Nexyl and Múldir

Here is the finished piece of my Nexyl and Múldir piece I worked on for a few good months. I was playing around with a bunch of brushes that I am open to sharing with if you are interested. :3

First off, the textures I used were actually brushes like for the fur. I used the Dune Grass brush at around 25. The key to this brush is that with color effects it allows of your two selected colors (where your original black and white squares are in the toolbox) and it will take both of those colors and scatter them like grass. So it is good to make grass with different colors. However, for fur, I took the same color in both squares then at the line of shadow and tint, just kind of mixed directions and how much would come up or down. For the stripes, I did the same, just black and then strips of different sizes and lengths. 

For more shadows, I just took the opacity of black way down to around 18, and with over the shadowed areas I make ONE brush stroke. If I let go of it, I use the smudge tool to continue it in. 

For textures, I used filters. First I added the surface blur so the colors fuze together more and then for Múldir's clothing, I did Water Paper under Sketch and for Nexyl his cloth I did Smudge Stick, they were the best for fabric that did not distort the colors. I recommend them if you are wanting more realistic looking cloth. 

Everyone else was a regular brush stroke of coloring and I stenciled the design on Nexyl's top from a Celtic design. 

The hair I colored myself by hand....so much work... 

I started this in March, finished at the end of May. I had so much to do it, getting around to it was the hardest part. Once I got to it and I was done messing around with filters and brushes, I could get it done within a total of 4 days. Phew~! <3

Reydothe: Chapter 6 Part 2

Venril 

“Hey now, chill out Dwarf.” He said before he started to feel aroused from the small kisses caressing the nape of his neck. He almost lost it when Srel started to lick up his neck, forcing him to cover the moan that was escaping his mouth, thinking how dare this Dwarf take advantage of his weak spots like that. He was hoping that he could take the lead but having Srel on top for once was kind of hot and arousing him even more. He was almost afraid of what Srel might do if he took charge for once. 

Venril tried to keep up, to match with Srel’s movements and reciprocate the gestures but at this stage, he was too weak to even move. How could he allow something so small take over him, to dominate him like this? He knew it was only a matter of time before the passion arising in him forcing the shivers of his skin to tremble their way down to his groin, forcing his own manhood to awaken in response. However, it seemed he would not get that chance, considering Srel was only teasing him, stopping halfway to his navel with kisses. Venril didn’t know whether or not to be relieved or angry that the Dwarf had taken this opportunity to take advantage of him simply to tease him and stop halfway through. A fool he was for thinking Srel could be serious in taking charge. He was a man in charge of many things but apparently, dominating his lover was not one of them.

“Why’d you stop?” Venril asked curiously, giving Srel a very stern and annoyed look as if he did not like to be teased like that.

“It’s dinner time apparently.” He said showing that his sister was already behind them watching, for how long was a mystery. Srel looked more than embarrassed, as if he was on the verge of dying for being caught in such a private, embarrassing ordeal. 

“Oh no, don’t stop on my account.” Oera teased. “Do continue. I was just about to call the village in for a free showing.” She said with a smile, knowing very well that by her being their, it ruined their mood and she was proud to have stopped them halfway through otherwise things would have gotten really awkward for the three of them.

Venril looked embarrassed, red from ear to ear and nervous he just exposed a very shameful side of himself to Oera, a woman he respected highly. She must think of them as ridiculous, a lovey-dovey couple who can’t keep it in their pants for one second. Thankfully, he was able to keep it in his pants, resisting the urge to grow erect from the small, passionate gestures Srel gave him just moments before.

Srel kissed Venril on the lips, sweetly and smiled. “We’ll continue this later, you must be hungry after a day’s journey and all of that magick conjuring.” He said, considerate of Venril’s weaken state at this point.

“Thanks, but I’m fine when it comes to energy. I am hungry though.” He said kind of jumping back to his old self, the one who couldn’t say no to a plateful of food.” 

“Good, me too. Let’s wash up and eat. It’s rare to see Oera fixing dinner. She usually hates taking on the maternal role.” Srel said as he got off the bed and headed to the washroom, Venril slowly and hesitantly following. 

Nexyl

Nexyl had fallen asleep in the study underneath his castle at a table, a painful and unsanitary place to fall asleep, especially among a pile of dusty, old books. He looked around, feeling as if he was forgetting something until he noticed his now Werecat pet sleeping next to him in a chair. He looked at the small creature and smiled at its pudgy face, covered in fur. He wondered, what was it that he found so disgusting of this vile creature? He hated body hair but wasn’t fur a different matter? He had a few pets in his lifetime that he was able to pet, like a rabbit or a fox he had nursed back to health simply to salvage his brother’s innocence. What was it about the half-bred of humanoid and animal-like creatures did he detested so much? He studied the boy for some time before realized, it wasn’t the soft fur they were covered in or the ears and tail they were born with. What was it? 

He sighed, not knowing the matter till it hit him. The fact that they were humanoid. The fact that they were so similar to an Elf in figure and stature that he realized, that they could be considered as a concubine for an Elf if it fit some fetishism of a more humanoid being like that of an Elf. Wasn’t that what they called beastiality? A line no Elf dared to cross among species? That must be where his hatred from anything different than an Elf stemmed from, the in-breeding of different species creating monstrous new creatures. It was a soil upon the good-nature of nature, was it not? 

