A second-person transformation story in which the reader finds themselves gradually experiencing a deeply welcome transformation into Fleet from Rivals/Dungeons of Aether.

For context, this story was written entirely for myself, and is heavily personalized for my own experiences. The perspective was fully intended to be my own. Despite that, I figured I'd post it just in case someone else got anything out of it. Doesn't hurt to show off my writing, either!

I actually started this one last year, but only finally decided to finish it this week. I'm very happy with it!

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Today was the day.

Opening the door, you look down at the large package laying on your porch. After months of waiting, you had finally received your commission order – a custom prop replica of Fleet's bow, handcrafted just for you. The amount of money this had cost was a bit embarrassing, but something like this was worth any price for you. You had tried to rationalize it as being part of a cosplay, but deep down (maybe not that deep down – everyone close to you knew your real motives) you really just wanted to have your bow. It brought you deep comfort, knowing you could be closer to your true self in this way.

Now if only you had your own body.

You had always felt deeply uncomfortable in your own skin. The very idea of being human had brought you distress throughout your entire life, pretty much as far back as you could possibly remember. Maybe some considered you crazy (and you knew they did), but their perception didn't change the fact that your barren flesh crushed down on your soul each day. Hell, you wish they were right, that this was something you could stamp out and just live normally from there. There was nothing that really created these feelings, or anything that mitigated them; somehow, your mind and soul were hard-wired to desire a different form. Granted, for a long time, you didn't know exactly what you wanted that form to be – just what you didn't. That was until you had discovered Fleet, the clumsy archer fox girl from the Aether games, and suddenly it all clicked into place.

Looking at her, you saw nothing but yourself – not just in body, but as a person. Deep down, you knew that somehow, some way, that was who you were meant to be. You'd taken steps to make your body more feminine, and it certainly helped, but there was nothing you could do about your humanity. You'd spent the majority of your years dreaming about the body and life that was truly yours – about different scenarios that would allow you to become her and finally live as yourself, but to no avail. The best you could do was find little things that made it hurt less; cute little art pieces, a giant merchandise collection (at least relative to how much existed, which unfortunately wasn't much), and a friend group that truly recognized you as Fleet. That was what this bow represented – a massive piece of your true self, that allowed you to feel just a little more resonant with who you really were.

But would it ever be enough?

You try to put that idea away. This was a once-in-a-lifetime moment, and you didn't want to ruin it with those thoughts. You pick up the box, and notice it's significantly heavier than you expected. It was a prop – it shouldn't be too heavy, right? Maybe you just misunderstood what these things were made of, you reassure yourself as you walk to your room.

Placing the box on your bed, you grab a pair of scissors to pierce the tape holding it together. They were shoddy, but it was the only pair you really had in the house. Enough to open a box, at least. Your Fleet plushie stares at you from across the bed, and you can't help but give her a little cuddle amid the excitement.

Using the scissors, you pry open the folds and gaze your eyes upon the product of all these months waiting. It was... even better than you could've imagined. Completely speechless, you analyzed its incredible form inside the package; the perfect craftsmanship and genuine appearance of the body, the top quality bowstring, and the way it flawlessly wrapped around to bring it all together.. Even the purple gems embedded into the side looked like real, pristine crystals. You could almost actually sense some kind of magical aura emanating from them, though that was definitely just in your head.

An immense wave of euphoria washes over you. This didn't even feel like a prop or a replica; this truly was your bow. It practically calls to you, and before you've even processed it, your hands reach into the box to pick it up. You wrap your fingers around it and lift it out, brushing the rest of the packaging aside.

It feels perfect in your hands. Heavy enough to feel genuine, yet light enough to be easily wielded. Inspecting it closely, you can't help but admire its quality even more. If you didn't know any better, you''d think this was the real deal. Despite its immense cost, this may have been the best purchase you ever made.

As you continue to admire the bow's immaculate form, something incredible has begun.

Right where you've placed your hands, a dark brown hair begins to sprout on your thumb. At first, it's too subtle to notice. But then, one hair becomes two, then four, then dozens. This growth does not hurt at all – rather, a warm, oddly serene tingle spreads across your thumb, as though your flesh is being swept up by a sea of soft bliss. This feeling only spreads farther, reaching your palm and extending to your other fingers, before the source of this sensation finally catches your eye.

