This story happens during the second dragon war when the humans were losing. This explains the origin behind the cat people and basically their gerneral makeup.
The magic began to fill the chamber, slowly the energy was drawn from the living and the air. Blue flame flickered softly in the pots to the side of the circle of chanting men and women. All dressed in the same brown robes, revealing none of their features.
The cavernous chamber was open on one side containing only two gray robed forms, "Are you sure this is a necessary act, Nilusik?" The woman asked.
The taller mage nodded and then let out a frustrated sigh. "Yes Tuirus." The mage paused before going on. "We need the troops to fight the elves on the east, and the griffons on the west." Nilusik flipped through the book on the pedestal to the side of the open end of the room.
The sorceress walked over behind the man and looked over at the book. "Where is that life dragon?" She demanded with frustration covering her words.
A blast of wind answered her, "I am here." The dragon replied in a rumbling voice. The mage and sorceress turned as the large green head entered the chamber, followed by the winged quadruped body of the dragon.
Nilusik smiled a bit, "Greetings, life dragon…" He started but was interrupted.
"No formalities tonight Nilusik. I've come to help you with this travesty." The dragon hissed, "I haven't come for your flattery."
Tirua stepped back, her voice paling before the angry dragon. A startled gasp rising in her throat as she looked at the barely contained furry of the dragon.
"Don't look so shocked witch." The dragon turned his glowing eyes towards the sorceress, "You think I would be happy to aid in this."
"Peace, my friend." Nilusik said as he attempted to calm the dragon. "None of us are happy about this."
The dragon grumbled as he looked around the chamber and the assembled mages and sorcerers. "Mutating a species solely for war is an abomination." He said with another loud hiss.
"We know, but letting the griffins, elves and their allies commit genocide on the human race is even worse." The sorceress cut in.
"I know woman." The dragon rumbled angrily, "At least your people sanction this action, mine won't." Tirua and the mage exchange a private glace, but the dragon sees it anyways. "They don't sanction it?" The large dragon asked with an angry hiss.
"No."
"You didn't even ask them did you?"
"We thought it would be best if this only concerns us." Nilusik explains.
"It won't concern only us if we're successful, mage!"
"I know that but we have our reasons."
"Why?" The life dragon asked with his voice lowered.
"They'd never agree to making a species for war. And if they did they'd want to change the creations too much ruining their lives after the war."
The dragon turned to go, "If they won't agree then neither will I."
Nilusik rushes after the dragon. "Lkislik, please!" He said, "We need you for this."
"Yes you do, without me you won't succeed."
"We might, and we'll still try. But the cats won't live up to what we want and might as well be the mindless slaves that the generals would want."
The dragon slowly turned back. "You would still attempt it wouldn't you." He walked to the pedestal with the spell book. "And knowing you, you have the book memorized." The mages only answer was a grin. "Find then lets discuss this new species of yours."
"Actually four species."
"What?" The dragon turned his head with a roar. "You told me one. Don't tell me you lied to me."
Nilusik holds his ground, and the sorceress walked to the book. She answered for the mage. "The four are basically the same. All are to be mutated from the big cats. But we need different areas to be filled in our armies. We need night fighters that will work in a team. The lions will give us that and gives us a strong sense of family. Tigers provide a strong fighter but are more independent giving the armies strong powerful sentries."
"Plus your tiger lovers won't be up in arms with the fact you didn't choose the stripped cat." The dragon interrupted the witch, "You human fights over the silliest things and at the slightest provocation."
The mage nodded and said, "You are right Lkislik, it is one of our many faults. But the tigers will also give us jungle fighters where the lions aren't as adept."
Tisua tapped her foot impatiently, "Can I continue." She said with equal impatience in her voice as in her foot. She received a nod from each of them.
"The leopards are the most adaptable of the big cats and will probably be the most adaptable of the new species. They will probably become scouts, as well as strong night fighters. They can also serve as sentries during the night when the humans are near helpless in the dark.
"The cheetahs will provide us with much needed messengers. We'll have to increase their endurance above that of a normal cheetah of course."
"I suppose I can accept that." Lkislik said, "They are all cats." But he looked at the two, "No more surprised." He hissed with anger before going on, "How many spells will ride with me?"
"Nine." Nilusik answered.
"What are they, mage?"
