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Darkness Falls

Therian Origin Story

© Cederwyn Whitefurr

24th April 2023

Elanore Hudson lived alone, peaceful in her hand built cottage deep in the Fangorian Woods. It was rumoured by the superstitious villages that the wood was home to fell beasts and a powerful, dark witch...

They were partially correct – Elanore wasn't a dark witch – she was one who walked a path as old as humanity itself. As a Druidess, she cared for the woods and the animals within. Infrequently, she would find a human had made the way to her door – seeking some foolish charm or a remedy for an illness.

Elanore helped them as well – giving them inscribed stones – which done nothing – but to them, it was some powerful and magickal ward or talisman. Others, she would draw upon her natural herbal craft – making poultices and potions from the forests bounty – to cure everything from a sniffle through to some rather embarrassing sexually transmitted diseases.

They offered her services, money, livestock – anything they could, to pay for her services – but she politely refused all offers, as her beloved forest provided an abundance for herself.

*

Over the years, Elanore had seen, then ever so slowly, gained the trust and even love, of a small herd of Whitetail Deer. Every morning and eve, she would walk amongst them, the Deer nuzzling and rubbing against her hands, belly, anywhere they could – sensing the goodness and light within her – drawn to her – as she in turn, was drawn to them. With a handful, she developed a close, spiritual bond – she could sense their basic, primitive emotions, and in turn, they could sense her own. These, she was particularly bonded too, they were not just a herd – they were like family to her.

Elanore would feel the highs of the creation of new life, the birth, even when she wasn't physically present. Right through to the pain and fear, her sadness washing over her, when one so bonded was taken from the world by a predator.

She would help a new mother birth her fawn – feeding her herbs to take the worst of the first birth from her – grieve with the new mother if her fawn was stillborn, or celebrate when a new life was brought into the Goddess' embrace.

As summer parted to fall, Elanore began laying aside supplies for the coming winter. The meat she had salted and dried – always giving thanks to the spirit of the animal she had taken, root vegetables were stored, and from fallen trees, she had made a lean to shed to keep the worst of the coming snow off her firewood.

As she carried an armload inside, suddenly, she wailed and dropped the lengths, dropping to her knees as she clutched her head, then placed a hand over her chest. It was pain – agonizing – sharp, stabbing... like she'd been shot with an arrow. Her head threw back, then she made strangled, gurgling noises – a burning spreading across her throat.

Helpless, Elanore leaned forwards, gagging and retching, before the sickening pain vanished as suddenly as it'd come. Tears sluicing down her cheeks and dripping to the ground, her fingers curling and gouging at the earth, Elanor's mind reeled helplessly.

For a time, she just knelt on the ground, her stomach having purged itself of its contents, the smell and sickening nausea washing over her.

“No..." Elanore gurgled, slumping to her side and moaning, her body stricken with chills like a fever. “No... Oh my dear, sweet daughter of nature..."

Others of the herd come close – forming a circle around the sobbing, panting Druidess – staying a good twenty paces back – their own fear and confusion spreading from one to the next as they struggled to comprehend that which had stricken their adopted friend.

Finally, Elanore controlled herself, stumbling to a nearby ancient oak tree, placing both hands against it, and bowing her head in prayer.

“Great Mother, bless your child of nature, draw her spirit to you, and give it warmth and comfort, for return to you she has. In your time, you will return her from the Summer lands, to be reborn, for such is the cycle, such it always was and shall forever be, for if it harms none, so mote it be..."

Tears sliding down her cheeks, Elanore made her way back, picking up her firewood and retreating into her cottage, slowly closing the crude door behind her...

*

Elanore startled awake, fumbling at her crude bedside table for her knife which she snatched from the sheath and held defensively in one hand, her eyes wide and head turning from side to side.

Fear, pure abject and almost heart-stopping – something around my ankle, trapping me, I'm alone, scared, I can't get free - these images flashed through Elanor's mind. They were more primitive, and instinctual, yet her mind embellished and filled them in so it could understand.

Rough hands... I'm being tied up – help, please help, where's my herd – I need them, I'm trapped – human...rough hands, hurting my tail – pulling it up and...no – please – no...not...

Elanore squealed – her back arching off the straw pallet bed, her loins feeling like they were being forced apart – something – forcing its way inside, the pain, the terror...