Placing your other hand against this strange hair, you come to realize it wasn't quite hair at all. This was fur – wonderfully soft fur, at that. The bow in your hands is now shimmering, the stunning wind crystals now beaming a beautiful pink aura that seems to seep into your very skin.

Before your eyes, your fingernails harden and sharpen into black claws. Of course, you've had one too many dreams like this to instantly believe what you're seeing. And yet... this seemed different. This was more vivid, more coherent than anything you had ever experienced. Although the fear of disappointment still lingered in your mind, something deep down knew that this was reality.

Your palms and fingertips push outwards around this fur, forming soft yet rigid paw pads that rapidly take on a pinkish hue. Mesmerized, you press your finger against your palm and take in the sensations of your new paw. This really wasn't a dream – it was far too vivid to be. It was real.

It all made sense now. The reason the bow looked so perfect was because it wasn't a replica; it was the genuine article. You had no idea how that could happen, but somehow Fleet's actual bow had come into your possession. And, now that it finally found its true wielder, the magic within the crystals was making the changes you needed to live up to that title. All this meant one thing: you were turning into Fleet.

You knew that the bow was causing the transformation, but you had no desire to drop it. If anything, you only tighten your grip around its flawless frame. After all, why wouldn't you want your greatest dream to come true?

You had never considered something like this could actually happen. This event – something that once seemed absolutely impossible – was the greatest thing that ever could've happened to you. After all this time, after all the pain you've endured, everything was finally becoming right. Despite the overwhelming urge to cry, to break down in tears of sheer bliss and relief, you were far too engrossed in the changes that continued throughout your body. You wanted – no, you needed to experience every little thing that was going to happen next.

With your hand fully transformed into a fluffy fox paw, your pelt begins to creep up your arm. The brown coloration unevenly gives way to a bright orange coat as it reaches your elbow, while a soft tuft poofs out at the joint. As this blissful warmth spreads along your body, you can feel the very mass in your arm shifting; growing ever so slightly smaller as fat gives way to lean muscle. An archer like you needed strong arms, after all!

Your other hand isn't far behind. The very same fur appears on your fingertips and spreads quickly, transitioning from dark brown to orange as claws and paw pads form once more. The way you interacted with the world around you had permanently changed, altering the hands you were once forced to interact with into something far more recognizable. Whenever you looked forward – whenever you did anything at all – you would finally see your own paws in front of you.

In this state of pure euphoria, you decide to try something you've longed for your entire life. You take one paw to the opposing arm and begin to... pet. You gently brush against your own fur, back and forth.

It's everything you ever dreamed of.

The feeling is indescribable – the single most soothing thing you've ever experienced. Every last worry practically melts away, finally being able to feel this comfort for the first time. You imagined that you could sit here forever, just soaking in the softness of your very own fur. And, if this was so incredible, just imagine being pet by someone else!

Of course, this would have to wait, because things were far from over. The sensation spreads to your shoulders and upper chest, leaving a luscious fur coat in its wake. Your chest, however, takes on another hue; a lighter cream color, just like the underbelly of a fox. The wave of change shows no sign of stopping, proceeding up your neck with the same pattern of colors.

The muscles in your throat contract and shift, and pressing one paw against your neck confirms your suspicions. Your Adam's apple had completely vanished, leaving behind nothing but the luscious fur still running up your neck. This revelation makes you gasp out of reflex.

For the first time in your life, you recognize the voice that comes out.

Your voice.

“This is... really me...” you whisper to yourself in disbelief. You can truly hear how you sound now; the grating masculine tone you resented had given way to something cute and feminine, yet lively and energetic. That was Fleet's voice – your voice – down to the most subtle detail.

The spreading pelt continues up your neck and reaches your head, gradually filling out the lower half of your face with soft cream-colored fur. As it reaches upwards and outwards, the coloration shifts back to orange, except for the area around each of your eyes. From here, the structural changes follow suit. A gentle pressure forces your eyes shut, as you feel them grow larger and take on a cuter, more rounded shape. As the force fades and you reopen them, you notice that your vision appears blurrier than before. With an educated hunch as to why, you remove your glasses and realize you could now see perfectly fine without them. Fleet didn't wear glasses, after all!

