Honeymoon After
Purk rolled onto his back, feeling thoroughly content. The night before had marked his first intimate experience with his beloved Hazel, and he was reluctant to part from her or the emotions it stirred within him. As he watched her sleep peacefully, he reflected on the fact that they had been nestled in their honeymoon burrow for two days without venturing out. Purk had certainly embraced his role in their newfound relationship. He let out a pleased grunt when he felt the gentle brush of his bride's nose against his cheek.
" Morning my love," said Purk.
Hazel blinked and opened her eyes, her lips curling into a warm smile for her new mate.
"Today is your special day, my king. Yay!" she exclaimed softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "Are you excited?" asked Hazel.
He was filled with excitement that coursed through his entire being. Purk's grin was so broad it ached his cheeks. He turned to look at her.
"Absolutely! Today, my dear, we officially begin our roles as the new King and Queen. I can't hide my excitement," he responded.
Hazel chuckled bashfully, raising an eyebrow in curiosity." What is so funny?" he asked.
She paused before responding. "I must say, you are certainly excited," Hazel remarked, stifling a laugh.
Understanding what Hazel was hinting at, Purk shot her a sidelong smirk and started to tickle her with his snout.
"Hahaha! I'll show you what funny really looks like!" he said with a mischievous grin as he playfully flipped her onto her stomach. Soon, their burrow was filled with laughter and deep grunts. As the morning went on, they remained tangled in each other's embrace.
Big Day
Queen Torlia summoned her tributes one final time to fulfill her wishes. Four courageous tributes and one general lined up before her. She paced along the row before turning to address them.
"Alright, my loyal tributes, I have one final command for you. We need to prepare for my son's ceremony—the coronation of the new King."
Several loyal Tributes responded in one accord, particularly the favorable Tribute, Roz, among them, "At once, Your Majesty."
"Very well. I need some of you to take a Murula tree and cut it into planks. You can use stones for the stairs leading up to the platform. It would also be great if you could set up the horn. Remember, we will only have two thrones today, not three as we usually do. The coronation is a different matter altogether. My King will bring his tusk sword to knight his son," the Queen said.
She would miss her tributes deeply. They had battled, trained, and safeguarded her and their clan for many years. This group of tributes had served the King and Queen for eight years or less, though some, like the general, had been in service for much longer. Qualification for tribute was based on age and rank. Today, they would fulfill their duty to the new King and Queen.
According to tradition, once the males reached full maturity, they faced a critical decision. No male hog could remain within the clan and risk mating with the Queen, for any contamination of the bloodline by foreign seed or incest would spell disaster for the Clan. As a result, the males had to choose between a life of exile or servitude. Those who opted for servitude willingly surrendered all rights to mate. Breaking this sacred covenant would result in a brutal punishment: death by tusking, a horrific execution carried out by a group of warthogs that would gore the offender with their tusks. Queen Torlia dismissed the tributes to their assigned places, as Tribute Roz led the group out, flanked by General Tribute Zarfed at the rear. Before they vanished into the arena, the General Zarfed to bid one final farewell.
"My Queen, it has truly been an honor to serve by your side. It feels like just yesterday when the three of us— you, Muck, and I— were nothing more than young piglets. I never imagined I would have the privilege of becoming not only your General but also your friend. You and the King will forever hold a special place in my heart. I vow to serve your son with the same enthusiasm and dedication that I devoted to you," he said, turning swiftly.
He emerged from the royal courtyard at a brisk trot. The tributes had toiled for many hours to complete the stage. Roz returned to report to the Queen; the ceremony was about to begin. The King and Queen were adorned in elegant grass robes, fastened around their necks. Crafted from dried twine and freshly picked flowers, their attire was complemented by crowns made of twigs and thatch. The Queen took her time getting ready for the grand occasion, making sure her hooves gleamed for the evening. Queen Torlia aimed to present her best self for her son. The King and Queen walked together into the arena, gazing into each other's eyes as they entered.
"Do you recall our first stroll like this, my bride?" King Muck inquired. The queen let out a gentle grunt and smiled widely.
"Of course. I think it was our wedding night. You were so young and dashing," she responded.
The king merely grunted in reply. "You're out of your mind; I'm still handsome," he said with a chuckle. Their laughter resonated throughout the arena.
"I want you to know that I would do it all again. I'm proud of the Queen you've become, and you will always hold a special place in my heart," said the King.
The queen's eyes glimmered with emotion as she smiled, wordlessly. They hurried to their thrones for one final moment of rest. The arena was once again filled with the raucous sounds of the warthog clan members. A hush fell over the crowd as King Muck moved toward the horn. He inhaled deeply and then blew with all his might. The deep, resonant sound reverberated through the space, ringing out for a steady moment before he fell silent. The powerful note echoed far and wide as the King prepared to speak.
"It is my utmost honor to invite my son and his new bride to the stage," Muck proclaimed proudly.
Prince Purk and Hazel drew near, staying close to one another. They turned to face their king, positioning themselves with their backs to the crowd. King Muck set his tusk blade before him and then lowered it to the ground.
"Let the coronation commence. I, King Muck, sovereign of all Hog Hill, hereby bestow upon you, Prince Purk, the title of new King and leader of our clan. May your reign be marked by justice, courage, honor, and compassion. May you love and cherish your Queen, and may you be blessed with many piglets in the years to come. As I step down from my position and pass it on to you this day, step forward so that I may lay my sword upon your shoulders," declared the King.