He looked at the child, now disgusted of any thoughts he may had earlier with considering the cub as “cute”. He was, “cute”, as any child would be with innocence and ignorance crowding the very fibers of their being, but why, why was he disgusted with the child simply because of that reason? He never planned on taking advantage of the child for his own twisted desires, did he? Surely not! He was not about to stoop so low as to caress the cub in that manner, let alone a child. He was not interested in those things despite his feelings of observance. The kid was cute because he was innocent, nothing more. A platonic sense of the idea of his adoration for this kid. That was it. He was his master, the controller of his every will. Sure, he would enjoy to dominate the child to show him who was boss but not like that. Not in the way his brother had done to his friend the Dwarf. He would not stoop to such disgusting, perversely thoughts simply because a mood swung by him. He was more moral than that. Even such feelings as adoration seemed to be pushing the line. 

He decided, no more immoral thoughts about the child, he was a slave to him, his name meant so. He would seek to control the fowl beast by his own means rather than that of his misguided thoughts of desire of pent up emotions. He would train the child to be a strong body guard, to grow stronger in muscle and stature so that in the future, the child would be protecting him for the sake of fulfilling his life-long dreams to dominate the rest of the Reydothians that was not of Elf nature. There was already a war uprising among the Reydothians near and far in conversations about the Elves taking advantage of their position as complete rulers of Reydothe. If that is their belief, then he would make it so. He will show them all who deserves the rightful rule of Reydothe. No talk of democracy or equality among creatures. Elves were number one and they will forever be the right rulers of this world. They were the supreme beings both in intellect and strength, not to mention out-aged all other creatures. They did not soil their lips with the flesh of another living creature, they did not hunt to kill for food or of the remains, they were beautiful in flesh and blood, they were intellectual and smart, devising many strategical tactics of battle and protection just in case. They were supreme in every way. Yes, they were. His brother may not think so, but Nexyl did. They would one day rule this world as their own without the others getting in their way. 

Nexyl was in a deep frenzy at his plan, one he wish to unleash within the next century or so. He looked up at the child who had just woken up, observing his masters expressions that told him his master was deep in thought over something that made him extremely proud and happy. Whatever those thoughts were, it would be in his debt to see it through for his master.

Nexyl looked at the child rather uneasily before he smiled at his master, not helping Nexyl’s uneasiness. Nexyl then began to grow firm with the child to teach him who was in control.

“Take me to my bathing quarters.” He ordered, hoping the little cat understood.

“Yes master!” He said happily as he stood up and brushed himself off then he helped Nexyl out of his chair and held his hand innocently as he led them both to the portal, and from there to a bathroom he saw a servant walk into earlier when he was out in the castle rummaging food for his master.

Nexyl was impressed by the Werecat’s sense of direction and even more shock when the cat hissed at a servant who didn’t notice the two of them standing there. His soft, cub-like roar startled the servant who had dropped his feather duster and wondered why a small Werecat was bugging him, until he saw Nexyl.

“I’m so sorry your grace! I will get this flea-ridden mongrel out of here at once.” He said believing the cat to be the problem of this scene.

Nexyl grew annoyed. “Hands off what is mine.” He ordered the servant. “This cub is my property now, I now own him as my-- pet.” Nexyl said almost about to say slave but he knew that would sound a little too weird to his servant. 

“Oh why yes, my humblest apologies my grace.” The servant said with a bow. 

“We wish to bathe this morning. Him mainly for the fleas and stench. No pet of mine is to prance around in filth and dirt all day.” He said, sounding as a proud owner of a clean and well-pampered pet. He honestly couldn’t stand the stench but he wished for the cat to accompany him, so he can teach the cub how to bathe him properly for future reference. 

“Yes, my grace.” The servant said escorting them both to the washroom. A harem of lady Elves stood naked, bowing their heads to Nexyl, in hopes to bathe the Prince yet again this fine morn. Nexyl shooed them away, not needing their services for today was a day his pet shall bathe him in privacy. 

The servant was about to run the water till Nexyl cleared his throat. “That will not be necessary.” He said to the servant who did not question his grace’s words. He left the two of them alone and closed the door.

“Múldir!” Nexyl beckoned, loudly and sternly forcing the small cat to shudder under his voice.

“Yes, Master?” He said worried he had done something wrong in his master’s presence, hoping he would not be punished so severely for whatever it was he had done.

“From this point on, you will draw my baths for me and wash my body, as my bathroom mistresses do for me occasionally. Got that? You will take their place.” He said watching the little cat’s face change from one emotion to the next.

“Oh! Right!” He said happily before he wondered what it was he was suppose to do. He first turned on the water, like he saw the servant do first when he assumed he would be drawing the bath. He made sure the temperature was right, a warm-hot sort of feeling he assumed. He then looked at the bath and wondered what needed to be done. He then noticed there were no bath supplies around: soap, shampoo, the works. He went to the large armoire with the glass doors and opened it, searching for the right labels that he knew would be for Nexyl’s bath.

Nexyl couldn’t help but snicker at the little cub’s obvious attempt to get things right in an order that should be done. He did notice that the cub was somewhat really good at knowing what was needed. He watch the water rise, hasty about its levels and the time it was taking the cub to fetch everything in one go. He didn’t want the tub to overflow but it was a good time limit for the cub. It would show how fast he was at this and possibly a tool he can use to help train the cub to do it right every time correctly and with the shortest amount of time. 