It's a good thing you removed them when you did, because the following change wouldn't have spared them anyway. Your nose dampens and takes on a black hue, morphing into the triangular shape of a fox. At the same time, the surrounding area of your face presses farther and farther out, forming a snout in your peripheral vision. As surreal as the feeling is, you don't feel any pain – rather, the same gentle warmth accompanies this development. Inside your mouth, your teeth sharpen into proper fangs befitting of your new muzzle.

As the changes progress to the top of your head, your ears transform drastically. The cartilage begins to morph into an unrecognizable form, pulling itself closer to the top of your head while the shape grows and adjusts to form a pair of large, pointed fox ears. To match their vulpine appearance, your hearing improves in turn, becoming far more acute than ever before. You're taken aback by a growing awareness of all the minute sounds around you, but you're able to quickly adjust to this heightened sense.

Completely surrounded by fur, your hair finally gives way to the ever-growing sea of orange. The dark brown hair which once fell to your shoulders retracted back, taking on the same color and texture as everything else. In its place, the mass of fur on the back of your head grows out and groups together, forming a spiky “hairstyle” curling all the way upwards.

Your vision would learn to filter it out eventually, but for the time being, that fox snout remained in your sight. Its continuous presence acted as a constant reminder that you were no longer human. That realization sends a deep chill down your spine, your entire body quivering a bit from sheer euphoria.

As the changes to your head conclude, the blissful sensation works its way down your torso. More orange fur spreads to cover every inch of your skin, accentuated by the lighter cream coloring on your chest and stomach. At the same time, a small weight develops on your chest, forming small but certainly not nonexistent breasts. In fact, your entire composition is becoming more feminine. As your waist slims out into a very slight hourglass shape, your stomach flattens out and the muscles within tighten. Although you weren't particularly out of shape in the first place, Fleet was certainly more healthy and athletic than your present self.

In the midst of your own physical transformation, it seems as though your clothes are beginning to follow suit. You can feel the fabric on your chest shift around as your hoodie seemingly splits into two layers, with the outermost piece solidifying into a large leathery “collar” around your neck.. The flaps of your cloak extend from the edges and drape around your sides, as the front extends downwards and hardens into a sort of chestplate. The remainder of your hoodie retracts into itself, exposing your newly fluffy arms and midriff to the world as it forms a new undershirt. The coloration of both pieces gives way to a bluish purple, with lighter accents appearing on the cloak.

With the top half of your outfit complete, your transformation continues downwards. Your fur coat reaches onto your legs, the cream underbelly tapering off at your inner thighs. That wasn't the only change to occur in that area, but you didn't feel the need to linger on the other. Needless to say, you were finally a woman, through and through.

Soon enough, not a single inch of bare skin remains on your lower body. Underneath the fluffy coat, the composition changes once again, replacing fat with lean muscle. Even in the moment, they feel different – powerful, yet nimble and precise. Fully equipped with the physique of an acrobatic archer girl, you feel more alive and energetic than ever before.

Once again, your outfit follows along with the changes. The comfortable jogging pants you were previously wearing expanded outwards into a baggier composition, and the dark hue transitions into a natural beige. On your backside, you feel an opening form – although you can't see it yourself, you can only assume it's a hole for a tail.

Seemingly out of nowhere, a bluish-purple belt wraps its way around your waist, adorned with a large circular buckle and a small pouch by your thigh. Right below this pouch, a second belt loops around your side. At the same time, your shoes appear to crawl up your leg. Now assuming the same blue color and leathery texture as your cloak, the footwear swiftly reaches up to your shins. The top of each shoe folds over, showcasing a lighter accent color on each side. On the contrary, the caps peel backwards, morphing into an open-toe style for your eventual paws.

That's right, your paws. Your arms wouldn't be the only limb to change in that way, after all. Almost as if on cue, a feeling of pressure manifests in your left foot. Although your stance would remain plantigrade, the sole of your foot still lengthens considerably into a more vulpine shape. Just like before, your nails sharpen into black claws, as the ball of your foot and the bottoms of your toes push outwards into soft yet firm paw pads. Just like that, your foot had become a bona fide fox paw.