“Leave her alone!" Elanore screamed again, then slashed through the air with the knife. “She is a child of the goddess, you cruel, sadistic bastard – leave her alone..."

Nausea, sickening nausea, pain building on pain – a virgin no more – tears sliding down a cheek, screaming helplessly, unable to kick, to run, only – endure...

Elanore gasped, feeling everything her dear, sweet companion felt – the sickening pain, the fear, the helplessness – leaping from her bed, Elanore nearly dropped to her knees, clutching her stomach as nausea boiled inside of her and she gripped her knife tighter, her emotions turning as cold as ice within her body.

“He will pay little one... I swear, he will pay – tell me, show me..."

Images, fleeting and distorted through tears and sickening pain, flashed across Elanor's mind. A tree – a creek, cold and swift-flowing, a backward glimpse – a human's form...

“Enough my child, I know where you are – I will come, I promise..."

Snatching a robe from the hook on the door, Elanore struggled to pull it over herself, before she threw open the door, took a dozen steps, and then promptly fell to the ground.

“Urk - “ Elanore gurgled, her body suddenly convulsing, feeling sickening warmth spreading from her groin towards her stomach.

Hear me daughter, child, and protector, I grant you my power, to save the life of your forest child – arise now – for four hooves are faster than two human ones – ARISE MY DAUGHTER...

Elanore shrieked, as she felt the power suffuse her, almost from one heartbeat to another, where once was a human, a feral doe rose – shaking off the last threads of the torn and sundered robe. Dark eyes peered out at a world unknown to any human – so much more vibrant and alive, scents filled the leathery nostrils, sharper and sweeter – Ears rotated to and fro, the hearing acute and surpassing anything Elanore had ever known.

Run my child, my forest daughter is in dire peril, run like the very wolves themselves were snapping at your hocks, NOW RUN...

Elanore ran...

*

Slowing, her mad gallop breaking to a canter, then to a trot, her flanks wet and slick with sweat; breath tearing through her nostrils, Elanore the doe slowed to a walk then looked through the brush which concealed her. She took it in in two blinks of her now coal black eyes – the human and what he was doing to the helpless, cross-tied doe – her pleading whimpers and the sickening sight and sensation he was inflicting on her...

I can not stand for this - Come that voice in Elanor's mind. Strike swiftly child, for when he is done – her death...

Elanore didn't think, couldn't think – she was possessed, taken over, infused with the rage and the sickened horror of watching – then the Goddess took her, plunging her mind into a cold, clear spring and banishing her consciousness for what was to come...

It was quick...

Bursting through the shrubs like a furred missile, what had been Elanore, now a soulless, possessed creature of Nature's wrath itself slammed into the human – driving him from within the doe and sending him rolling. Before he knew what was coming, Elanore reared up and her cloven hooves come down on his skull with a loud crack and he knew no more...

Twisting away, Elanore walked to the doe, whose flanks were creamy with sweat, her heart racing in her chest, her mind broken from the stress and what had happened to her. Gazing down, Elanore wept, before she knelt down and rested her forehead against the side of the gasping Doe's head, closing her eyes.

“Pass child," Come the Goddess's voice, tinged with sadness and remorse. “Cling not to this life, what was done to you, I take from you, pass now, go in peace to the Summer lands, where I shall await you, go in peace my child, rest and find renewal in my domain..."

Her eye-rolling, the doe looked up into the eyes of the Goddess; before she swallowed, her heart beat once more, then she quivered and her spirit fled its mortal form...

For an hour, the Goddess knelt, her head against the lifeless Doe, before she stood and shook herself, turning to glare balefully at the human who lay nearby.

“Her pain and suffering is over..."

Taking another step, the Goddess' muzzle wrinkled, her inky, black eyes blazing with a terrifying intensity.

“It will not be I who delivers your punishment – yet it will be I who will grant my daughter's heartfelt wish... You had no right, to subject my child to your perverted whims! No, her suffering – it is over now... – your_s – foolish, selfish, _cruel human – yours – oh believe me – yours, hasn't even begun... You had no right, NONE!"

That last word cracked like a mid-summer thunder clap, startling birds from the trees, and the trees and earth itself – quivered at the power and intent behind it.

