Getting Closer
My second story, a fairly different style and theme from the first, though still very much a transformation story. This one takes place in a setting I plan to elaborate on later, hence a few mentions of alchemical weapons and the corrupted world.
Comments are very welcome :>
Getting Closer
By Anawyn
The guards shoved Tayer into the chamber. Tayer staggered forward, weak from days trapped in a cell, even his feathers seeming to droop. Tayer was a treepie, a typical example of his kind with a sort of orange brown coloration to his body, black feathers for his head, and white and black for his wingarms and long tail. Dressed in nothing but ragged-looking pants and with his feathers badly ruffled and bent, he looked quite the abused prisoner. The guards, both strange mixes of mammal and reptile, sneered at the bird as he looked around.
He was in a small, dimly lit room with two more doors and a wicked-looking chair taking up the fourth wall. Tayer's eyes focused on the one piece of furniture, a metal chair with leather straps all over it. Faint runes were etched across its surface. A shiver ruffled his feathers further as he looked at it, and the guards both laughed.
Tayer knew this must be the end. Despite his other narrow escapes, there was no getting out of this one. He'd been captured by Beliss, trapped deep inside his castle, and was now staring at that horrible chair. Tayer had heard Cerus's stories often enough to know what Beliss did to prisoners here. Strapped in, blasted with dark magic that corrupted mind and body and made to serve as part of his brutish army. The treepie glanced at the guards again, and they leered back. He sighed, closing his eyes.
The sound of a door creaking open brought them instantly open again. The left door had opened, and stepping through it now was the dark lord himself. Beliss was an imposing figure, one Tayer had only seen before from afar. Dressed in silver ceremonial armor that covered little, the master of living transformation was the perfect embodiment of his art, a blend of many species. Commonly referred to as simply a dragon, in reality the black scales only covered the majority of his body. Dark gray fur made ruffs around his wrists and ankles, and a thick mane that flowed down his neck. Red feathers flared atop his head between twisting horns, and spread out along his back as folded wings that hung like a cloak. Large, saurian paws thudded on the ground as the seven foot tall creature regarded his captive in amusement.
"So, we finally meet face to face, Tayer," the dragon hissed, his reptilian face set in a smug smile, "Do you think Cerus is going to come save you now? I doubt your friendship is that strong, bird. He has better things to do than saving a useless coward like you. I'm honestly doing him a favor, getting you out of his way," he said, causing amused snorts from the guards.
Tayer lowered his beak, not trusting himself to reply. He worried that Beliss was right this time. Cerus had saved him a few times before, but he'd never tried to break directly into the dragon's castle, at least not by himself. Would he really risk all that just to save a cowardly friend? He shouldn't, Tayer knew it was too risky, even though a part of him still hoped he would.
The guards grabbed the bird, jolting him from his thoughts. He struggled, but they were clearly both stronger than him, even aside from the numeric advantage. The inevitability of the situation hit him again as they forced him down into the hard, metal chair. His tail crunched painfully, making him gasp. The guards just laughed.
Beliss walked over to stand in front of the chair, watching. His long tail swished as he peered down his snout at Tayer. The trapped bird looked up, then away, "Strap him in and then clip his wings. I don't want to take any chances." he growled.
Tayer's beak snapped up, "What? No! Wait, you don't need to do that," he pleaded, but the guards didn't listen. They forced straps over his wrists and ankles, holding him painfully as he tried to wriggle free. The guards hissed and drew their curved swords. Tayer watched them in horror.
Two quick, swift cuts cut across the feathers of his arm, severing vital primaries. They weren't very gentle, the blades scraping into his flesh as well and making Tayer whimper at the pain. He sucked in through his beak, hunching over in his bonds.
A scaled hand grasped his beak, lifting him up to stare at the two burning eyes of Beliss, "Good, less chance of a miraculous escape now," he rumbled in satisfaction. The dragon then whispered a few words, causing the runes that covered the chair to begin glowing with red magic, "And now, you shall be mine. Your hero has forsaken you."
Tayer looked down, breathing harder now as he could see the magic beginning to activate. He could feel its tendrils tickling at his feathers and slowly seeping into his flesh. He shut his eyes, shivering as his mind raced. He was going to be as mindless, as horrible as those guards; he knew there was no resisting the change. There was no hope, it was filling him, twisting him. . .
