Chapter Four- Transition

Keiko spooned the vegetables and noodles onto Lionel's plate before sprinkling a little garnish on them. It was dinnertime on the day after the swap and Lionel had asked her to cook up a side dish for his dinner. She gladly did as asked, again noticing the slight change in Lionel's conduct with her. He seemed more personable than before. He asked about her comfort, her hobbies, and her friends. She had asked her fellow servants if they had noticed the change and they said they did, saying that it was likely he saw her as more of a friend than a slave.

He is definitely an unusual demon, she thought as she covered the plate. Clearly demons are not all the same, just like all humans aren't the same. She brought Lionel's dinner to him with the usual bowing and announcement before getting hers, and sitting beside him.

Lionel lifted the lid and an unusual but pleasant smell tickled his nose. It took him no time to figure out the source: His side dishes. He speared a vegetable and brought it to his mouth. A delightful tasted touched his tongue along with a tangy sensation. He swallowed and sampled some noodles. "Mm," he said once he swallowed. "Delightful, Keiko. You inherited your parents' talent."

"Thank you, Master."

Lionel smiled at her. "Keiko, I have been thinking since yesterday after the swap that you could be more than a slave; somewhere between friend and lover I would like to think. I enjoy your company and having someone to talk to. You are also pretty for a human, no offense."

"None taken, Master. If I may…?"

"Go ahead. Say what's on your mind."

Keiko looked him in the eyes. "You've shown me that not all demons are bad like I had thought. I consider myself lucky and honored to serve you."

"That's good, but I would like our relationship to be more than master and slave. You would be a lovely companion."

"It would be a little strange. A human and a demon together."

"It would, especially in Demon World. I may become the target of demons who are biased against such a relationship."

"I don't want to cause trouble for you, Master."

"I know you don't." He surveyed Keiko for a moment before saying, "What would you think if you became a demon like me?"

"Well, you are free to do what you wish to do to me, Master. I would have no objections over becoming a demon as I live here now."

"So, no objections?"

"None, Master."

"Lovely. The servants who specialize in the mixing of potions have been working on a formula to make you a demon since lunchtime yesterday and assure me that it will be finished during breakfast tomorrow."

Keiko's heart pounded at hearing that. She was only one night away from being a demon like Lionel. She wondered what she would look like and knew she would accept whatever she got. Once I've changed, what will our relationship be like? Will I still call him Master? Will I act differently as a demon? These questions raced through her mind as she got ready for bed that night. The prospect of becoming a demon sounded exciting and she wondered how she could possibly sleep with these thoughts on her min, but the moment her head hit the pillow, she was asleep.

Keiko served Lionel his breakfast, wearing a special dress. It was made of iridescent purple material that would change to fit Keiko's figure perfectly. It currently enhanced her body's shape and it would do the same when she became a demon whether she shrank or got taller.

Both were halfway through breakfast when a knock sounded. "Enter," Lionel said. The door opened and a demon shorter than Keiko and possessing a single eye entered with a smoking goblet. He knelt, bowed his head, and lifted the goblet to Lionel. "It is ready, Master."

"Excellent." He took the goblet and the demon left. "Keiko, I have one last order for you. Once you are a demon, you will become Lady Keiko and own this fortress alongside me."

"Yes, Master," Keiko said, liking the sound of becoming a lady. She would not be engaged or married to Lionel; they would simply be rulers of their home. She accepted the goblet Lionel held out to her. She toasted it by nodding to Lionel before drinking the rather disgusting concoction.

A burning fiery sensation burned in her stomach. She slid out of her chair, fell to her knees, and wrapped her arms around her stomach, eyes closed. She could feel her body changing as it elongated, burned, enlarged, and grew new parts. The pain faded away and she sensed Lionel beside her.

"Oh, Keiko. You are quite lovely," he said.

She opened her brown eyes and had to blink to focus on Lionel. Her vision had altered and she raised a hand to find that she had grown a third eye. She lowered her hand to see that the skin was green and the fingers had long claws.

She slowly stood, finding that she was taller. Lionel also stood and that told her that she was seven feet; a far cry from her previous height of five feet four inches. Her breasts had enlarged to fit her new height and body as had her dress. She lifted her hands to her head to find two back-curving horns. Something brushed against her feet and she craned her neck to see a long clubbed tail. She looked at Lionel and gave him a sharp teethed smiled.

"I love my new form," she said.

"As well you should. Come, Keiko. I have a surprise in the throne room." He guided Keiko out of the room, helping her adjust to her new height, breast size, and tail as they headed to the throne room.

They stepped inside and Keiko gave a small gasp. Her cushion was gone and a beautiful throne was in its place. It was the female counterpart to Lionel's throne. They walked over to them and sat down. "So, now that I'm not a slave, what do I do?" she asked.

"Pretty much anything you desire. This is your home and you are the lady of the fortress. My staff is your staff too. I would like you to attend my trade swaps as an actual participant."

Keiko nodded and smiled as she slid her tail across the floor as the throne had an opening in the back for it, making it comfortable to sit. She absolutely loved her tail and her long, sharp claws. She felt strong and powerful and reasoned that she likely was. She ran her tongue carefully along her teeth and found all of them were sharp like Lionel's. In fact, I have the same features. I have three eyes, horns, claws, a tail, and a tall height. Well, I do think Lionel is good-looking for a demon, so I don't mind looking similar to him. It makes us look the part of being the lord and lady of this place.

"Mas-I mean, uh…"

"My lord or Lionel will do."

"My lord, am I a flesh-eater like you?"

"You are, but that does not mean you have to."

Keiko felt relieved at hearing that but she chose to think about it. Her body had transformed into a flesh-eating demon one and she did not have to eat flesh, though. It was possible that she would eventually eat flesh. She was officially a member of Demon World and she suspected that most age humans flesh. As the humans say, when in Rome do as the Romans do. So, as I'm a demon and in Demon World, I should do as demons do. But, that can wait until I have adjusted to my body. She rose from her throne. "My lord, I believe I will go and read."

"Very well, Keiko and we will have another trade swap tomorrow afternoon."

"I look forward to that." She smiled as she left the room.