, however faint it was, the trace of a Scottish accent in Nieve's voice only added to his alluring appeal. "Th-thank you, sir! But you haven't even really tested me yet, or anything..."

"Nonsense, my boy," Nieve boomed. "I have no need of those ridiculous incantations and finger-wiggling rituals, I could sense it as soon as I opened my door and saw you on my front steps. Before I did, actually. You will go far and accomplish great things, I guarantee it."

For a few moments, the wolf actually managed to forget his libido and the drop-dead gorgeous form of the male standing in front of him as he lowered his eyes to the floor along with his voice. "I...I hope so, sir. There's so much I want to do, and so many I want to help."

The golden-furred cat rumbled approvingly, and when he dared to look up again he saw admiration, pride, and even affection in those startlingly blue orbs. He got the distinct impression that if they'd been standing a little closer together, and if it hadn't seemed like a breach of etiquette to do it so soon after they had first met and were still, essentially, strangers, Nieve would have grasped his chin and lifted it so he could cup his cheek in that absolutely enormous paw, with what had to be velvety pads and soft, glossy fur... Stop it!

"That, Mithos, is why I know you will do well. Not just for the sorceral prowess within you, but because of your heart. The one is only power, and can often be twisted and corrupted into terrible, cruel ends when it is present without the other. That other will always bring kindness, compassion, and peace when it is followed selflessly and truly, but is sadly often limited in the scope of what it can do. Each without the other is lesser than what it could be, either a very likely danger to any who lose control of it or deliberately abuse it for their own gain, or a thing which yearns to succeed, to have a greater impact and leave a more hopeful mark upon the world it bettered by its presence...but unable to fully achieve it. Together, however..."

He blushed even more deeply, until he was certain his crimson cheeks could light up the dim library all on their own. "You have a lot of faith in me. But I think I know now why I was led to you as my teacher." Hoping his voice didn't sound as tremulous and uncertain as he felt, Mithos tried to keep his eyes locked on Nieve's face--which, despite the years evident in the small creases around his eyes and mouth and the strands of almost incandescent silver in his otherwise mahogany mane, still looked surprisingly youthful, not to mention handsome--instead of the densely ripe shelf of pectorals that swelled out and filled the lion's simple but elegant shirt of mauve silk. "Anyway...you said you wanted to show me your notes?"

Nieve seemed to start a bit, then chuckled ruefully as he rubbed at the back of his neck; the gesture was surprisingly sincere, even endearing. "Oh! Yes. Forgive me, how I do go on sometimes...please, if it happens again, snap me out of it. If you let me carry on in that fashion, we'll never get anything accomplished, let alone the training you're wanting." Before Mithos could shyly offer that he actually liked the big lion's sentiments and could listen to them...or just his voice...for hours on end, the mage adjusted the spectacles which sat upon the bridge of his nose (and made him even more irresistibly charming and sexy) and led the wolf over to a leather-bound tome set atop the tilted surface of a writing desk. Opening it and riffling through the pages for a few moments, he let out an exclamation of discovery and removed a number of sheets of paper--not parchment bound with ribbon or string, Mithos noted with amusement, but what seemed to be printer paper stapled together. Who says wizards can't keep up with the times? These he handed over with a satisfied air. "There, see what you make of these, young man. Will this help with your studies? Give us a good basis to start from, do you think?"

Mithos peered down at the first page, scanned a few lines, then flipped to the next one. As he did so, his eyes widened. "Yes...yes, I think so!" Noticing the questioning look on the lion's face, he explained. "You see, sir, I've been looking at the basics of course--elemental manipulation, telekinesis, abjuration, evocation--but some of the things I'm interested in are...very specialized, and very difficult to fathom. And I don't want to mess with them until I know I've understood them. The forces I'd be drawing on would be very dangerous without the right amount of control, and if I weren't careful, the effects on me could be..." He shuddered; he didn't want to lose his natural form, or be stuck in an unwanted one permanently. And if, for example, he were to accidentally make himself unable to absorb oxygen...or make oxygen itself poisonous to him...

The large feline frowned a bit, though whether in puzzlement or disapproval he didn't know. "What do you mean, lad? Just what exactly did you intend to study?"

He sighed. He'd hoped to study his new mentor's books without having to explain exactly what he was seeking, although he knew that was patently ridiculous--even aside from needing to be open and honest with his teacher, how could Nieve help him if he didn't know what he was looking for?--because the young wolf had been afraid of what the lion would think of him if he knew what branch of magic had caught his attention and fired his imagination. But there was no help for it now, and it was better to get the lectures out of the way at the outset. Especially if he could still be allowed to learn what he wanted to know so badly. "Maybe I should just show you what I found in my research. I couldn't make heads or tails of a lot of it, so I hoped what you had in your library would shed some light on it." Raising one hand, he muttered a few words while performing the right somatic gestures, then snapped his fingers.

Instantly the item he wanted appeared out of nothing, drawn from the extradimensional space where he'd placed it for safekeeping; it was one of the first spells taught to novices, the first he had mastered, and quite useful. Holding out the book he'd withdrawn from its magical cubbyhole--not a ponderous, venerable tome like those in this library, but still impressive in size and properly enchanted for defense--he placed it in Nieve's extended paw and bit his lip, trying not to be any more nervous.

Nieve didn't take long to find what he'd been asked to peruse, flipping through the early pages, pausing now and then to read an annotation, even smiling and nodding at particular passages he seemed to consider useful or inspired. "Hmm...yes...I see...oh, that's clever...I'm not certain why you doubt yourself or feel you need a specialized mentor, lad, you clearly have a quick mind and astonishing insights into the framework of gramarye...oh..." He paused, frowned again, and rested a large finger on one line of text. Then he peered intensely at Mithos through his spectacles. "Transmutation, yes, that is an extremely difficult branch of study. But...biosorcery?"

Mithos blushed deeply; there were many uses to which one could put the manipulation of cellular structures, even ones which overlapped with medical science, but he could guess what Nieve had assumed. What would most young men want to change about themselves? "It's not what you think, sir." At the lone eyebrow arching in amusement, he quickly corrected himself. "Okay, I might have...experimented a bit with that. Who wouldn't fantasize about being stronger or, um, more well-endowed?" Not that he'd succeeded at it, sadly... "But that isn't why I want to devote myself to it. With that kind of control over every aspect of my body, I'll be able to increase my stamina in battle...last longer, fight stronger, be able to resist all kinds of attacks, and survive in any environment. And if I master it, I'll also be able to help others, bolster their immune systems, heal them of things doctors can't figure out how to cure..."

The lion's visage softened, and he smiled again, that warm expression which made the wolf want to melt into the floor even as it hardened other parts of his anatomy. Setting down the book on the table, he pushed his glasses back into place and gave him a considering, measuring look. "How commendable of you. Never fear, Mithos, I was not judging you for using it in that manner--it is quite common, a harmless pastime if kept under control, and quite entertaining. I myself indulge in it fairly often." He winked, and Mithos gulped; the lion was already so large and masculine! What would he become with augmentation...?

"I merely wished to ensure you did have a solid, worthwhile reason for your choice. This branch of magic is, as you say, complex, powerful, and dangerous if not properly controlled. It is not something one should study frivolously or for simple personal gain." His severe tone made the wolf want to cringe, but in moments it had passed with Nieve adopting a more jovial tone. "Since that is not the case, however, then I can safely say I can assist you in interpreting your research, and train you in further lessons on the subject. Before we begin, perhaps you would like a demonstration?"

