My Enemy, My Friend (Enchanted Forest) - Episode 1

Episode 2: https://www.patreon.com/posts/my-enemy-my-2-115336399

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Episode 1

Part 1

— Hey, are you out of your damn mind?! You hear what I said, nerd?! — Chet squeaked in a thin, unfamiliar voice, and immediately winced, still not used to the squeaky tone that had been coming out of his mouth for the past week. His new, fragile figure looked ridiculous next to the tall, muscular Eric, who easily shrugged off the weak grip of this girl.

— Please, Chet, stop… You know how much creepy stuff gets drawn to noise around here… — Eric mumbled, looking away and nervously tugging at his backpack strap.

— That’s exactly why I said fine, let’s do this crap! And we’ll get back! But if you tell anyone, I swear… you’re done! — His words sounded more funny than threatening, and he knew it.

— Yeah, yeah, I hear you, Chet… I just need to think… — Eric grimaced and sighed, trying not to look at this petite girl who still had Chet's same face — the eternal bully who always pushed Eric around, made him do his homework, and constantly mocked him. He didn’t even want to imagine what it would be like to kiss that face. The idea just felt repulsive.

— Think?! Are you freaking kidding me?! I’ve been thinking about this all week! "Just have sex, and you’ll be back!" What kind of dumb shit is that? Sex with you?! This is messed up! And now that I finally agreed, you’re backing out, you dork?! — Chet clenched his fists, practically grinding his teeth. His thin wrists shook with tension, and his face turned red with rage. This whole week in this stupid enchanted forest with this geek had been pure hell for him. His short, helpless figure kept stumbling over itself, giving him no chance to feel even slightly confident next to Eric, who now looked like a superhero. And every time Eric helped this girl up or shielded her from strange creatures in the forest, Chet felt a burning rage — and humiliation — growing in his chest.

Eric was silent.

— Or do you want us to stay stuck here?! You like that I ended up like this, huh?! — Chet glared at Eric, clenching his skinny fists. — Enjoying yourself, yeah? Like, "Now you’re a tiny bitch, Chet"? Think you’re the boss now, huh?! Well, go ahead, give the orders! How do we get out of here?!

— I… I’m not enjoying this, Chet, — Eric grimaced, hearing a rustling sound that, of course, Chet couldn’t hear. All of Chet’s stats here were close to zero, except his maxed-out skill for “providing sexual pleasure to a partner.” — I’m just trying to figure out what they want from us. Everything here feels so wrong, but that’s exactly why… we need to work it out.

Both of them, especially Chet, often remembered that mysterious, velvet voice they’d heard upon arrival here, as if it came from the shadows themselves, saying, "To return, either answer the riddle that binds you, or… open yourselves to true unity."

He remembered the mocking, hollow laughter that followed those words, and then a phrase appeared briefly in the air: “The bond that divides, and the force that unites.” Eric felt it was important, sure it was the key to getting back home, but every time he tried to delve into the puzzle, Chet only scoffed at him.

— To hell with this crap! You get that, nerd? This is a joke on us! Riddle-schmiddle! This is just a trap you dragged me into! So get moving already!

Eric blinked and sighed again, trying to focus on anything other than Chet’s sharp gaze — which now came with long lashes he’d never even noticed a week ago. He lowered his head, trying to avoid eye contact, as if that might somehow distance him from the absurdity of the situation. But as he looked down, his gaze landed on Chet’s thin wrists, his now delicate fingers clenched into nervous fists.

— Chet, I can’t believe you actually suggested this, — he muttered quietly, hardly believing himself. — After all the insults, after all… all the pain. Do you even realize how weird this is? You… — he looked at Chet’s face and mumbled barely audibly — You’re not… a girl…

Part 2

— Not a girl? What do you mean, not a girl? I’ve got… — Chet hesitated, his face flushing, but this time not with anger; it was something new, a shame he’d never felt before. — I’ve got everything a girl has.

Eric snorted, looking away.

— Come on, stop it. You’re… well, you’re still you. I mean, this whole body — it’s just some kind of magic, an illusion. There’s no “girl” here. — He shook his head, avoiding Chet’s gaze. — I can’t take you seriously like this, Chet. I can’t see you… as a woman.

Chet froze, stunned by those words. His mind buzzed with conflicting thoughts: shame, humiliation, a strange, almost painful realization of his own powerlessness, and anger.

Unable to hold back, Chet suddenly squeezed his own chest, his small hands pressing into the soft flesh, feeling his nipples harden under his touch.

— These are tits, nerd! You get that?! — he nearly shouted, and Eric quickly averted his eyes in embarrassment. Furious, Chet grabbed Eric’s hand and, before he could pull away, pressed it to his chest. He was as shocked by his own boldness as Eric was, but after a week of feeling helpless, stuck in this girl’s body under Eric’s nose, his frustration had reached a boiling point.

— Feel that? You still think it’s an illusion? — he spat out, his face flushed with both anger and something else he couldn’t even understand.

