Hi again! I'm starting to get into a flow with the writing process. I feel like I can do this all day! Now you're probably wondering about the thumbnail, specifically the creative liberty part. I put that there because, while Delphi is a real place, it's now completely as I describe. But, have a read for yourself and se what you think!

A Hands On Discovery

“Come on! Just a little more!”
Tim grunted to himself, his hands, red with blisters, struggled to pull his body up the mountainside. His arms ached, his legs were about to give out on him, yet he kept climbing. Reaching up, he felt a flat area just above him. Using the last of his strength, he pulled himself up, collapsing onto the ledge.
“Haa… Haa… this… will all… be… worth it… if… its… here…” Tim gasped. Reaching for his backpack, he got his water bottle and took a long drink to soothe his parched throat. Tim was an archaeologist, and he was currently chasing a theory that if true could make his career. He was looking for Delphi, the most important religious site for many ancient cultures. For months he had been poring over hundreds of records, narrowing the possible location of the site down to a single mountain, and now all he had to do was climb that mountain and find the site. However, Tim knew that he couldn’t rest for long. Others would also be hunting for the site, wanting to be the one made immortal by history, and Tim wouldn't just let someone steal his research and take all the glory. Struggling to his feet, he took a close look at the alcove he had climbed into. The walls were covered in vines and moss. A cave entrance stretches out in front of him. Stone steps leading up into the darkness. Tim’s pace quickened. These were ruins, and they hadn’t been touched in 1000 years! Even if he didn't find Delphi, he would at least have this. Pulling a flashlight out of his backpack, Tim shone the beam of light into the cave, illuminating the passage. Carefully, he started to ascend the stairs. The tunnel was full of cobwebs. Dust permeated the air, yet he still climbed higher.
“This is it. It has to be.” Tim said to himself, his voice echoing throughout the dark passageway. Eventually the tunnel levelled out, and Tim could see a feint light ahead. His pace quickened, he urged his legs to go faster, despite their protests. He burst out of the tunnel, feeling the heat of the sun once again on his skin. Looking out, he felt his breath catch in his throat.
“My god.” Tim muttered to himself. This was it. This was what he had spent months searching for. He had finally found Delphi. A cluster of buildings on the side of a mountain, with a gigantic temple to the god Apollo at the top. beyond that was a large theatre, where plays depicting the sites founding would be preformed. All around the site were smaller buildings, which Tim knew were treasures of different kingdoms. There were around thirty in total, and they served as offerings to the gods. Tim saw all of this from the bottom of the main path upwards. A zigzag stone street that old texts called the sacred way. He knew that the greatest archeological find was at the end of the sacred way, that being the oracle chamber where the sybil would sit and deliver prophecies to those who asked. He had to get there first, he had to. Tim started to walk up the sacred way, staring at the ruins of a once bustling precinct. Eventually, he reached the top, stopping next to the ruins of the temple of Apollo. In front of him, a door was set into the hills. It was made of old, decaying wood and a wisp of fog was spilling out of the cracks in the door. A shiver of excitement went up Tim’s back. He knew what this must be.
“The sanctum of the sybil! I've finally found it!” He exclaimed. temporarily forgetting his weariness, he ran to the door and carefully pushed it open, revealing a narrow staircase leading down. More wisps of vapour snaked their way up the stairs, almost like the ghosts of the past wanting to see the sun again. Tim started to make his way down, but he was barely down two steps before hearing a ka-klunk! Looking back, he saw the door close behind him. Heading back up, he tried to open the door only to find it jammed.
“Shit! I better not be trapped here!” He cursed. He got his flashlight out and turned it on, only to find it had run out of battery.
“Ohhh fuck.” Tim murmured to himself. He was trapped in the darkness. So, with no other choice, he continued down. The further down he went, the thicker the fog got. It smelled pleasant, calming Tim down and pulling him further downward. Before long, he could see a faint green light coming from the end of the tunnel. Tim followed the light and entered a circular room. The room was cold, but not uncomfortably so. Volcanic vents were scattered at the other end of the room, the fog emanating from below. In the centre of the room was a three legged stool, a curved wooden staff laying at its feet.
