FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Chapter 4

The tires on Élise’s old civic crunched on the gravel of an unpaved road. It was an old road once used by a logging company but had sat unused for several decades at this point. Élise was driving slowly, afraid of anything that would seriously damage her car.

“I should have borrowed my dad’s truck.” She said through gritted teeth.

“Then you would have had to explain why we needed it.” Alexandre said with a sigh. “We should be coming up to the end of the road soon.”

Almost as soon as he said the words, a weather worn barrier came into view, making the end of the road. Élise took the time to carefully come to a stop and do a three point turn so her car was facing the way they had come. They sat quietly in the car, the engine still running. Élise slowly turned to face her boyfriend.

“Are you ready to do this? This wouldn’t be an easy hike in the summer, and you’re not much of an outdoorsman.”

“I know, but we’re not unprepared.” Alexandre looked to the rear seat where a pair of backpacks were stowed.

“Ok, I just wanted to make sure.” She turned the key and the engine rumbled to a stop. “I know we have all our gear, but I don’t want to spend a night out here.”

“Then we better get going.” Alexandre leaned over and kissed her cheek.”

They both pulled on their hats and gloves before exiting the car. It was a clear but cold day in the forest. They were a good hundred kilometers from the nearest town and cell reception was patchy at best this far out. Alexandre had a stand alone GPS unit he borrowed from a friend who used it while hunting in similar areas. He was getting his bearings on it while Élise retrieved their packs from the back of her car.

“Did Lenny show you how to use that thing, or are you winging it?”

“He went over it with me a few times.” Alexandre looked around to see if there was a trail leading off in the general direction they wanted. “I still can’t believe I went through high school with a werewolf for a friend. No wonder his family is so big into hunting.”

Élise chuckled. “Yeah, wolves live up to that stereotype. That’s why most of them live in Canada and the States these days.” she shouldered her pack and handed Alexandre his. “Where are we going?”

“There’s a trail here,” He nodded towards it as he slipped on his pack, “it’s pointing in the right direction for now, so we’ll start on it.”

“I brought some spray paint so we can blaze the trail and find our way back.”

“Good idea.” He hoisted up his pack. “We better get going, we don’t have a lot of daylight today.”

They followed the trail for a bit, but had to turn off it when it veered off in the wrong direction. Élise made sure to mark their path, spraying bright orange blazes on the trunks of trees as they bushwhacked. Alexandre was thankful for the GPS to guide them as he would have been worthless with a compass and a map.

After an hour of hiking through the bush, they took a small break. Alexandre chugged down some water. Despite the cold weather he was feeling a bit warm. He pulled off a layer of clothing to be more comfortable.

"Not exactly a walk in the park." He smiled at his girlfriend.

"Not exactly." Élise smirked back and handed him a granola bar.

"Thanks. I think we're doing ok, considering we don't have a trail to follow." Alexandre sighed. "I just hope we at least find something after all of this."

"Worst case, it's still good exercise." Élise smiled as she adjusted her pack. "And it is nice to get out of town for a bit."

"I know you're trying to make sure I won't be disappointed.” He paused to take a bite out of the granola bar. “I know this is a long shot, and I am ready if this becomes nothing more than a long winter hike."

"Alright, well let's get moving, I don't want to get stuck in the forest after sunset."

As they made their way towards the coordinates the trees started to thin out as they entered the foothills of a mountain. Alexandre spotted a dark spot along a steep embankment and pointed to it.

"Look, that's right where we're heading. I think it's a cave."

"Looks like it." She sprayed a simple arrow on a large flat rock. "Let's go check it out."

The pair hurried to the cave. A quick confirmation with the GPS told them this was the place. Alexandre pulled a flashlight out of his pack and Élise retrieved a small battery powered lantern. They carefully entered the cave. A few meters in the cave started to curve to the left. Alexandre felt a little anxious not being able to look back and see the entrance to the cave any longer, but he pressed on. The passage suddenly opened up into a small chamber.

They paused for a moment looking around when Élise spotted something by the wall. It looked like some kind of a stone altar. She walked towards it and as she got closer her lamp illuminated drawings on the cave wall.

"Alexandre! Come here!" Her voice was a harsh whisper but it still echoed in the chamber.

Together they slowly approached the altar. There was something sitting on the flat top of the stone. It looked like old rags or something.

"I think there's some writing on the wall."

"I think it's Latin…Wait this part is French." She pulled out her phone. "Let me take some pictures l, we can figure it out later."

