FSE

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formerly SoFurry search engine

This is another pretty old story and also the first furry one I wrote in German. Since it was not really a big hit I decided to translate it. Fuck that was a huge pain in the ass. There are still some awkward sentences here and there. Not really one of the stories I should be proud of, I think. It's much easier to start off in English. Anyways, after translating it, I decided to continue this story and expanded a little on the world. You will see more interesting things in the following chapters.

Baleful Dreams - Chapter 1

by Phenrir

I feel... tired. My last true rest must have been ages ago. The lack of sleep is grueling. I cannot think clearly and over and over again I catch myself as I sink into apathy. But I fear what will happen if I delve into the land of dreams. I don't want to die...

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Confusion. The sound of thunder from a dark cloudy sky. Walking alone through the storm. Gazesof strangers behind the back, they turn away. Salvation is within grasp, a necklace adorned with a ruby, yet unreachable. A creature born from dark thoughts. Just one intention, chase. Death. Running faster while thunder rumbles. The fiend, a dark liquid entity, catches up. Fear.

I awoke gasping. With wide eyes I sprang to my paws to get ready for what would come. Already I could hear the thunder. Heavy drops of rain fell down as bright lightning illuminated the night in the isolated forest I fell asleep in. Again I had lost the fight against weariness, and again I didn't feel rested at all.

"Where are you? Show yourself!" I screamed into the nature around me, while raising my voice to a threatening tone.

Even the smallest changes in my form could be exhausting, but I was tired anyway. Quickly I adapted my senses to the weather and already I could see the creature. Just several paces afar a dark viscous fluid rained down, collecting itself in an unshaped pile of goo. Slowly the creature began to take on form. It looked like a mix between an anthropomorphic wolf and bear, while consisting solely out of that dark fluid. Growling the creature looked at me and raised menacing claws.

"Go back where you came from! I will defeat you just as the others."

My threats didn't seem to faze the creature in the slightest. Starting to grow desperate I tried to think of ways how to defeat such a foe, but my mind was slow and refused to help me in my tired state. The creature attacked. It was damn fast, only my own quick reflexes saved me as I jumped out of the way. My only chance was to get faster soon, otherwise this would be a very short fight. With a mental and physical shaking, I took the form of an erect humanoid cheetah.

Immediately the nightmare tried to rake me with his claws. They seemed surprisingly sharp considering that they were some kind of liquid. I could only turn tot he side, so instead of a deadly wound I just received deep scratches. I used the opportunity to attack myself. The liquid body oft he creature offered no resistance. My paw just pierced through it and the black muddy tar of which the nightmare consisted of sticking to my fur. Snarling with rage I tried to get my arm back, but it was stuck. Trapped in the strange body of the creature.

„Let go!" I screamed. Yet the fluid torso of the nightmare didn't want to free my arm.

Suddenly I was face to face with dripping wide open maw of the creature. All attempts to struggle did nothing, the nightmare sank its surprisingly sharp teeth into my shoulder. I had no idea how the creature could have such teeth even though it clearly was some kind of liquid, but the pain and my arm, which was still stuck, were reason enough to believe that the nightmare was more than it seemed. Blood spilled from my shoulder. I could feel cold seeping into my arm. That was it, cold! Luckily I had just the right form for that.

Gathering all the strength I could muster, I tried to shift as fast as possible. Even without injuries and fully rested changing to this special form wouldn't have been easy, but that was mostly the case if you lacked experience. While the jaws oft he nightmare clenched harder around my arm, making it break and spilling blood everywhere, my body changed. Spotted fur turned into almost pure white scales, the muzzle elongated, the tail got more flexible and on my back appeared a big pair of wings. The form of a frost dragon had always been useful in the past and under these circumstances I might have broken a record time with the change. I exhaled sighing.

„Let's see how you like the cold!" Around me raindrops froze. With satisfaction I noticed that the movements of the nightmare got slower. The pressure from its jaw decreased as fine cracks appeared on its torso. "What's the matter? Where is your coolness? Don't worry I'll give you some of mine."

Again, I exhaled and parts of the creature froze as well. With a strong jerk my arm broke free, I cringed due to the pain before I breathed on the nightmare once more. It still didn't want to let go of my shoulder, so I punched it forcefully. Now it was almost easy to defeat the foe that came out of my dreams, however that probably won't always be the case. The nightmare twitched shortly before it stopped moving at all. Disgusted I kicked it as hard as possible.