Múldir came back and set the stuff neatly on the side of the tub, a large, porcelain crevice in the middle of the floor surrounded by tile. He watched the levels of the water and by the time it hit the overflow plate he began to stop the water slowly, checking it with his foot to test its heat, it satisfactory to his tastes but not so sure about Nexyl’s. 

Nexyl stood there, wondering if the cub would realize what he was expecting next. The cub then got it, blushing a little before he went to Nexyl and helped him out of his robes he wore the day before and then grabbed his hand to help into the tub, escorting him down the porcelain steps that surrounded the tub. Nexyl smiled, proud of the cub for his first job but it wasn’t over yet.

“Now, join me, you must be washed as well and I need you to accompany me.” He ordered a little more politely this time. He noticed the cub reacting quite nervously, fidgeting slowly as he took his clothes off. His tunic vest and burlap pants were off slowly but surely. He stepped into the water only to be met with a height of water nearly drowning him. It seemed too full for him to stand in and Nexyl laughed at how short the child was at his age. 

Nexyl drained the water some till it was at the child’s shoulders, not minding a little less water in his bath for once. 

Nexyl beckoned with his finger for the cub to come over to him. The cub swimming slowly over to his master, a cat not afraid of the water it seemed. Nexyl grabbed the shampoo Múldir had fetched and lathered a glob in his hand and scrubbed it into the cub’s hair. A pet of his shall not be filthy and unkept. Taking care of a pet is a great responsibility but he was glad that a cat could eventually take care of themselves, unlike dogs. 

Múldir closed his eyes when he felt Nexyl’s hands lather in his scruffy, brown hair. He had never taken a bath in a fancy, porcelain tub like this one. His own bathing rituals were done in the river near his home with his parents and siblings. He would simply swim in the shallow river, not bothering with scented lotions and waxed bars. He had no need for him because a cat’s scent was special to not only themselves as an identity but also to their mother for finding them. He wondered what his mother and father would think of him now, owned and cloaking himself with an Elven-made product that masked odors and kept the body clean. Was soap even able to clean fur? His body was covered in short hairs of fur that made the color of his “skin”. It was a mixture of light brown and tan with occasional black stripes. The frame of his eyes were white with stripes of black coming from the tips of his eyes on the sides of his face. His markings were similar to his siblings but different in color as every cat was different by frame and color. Not one was alike, not even twins. 

Nexyl finished scrubbing the cat’s hair before grabbing a small, wooden bucket on the side of the tub and filling it with water before flowing it slowly over the cats hair, it melting against the sides of his face, sticking to it like glue before it was brushed out of his face and away from his eyes. Nexyl smiled before he wondered about the fur before he took a body lotion and started to scrub the child’s body, hugging him from behind.

The gesture seemed odd for the kid, blushing slightly and hiding his face from Nexyl’s view. He didn’t want Nexyl to scold him looking away from this oddly intimate hug that only his mother would do for him when he was scared or reading to him old legends of their kind. It was in that moment, that Múldir suddenly began to have a sense of adoration for his master, unlike from before where he thought of using the prince’s lessons in helping him grow stronger against him for revenge on his tail. All of that seemed pointless now. The Elf was not a bad guy, just misguided in his views. He was wondering if this position as pet was really the wisest of decisions and would he be taken care of in his older years by his master or will he be discarded once he was deemed useless? He knew he wanted to be by Nexyl’s side but how far would his loyalty go for his master? Would he fight on his side even when things seemed to go wrong in the world? Or would he fight against Nexyl to do what was right? Either way, he knew, saving Nexyl whether while on his side or against him was something he would definitely do. He would save Nexyl whether from outside threats or from himself. That was a given for Múldir. 

Evolve: Chapter 6 Part 1

Chapter 6

Srel

Wow that’s amazing Venril! When did you learn that?” Srel was immensely impressed with Venril’s magick. So much in so he envied his boyfriend and wished he could do it as well. 

“Thanks, Srel. I found a secret underground base of my great-grandfather’s. He had books on everything from the history and government of our people to the coming of age with Dragons. I read about fifty or more books in less than a few days.” Venril said looking exhausted from not only the spell he just cast in front of Srel but also all the hardwork he did this last week.

“That’s more than you do in regular studies.” Srel teased, knowing very well Venril’s own nerves to hit.

“Hey now. I haven’t said one thing about your height since I got here. Well, except for the picking you up at the gate. But since then, I haven’t.” Venril defended.

  “Yeah, yeah Elf. It doesn’t matter. What matters is the fact that you now have something to one-up your brother on. That cold-hearted bastard doesn’t do nothing but work and show how much better he is than you. It pisses me off.”

“Actually...” Venril started, hesitating to tell Srel the rest

“Oh for goodness sake. You showed him it didn’t you?” Srel said, pausing to wait for an answer from Venril. When Venril looked away and didn’t answer, not denying the fact he showed his twin brother the secret hideaway buried deep beneath their castle surface. “For goodness sake Ven. You know what that bastard would do if he had access to such luxury. He’d use it to his own advantage.” Srel said angry and upset.

“So have I!” Venril said in defense. “I used it to teleport partly the way here so I can get to you as fast as I could. How is that any different from what he would do for his own advantage!?” 

“You didn’t do it for your selfish desires, to better yourself so you can show someone else up like he probably would do. You used it for the sake of learning and to see a friend sooner, not to get out of doing your duties or find a short and quick way out of a messy situation.” Srel said looking disappointed.

