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Luna had been looking to get herself a familiar for weeks now. She had passed her classes and finally had the magic level acquired to keep and maintain a proper familiar. It had been something she had been excited for ever since she was little. The wait was always the hardest part though, first having to be the age when familiar training was taught; 18. Then there was taking the proper classes for training and everything else familiars entailed, but now that was all finished.
Her mother always had the most beautiful familiar; a pure white arctic fox. As a child she always enjoyed playing with it, giving it many pets and belly rubs. Then when her brother was old enough to get a familiar, he got a raven, and Luna was in awe how loyal it was to him.
So Luna knew that she wanted to get a familiar that spoke to her. One that she would love and care for, and one that would be good to listen and work well with her. She just wasn't too sure what that creature was going to be. She knew she couldn't decide ahead of time, for her mother told her that her familiar is one she would feel a bond with. She would sense a magical connection with whatever creature was meant to be hers, so she knew she would be satisfied with whatever she got.
When she made it to the store that held familiars, she held her breath for a moment before stepping inside. When she was inside, the sounds of various different animal chatter filled her ears. Her heart raced, knowing she was getting closer to having her very own familiar.
"Good day ma'am," the worker said. "Coming in to pick out a familiar? Or just a regular pet?"
"A familiar, sir. My very first."
The worker smiled brightly. "Great! Well feel free to look around, let me know if you need any assistance."
Luna thanked him and began walking through, looking at all the different animals. She saw birds, cats, and dogs; the usual lot that most people commonly had as familiars. While they were cute, nothing called for her to look longer, so she moved on.
She saw some snakes and other various reptiles, but there was nothing there. She even looked around a bit more, at a few smaller rodents, but it was all just the same. No connection with any of the animals, and Luna was starting to get a bit disappointed. She knew that every witch or wizard was to have a familiar, but she didn't expect the search to have to go on for this long.
Then just as she was going to ask the worker if they had anything else in back, something caught her eye. She walked to the corner of the store and saw a small little creature sleeping in a crate. It was small and purple and had little horns on its head.
"Aww, it's a little behemoth," Luna said.
"Ah yes, the Miniature Behemoth. We found the poor guy squealing and running around in the big storm we had a few days ago. Poor thing must have been separated from his family."
Luna stared down at the little creature, noting that it even had one scar over its left eye. Her heart ached for the little guy, but for a moment she thought she felt something else. Something almost magical tingled in her chest.
She held her breath.
"Is this it? My familiar is this poor little guy? Even if he isn't, I couldn't just leave him. He looks like he needs a good home."
"I'll buy him," Luna said.
"Alright, I'll get a carrying case. Just beware he is a bit feisty."
Luna hummed. "I'm sure I can handle him."
"Well as I get the papers and everything else, you can start thinking of a name for him."
Luna nodded, reaching down to pet the behemoth. He suddenly woke up and let out a squeal, backing up to the wall. She pulled her hand back and looked at the frightened little thing. "Oh it's okay. You don't need to be afraid. I'm here to help you."
The Behemoth stopped squealing and looked up at her. His expression softened before slowly stepping forward. He tilted his head to the side as he stared up at Luna. She took this moment to try and pet him again and was thankful the behemoth didn't move away this time.
"See? It's okay. I feel like we will get along just fine."
She scooped the little guy into her arms and started to walk to the front. "You can feel it too, can't you?" she whispered. "A magic between us, right? I'm sure of it."
The behemoth tilted his head again. It let out a soft sound that Luna thought was completely cute. She petted him on the head before handing him over to the worker who placed him in a carrying crate.
"So, have you considered a name?"
Humming, Luna tapped a finger to her chin. "How about Viribus?"
The behemoth let out a short snort, almost glaring at her
"Aw, come on. I think it would suit a strong little guy like you. It means strength I recall."
That seemed to calm down the creature and he went back to sitting down in his crate, still staring at Luna. She filled out her paperwork quickly and happily bought a few bags of food that would be delivered to her house later. All she was going to bring home with her was a bed and her new familiar.
When they got to the house, she set the crate down and opened the hatch. "Okay, Viribus. Come and check out your new home."
Carefully, Viribus stepped out and started to walk around. He only took a few steps before he turned towards Luna and started nudging her leg. She thought it was cute, but then she felt that strange magical feeling again.
The more she thought about it, it felt a little off. The magic wasn't something that felt like a warm connection, but rather than a different level of magic. Looking down at Viribus, she decided to take a chance with what was nagging her at the back of her mind.
She cast a spell over him that would read for any hidden magic that could have been placed on the behemoth. When the magic reacted, she nearly stumbled back. It showed there was a spell placed on the behemoth. There was some darker magic that was locked around the creature.
"What… that spell? I've seen magic like that. Wait…"
She ran to her spell book and started flicking through the pages. She tried to look for the aura she saw around Viribus, trying to remember what it was. Then she came across the page, gasping when she read the spell.
"A transformation spell? You… You're not really a behemoth?"
Viribus nodded.
