Nies had a way of talking me into things; I despised his charm.
"It'll be a simple errand, nothing to it." My sorcerous companion had promised a casual day trip to an unexplored temple, what awaited us was two grueling days of dungeon delving; Gods only knew how many skeletons I'd battered back into oblivion. A low growl hummed in my throat.
"W-We're almost there," the young warlock panted, much of his mana depleted from the previous scuffle, "we'll be swimming in coin, my stoic partner!" Nies continued to talk as if we were on our way for a stroll through town, but this time he wasn't referring to any mundane destination. His voice grew louder and more excited with each word that escaped his lips, which made me want to grab him by the hair and drag him off somewhere quiet.
"This temple is dedicated to one of the Old Gods, you know! We'll have all sorts of treasures to take back home!" He continued to babble, completely ignoring my glare. His words carried some truth, as we'd arrived at what appeared to be the labyrinthian network's heart: an ancient temple built around the bones of a long dead god. The structure itself looked like it could withstand even the mightiest spell caster's attack, and the walls were covered in strange runes carved into the stone. My proficiencies began and ended with breaking bones and hauling loot; magic was Nies department. I rested my weary feet as the prodigal boy magician undid timeless wards and opened up the doors to the labyrinth.
The interior of the temple was well lit, despite being located deep within the earth. Strangely enough, the air didn't smell of mold and decay; instead, the scent of fresh flowers filled the room. The inner structure was surprisingly small, leaving only enough room for a few long-dead attendants and a strange looking reliquary at its center. This particular artifact was made of polished bone, shaped like a man, and sitting atop it was a blood red jewel.
"Looks like trouble," I mused, "it must be worth a fortune." Nies agreed wholeheartedly, he was practically drooling over the relic.
"What did I tell you!" A snide little grin stretched ear from ear, but was quickly flattened; my impatient gaze bore into him like a hot poker. "Ok...not in the mood."
We both lingered for a moment, deciding upon what to do. The object of our self-imposed quest was just within reach, but the entire situation seemed too good to be true. It would be a shame to let such a rare find slip away. The two of us took a moment to examine the relic; the jewel was oddly shaped, almost like a flower bud, but also somehow reminiscent of something phallic; I didn't like it.
"Go ahead, 'boy', use your magic." I folded my plate-clad arms across my chest, and nodded for him to go ahead; begrudgingly Nies accepted.
"Humph," he pouted, betraying his youth, and marched onward. Nies was as headstrong as they came so I wasn't too surprised when he simply reached out and grabbed the artifact; a foolish display of bravado. He snatched the jewel right out of the reliquary and in an instant would come to regret it; a foggy cloud of reddish mist encircled my brash little companion. Nies' eyes widened in shock as he futilely released the cursed relic with a loud clatter.
"I f-feel strange..." The scruffy haired sorcerer whimpered as a child with an upset tummy would; his voice hinting at no immediate distress. Then the horns sprouted, stubby little things that peeked past his cerulean locks. His ears grew long and pointy, and his skin turned flushed pink. Once wizardly robes transformed into unflattering straps of leather which barely concealed his new, soft body; a thin, spade-tipped tail flicked behind him. Nies, for all his pestering and annoyances, had cursed himself into becoming an incubus; I found both his ensuing panic and scantily clad attire amusing.
"You are a little...different," I conceded, "We'll figure this out..." His antics had long drained my will to really care.
"I...need to...fix myself..." He giggled, then began to shift his weight around, hands exploring the length of his newly plump hips. Nies' face began to flush, and a pair of pointed canines poked through his smile.