You have a strange dream. Something revolving a group of animals and an evil demon. It all looked blurry yet familiar, old memories rushing through you…
You open your eyes and gasp, starring at your apartment’s ceiling. Your amber eyes observe your surroundings quickly and carefully, paying close attention to detail. You spot your bed near you and begin questioning why you’d fallen asleep on the floor instead of your actual bed.
“What happened yester-”
You stop after hearing your voice. That voice. That damned voice.
So far you were still a little hazy about remembering yesterday’s events but you still had a slight recollection. However, you were trying your best to ignore it and chalk it all up to a dream. Or, in better words, a nightmare.
You sit up and place your right hand on the floor. Instantly you feel a wet and cold sensation. You notice that your paw had accidentally touched your cum from the day before. It was next to you and still layered on your bedroom floor.
“Shit. Why didn’t I clean this up yesterday?” you complain before it hits you.
You look at your large furry paw and the muscular arm attached to you. The familiar orange and striped fur adorning it while the smell of the tiger cum enters your sensitive nose, allowing you to recognize your scent.
“Wait… it can’t be… it was all real!?” you spout in disbelief. Despite your best efforts you begin to acknowledge everything from yesterday. The package, the crystal, the tiger spirit, and…
You turn your head in the direction of your mirror, your reflection providing you all the proof you need. An anthro tiger stares back at you. Large, muscular, and naked.
“Human, are you finally awake?”
You recognize the voice of Hu within your mind as a look of anguish crosses your face.
“No. No. I refuse to believe it,” you think desperately, trying to hold on to your last bit of hope. “It’s just a hallucination. It’s not real.”
“Hmm. I was expecting you to be more rational than this, Human,” Hu says, sounding a tad disappointed.
“I’m sorry but it’s not my fault if I refuse to accept how I look after being forced to transform into this,” you argue, anger overcoming your hysteria.
“Human, you should be honored and thankful. I have been passed around throughout the ages yet you were the first candidate I chose.”
“There you go again! What do you mean candidate? Why did you choose me?” you yell furiously, your mouth snarling and exposing your sharp teeth as rage consumes you.
Still facing the mirror, you focus on your reflection and are shocked at what you see. An angry tiger stares back. His ears rolled back and his canines exposed, clear signs of an upset tiger. You’re a bit scared at your reflection and turn from the mirror, your heart beating rapidly in your chest.
You close your eyes and let out deep breaths. After a few minutes you begin to feel calmer as the anger begins to fade.
“Do you feel better now, Human?”
“A little. I feel kinda relieved in a way,” you answer absentmindedly before remembering what had previously occurred. “Wait! Are you going to answer my questions? Or are you just going to keep everything to yourself?”
“Of course I am! I am not one to disregard answers to my candidate,” Hu responds huffily, insulted at your insinuation. “Long ago, my siblings and I aided humans and brought great change into this world. We helped improve it for the greater good with our powers yet there were still those that went against our goals of a peaceful world. A strong demon named Mao nearly brought destruction upon the world but we were able to seal him away at a price. By placing Mao in a Soul Crystal we were also forced into one of our own. Trapped within a crystal until the proper individual or candidate released us.”
You listen to Hu closely as you try to make sense of his story. Animal Deities? Demons? Magical Powers and Crystals? All of it sounded like some sort of myth or legend. One you wouldn’t have regarded as possible.
At least up until yesterday.
By now you have had plenty of evidence to support Hu’s story. And you weren’t disregarding it a single bit.
“But… why me?” you ask, wondering what made you the right person to release him.
“We are very similar, you and I. We both carry intelligence and resilience on us while encompassing strength and power. The true makings of a leader. We strive for more than simplicity and embark for greater things on our own. However, despite our independence, we care for those close to us and maintain good relations with the ones we cherish.”
“So… we’re similar in nature and personality?” you feel a bit flustered at his explanation, finding it a bit over-the-top. Although you do have to agree with all the traits he listed. They described you well.
“Precisely, Human!” Hu says confidently. “That is why I have chosen you as my candidate. Together we will protect the world from the dark forces and aspire to bring peace wherever we go.”
“What? Like a superhero?” you ask him bewildered. He was starting to sound incredibly heroic.
“If that is how you wish to name it, than you shall. As long as we both regain our common goal. I can already feel that some of my brethren have been awaken. Already in contact with their own candidates. We must be sure to contact them soon enough and seek my remaining siblings, still trapped in their crystals. Once united we can begin to assist the world as we once did.”
“W-w-wait a minute. This is starting to sound like too much,” you wave your paw as you try to dismiss his plans. “I can’t be a superhero. I’m just a college graduate. I don’t have the time or the-”
“Did you not seek a job, Human? You now have the opportunity for one.”
“But being a superhero isn’t exactly going to pay the bills,” you mumble as you glare your eyes at the envelopes on top of your drawer.
“Worry not. That will cease to be a problem once we begin our new role as a… superhero? Is that what you named it?”
“Wait! But I-” you’re about to argue with him and explain how you do not want to be a professional superhero and that by seeking employment you meant a normal job and not some crazy heroic role. However, a noise interrupts you from continuing.
There’s the sound of a knock at your apartment’s front door before you hear the door open.