Two shots rang out from behind the door, followed by shouting. Everyone looked up, staring towards the sounds. There was another gunshot, and then a groan. Tayer's heart leapt, and he began struggling again to pull himself free.
Beliss narrowed his eyes, hissing angrily at the noise. There was a thud as something heavy slumped against the door, "Guards, deal with this, hold him off until the spell is completed," he growled, slowly backing towards one of the other doors. The guards turned with their swords to face the impending danger. Beliss flashed Tayer a quick smirk, then slipped out with a lash of his tail.
Tayer could feel the spell growing inside him, and knew he was still doomed if he couldn't get free. His black talons scraped at the ground in agitation as he looked longingly towards the door. Come on, please. . .
As if on cue, the door burst open. A fallen guard who'd been slumped against it fell down with a thud. Little attention was payed to him however, all eyes focusing on the shining figure standing over him. Cerus stood there, one thick paw pressed down on the guard's back. His alchemical pistol was clasped in one paw, his glowing sword in the other. Cerus was a handsome, muscular hyena, clad in rune-etched blue armor that hummed as he moved. Tall, with a naturally athletic frame and rugged features, he always cut the perfect heroic figure.
"Cerus!" Tayer cried out, giddy with relief, "You need to get me out of this chair, it's already active!" he shouted, the flow of magic unrelenting.
Cerus flashed a grin, "Be right there," he said calmly. As the guards began to move, he fired off a couple shots from the gun. Both slugs thunked into the left guard's chest, causing him to crumple with a low groan, falling to the floor. The other made it over to the hyena with his sword, slashing hard towards the mammal's neck. Cerus parried, his magic blade slicing right through the other sword, then continuing through to cut a slash diagonally across the guard's torso. He clutched the wound as he stagged against a wall, then slid down to fall still.
Cerus quickly crossed the distance to the chair, then sliced the straps with a few quick, precise swipes of his sword. Before Tayer even had time to thank him, the hyena yanked him out of the chair. He pulled the bird close against his hard, armored form.
Tayer blinked and felt flushed under his feathers at the closeness. He hugged Cerus tightly, then took a step back. He could already feel the magic fading, thankfully. The treepie smiled and sighed in relief, "Thank you Cerus, you came just in time! I didn't think you would." He paused, then lowered his beak, "You shouldn't have."
Cerus tilted his head, ears cocked a bit, then gave another of his grins, "Of course I should have. I wasn't going to leave you to Beliss, you're my friend. Besides, I've been wanting a crack at this place for a while now." He looked around, then frowned, "He got away again, huh?"
Tayer looked towards the door the dragon had left through, then nodded, "Yeah, he slipped out earlier. He'll probably be back with more, we should probably get out of here," he said, starting to feel nervous. There was still a faint tingle in him, but the magic seemed to be mostly gone.
Cerus looked wistfully at the door as well, but nodded, "Yeah, I mostly got through because they weren't expecting it. They will be now. Come on, Tayer, at least he's down a few guards, and one bird." He smiled, and nimbly stepped over the guard on the way out.
Tayer took one last look at the chair, then hurried after his friend and savior.
***
Cerus and Tayer made camp six hours later. They were in a small, secluded clearing as far from Beliss's castle as they could get before nightfall. Tayer's wings were damaged beyond easy repair, forcing him to stumble along on the ground until they could make it some place safe. This was still all the dark lord's land.
Tayer hadn't been outside the safety of a city or castle very often. Long ago, an alchemical accident had corrupted and changed the world, making travel risky at best. Most habitations had protective barriers that helped to resist the natural taint that permeated the wilderness. He had some light protection runes on him, but they were old, and not meant for long stays outside. Too long in the open air could completely corrupt his body.
Cerus settled down against a rock, relaxing in the dim light of the moon. It reflected nicely off his armor, and Tayer couldn't help noticing how it played off his handsome ears and muzzle. Cerus smiled up at his friend, "Hey, come over here. I want to see how your wards are holding up," he said, patting the ground beside him.
Tayer walked over, clutching his broken wings around his bare chest. They hadn't had time to get any more clothes for him, so the treepie was stuck still wearing the torn pants he'd escaped with. He huddled down next to the hyena, "Do you think I'll be okay for the night?"
Cerus peered beneath his feathers, "You should be. There's a town just a few hours from here were we can get you some more protection. The wards you have should hold until then at least." Cerus gently spread Tayer's arms, frowning at the broken feathers. He traced his claws through the shorter feathers of the bird's upper arm, finding the thin, glowing runes that kept him safe while outside.
