"I think she's in a trance," said Narek, standing in front of Mrs. Dhexna, snapping his fingers.
"She just saw me and froze like that," explained Thamuz, leaning slightly to better observe Dhexna's face.
Dhexna was letting out slight drops of saliva, her cheeks as red as ripe apples. Her gaze seemed lost yet fixed on Thamuz's imposing figure, as if she were contemplating a living work of art.
"I know what to do," declared Narek, raising his palm with determination.
"What are you going to do?" asked Thamuz, with a tone of curiosity and concern.
Narek, with a quick and precise movement, slapped Dhexna. The sound of his palm hitting her cheek resonated like a sudden thunder, impressing Thamuz, who watched with eyes wide open as plates at his friend's action.
Dhexna shuddered from the impact, raising her hand to caress her reddened cheek while her short, ebony-colored hair momentarily covered her eyes. Slowly, she raised her gaze and fixed it on the two young men in front of her.
"I'm sorry for keeping you waiting so long. I hope it wasn't for too long," Dhexna apologized, straightening up with elegance.
"It was just a few minutes," replied Thamuz, making a reassuring gesture with his hand.
"You're Narek's friend, aren't you?" asked Dhexna, with a spark of curiosity in her amber eyes.
"Yes, I am," confirmed Thamuz, feeling strangely nervous under the woman's intense gaze.
"What have you come for?" she inquired, her voice soft as silk.
"A madman attacked Thamuz and ruined all his clothes, the same ones you had made for Markat," explained Narek, approaching the group.
"Oh, right. How could I forget those garments. I made them before the... 'accident,'" commented Dhexna, with a melancholic tone that seemed to carry the weight of a thousand memories.
"Yes, before that," replied Narek, his voice reflecting the same nostalgia.
"Well, I suppose you want new clothes for your friend. If so..." said Dhexna, extending her hand towards Thamuz with a graceful gesture, "come with me."
Thamuz looked at Dhexna's extended hand with bewilderment, observing how she made subtle gestures, as if she wanted to attract him with an invisible spell.
"What do you want me to do?" asked Thamuz, with a tone of innocence that contrasted with his imposing appearance.
"Let's walk hand in hand, darling," replied Dhexna, speaking in a soft and welcoming tone.
"Oh, well..." muttered Thamuz, nervously, feeling an inexplicable tingling in his stomach.
He approached Dhexna and took her hand gently. She, with the skill of an expert weaver, intertwined her fingers in perfect harmony. Meanwhile, Narek observed the scene with a feeling of strangeness.
"Let's go, I received some exquisite fabrics yesterday," announced Dhexna enthusiastically, firmly holding onto Thamuz's hand. "I have silks from distant lands and linens as soft as the dawn breeze. I'm sure we'll find something perfect to highlight your... singular presence, dear Thamuz."
The three headed towards the interior of Dhexna's building, who clung to Thamuz's hand as if it were a newly discovered treasure, while Thamuz began to feel small drops of sweat forming on his forehead.
Once inside the building, they were impressed by the exuberant amount of colorful fabrics hanging everywhere. The air vibrated with the constant hum of giant, metallic machines that emitted a slight vapor, working the fabrics with a precision that rivaled that of the best tailors.
"Here we work in an automatic and efficient way, but since you're a very special guest, I'm going to make your clothes myself," explained Dhexna, looking at Thamuz with tender eyes, who felt a shiver run down his spine.
"That sounds good," said Thamuz, almost stammering, his voice barely audible over the noise of the machines.
"So, how has business been, Mrs. Dhexna?" asked Narek, trying to fit into the conversation and ease the palpable tension.
"Very good, actually. These machines work like twenty people. Besides, King Zarakel made a huge order," said Dhexna, with a tone of enthusiasm that lit up her face.
"Really? What was it?" asked Narek, with genuine curiosity.
"I can't tell you, you know how he is with the things he orders, but I can only give you a clue: Gigantino," replied Dhexna, looking back to see Narek with a knowing wink.
"I see. That damn retard is almost twice as tall as Thamuz. It's even a miracle to see him with clothes on," said Narek, raising his hands in exasperation.
"Don't even mention it. Whenever I see him, he's almost naked," added Dhexna, letting out a small laugh that resonated in the space.
They arrived at a point where there were several rooms covered with gigantic black curtains. Thamuz, moved by curiosity, opened one of the curtains and glimpsed a mirror at the back of the space.
"What's done here?" asked Thamuz, observing the mysterious room with interest.
"This is where I'm going to take your measurements. Let's go in," replied Dhexna, releasing his hand and entering the room with a graceful movement.
Thamuz looked back where Narek was, who was observing him with his arms crossed and an arched eyebrow, an amused expression dancing in his eyes.
"What are you looking at?" asked Thamuz, somewhat annoyed by the way Narek scrutinized him.
"It seems you've attracted Dhexna," said Narek, with a slight mocking laugh.
"Does she like me? She looks a bit... mature," whispered Thamuz, looking at Narek with disgust.
