"Why did no one say it hurt this much?" Ardis cried, her voice breaking as another wave of pain tore through her body.
It felt as though every bone inside her was being shattered and rebuilt at the same time. Her spine arched, muscles burning, joints twisting into unfamiliar positions. The pressure was unbearable. She clenched her teeth, but the scream still escaped her throat as her body forced itself into a new shape.
Inside the dim room, Sissira had already lit a small fire. Shadows danced across the stone walls as she placed clean furs beside the bed. Her sharp eyes never left Ardis. She murmured quiet prayers under her breath, watching every twitch and tremble.
For a moment, Sissira's heart tightened, then she noticed the steady rhythm of Ardis's breathing and the way the transformation followed the natural flow. She finally allowed herself a soft sigh of relief.
"It's going smoothly," she whispered.
But the night was far from peaceful.
Screams and hisses echoed again and again through the long hours. Sweat soaked the bed. Ardis's claws retracted, her scales faded, and her long tail slowly dissolved into human legs. The pain came in waves, each one stronger than the last, until at last, everything stilled.
Ardis collapsed onto the furs, trembling.
She had transformed.
Her hair now flowed in soft red strands down her back, and when she opened her eyes, they glowed a warm amber. Tears slid down her cheeks, not from pain, but from the strange relief of being alive after such torment.
Sissira quickly covered her with thick fur, careful and gentle. She then brought a small wooden bowl filled with a dark herbal mixture and lifted it to Ardis's lips.
"Drink," she said softly.
Ardis swallowed, grimacing. "Bitter," she muttered hoarsely.
"It will help your body heal," Sissira replied. "Sleep now."
The exhaustion finally claimed her. Within moments, Ardis drifted into a deep, heavy sleep.
By the time the sun began to rise, golden light spilled across the stone floor. Sissira stepped outside, her shoulders heavy with fatigue.
Aeron hadn't returned. He had stayed the night at a friend's home, unable to bear the worry. He had arrived as soon as the sun started to rise.
Sissira met him at the entrance. She nodded with a tired smile.
"It was successful."
Relief washed over his face.
Word spread quickly, and everyone who had been waiting through the night finally released the breath they had been holding. Aeron returned to the Fox tribe to share the news.
Ardis, however, was not allowed to see anyone yet. For a full week, she had to remain in the priestess's care so her body could stabilize.
Back at the Fox tribe, Aeron entered the house where everyone had gathered. Their eyes were filled with anxiety.
"It was successful," he said with a smile.
Cheers, tears, and relieved laughter filled the room.
Meanwhile, on Ardis's side…
She stirred after a short nap. Her body felt strange, heavy, warm, and unfamiliar. Sweat clung to her skin. Slowly, she pushed herself up and stared at her hands.
Five fingers.
No claws.
Her heart raced.
"I finally have a human form," she whispered in awe.
She touched her face, her hair, her shoulders, trying to imagine how she looked without a mirror. Everything felt new.
Gathering her courage, Ardis tried to stand.
The moment her legs touched the ground, they gave out.
She fell forward with a dull thud, landing flat on her face.
"Ow—!"
At that exact moment, Sissira walked in. She froze, then burst into laughter before quickly rushing over to help her sit up.
"Easy," she said, still smiling. "Your body is new. You must learn it again."
Ardis laughed weakly, cheeks burning with embarrassment.
"Now you must learn how to use your hands and legs," Sissira said gently, smiling as she looked at the still-embarrassed Ardis.
Ardis nodded, though her heart was racing. Everything felt strange. Her body was no longer smooth and long like before; it was tall, heavy, and unfamiliar. Even breathing felt different, as if her chest moved in ways it never had.
"Everyone will come to visit you soon," Sissira continued. "But only the females may see you for now. After one week, you will be able to meet everyone." She paused and added softly, "Your mother will be the first to visit."
That single sentence filled Ardis with warmth.
Sissira knelt beside her and began showing her how to move. She helped Ardis stretch her arms, bend her knees, and slowly shift her weight from one side to the other while sitting. Every small motion felt awkward, as if her limbs did not fully obey her yet.
"Your body is still adjusting," Sissira explained. "Do not rush."
After a while, she placed a smooth wooden stick into Ardis's hands."Use this to support yourself."
Ardis planted the stick against the ground and slowly pushed herself upward. Her legs shook violently, her balance unsteady. For a moment, fear flashed through her, but she remained standing.
"I… I'm standing!" she said, her voice full of disbelief and joy.
Sissira smiled proudly. "Good. Now sit. Then stand again."
Throughout the day, Ardis practiced again and again. She would eat, rest, then try once more. By evening, though her muscles burned and her legs ached, she could finally stand without the stick. Her body still felt weak, but her spirit was strong.
Sissira eventually had to leave to tend to other duties. Even so, Ardis was not alone. From behind the fur curtain, she heard her grandfather's steady voice encouraging her, reminding her to keep trying whenever she felt like giving up.
The next day, Astra arrived with the others. The cubs had transformed, too and now stood behind the curtain with the fathers. Their voices sounded deeper, more confident. Ardis felt both happy and nervous, wondering how different they must look now.
Only Astra entered the room.
She rushed forward and hugged Ardis tightly. This was the first time they had spoken directly. Before, Aeron had always translated between them.
They talked for a long time about the tribe, the winter, the cubs, and the future.
Then Astra smiled teasingly. "Since you have transformed, we must find you a good beastman. I spoke to Aeron. Your ertus will be in spring, so we still have time."
Ardis lowered her head, embarrassed but understanding. Among their kind, such matters were not hidden.
Before leaving, Astra placed a bundle of clothes beside her.
From that day on, Ardis trained every morning and evening. She learned how to walk without falling, then how to run without fear. Step by step, she began to grow into her new life.