For a moment, they both froze, staring into each other’s eyes. The world seemed to stop, as if this strange forest, the curse, the ridiculous situation — all of it had disappeared. Chet felt his breathing quicken, shallow and uneven, his heart pounding so hard it felt like it might burst out of his chest. A surprising warmth spread through his body, his knees shaking, pulse racing somewhere high in his throat. It was unbearably strange, confusing, and, strangely, inexplicably pleasant. He gritted his teeth, trying to keep himself together, but his legs were buckling, trembling as if they were no longer his own.

Eric’s fingers involuntarily squeezed on Chet’s soft, warm chest, feeling the hardened nipple pushing desperately against his touch.

— Ah! — A sweet, soft, much-too-high, much-too-feminine sound escaped from Chet’s throat, as if this somehow brought him pleasure, making his face flush even deeper, as if his whole body was on fire. Chet suddenly noticed his lips were slightly parted, felt his mouth filling with saliva, and a thin trail slipping over his lip.

Time seemed to freeze. Eric, as if snapping out of a trance, suddenly pulled his hand back, making Chet stumble and drop to his knees, unable to keep steady on his trembling legs. He was breathing heavily, gasping as if he’d just run a marathon. Between his legs, he felt both warmth and a strange heat, as though his heart had relocated there, pulsing in rhythm with his body. Each heartbeat brought an intense, almost foreign yet undeniably his own desire, bright and nearly painful, surging through him. Instinctively, he pressed his thighs together, barely stifling another moan that threatened to slip from his lips.

Part 3

— What... what the hell is this? — Chet’s voice shook as he forced the words out, still trembling slightly. He glanced around as if the forest might somehow explain this strange feeling to him, even though he knew it was pointless. His face flushed even deeper as he noticed Eric watching him with that odd mix of fear and pity.

Chet’s gaze drifted down, landing on Eric’s crotch, and suddenly he felt something inside twist violently. Eric’s erection was pressing against his jeans, creating an unmistakable bulge. Chet felt like he was about to throw up from this wild, sick feeling, but at the same time, that strange, heated desire in the pit of his stomach flared up again, as if the forest itself was dictating the rules.

— Screw this! — he shouted, wiping his damp lips with the back of his hand, as though trying to erase the humiliating desire that seemed to be part of the curse. — I... I just don’t understand what’s gotten into me, damn it! — He jumped to his feet, though barely able to stand as his knees wobbled, his body feeling like it wasn’t even his own.

Face burning with anger and shame, Chet clenched his fists and tried to stand upright, though the weakness in his legs betrayed him completely. He was disgusted with his own thoughts, with his helpless body, with the pity in Eric’s eyes, who had barely concealed his own revulsion when he’d touched him. And this damn forest… He managed to get himself upright, breathing heavily, and was about to say something cutting to reclaim even a scrap of his old confidence, but just as he opened his mouth…

— Shh! — Eric raised a finger to his lips, his gaze focused on a dense patch of bushes nearby. His muscles tensed as if readying for an attack, which only irritated Chet more. What was this idiot doing, standing there in some battle stance when everything was quiet? But Chet didn’t have the sharp hearing Eric now possessed.

— Stop telling me to shut up! I told you that—

Suddenly, two monstrous creatures burst from the bushes — scaly, with long, slime-covered claws and huge, grotesque fangs. They hissed menacingly, their red eyes locked straight on Chet. A fear that was new to him but had become his constant companion this past week took hold, and without thinking, he bolted toward Eric, hoping to hide behind him. But just as he moved, his legs got tangled in the hanging vines, and he crashed to the ground.

— Eric! — his voice cracked into a high-pitched squeal, and he cursed himself instantly for this weakness, for how pitiful and desperate his call for help sounded, for the fact that he was even asking for help at all, feeling real fear — Eric! Help, damn it! These things are gonna… Shit! — Chet flailed helplessly on the ground, struggling to free the vine twisted around his ankle. Each time he had to call out for Eric’s help, he hated himself more and more for being stuck in such a humiliating role.

Part 4

— Eric, on the other hand, moved with confidence. With a fierce expression, he charged forward, gripping a sharp rock in his hands and delivering a powerful blow to the first creature, slicing through its side with ease. The second beast snarled viciously, baring its long teeth, and lunged at Eric, but he dodged it skillfully and quickly finished it off.

When Eric was done, Chet was still lying on the ground, wiping sweat from his face. His cheeks, flushed and damp from fear and helplessness, made his vulnerability painfully obvious. Breathing heavily, Eric came over and leaned down to free Chet’s small foot from the vine. For a moment, Chet felt a surge of anger and humiliation. He, the eternal bully, was now a defenseless, trembling girl, dependent on Eric, the very guy he once despised. Yet a strange feeling of relief washed over him, and, barely believing he was doing it, he muttered quietly:

— Thanks, Eric.