"She's only three hundred and forty-five years old. She's still in the flower of youth," replied Narek, arching his eyebrow again with a touch of sarcasm.
Thamuz was left speechless upon hearing Dhexna's age, his mind struggling to process the information. But before he could recover from the surprise, a melodious voice pulled him from his thoughts:
"Thamuz, I'm waiting for you. Come, dear," it was Dhexna's voice, soft but insistent, that seemed to caress the air.
Thamuz swallowed hard, cast a last pleading look at Narek, who simply returned an amused smile, and entered the room. The whisper of the curtains closing behind him sounded like the seal of an inevitable fate.
Dhexna was sitting in a chair, with her arms and legs crossed, looking at Thamuz with seductive eyes. The atmosphere was charged with tension and desire.
If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.
"Come closer, I don't bite," she said, showing a captivating smile that made Thamuz's heart beat faster.
"It's... okay," stammered Thamuz, slowly approaching Dhexna.
Thamuz stopped in front of her and Dhexna began to subtly touch his hips, her fingers sliding with a mixture of tenderness and firmness.
"You have very large and powerful hips," she murmured, losing herself in the caresses she was giving.
"Th-thank you," expressed Thamuz, barely able to speak, feeling a growing warmth in his body.
"Now, take off all your clothes," she ordered, clapping her hands which echoed in the room.
Thamuz immediately blushed at Dhexna's order. His horns began to tremble and his ears moved nervously.
"What? Why?" he said in an embarrassed tone, trying to understand the request.
"If you don't take off those clothes, I won't be able to take your measurements accurately. Besides, they're all torn and damaged. Why would you want to keep them?" replied Dhexna, now in a more serious and professional tone.
"You asked for it," said Thamuz, starting to undress, aware of Dhexna's intense gaze on him.
Thamuz took out his bags full of pamtan from his pockets and placed them on the floor, then proceeded to take off his shirt, tearing it even more as he removed it. Dhexna looked with admiration at Thamuz's well-defined muscles, her breathing slightly accelerating.
"Incredible," she thought to herself, surprised by Thamuz's imposing figure.
"Do I have to take off my pants too?" asked Thamuz, hands on his hips, a bit unsure.
"Yes, everything," said Dhexna, looking at him with predatory eyes that left no room for doubt.
Thamuz obeyed and began to remove his pants, along with his underwear, leaving his entire body naked before Dhexna's evaluating gaze.
"I'm ready," he said, exposing his entire being.
"Alright, now comes the best part," said Dhexna, her eyes shining with anticipation as she rummaged in her pocket to take something out.
She extracted a bright yellow, almost golden measuring tape that seemed to reflect light unusually. She rose from her chair with a graceful movement and began to measure Thamuz, who kept his hands on his hips, trying to appear relaxed.
"My, biceps of one hundred and thirty centimeters, enormous forearms, your shoulders almost seem like mountains carved in marble. Where do you come from, magnificent creature?" asked Dhexna, genuinely intrigued by Thamuz's sculptural body.
"I come from a distant village," replied Thamuz, his gaze fixed on the mirror in front of him, as if trying to recognize himself.
"Does this mysterious place have a name?" she insisted, the measuring tape sliding over Thamuz's skin like a golden snake.
"No, I don't know what it's called, I don't even know where it is," replied Thamuz, his eyes meeting Dhexna's in the reflection.
"I see. So you're quite an enigmatic someone. That... fascinates me," said Dhexna, her voice adopting again that seductive tone that made Thamuz shiver slightly.
Dhexna finished measuring Thamuz and sat back in her chair, her eyes scanning every inch of Thamuz's body as if memorizing a work of art. Finally, she raised her head and looked him directly in the eyes.
"Well, I have all your measurements now. It's your decision what type of clothes you want," explained Dhexna, playing with the measuring tape between her agile fingers.
"Type of clothes?" asked Thamuz, frowning at the unfamiliar term.
"Yes, do you want a shirt? A sweater? A jacket? It's your choice to decide what you want me to make for you," explained Dhexna, resting her hand on her cheek, her eyes never leaving Thamuz's.
Thamuz reflected for a moment, raising his head to observe his body in the mirror. He studied himself in depth, as if seeing his reflection for the first time, before turning his gaze back to Dhexna.
"I want a type of clothing that makes me look imposing, as if I were a total threat, an untameable force of nature," said Thamuz, his voice resonating with a firmness that surprised even himself.
"I see, a tough and powerful type," said Dhexna, an enigmatic smile dancing on her lips. "I think I have in mind exactly what you're looking for."
She went to an ornate closet at the back of the room. Upon opening it, a faint glow escaped from inside. She took out a large towel made of a material that seemed to change color with every movement and returned to where Thamuz was, throwing it to him with a fluid motion.
"What is this for?" asked Thamuz, catching the towel in the air, surprised by its softness.
"It's for you to cover yourself while I create your outfit. You wouldn't want to be with Narek in your current state, would you?" she asked, her provocative tone making Thamuz blush slightly.