Mithos had to work his mouth several times to wet it before he could reply; to see a master mage at work, particularly one as attractive as this, and see him use true biosorcery upon himself? He would leap at the chance! And he hadn't had much to go on in his own studies, since he would not risk permanent damage to any test subject, let alone himself."Uh...y-yes, of course, sir. Should we adjourn to your Work room?"

Chuckling, the lion shook his great maned head. "Oh no, that's where I perform only my greatest spells, and where we will increase your mystical resources and guide you in blending your magic with mine. I have a training ground in my backyard where there is plenty of room for movement and strategy. What better place to spar and use our elemental abilities to their fullest?" Stepping back from the table, he made as if to depart the room, then stopped and grinned coyly, as if he were many years younger. "As for my biosorcery...that I can call upon right here. Watch."

He didn't have to be told twice; as far as he was concerned, his eyes were nailed to Nieve's body. But though he expected the mage to close his eyes and concentrate, the large feline only rolled his shoulders, let out a deep, long breath, and focused himself visibly. For a few moments nothing happened; then Mithos saw a ripple pass through the lion's exposed arm fur, followed by a shimmer of biochemical energy...and then he began to grow.

It wasn't a tremendous amount, either because the lion didn't want to damage his library or because he was only giving a small foretaste of what biosorcery could do, but it was significant enough to notice...and make the poor wolf's pants tighter than ever. It started in those clenched fists, what were already large appendages swelling thicker and heavier like hams, followed by a similar bulge flowing up his golden forearms as if they were being pumped full of rushing water--except this left them solid as steel, not sloshing and shifting about. From there the growth spread up into the lion's hidden biceps and deltoids, then across and down his shoulders to increase the mass of his already phenomenal pecs...and while all of this lay hidden beneath the mage's shirt, and the growth was slow and controlled enough that he wasn't tearing out of his clothing, it did become more than tight enough on Nieve to show off what he was sporting underneath. In fact those muscles became so colossal, so thick with meaty bulk, that he could see their every outline through the fabric, and even the lion's incredibly large nipples as they swiftly hardened with arousal.

What was even more impressive than this, though, and the way veins stood out in snake-like ropes upon his new teacher's arms even through the rich fur and hair, was what was happening down below. For one of the first things Mithos had noticed as soon as the front door had been opened for him was that the casually-dressed lion had decided not only to go bare-pawed today but to match his shimmering shirt with the traditional wool tartan of his clan...and now, as he stared downward, he could see the plaid fabric beginning to ride up thanks to the inches Nieve was adding on to his height...and something else was being uncovered, hanging lower and lower with each passing moment until finally thick pink flesh, almost dark red, hung below the edge of the kilt. He gasped, and his eyes bulged at the unbelievable sight. He'd not seen a piece of male meat that large before, outside a locker room where he'd been treated to the wonderful gift of a towering stallion's naked groin...and this lion was already impressive enough to put that equine to shame. Plus...he was still growing!

By the time Nieve finally relaxed his will and let out the breath he'd been holding in a long, slow gasp, Mithos's own breathing was so dry and raspy it was as if he'd just been rescued from days spent wandering in a desert. The feline, who had already stood a good two feet taller, now loomed so high above him that those great pectorals projected out above the wolf's head like a true shelf of muscle, almost blocking view of the lion's enraptured face...and while the library roof was so vast and vaulted (still twice his new height) that there was still plenty of room before he would bump against it, Mithos felt rather small indeed considering he was now almost face-to-face with the immense bulge behind the Scotsman's sporran. And what extended out from beneath was so heavy, so thick--nearly matching the lion's thigh for girth!--and exuding a musk so powerful he felt close to fainting that the wolf had to let out a whimpering moan, for being presented with that jaw-dropping sight had given him the hardest erection he ever remembered having in his life.

A splashing sound broke his reverie, and he quickly glanced down farther to see that the pulsing mushroom head of that enormous cock had released a long, slow drool of gleaming silver pre from its puckered slit to splatter on the floor between the now-wider stance of Nieve's humongous paws. Looking up again, he spied a deep scarlet blush on the lion's face, and had to smile along with the big cat. "Um...I do apologize about that. I'm already quite the...potent fellow, and since that particular magic tends to increase the heart rate, blood flow, and adrenaline, well..." Nieve coughed discreetly, the motion rippling down through his now skin-tight shirt, setting off motions in every bulging, rigid pound of constantly tensed muscle, as well as making his lionhood lurch and sway hypnotically where it hung well below the kilt, between his knees. "Ah...anyway, I trust that was enough to let you know whether I will be a good master for your studies?"

Mithos started to laugh, if a bit disjointedly. "Oh, sir...ahem...I already knew you'd be a great master for me, but yes...that was more than enough." He carefully adjusted himself in what he hoped wasn't an obvious fashion. He intended to use biosorcery in various ways applicable to battle, whether through transformation of appendages into weaponry, increasing the toughness and resiliency of his flesh so as to shrug off or even become completely impervious to injury, and when that wasn't feasible gaining the ability to heal and regenerate himself. But he couldn't deny that gaining size or muscle mass would be a great way for him to intimidate or surprise opponents who had thought him a pushover, or put him on an even playing field so he could hold his own in combat. And that 'demonstration' had been...incredibly erotic.

At least some of this must have been apparent on his face (or else the great mage had analyzed and contemplated the uses of biosorcery and reached the same conclusions), because Nieve was smiling at him knowingly. However, to the wolf's extreme relief, the lion didn't comment on it, or on his tight crotch bulge if he had noticed it. Instead he turned on his ponderous bare footpaws and began walking slowly toward the door of the library--both so his new apprentice could easily catch up, and it seemed to keep from making the floor pound and shriek in protest under his new weight. "Very good. I'd hate to have done it for nothing. Not that I...mind the change, or don't have the power to spare, but I do hate to have all this size and nothing to do with it." Winking over his shoulder from behind those gleaming spectacles, he gestured. "Now then, let us proceed to the training ground. I am most anxious to discover what you're made of, lad..."

Mithos swallowed a bit, wondering just what other meaning the lion could have been implying with that choice of words, but he wasn't about to pass up the chance to show off what he knew or learn more from his teacher...let alone lose a moment in his virile presence.

So the two of them proceeded through the house, which was as vast, richly appointed, beautifully furnished, and magically centered as any place could be--in fact he was fairly certain it had been enchanted with the standard variant of the same extradimensional spell he had employed, that which rendered a place larger on the inside than the outside. He would dearly have loved to stop and study more of its ageless grace and artistry, as well as the mystical energy woven into its structure, but Nieve neither stopped nor slowed, and he knew he'd have plenty of time to get to know the place once he started living here on a regular basis.

In due time the mage and his apprentice descended a spiral staircase in the back of the house, emerging at what seemed to be the foundation of the mansion's rear wall, as far as he could orient himself to the compass. Said wall was nothing but undressed, bare brick, since this area seemed to be a basement storage room beneath the kitchen--one which sent subtle shivers up his spine as he gazed off into its shadowed, cobwebbed corners, not of fear of some nameless evil or horror but at the sheer intense power which filled the atmosphere of this place. But while Mithos was still staring with eyes narrowed to try and discern what nexus of energy or font of power could be hidden beyond his sight, Nieve had pressed his enormous paw to the brick wall, spread his fingers wide, and muttered a few unintelligible syllables--and silently save for a soft scraping grumble and a shower of brick dust, a panel opened outward into the yard.