Hours later I was walking down a road when I saw that I was getting closer to a town of sorts. Unfortunately, I couldn't remember the name. Actually, it was very hard to keep myself focused and my eyes had trouble staying open at all while I was walking. Right after the fight against the nightmare I just packed my things, then went on, I couldn't allow myself to rest. My only belongings were an ordinary staff and piece of paper with a simple sketch. I could improvise clothes as well as most other things. That was one of the advantages of being a shapeshifter.

Luckily I had the perfect form for almost anything, my injured shoulder and broken arm had healed so fast that nothing more than an unpleasant stabbing sensation remained. Apart from my constant tiredness of course. Nevertheless, all my thoughts revolved around how close my survival was this time. Each time it got more dangerous as the nightmares grew stronger. That damned curse will be my end if I don't find a way to break it. Well, whatever, at the moment I had more pressing concerns.

In the form of an old female badger, leaning on my staff, I walked up to this town. Reaching a town gate, which was flanked by several guards, I never stopped my movement. Just as I had expected the guards didn't seem overly convinced that I was a threat as I limped through the town gate. So they just let me pass. The form of a badger didn't seem dangerous at all, sadly it was also not very practical.

Still dead tired I moved through the streets. It was time to ask around, besides I was tired of the appearance of a badger anyway. Getting into an unobserved side-alley, I made sure that no one was around, then I changed again. This time I took the form of a male fox with ordinary clothes.Blinking I tried to stay awake, without much success of course, and looked for the next tavern. There were some downsides to travelling as light as I do, for example I had no money. Sure, I had no need for money. What should I buy? Yet everything else seemed to assume that I was able to pay them. I needed information, so there was no way around finding some coins. With dexterous fingers and fast movements I took the coin purses of several passers-by. My tired mind couldn't even remember their faces or estimate what I got, it was running on instinct hanging the smallest thread of willpower.

Finally, I entered the next tavern. No one inside bothered with taking a second glance at me thus I just headed straight for the innkeeper, who was a pudgy boar. He nodded in my general direction as I sat down at the bar.

"What's it gonna be?" the innkeeper asked gruffly. My only answer was a golden coin from one of the stolen purses, which I placed on the bar in front of him. The innkeeper looked at the promised money intently waiting for me to start talking.

"I am looking for something and I've asked myself who could know where to find it." Then I produced the sketch. Apart from my staff it was the only thing I possessed. It showed a valuable necklace adorned by a hexagonal ruby. Squinting at the piece of paper, which held the sketch, theboar quickly reached for the coin.

"Then I have the right the perfect fellow for you," he stifled a laugh and grunted suspiciously. "Right there, the big guy. His name is Grenn, he can help you. The innkeeper was pointing at a table in the corner of the taproom, at which a brawny and tall bull was sitting. Without hesitating or even second thoughts I went over to this Grenn. I could feel the curious gaze of the innkeeper in my back, but paid it no mind.

"Hey," I said as I came closer to the bull. He emptied a huge mug of ale before eyeballing me. "I was told you could help me." The bull - what was his name again - frowned at me, then answered shortly with a rough voice.

"Business only outside!" He stood up and looked down on me, this guy must have been at least two feet taller than me at the moment. Without another word he headed for the back door of the tavern and signified for me to follow him. So far this guy was my only clue to what I was after, therefore I just followed him, while trying to stifle a yawn at which I failed miserably.

At last we were outside behind the tavern, no one was around except for us. "Now give me all your coin!" The bull cracked his knuckles with ostentation. I was too tired and must have understood him wrong. "What?" was all I managed to say perplexed. He snorted amused.

"I'll explain it to you really slow... Give me all your coins or I'll beat you up till your own mother won't recognize you anymore!" He raised a clenched fist that was almost as big as my head. "Now or you'll miss some of your teeth!"

In all my weariness I was still too slow to realize what was going on. Apparently he and the innkeeper were in cahoots with each other and weren't interested in a fair trade of coin for information. Doing nothing, I just stood there until the bull raised his fist and punched my nose. He hit me as hard as a blacksmith's hammer. Immediately my nose began to bleed as the force of the punch catapulted me back.

When I tasted blood on my tongue and felt the burning pain all over my nose and muzzle, while falling back, my thoughts began to race. Any fatigue was gone and that feeling alone was incredible. I didn't even flinch when my back hit the ground. At the moment this guy was clearly stronger than me, I had to do something. However, I reckoned it was no good idea to change fully right in front of him. No, that would only raise too much attention. But there were other ways, inner ones, how I could increase my chances. As my enemy came closer for another strike I concentrated. Muscles grew, bones got harder, even claws and teeth elongated barely noticeably.