Purk stepped away from Hazel and knelt beside his father's hooves. The King turned, using his mouth to lift his sword, and gently tapped Purk's right shoulder, then his left, before resting the sword against his son's bowed head. The Queen approached the King, assisting him in removing his crown. She carefully passed it from his head to his mouth. Torlia quickly stepped back to watch. The King slowly placed the crown firmly on his son's head, a perfect fit, just as it had been so many years ago on his own coronation day. Warm tears coursed down his father's cheek, and Purk's heart swelled with pride and joy. The King's reign was complete, and he could now retire as a contented hog until his last breath.
"Rise, O King Purk, and look to your people," his father said.
Purk shook with anticipation but steadied himself, exuding an air of confidence as he faced the crowd. The arena buzzed with the sounds of hooves thundering, jubilant grunts, and delighted squeals. Turning to his bride, King Purk observed his mother bestowing the title of new Queen upon Hazel. Torlia relinquished her crown, and the former King and Queen gracefully stepped aside. She called upon Tribute Roz and Haze to dress the newly crowned royals in their ceremonial robes. The robes were resplendent, decorated with freshly picked pink and yellow flowers. King Purk and Queen Hazel ascended to their thrones, sitting tall and proud as the arena erupted in joyous cheers. Suddenly, a brilliant purple spark shot into the sky above them, capturing everyone's attention. People gazed upwards in awe at the vibrant color that rippled through the air like a stone cast into a tranquil pond.
Without warning, King Purk doubled over on his throne. Gasps echoed through the chamber as everyone stared in alarm at their new ruler. He crashed his face to the ground, wracked with agonizing pain. One by one, others began to mimic his distress. The atmosphere among the clan shifted to one of frantic panic. Every warthog succumbed to the ground in torment. Purk felt a wave of nausea wash over him, as if his insides were tearing loose.
He attempted to glance at Hazel but found himself unable to move. The agony blurred his vision, and his head throbbed incessantly. His front legs lay splayed out before him, a sharp splitting sensation coursing through them. Gradually, they began to morph into human limbs, starting from his shoulders downward. Large, muscular biceps formed, followed by triceps, and then veiny forearms. With a crack, his wrist shifted, and a hand emerged from his hoof. The hoof rolled away, spinning to a stop. The air around him was filled with screams of torment, and his heart raced wildly.
Purk grasped his chest with his new hands and let out a scream, his voice transformed in the process. His torso reshaped into sculpted, chiseled pectorals, and he suddenly had a belly button as his waist expanded. A wave of pain surged through him as he felt his groin shift upward. Desperately, he reached for it, clutching it tightly while his eyes squeezed shut, wishing for the ordeal to end. His hind legs transformed into thick, muscular thighs, while his calves and hooves remained unchanged, albeit plumper to support his newfound weight. The once proud tail he held high now dangled limply. His face contorted slightly into a more human shape, sporting tusks jutting from either side of his mouth, with a flat snout still serving as his nose. His warty cheeks had shrunk too, but they retained their familiar texture. Purk's once wild, unruly hair was now long and black, cascading from his brow to the nape of his neck and spilling over his shoulders in sleek strands. His skin had shifted from leathery black to a warm brown, marking a complete transformation. Confusion swirled in his mind as he grappled with his new reality, but all he could focus on was the overwhelming wave of nausea building in his stomach. It soured quickly, and he heaved, spewing warm green bile onto the ground. A few more dry heaves followed before the vomiting finally subsided.
All around Purk, changes were sweeping through his clan. Beside him, Hazel was sobbing uncontrollably. She was as naked as Purk, struggling to find a way to cover herself. Her body shook and quivered; the nature of her transformation was unlike his. Hazel possessed a slender, hourglass figure, in stark contrast to Purk's massive, muscular frame. While his build was solid and robust, her arms and legs were toned and delicate. Hazel wasn't bulky, but rather lean. Instead of the usual eight nipples running along her belly, she had two breasts on her chest. Her womanhood was now situated between her legs, adorned with soft, white curls. Her face was smaller than Purk's, and long strands of white hair cascaded past her shoulders. Fear and sadness washed over her, mingled with confusion and embarrassment that filled every inch of her being. No one had seen this coming.
Purk reached for Hazel and swiftly wrapped them in a small robe that offered little more than minimal coverage for his private parts. He surveyed the arena, but it was completely deserted—not a single soul, not even his parents. The place had cleared out, with warthogs scurrying off in search of safety. Purk's breathing was rapid and heavy, and for the first time, anger began to rise within him as he searched for answers. Why did this have to happen today of all days? Everything had been going so well. He hoped it wasn't linked to the recent change in leadership. Shaking his head, he pushed the thought aside.
"That's impossible. It's ridiculous for me to even consider that," he thought.
Nevertheless, he was now the King and needed to uncover the truth of what had transpired. Moreover, everyone in the kingdom, including Hazel, would be turning to him for answers he didn't possess. This deeply frustrated him. The dilemma of becoming the new king weighed heavily on him, especially since his parents had never faced a situation like this. It seemed that his first day as king was beginning with quite a spectacle.