Shadows of Elysium, Chapter 4
The last chapter in the college student mystery! Cheki and company have to wrap matters up and finish this bill, and then they can finally all go home for a little while.
By unanimous decision, Cheki will use the clear phial first. She's going to test it on the mare, and if it has an effect, will then use it on the lion. Nobody trusts the research team, it seems! D :
On a side vote, mix a drop of the clear fluid and the black fluid to see what happens!
"We're going to hand the students to the medical staff for treatment, and we're going to give the chemicals to the research department to see if they can replicate them. But first..."
She poured a tiny dollop of the black liquid on the ground. A little dirt floated up into the drop, but was swallowed by the inky fluid. Then, she poured a drop of the clear fluid in it.
Gray flames burst forth from the two, burning the fluids to ash and smoke. When it was out, a tiny scorch mark remained on the stone.
"That!" Merkha said, "Murray, what was that?!"
"That- um, it's- it's a contrarcane effect?" he said. "That's the word, right?"
"Yes! When does it happen?" Merkha asked.
"When two potions' natures try to change reality to... to an existentially invalid state?" he said, half remembering, half guessing.
"On the nose! See? You can do this stuff; it isn't that hard," he said. "Cheki! As you no doubt overheard, the clear liquid should provide an opposite effect as the black fluid. It should completely undo its effects."
"Undo? So, will it turn them to men, or just make their private parts disappear?" she asked.
Merka blinked, then thought about it. After a few minutes of hemming and hawing, he admitted defeat.
"There's no way to know," he said, "save to test it on one of them. We don't have enough data, otherwise. But I don't know why anyone would make a potion for... well, making vaginas disappear."
Cheki looked at the mare and the lioness. Legally speaking, testing an unknown potion on someone was akin to third degree murder. Ethically speaking, if they handed this over to the research department and they wasted it, she would be responsible for handing the decision to them.
With her mind made up, she stepped over to the mare and poured a single dose onto her forehead.
Cheki watched. The mare looked up at the splotch, confused. She went to rub it, but before she could, her body began glowing... darker. Her fur twisted and foamed, and smoke rose into the air. In a few moments, her entire body was black from head to toe. Her legs and arms stretched, popping as the bone and sinew grew. Her moan went from a feminine whine to a masculine grunt, and a moment after that, the silhouette of a very non-feminine organ sprang to life between her- between his legs. When the transformation was complete, the horse was taller, had bigger muscles, and much to his delight, had a dick.
"Oh my god," the horse said, "Amber!"
One hand around his dick, he pulled the busty squirrel over to him and plastered a huge kiss on her face. She returned it, breaking away only to mumble something at him and to smile. He stood up, picked her up with him, and brought her around the corner.
Cheki coughed to cover up the sound. She would have to tell the couple later that out of sight only mean out of mind if they were also out of hearing range.
She poured a dose on the lion and watched the potion work its magic. One moment, they were a lioness. The next, a large maned lion with a powerful roar. The bear smiled when she heard it, and jumped on top of him. Cheki looked away, cheeks flushed red. She tried to walk around the corner to give them some privacy, but walked in on the other two. She walked back toward the lion and bear and covered her eyes.
The four dogs laughed at her, but moved in to help her leave. They left the two couples alone for a little while.
Quite a bit later, after several checkups from from the dogs to make sure everyone was okay, the four students walked over to the group. Their shoulders sagged, their eyes were barely staying open, and their smiles were enormous.
"So, I can't remember a whole lot," the lion said, "but I think thank-you's are in order."
"I can think of a few ways you could express that gratitude," Merkha said.
"So me and Alisa decided we should thank you somehow. Anything you want, you name it. If we can get it for you, it's yours," he said.
The bear- Alisa, as he called her- was falling asleep against his arm. Behind them, the horse and the squirrel were making faces at each other. The fire that was burning in their eyes- that was still burning in Judas's- were finally quenched.
"For now," Cheki said, "I want you four to report to medical. Old magic is unstable, sometimes- i want to make sure it isn't turning your liver to ants or something."
The four students quickly agreed to be looked at by medical staff, but didn't seem to care that the potions might be toxic. For now, things were finally back to normal. A young bunny nurse gave Judas a personal checkup, and he came out of the room relaxed and happy. She walked out of the room happy, too, but not so smoothly.
The next few days went by quickly. The medical department gave the students a clean bill of health, and the research department paid handsomely for the potions. They didn't appreciate Cheki warning the Dean that they had the potions, but Cheki couldn't care less. After a stop by the bounty office and getting the bill officiated, she met the other four back at the pub.
"Gentlemen," she said, "It was a pleasure working with you. I'm holding up to my end of the bargain- I took half of the pay, and now each of you are getting your share."
"We certainly got more work than we expected we would," Merkha said with a sly grin. "Perhaps you can provide compensation?"
"What're you talking about?" Judas asked. "I was the only one who was injured, and I got compensated for that, hard."
Cheki shook her head, biting back a grin at the crude joke. Her parents wouldn't approve, but she found herself growing used to their sense of humor. She was going to miss working with them.
"Here's each of your cuts," she said. "I included the reward money from the students themselves, as well as what the research department gave us, so you're getting a little more than our original agreement."
"Aw, you didn't have to do that!" Murray said.
"I want to," she said. "You guys earned it. Just think of it as incentive to work with me again in the future. Now though, I think it's time for a drink!"
The four dogs cheered, and they celebrated into the night. They all knew it wouldn't last forever, but for tonight, they would live life the way it was meant to be: Drunk with friends.
So what now? That was one story, but there remains many more to be told. Who should our next story focus on? Should we keep moving with Cheki and the canine bros, or should we shift focus to another group while they take a break? The choice is y'alls.
A: Continue with Cheki
B: Go with someone else
A: Continue with canine bros
B: Go with someone else
Self-proclaimed bandit queen Basyl the black bear has stolen another 2000 tons of honey, and is selling it on the black market and making a lot of money. Anyone who can put a stop to her shenanigans will be paid handsomely by the honey companies. As of yesterday, she has also kidnapped the daughters of a few nobles and is holding them for ransom.
Delivery to Gertpeak: A mage's friend has gone missing delivering a package to Gertpeak. He is asking that someone find out what happened to him, and to see if the package made it to his friend.
Blood in the trees: Someone has been accused of the murders in Doryldell, but the poster maintains that the accused is innocent. They want someone to investigate what happened, and to prove the accused person innocent.
Slime harvest: Alchemists from all around praise the magical properties of the common slime monster, but harvesting the stuff can be incredibly troublesome. Several alchemists are offering a reward for the slimes' harvested product.
Wolf in wolves' clothing: WANTED: Larou the Blacksmith, a victim infected with lycanthropy, has escaped his holding cell. He is believed to be hiding among either the wolves or hyenas. In his current state, he may be a danger to himself and to others. Wanted ALIVE. If you find information on him, please contact port authorities.
Fuck that fuckin fucker!: Know that shithead every morning who stops people and makes them pay a toll? He ain't nothin' but a thug! Fuck his shit up, and I'll pay you!
One more vote: In the future, should all sex scenes be detailed? Or was the glossing over of sex in this one appropriate?
A: More details, please! B: This was fine!