“What if I did do that?” Venril asked curiously.

“And how would you use it to get out of a messy situation?” 

“I would...” Venril stopped himself to think about it. “Well, if you were in trouble, I’d use it to protect you and get you out of trouble.” He said, not really validating Srel’s point.

“See, you are using it for the sake of other’s, protecting them and being there for them, not because it would make you look good or because you want to prove to people that you can. You are thinking of others before yourself.” Srel said before sighing. “Tell me something. If you were in trouble, for instance, you were captured and being tortured: Would you use it to untie yourself and free yourself from their grasp or would you do what you could to teach them a lesson, giving them the same treatment as they did to you?” Srel asked.

“I’d free myself. I wouldn’t harm them with it.” He said looking like the latter was upsetting him a little.

“See, my point exactly. You wouldn’t dish out the same shit they are doing to you because you don’t think it is right. Nexyl on the other hand, he would think of that as revenge, an eye for an eye. If they laid a hand on him, he’d do the same. That is his logic. Your logic is that if you were slapped, you’d turn the other cheek. You wouldn’t think that getting even was necessary because that would mean violence and bloodshed. Which is why you are different from him.” Srel explained calmly trying to get Venril to see it his way even though he knew that was impossible considering Venril didn’t even like to talk about people behind their backs especially in a bad way.

“I know. I understand. But I still think Nexyl would contemplate on the scenario and find a way out of it without soiling his hands. He’d do what he can to not have to kill.” Venril retorted.

“He wouldn’t soil his own hands, he’d get someone else to do it for him. I betcha’ the first thing he does is get a bodyguard. Someone who he can have do his dirty work for him rather than exposing himself as a twisted soul.” Srel said knowing very well Nexyl had something up his sleeve with such power in his hands. He didn’t trust that Elf, not like he trusted Venril. 

“I still think Nexyl is a good person. Just raised differently. He had to do all the work being the oldest! I understand he hasn’t always considered the right path as his first option but he is still good. He has a heart, just like everyone else. He deserves some trust.” Venril said knowing that his brother was only doing what was logical to him. That is just how he was.

“Alright, there is no sense arguing it with you. You obviously care a lot about him.” Srel said with a sigh, wishing Venril would forget this already so they could go back to bed. “But remember one thing. While you tried to save the fly trapped in the web, he killed the spider. You saw that every life deserved a chance while he thought saving the fly meant killing the spider. That the food chain was above that of a single life. You hated him for that but he tried to reason with you, saying that if he didn’t kill the spider, the fly would have died. The only logic was that you can’t save both of them if one is to be eaten by the other.” Srel explained, hoping Venril would wake up from that but all it made him do was cry for the spider’s sake. Srel looked grossed out by Venril’s snotty nose but then he put his arms around Venril to comfort him. “I’m sorry. I know that was hard for you.” He said softly, sighing and knowing it was impossible to get through to this Elf and that part of Venril was what he liked most. 

Venril continued to cry until his sobbing eventually broke free of the sadness. He rubbed his eyes and looked up at Srel. He kissed Srel, causing Srel to blush. Venril stopped the kiss, holding Srel’s face in his arms before squishing his cheeks and smiling. Srel looked annoyed but then a thought had occurred to him and he was afraid to ask what was on his mind but Venril pinching his cheeks made him break free of that thought until Venril had asked the question.

“What’s on your mind that is making you so upset?” Venril asked.

Srel looked shocked before realizing there was no way to get anything pass this guy. “I was just thinking. If you had to choose between your brother or me, who would you pick?” Srel asked, his heart aching to know the answer but Venril’s silence was what was really hurting him the most. 

Venril kissed Srel again until Srel was almost out of oxygen. “I know that will never happen but if it did, I would come to you before him. You have always been there for me, so having you here now, makes me think no matter what you will always be there. I’ll even protect you from him if I have to.” Venril said looking serious and almost on the brink of jealousy, that no one will touch his beloved Dwarf, not as long as he was still alive and kicking.

Srel looked at Venril’s serious face, admiring how cool and tough he looked, seeing it in his eyes the devotion Venril had for him and it started to make him tear-up a little until he kissed Venril back, shoving him down on the bed. “Man, you looked so cool just then, I can’t resist now.” He said before he started to kiss Venril’s neck.

Evolve: Chapter 5 Part 2 (End)

Ronen

“He made the little Werecat cut off half of his tail?” Sally whined with tears in her eyes. 

Ronen looked sad to have to tell them such a dark part of the story but it was true, Nexyl was not all sugar, spice, and everything nice like Venril. He was the antagonist of the story and a real dark character. He was what caused everything to fall out of place for Venril, leading the entire story to take the course it was already on. Without Nexyl, there would be no plot and yet he was not about to mention it to them. He wanted them to feel surprised when he finally got to that point.

“Yes, I’m sorry but that was what happened and just how Nexyl is. But it gets better for the Werecat, I promise. Múldir just has to go through some negativity to achieve happiness. Some people have to to get through in life. You guys have to do chores and homework before having dessert right?” He asked curiously.

“Yes, and it’s awful!” Petey shouted, looking annoyed he had to do work before play.

Ronen laughed. “Yes it is awful, but it is part of life. Trust me. Nexyl treats Múldir a lot better afterwards. Remember, he felt a little sense of guilt for what he did for the cub. He may have a twisted mind and heart, but he’s not entirely awful. Trust me, he just part of the story that leads to something bigger.” He said with a smile, patting Sally’s head so she would stop sobbing.

