Hilal's Crystal Muscle-cles (Part 1)

Here is the start to the Muscle Growth story with Hilal, the character who won the poll, ^^

______________________________________________________________________

In the heart of the mystical realm of Vela, where anthro beings of various shapes and sizes coexisted, there lived a short stack male bat named Hilal. Despite his height, he had grown outward in muscular width. Hilal was known for his keen senses mostly due to him being born blind, which forced him to attune to all of them. He had made a life for himself under the service of his prince, Eligos as a stealthy spy and informant. One day, as Hilal finished debriefing, Prince Eligos called upon him to his chambers with a special mission.

"Hilal," boomed Eligos, the large and imposing muscular figure of a jet black bull with numerous craving like lines that ran over his body. His deep voice resonated through the stone walls of the royal chamber. "I have a task for you. A new cave has been discovered on the outskirts of our kingdom. I want you to explore it and report back on the potential resources it may hold."

Hilal bowed in respect of being in the royal's presence. “Yes, my Prince but why me? Don’t you have others to do such a task?

“I do but I’d rather you go,” he replied, stepping closer, pulling the dark blue cloth that covered the bat's face and head. When he did, it revealed those milky shrouded eyes that held a luminous glow.  “No one has better “eyes” than yours nor the wit to estimate the value of things. I couldn’t possibly send Saros or Kassinni could I?”

Hilal couldn’t help but smirk, hearing his Prince give such high praise. “I guess not. I do love that himbo of a caribou and Kassinni is much too hot headed.”

“Then you do understand and anyone outside of my personal commanders wouldn’t be allowed to venture into unknown areas.”

“Then I accept this order from my Prince with pride and honor. I shall not fail you.” He gave another bow before lifting his head to hear the Prince beginning to undress as attendants slipped their way towards him. He quickly headed out, placing his cloth back over his eyes,  to make preparations for his mission.

As he made his trek across the pristine palace ground and into the rural areas. He had equipped himself with a pickaxe, and a sense of determination as he kept up his high spirits of not wanting to fail his Prince. In time, he came across a cave, sensing the ground much like the ones they had explored before for the valuable resources which sustain their entire population.

He placed a hand at one of the sides to the opening, taking in a big whiff of the air.. “Yes. This is the place. Reminds me of the caves I’d delve into during my younger days of training.”

Hilal ventured into the mysterious cave, the darkness enveloping him as he descended deeper into the earth. The darkness was his home and always had been, even becoming his playground. The cave was damp and filled with an eerie silence that seemed to amplify every step he took or breath uttered. Still, he persisted onward because there was nothing on the planet that would deter him from his mission of honoring his Prince.

“For a cave that was supposed to be undiscovered… I’m surprised how far I’ve been able to go,” he surprisingly remarked.

Deeper into the cave, the air grew thicker, and a faint glow emanated from a distant chamber. Hilal's heart quickened as he approached, his senses heightened, feeling that warm glow which softly pulsed in the distance.

“What in the…,” he reached out a hand, feeling the space open back until he came to a complete stop. He stood there, having that glow brush across his front as he took in a deep breath, while removing the cloth from his head. As he released it, he let out a one big shout which brought the glow of his eyes brighter and he was able to get a general visage of the space for a few seconds before it faded.

In the center of the cavern, he discovered a large, radiant crystal that bathed the entire room in a mesmerizing light. The crystal's surface sparkled with otherworldly energy, casting dazzling reflections on the cave walls. Hilal marveled at its beauty, unable to tear his eyes away from the mysterious artifact. As he extended a cautious hand to touch it, the crystal pulsed with energy, and a surge of warmth enveloped him.

“Where did you come from,” he marveled, running his hand over its surface as more of the energy worked itself through his beefy figure. His two toned blue fur lighting up as it oscillated the power coursing within, “This is magnificent. I must get some of this to the Prince.”

He reached for the pickaxe he had brought, and gave a powerful swing towards the crystal. As it struck, he could hear a definite break to the stone as a portion of it landed next to his feet. He tossed the axe, reaching down to retrieve the other. “Here you are,” he smiled.

Even though it was considerably smaller, that energy still tingled within his palms. The longer he held onto it, he could feel it tickle inside his mind. “Bigger? Who me,” he asked, like he was talking to someone. “I’m already big. Wait? You mean even bigger?”

He stood there, clutching at the crystal he had taken, a grin spreading across his face, slipping the hood back over his eyes. “I guess I could. If you think it will make Eligos and my Saros value my efforts even more.”

As Hilal continued to talk to the apparent stone, his demeanor shifted in the time it took him to get back onto palace grounds. Where he should have gone straight to the Prince for his report, instead he shirked it and made haste to the royal exercise room.

“I must swell. I must grow bigger,” he chuckled, starting to rack up, pulling off his shirt and hood.