Alexandre nodded, but he was focused on the cloth wrapped bundle. He tried to gently unwrap the cloth, but it disintegrated into dust as he touched it. He did his best to carefully reveal the contents despite this. As he dusted away the flakes and dust that was once cloth, Alexandre gasped. Élise stopped snapping pictures and turned to see what it was.

In the beam of her boyfriend's flashlight there it was, The Amulet of the Dark Moon. Both of them stared at it, afraid to touch it.

"It's real…" Alexandre whispered.

"Ok, it is, but that doesn’t mean it works." Élise said as she slipped her bag off her shoulders. "And if it does work, we don't want Tierlin or Valixia showing up and ripping through our clothes." She pulled out a large plastic bag.

"That's a good point." He replied as he accepted the bag. "At least I'm already wearing gloves."

"Still, try to just pick it up with the bag."

Alexandre wasn't about to argue and did as requested, picking up the amulet like a cop gathering evidence. He sealed the plastic bag shut. And looked up at Élise.

“Well, we did it.”

“Yeah, we did. We better get walking though if we want to get back to the car before sunset.”

He nodded and carefully placed the artifact into his pack. Once it was secure they shouldered their packs and left the dark cave. They blinked for a bit once they were out of the cave, growing used to the light of the sun before starting to head back. Between the GPS and Élise’s trail markings they were able to find their way back without issue.

Both of them held their breath as the cold engine in the old civic struggled to turn over, but once it started they let out sighs of relief. After letting the car, and the heater, warm up they took off slowly back down the gravel road. It was fully dark by the time they turned onto a paved road and they opted to drive to the closest town and spend a night at the local motel rather than drive all the way home.

After their long hike in the cold, a large hot meal was exactly what they needed. The waitress raised an eyebrow at the amount of things the young couple ordered, but kept her opinion to herself. Alexandre was halfway through his first course, a bowl of hot soup, when Élise reached over the table and touched his hand.

“I know what we did today was a pretty amazing treasure hunt, and I don’t regret it, but are you going to be ok if it is just a hunk of junk?”

Alexandre placed his spoon down in the bowl and took his girlfriend’s hand into his own. “After all this effort, yeah I would be disappointed. I’m not trying to get my hopes too high, but I just got a feeling about this.”

“Well, at the very least we found a lost relic, we should celebrate that.”

“You mean by getting dessert?” His eyes darted to cakes and pies on display.

“Mmm, I wouldn’t mind a slice of cake, but that isn’t the treat I had in mind.” Élise winked and gave his hand a squeeze.

Alexandre was not so clueless that he didn’t get the hint. He smiled widely and squeezed her hand back.

“As long as I can get a hot shower first.”

“Oh, you’ll get a hot shower alright.” A devilish smile spread across her lips.

***

Alexandre had thought Élise was joking back in the diner, until she slipped in behind him in the tiny motel bathtub. He didn’t get a chance to say anything before she spun him around and pressed her lips up against his. Élise took the rag out of his hand and slowly scrubbed his back as they kissed. Alexandre pulled her close up against his body as they kissed, the hot shower now nothing more than foreplay for the couple.

Before long the shower was turned off and they were drying each other off quickly before Élise pulled him to the bed. Their hair was still wet, but neither of them cared. They nearly crashed into the bed, falling side by side onto the dated comforter. Alexandre let out a short laugh before he pulled Élise into a deep kiss. She returned it enthusiastically as their legs intertwined. He rolled on top of her and started to slowly kiss his way down her body. Élise sighed deeply as she felt his warm lips against her neck and upper chest. Alexandre’s lips brushed against her puffy pink nipples on her budding chest, drawing sweet little sounds from her lips. Élise’s hands on his head encouraged him to continue his trip down. She let out a giggle when she felt Alexandre kisses almost tickling her girlcock and balls. Élise shifted to a low moan when he opened his mouth and swallowed her whole.

“Oh god…” she whispered as her back arched off the bed.

Alexandre gripped her rear tightly as he gave her head. He pulled slowly off her shaft, panting slightly as he took her legs by the ankles and lifted them up. Alexandre knew what his girlfriend loved most in bed, and he shifted her into a mating press. Élise reached around the nightstand desperately for the lube and handed the tube to her partner. He first applied a fair amount to her hole, slowly rubbing it in and teasing her before slicking up his own shaft. Élise was almost quivering with anticipation when she felt the tip of his cock starting to press in.

Alexandre slid in slow and steady, savoring every moment of it. He slowly pushed Élise into the full press. Looking down, he could see her biting her lower lip tightly. Her hands grabbed onto his ass tightly, encouraging him to fully hilt her. Alexandre didn’t need much encouragement. He paused for a moment before starting to rock back and forth slowly, working her up to it. Of course, Élise was already squirming underneath his body and now had a death grip on his rear.