“Okay.” She said through sniffles, drying her eyes with the back of her hand.

“So what happens afterwards?” Petey asked eagerly.

“I’m getting to it, chill Pete.” Ronen said with a smile, glad to see him so excited to hear this story.

Evolve: Chapter 5 Part 1

Chapter 5

Nexyl

Nexyl was busy in the hidden study late at night. His duties were postponed another day considering his mother was worried about him staying up for quite a few days straight. She wanted to make sure he had enough sleep and was well rested.

He was aware he worked better when he was rested and during the day, but given the hour of the night and his obsession to learning as much as Venril had known already, he was determined and had a lot of energy for studying it seemed. However, all that studying didn’t necessarily keep him in his normal beautician state. His long platinum blond hair was messy and his garments were unevenly buttoned. He didn’t care. He was too wrapped up into learning about Dragons and magic. 

He had found a different magic book, one that was able to manipulative minds and ideals to the wielder's bidding. He was also intrigued it worked on anything, object and living creature. He tested it on a lonely ant who followed his finger in the direction it went and obeyed his every command. He then told the ant to kill itself and it obeyed obediently, traveling up the table’s legs and up the wax shaft of the candle before traveling into the flame. He was surprised the spell worked so well but he did realize that the ant was a small creature, anything larger may be more reluctant. He then decided to test the theory on something bigger. 

He saw a Werecat cub traveling in the hallway trying to catch itself a mouse. It seemed that Venril wasn’t the only one who could find this hidden chamber. The Werecats must have known of its existence the more they hunted for mice. A sick habit, to eat another creature for the sake of food. He was an herbivore and never once ate meat. He believed the land was enough to provide for oneself, not the sake of another living being. He understood that it was a necessity in most creatures, but he did not understand why you needed meat to survive. Plants provided enough nutrition and protein to survive so why did some creatures need meat to survive? What was so special about it? Certainly he was not going to try it but he was willing to wager on a creature’s life for the sake of proving who was the strongest. 

He walked out to the hallway and cleared his throat, the echo of his voice spooking the little cub as it hid behind a corner, allowing the mice to live and be set free from its grasp. 

“Werecat. This is a restricted area. Only the royal family shall be allowed entrance into its halls.” He ordered sounding stern with the cub. 

The Werecat, young and possibly resembling a five-year-old child, looked at Nexyl with scared, cautious eyes. He did, however, understand that he was not allowed to speak to the Prince so kindly, especially not this prince. Nexyl was not as kind to his family as Venril was, he could tell that by scent. He feared Nexyl just as he feared getting in trouble for being down there playing with his dinner.

“Well young cub, what do you have to say?” Nexyl asked, trying to be polite even though disgust ran through his veins at the very sight of the cub.

“I-I’m sorry...” He stuttered softly. “It won’t happen again.” He said sadly.

“Very well.” Nexyl said before he decided to try the spell out on the cub. He raised out his hand to the cub who shook in fear, smelling something off from the Elf’s hand. Nexyl chanted the text for the manipulation spell and the cub’s eyes grew hazy and cold. Nexyl’s hand lowered when the cat was under his spell and he smiled. 

“Come here.” Nexyl ordered, the cub obeying obediently. 

The young cub stood in front of Nexyl, straight and tall for its master. His tail wagging behind him.

Nexyl grew annoyed with the tail and decided to test his commands. He pulled out a dagger from his pocket and smiled. “Now, I order you to cut off half of your tail. You all look the same to me and it is difficult to tell you apart.” He said as he handed the dagger to the cub.

The cub took it, shaking reluctantly, fearing for its tail to be cut off. He sat down and grabbed his tail, holding it straight on the floor as his eyes started to cry. “But master...it is my tail...” He said hoping to change his master’s mind. “It is connected to my spine is it not? I don’t think I can.” The cub said, his voice shaking as much as his body was in fear. The dagger in his hand was shaking so much, Nexyl thought that the cub was going to resist and fight back or not have the courage to do it. 

“Reluctant are we? Guess the spell is impervious to freewill even while under control.” Nexyl sighed. “I will be nice and relieve you of the pain. It will be like docking a tail on dogs.” He then used some magic to relieve the pain in the animals tail in the area where the line should be drawn. “Cut there. There will be no pain and I will close the wound up myself.” He said still ordering the cub to do it. 

The cub gulped in fear and kept his tail still as he hastily cut his own tail off in half where the dock line was. Tears fell down his face at the lost of his tail. There was blood but no pain as Nexyl had described. The cat was crying in fear and sadness for the lost of his tail but he was told that with milk it grows back in Werecats. That thought of having his tail again gave him some hope of having it again and Nexyl could see it in his eyes. The cub was hugged his tail to tell it everything was going to be alright and that it will have its friend back. 

“Good. Now do not drink milk unless I tell you so. I know how it works for you creatures. You are now my slave, this marks proof of that, got it?” Nexyl said, hate and anger in his eyes, more from the fact that he actually felt a little bit of guilt in him after seeing the pain in the cub’s face. “Do not disobey me again cub.” He said to the cub who nodded, his tears slowly fading but the blood did not. 

