My father's dying words rung in my ears as I lifted the age-worn box. It felt heavier than I remembered, though perhaps it was the weight of my current task that colored my perception. The ornate filigree of the golden inlay shone dimly in the attic; its luster dulled by a thick layer of dust. As I turned the box in my hands, I heard the muffled jangling of a chain.
I took a deep breath as I recalled my father's words once more.
"Inside this box is our priceless family heirloom," he had said. "The cure to any ill, the solution to any problem. But its power cannot be used lightly."
A faint smile crossed my lips as I recalled protesting his words; asking the nature of this power.
"It is not for you to know right now," he scoffed. "My son, it is better that you never have reason to use what lays inside this box. Only know that though it may solve your problems, it will do so at a heavy cost."
From the floors below, I could hear the shouts of the king's men. I knew it wouldn't be long before they found me. I knew not what vile twist of fate had lead to this persecution, but from the rumors coming from the chamberlain's office, I was meant to be held responsible for a recent gaffe involving a foreign dignitary. Executed, most likely.
My hands trembled as my left hand clutched the cover to the box and lifted the latch. I swore I could see my own breath, though the musty heat of my manor's upper floor should have made it impossible. I wrenched my eyes shut and opened the box.
Several moments of silence were punctuated by the shouts of soldiers from below. They were getting closer. I looked down to what my hands held and my heart sunk.
Inside the box was a amulet that reads:
"DELF"
Inside Each Of Us
Lives Both
DEVIL And ELF
Every Day
In Many Ways
Each Tries
To Gain Power
I let loose a silent scream as I clutched the box. Was this a joke? Had my father deceived me this whole time? It couldn't be a joke; my father was never a humorous man...
A soldier kicking down the attic door disrupted my lamentations.
"He's here!" the gruff man's voice called back down the hall.
More joined him and as they neared me, as strange thought crossed my mind.
I put on the DELF Amulet.
The next moments were a blur. I felt my body changing. I felt two great wellsprings of power gushing from within my depths. In a flash, it was over. The soldiers started back in shock. Prompted by the looks of horror stretched across their faces, I examined my own body.
My hands were now slender and lithe, with long, pointed nails. My skin was not its normal pale color, but a deep red. Looking down revealed another curiosity. I had breasts. In fact my entire body was quite comely, with ample curves, barely contained by my scant wrappings. A spaded tail swayed behind me, sprouting from the base of my spine.
"Do not be fooled by this illusion!" the captain shouted. "Arrest him!"
As the soldiers anxiously edged their way towards me, I smiled a wide and predatory grin. I could feel inside myself, the power of my magic coming to life. I knew with a flick of my wrist or the waggle of an eyebrow, I could twist these men's minds, bend reality around them, and put an end to this dastardly plot that had been laid against my noble family.
I waved my hand with an impish titter and one soldier's belts came undone. His pants fell to his ankles and he tripped, landing hard on