The wolf gazed around in wonder, but also in deep respect, as he admired not only the physical arrangement of the enclosure but the magical one, both working in concert to keep out prying eyes and the dangerously curious. The former consisted of a rather high wall completely surrounding the wide, grassy space, one overgrown with ivy, moss, and other creeping plants until many on the outside might not even realize the wall was there, or if they did would think it to be the wall of the house itself. Even the only other exit, a small sally port directly opposite the secret panel that was even now closing softly behind them, was hidden deep in shadow and vines so that he guessed it was invisible to any passerby (and not even in the magical sense). At the same time he could tell just from sending his senses out into the ether that this yard was protected by unseen energies--while he wasn't strong enough or trained enough to detect all the details, he could tell there was both a lattice of some sort and a dome beyond that, the latter meant to turn away gazes, investigations, or even thoughts about what might lie within, the former keeping harmful spells from getting in--or out.

And he could see why such precautions and defenses were necessary. What would have been only a grassy expanse, a charming garden, or even a set of topiaries or a hedge maze in someone else's yard was instead a place clearly set aside for training. Not of the physical sort--although there was a crushed gravel path encircling the grounds and a series of interlocking rings which he was fairly certain was where opposing combatants would stand before wrestling or otherwise coming body-to-body--but of the magical. Surrounding each of these rings was a set of smaller disks, six in number; one held an endlessly bubbling fountain, another an eternally burning brazier; one was only a bare patch of dirt and rock, another held a barely visible, constantly rotating vortex; one contained a hovering sphere of swirling, churning fire like a small sun that radiated blinding light, and the last seemed more of an absence, a void, a blot on his sight that made his eyes ache to look at it, filled only with impenetrable darkness.

Elsewhere in the yard stood other items of the mage's craft--a crystal-clear, ripple-free pool and a many-rayed crystal upon a pedestal, both used for divination or as focal aids; a rack of weapons containing everything from glowing halberds and shimmering swords to faintly gleaming lariats and bows whose strings quivered and faded in and out of sight as if they existed in another dimension; a wooden table carved from the stump of an ancient oak tree which held books, a selection of rings, amulets, potions, and gems, and a whole alchemist's kit; a small garden plot filled with only the most magical and rare of plants; even, if his studies and sorcerer's sight were accurate, an arch of stone which could only be a standing portal. Yet while all of this awed and excited him, he truly only had eyes for those rings of elemental power...

A diffident cough came from behind him, and when he could finally tear his eyes away from this amazing training ground that was beyond his wildest dreams, Mithos had to blush and chuckle...since Nieve was standing there eyeing him knowingly, one eyebrow raised, two sets of rune-inscribed mage's robes hanging over his arm. "If I do say so myself, it is indeed one of the best magical training facilities in the world, but it is meant to be used, not ogled, lad." He winked rather suggestively, and suddenly the wolf wondered if those words also applied to the lion. He swallowed and panted softly, his pants tighter than ever.

Mithos looked around for a place to change...and saw none. "Um...where do I...?" He didn't know if it was embarrassment or arousal that was making his face red.

Nieve chuckled deeply, but there was just enough naughtiness in the sound to keep it from being completely innocent and avuncular. "Right here, my boy. Don't tell me you haven't let go of your inhibitions and social mores yet? A little shyness is to be expected, but for a mage to be truly at one with himself and the lines of power, there must be no barriers. Everything must go, even if it is only set aside temporarily while casting." Extending one set of robes to the wolf, then draping the other over the back of a nearby bench, the big cat paused, then lifted his paws up to the fastenings of his shirt. "Fear not, lad, I'll make it easier on you and go first."

"What?!" His heart leaped into his throat and pounded vigorously. He actually thinks that'll make it easier? Unless...he knows exactly what this is doing to me...

It was too late however, the buttons were already coming undone, and any protest died on his tongue--not just because his dry mouth had locked up but because he found he didn't want Nieve to stop...he wanted to see quite badly. And there was so much to see, for as the shimmering cloth came open, more and more golden fur became exposed, as well as a patch of chest and belly hair so thick, so rich, so full and manly and of the same hue as that beautiful mahogany mane that he just wanted to bury his paws and muzzle in it. Then the shirt was coming open fully, peeled back and shrugged off those incredibly broad shoulders, and he gasped again...the muscles which had shown through before, now swollen to a massive and meaty size, were even more impressive when bared to the light. He could see every thew and sinew, every vein snaking through the fur, every fiber as it tensed, twitched, and bulged with power, and it was absolutely thrilling. He'd never been as focused on or into muscle as a lot of other gay or bisexual males out there, but these...he could say, without exaggeration, that they were utter perfection. Exactly what a man's body should look like.

And of course, they were matched by the rest of the lion's body. For as Nieve removed and folded his shirt and set it aside, those mammoth biceps and shaggy-maned forearms flexing and tensing instinctively, a set of rather beefy dark pink nipples twitching on the undercurves of his enormous pecs, he was soon moving to undo the clasps of his kilt belt...and as he finally loosened the plaid cloth enough so that it could drop away from beneath those rather mouth-watering tiers of abs, Mithos could see the entirety of the mage's sculpted, steel-hard, colossally broad thighs...and what lay between them...

Sweet Goddess! There's no way I could take all of that in my mouth, let alone...wait, when did I decide I wanted to lie with my mentor...?

He blushed, as in all honesty he realized he'd decided it the minute the door opened and he set eyes on that towering feline, even if he hadn't admitted it to himself until just this moment.

Even as he thought about such things, with a small smile of desire and an increasing flush of arousal, Mithos couldn't tear his eyes away from that massive endowment...it wasn't even fully hard, and it hung nearly to Nieve's knees, a beautiful dark pink with a nearly red glans capping it and so very thick, throbbing and pulsing before his gaze. How large it would be when erect, he had no idea, but as it was he guessed it to already be around two feet long. Just remember...he used his biosorcery to grow, normally it can't be that large. It'll be big, but you can still handle it...

And it turned out he was right, for after letting the wolf ogle him for a little longer and then removing the last of his clothing, the great lion paused, concentrating, and with a shimmering ripple and a flaring green aura, his body began to slowly shrink back to its original size. When the transformation had finished, Nieve once more stood only two feet taller than him, and his cock had returned to a much more manageable foot or so. He remained, however, an awe-inspiring, powerful specimen of masculinity and muscle--no "squishy wizard" was he! And the scent which wafted from his direction was as musky and intensely rich as if he still stood at his larger, gigantic height...

"I know I'm impressive," Nieve said at last, dryly, "but we'll never get anywhere if you don't garb yourself appropriately."

Mithos flinched guiltily, then let out a disjointed laugh as he finally tore his eyes away and turned to the set of robes the lion had laid out for him. "S-sorry, sir. As you say, I am still new to this. And I've never met a man as...majestic as you." Blushing again, the wolf kept his back turned to his mentor as he disrobed--so that the lion would not see his prominent erection--and began to put on his apprentice's attire. From the rustling sounds behind him, Nieve was doing the same with his master mage's vestments.