Nexyl closed the wound up with his magic and the blood stopped but the stain remained on the floor. “Do you have a name cub?” He asked, not willing to call the Werecat “cub” anymore and for some reason feeling oddly attached to the little creature despite his hatred for all things that was not of Elven make.

“We aren’t given names.” He said honestly.

“Then how do you tell each other apart?” Nexyl said quite unamused and annoyed at such simple-minded creatures who felt no sense in creating an identity for themselves even with something as simple as a name. 

“By scent. Our mother does not name us, she knows us individually by scent.” 

“Fine then. I shall give you a name. From now on you refer to me as Master or Master Nexyl. You will be named Múldir meaning “Slave”. Do not forget it.” He said, flipping his long hair from the side of his face back behind him before walking back into the chamber to continue his studies. 

The cub’s eyes returned to normal. He had a master, finally. Once named Werecats were forever pets to their masters, leaving the manipulation spell pointless. He was loyal by name alone, and despite his feelings for this horrible man, he still was grateful to Nexyl for even bothering to give him a name rather than forcing him under a spell forever. That meant that Nexyl was willing to own him without the need of a spell. Múldir was free from the spell but now a pet to Nexyl. He didn’t like being this Elf’s pet but he was finally owned which is what any Werecat cub has dreamed of since their parents told them that being loved is as great as giving love. However, this also meant he had to abide by this man’s wishes, probably unable to return home, to his parents or his siblings. He was locked away as a slave, with a name that meant slave. A horrid irony. He wasn’t sure about what he thought of that. He should be grateful regardless of the name and its meaning or his relationship with the owner who named him, but he wasn’t, at least not entirely. He knew if the time needed him to go against his master, he would. He was too strong-willed to be tied down to someone even if the moralities of his owner was twisted. 

He picked up the remaining tip of his tail and went to Nexyl. He was still afraid of Nexyl, worried that he wouldn’t understand his request let alone wish to be disturb but he had to keep his tail. It was a part of him and and he wanted to remember this day and what Nexyl did to him, so he would know who did this to him. He didn’t want to forget cutting off his tail or who made him do it by force. He wanted that memory and he knew that time would not give that to him. Not like this. 

“Umm Master.” He asked softly.

“What is it?” Nexyl said not looking up from his book and surprisingly not sounding quite upset from being disturbed. 

“Could you put a spell on this part of my tail to keep it from deteriorating over time? I would like to keep it as a reminder of my obedience to you as your slave.” He asked worried of Nexyl’s response.

Nexyl looked up and at the tail and then smiled. “Good idea. It shall remind you of where you belong and to never question me, that this is the hold I have on you, much like a collar it would seem.” He said before he looked at a spell to preserve life and limbs. He put the spell on the tail, it not alive but forever in tact as it was in that moment. 

Múldir smiled and wrapped the tail around his waste, it long enough for him to wear it as a belt with enough room to grow into. Nexyl was proud his little pet was so wise to know where he stood in comparison and that his spell would forever remain in check, not realizing that by giving the cub a name broke it as immediately as it was made. 

“Now, go upstairs and fetch me some light food and some water. Be quick and be sneaky about it. I have not made it known to my subjects that you are my pet as of now. There should be some tomato basil soup on a pot, go bring me a bowl. Take that portal there. It leads to the closet of my room. You may not be able to enter into it from the other side so you will have to find your way back outside or however else you got in. Understood?” He ordered.

“Yes sir!” Múldir responded as he went through the portal and went to the kitchen. Using his claws and the ceiling as his means of sneaking around, the shadows close at hand to aid him in his quest. He halted when he saw a guard or a servant passing by or standing by a door of great importance. He wondered about the guards. Elves were naturally gifted in strength and skill, why would they need guards for protection when they could obviously protect themselves. He made it to the kitchen, the staff not at hand so late in the night. He found the pot and jumped down from the ceiling, grabbing a bowl of soup from off the counter and a glass and pitcher of water, the jug was heavy for him but he was able to manage, being stronger than the average child. He placed the pitcher of water on his head and balanced it as he walked sneakily back to the portal in Nexyl’s room. He was almost caught by a guard who noticed the child but simply thought he was a statue as Múldir stood still. He finally left the guards side when the guard looked the other away. Múldir could tell the guard was nervous about a small child staring at him for so long so he obviously turned and looked away only to notice the statue was gone when he checked again, confusing him and wondering if working so late at night was playing tricks on his eyes. 

He finally made it back to Nexyl’s room, eyeing the portal for something, looking at it before he sniffed it, wondering if he could smell Nexyl through it. The tail he had around his waist started to glow, the magic in the portal obviously having an affect on it as it was still under Nexyl’s spell, allowing him to pass through again despite Nexyl’s predictions.

He smiled at his master when he returned through the portal, Nexyl was confused about how the child did such a thing but when he noticed the tail around the cub’s waist glowing he understood that any spell he created was still a part of him which allowed those under his spells to pass through. Interesting, he thought but thankful it was a quicker way to return to him than for the cub to have to find his way around on his own searching for another way in. 

“Thank you Múldir.” He said noticing that the cub smiled even more when his name was called by his master. Nexyl stared at the cub and realized that Venril was right, Werecats were cute but it wasn’t because they were furry or because of their features. He really did not like the cats personally, but for some reason this little cub was different. He couldn’t understand what it was, but this cub was certainly undeniably happy for a slave. Who would be happy about being forced under a spell for the sake of abiding by someone’s wishes? Was it the spell’s fault this child was so pleased to be with him or was it because for the first time in his life, he had someone he could talk to openly about his thoughts without needing to sound proper or polite. He could order this cub around and make it do whatever he wished, and he didn’t have to force his own self to be something he was not. He was honest with the cub, and the cub was obviously being honest with him. His smile was clear of that.

