“I’m sorry, I can’t accept this. Sure Donald’s treated me horribly ever since I’ve started working here. I’ve spent nights just crying because of how bad it felt. But this isn’t right. It’s not honorable for me to take what he’s worked so hard for and give him nothing but my pain in exchange. Please, change us back to how we were before.”

“Are you sure you do not wish the scales of fate to be balanced? He has tormented you these past ten years, taunting you with his position and his physical stature. Do you not wish vengeance and justice?”

I looked at down at him. It would be so easy for me to keep this new size and strength. It felt so good being huge, strong and endowed, but seeing how sad he was about his lost, to the point of crying, I knew that I had to give it up.

“Sometimes, I wish I didn’t have this honorable nature,” I said to Donald more so than the spirit, “but yes, I want our two bodies returned to their former state.”

“So be it Keeper of the Four Gales. I hope you are happy with your choice here.”

Somehow, I didn’t think I would be, but my happiness wasn’t going to come at the expense of another. The spirit closed its empty eyes, then a bright flash engulfed the room. When it cleared, I was back to looking at Donald’s chest. I looked at myself and sighed. Donald ran his hands over himself and almost shouted in joy, finding everything returned to normal. He spent almost too long groping his crotch. I guess I would too if I suddenly lost my package just a few moments ago.

I went to leave the restroom but Donald stopped me. He placed his huge hand on my shoulder and turned me around. “Dude, I can’t believe what just happened. You gave up all this for me?”

“Well, as gay as that sounds, it’s not entirely true or false. I know how hard you worked to get that body, and it’s my nature not to cause suffering to others. I know your life would be hell even if mine would be heaven, and I couldn’t do that.”

Donald looked down at me and then hung his head. “Man, I can’t believe you. I’ve been a complete and utter ass ever since you’ve known me, and you still have my feelings in mind? God I’m such a jerk.”

“Damn right you are, but maybe now you’ll change.”

“Fuckin’ hell I will. I mean…damn, I don’t even know where to begin to thank you.”

“Well for starters, you can share the work load around here. I’m sure the other guys would like to get off at normal times. Then maybe you could help me out in the gym.”

“Man, you’ve got a deal. I’ll go tell the other artists right now.” He turned to exit the bathroom but stopped at the door. “Thanks a lot man.”

I smiled as he walked out and went to the sink to wash my face, wondering why in the hell I just gave up everything I wanted. The cool water made me want to forget everything that just happened, but I know I couldn’t. I had it all, I was tall, had a sexy body and a cock to die for, and I gave it up.

I walked out of the restroom and returned to my desk. Donald came by and leaned over my cubicle wall.

“So Cody, obviously you will be able to get off earlier, but you mind if I ask what sparked the discussion?”

I looked up at him, glancing at those thick forearms of his and respond, “Well, I just wanted to start hitting the gym again. Got tired of seeing the gut, ya know.” I laughed a bit while Donald looked at me. I thought he was preparing some witty and snide remark, but he surprised me.

“You got one picked out already?”

I raised an eyebrow and said, “No. Why do you ask?”

He stood up a bit and placed his hands behind his head, unconsciously flexing the balls of muscle in his arms, “Well, you know, I have been an ass to you for a while, and I’d like to make it up. How ‘bout you join my gym? I can help train ya if you’d like. You don’t have to say ‘yes’. I can understand if you don’t like me enough to come.”

I interrupt him before he could get any more out, “Of course man, I would love to lift with you. You have the exact physique I’m hoping for. But are you ok with it? I’m probably weak as hell and you are probably in some hardcore muscle gym.”

He smiled, “Yeah, there’s some hardcore muscleheads in there, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I’m sure they’ll welcome ya too.”

I couldn’t help but smile back at him because I realized that this could be the start of a beautiful friendship.

The next few months were good. Not amazing, but good. I spent every day after work in the gym with Donald. It was an interesting time. I was extremely far behind Donald’s lifting, but he was sincere about his desire to help me. I felt kinda weird about hanging out with him, in a gym full of beefy muscle men, but after the first month, it felt like home. Every day I would be inspired by not only Donald, but other behemoths of muscle that frequented the gym. Instead of being callous to me, they were helpful, guiding me with meal plans, exercise routines and direction.

I was home one night after an extremely grueling workout with Donald. He had me doing supersets of some leg exercises and I was beat. I hopped in the shower as soon as I got there. Letting the hot water soak into me, I stayed in the shower for almost an hour. Finally, I turned it off and stepped outside my shower to see the ghostly form of my grandfather standing before me.

“I’m damn proud of you boy.”

“Grandpa?”

“You did the best thing without even researching the amulet. Now the 4 Gales can truly blow.”

“What does that mean anyway Grandpa? What the hell are you talking about?” I said in utter confusion.

Pointing at my medallion, he said, “Remember that day you got Donald’s muscles? It was sort of a test. There was no real right or wrong answer, but you chose wisely. The East Gale represents Honor and Truth. The West Gale represents Change. You upheld those two aspects that day by changing how you were living and by being honorable when you were tested with your greatest temptation. I’m so proud of you.”

I smiled at my grandpa and asked, “So, now that these four gales are blowing, what will happen?”

“Well, from experience, I can tell you your life will become very interesting. Donald, I’m sure, will continue to change for the better, and if you’re like me, you should be hitting a second growth spurt as you’re in the gym. I know you’ll enjoy it as much as I did.”

I stood there, mouth agape as my grandpa smiled at me, “Enjoy the rest of your life kid, I know it’s going to be interesting.” Then he waved at me as he faded from view.

That was about six years ago. Since that time, Donald has become best of friends with not just me, but the entire artist board. He gives credit where it’s due and pulls his own weight. The artists have never been closer. We all eat lunch together, Donald and I opting for our healthy stuff. We hang out at a bar on Wednesday and even recently started a bowling league. Seems that Donald has really turned around, not out of fear as one might think, but out of understanding of what it’s like to be different, if only for a moment.

Grandpa was right also, I did hit a second growth spurt. I’m now about 6’5’’ 260 lbs. I look like an off season bodybuilder and everything, including the goods seemed to grow this time around. I’m working on becoming a powerlifter as of late. I’ve gotten so big that the fellas at the gym are pushing me to train with them and Donald’s thinking bout powerlifting too.

On the weekends, we usually go cruising for chicks at the bar down the street and we’re the two most popular guys there. Even though I’m still interested in women, I’ve come to enjoy the company of a nice big man too and will often have a nice guy over for some fun.

I look back on that day and I sometimes wonder what would’ve happened if I had chose to keep Donald’s attributes. But I can’t think on what could have been. I know right now that I’ve never felt so vibrant before, and life is great. I have friends that I would’ve never had before, I enjoy my job again and I fuck guys and girls that would have never even seen me before. And it’s all because of a little choice that made a world of difference. •