Tayer closed his eyes, trying to stay quiet. It was always hard to hold in his feelings when they were close like this. They felt stronger than usual, a strange sexual energy throbbing inside him. It felt so nice to be stroked, he leaned willingly back into the touch.
"Hmm, well, they're a little weak, but we should be fine for the night. We should make that first priority tomorrow though." Cerus smiled, and shifted his arm down a little lower, hooking it around Tayer's waist. There was something odd about too, his movements and voice, different than usual. His armor glowed pleasantly against the orange-brown feathers, "I was really worried about you, Tayer. I was afraid I hadn't come quickly enough."
The treepie shivered slightly at the hug, and turned his head to look back at his friend, "I was too. . . I didn't think I was really worth it. I've never been very helpful to you, and this is three times now that I've been captured. . ." he trailed off as a sudden, unexpected kiss greeted his beak.
Cerus grinned slightly, his tail wagging, "You're more than worth it. That's something I've been meaning to show you for a while now," he said in a warm, low voice. He lowered a paw to stroke up Tayer's long tailfeathers, and kissed him again on his neck.
Tayer let out a strangled chirp, unable to answer immediately. Something seemed wrong, this couldn't really be happening. His tail lifted up and was pressed between the two bodies, "I. . . rrrr. What about all those females?" he asked in a breathless voice.
The hyena reached down to gently tug the torn pants off of Tayer's waist, letting his tapered avian cock slide free. He panted slightly, and nuzzled into his friend's headfeathers, "Mmm, silly, sweet bird. Just because I attract women doesn't mean I want them. How often have you seen me accept all those offers?" He grinned, reaching up to deactivate his glowing armor. There was a louder hum as it folded itself up and dropped to the ground.
Tayer's shaft had already been hard from what he had thought were unwanted desires, and now it was almost painfully so. He took in a deep breath, then turned to face the friend he'd desired for so long. He'd seen Cerus naked before, but not like this, not in this situation. His spotted fur nicely reflected the soft moonlight. He'd always been perfectly built, a wonderful mix of strength and speed, his bulk tempered by wiry grace. His usual grin was on his muzzle now, but it held new meaning with the pink cock bared between his thighs.
Cerus took a step forward, his large, soft paw settling over Tayer's scaled toes. His body pressed close, fur, feathers, and hot, needy anatomy squeezed together. He kissed again, this time more slowly, tongue sliding into his friend's opening beak as they stood there for several moments, arms wrapping around in a tender embrace. Finally, the hyena broke off with another grin, "If you've wanted this so long, then you're probably ready pretty bird. Turn around for me and lift up that nice tail."
Tayer was surprised. It was hard to believe this was happening, it seemed so sudden. And yet, apparently it had been in Cerus's mind for a while as well. All this time, both of them had been heading towards this moment, waiting for some sort of sign. And a faint tingling inside him told him to give in, that this was what he wanted. Tayer relaxed, realizing it wasn't sudden at all, it was just a long time coming. He lowered his beak with a smile, "Mmm, I'd love to, Cerus," he said warmly.
Tayer stepped back with a shy smile. He felt good, eager, his inhibitions beginning to slip away. He could see the same reflected in Cerus's eyes, and he cooed excitedly. The bird turned about, his long tail raising up into the air as he went down on all fours. He looked back over his shoulder, feathery rump raised enticingly as he let out a little coo.
The hero stroked his shaft slowly, working the slippery pre over it to get a little lubrication. He stepped forward, bending over and stroking his claws along his friend's warm back, "I've wanted to do this for a years, it just never felt like the time," he whispered. The tip of his cock rubbed up against the treepie's pucker. His runes glowed softly beneath his fur as he slowly eased the passage open and pushed himself inside. His claws dug into Tayer's feathers, grabbing them like handles.
Tayer let out a happy caw, arching his beak up as he relaxed himself for Cerus to thrust into. He was fairly loose from the occasional other attempts at romance and simply personal pleasure. He could feel the mammalian cock, much wider at the tip then his own, as it pushed deeper inside him. He cooed and gasped, his passage spreading as Cerus begin to thrust.
Cerus panted harder now, tail wagging rapidly as he pushed harder, "Mrrrr, I love you Tayer, I always have." He groaned as his cock hilted itself in his avian friend.