“If you are tired Múldir, you may rest. But wake up when I call in case I need anything.” He said still ordering the cat around but not as harshly as before.

“Yes master.” He said with a smile before he laid down on the floor stretched out and started to sleep. Again he seemed cute to Nexyl but this time more amusingly than pure cuteness. He was a strange cat indeed, a lightly tan colored cat with striking black spots resembling that of a Serval, yet he knew that this cat was more of a domestic cat than a wild one. His ears were striped with thick horizontal, black markings. He looked to be a Savannah. Nexyl knew that the Savannah type of Werecats were friendly and loyal like dogs, affectionate, and grew up to be large creatures with long legs, especially the males. If trained right and exercised daily, this little cub would turn into a bodyguard for Nexyl which was perfect for him. He could not only have the cub do his biding for him but also fight his battles as well as his main protector.  Not to mention he could finally have a guard he could openly discuss his problems and secrets to. How long did Werecats grow? The cub was about five-years-old in form but possibly twenty in years. Which meant that they aged every four years. By the time the cat was twenty-five in form, it would take the cat a hundred years to grow. A century was enough time, especially since Nexyl was not open to starting a war with Reydothe at that moment in time. He needed time and what a better way to do so when his main protector was at his peak in strength.  

Nexyl went back to his studies as he occasionally grazed on his dinner Múldir brought for him. It was cold but with tomato soup, it was fine. He was just happy to have something. Hopefully soon he could go to bed. he questioned where the cub would sleep. He didn’t want the cat in his bed nor on his furniture. He had to make preparations so he wouldn’t seem cold-hearted with the creature around his servants or brother. Venril. He thought of Venril for a bit as he ate, wondering what he would think of when witnessing the sight of the tail. Would he lie to his brother and say the cub had an accident and he did all he could to make sure the cat wasn’t in any pain and with a sense of guilt adopted the poor thing. It was possible but how would it sound. Would Venril see through his lies or was he still too naive to think poorly of his brother, who had many secrets he kept, especially from his own twin. It was obvious he wasn’t able to trust his brother and his brother’s moralities and their judgment against him. He didn’t need that kind of pressure, not even from his brother. He feared that he might one day have to rid his brother from this world if it meant standing against him and his ideals he had against the creatures uprising against him and his kingdom. He would not allow that to happen, not as long as he was alive and still Prince of Reydothe.

Evolve: Chapter 3 Part 4/End

Nexyl

Nexyl mastered a lot of the basic spells his brother showed him and after lunch they were to build the portal from the library to Nexyl's closet. He was really excited about that. He didn't want to have to resort to going all the way out to the garden and touching his great-great grandfather's statue right in the middle of his crotch area. It was not a place he wanted to touch, especially not on a male family member. 

Nexyl knew his brother was open to that sort of relationship. He didn't think his brother was only interested in men, just that he found someone to be with and that that love was all he needed in this world. He knew his brother found women attractive, and if he had found a female to be with, then he would be with her rather than with that Dwarf. Well, a Dwarf. He wasn't sure if it was that Srel person or someone close to Srel. He just knew that Venril's lover was a male Dwarf in the West where he usually goes and visits his friend Srel. He didn't know much, just that he suspected it might be Srel.

Nexyl was not a fan of Srel. He thought Srel had a short temper and was too fond of the Dwarves. He never liked to look down on others, especially other races who he felt had no equal status in the Kingdom. However, he was not going to judge his brother or butt into his personal affairs. It was not his duty to do so so there was no need to.

Venril came back from his portal in his room and smiled. "Okay the portal for you in the library is ready. Now just need to connect the one in your closet to that one." He said before he forced Nexyl's hands onto the portal's sides and supported his back. "Now, concentrate on the portal downstairs, the one near the left bookcase, picture it and then put all your energy and magick into this one and the connection should be set." 

"Should be?" Nexyl questioned looking confused and worried.

"Yeah, it worked for me and the connection helped. And believe that it is possible, hold that thought and don't let go. Okay?"

Nexyl looked nervous before he sighed and closed his eyes. "Yes." He then thought of the portal, even though he hasn't seen it before and pictured it in his mind. His Elf light glowed brighter and his hands looked like they were on fire or the flesh was burning off with steam arising from it. His energy was strong and his magick was young but able to grow quickly and with that the portal was opening and the hazy purple and blue colors were forming inside the rims of the frame his hands were placed on. He could feel Venril's hands supporting him. It was a good thing Venril was there otherwise Nexy would be pushed back by the force of his magick and thrown into a wall. He wondered how his brother did this alone and he knew that he was not about to be second in comparison to his brother. With that resolve his portal was forming and he was creating his own portal and when he was almost spent of energy, he let go and thankfully he finished it because he was not sure he had enough energy to do it a second time. 

After a few breaths and his brother catching him as he felt back he looked up at his brother curiously. "So why did I have to do that?" 

"Because now it is your portal, no one may enter it without your guidance first." Venril said with a smile before he picked his brother up and set Nexyl on his bed opposite from the closet in the middle. "Now just rest a while and you should be back to normal. It took a lot out of me too." He said with a smile and knelt down by his brother's bed and laid his head on the sheets as he watched his brother to make sure he was alright. 

