I've Turned Into A Fox Girl?

Clara picked up Elysia and laid her down next to Shaman. Elysia's complexion looked calm as if she had merely fallen asleep.

Wolfy, who had been watching the whole time, came out of the shadows next to Clara. Surprisingly, he was not hostile but a little distressed.

"Clara, what was wrong with Mother? I've never seen her go this crazy before." Wolfy sounded concerned and was constantly looking back and forth between Elysia and Clara.

"Don't worry Wolfy, she should be awake after a good night's sleep, so no need to panic. Sorry for making a scene, I didn't mean to make her snap." Clara smiled and patted Wolfy.

Since Wolfy was not familiar with the topic that Clara and Elysia talked about, he did not quite understand why Elysia acted so rashly. Usually, his understanding and knowledge of things were drawn through his connection with Shaman, but this is one subject he never really sank his teeth into.

"Okay, well hopefully Mother doesn't wake up angry, I do really like you Clara." Wolfy lowered his head with a sad glint in his eyes.

"Awww, Wolfy, that's very sweet, don't worry I'm not going anywhere." Clara found Wolfy adorable and continued to pat Wolfy but with more enthusiasm. Wolfy's mood rose a little and he felt reassured that things were going to be okay.

'What a cute wolf, Kinda wish he was my own familiar.' Clara was won over by Wolfy's cuteness and was even tempted to steal him for herself. She had also noticed that Wolfy became a lot less formal and seemed like a concerned child whenever his parents were in trouble, which added to the cuteness.

"Okay well seeing as we are waiting I'm just going to nap like I usually do." Wolfy felt much better after talking to Clara and was going to sleep off his stress.

"I think I will too, seeing that I need to wait for Shaman to wake up." Clara had a lot of time to waste, so the idea of sleeping was very appealing to her.

"Okayyyy." Wolfy then walked off to find a comfortable spot to rest.

'Let's hope I can have some one-on-one time with Shaman as I need to talk to her about who I am and what happened with Elysia.' Clara found a spot near the wall to get some shut-eye while she waited for Shaman to awaken.

Seated at last, the built-up exhaustion washed over her and in only a few moments she was already fast asleep.

***

Deep underground below the capital was a dungeon that held a single person inside. Himeko was suspended in the air by chains with light bars going through the middle of her body, blocking any mana from travelling through her body. A collar was wrapped tightly around her neck, the bruises and torn skin underneath it showing it hasn't been taken off in a while.

Himeko's admiral clothes were all torn and clear marks of torture could be seen all over her body. Her eyes were lifeless and a deadpan expression was on her face, showing that she has been deprived of any basic needs.

Himeko quietly mumbled words to herself that were barely audible to anyone nearby.

"I-i… A-a-am…. S-sorry….. C-c-clara… I tried to… not… tell him." Himeko repeated these words over and over again to herself. Himeko had been broken and left near-dead, but she still held a slither of humanity in her.

After some more time passed, the pope had walked into the dungeon with his usual fully white clothes and approached Himeko. Once close enough he released the chains that were suspending Himeko with only a snap of his fingers, letting her fall to the floor. The light beams on her body receded into her completely wrapping her mana core, rendering all mana usage impossible unless removed.

"To think the great Himeko would be in such a pitiful state in front of me, that prideful beast that always roared within you has finally been tamed." The pope giggled as the once untameable Himeko lay lifeless on the floor.

"Now let's see how obedient the phoenix has become." Pulling out a leash from an inventory, he attached it to her collar and began to pull on her. This seemingly caused Himeko to switch from being a lifeless husk to an animal.

Himeko quickly got on all fours and started to act like a pet. There was a slight hint of reluctance like something was trying to fight back but was unable to take back control.

"Good, seems like the torturers did their job in turning you into a good little pet. Now that I have the information about that cursed object and Demon heir, I can use you in whichever way I want." At the mention of being used Himeko looked up at the pope.

"Yes master, I'll do whatever you tell me." Tears had started to flow down her face despite her words, Himeko was still inside trying to fight back.

