CaveLupus has a minion!

Musculus the Nautilus

Once, a long time ago, there was a young Telenine who spent every waking moment dreaming of the sea. Every day he would wander alongside the ocean, jumping in and out of the waves as the crashed against the sand and dreaming about the cold depths and their unknown secrets."If I only could go there," he would often say. "Down among the mermaids and the fish and who knows what else! I would be happy."He began cutting himself off from his friends and the rest of the world, instead spending all of his time at the sea, wishing for another life. A life filled with salt water, fish, seaweed, mermaids and buried treasures.Seeing her beloved pet so unsatisfied with his life, the Telenine's owner felt very sad. She tried all she could to distract him from his longing. She bought him new toys but none of them were as fun to play with as the waves on the beach. She bought him new food but none of it tasted as good as clams or oysters or sushi. She enlisted the help of her other pets, but it was no use. The only thing he cared about was the ocean. She finally caved in one day and let him keep a little Nautilus he had found on the beach one day, but that seemed to raise his desire of being closer to the ocean. So one day, she decided to give him a choice."CaveLupus," his owner said. "If you truly wish to be part of the ocean, I will take you to Merana. She could turn you into a sea creature so you could live in the deep blue sea like you want. But I don't want to take you until you think it through, I don't really trust her, she might not be -"But CaveLupus didn't hear anymore, he had heard all he wanted. He had the chance to be part of the ocean now! He didn't care about whatever the consequences may be. His owner shook her head and sighed, motioning for him to follow her to the boat that would take them to Merana's Lair.The trip to the Omen Islands was long and dreary. Rain clouds threatened overhead and Cave's owner could not help but feel worried for her pet. He was so excited at the prospect of getting what he wanted, but she was sure he hadn't thought about what would happen afterwards.When they finally arrived, CaveLupus's excitement got the better of him and he ran off before his owner could even get off the boat. He bounded forward, eager to hurry through the transformation and become what he knew he was always meant to be.When his owner had finally caught up to him she found he was already speaking with Merana about being changed. She walked forward and Merana turned her attention to her."Ah, welcome to my home, poppet. I am Merana. Anyt'ing you have 'eard about me on da mainlands is true. I was banished to these islands by Shinwa for practicin' a magic that was deemed immoral," she woed. "She trapped me alone 'ere, an' told me stories of a 'orrible beast on top of da mountain. Maybe it was dat tale, or maybe it is just my better nature, but I find myself feelin' kinder. Dis little one says he is a wantin' to be part of da sea. I'll tell ya what I need for the blessin', but ya must bring it to me quickly. Bring me what I seek, and I will brew ya up a fine potion for dis one."Cave's owner nodded, too afraid to speak, and Merana told her the six items she would need for the potion. Cave and his owner worked tirelessly to find the items, going everywhere from the Sacred Lands to small back shops owned by some of the people of Subeta. It took them two days to find the items for Merana, but they hurried back as quick as they could."Ah, you have returned! I will quickly make da potion for ya, my poppet. Best not ta wait much longer, hmm?"Cave's eyes glittered as he watched her combine the ingredients. His future was being made right before his eyes, and it was all he could do not to pounce on it when Merana finished.He took the potion in hand and gulped it down quickly, trying not to notice the slimy feel of it in his mouth....down his throat...Pain exploded behind his eyes and he hunched over, drawing his paws around his stomach and curling at his owner's feet. He choked and gasped for air, not able to pull any into his lungs. His entire body started to spasm, transforming into a hideous half creature. When the spasms finally ceased, he opened his eyes and saw the concerned face of his owner. Merana merely stood off to the side, smirking and motioning for them to leave her.His owner helped him up, lifting him and half carrying him to the water. Once he felt the coolness of the water he felt some of his pain subside, but he still felt like his insides were squirming and he found that he no longer felt the same joy at being in the ocean.His owner stayed on deck for the entire trip home, leaning over the rail to watch as he swam alongside their boat. She worried about him; he would eat very little and seemed uninterested in everything. He merely swam and slept.Many months passed and Cave learned of the consequences to his hasty decision. The pain from his transformation had not dissipated, but was manageable as long as he stayed in the water. He was now separated from all of his friends, whom he now realized he had abandoned for his desire of the ocean. His owner moved closer to the beach so she could be with him, but she could not think of any way to help him.It happened that one day, nearly a year after his change, that he spotted a Torrey walking along the rocky cliffside. At first, he took very little notice, many people climbed the steep rocks for fun. But then he watched as she missed a step and went tumbling head over heels into the black water below. He looked around and realized there was no one else around who had seen the poor thing fall.He quickly swam to where the Torrey had fallen but could not see her at first because of how dark the water was at the base of the cliffs. As his search took longer and longer, Cave could not help but get more worried about how long the Torrey had spent underwater. If he did not reach her soon he was afraid she would not make it.Just as he thought he had searched every inch of the bottom, he noticed a dark shape. As fast as his tired body would allow he rushed over and pulled the sandy Torrey up and to the surface. He dragged her over to the beach and helped remove the seaweed from her body as she coughed up the water she had inhaled. When he was sure she would be ok, Cave flopped down on the beach and let his aching muscles relax. When he opened his eyes again, the Torrey was gone.In her place stood Shinwa, the great Goddess of Light herself. Cave scrambled to his feet, unsure of what was happening.“Peace, little one. Sit and rest; you have done well.”“But – the Torrey –““I was the Torrey dear Cave. It was I who walked along the cliff and I who fell below the waves. You have shown that you are indeed worthy of my gift. I have watched you for quite a long time. Before you ever went to Merana’s, I was watching. I knew you would go to her eventually, so it is I who brought it up to your owner. She cared for you a great deal and wanted to see you happy.”Cave nodded and looked down at the sandy beach, unable to hold the stare of the goddess. He felt shame at the words he heard, shame that he had been so unhappy and so blind to all he had had. To know the goddess had watched him made him feel worse.“You have passed my test dear Cave. You should not worry about things that have happened in the past, they cannot change. I will bestow a blessing on you for your courage, and perhaps it will help you in the future.”With a single touch to his forehead, Cave felt light explode within him. But unlike his transformation at Merana’s, he felt no pain. He actually felt the constant pain within him subside. He felt lighter than he had in years, since before his obsession took over him. He felt happier, and found that he was no longer resigned to his life in the ocean, but could go home with his owner and see his friends and family.He realized that his obsession had not just hurt him, but those who had cared for him as well. By cutting himself out of their lives he was choosing pain for both them and himself.



Coded by Virtual
Designed by CaveAdsum
Story written by CaveAdsum and wimora