Eventually he finally felt ready to face his new mentor with propriety and poise, partly because he'd gotten his rampant maleness to finally go down but also because of the undeniable awe he felt at the rich finery he'd been given. With undergarments of various shades of purple, indigo, and midnight blue, cut thin and sheer so as to cling close to his body and not hamper the movements and gestures he would need to make while spellcasting, he felt simultaneously richer than a king and more scantily clad than a belly dancer. There were, however, multiple layers lining and overlying these garments, and in fact a set of beautiful sky-blue robes which seemed to shimmer in the light, their shoulders rather broad and stylized into unusually cut points and their length hanging full and billowing along his body. In various places they were marked or woven with mystic runes--some the foci of protective spells, others merely identifying his status.

When he turned around with his arms spread out to display his new look, and attest to the beaming pride that made his heart pound faster and his face ache with the ear-to-ear grin he sported, Mithos had to gasp and let his jaw hang a little--for naturally, Nieve's costume was even more resplendent and awe-inspiring. The majority was a rich and vibrant crimson, with the undergarments shifting to ever darker hues until they became maroon, mauve, and finally a red and purple so dark as to be nearly black, but its trim, lining, and accoutrements were bronze, gold, or bright yellow, some of it shaped into sigils and symbols from alchemy and enchantment alike, the rest abstract shapes and geometric patterns. The shoulders were even wider and higher than Mithos's, adorned with a high collar and a vast, swirling cape that danced and flowed with every movement, its full expanse woven with gold lame and brocade that would surely make it intensely heavy...though for a male as large as Nieve, moving dexterously about in it would likely be cub's play.

He had accessorized it with a massive wooden staff that the wolf could swear had been nowhere in sight until this moment--had it, too, been stored in an extradimensional space?--a gold-link belt, and a matching medallion which had to be an amulet of some sort, glowing even to his less-attuned eyes with a buttery aura. The neckwear also rested, he noticed with a renewed flush, directly in the lion's thick, flowing mane and chest hair, right between his bulky, sculpted pectorals and beneath his thick braid...for the stunning wizardly robes remained open to the waist and pulled back to leave Nieve's entire chest and stomach bare. Perhaps not the most battle-wise apparel, but shield spells and other abjuration effects rendered armor and other coverings unnecessary. Not to mention what a delicious sight it made to distract certain combatants...

After a few more moments of staring at Nieve, Mithos managed to find his voice. "Sir, that's...well, let's just say that is exactly how a mage should look!" He couldn't keep the pleased smile off his face, nor did it leave as he reached down to pluck at his own garments. "And I have to say, these are the best clothes I've ever had for my studies."

"Thank you," the lion said, and he did so modestly, as a simple statement of fact. "But I don't think you came to me to judge, or learn from, my sartorial knowledge. So, if you would take your position?" And he gestured to one of the battle circles.

The wolf blushed, for even though Nieve had not sounded disapproving or angry, only amused, it embarrassed him in the extreme to give away his utter newness to the craft; expressing wonder and appreciation for the various accoutrements, trappings, and components of gramarye was one thing, but too much of this and he would sound like a complete and ignorant fool. Shaking his head, he snapped out of his reverie and hurried over to the circle indicated. Determined to make up for his lapse and prove himself to his new master, Mithos placed his feet in a proper mage's stance--not only bracing himself against what would come, but literally rooting his energies and life-force in the earth, to be drawn upon at need for either attack or defense. His paws he raised, working his fingers free of any kinks to be as limber and loose as possible, the better to be twisted and woven in the various intricate somatic gestures of spellwork. Then, after taking several long, deep breaths to center himself and become calm, purposeful, and determined, he opened his eyes...and waited.

To his surprise, Nieve did not immediately launch into a mystical attack, nor did he even perform the same mental and spiritual exercises (though for all he knew, the lion could take such actions completely within his mind, with no physical indication he had done so). Instead, as the feline stood within his own sparring circle, he cleared his throat and began to speak in what was clearly a knowledgeable, lecturing tone. "Before we begin, I should inform you--or remind you, should you have encountered it in your readings--that certain elements are more difficult or dangerous to wield than others, and should not be attempted by apprentice wizards. Particularly not for a mere demonstration. I say this not to chastise you, or suggest that I believe you to be young and foolhardy, but to impress upon you the gravity and seriousness of what quest we shall embark upon together. Do you understand? I trust you will have no issue with such restrictions."

Despite himself, Mithos swallowed, but he nodded in affirmation as well as acceptance. "Of course, sir. I wouldn't dream of overstepping myself. And I have to say there are some elements I have less affinity for anyway. I also know that shadow and light are the two most powerful...I don't feel confident in using them yet. I feel no shame in admitting I'm not ready." Though I will be, someday, he thought fiercely.

"Very true, lad. They are, as you know, the most basic of the elements, those of the most raw power and that which inspires or creates all the others, or at least allows them to be. There could be no fire without light, nor movement of air without its heat, and the greatest of shadows can be found beneath the earth, within the depths of the oceans...and in the cold vastness of space. They are also to be found within each heart and soul, sometimes at war, sometimes acting in balance, guiding or deflecting us, encouraging us or setting barriers in our path. They are often the most mysterious, yet at the same time the most intrinsic to existence. We interfere with and siphon them, or even manipulate and draw upon them, to our peril.

"But I would also advise you to avoid earth and air, at least for now. Not that I believe you would be irresponsible and do inordinate damage to the land or spin the weather out of control, but it is far too easy to cause great injury with soil and rock, to employ too large an amount in battle or smash about with impunity and too much force. And the currents of the air are often capricious, wild, readily wreaking havoc upon the wielder as much as his opponent, even without taking the spirits into account." Nieve smiled as he nodded toward the last of the elemental circles. "No, there are two others which are best used first, easiest to guide and employ. And perhaps not coincidentally, they are also the flashiest. I assume this is acceptable to you?"

As his meaning sank in, Mithos slowly smiled as well; already he was drawing upon the energies in a very familiar fashion indeed, beginning to move his fingers in the proper shapes and angles. "Very much so. Now, enough talk, Master: defend yourself!" With a surge of iron will, strength of heart, and fierce joy that came only from the anticipation of using his mage's skills--and, he had to admit, of entering combat--the wolf artfully twisted one paw and thrust out with the other. Instantly a tongue of flame separated from the rest of the fire in the brazier, curled in upon itself to form a sphere that roiled, surged, and expanded in size and power, then broke free to hurtle unerringly toward Nieve with a crackling roar.

Of course the lion was ready for him--even if he hadn't already prepared and set himself in the sparring circle, Mithos had given him plenty of warning as to what he would do and when he would act. Without even any visible effort, Nieve made a sharp, slicing gesture horizontally before him with his staff, and unexpectedly another spurt of flame shot from the lion's brazier, leaping through the air between them to cut off the wolf's attack--literally, the two fiery missiles coming together in an explosion of heat, the flat plane dividing the sphere into halves which dissipated harmlessly. Before Mithos could retaliate, the master mage acted again, his other paw curling into a fist as it drew back, only to suddenly punch forward--and the fire mirrored it, forming into a ball of his own that came hurtling toward the apprentice with incredible speed. Mithos couldn't duck, however, or even leave the circle, so instead he drew once more upon his brazier, inspired by Nieve's defensive response.