As the same changes transpire in your other foot, you start to stumble. Of course, it's nearly impossible to keep up with a stance that's changing more and more with each passing moment. It isn't long before you lose balance entirely.

You close your eyes and brace for impact, and yet... that moment never comes. In fact, it doesn't feel like you're falling at all! The only thing you can feel is a gentle breeze. This sensation is enough to make you forget about the fall – the feeling of the wind blowing through your fur, brushing softly against your new luscious coat. The vividness makes it clear; this was completely real. After all this time, you finally had your fur.

Soon enough, though, you're brought back to the situation at hand. The longer you went without hitting the ground, the more concerned you got. Confused and fearful, you slowly pry your eyes open and can't help but gasp at the sight.

You find yourself inexplicably suspended in midair, the gems on your bow shimmering brightly. Around you flowed a current of bright wind energy, a radiant aura that seemed to hold you above the ground. For a brief moment, you are consumed by shock, but then it hits you.

Of course. You were becoming Fleet. Using those gems, you'd be able to manipulate the wind however you pleased.

Now that you know your situation, you try experimenting with your new abilities. Little by little, you propel yourself and float across the room. Controlling the wind like this came naturally, as though something you didn't even have to think about. The more you pick up speed and confidence, the more innate these motions feel. These were your powers, after all – you just needed something to bring them out.

You'd have to test this out more later, because the changes weren't done yet. Almost as if on cue, you feel a force tugging at the end of your spine. It was still gentle – hard to make a distinction from the tricks your mind has played on you before – but you knew exactly what was coming next. From sheer excitement, you lose your control in the air and finally tumble down to the ground.

With the pull growing stronger by the second, you press your paw into the floor and try to stand up. It takes a second to adjust to your new stance, but once you find your balance, it all comes naturally. Walking on your new fox paws, dexterous and agile despite their size, it feels as though you've achieved a brand new level of control. It's hard to imagine how you ever got around with those human feet.

Finally, the sensation reaches past the bounds of your body. Your spine extends outwards, quickly filling out the tailhole of your new pants. You squeal in delight as it continues to grow, with the blissful warmth of your ever-spreading fur following close behind. This new appendage still reached farther and farther, filling out more and more with immense orange fluff. Once your tail finally reaches its full length, the still-growing coat begins to unevenly transition to that same cream color. As your pelt fills out more and more in this last area, it's impossible to deny; there's a large, fluffy tail flowing freely behind you.

You quickly realize just how easy it is to control. This revelation, along with the situation at large, causes you to subconsciously begin wagging your tail, allowing it to swish back and forth with increasing speed. Seeing this unfold only sinks the truth deeper within your mind; this was your very own tail, and you just wagged it. An indescribable happiness – one so powerful that you could feel it deep in your bones – courses throughout your body, causing your tail to wag even more intensely than before. Once again, tears well up in your eyes. Everything you had ever dreamed of was now a reality.

With your transformation finally complete, you frantically rush to the mirror to observe your new appearance. Before you can take in your reflection, though, your vision is drawn to one final change which is still underway. Despite the rest of your body being unrecognizable from its former state, your eyes – although large and vulpine in shape – had retained their original appearance. At least, they had – until now. The inconspicuous brown of your irises gave way to a brilliant yellow-green hue, full of a newfound light and liveliness. The final trace of the old you – the unfamiliar human shell which had trapped you for so long – had completely washed away.

With everything complete, the nature of your new form finally dawns upon you. Every last ounce of humanity had entirely vanished; inside and out, you really were Fleet. All the sleepless nights trapped with the discomfort of an alien form – it was finally over. That hollow existence was no more. For the first time in your entire life, you truly recognized the reflection staring back.

This is the most intense swirl of emotions you've ever experienced, and yet all of them are positive. Overwhelmed by sheer bliss and relief, you do the only thing you can – break down and cry. Tears of pure joy stream out from your eyes, dampening your newly fluffy cheeks. You're an incoherent mess of emotion, and every little sensation across your true body brought a further pulse of deep comfort and relief you had never known before. You had no idea just how long you spent here before managing to recompose yourself (at least, in a very loose sense).

