The Fire Inside

Chapter 5 - The Changes

Vera’s dreams were peaceful for a change. She was floating in darkness, without fear this time. Luna’s mind was still right alongside hers, protecting and reassuring her that no nightmares were going to wake her this time. Stretching out in her dream, she could almost feel Luna’s coat, the soft flowing fur caught in her finger tips. She wrapped herself up in the feeling and relaxed into darkness and warmth.

This could be home she thought to herself.

Home? The echoing question came back to her, an almost whisper. It was Luna. She had never heard of the word before, since Vera had never spoken of it before.

Home, it is where you feel safe, a place where you can rest. You see, here she gestured to the darkness, although she was unsure if Luna could feel the gesture, here, no one can enter without permission. It is a place for me, for us.

Home sounds like you, Mom.

A smile gripped her in the darkness. She could feel appreciation and care flood through the link, and she could only imagine that her heart filled love returned to Luna. However this moment did not last long enough. As they shared their feelings, Vera felt herself slipping away from the darkness, rising upwards.

Surfacing from her sleep, she woke to Luna yawning widely, her tongue curled just outside her mouth.

“A beautiful sight to wake to,” Vera teased, and could feel embarrassment filtering through to her. Then curiosity took over. “How did you wake me?”

Oh, I just called your mind to mine. Seemed like a good plan.

“We must remember that,” Vera stated, more to herself than anything else. Sitting up, she realised Luna had grown again. She was busy licking her paws, her canines showing with each movement of her tongue. Luna’s head was now the size of Vera’s chest and head combined, her canines the length of her index finger and almost twice as thick. Her huge body, Vera was convinced was just muscle under that fur, took up more than two thirds of the bed, and was causing it to buckle under her weight.

Luna looked to Vera mid lick with one eyebrow raised. Something surprises you?

“Ha-have you seen yourself? You are enormous!”

Well thank you came the voice with a slight snarl.

“No, no, you are beautiful,” Vera responded quickly and fell against Luna, trying to hug her huge body, unable to make her hands touch on the other side of her chest. Suddenly a rough tongue ran through her hair that accompanied laughter that filled her mind.

“Think you are funny do you?” Sitting up again, she straightened her clothes, thinking over changing and decided against it, it would be too much of a hassle.

“Shall we get going?”

Let us get going came the strong reply. Vera was still adjusting to the sudden gain in maturity from Luna, and it was only strengthening. Then the real surprise came.

Luna left the bed and stretched. Standing, her shoulders almost reached the height of Vera’s. From a puppy yesterday, to the size of two malamutes standing on each other’s shoulders, Luna had grown substantially. This meant a strong connection according to what Garret had said, but she could never have prepared herself for this. She was as broad as Vera, and another half of her.

Fixing her hair and brushing out the residue from Luna’s tongue, Vera headed for the door. Reaching the street, she looked to the sun, gauging how much time they had. With gasps from those around them, Luna appeared at her side. Her stance was strong and the gentle breeze moved her fur slightly, making it sway back and forth. She appeared like an apparition of a god-like creature. Unaware of the stares, Luna spoke to Vera.

Shall we ride again?

Not wanting to seem like she was speaking to herself, Vera responded through the link. We have enough time, let us take a stroll.

Stroking Luna gently along her shoulders, she kissed her nose softly like she used to when she picked her up as a puppy. Her tail swayed happily for a moment then they set off towards the school. People stood in awe of the couple moving towards the school. Vera noticed that she had gained in grace, just as Luna had grown in size. She felt more agile and felt almost as though she was gliding in her walk. This might be because she, like Luna could draw on her ability, was drawing on Luna’s strength and power.

Even her eyes felt as though a veil had been lifted, like the world before was seen through tainted glass. She could see every crack in the pathway that once seemed perfect to her. She could see tiny insects that flew from grass patches towards the windows of the houses around them. The world was new, and she wanted to run through the streets and explore it all, however that would have to wait till after the meeting.

Vera was glad, at least, that she moved with such power. She felt that if she were to walk any slower she would annoy Luna who was happily walking at twice the pace they would normally take going anywhere. The surprising fact was that Vera felt she could still go faster without even trying, however this pace was comfortable.

Reaching the school almost as fast as they got back to the house, they went straight to the furthest point in the building. Students began surrounding the two as they waiting for entry into the Grand Chamber of the High User. Unlike earlier, Vera stood confidently at the door, breaking eye contact with the wooden material to greet a face in the crowd that she recognized. Where her confidence came from was a wonder to her. Looking over to Luna to see how she was handling the people, she was filled with sudden pride. Sitting beside her, the very wolf-like being was like a statue. Luna barely moved and her form was filled with hierarchy.

Only when Vera called to her, did she slowly turn her gaze to her. The simple movement was filled with such stature and elegance that Vera heard the crowd around them go silent. The crowed was then filled with eager whispers, filled with the names ‘Luna’ and ‘Vera’ and the word ‘eyes’.

With the sound of a door opening, Vera and Luna turned their gaze back to their front. A petite woman walked forward, her head covered by the hood of her green coat. Bowing deeply to the two waiting she beckoned them into the room. Luna stood and followed Vera into the room. The door closed behind them, but not before the crowd burst into large squabble over what was happening. Then silence.

The woman turned to the left and stood by the wall, facing inwards. The room was filled with books and shelves on one end, and a large glazed wooden table on the other. The table had two stacks of papers on them, coming close to the ceiling, ready to topple and cause a greater mess. Beyond the pile was Garret. Looking up from behind the papers, he stood and smiled at them in greeting.

“Welcome, please make yourself at home.”