In moments a wall of fire had risen before his face--thin enough to be translucent, and to only radiate heat at himself rather than scorching him, but thick enough to make an effective barrier. Indeed, Nieve's ball of fire splatted against it harmlessly, a brief corona bursting out brightly from the point of impact and blocking his view of the mage before it subsided. He would like to have kept the wall up indefinitely, but aside from the amount of energy and focus that took, he would be unable to send any more attacks against the lion this way. So instead he drew upon the brazier once more, forming a long, slender length of flame to hover in the air like an accusing finger--and then he struck.

The wall of fire came down, as if a stage curtain had been dropped from its rings to pool on the ground, and in the same instant he sent the spear shooting forward, aimed straight and true at Nieve's heart. Not that he had any intention of harming the lion--if Nieve surrendered he would dissipate or deflect the spear at the last moment--but he had to show his new master he meant business and could be a serious opponent.

But although the lion's eyes widened and he directed at him a look of surprise and deep respect, neither did he cease hostilities. Instead he changed tactics, drawing upon the pool of water with an inverted twist of his paw and the wriggle of a few fingers. Before Mithos could do more than mutter an annoyed curse, a wall of shimmering clear liquid rose up in mimicry of the wolf's opposing element a few moments before, and naturally enough the streaking lance of fire was completely swallowed by it, doused instantly with a violent hiss and a plume of steam.

As the water began to sink downward, revealing a clear sight of Nieve's rather amused expression rather than the distorted image there had been through the wall, Mithos narrowed his eyes at him. "Changing elements in the middle of combat? Hardly fair now, is it, master?"

"Will enemies you may face someday be fighting fairly, my apprentice?" Nieve replied sardonically, pointedly. "You must be ready for anything, whether in what may be brought against you or what you in turn choose to employ. Besides..." And now he smiled broadly, gesturing again with his paw to bring the water back up, this time in a shimmering globe around his fist. "This is supposed to be a demonstration of your knowledge and abilities. Limiting that to only one element would hardly be a proper test or exhibition. And I never said we could not change elements."

Loopholes! I should have known... But mages had to be good at thinking outside the box, finding ways to circumvent spells and curses, magical items and barriers, working against creatures and beings that used the letter but not the spirit of agreements to outsmart, trick, and deceive others until they could eventually destroy them. And if he'd been thinking of this as more than a demonstration, he'd have realized the same applied to other mages, even his own master.

Two could play at that game, though. "Well, if that's the way you want it, sir..." Grinning with determination and confidence, Mithos shifted his pattern of thinking, the flow of energy within him, his entire state of mind and spirit, and with a different, softer glow of his mana he withdrew the water from his own pool...shaping it into a thick serpentine stream that coiled around his arms as if sheathing them. Without warning, he lashed out with his mind, and the streams uncoiled to strike out like whips. The sphere around Nieve's paw, though, expanded to form a shield, catching the strikes readily--and the battle was on again.

How long they fought, he didn't know; the light in the backyard never seemed to change, and he lost track of time as he alternately parried and thrust, swung and retreated, using every trick he could think of to keep Nieve at bay or simply show off his true skill at hydrokinesis. Whether swords or knives, planes or simple surging rushes of water, he continually reshaped the water to form weapons to attack or shields to defend, striking and falling back, and Nieve countered every one as well as returning the favor with lances and halberds, axes and clubs. Waves of water were flung at him, only for Mithos to strike their center with a churning, rippling fist that broke the attack into spraying bursts of shining droplets. The wolf in turn sent waves of his own, even twisted and rotated them into waterspouts that formed whirlpools around and beneath Nieve's robes. But the lion sidestepped them even while remaining in the ring, then shunted the water aside to send it pouring away in brilliant cascades that drenched the grass until it glittered and shone.

Finally, knowing he needed to truly display his full power as well as his clever intellect--and, just perhaps, show up his master--Mithos called upon all the power flowing inside him as well as the endlessly bubbling fountain, drew all the water up into a single churning, geysering torrent that he sent rising up, up, towering above and behind him...then directed it forward in a collapsing tidal wave across Nieve's battle space. At the last second, before the lion could block or redirect the water once more, the wolf changed his spellwork slightly, just enough to hopefully take his master by surprise, employing a large circular motion ending with a subtle stiffening of his fingers. And the wave fell flat at his command, pouring across the ground beneath Nieve's feet before bursting upward again--and freezing in place mid-flow.

Panting rapidly, chest heaving, the wolf smiled slowly as he beheld his handiwork, how the water had changed into a solid, unyielding glacier, an expanse of jagged ice thrusting upward in spikes to surround Nieve and trap him in place. Even the lion's last-minute attempt to deflect the water with his staff had only managed to trap him more, as the upward splash from this had contributed to the angled icicles enclosing his golden-furred body. He didn't seem particularly perturbed or frightened by this, merely a bit annoyed and amused. "How was that, sir?" Mithos couldn't keep the cockiness out of his voice.

Somehow, despite having lost the duel, the massive lion only smiled at him--and then, before the inattentive wolf could retain control of the water, he waved the one paw which remained free of the ice, and with an audible crunch and a tinkling wave of sound, the glacier melted instantly...and the cat's paw sent it rushing back at its source with a forward punch. Mithos stood there in shock, mouth working soundlessly, before he began to whimper at the sudden chill flooding his body, while Nieve laughed warmly and yet sympathetically at the sight before him--of a thoroughly wet, drenched canine, his clothes and fur clinging to his muscular frame thanks to the water that had crashed over him from head to foot before spreading out in dull, still puddles on the ground behind him.

"Oh, quite good," the mage replied mildly. "A most excellent example of sorcery and combat skill working in concert, lad, and for most opponents it would indeed have won you the day. But never relax, never let down your guard, until you are absolutely certain you have achieved victory and are safe from harm."

Mithos felt his spirits sink and his confidence fade, though he allowed that could have been because of the increasing cold within his soaked form that was making him shiver uncontrollably. He looked up morosely, started to speak--and suddenly Nieve was there, having crossed the intervening space between their rings to wrap a heavy arm around him, drawing him close to the lion's wonderfully warm, broad expanse of thickly-furred and hairy chest muscle. "Forgive me, my apprentice. I wished to make a point, to show you what more there is you need to learn, what I will teach you as your master. But I did not wish to humiliate you, and you did in fact do superbly well. Far better than I expected, even. It is quite clear you have studied intensely, that you possess innate power and skill, and a fine mind quite ready to pick up and apply new knowledge." He chucked the wolf under his chin, and despite the implied inferiority of the gesture, Mithos could only feel a paternal affection from the lion that made him much warmer inside. "Perfect for an apprentice under my tutelage. Now, we should get you inside, out of your wet things, and settled into your room here. How does that sound?"

The wolf looked up at him, glowing more and more with the praise the big cat had given him, and then he smiled, having to fight quite hard not to melt into his master's embrace, to squeeze him close and bury his face in those strong, musky pecs. "That sounds wonderful, sir."