Eric looked up, a flicker of surprise in his eyes, which quickly turned to his usual guarded look. He seemed to expect another jab from Chet, but Chet, still lying there, just stared up at the dark sky, without his usual defiance or mockery.

— Lucky for you I’m around, — Eric muttered, hiding genuine concern beneath his rough tone. — Next time, those things might not stop at just growling.

Chet rolled onto his side, weakly clenching his fists, wanting to snap back to reclaim at least a bit of his old confidence. But instead, he remembered that moment on their school trip when they had stumbled on the cursed artifact — a shard of an ancient mirror with elaborate carvings. They had come across it just as Chet had started teasing Eric again in front of the whole group. In the heat of another taunt, he’d shoved Eric, who stumbled and leaned against a strange column, and Chet, following him, had touched the mirror’s surface.

In the next instant, their world had gone dark, and they felt as if they were falling through some shadowy tunnel, only to wake up in this sinister forest, in different bodies, and with a vague mission. At first, they were both in total shock, but as they figured things out, they noticed strange changes. Chet, with a wild sense of horror, realized he was now a small girl, and Eric had turned into a tall, strong guy.

— You okay? — Eric’s voice snapped Chet out of his thoughts.

Chet didn’t answer immediately, still feeling weak and a bit dizzy after his close encounter with those horrific creatures. He scowled abruptly, throwing Eric a fiery look, then quickly turned away, feeling his face flush with embarrassment again. He forced himself to take a deep breath and stood up, brushing dirt off himself, cursing his body, these breasts, this hair, and all these new sensations.

— I’m fine, — he grumbled, wiping his cheeks and barely holding back his anger. — No need to hover around me like a nanny. I used to protect myself just fine. Just so you know, in any situation.

Eric glanced at Chet and shook his head slightly. He still couldn’t believe that the one he’d always known as an unrelenting bully and tormentor had become this — a small, vulnerable girl he’d just had to save from danger.

Part 5 

— I know, — Eric sighed, looking at him intently, as if noticing something in Chet that he was hiding even from himself. — But maybe things are a little different now? We’re in this together under some pretty harsh conditions. It’d be better if we worked together instead of snapping at each other.

— Oh, worked together? Just like some hero and damsel, right? — Chet bristled, feeling that familiar wave of irritation rise inside him. He wasn’t even sure if it was anger or some strange new emotion he didn’t recognize. — So, what, you want me to cling to you now? So you can help me whenever I get scared?

Eric raised an eyebrow, but there was no irritation in his eyes, only weariness and a touch of sympathy. He watched Chet closely as he continued dusting himself off nervously, sniffling a little.

— Chet, can we drop this for a minute? — Eric said calmly, softening his tone just a little. — And cut the “hero and damsel” crap. I’m just saying we should try to make it out of here alive, not...

Chet scoffed, clenching his fists so tightly his knuckles turned white.

— Yeah, alive, sure, — he muttered, throwing Eric a challenging look. — Or maybe you just don’t want to? Maybe you actually like this? Like, keeping me here, helpless, and... — He hesitated, remembering what had happened before the creatures attacked. — Because it’s simple, isn’t it? We’ll just go for some “forced-to-have-sex-to-go-home” plan, like it says! The nerd screws the bully! Right? Perfect solution! And we’re back, and I even... — he swallowed, then added — But no, of course, you can’t even manage that, because it’s me, right?

Eric sighed heavily, trying not to rise to the bait. He just looked at Chet, who, barely able to control his outrage, nervously pushed back his long hair and turned his gaze away in anger.

Eric looked at Chet with a tired expression, then, as if coming to a decision, suddenly grabbed Chet’s small hand and pulled him forward. Chet tried to yank his hand away, but Eric’s strength kept him from doing so. Eric looked down at him, restraining some inner impulse, as though he had decided this was simply the way it was going to be.

— Let’s go, — Eric said calmly and headed into the forest. Chet almost stumbled as Eric pulled him forward. Fuming with frustration and resentment, Chet hurried to keep up with Eric’s confident strides through the woods, muttering to himself about how stupid, how ridiculous this all was. He could feel Eric’s damn hand holding his firmly, not letting him break free. Inside, everything was boiling — from the humiliation, the desire to still feel like he was in control, and the bitter realization that he actually was weaker right now and did need this… nerd’s support.

— Just try telling anyone about this, got it? — Chet threw Eric a challenging look, though his voice was weaker than he wanted it to be. — When we get back, I’ll…

— Quit whining, — Eric replied, surprising Chet with a calm confidence that hadn’t been there before. He looked ahead, dodging branches and crunching leaves underfoot, as if he wasn’t the least bit bothered by Chet’s threats. — We’ll get out of here, but not with you throwing constant tantrums. Just keep moving.

Chet frowned but didn’t argue. Instead, almost without realizing it, he tightened his grip on Eric’s hand, feeling an odd sense of reassurance from Eric’s words that somehow made him feel a little more steady.