The treepie opened his eyes wide, his shaft throbbing and dripping pre. Cerus's cock pressed up against his prostate, and then began rubbing, thrusting back and forth as the hyena ground his hips in panting pleasure. Tayer cooed, reaching back to grab and stroke his length, balancing on one hand now, "Oh Cerus, cooo, I love you too. . ." he breathed out.
The pleasure was swelling so quickly, Tayer could barely think. Only a small part of his mind noticed the strange tingling of magic up inside him, or the faint red glow beneath his feathers. Something seemed wrong, but so much else seemed so right, he couldn't let anything cloud this perfect moment. Thrusting, grinding, harder, harder, bliss overwhelmed any other thoughts.
Sooner than either expected, a rush of cum released into the bird, filling him and making both bird and mammal cry out in ecstasy. He closed his eyes tight. It seemed as if nothing could go wrong during that wonderful instant of release.
A startled cry from Cerus shook him from his happy thoughts. Tayer opened his eyes to see himself glowing red, the light issuing forth from beneath his feathers. He squawked in surprise and lust; the pleasure was still strangely building. He slowly turned his beak to peer blearily back over his shoulder.
Cerus looked like he was being pulled into Tayer. His body seemed oddly deformed, and he was struggling to pull back. There was panic in his eyes, warring with the obvious arousal he still felt. It felt as though orgasm wouldn't stop, "Tayer," he groaned, "Something's grabbed me, I feel like I'm stuck in you!" Tayer could feel it too, the cock not just filling him, but becoming part of him.
Tayer turned back, looking down at his glowing body. He could feel the same magic from before, the power from Beliss's chair. It was growing inside him, warm and sensual. His body felt like it was shifting, becoming malleable inside. His cocked throbbed beneath him as his wings began to bend toward his back.
The hyena continued to struggle, panting hard. Despite his efforts, his body was getting pulled down, hunching over Tayer's back, "I can't. . . Beliss must have put something in you, this isn't just the taint. Your feathers feel almost sticky."
Tayer's arms felt odd, his shoulders rolling back. It wasn't painful, even as he realized they'd moved beyond his usual ability to bend them. He had to shift his legs forward to keep them both supported. He tried to ignore his arousal, to focus on Cerus, but it was getting harder to fight the pleasure, "I'm so sorry Cerus," he gasped, "I thought the magic was all gone!"
Cerus's arms wrapped around Tayer's torso unwillingly. It was tight and intimate, but still forced. There was a slight liquid feel, and a horrified yelp as the hyena's body began to melt into the bird's, "It's not your fault, we can get out of this somehow," he said softly, voice growing weaker, "Just stay calm, I need to think. . ."
Tayer did what he could, but every moment it became harder. It felt as if everything was concentrating in his shaft now, all the feeling growing, building, swelling. He looked down, seeing his legs shift, growing shorter and stockier, forward to support them both. Behind him, the hyena legs were shifting too, matching the more quadrupedal stance, "I'm sorry," he whimpered huskily.
The treepie could feel Cerus melding into him, sharing feeling, sharing flesh, "What can we do?" he asked softly, looking behind him again. His eyes widened in horror as he saw the hyena's muzzle sinking into his back. The mammal's eyes rolled back in bliss as his face slowly disappeared into his lover's back. Tayer opened his beak to say something, to say he loved him, but all that came out was the plaintive skree of a feral bird.
Cerus's handsome head vanished, melting into Tayer as did his arms, all the fur spreading across his back and rear. It felt warm and soft, tingling across him. He could feel his tail melting in under the hyena's diminishing form, and then suddenly he could feel the mammal tail as his own, swishing slowly. He could feel the furry hindpaws as clearly as he could feel his arms becoming wings that grew from his back, both bodies joining together to become his in a horrible, wonderful merging.
Tayer let out a loud, lustful shriek, unable to form words now as the changes overwhelmed him. He staggered a few steps as ears sprouted from his head, and fur grew around his cock. It throbbed as it took on a larger, mammalian shape, and a fuzzy sac dropped behind it. Pushed to the brink, he finally released, splattering the ground with cum as all thoughts were blasted from his head. Feathered and avian on the front, furred on the rear, he was a gryphon now, and Cerus was gone. Tayer finally collapsed from overstimulation, his large body flopping into the dirt as he fell into the blessed darkness of joy and sorrow.