Despite the still rather impressive locale, Mithos was barely aware of the backyard or its mystical training paraphernalia as Nieve guided him back inside through the secret door, his arm still around the wolf's shoulders. He didn't even really pay much attention to the beautiful furnishings and decorations of the mage's mansion as he led his new apprentice up through the stairs and halls of the house. It wasn't until the lion had stopped at a finely-carved door of mahogany that seemed no different from any other, although it did stand right next to the largest and most elaborate doorframe in the corridor which he realized, with a thrill of excitement, had to be Nieve's master bedchamber, that Mithos became more self-aware again. This may also have been because, as the lion idly opened the door, he also held out in his arms the wolf's clothing which he had thoughtfully gathered from the mage's circle. "Here you are, lad. This will be your room--right next door to mine, so that if you ever need anything during the night, I'll be right there and you won't even need to worry about waking a servant."

Mithos shuffled his feet a bit; he didn't know which embarrassed him more, the idea of having servants to wait on him hand and foot, that Nieve was being so solicitous and willing to look out for his welfare personally, or that he would be...right next door to the bed of such a virile and handsome man. "Thank you. I...I didn't realize such a thing was entailed in an apprenticeship."

"It isn't, though neither is it forbidden." Nieve frowned a bit thunderously, and the expression he wore as he briefly glanced toward the world outside his home was deeply scornful and distasteful. "Far too many mages, I am afraid, see their duties as extending only to ensuring their apprentices follow the proper rules of sorcery, don't pry into forbidden texts, and obey them in every instance--to maintain the proper gravitas and decorum which the craft and profession demand, they say, so as not to embarrass them at public wizardly gatherings and such. But really it's to justify having a lackey who will take any amount of abuse, follow every command, and become a glorified porter lest they be dismissed without a reference, unable to seek out any other master in the future."

Snorting derisively, he rested his heavy paw gently on Mithos's shoulder once more, and the wolf hoped his tremble at the touch wasn't as detectable to his master as it was to himself. "I have never been like that, and never will be. Yes, it will be important for you to follow my rules and directions, as much for your own safety as to get you in the habit of thinking carefully and methodically--a great deal of spellwork involves very precise ingredients, gestures, intonations, even location and position of the body, as I am sure you know. But beyond this, you are not only my apprentice, you are my ward. As such I am the one who should be looking after your welfare, not you mine. While you live and train with me, you will have whatever you require, shelter and clothing, food and drink, whatever education outside of gramarye you may have missed, and so forth." The lion smirked a little. "And that also includes, at the moment, a shower for you, and laundry service. I'll have those robes washed as soon as you're out of them. I'll be just out here while you remove them; knock when you are ready. I respect your privacy."

For a moment Mithos was tempted to call him on that, considering the "let go of your inhibitions and barriers, everything must go" speech he'd given to excuse changing into the robes downstairs, but perhaps that had merely been a way to break the ice between them, to get him used to sharing his life so closely with his new master so there would be no future embarrassment if nudity were required or unavoidable in some way, and the lion was otherwise as decorous as could be. Or he'd simply enjoyed showing off his augmented body.... Shaking such thoughts aside (and the images that had given him that unyielding erection), he could only smile warmly, his paws shaking for a completely different reason as he was deeply touched by this feline's generosity and concern. Whatever might be true of some lions, this one was truly as humble and selfless as could be. "Thank you again, sir. You are right to advise caution and forethought...and I truly appreciate dispensing with the age-old 'tradition' of a famulus! I'll change and shower as quickly as I can, then I'll be all yours for whatever else you wish of me today."

Nieve's blue eyes twinkled merrily behind his spectacles (which had somehow never fallen off or become cockeyed during their fight--were they magically affixed to his face?), and he realized too late how his last words could be misconstrued. But the lion only laughed heartily, a sound that reached deep down into the wolf's groin as much as it warmed his heart, then nodded as he turned away. "There is no rush, take your time, lad. I'm hardly a harsh taskmaster, and even if I were I wouldn't subject you to that on your first day. Lunch is in about two hours, and after that you may join me in the library to begin your new research."

The door closed softly behind Mithos as his master retreated to the hall to wait for the sodden clothes, and the wolf could only look around his new chamber with bemusement and wonder, hardly daring to believe he was here. The room was an eclectic yet harmonious mix of ancient and modern, mystical and practical. It possessed a huge four-poster (though he would bet anything Nieve's was much larger) with velvet draperies, and there were richly-woven and brightly hued carpets to match the medieval tapestries hung on the walls...but also a modern mirror, a large framed photograph of a picturesque castle on a Scottish hillside, and a desk with an electric reading lamp complete with pens, pencils, and paper, rather than parchment and quills. There were numerous bookcases stuffed with tomes, folios, quartos, and octavos, many of which looked extremely old although well-preserved, including some with titles in languages long dead or never spoken by any but the arcane theurgists, and he also spied a full set of alchemist's laboratory equipment on one corner table, well away from any stray sunlight that could ruin an experiment. But the desk also held a state-of-the-art computer with all the bells and whistles, and rather than a chamber pot or bedpan there was a door to a fully functional and lavishly appointed bathroom.

Sighing as he saw this, Mithos made short work divesting himself of his clothes, and once each layer of the wet but still splendid robes had been laid out on a low stool between the bathroom and the outer door, the wolf belatedly knocked to let Nieve know he could remove the laundry and then slipped into the inner chamber. Smiling a bit dreamily at the beige-and-white-tiled walls, the pristine porcelain sink, and especially the surprisingly roomy shower with its frosted glass doors, he didn't even hesitate to step inside. Everything was there, already arranged--towels, washcloths, soap, shampoo, various brushes for properly cleaning and straightening fur, nothing had been missed or unaccounted for. Good-bye to the days of rustic, ascetic living because misery builds character, and good riddance!

Not bothering to fully close the bathroom door--he had privacy, he needed to let go of modesty, and it would help to make the whole bedroom toasty warm--he heard the sound of heavy movement in the outer chamber as, presumably, Nieve fetched the robes he'd left behind and took them away...although as he stepped into the shower itself and closed the glass door behind him, he absently noticed he'd never heard the sound of the bedroom door closing again. All sound was lost, then, as Mithos turned on the water, let it pour down into the drain until it steamed pleasantly, and then moved beneath the spray with a soft moan of pleasure.

His fur wasn't too thick, but there was enough body to it that it took some time for it all to be soaked; he didn't mind, though, as this simply let him enjoy it...eyes closed, muzzle upturned, the warm streams coursing down his body so as to wash away stress and worry, the dust and sweat of travel, and the aches in his muscles developed just from that short but intense training session. Here, where it was no one else but him, he allowed himself to think about his master's enormous body, endowed with such muscle mass as well as masculine parts...all that rich, golden fur like the rays of the summer sun made solid, the even more solid strength to be found beneath it, that glorious mahogany mane spilling down over broad shoulders and pectoral shelf alike, gathered into that unusual braid he'd not seen anywhere else in his travels...and then what lay below...

A soft whine escaped his lips as he imagined that impressive lionhood once more, and this time he didn't fight it as his own maleness slipped out of its sheath to extend and throb against his well-shaped abs. Licking his lips, he spent several minutes indulging in slowly caressing and fondling both his shaft and his rather aching balls beneath...it had been a while since he'd pleasured himself, and as he thought of Nieve's eye-popping member and wondered how it would feel to touch it, squeeze it, lick it, he almost had to lean against the wall as his knees wobbled a bit.