Kneeling over him, the Goddess lowered her head and closed her eyes, before her form began to tremble and shimmer – both doe and human vanishing from the clearing – the dead doe's body suddenly burning with a silvery light like moonlight, before there was a flash and not even ashes remained...

*

Elanore woke to the sound of muffled moans and then the crash of something falling to the hard, dirt-packed floor. Her body ached, muscles burned and bones felt as fragile as a half-melted icicle.

“Where...who - “ Elanore gurgled, fighting the vestiges of sleep.

Awaken my daughter... Come that voice through her mind. Have need of you...

Energy grew and spread throughout her body, making Elanore gasp as she quivered, feeling more alive than she ever had. As it built to a peak, she thought it'd surely engulf her in its radiance – before it faded to a pleasurable, warmth throughout her whole body. Sitting up, she pulled her legs around and set them down on the floor – her eyes taking in the leather shoes and crude trousers – her gaze coming upwards to see a stained, rough linen shirt and a human face – wreathed with streaks of dried blood. As he mumbled – a crude gag tied around his mouth and eyes wide – two large cloven hoof bruise marks on his forehead.

“Who the hell are you..." Elanore squeaked, her eyes wide and hands falling to the ground.

Judgment is yours, child, he is of your kind, I will spare you the worst of what he has done to my forest child – yet what he did, I can not forgive...

Elanore gasped, her face draining of blood as she got mental images of what this man had done. Slowly, color returned to her, and her hands gripped the edge of the bed, her knuckles slowly turning white as the joints popped and crackled.

Elanore shuddered, forcing herself back into a semblance of peace and tranquillity.

“Your crime is unspeakable - “ Elanore whispered, looking at him. “Yet I am a Druidess, I am sworn to neutrality... I will judge you accordingly – in time. For now – I am obligated by my oath to care for you... to heal you, to feed you... and to listen to your explanation, before I pass judgment..."

He looked up at her, eyes wide and quivering, as she produced her sharp knife and walked towards him.

“I will not free you; until I am satisfied with your innocence or guilt – your words will persuade my judgment – choose them wisely..."

He trembled as she slid the knife between the linen gag and his cheek, before with a slight tug, she cut it and sheathed the knife, returning to her bed and sitting down, facing him.

“You may begin..."

*

He blubbered like a child, his pleas for mercy and forgiveness heard and taken on board as she listened. When it was time for dinner, she fed him a broth she had made, herself having a bowl, yet never once, did she impart a single word or even a facial expression. It was like she was carved from marble.

“You don't understand – no woman in my village - “

Impassively, Elanore listened, sipping from a cup of clear, cool water.

“It was just a deer..."

Elanor's fingers contracted on the wooden cup; before she trembled and set it aside, leaning forwards.

“Just a deer?" Elanore spoke quietly, her eyes narrowing behind her eyelids. “A simple creature, a daughter of the forest, innocent, pure, and free... A creature you defiled, tortured, and...had your sexual perversions with? She was my daughter... I raised that Doe; fed her, held her, raised her - “

“Your...daughter..." He gasped.

“A figure of speech - “ Elanore shivered, then forced herself back to calmness – it took some doing. “If you had taken her, as your kind have and do – for sustenance and their hide for clothing, a blanket, whatever – I would have had no true issue. We must eat – if you had taken her life for this purpose – you would not now, be in the situation you are in. No, what you have done – I can not express my feelings, yet I promise, I will be neutral and listen to you. By my oath to the Lord and Lady, I, Elanore, do swear, my word is my oath, my blood be spilled if I break it."

“Just...a beast – a doe – what does it..." He suddenly grew angry and defensive. “You're a witch...aren't you? What are you going to do – turn me into a toad? Wave your hands and summon demons to drag me into the burning pits of hell?"

Raising an eyebrow, Elanore let his wrath and fury burn itself out, before he slumped and dropped his head.

“I confess – I trapped her, took her...as a buck takes a doe..."

Elanor's fingers curled into fists, her nails digging into the flesh beneath.

“You are no buck..." Elanore suddenly snapped, then shuddered and uncurled her fingers, placing the bloody palms on her thighs and quivering. “I apologize..."

“So...what are you going to do to me – others will come – they'll look for me..."