Alexandre could feel her starting to tighten around his shaft and he knew she was close. He bit his bottom lip to hold on for just a few more thrusts. Élise let out a cry of pure pleasure as she finally hit. She gripped his body tightly as she was rocked by the climax and could feel her lover pumping her full of his seed at the same time. They were locked in position, both panting for air but unwilling to let go of each other.

Élise let out a long sigh and slowly relaxed her grip. “I’m sorry, love, I think we’re going to need another shower.” she smiled softly.

Alexandre just chuckled and nuzzled her cheek.

***

After another quick shower to clean up after their fun, Alexandre and Élise were back in bed. They were under the comforter this time, quietly enjoying each other’s warmth after the long day. Élise’s eyes darted between the mirror on the wall and her boyfriend.

“Alexandre?” Her voice was a soft whisper.

“Hmm?”

“So,” Élise took a deep breath to focus, “we found the Amulet of the Dark Moon and all, but what are you going to do with it now?”

“Well, once we’re back home, I want to try it out, to see if Valixia can come out, without the full moon.” Alexandre glanced over at the mirror on the wall. “She’s insisting on doing it during the day.”

“Of course she is.” Élise glanced at the mirror. “Tierlin says she’d do the same, if it works.”

“I mean, if you’re only out during the night, I can understand it.” Alexandre shrugged.

“Let's assume the magic or whatever works and all that. After we let Valixia and Tierlin have their day in the sun, what then?”

Alexandre looked over to the mirror before responding. “We, I mean Valixia and I, need to do something. I wish things could be as simple as it is with you and Tierlin.”

Élise shook her head. “Having another half is never simple.”

“You know what I mean though. I don’t know if any of this will even work, but if it does, if I can take the load off of being two people I think that would do wonders for me and Valixia.”

“He’s probably right.” Tierlin said from the mirror. “Mental health is no joke, and if either one of them goes off the deep end, it will pull the other with them. I’m at as much risk of losing Valixia as you are of losing Alexandre.”

“But if you two merged like the story of Lucien and Lorress, we would lose you both.”

“I mean…I don’t see it like that, and that’s not what Valixia and I want.”

“What do you both want?”

“To both be present in the world. Maybe taking turns in more subtle ways. Not to mention, I still want a life in the real world, I can't do that as a werefurred-dragon.”

“Calling it the real world is a little insulting, but I’ll let it slide. It’s the outside world to people like us.”

Alexandre blushed with embarrassment. “Sorry.”

Élise sighed and stared up at the ceiling of the motel room. “Alexandre, you accepted me as a woman from when we first met. You treated me as nothing less throughout our relationship. It’s why I brought you in, because honestly I didn’t think I’d get lucky a second time.” She rolled onto her side to face him. “I’ve asked so much of you, and I know it hasn’t been easy. I’m going to stay by your side through this.”

Alexandre reached out and gently brushed her cheek. “Thank you.”

“If this is the path you’re going to walk down, I’ll walk it with you.”

“What?”

“Look, Tierlin will get all jealous if Valixia gets to spend a summer sunning herself at the lake.” she smiled slightly. “Seriously though, I’m not about to let you walk down this path alone, especially since I’m the one who started you down it in the first place.”

Alexandre felt tears starting to form in his eyes. “Élise…”

“Hey, the damned thing might end up being nothing more than a paperweight. We’ll just have to see what happens.”

“Together.”

***

It was another cold, if sunny, day outside Élise’s apartment. Still, for what they were about to try Alexandre pulled all the curtains shut. The young man was dressed in just a bathrobe, as was Élise. With the preparations complete, Alexandre went to the case that held the Amulet of the Dark Moon. they had added a heavy cord to the amulet, large enough for Valixia’s or Tierlin ‘s neck. They had worn latex gloves while cleaning and handling it, this is the first time one of them would actually touch it. Alexandre looked over to a mirror hanging on the wall.

“You know, if this doesn’t work, you and Élise are already set for some fun time.” Valixia smirked back at him.

Alexandre let out a soft chuckle before opening his robe and slipping it off. Élise watched intently as he slipped the oversized cord over his head and let the amulet rest against his bare skin. At first all Alexandre felt was the cool polished stone against his skin, but then it started to tingle. He went to say something when suddenly a sensation he had only felt at the full moon began.

“O-Oh!” Valixia called out as she took the driver's seat “I’m here! In the middle of the day and nowhere near the full moon!” She laughed before starting to groan as the transformation quickly took hold.