He didn't know how long it would be before he and his master would end up sharing a bed--he hoped it would be soon, and he knew it would happen based solely on the way the lion flaunted himself in front of the wolf, as no straight man would do that, not even with such seeming innocence. But he did know that until that day came, living and working and training in such close quarters with the lion would be both torturous and a source of endless arousing fantasies.

It was a good thing he had such a luxurious bathroom then, wasn't it?

He wasn't ready to release all that pent-up desire just yet, though--he wanted to savor this, and he had a feeling he'd need his stamina too once he was in his master's arms--and he did actually have to get clean. So after working himself up to full mast and running his fingers through his brown fur to trace out the edges of abs and pectorals, even briefly brushing and tweaking his pink nipples for a surge of delighted ecstasy, Mithos at last abandoned the blatant self-pleasure and reached for the bottle of body wash. But he had just squirted both palms full and begun to work it up to a lather in his fur when he suddenly felt two things in quick succession--a brief blast of cool air which could only come from the shower door being opened, and then a renewed and heavy heat...the heat of something massive, powerful, and solid pressing up against his backside, and of two giant paws gripping his chest from behind.

"Mind if I join you?" The voice was right in his pierced ear, deep, soft, and seductive, and of course quite familiar. "You're not the only one who requires a shower, you know. I too worked up...quite a sweat." Indeed, that musk was stronger and manlier than ever as it wafted around him, cutting through the steam and smell of soap. And something even more solid was grinding hard below his tail.

Slowly Mithos turned his head, though he knew what he would see. Standing behind him, of course, was Nieve, the top of his mane barely clearing the shower head even when plastered down by the cascading water, his massive body quite visible even through the billowing clouds of steam, the enormous muscles of his shoulders and chest bare to his gaze while that wonderful endowment he'd just been fantasizing about was pressed right between the wolf's asscheeks, hanging heavily between those sculpted thighs...although with every beat of his heart and flex of his muscles, the lion's shaft throbbed, jerked, and rose up like a rigid pole to force its way into that cleft. His presence was intense--not just the magical aura burning within and around him, but the sheer majesty he exuded, how utterly solid he was...this feline was not only as hard as a rock, he was as dependable and unyielding as one. And warm...so very warm, a heat filling those powerful limbs as they surrounded him matched only by the one he could feel radiating out from that great heart. How could one man be that warm? This time his knees did buckle, and he knew he would have fallen if not for Nieve's embrace holding him up.

"S-sir...?" he started to stammer.

"Shhh. No." The mage gazed sincerely, kindly, into his eyes, those blue orbs so deep he felt he could fall into them, shining with an inner light as if stars whirled and twinkled and glittered within them...yet none of this was literal, there was no spellwork enchanting them. The emotions were simply that plain, that pure and unguarded. "Here I am not your master, nor are you my apprentice. You are simply my Mithos, and I am your Nieve. I always have such a close relationship with my students, should they wish it...and I could tell you would be one of them as soon as I laid eyes on you. We may be together whenever you wish, as I believe it will only make us better able to understand one another in our studies and training...and it will give us much pleasure and relaxation the rest of the time." Nieve smiled suggestively, licking his lips slowly, and pressed in closer, his paws massaging in gentle, concentric circles on Mithos's chest. "What do you say?"

He had just met the lion today...but he had already trusted him with his education, his safety, his future course as a mage. He enjoyed the company of women as well as men...and yet he couldn't deny Nieve was the biggest, sexiest man he had ever laid eyes on, as well as being kind, solicitous of his welfare, and likable. Not to mention romantic, coming to him in the shower like this. He didn't even hesitate, leaning back into the mage's deep chest as he tilted his head to bring their muzzles together. "Yes, Nieve. I gave you my loyalty and service...now I'd love to give you the rest of me."

Somehow Nieve's face became even more handsome and irresistable as it lit up with a beaming smile. "And I will take good care of you, and treasure you for as long as we are together..." Those paws shifted down the wolf's body, fingers still massaging and kneading into his tired muscles, soothing them even as they also sent fiery desire rushing through him...and then as he felt that familiar throbbing rigidity pressing between his rumpcheeks, hot breath flowed over his neck...followed by the soft nibbles of predatory fangs and the gentle but fervent licks of a rough feline tongue through his drenched fur. And then those paws slid lower still, grasping and kneading his groin rather possessively.

Mithos shivered anew, and this time his knees did give out, allowing the great lion behind him to enfold him fully in his arms and hold him upright with unsurprising ease. A soft chuckle, at once both deeply arousing and impossibly gentle, echoed in his ear. "I said I would take care of you, and I will." His fingers traced and stroked along the wolf's neck, under his chin, along his jaw, and then his lips were pressed to the apprentice's--how had that happened? He'd simply tilted his head back in response to those caresses and hadn't even been aware of it...and why should he, when there was such a wonderful set of moist, soft, yet manly lips working against his own? He moaned into the big cat's maw, which gave Nieve the opening he needed to slip his rough feline tongue into Mithos's own mouth...he tensed and relaxed his shoulders and back, his ass and thighs, shivering again as the lion's great maleness lurched and pulsed so powerfully between them like a living thing.

He didn't even notice when the broad, slick tip of that girthy endowment began to slide into his waiting ring--it was that slow, careful, and gradual, and between the water, the constantly oozing pre, and his own utter relaxation thanks to Nieve's massaging touch, all he could do was practically melt back onto the shaft spearing into him. He was aware of himself throbbing too, alternately smacking into his own belly and spurting in the lion's paw, but other than shifting to instinctively thrust into that secure, arousing grip he could only push back into his master's groin and hang on for the ride.

A slow and gentle rocking ride it would be, though, since Nieve didn't pick up speed, alter his thrusts, or make any move to claim him as most males his size would. He only continued to surround the wolf with his massive arms and chest, a cage of muscle that felt like the safest, most loving place Mithos could ever hope to find himself...it made the canine bite his lip to hold back words he never thought he'd say, words of submissiveness and subservience, but at the same time they felt so right--because he knew if any male was deserving of such a thing it was Nieve. Not because a male so large, dominant, and predatory was owed it, but because unlike so many, he would never take advantage, never cause pain, harm, humiliation, or inferiority through his manliness and strength. He deserved it because he would not abuse it, or Mithos himself...because he was a good man who truly would protect him from anything that threatened.

Because the wolf was still so weak-kneed and trembling, he couldn't properly brace himself to thrust and grind, and so work to make his claiming more forceful or faster...so the pace stayed just as slow, romantic, and gentle, a true lovemaking that made him whimper and pant softly in the steaming spray of the shower. All he could do was lean back into Nieve's broad chest, nestle between those bulging pecs, and turn his head so as to lick along the curves of the sculpted muscles, eventually lapping at each prominent nipple in turn, something which only made the lion rumble and purr all the more lustily, his hips moving a little more unevenly and forcefully as his cock throbbed and splattered his inner flesh with slippery heat. So he did, the only action he could take to affect his experience in any demonstrable way, and one which allowed him to give even a small measure of loving, thankful repayment to Nieve for everything he was and did.

