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Thane clenched his jaw tight to prevent his teeth from chattering as the cold night air nipped away at the warmth radiating off his body. Pulling the invisibility cloak tighter around him Thane made his way into the forbidden forest with the full moon overhead to guide him.
The fresh snow on the ground crunched beneath Thane's bare feet leaving a visible trail for any who wished to follow him. Though Thane doubted that anyone in a sane state of mind would be out in the middle of the night in a monster-infested forest, 'But yet here I am.'
While there was nothing about the ritual that required Thane to be outdoors in the middle of the night, Thalion had assured him that when he underwent the transformation, Thane would want a nice open area clear of observers.
"I should have done this in advance," Thane muttered only for him to pause as he felt the ground underneath his feet tremble as something approached at a breakneck speed.
After a second the tremor grew even stronger and Thane could make out the distinctive sound of hooves thundering across the ground. Then from the thicket of trees in front of Thane a towering beast burst forth into view.
Thane regarded the newcomer wearily as he slowed down from a gallop to a trot before coming to a stop a few feet in front of Thane who craned his head back to meet the centaur's eyes, "I was not aware that a tribe called the Forbidden Forest home."
After a brief moment of silence the magical beast lowered itself down on its front two legs in a kneeling gesture, "When I felt your aura I came here with the utmost haste, ready to smite whoever dared to impersonate the Great Protectors. But now I see I was a fool."
"Strange I wasn't aware that the Centaurs had an accord with my people," Thane replied as he wracked his brain for the countless centuries of Fae history that Thalion had drilled into his head.
The centaur shook his head, "We did not, but all of those who called the forest home know of and worship the Great Protectors. You breathe life into the world and without you it is only a matter of time before all suffocate."
Thane nodded his head in agreement though he felt there was some deeper meaning he was missing in the centaur's words, "What is your name?"
"Firenze, Lord Protector," Firenze the centaur replied as he bowed his head in apparent servitude, "May I ask if you are in need of assistance?"
"Your help would be welcomed addition Firenze," Thane replied with a slight smile, "I plan to undergo the animagus ritual tonight and I'm in need of a safe area to do so."
Firenze abruptly stood up, his eyes glowing with eagerness, "What a momentous occasion, I know of a hidden clearing not far from here that should be suitable for your needs."
"Then lead the way," Thane replied and Firenze nodded only for him to turn and crouch offering his flank to Thane, "You wish for me to ride on your back? Won't your tribe see such an action beneath you?"
Firenze shook his head violently, "Of course not, in fact it would be seen as an honor to serve a Great Protector."
---
"We have arrived."
Thane opened his eyes as he had kept them closed to protect against the blistering wind as Firenze sped through the forest. Looking around Thane saw they were in the middle of a large clearing surrounded on all sides by tall shale cliffs covered in snow.
Looking behind them Thane saw a small narrow passage leading out of the hidden grove, "How did you find this place, Firenze?"
"It came to me in a vision, and up until now I did not know why," Firenze replied as he lowered himself down for Thane to step onto the ground, "Is it suitable for your needs?"
"Very much so, thank you Firenze," Thane replied as he reached into his robe and pulled out a small vial filled with a bright red liquid as his spellblade appeared in his other hand.
"Do you wish for some privacy?" Firenze asked as Thane walked forward shedding his robes revealing that he was wearing nothing beneath, "There's no need, It feels right that someone is here to bear witness."
Thane replied as he placed the tip of his spell blade against his chest right over his heart and muttered the words he had said every sunrise and sundown for the last month, "Amato Animo Animato Animagus."
Thane felt the mana inside his body come alive as his pathways swelled and pulsed with energy waiting to be released. Gritting his teeth at the sudden assault on his body Thane quickly pulled off the vial's stopper and drank the red contents inside. The Animagus Potion had a heavy copper tang like blood as it made its way down Thane's throat and struck his stomach with a physical force.
Thane collapsed to his knees barely feeling the piercing cold of the snow against his bare skin as his body ignited with an inner fire that threatened to consume Thane. Gritting his teeth Thane tried to push past the pain, but it felt like his body was being turned inside out and scrubbed down with acid soaked sand paper.
As the pain continued to intensify Thane's body started to spasm and contort forcing him back to his feet as his back arched. Then with an inhumane scream Thane bent over backwards as his body elongated, transforming into something far more than human.
Thane's eyes snapped open as all of a sudden his mind shattering pain was replaced by an overwhelming sense of power. Rising into the air Thane opened his maw and let out a deep bellowing roar that reverberated inside the grove with enough force to shake the snow loose from the cliff face triggering a small avalanche.
Snapping his mouth shut after a few seconds Thane felt his massive two front fangs fold so they didn't stab through the bottom of his jaw. Exhalinging through his nostrils Thane watched as two plumes of steam rose into the air. Lowering himself back to the ground, Thane tried to get a feel for his new form, and the first thing he noticed was just how far apart his limbs were.
Even his arms were a good distance away from his head and neck, but after a moment Thane realized why that was. Craning his head around Thane stared back at his long serpentine body covered in thick silver scales that shone in the moonlight with a mane of dark green hair trailing down along his spine. With only a brief glance Thane could tell he was around twenty feet long not including his whip-like tail of hair that easily added another five feet with a pair of hind legs that could easily fold back allowing him to glide across the ground.
'I'm a dragon,' Thane thought in wonder and he looked up to the sky above him as a sudden urge compelled him to push off the ground and take flight. But through sheer force of will Thane managed to resist his new animalistic instincts, with the sky being as clear as it was there was no way he would go unnoticed, 'Not worth the risk, I'll save it for a later day.'
" Simply magnificent," Firenze muttered as Thane turned around to stare down at the centaur, "Congratulations on becoming an Animagus."
"Thank you," Thane replied in a deep rumbling voice that took him by surprise for a moment before he laughed it off, "It feels strange, unfamiliar but welcoming at the same time. Like I'm learning to walk all over again."
"I'm sure in time you'll master your new form," Firenze praised, "You are welcome to use this clearing whenever you wish."
Thane dipped his head in thanks, "I wish there was some way I could repay the favor, but at the moment I'm afraid I have little means."
"Knowing that the world is not lost is enough of a reward for me," Firenze replied honestly, "I will tell my tribe that very soon the Fae shall once more walk the Earth."