"Oh my goodness. Someone transformed you. Oh you… wait I can try and fix it. I think I can handle the counterspell. Let's see…"
She read through the page, reading through the original spell and then the counterspell below. "Okay. It is a little above my learning level, but I can do this. I am going to try! Stay still for me, and we'll see what happens."
With a deep breath, she read the counterspell and waved her hand out over Viribus, or really whomever he was before. Instantly a bright light glowed around him and within an instant of light and smoke.
Now before here no longer was a tiny behemoth, but instead a young man… who of course had to be completely buck naked.
Quickly Luna grabbed the blanket from the couch and threw it over the man, trying not to look as she did so. "Tell me when you have it wrapped around yourself, I won't look."
A few seconds passed before she heard her answer. "I'm good now. Thanks."
His voice was deeper than she expedited, a slight gruffness that seemed to fit a behemoth but it seemed gentle as well. She turned back around and stared at the man who now sat on her floor. He looked to be around her age and had eyes that seemed to be an amber-brown color that went well with his messy dark brown hair.
"I'm so sorry," Luna said. "I had no idea you were actually a person. If I had known back at the store I would have-"
"It's okay. You at least were able to help me. I'm thankful for that. Really. I never got your name though."
"Luna," she answered. "And I suppose your real name wouldn't actually be Viribus?"
He shook his head. "No. I'm Gladio."
Luna hummed as she sat down on the floor next to him. "Gladio, huh? It's quite nice. So tell me, Gladio, how did you end up as a little behemoth?"
Gladio looked down at the floor embarrassed. "Got caught up in some trouble with these bad witches. They cursed me and then tossed me into the woods."
"And they chose a little behemoth for you? You must be a pretty tough and gruff guy then," Luna teased lightly.
Gladio blushed slightly. "I guess so. I tried to be strong, but I guess I wasn't strong enough."
"You can never be prepared to be stronger than magic. Magic is unpredictable, but I bet you put up a good fight."
"Thanks. So you're a good witch then?"
"As good as they come," Luna smiled. "But now I am still without a familiar. Guess I gotta go check some other stores tomorrow."
Reaching out, Gladio placed a hand on her shoulder. "Hey, sorry about messing that up. I know I wouldn't be good familiar material. But how about I stick around to help you, to make up for it?"
Luna offered a smile. "Are you making a proposition for me? You know witches and wizards take those things very seriously."
"Wouldn't mind. You did save me after all. Almost like a fairytale."
"You wouldn't happen to be a prince now would you?" Luna giggled.
Gladio shook his head, but he smiled. "Nah, but I could be one for you."
"Oh my, quite the flirt aren't you?"
"Only for you, if you want me that is," Gladio said, the honesty and kindness shining in his eyes. "Otherwise, I'll understand. Don't want to overstay my welcome."
"Oh no, you can stay! Please do, Gladio," she said as she placed her hand over his. "I'd like it very much if you would stay."
Suddenly Gladio disappeared in a puff of smoke, and when it faded she was looking down at the little purple behemoth again. She placed her hands over her mouth, trying not to make much of a sound.
"Sorry!" she finally said after she got some squealing sounds from Gladio. "I knew the spell was a bit hard for me… I must not have done it strong enough to fully reverse it!"
Gladio brushed up alongside her, as if he was trying to comfort her.
"I could try again, but I don't know how long it will last. I would have to practice a bit until I get it right so it's 100%. I guess you'll be staying around whether you want to or not," she said with a small laugh, hoping Gladio wasn't too upset.
When she got another nod from Gladio she tried again. She was able to transform him back to a human, but she still worried how long it would , one spell she knew she could do was conjuring some clothes up for him to wear. She did her magic quickly and gave him some nice loose sweat pants and a tank top to wear.
"I'm still so sorry about this. I feel so embarrassed," Luna said as she flopped down on the couch.
"Hey, you said it yourself. It was a tough spell. Be proud you managed to do it even if it wasn't full," Gladio said. "You'll get it."
Luna sighed. "I hope so. I'm sure the more I work at it, I can perfect it."
"Sounds like a plan," Gladio said with a yawn. Slowly he snuggled up against Luna, resting his head on her arm.
A little baffled, Luna stared at him surprised, but she could see how tired he was. Carefully she guided his head to lay down in her lap. She started to laugh when she heard him hum softly.
"I suppose those little behemoth tendencies have rubbed off on you," she said as she ran her fingers through his hair.
"Guess so," Gladio whispered.
"You did make a cute Mini Behemoth. So small and cute."
Gladio snorted. "Not cute."
"So you say," Luna whispered. "But I can see what your heart is. Tough behemoth on the outside, gentle moogle on the inside."
"A moogle?" Gladio laughed quietly.
"That or maybe a big fluffy chocobo."
A smile formed on Gladio's lips. "A bird, that's more like it."
"Alright then, Gladio the big behemoth with the heart of a fluffy chocobo," Luna said before she leaned over and kissed him lightly on the forehead. "And you're my big behemoth."