After two shifts, it wasn't really painful for Valixia anymore, rather just a pressure within her body. Her arms started to stretch longer as she crouched down to take a four legged stance. Élise watched in awe as black fur and scales started to grow along Valixia’s body. She had grown up with her family shifting every full moon, but seeing it happen in the middle of the day was shocking her to the core. Élise honestly wondered if she was dreaming.

Valixia shifted on her feet, her front pair ending in long claws and the rear on equine hooves. Her neck and back were growing longer as new vertebrae popped into place. As Valixia swung her head around, stretching and cracking her extended neck, her wings began to form at her sides. At first they looked like tiny pairs of arms, but as they grew the flame colored membrane stretched between the pinions. By now the only part of her that looked remotely human was her face, and that was about to change. Valixia closed her eyes tightly as she felt the pressure build in the front of her face before her muzzle stared to push out as a pair of black horns crowned her head.

Valixia shook out her electric blue mane before opening her amethyst eyes. She let out a soft sigh and smiled at Élise.

“Nice to finally meet you in person.” the furred-dragon moved towards her and gently rubbed her head against Élise.

“So… I guess it does work.” She was trying her best to hold it together, but her shock still came through clearly.

Valixia chuckled. “Oh yes.” She reached out with her clawed paw and gently took Élise’s hand

Élise looked down, somehow feeling the warm paw in her hand made it more real. Valixia smiled and leaned in, gently kissing her on the lips. Elise was frozen in shock, but the kiss was genuine and felt good. She relaxed into it, returning the soft kiss.

“Thank you,” the furred-dragon said as she slowly pulled away, “I know things have been rocky, but thank you for bringing me out.”

“I, ah, you’re welcome?” Élise stuttered, still getting over the unexpected kiss. “So, ah, how’s it feel being out early?”

“It feels so strange to be out early. But not bad, Tierlin.” she said knowing Élise’s other half was paying close attention. “Oh, I want to see the sun.”

“Hey! We closed the curtains for a reason.” Élise called after her.

“I know, I know, just a little peek.” As she turned, Valixia started to shift to her two-legged form. “Mmmm, good I can take both my forms.” the furred-dragon said as she carefully stood up, being mindful of the ceiling and her horns.

She carefully opened the curtains a crack and looked out at the city all around her. Feeling the sun on her fur and scales was exciting and her long tail swished back and forth behind her as she took in her first ‘day’.

“Tierlin, it’s amazing! It’s so much more than what we feel through our other halves. You have to try it too!”

“Don’t forget, we only have one of those amulets.”

Valixia sighed, “I’m aware, if we had two I’d be sharing this with Tierlin right now.”

“Among other things, knowing you two.”

“If we had more time to hang out together we could do a lot more than just fuck our brains out you know. You and Alexandre can just hang out and watch a movie whenever you want.”

“You two could still do that on a full moon, but I get your point.”

Valixia tapped the amulet hanging around her neck. “Before I take this off and give Tierlin a spin, I have to ask you both something.”

Élise glanced away for a moment. “Are we still willing to go forward with the plans, now that we know it works?”

Valixia smirked. “You are a smart girl, aren’t you?”

“It’s more real now, talking to you in the middle of the day, but it doesn't change my decision.”

Valixia raised an eyebrow ridge “And what about Tierlin?”

Élise took a step back and turned to a mirror.

“Right now I want my chance to see the sun.”

“Tierlin…”

“Honestly, I was more skeptical than you about the amulet. But since it at the very least works as advertised, I’m all in with going forward.”

Élise turned back towards Valixia. “We’re in.”

***

After some time spent experimenting with the Dark Moon Amulet, Alexandre and Élise did what research they could do. Unfortunately, they were dealing more with myths and legends than with historical records. And when it came to the esoteric side of things there was twice as much nonsense than actual techniques and rituals. They did have some clues, however, from the writings they had found in the cave, once they had translated it all. But in the end, what they needed were two main things, the amulet and a lunar eclipse. They had the first part, so now there was just figuring out the timing of the next lunar eclipse.

“I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that werefolk keep such detailed records about the moon.” Alexandre chuckled as they scrolled through some online databases, “But I thought you kept your info offline. That’s why we had to travel into the city for the bigger library, right?”

“Plenty of humans care about the moon phase and other things, from amateur astronomers to new age hippies. Our kind just has a little more vested interest in a Blue Moon than a human does. These websites are great, my grandmother has stories about pouring over charts just to plan a family vacation to Nova Scotia one year.”

“As if traveling wasn’t annoying enough on its own.”

“Alright, here are the next few lunar eclipses along with where in the world they are happening.”

“Well, the one in a week in Scotland is right out.”

“Side note, I would like to see Stonehenge sometime, but definitely not when something crazy like an eclipse is going on.”

