Roll a will save.☆
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The hefty double doors swung open with little resistance, slamming against the walls with a loud THUNK. Announcement made, the party strode into the high wizard Galine’s over decorated, gaudy chambers. The smell of sweet incense washed over them as they had but a few moments to observe the intricate tapestries, fine silks and the spectacled figure looking up from a tome that may have been larger than herself, eyebrows knitted together in frustration.

“You’re late, adventurers!” Her tongue clicking in dismay, gaunt arms propping her body up as she stood.

“Fashionably late?” Caden’s attempt at lightening the mood was met with a crackle of vile energy from Galine’s outstretched fingertip, which the bard gracefully slipped away from, leaving it to implant into the carnage of the previous room.

“We weren’t THAT late.” He coughed as the party sprung into action.

Kren drew his sword into a charge at the spellcaster, whilst Hanae pulled an arrow into her bow- aiming for the heart of the enemy.

Caden’s violin had nearly leapt into his hand, begging for a intense song, something fast, staccato- and to aid his friends be began play. The music filled the small room and the fight was on, his friends empowered by the magic that he laced through each note, with each finger.

Rending her tome in half, the greatsword wielded by Kren set its sights on her flesh, swung with the force and malice of a flying brick.

As Caden leaned into the song, eyes closed into retelling in melody- the clash of steel, the warmth of his hands on the neck of the violin, the way the bow slid across the strings- each pass the paint to a masterpiece.

A steel arrow landed into the eye of the embroidered dragon behind the wizened woman, barely missing her large hat. Hanae exhaled.

Frustrating.

Kren wasn’t having as much trouble- the silver blade making light work of the wizards chest, crimson starting to stain over her left side- magical armor doing little.

Caden focused his song to Hanae, plucking his fingers pizzicato, her brief glance letting him know the inspiration was appreciated.

He could feel the tide change in the battle; hearing a focused inhale from her, the shift in stance- tightened grip, a sparking crescendo of arcane energy off their target, the strange feeling of a spell engulfing his body-

Wait.

“No!”

Kren saw the opportunity- she was casting after all- he flew forward, kicking off the desk to gain some height.

For a few terrible moments, Caden fought back against the swirling, shifting spell- his violin fell with an ill clatter to the floor. Hands becoming unable to hold anything as his thumbs shriveled away- only to reappear as dewclaws somewhere further up his arm.

Hanae’s next arrow shot true, nailing the wizards outstretched hand to match the first- pinning her almost parallel to her first shot- nailing Galine to the tapestry.

His tongue was growing to long for his face and in fear of choking it instinctively settled outside his mouth. He was a half-elf! Not whatever sick enchantment had been placed upon him!

“Whlp meeeeurgh!” Was the last thing the changing bard could muster as his face pulled forward into a canine muzzle. White fur to match his hair swarming across his body, ears and tail both pushed out in unison, a fluffy white tail settling in a curl onto his back.

“C-Caden!” Hanae shrieked as she loosed another arrow into the Wizards remaining outstretched arm, only missing slightly as she turned to where her friend once stood.

Their enemy sneered as Kren’s sword embedded itself in the table, the muscular man struggling to wrench it free, her free hand producing a wand from her belt. “That’s untchpleasant.” With a furious yank- the arrow sprung free, some of the blood splattering Kren’s face and with a flick of her undamaged arm cast her spell, passing through a shadowy door to her escape.

Wicked laughter echoed through the room even in her absence.

“NOOOO”

Kren cried in anguish as not only their target slipped away, but any further leads on his brothers murder with her, dissipating like ash in the wind.

He slammed both fists onto the scarred desk.

Why was he on the floor? Caden tried to stand, but as he pushed himself up- his body only locked him into a stance on all fours. What was he doing? Why couldn’t he see colors?

“Caden” Hanae slid to her knees next to him, placing her fingers in his fur. “Please tell me you’re in there?” There was no denying how good that felt, and involuntarily Caden could feel his tail wag. “I’m fine- how are you?” He joked, only to translate into a series of barks and a whine.

A pit settled in his stomach as his levity dissipated, realizing that he was now a dog.

“Alright. Ok- ok Kren?”

The warrior turned to them, face lightening as his eyes laid upon their former companion, now pet.

The humor in Caden’s predicament was not lost of Kren, however- his rough face breaking into a loud laugh.

At least Hanae was still scratching behind his ears with her long nails. Ashamed to admit it to himself, Caden’s head leaned against the gentle fingers, it felt so, so good.

“Oh Caden. What are we gonna do about this?”

She caressed his snowy ear, allowing it to spring back into place. All the while listening to Kren killing himself with laughter.

“STOP it!”

Face darkened into a bitter scowl-

“This wouldn’t have happened if we had Sol.”

Kren replied, seething at Hanae.

Caden barked angrily as she stood to her feet, marching across the floor, usually soft features filled with wrath. He was sure this would be another yelling match- and nothing could help him out of that, so he kept barking. They bubbled from his throat- and his new form kind of shook with each one.

“SOL!?” Hanae screamed, hand connecting with Kren’s face, the force alone turning it away. “After what he did to me?!” “You would allow that monster to-“ a second slap was caught by Kren. He moved closer to the petite elf to dwarf her, intimidatingly so he could whisper,

“Any time, anywhere.”

Caden heard it in between his shouts.

My favorite person is in danger! Spoke a quiet voice.

“SHUT UP CADEN!” Screamed Kren, throwing Hanae away arm first.

She hit the floor with a soft thud, a plush rug cushioning the fall. The canine’s body leaped forward at him- connecting with one of his legs teeth first. Caden was horrified, unable to stop himself and completely at the mercy of the voice.

Bad man! Bad man! It chanted.

Kren was no stranger to handling an angry dog it seemed- reaching around to Caden’s neck fur and tearing the snapping jaws away.

“Fuck you, you stupid dog.”

They were no match for the lifetime of fighting that he had experienced and Caden soon felt himself land within a few feet of Hanae.

Kren took his sword in hand.

“Fuck you and your stupid bitch” he spat at her, sheathing his weapon and turning to leave.

Bad man! Bad man!

The voice demanded Caden to attack, only silenced by gentle sobbing. He crawled over to comfort her, standing proving difficult, wriggling next to her side. He was wretchedly sorry, Sol had approached Hanae on his advice- Caden even using magic to assist him, this was all his fault, maybe he even deserved this punishment. Unable to apologize- he licked her hand, it was all he could do as her sobs and heavy warm tears flowed.

Her body curled around him, face buried into his fur.

“You’re a good boy”