“Let them - “ Elanore spoke quietly, her voice turning icy. “I am no harmless damsel, this is my Goddess' wood – I am her servant – together, we will defend and protect. Come in peace, leave in such – come with cruelty and hate in your heart – you will be driven forth upon pain of death should you return."

“What about me?"

Elanore stood up, then began pacing back and forth, one finger lightly tapping her chin.

“I can not pass judgment upon you human, your crimes are reprehensible and unforgivable – regardless of your own – problems – with the lady folk of your village. Some stags do not ever get the chance to breed – they know their place in the Goddess' plan – they accept this. Why can you not? If you are not to pass on your seed to a new generation – why will you refuse to accept? You'd rather torture and corrupt an innocent, virginal young Doe... She wasn't even fully grown – barely past a yearling..."

A smile slowly spread across his face, his eyes growing misty as he remembered.

“That explains..."

With a snarl, Elanore spun about and her fist slammed into his chin, smacking his head back into the hard timber pole he was tied to – and he went limp.

“Curse your neutrality!" Elanore snarled, lifting her tear-streaked head up to the ceiling.

Child, be at peace...

Almost instantly, Elanor's rage, fear, pain, and torment vanished – leaving her quiet and calm once more.

Have you made a decision from perfect love and perfect trust? No, I can see inside your heart Child, I know what lurks within there – I will not lie to you, it lurks within me as well. It is whether we choose to act upon this darkness within us is one thing, give – in – to it – is another. A wolf when it kills; does not do such out of hate or malice. It does so to survive and feed its pups, it isn't burdened with guilt and remorse.

“He - “ Elanor's voice was robbed from her, leaving her frustrated and silent.

I know what he done, child, hear me now. I kept you from the worst of it, saved your mind from the horror and sickening sensation. I took her, claimed her spirit back into the summer lands, where she will live until such time as she wishes to return – with no memory of what was done to her – as will you, in time. Now, make your judgment, I will abide by it – it is yours and yours alone – live or die – the choice is yours...

With an anguished cry, Elanore snarled and cut the bindings, and dragged him outside, dumping him in the middle of the clearing. As naked as the day he was born, a smile – dark – spread across her lips and she clenched her fingers into fists.

“Mother, Goddess, Mistress – hear your servant, I call you to awareness and presence, grant me a form I see in my mind, I beg of you, so I may pass judgment accordingly – a crime was done for a crime committed, so I have spoken, and so mote it be!"

Is this your will and your intent Child? Truly? Do you think this will redeem you before me? I know your heart and your mind, I will grant you this boon – as you say – judgment is yours, and yours alone. I would not take this path, but it is your decision – so be it, daughter, your will be manifest...

Elanore dropped to her knees, gasping as the power suffused her once more – but this time – what arose was neither human nor doe – a hybrid of the two... It rose on cloven hooves like a deer, a pale caramel fur covering its body from ankle to head – a broad white patch on the throat and chest and with black-tipped ears. Its eyes went from a deep, woodland brown – wide set and expressionate – to a vile, inky black like a moonless and starless night. Gazing down at its fingers, it saw they ended in short, blunt hooflets and a long tail flicked twice behind it.

It is done, child, be warned, I will not stay your hand in this, I can not. What you now do, shall be upon you from this day to the end of time itself.

Elanore flexed her furred fingers; before she crouched down before the unconscious human, her furred knees between his thighs. Her fingers encircled his limp penis, hooflets pressing against the leathery pads that covered her palm as she waggled it from side to side, gazing down at it.

Slowly, intently, she leaned forwards, holding his penis between her paws as she breathed on it – then tentatively gave it a slow lick.

I can taste her – or at least what I think she would have tasted like...

Darkness spread across her mind like a blanket, then another presence, this one malevolent, dark, consumed with rage and urge to feast on blood and flesh... Its feelings were – enticing, arousing – promising power, strength, and vitality...

It'd be so easy... Elanore thought to herself, looking up at the pulsing throat of the human, feeling his length engorging between her paws. One bite – right there...

Elanore felt the presence grow within her, its coldness, its hunger permeating her entire body. It whispered words, dark, enticing words, in her mind, Elanore gasped them swallowed – the hot coppery taste of blood in her mouth... yet it was an illusion, she knew she hadn't bit her soft, supple tongue with those teeth...