Nexyl smiled and he reached his hand up and started to pet his brother's head. "Thank you." He said with a smile. "When do you leave today for the Dwarf village in the west?" He asked looking a little sad he'd have to be parted from his brother for a few days.

"I was going to leave after I helped you with the portal. If you want to stay till your energy has come back I will." He said holding onto his brother's hand to stop the petting as well as comfort him. "It's alright, you can leave when you want. It shouldn't be long till I am up and running again." He said with a smile. He glanced over at the portal and smiled. "On your way out though, can you close my closet and make sure it is hidden from my servants?" 

"Of course. I'll be sure to do that. Rest for about an hour or two and you should feel better." He said with a smile before he stood up and kissed his brother on the forehead. "Take care brother, I'll see you within a week or two." He said sweetly with a caring smile.

"Likewise. Have fun." He said with a sweet smile back and went slowly to sleep to rest.

Venril smiled and walked to the closet and closed the doors and then he looked back before he left his brother's room and smiled one last time before closing the door and told the servants not to disturb him for a few hours. 

Venril

He finished packing hours ago and was ready to leave, knowing very well he should considering it would get dark soon. He grabbed his sack, archery equipment and sword, a few snacks for the journey and left the Kingdom. When he was far enough from the walls of the Kingdom, he started to teleport little by little till he was halfway to Srel's village. It took him until dark to reach to the halfway point which was usually marked by Srel and him as a very obscure looking tree that twisted around in the ground and bore a oddly shaped burn mark in the center of its thick trunk. He always wondered about the mark and where it came from. He and Srel talked about it numerous times about where it originated from and Srel's theory was a torch. Of course, he always picked torches as his main answer for burn marks. It would strike Srel in the pride to see Elven magick for the first time. 

Venril smiled and looked down at his hand. It was growing darker as the shadows begun to form around him from the setting sun. He loved nightfall. It was the perfect time of the weather for him and the most enjoyable moment of the day. He was always a night owl and knew very well that if he could have it his way, he would wake up at night and sleep during the day. During the summer that is. So far, he never got that opportunity with his stiff schedule as a prince. He sighed and walked a little ways to get his energy back up so he could continue teleporting.

He was tired and needed to rest. He knew it would take a few more hours before he was even close to the village, however, his excitement was growing the more he got closer to see Srel. He couldn't wait to see Srel and finally get a chance to be with him again, let alone tease him for all he was worth. Venril smiled and remembered moments where teasing Srel was difficult because Srel was not in the mood to even be teased. Typical for a dwarf, always ending the conversation short. Venril gasped before he laughed finding the pun way too amusing to pass up. It was too easy to make short jokes and puns, especially when considering his friend.

However, his friend was not the typical Dwarf, he was taller than the rest which made Venril happy. Srel would be easy to spot in a crowd of Dwarves let alone in general. He wondered about Srel and his family lineage and why Srel was so much taller than most Dwarves. It was too weird to have a Dwarf so tall. His entire family was like that. Even his father was tall. His mother was quite stout but didn't eat much so her weight was usually thin and much more lankier than that of a normal Dwarf. Venril thought at one time that Srel might be a Half-Dwarf. It wasn't a common thing but he did read about it once or twice from his grandfather's stories. However, a Half-Dwarf usually consisted of a human in the mix which would be weird considering only magick could bring Humans to their world or transport one being to the next world. It was something only magick thought of doing. If that was the case, however, it would explain a lot about Srel. 

Venril sighed, realizing it was hard keeping up a long distance relationship but thankfully that won't last much longer. He planned on creating a portal for Srel and him so they can see each other more often. He already built a portal in his room in his second closet so he could see Srel. All he needed was to create the other one in Srel's closet so they could see each whenever, hopefully every night. The thought of such a thing occurring made him even more excited, allowing him to regain his energy and begin his journey again. The rest of his stops consisted of snacks and small breaking points to refuel his energy. He had to admit though, he was getting better and better at magick. He did remember to bring the magick book with him to learn more and show Srel. He was really curious if other creatures other than Elves could create magick too. The thought made him smile, and he was even happier to see Srel walking up from the village he was only feet away from. They smiled at each other before running up to each other, wrapping each other in a hug and holding on tightly as if they never wanted to let go. 

Srel seemed surprised to see Venril so early and so fast considering he just got the letter early that morning. However, he waited by the gate just to be sure Venril wasn't walking into the village on his own without an welcome back greeting. 

"It's good to see you Srel." Venril said, letting go of his hug and placing a hand on Srel's face. 

"Likewise Venril." He said before he grabbed Venril's shirt and pulled him down into a desperate, longing kiss. Venril smiled in the kiss and then picked Srel up simply to make him mad that he was being picked up and treated like the submissive one. It worked because Srel grew irritated and started to pinch Venril's cheek to punish him. 

"Don't ruin the moment with cheap tricks, idiot…" Srel said irritatedly and pushed Venril away so he could be put down. "Now are you coming or not?" 

Venril smiled and sighed. "Goodness, I sure have missed that short temper of yours." Venril said as he hugged Srel from behind. 

"Yeah yeah," Srel said before he hopped Venril up in the air and gave him a piggy back ride to his house, surprising Venril and startling him that such a short guy could carry such a large Elf.