Before the bull could hit me again, I kicked him from my laying position, making stumble forward. With a skillful movement I leapt to my hindpaws and looked into the surprised face of my enemy. He recovered quickly from the shock and even tried to grab me. Yet he was no nightmare. I had fought enough of those to dodge a mundane bull easily. I grabbed one of his massive arms and turned it around while getting behind him. With more force I could have broken his arm but decided against it. He groaned loudly, kicked back and hit my knee. It hurt, but I didn't let go. My enemy flailed his free arm as he tried to get a hold of me, to no avail. While he was wriggling around like that we had gotten closer to the tavern's outer wall, so he rammed his back with me behind at against the stone wall without any kind of warning. Groaning myself, I instinctively let go, whereupon the bull freed himself and turned around. Without hesitation he struck with all his force at my unprotected belly. I almost fell over feeling nauseous.

„Alright you wanted it that way," I uttered through clenched teeth. Quickly I strengthened my body even more. The bull just seemed confused. I kicked at his legs again, this time strong enough to make them give out under him. He fell down, but I gave him no chance to recover. With as much force as this body could muster, I trod down on his right shin and heard with satisfaction the sound of a disgusting snap. Immediately the bull began to scream.

The sudden euphoria left me slowly, only pain and disgust remained. I spat blood on the bull's face, who just whimpered. Then I leaned down and grabbed him by his horns to raise his head. "Listen to me closely, I won't repeat myself." I waited until he nodded, then I shoved the sketch right under his nose. "Think hard about what you will say next! Do you know where I can find this jewel?" He swallowed noticeably.

"... belongs to the Lord's daughter," he stammered. "She lives in the castle... you have no chance to get it!" I let go of his horns and he fell down flinching in pain.

While I turned around I already began to make changes to my present form and picked up my staff, which I had totally forgotten as we fought. Tiredness embraced me again. I had to hurry before I fell asleep once more, I might not wake up from the next nightmare. As I left the bull, whose name still eluded me, behind I threw all the money I had collected away. It was just dead weight.

"Let me worry about that."

If you can look like every person you come across it is very easy to get into any place. First, I took the form of a guard to get into the castle, then the appearance of servant to attract no attention and lastly I was a chambermaid to get into the room of the lord's daughter. The room was empty and at first sight one could see that it was the place of a woman. A big soft bed, a dresser for jewelry and many other things. Hopefully the ruby would be here, so that I could leave again before anyone even realized I had been there. Instantly I began my search. Rummaging through chests, closets and drawers I looked everywhere, but the jewel was missing.

"Damn!" In anger I knocked over the dresser, which fell over with a loud bang. "She's probably wearing the necklace..."

It looked like I had no other choice than taking the jewel right from her neck. Sighing, I sat down on the bed. It was so soft and comfortable. Maybe I could wait until she went to bed and put the necklace down. Yes, that sounded like a good plan. I just had to wait. To rest...

Cage of gold and naivety. High walls. An extraordinary brilliance. The jewel, hanging from someone's neck. Surprise. Another glow. Ready for the ray, no escape. Girl confused and screaming. Metal dragon. Attack, pain, destruction. Fall!

Filled with panic I awoke in the bed. I had fallen asleep, which meant it was only a matter of time before it happened again. At once I leapt to my hindpaws and started to change. This time I wanted to be ready, which was why I chose one of my strongest forms. Looking like a mix between crocodile and tiger his form was strong as well as tough. I just finished my change when I realized I wasn't alone in the room anymore.

A young wolfess in an expensive dress stared at me, the jewel around her neck. That must be the daughter of this lord, of course she appeared at the worst time possible. Before I could say something I noticed how the wall on her side began to turn gray, it somehow looked metallic.

"You changed... What are you?" the girl stammered confused. It was even worse than I had expected, she saw myself shifting forms. From the metal wall somehow exfoliated the latest nightmare and took on the shape of a dragon, just as I had seen in my dream. The wolfess hadn't realized that the monster was there at all.

„Watch out!" She didn't react to my screamed warning, so I moved forward and shoved her away before the metallic dragon could snap at her with his sharp jaw. Yipping frightened she fell down and that was the moment when she saw the nightmare. I stepped between her and the creature to distract the metallic dragon. There was a loud rumble in its throat, yet it didn't attack.