Teeth? Elanore frowned, then used her tongue to swirl around her muzzle, feeling teeth she knew shouldn't be there – sharp, like daggers, long and slightly curled – strong, shearing teeth – sharper than any wolf...

Feed, sister, devour his flesh, you can smell it, - taste – it...

Her tongue flickered over his length again, then drew it into her muzzle, her tongue swirling, salivary glands excreting at an abnormal rate as she lowered her head – taking his full length into her muzzle.

One bite, right now...

Elanore fought the influence in her mind, both surprised and scared by it in equal measure. It wasn't the calm, soothing words of her Goddess – this was something else entirely... Turning her thoughts inwards, she saw it – it looked like her in her feral body – every single piece of fur identical – the eyes – the eyes – like the darkest of pools of liquefied tar.

Listen to me...give – in – to me, I can show you things, power? You, humans, like power, don't you? Strength, life – how would you like to live free from pain and suffering? One bite, oh, just one little nibble...

I can not... Elanore shot back at it, yet unable to lift her muzzle, she continued to suckle as a fawn would nurse from its mother's teat.

Can not, or – will – not? Which is it? I can offer you so much, your mortal mind can not begin to imagine. Now, you want a taste? A sample of that which I offer?

Against her will, Elanore found herself helpless, straddling the human beneath her, one paw guiding him against her labial folds – then her legs folding, feeling the sensation of him sliding deeper and deeper into her body.

Let me free, spirit, for I know what you are... I control myself, and...and... oh...

Pleasurable, isn't it? You can feel far more in this form; than you – ever – could in that pathetic human skin...you think this is pleasurable? Shall I make you feral? So you can – truly – enjoy...

“Nnnnghhg...." Elanore screamed, her back crackling as it curved inwards, her head tilting back as she fought desperately for control, this spirit ensnaring her in pleasures beyond anything she could have imagined – her orgasm slashing through her like a summer storm – and almost as destructive.

Suddenly, she heard the slow, measured hoof beats, one, five, twenty... her eyelids slammed upwards as she growled and squirmed, feeling the human's hot seed flooding into her, warming her, filling her...

One, the dominant stag, involuntarily stepped to a handful of paces, before he looked at her, his eyes filled with compassion and unmistakable silence. Behind him, the whole herd watched, heads bowed, their beautiful coats quivering with fear and remorse.

He fought – he stood shaking and his furred lips quivering, before he spoke – not with his own voice – but the full power and righteousness of the Goddess speaking through him...

“Child!" Come the thunderous roar from his throat and muzzle. “Do not do this, for you will be lost to me – to us! We will turn from you, child, from this moment to your last, we will never forgive, and never forget! If you walk this dark path – we will turn from you, for we can not follow! Please, turn away, for the love that we have for you – TURN AWAY!"

Give up this power? This lustful desire? This... way? Is that what you want? You've only begun – take a single hoof-step – on the path I can show you... He is – pleasurable enough, is he not? How would that stag like us... like – you – I smell his fear – breathe sister – breathe deep, take that intoxicating scent into your lungs – that musky odor of his – breathe deep...

Against her will, Elanor's leathery nostrils flared as she inhaled – and felt the spirit within her smile... a dark, cruel, sadistic smile...

“Mother..." Elanore squealed, before her throat contracted, strangling her and her words.

“Daughter, do not..." Wailed the Stag, tears sliding down his muzzle.

You're mine... Come the dark thoughts within her...

Helpless, her head snapped to the side and those powerful jaws closed around the human's throat. Canines sheared through skin and muscle, blood instantly squirting into her muzzle. Hungrily, she swallowed, sucking harder and biting deeper – then the rush of adrenaline that filled her – as she felt the carotid artery rupture and her lips formed a tight seal. Beneath her, the human thrashed and struggled, his eyes open and filled with sickening horror...

With bleats and cries, the Whitetail scattered from the clearing, their tails raised and fleeing for their lives. Only the Stag remained, his head heavy as he dropped it, then ever so slowly, he turned and walked three paces, before gazing back over his shoulder with a remorseful gaze, before he turned and fled into the forest – never to return...

Helpless, trapped within her own mind, screaming silently into the dark, endless void with a voice that could, would, never, be heard, Elanore screamed for something she could never receive...

Mercy...

END