“Here it is. The chamber of the Pythia!” Tim said in awe, his voice echoing back up the stairs. He stood there, soaking it in. A crucial piece of history had been uncovered, and he had been the one to do it! He knew he should be taking notes, recording every single scrap of information, as well as documenting his achievements, but he just stood there, breathing in the sweet smelling volcanic vapour. It was now Tim remembered what it took to get here. His entire body ached, his legs threatened to give way. The old tripod suddenly looked a lot more comfortable. He knew he shouldn’t, it was a vital piece of the site! Yet, his body seemed to be on autopilot. He sat down on the stool. It took his weight, despite being thousands of years old. It was surprisingly comfortable, although that could just be Tim finally giving his body the rest it needed. Looking down, he saw the staff at his feet. Reaching down, he picked it up, expecting it to be rotten and flimsy. instead, he found the staff to be sturdy and strong, as if it was freshly cut. It felt warm to the touch, despite its surroundings. Holding the staff, Tim felt a sense of nostalgia, as if he had held it before. He breathed in, about to think out loud, but a ripping sound interrupted him. Looking down, Tim saw that his feet had burst out of his shoes, becoming long, black, three toed paws.
“Wha-” Tim started to say, before being interrupted by his trousers exploding off his legs, which now were covered in a sea of red fur. He stood shakily, a long bushy yellow tail closely behind him. He was not used to walking on his toes, so he leaned on the staff for balance.
“What..? How..?” Tim asked, his voice small and weak. He was confused, not only about what had just happened, but also how to feel about it. One part of his was screaming that this wasn't normal, that he should panic and run away in terror. But another part of him was stubborn, as if saying ‘why do I need to run, metaphorical tail between by legs? I am here, and no-one is going to move me.’ Yet that was not all. There was a third voice that spoke, hard to hear over the panic and anger. It was calming, soothing and relaxing. It spoke in a feminine tone, telling him that this was a completely natural process. ‘After all.’ It whispered soothingly. ‘Aren't you here to learn about Delphi?’ “Yes.” Tim said to himself. “I am here in pursuit of knowledge.” As he said this, the rest of his clothes seemed to dissolve into fog. On his chest, white fur grew. Tim ran a hand through it, marvelling at how soft it felt.
“Yes.” The voice said in his mind. “And what is the best teacher?”
“Experience.” Tim said, his voice sounding slightly higher. His hands took on the same colour as his feet. Fur and claws replaced skin and nails. More of the red fur grew along his arms. The droopiness, it looked like he was wearing a long robe, the appearance being reinforced by the fur on his legs. Yellow fur sprouted on his shoulders, curling upwards to give the appearance of shoulder pads. His head was now the only human part that remained.
“Correct.” The voice said. Or did Tim say it? Wait, was that his name? He shook his head, trying to remember.
“Do not fight this. It is everything you have ever wanted.” The voice said.
“Do… not…” he repeated. Fur had started to spread to his head, white covering his lower face, yellow for the rest. His nose and mouth stretched out, forming a muzzle. His nose, now red, at the tip. His ears traveled up to the top of his head, becoming large fox ears. Large tufts of red fur grew from his ears, looking almost like flames. The newly transformed figure opened their eyes, the iris now bright red. There was no longer any doubt in their mind as to who they were. She was Selene the delphox, the Delphic oracle. “You have my thanks, brave adventurer. Now, I can restore this sacred area, and return it to its past glory.” She said, smiling to herself. She sat, and breathed deeply. Visions of the future came to her, and she began to search for the best way to repair the site. However, a sound interrupted her. The sound of a door being forced open. Selene opened her eyes, and waited. Soon enough, a man entered the room. He wore a wide brimmed hat, with light clothes designed for exploration. A backpack was slung across his back, and he held a flashlight in his hands. Seeing him, Selene stood.
“Welcome. I am Selene, the oracle of Delphi. Have you come to ask about your fate, Darryl?”
The man staggered backwards, clearly now expecting anyone to be alive down here.
“Wh-what are you?! How do you know my name?!” He shouted. Selene giggled.
“I know a lot of things. But unfortunately for you, it seems you have failed to make an appropriate offering. Therefore, you shall be the offering.” She pointed her staff at Darryl, and the fog swirled around him. He tried to run back up the stairs, the he was blown back by a strong wind. When he stood, his lower half now matched Selene’s. Stunned, Darryl stood there, as the changes spread up his body. Before long, the fog dissipated, and where Darryl once stood there now was another female delphox.
“Congratulations, sister.” Selene said, placing a hand on the new delphox’s shoulder. “You are now a servant of Delphi.” The delphox’s eyes focused on Selene, and smiled back at her.
“Thank you, sister. It is an honour to serve.” She said.
“Now.” Selene said, looking back towards the entrance. Beyond the door, humanoid shadows could be seen waiting beyond the door. The volcanic fog swilled around her, carrying the sweet smell of the future.
“Let us see how many people will be willing to assist us in restoring this place.”