***
Voices whispered in Tayer's mind. The darkness was comforting, but the voices wouldn't leave him alone. He didn't want to think right now, didn't want to remember. The voices kept urging him to wake though, to accept.
Tayer opened his eyes reluctantly as the memories resurfaced. He could feel his body clearly, and knew everything was as he remembered. He was a treepie hyena gryphon, and his body had absorbed the body of his closest friend. His eyes began to focus, and he realized he was looking at Beliss's scaly claws. The gryphon slowly looked upwards, anger warring with fear.
Beliss looked down calmly, "You thought I'd simply let you go, let both of you go. You really thought I'd foolishly think that Cerus wouldn't come for his birdtoy. I am not an idiot, Tayer. I am a master of magic, and your intellectual superior. If I could not defeat Cerus through might of arms, I simply had to outsmart him," he said smugly. A few guards were unloading what looked like pieces of armor from off of a reptilian beast of burden.
The gryphon slowly rose to his feet, feeling unsteady. He tried to speak again, but could only warble weakly. Still, he looked at Beliss with fierce hatred. This was the being that had taken Cerus from him. His new form made the anger come more easily, a growl building in his throat.
Beliss chuckled, unconcerned, "Oh, what a fearsome beast. You're still weak, and your wings still broken. Even with your new strength, you cannot hope to fight me." he gestured at the guards, who carried the armor over. It was silver, like Beliss's own, and covered in red runes. It looked like barding for a mount.
Tayer watched it warily, then looked back at Beliss. He'd never liked Beliss, but it had never been personal before. Now his rage was real. He wanted to destroy this man, to crush him in his beak. He lunged towards him with a wild shriek.
Beliss stepped aside, then wrapped his arms around the gryphon's neck. His strength was staggering, easily pinning the large beast still. Tayer struggled, snapping fiercely and clawing with his talons, but he couldn't get purchase.
"Yes, that's the sort of rage I want in my mount. I've desired a fierce, powerful flying mount for some time, something to give my own wings and magic a rest as I travel. You shall be that, Tayer, and I shall take great joy in watching both of you serve me." He spoke in a low, cruel voice as the guards brought the armor over, and began to strap it on.
One guard placed the metal plate over his head and Tayer shook it, eyes wide in anger. The runes began to glow, encouraging his rage. He would kill them, Beliss and all the guards. They'd taken Cerus from him, there would be blood for that. His beak snapped at the guard who strapped the helmet on, biting a deep gash in his arm and making him fall back with a whimper.
Tayer crowed in triumph, even as more plates were strapped to his back and haunches. He began to feel more powerful, his talons lengthening, his muscles swelling. He shook his head again, trying to break free with an angry skree.
Beliss's voice turned sweet, coaxing, "Yes, that's it. Such a mighty beast. But you needn't direct your anger at me. I'm the one who freed you from being Cerus's simple sidekick. I made you powerful, and I intend to use that power just the way you wish."
Bridle and saddle were strapped on, tightened. Damaged wings grew larger and healed, snapping beak grew even sharper, hooked like a raptor's. His body felt large, heavy, but good. Cerus. . . it was hard to think. He liked Cerus, he missed him, but Tayer wanted battle too, wanted to feel his talons rip into things. He didn't want to think of Cerus, he just wanted. . . he realized the armor was doing something to his mind, but it was so hard to concentrate.
"I will ride you in conquest, Tayer. No one will remember a lost hero, but all will come to fear you as a sign of my power. Submit to me, and accept your fate." A guard carefully slid the bit into the gryphon's mouth and attached the reins. The gryphon growled at him, but was feeling confused as the magic spread.
Tayer couldn't think, but he no longer wanted to. He shied from the pain of loss, and embraced the simple instincts that were filling his mind. Beliss's words sunk into the beast's head. They sounded good, the tone eager, excited, a voice he could follow. The new gryphon stood there, hissing and clawing at the guards as they backed off hurriedly. The magic had made him larger and more powerful, towering over the guards, a suitable mount for for the dark lord. He was resplendent in the carefully sculpted silver armor and ornate saddle, tail swishing eagerly and black talons clenching, tearing at the ground.
Beliss stepped forward, and placed his hand on the gryphon's beak, calming him instantly. The large, sharp beak nuzzled affectionately as the dragon grabbed the hanging reins, "Now, my mount, let us fly." The gryphon lowered his head, his eyes flashing in anticipation as his master swung up into the saddle.