"The first is the transformation spell. That's the biggest and most important. It will change their shape to roughly match a human. They will become bipedal and giving them the ability to hold a sword in their hands.
"A minor mind control spell is the second." Nilusik said as he points to a few words in the book, "That's so they won't run out of control and fight on the wrong side. This spell will expire in a few years. But it is needed to draw the cats into the human armies." The life dragon grumbled a bit and nodded.
"The next is a spell to increase their intelligence. So that they will be just as smart as a human, and will not be our inferior in this manner."
The dragon held up on of his massive claws. "This is one of those areas you thought would be unacceptable to the human leaders?"
"Yes. We are making them, and we take pride in our work. We will not cripple them."
The dragon gave the mage a toothy smile, "That's good. If you didn't do that I would refuse to help."
The mage smiled back, "You taught me well the magic of life, Lkislik. And I don't want to dishonor that privilege."
Tisua interrupted again, "Do you two mind? We have to get these spells done."
The dragon looked at the sorceress, "You are right." He looks to the mage, "What other spells?"
"A slight change in their dietary structure. We're going to make them omnivorous. If we left them as meat eaters they'd have to constantly hunt for food, and be unable to protect the armies. They also wouldn't be able to develop into what we hope them to be." Tisua said wanting to get this started.
"We'll also give them some combat talent to their instinctive abilities. So they'll know how to handle a sword. Much like how our best warriors seem to be able to pick up any weapon and be able to use it effectively. But they'll still need training."
Tisua looked at the mage before she continued. "The rest of our people wouldn't understand this. But we'll enhance their emotions, allowing them to feel a wider range of human like emotions. Form joy to sorrow, as well as fear and caution." The dragon gave her a toothy smile. "We'll also give them the instinct to search out the greatest leaders and fighters on out side."
The dragon interrupted, "Why?"
"Because we don't want the human leaders to waste their lives needlessly. We want their lives to have some meaningful impact on this war. They will serve the greatest warriors loyally and fiercely, proving their worth."
The dragon nodded, "Is that all the spells?"
"No just one more thing. We want out children to be happy and to enjoy their lives. We'll modify their sex drive, to match a humans. And their reproductive systems as well. They'll have the joy of a family." She says brightly, "We'll also improve their family values, something sorely lacking in a lot of humans."
"I see that you have thought beyond this war." The dragon smiled again showing the rows of sharp teeth. "These will not be the abominations that our peoples will condemn. At least mine won't."
The dragon walked slowly towards the circle of mages, "Lets begin."
The mage picked up the book. He walked with Tisua to join the dragon to begin the spell.
* * *
A glowing green dragon left the chamber and took to the skies. As he traveled across the land spores of light fell from his wings. The sparks of light fell through the trees and touched the big cats hunting and hiding in the forest below. Some started to change but others did not.
Those that did begin to change, attracted more and more of the golden spores. Roars and yowls of pain echoed through the trees. One leopard was hit and her body started to go through amazing changes. Her hind legs straightened and grew longer. Massive thigh and calf muscles grew on the human like legs. The paws on her hind legs grew into a human like foot but the toes retained her curved claws.
The torso of the cat changed slowly, growing less deep and broadening slightly, forming a feminine upper body, but slightly deeper and more muscular then an average human female. Feminine curves formed on her hips and stomach. A pair of rounded yet athletic breasts appeared on her chest highlighting her femininity.
The forelimbs also grew into longer and more graceful arms. The paws loosing their animal like attributes, forming hands with four fingers and a thumb. Each finger still tipped with her retractable curved claws.
Her head changed only slightly, growing larger to fit in perfect proportion with her tall human like body, and to contain her greater intelligence. Some of the teeth at the back of her jaws transformed into molars to pulverize plants. But she still retained the powerful jaws and of the teeth she had as a leopard. A crop of long black human like hair fell from the head mid-way down her back.
Her screams of pain continued to echo through the jungle long after the transformation finished. Her body remembering the pain of the transformation and the shock of the change.
Slowly and uncertainly she rose to her feet. Looking very much like a beautiful and athletic human woman. But her body was still covered with the black spotted golden fur she had before. Her tail fell from just above her buttocks the ground shattering the illusion that the shadows gave her of being human.
She growled briefly and looked around. Her instincts lead her north to the border and the war.