"Tch they haven't done as good of a job as I thought, your will still isn't completely gone, your stubborn attitude must be the only reason why you haven't fully submitted." The pope looked annoyed as he could tell the job hadn't been fully completed.

Himeko tilted her head in confusion looking at the pope for answers.

"Oh you don't worry, you are doing perfectly my little phoenix." The pope gently patted Himeko causing her to nuzzle into his hand.

The pope leaned back and let out a sigh before pulling out a pill and tossing it to Himeko. Himeko took the pill and swallowed it as fast as she could.

'That should keep her alive for another few days.' The pill the pope gave her was a food pill that would slowly dissolve and provide enough nutrients and energy for a few days.

"No matter, it is only a matter of time before she will no longer have a will of her own." The pope sighed again and walked out of the room while pulling Himeko along.

"You are coming with me, I need to show off my new toy to my friends." A sinister smile grew on the pope's face as he walked out of the dungeon with his new pet.

***

Clara had slowly opened her eyes from what felt like a short sleep. There was no day and night cycle, so it was impossible to tell the time of day and there was no indication on how much time had passed.

Clara looked over to Shaman's egg and could see that slight cracks were starting to form which she assumed was her finally waking up.

'I am only just realising now she really is inside an egg.' Clara had ignored it before and thought it was just a beastmen related thing but the more she thought about it the more it did not sound right.

'I shouldn't overthink it, I'm sure Shaman will explain once she is done doing whatever it is she's doing.' Clara did not want to dwell on it for too long as it would only cause a headache rather than give her any answer.

Clara waited for Shaman to hatch out of her egg while also observing Elysia who was fast asleep next to Shaman.

'Let's see if your feelings really hold up.' Clara seemed more determined to put their relationship to the test because, after that short battle, Clara's opinion of Elysia had soured.

*

After waiting for another 30 minutes or so Shaman's egg finally began to crack.

Clara quickly got up and went over to Shaman as she was rather curious if Shaman would have any changes in appearance.

The egg slowly started to fall apart to reveal the same looking Shaman, and yet something about her seemed different.

Shaman slowly woke up and got up from her shell, stretching out her body. When she stood up Clara finally realised what it was that felt odd. Previously, Shaman was about 6'1" and was taller than Clara who was 5'7".

However, This time Clara was the taller one, now having to slightly look down at Shaman rather than slightly looking up.

Shaman who just woke up was confused as to why she felt shorter and took a moment to process what was happening.

"No, don't tell me." Shaman looked horrified as she looked all over her body and kept glancing up at Clara to make sure she was not dreaming. Shaman was now 5'4 making her much shorter than Elysia and Clara.

Her worst nightmare has become a reality, she was now short and had lost all the height she had gained. Shaman fell to her knees with tears filling her eyes almost on the verge of crying.

"NOOOOOOO!!!!" Shaman leaned back, throwing her hands in the air, screaming and crying. Clara knelt at her side and tried to comfort Shaman.

"M-my height is gone." Shaman's pride in her height was already damaged and now that she has shrunk to an even shorter size her pride had been trampled and tossed aside.

"Shaman, it's okay, I have no idea why this happened but I'm sure if you do it again it might return." Clara tried to come up with anything that would Calm Shaman down which was surprisingly effective. Shaman had suddenly stopped screaming and the tears had stopped flowing down her face.

"Yes! You're right Clara, I Just need to evolve again and I'm sure I will gain my height back." Shaman's mood suddenly improved, and she hugged Clara to express her gratitude.

Clara didn't know what to say but she blushed a little at the sudden show of affection.

"Ahem." Shaman quickly let go of Clara as she realised what she was doing and it suddenly came to her that Clara probably had something to say to her.

"Besides the traumatic event that just happened, I believe you have something to talk about." Clara was a bit thrown about by the sudden mood swings but she was glad Shaman was able to get back on track.

"Yes, there is something that I should tell you now that I have gotten my memories back and now know who I truly am, so I hope for you to listen."