"No, it would be... uncomfortable," said Thamuz, hurrying to cover his waist with the towel.
"Good, you can go out now. It will take me some time to materialize your new identity in fabric," she said, walking towards the exit with an air of anticipation. "Prepare yourself for a transformation, Thamuz. When I'm finished, the world will tremble at your presence."
Thamuz nodded and grabbed his bags full of pamtan, left the room, adjusting the towel around his waist. The fabric, made of an unknown material, seemed to subtly change color with each movement, reflecting shades ranging from deep navy blue to warm gold. Narek was waiting outside, arching an eyebrow when he saw him.
"Is everything alright?" asked Narek, his eyes scanning his friend's imposing figure.
"Yes, she took my measurements. Now she'll make the clothes," replied Thamuz, feeling somewhat uncomfortable under Narek's scrutinizing gaze.
Dhexna came out after them, the sound of her steps barely audible over the constant hum of the machines. "You can wait in the main room. This will take a few hours. Perfection requires time," she added with an enigmatic smile.
As they walked through hallways filled with exotic fabrics and mysterious aromas, Narek noticed Thamuz's pensive expression. His eyes, normally serene, seemed to contain an internal fire.
"What are you thinking about? You seem lost in another world," asked Narek, genuinely intrigued.
"About what I asked for. Clothes that make me look imposing, like a force of nature," explained Thamuz, his voice taking on a deeper tone.
"Interesting choice," commented Narek, rubbing his chin. "Why that? It's not like you need much help to look intimidating," he added with a crooked smile.
Thamuz stopped abruptly, his gaze fixed on the enormous machines that worked tirelessly, weaving stories into every garment. "I don't know for certain. I feel I must project power. As if it were an intrinsic part of my being, a truth I've forgotten but my body remembers."
His words seemed to resonate in the air, charged with an inexplicable weight. Thamuz's horns glowed faintly, as if responding to a silent call.
"Wow, you seem like a completely different person when you talk about that," said Narek, with a thoughtful tone and a hint of concern. "It's as if you're awakening a dormant part of yourself."
"Maybe, maybe I'm getting too thoughtful about what happens to me day by day," said Thamuz, trying to give a simple explanation, although his voice betrayed an underlying uncertainty.
"Maybe, friend, maybe," replied Narek, putting his arms behind his back, his tone mixing skepticism and concern.
The two found a large antique leather sofa and decided to sit down. As they reclined, the furniture creaked under their weight, as if welcoming them. They let out a great sigh in unison, the tension of the day beginning to dissipate.
"That food really made me quite sleepy," muttered Thamuz, putting a hand on his face, his eyelids heavy.
"Me too," added Narek, giving a big yawn that seemed to infect the nearby machines, which for a moment slowed their rhythm.
Both sank into a pleasant sleep while waiting for Dhexna's clothes. Time seemed to slip like silk between their fingers, until Thamuz felt something on his legs. He slightly opened his eyes, finding Dhexna sitting on his lap, staring at him with an intensity that startled him.
"AH!" exclaimed Thamuz, his heart leaping in his chest.
Narek woke up startled by Thamuz's scream, observing the scene with a mixture of surprise and amusement. A laugh escaped his lips.
"Well, it was true that she likes you," he said between laughs, his eyes shining with mischief.
"Please, Narek, help me," whispered Thamuz, his gaze alternating between his friend and Dhexna, who continued to look at him with an almost hypnotic intensity.
"I've made your clothes, dear," announced Dhexna, her voice soft as velvet, while holding the garments behind her back.
"Oh..." replied Thamuz, his mind struggling to find an appropriate response.
Dhexna rose with feline grace from Thamuz's lap and unfolded the different garments in front of him. An imposing overcoat of a grayish black color that seemed to absorb light, accompanied by pants with several strategically placed straps, and boots of a deep black that faintly shone.
"I bought the boots at another store, especially for you, darling," said Dhexna, her provocative tone making Thamuz blush slightly.
"Th-thank you," stuttered Thamuz, slowly rising, feeling the weight of the gazes upon him.
"Come on, try them on," insisted Dhexna, her impatience palpable in the air.
Thamuz took the clothes from Dhexna's hands and began to dress quickly, trying to maintain his dignity intact. When he finished, he looked at himself, marveled at the transformation.
"They look good," he said, his voice filled with amazement.
"Wait until I bring a mirror so you can see yourself better," said Dhexna, heading towards an adjoining room.
She returned carrying a giant mirror with a strength that surprised both men. She placed it in front of Thamuz, who observed himself carefully, astonished by the new image that the reflection returned. The overcoat seemed to ripple slightly, as if an invisible breeze caressed it, and the straps on the pants shone with a metallic gleam.
"So, how does it feel?" asked Narek, arms crossed and observing his friend with a mixture of curiosity and admiration.
Thamuz straightened up, his shoulders thrown back, his posture emanating a confidence that had only been suggested before. His eyes shone with a new burning flame when he replied:
"It feels... like I have power."