The changes to your body had finished, but there was still one thing left to fix.

As you keep gazing upon the reflection you can finally recognize, your find it harder and harder to focus your vision - no, somehow, the very world around you was becoming blurry, As you look around, the walls and the floor which surrounded you seemed to blend together and melt away, until you can't quite make out anything anymore. Your paws leave the ground as it ceases to have form; you're not levitating, like before, but almost floating in a state of limbo. As if things weren't already perfect enough, you think you know what's happening next.

You feel a warm sunlight beam upon your face; a faint sunrise, yet brilliant enough to force you to shield your eyes. You were outside; the sensation of a gentle breeze grew more and more vivid, as the sounds of birds chirping and people bustling gradually filled your ears. Just as quickly as it all dissolved, a new environment seems to take shape.

As your surroundings reassemble themselves, you can make out the silhouette of a bustling city surrounded by mountains; violet and golden rooftops coming into picture, with a vast scaffolding of gears and cogs giving shape to the ever-growing towers that rose above them. In the distance, you saw the city's central plaza which housed all the facilities you were deeply familiar with – the bank, the inn, the blacksmith, and more. They were familiar with you, too, whether they liked it or not. Although you had never been here before, it all felt so familiar – as if you were meant to be here all along.

Once again, you feel yourself touch down upon solid ground. You seemed to be in the outskirts; somewhat far from the main city, given a quiet and isolated enough area to really adjust to your new surroundings. You'd make your way towards the city proper soon enough, but you needed to get your bearings first.

As if the architecture wasn't telling enough, your keen eye spots a couple figures walking along, closer to the edge of the city. These figures definitely aren't human, you realize. They were some sort of animal people – just like you. It was completely indisputable now; somehow, you had been transported to the world of Aether. In front of you lie the familiar city of Julesvale.

Home.

Something in the back of your head reassures you that your old friends would know exactly what happened; that you had undergone an incredible change, and were now living your intended life as Julesvale's infamous fox archer. In due time, you'd be able to communicate with those in your old world, and those who desired would even be able to cross over themselves. This voice was completely distinct from your own thoughts – almost as if the force behind your transformation was speaking to you directly. You couldn't go back, though – not that you wanted to. This was your home, and you had no need to worry about what was left behind.

You let out a relieved sigh and look down, back towards the box. Where it had once lay, a new sight has taken its place – an expertly-crafted quiver, loaded to the brim with arrows. Immediately drawn to the container, you pick it up in your paws and manage to fasten it to your belt without much trouble. One question remained in your mind, though – one that would be answered in mere seconds. In the distance, you spot a single apple hanging from a small, meek tree. You ready your bow and nock the first arrow, placing all your focus on hitting that apple.

It all comes completely naturally. The bow is comfortably effortless to wield, and pulling the string back, it feels as though the arrow is a direct extension of yourself. You find yourself able to steady your body on a deeper level than ever before. This was complete control.

In that moment, everything hits you. With each deep breath, you feel the light breeze flowing through your fur, the twitch in your vulpine ears, and the gentle swaying of your fluffy tail from underneath your cloak. However it had happened, this was everything you had ever dreamed of. All the nights spent yearning were no longer helpless, as the impossible had somehow come to fruition. You were finally yourself. This was the greatest moment of your life, and it marked the beginning of a brand new one.

Tears well in your eyes once again, but it doesn't impair your sight of the target. Fully readied, you release the string. It snaps back into form as the arrow zips through the air.

Bullseye.

You stumble backwards, stunned at your newfound skills. Arrow after arrow flies from your bow, each one aimed at a different target, and every last one of them pierces its mark with perfect accuracy. You squeal in excitement as your last shot lands, tail wagging with the revelation of your true capabilities.

To the people of Julesvale, you were infamous for causing trouble. You'd gotten a better hold of yourself since your adventures in the depths of the city, but that reputation didn't vanish overnight. Of course, though, this was less about your skills and more about your decision-making. Even if you hadn't made all the best choices, or used the most foresight, one thing was certain.

“My aim is true!” you exclaim to yourself.

You are Fleet, the Archer of Justice. And Aether needs some saving.