"Run away as soon as you can," I whispered to thewolfgirl without averting my gaze from the nightmare. She stood up, but stayed behind me.

Abruptly the metallic dragon swiped with his claws at me. I didn't have much time to react, if I dodged the attack the dragon could hit the girl and I didn't want her or the jewel harmed. Therefore, I tried to parry the blow. I managed to absorb most of the impact of the attack, but the claws cut into my arms anyway. Trying to ignore the pain I pushed the dragon back with all my might. Backing off it began to circle us, as if it was looking for some kind of weakness. In doing so the nightmare cut off our only escape, for the room was on the fourth floor and there was only one door. Apparently the dragon was more intelligent than expected. While the dragon watched us from metallic unblinking eyes the wolfess stepped back. I used this distraction opportunity to attack myself, the dragon's only defense as trying to bite me with his sharp muzzle, but he failed. Seemingly I was faster than the nightmare and I realized that even though he didn't move an inch the dragon flapped its wings instinctively. Maybe it was too heavy to fly, or there was simply not enough room in here.

As we thought I received several smaller wounds, yet the dragon had not even a scratch on him. If it went on like that I had no chance of winning this fight. Suddenly the serrated tail of the metal dragon raked over my chest, I had totally forgotten about its tail, my own one just helped with keeping the balance. Blood splattered from my chest and I almost screamed in pain. Right after that the nightmare lashed at me with its tail and hit me so hard that I was sent flying until I hit one of the walls painfully. The girl wasn't far away, she rushed to my side and exactly at the same time the dragon headed for us. Before it could reach anyone I got in its way, even though everything hurt. When the nightmare tried to maul me with its claws I just ducked quickly aside. Instead of me the dragon hit the wall, which got damaged from my free flight before. Now several clunky bricks broke off. Slowly I formed a plan in my head. On the other side of the wall was a four floors deep fall. Would that be enough to defeat the nightmare?

I concentrated as hard as was possible and strengthened my form in every regard, which made my head pound in pain. The dragon snapped at me with its jaw, but I dodged fast enough. Agile I slipped under the dragon and got behind it. As soon as the nightmare realized this it wanted to hit me with its long dextrous tail. The razor-sharp tip surprised me and cut a chunk of flesh from my leg. Screaming in anger and pain I backed off to get out of its reach. Without getting slower I turned around so that I was facing the nightmare and grew in size. Using all my might I rammed the dragon, who was turning as well, into the wall. Under he pressure the wall collapsed. I could stop my movement fast enough and came to a halt, but the nightmare didn't have that much luck. For a moment it hung onto the ledge which had once been the outer wall, but ever so slowly more parts of the wall broke down, as did the floor.

It flapped its wings, but it seemed like it really couldn't fly. The dragon fell down, followed shortly by more parts of the unstable room. While I was just standing there bleeding from several injuries I heard suddenly a scream. I had forgotten about the wolfgirl. Apparently she had sought shelter close to the wall, which was in the process of falling down. Suddenly the entire floor of the room subsided and she seemed to lose her footing.

"Please, help me," she managed to say before falling down just like the dragon. Instinctively, I jumped after her and gave myselfwings as fast as possible. The fall as quite short, I barely managed to grab the girl, instantly I spread my wings to stop our fall. I landed hard on the ground, but the pain probably couldn't get worse than it already had. Setting the wolfess down, who just shook with fear, I saw that her dress was drenched in blood. It must have been my own, she still looked like she had almost died.

The ear-piercing shriek of the metallic dragon immediately took all of my attention. It had survived the fall and by the looks of it received only some cracks in its body. Being made out of metal there were not many ways that could harm it, but there had to be a downside. It probably could rust, melt and get brittle just like any other metal. I didn't believe it was enough to melt the nightmare, after all I had fought a fluid enemy before and rust didn't seem like a good option either, meaning that there was just one possibility left. As I changed again, the pain was by now almost unbearable, the metallic dragon readied itself for pouncing me. I just stood still, at the moment I needed all my power for the change. Crimson feathers grew as I took on the form of a phoenix. As I was trying to get accustomed to this new body, which was smaller and more slender, the dragon knocked me over. Instantly it sank its razor-like teeth into my arm and almost bit it in two. I could do nothing else but scream.

