Shadow groaned as consciousness crept back to him, his body feeling... off. Everything around him felt heavier, more grounded, and unfamiliar. He blinked his crimson eyes open, his vision momentarily blurry. The first thing he noticed was that his fur—his sleek, black fur with red streaks—was gone.

“What the...?” he muttered, his voice sounding the same but his throat felt dry and strange. He lifted a hand—or at least what he thought was his hand. Gone were his gloves and the familiar texture of fur beneath them. Instead, smooth, tan skin greeted him. His fingers were long, more delicate than he expected, and the nails—what were those for? Shadow bolted upright, only to realize he was entirely exposed.

He stumbled to his feet, nearly losing his balance as his legs stretched longer than he remembered. “What the hell happened to me?!” His black hair, still tipped with vibrant red streaks, fell into his face as he stared down at himself. No tail. No quills. No ears. His chest, once adorned with a white tuft of fur, was bare and flat, his muscles defined but human. This body was alien. Vulnerable.

“Damn it, where’s my fur?!” He muttered, his voice laced with frustration. He flexed his hands, testing the movements, then ran them over his face, his jawline sharp and human. His heart pounded in his chest, the sound almost deafening in his heightened awareness.

Shadow started walking, his strides awkward as he adjusted to his new legs. Long, lanky, but strong. The ground felt rough under his bare feet, and his entire body seemed exposed to the elements in a way he wasn’t used to.

Through a mix of instinct and a strange, lingering sense of trust, Shadow made his way to your house. You—his human—would know what to do. You always did. He reached your door and knocked, the sound louder than intended.

The door opened, and there you stood. Shadow was standing there, stark naked, arms crossed.

“I woke up like this,” Shadow muttered, his tone was sharp. His crimson eyes locked onto yours, his gaze intense. “Fix it.”