“Hmm…”

“This one is viewable from the States, and not too far from the border. We could even check out Niagara Falls on the way, on both sides.”

“Yeah but…”

“But what?”

“I, ah, don’t have a passport.”

“Really?”

“I never thought about seriously traveling before.”

“It takes like a month to get one, so we would miss out on that eclipse. But you are still going to apply to get one anyway for our future travel plans.”

“Alright, alright…” Alexandre sighed as he focused back on the screen. “Here look, this one is in Canada at least.”

“That’s in Saskatchewan, and a longer drive than the one in the States, for reference.”

“I get that, I’m sorry, but it’s in the spring at least, so it would be nicer weather to be camped out.”

“Since when does spring relate to nice weather?” Élise smirked.

“Well, less snow…at least I hope so.” he smiled slightly.

“I’ll definitely need to borrow a car, there is no way I can trust my beater to make that trip.”

“Well, we got the time to prepare for everything, another advantage to this spot.”

“That is true. Alright, we’ll start making plans. You go ahead and look into any place we can camp in the area, I need to call my parents and ask about borrowing dad’s truck for the trip.”

***

It was technically spring, but to no one’s surprise there was still snow on the ground. An older, but well cared for, truck drove through the snow that covered a dirt road up to a remote campsite. Behind the truck a small camper was hitched and being towed along. Élise pulled off the road and into the snow covered campsite. It was in all actuality beautiful, the tall pines dusted with snow, the cold quiet of the stubborn winter, and the perfect blue sky stretching out above them.

“It’s beautiful out there.” Alexandre said as he looked out the window, “But I’m glad your uncle lent us the camper.”

“Yeah, maybe Tierlin and Valixia can handle a night out in this snow, but we’d be freezing our butts off in a tent.” Élise chuckled. “Come on, let’s get camp all set up.”

“No real rush, the eclipse isn’t until tomorrow.” Alexandre said as he unbuckled his belt.

“Yes, but I want to set up so we can cook a nice lunch and relax. We’re out this far, we might as well make the most of it.”

Alexandre was a complete novice when it came to camping, and the outdoors in general, but he followed Élise’s instructions as they got the camper set up and the generator up and running. Before long, the camper was warm and cozy. Even with the compact kitchen, Élise knew what she was doing and soon had whipped up a hot lunch with some cupcakes cooking in the oven for later.

With the full moon approaching, Alexandre was hungry, but he slowly ate the hot soup and toasted sandwich as he read through the ritual plans for the hundredth time. Élise shook her head as she finished chewing a bite of her own sandwich.

“I’d think you have it memorized by now.”

“I think I have memorized it,” he closed the binder and looked up to her, “but this isn’t just some exam I’m studying for.”

“Yeah, I know.” She sighed.

They sat in silence at the tiny table for a moment.

“Élise, if you want to back-”

Alexandre was silenced by her fingers pressing against his lips.

“I know we’ve been preparing for this, but I just want to enjoy the rest of the day with you, like an actual vacation.”

“Kind of cold out to enjoy the forest.”

“At least it’s spring though, right?” She smirked. “I would like to spend some time by a campfire tonight, maybe roast a marshmallow or two.”

“At least we’d be warm.”

“In the meantime, according to my Uncle Dave, the TV and VCR work.”

Alexandre glanced over at the small tube TV installed into the cabinet.

“Oh really?” He smirked.

“Yeah, and we have some tapes in the cabinet, including the original Star Wars Trilogy, non-special edition.”

Alexandre shrugged “Well, we’ve got the time.”

***

The air was cold and crisp, but still. Alexandre looked up into the night sky. It was so clear he could see the arm of the Milky Way galaxy. He was cuddled tightly against Élise in front of a bright campfire with a blanket draped over their backs. They had roasted sausages and later marshmallows and shared a thermos of mulled spiced cider. Now they were just looking up at the sky and listening to the crackling of the fire.

“Do you think we have enough food for tomorrow?” He asked softly.

“We should, the bed of the truck has several coolers worth of food in the bed, and we filled up the camper at the last town we stopped at. There should be enough for tomorrow and the morning after at least.”

“Yeah, the morning after.” his eyes shifted to the nearly full moon.

Élise squeezed his hand gently. “Are you nervous?”

“Of course I am.” Alexandre sighed and leaned against her. “But I still know we have to do this.”

“I know.” She held him tightly “But at least we’re not alone, right?”

“Right.”

___________________________________________________________

Original concept and setting by Yeania Aeon, with help from Syntaxerror37

Characters are property of valixdweredragon

Written by Syntaxerror37

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