It was amazing, how easily and almost soothingly Nieve's cock slid in and out of his stretched ring...for despite the lion's great size he was as gentle as could be; Mithos might have suspected him of using magic to ease his entry, but he could sense no auras, no trace of ley lines being drawn upon. It was all natural, a combination of those strong hips working that broad tip in concentric circles to relax and expand him and the seemingly endless amounts of pre lubricating his clenching passage. The wolf shivered, moaning anew, finding it far too simple to fall back into those arms and let the mage have his way with him...and he did so because right now he knew no one could protect him, guide his training, or bring him pleasure as Nieve could. He wanted that, needed it as badly as he did the education and practice, and while he would never do anything as gauche as begging, this intimacy was perfect and he would enjoy it as often and as long as it was given to him.

Back and forth he rocked and thrust himself, using the lion's thighs to support himself, sliding on and off of that rigid, unyielding member, while the hot, steaming water poured down over them both and the scent of the soap and shampoo mingled with Nieve's intoxicating musk. His ass alternately clenched and relaxed, letting that meaty girth spear into him with deceptive slowness, grinding and stroking over his prostate so that Mithos constantly gasped and whimpered, moaned and growled, his lust gradually being stoked higher with each fervent press of those hips, each tangible throb as that slippery lion cock angled up into him to rub and massage against tender flesh he hadn't even known was there. Running his paws down over his own abs, marveling at the pressure he felt within as they bulged out slightly from the large male claiming him, he again turned his muzzle to lick and lap at Nieve's chest, tracing his own lines of muscular definition--and then he took a deep breath and started pushing himself faster.

How long they continued to pleasure each other, lost in their intensely personal and possessive embrace, he didn't know...all he knew was how good it felt, that he never wanted it to end, and that he wanted to experience it again and again, as often as he could until they were both sated--if such a thing was even possible. And for all he knew it could last for an epoch, if not figuratively thanks to Nieve's impressive stamina then literally due to a judicious use of time magic. All that mattered to him was working that monumental shaft in and out of his slick, tightly clinging rectum, shuddering and moaning every time he felt those barbs catch, showing the lion with each clench and release of his ring how much he adored having him inside him, wanted to thank him for making him his apprentice and so much more. He kissed those warm lips, reveling in the feline's exotic taste, wrestling his tongue with Nieve's as he explored every inch of his mouth. He ground back against the lion's pecs, making extra certain to rub against his tender nipples since he seemed to enjoy that so much. And he nestled in the larger male's embrace, which was becoming increasingly comfortable--feeling more and more like home to him.

When they finally reached the peak of their arousal--to his surprise and delight, quite close together, though he wouldn't put it past Nieve to hold himself back until he felt his lover's impending orgasm--it came upon Mithos unexpectedly, yet still with the same gradual build-up and almost languid sensation. Despite how rapidly the lion was now driving into him, grunting and growling through gritted teeth right next to his ear, and how every muscle was tense and swollen like boulders beneath that velvety fur, the wolf still felt nothing but tenderness and caring from his master. The great claws in those sheaths, though their sickle shapes emerged with each flex of his fingers, never scratched or drew blood, their points at most dragging rather arousingly through his brown fur. That massive body surrounded him, entrapped him, and yet it was more like being cocooned away from the world, forever protected from whatever might harm him, and even the shaft persistently impaling him only seemed bent on sending him to the heights of ecstasy with each vigorous hump and grind. He wanted to melt, but he was also as steel-hard as Nieve's member; he braced himself against the tiled wall with his feet, but refused to stop caressing, massaging, and stroking those great golden arms and pectorals which enclosed him.

Suddenly it happened; with a fire in his loins that bloomed into an intense inferno like none he'd ever felt in his young life, Mithos climaxed, and even through the sound of the pounding water he could hear the audible smacks and splats as it hosed down the tiles in front of him, powerful jets of wolf seed that went on and on for what seemed like forever--canines always produced disproportionately large amounts of cum, but even for him this was a lot! Just as much was soon flooding his insides, however...he could actually feel the heat burning into him, the long, explosive geysers of feline semen carving a path into his belly where Nieve's cockhead throbbed and pulsed like a drum, so much that even with that extremely thick shaft plugging him a large amount still escaped the seal of his anus, pouring and oozing down his inner thighs, dripping from his clenching balls. As he gripped his own abdomen to knead at the maleness inside, moaning lewdly, all he could think was: What would this be like if he'd kept the size his biosorcery gave him? He couldn't even imagine...but for the first time, whether through magic or simple practice, he hoped he could learn to adapt to that impossible size, even enjoy it, so he could find out.

For minute after minute they orgasmed together, caught up in the passion of the moment, while Nieve's potent load filled and overflowed him and every flex and scrape of those feline barbs made him quiver, cry out, and vault another prolific burst of his musky cum to cover the wall yet again. At last, just when his every muscle felt weak and watery and he knew he would have collapsed to the shower floor if not for his master holding him upright, Mithos felt that great scepter within him lurch one last time before subsiding into a fitful, constant twitching, his load petering out into a slow, viscous oozing under his tail. Pressing closer than ever, gently churning his cock within his own sticky, voluminous essence like a stirrer in cream, Nieve relaxed his hold slightly, his big warm paws sliding up the wolf's chest to caress him lovingly, one catching him by the chin so the fey could gaze deeply into his eyes. "I knew I made the right choice when I accepted you, Mithos. You are...extremely proficient at studying and mastering my lessons."

Mithos laughed softly, panting in the heat of the falling water, which was fading much more quickly than that within his own body, even as his still rock-hard knot refused to go down, and the copious layers of slick canine seed ran in long streams down his shaft and the wall alike. "Well...I have a good teacher, sir."

Surprisingly (or not, considering his personality), the great lion didn't respond with some bit of false modesty, but blushed deeply, the ruddy glow in his cheeks visible even through the steam. "I certainly hope you do, lad. I'd hate to think you'd come all this way, set all your hopes on finding a skilled and knowledgeable master, only for me to prove less than satisfactory in my instruction."

"I don't think there's any way that could be possible," the wolf said earnestly, with utter sincerity. The lion's words were so heartfelt; if such a thing had been true, it was clear he'd feel more distraught by having failed his student than for what this would say about his own shortcomings. "I think you are the best teacher I could ever have...or ever will. And I can't wait to learn everything you have to teach me." Of course, considering their current position, he couldn't resist emphasizing the word 'everything' with both a naughty lilt to his voice and a meaningful wriggle of his ass in Nieve's lap.

The big cat grinned at him knowingly, licking his lips, and Mithos could feel that long rod surging to renewed life, throbbing and flexing within him to press once more against his happily sore prostate. "Mm-hmmm, I see, I see...well then, since you are so good a student, perhaps you should begin your second lesson immediately?"

Now it was Mithos's turn to blush, even as the corners of his mouth turned up in a small smirk. "If my master has the time and skill for it," he teased.

"Oh, there is no question of that," the lion purred, his tone so deep and sensual and thrumming with virile need that it made the wolf shiver all over again, made his cock somehow even harder than before. "I will always have time for you. Especially for that particular skill." He moved in for another kiss, hot and intense and laced with an urgent growl, as he pushed him back, pinned against the wall, his great bulk covering the wolf once more with its sweaty, tension-wracked heat.

It would be quite a while before they were fully clean, Mithos wagered as he surrendered to his enormous master. And a much, much longer time before he ever finished his tenure as Nieve's apprentice. But he also knew he would learn more than he had ever bargained for...and he would love every single minute of it.