Before the dragon managed to rip off my arm I began to heat the air around us. Small fires ignited around us, but I didn't stop there. The nightmare began to glow, its metallic body even started to get weaker. However, it didn't let go of me.

„If you heat metal it becomes weaker until it melts," I explained almost literally on fire with rage. After a short pause, I changed again, this time I became the frost dragon. "... Cooling it down fast metal becomes brittle and might break."

I exhaled and immediately spread a piercing coldness. All of this must have been a strange sight to behold. Flames flickering and between them hoar frost covering the ground, but I didn't pay attention to this. My eyes were focused on the dragon, which emanated a kind of steam. The glow got less bright, apart from that nothing seemed to happen though. It still held with its powerful jaw onto my arm.

"Just fucking die!" I screamed at the dragon, took a deep breath and exhaled as much cold as possible. Yet I still accomplished nothing. Desperately I hit the head of the nightmare, there was a dull sound, but it didn't let go. Again, I exhaled until I heard quiet cracking noises.

"Finally!" The metallic body was misshapen and a little spongy, cracks formed everywhere as parts of its body broke off. With a grin I hit the head of the nightmare again and my arm was free. Indeed broken teeth stuck out of my arm, but I could focus on that later on. The dragon was slower now, moving jerkily and after some punches it didn't move anymore.

Infinitely tired I stood in the chaos of the battlefield breathing heavily. In the midst of a small crater, surrounded by scrap metal, while layers of ice melted and little fires died down. My body was bleeding from several wounds, but it froze quickly on the scales of the frost dragon. Only now did I realize that the wolfess was looking at me with wide eyes. I would have expected that she ran away as soon as she got the chance, instead she stared in my direction with a terrified expression. Hanging from her neck was the hexagonal ruby, glimmering in the daylight. It was the jewel I had searched for so long. Could it break my curse?

Approaching the girl, I saw that she wasn't budging at all. My grandfather had said once that most are less intimidated by their own species. I had no idea if that was true, but it was worth a try. So I took on the form of a wolf wearing simple robe. I made myself a little taller than her and gave myself a muscled male body, maybe that would help me.

„You saved me," was all she said when the fear left her eyes to be replaced by amazement. "I fell and you just... changed."

My powers might be hard to accept for some, yet for me it was nothing extraordinary. I shrugged and had to stifle a groan of pain. "You are hurt," assessed the wolfess. Despite all the shifting of forms my injuries were still there and they wouldn't vanish just like that. With time and rest, which I both couldn't afford at the moment, everything would heal.

"Just some scratches," I answered. Somehow all of this was my fault, but to get rid of this curse I would let myself almost get mauled on a daily basis. "May I ask, what is your name?" If I wanted help courtesy was probably the best way to get it.

"My name is... Lenya," she said hesitantly, maybe even a little bashful. Nevertheless, she seemed more curious than frightened by me. "What is your name?" Names... They were difficult topic for me at least. I answered straight away to seem friendly.

„You can call me Vel for now." My answer was short and sufficient. I hoped she didn't take it the wrong way. There was an awkward pause between us before I decided to ask her about the jewel. "That may sound a little strange, but there is something you could help me with..."

"What is it?" She looked at me inquiringly. My battle against the nightmare must have caught someones attention, but with a little luck, I was gone before more trouble arrived.

"Your necklace," I said while pointing at the jewel. "That's actually why I am here. Could I take a close look at it?" Lenya touched her trinket. I knew it was a little much to ask someone, whose life you just saved from something that was entirely your fault, but it wasn't like I would just sell it.

"My necklace? It is an old heirloom..." She hesitated. In my mind I thought about the best way to steal it, that probably would have been easier if I had just let her die. Then, without another word Lenya removed the necklace and handed it to me.

Perfect, now I only had to make sure that it wasn't an ordinary ruby. Changing only my eyes I looked at the aura of the jewel. I was aware that this made my eyes glow, but at the moment there was no way to avoid it. However, as I looked at the necklace's aura disappointment replaced any other emotion I had at the moment. The ruby was completely ordinary, there was no glow. Everything was in vain! Would I ever be able to break the curse? Desperation followed by a wave of tiredness filled me.

I wanted to hand the necklace back to Lenya, but stopped in my movement when I saw her truly for the first time. The aura oft hewolfess was... indescribable. A symphony of colors dominated by a strong orange hue. She was what I had seen in my cursed sleep, the necklace was not important. Would Lenya be my salvation and bring well-deserved rest into my life? Was this the end of my baleful dreams?

To be continued...