“Stop your childish games, Storm God,” the Lust Goddess said, her voice cold and sharp as ice. Her eyes, glowing with an otherworldly light, locked onto the Storm God.
For the first time in his long life, the Storm God struggled to meet someone’s gaze. His usual confident posture faltered, his shoulders stiffening under her piercing stare.
Kent, who had seen the Storm God face, couldn’t hide his surprise. He had never seen the mighty Storm God look so… vulnerable. The Lust Goddess, with just a glance, had stripped him of his usual bravado.
With a smirk, the Lust Goddess tilted her head slightly, her lips curling into a cold smile. “The War God gave me his word. He promised to return my physical body and my position the moment I step foot in the Spirit World.” She took a step closer, and the Storm God visibly tensed. “He also made a very specific promise, that the one who breaks my curse would ascend as the Pleasure God.”
Her words hung in the air, heavy with accusation. She let the silence stretch out, her eyes never leaving the Storm God’s face. “Did he forget his word? Or do I need to remind him?” Her tone was sharp, a challenge wrapped in a question, but her expression—grim and unyielding.
The Storm God’s face paled as he struggled to find the words. He knew what she was referring to, knew the weight of the War God’s promise. He had been there when the oath was made, a sacred vow that was not to be broken. And yet, here he was, caught between two gods, with Kent’s fate hanging in the balance.
“My… My Lady…” The Storm God’s voice stuttered.
“What lady? What is the meaning of this?” The Lust Goddess’s voice rose, her anger barely contained. “Do you think the War God can ascend to the realm of the Old Gods without my help?” She turned aside, her aura flaring, forcing the Storm God reflection to take a back step.
“Go and tell him, the Lust Goddess is still very much alive and well. I existed before he even took up the mantle of godhood.” She commanded, her voice like thunder.
“If he wants the help of Kent, then he will give proper rewards. This isn’t a negotiation—it’s a command.” She said, her eyes flicking briefly to the young man,
Kent could feel the immense pressure of her presence as her gaze landed on him for a brief moment. He stood still, sensing the deep-rooted tension between these ancient deities. It wasn’t just about the War God’s promise; this was about power, legacy, and the control.
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The Storm God’s face contorted with frustration, his shoulders sagging in defeat. He let out a long, heavy sigh before bowing his head slightly.
“I apologize,” he said, his voice filled with genuine regret. “This was a mistake—one that I will correct. I will deliver your message to the War God. His promise will not be forgotten.” He glanced at the Lust Goddess, his eyes reflecting the gravity of the situation.
The Lust Goddess remained silent, her piercing gaze never leaving the Storm God. The Storm God took a deep breath before turning his gaze to Kent. “Think carefully about the war, Kent. This is not a simple conflict. It is bigger than any of us. Don’t forget that I’m on your side.” He said, his voice softer now.
Before Kent could respond, the space around them shimmered, and the Storm God’s form began to fade. As he vanished from sight, leaving Kent alone with the Lust Goddess.
She let out a low, derisive laugh as the air settled back into its usual stillness. “The gods,” she muttered, shaking her head with amusement.
“So full of themselves, yet so easy to put in their place.” She turned her full attention to Kent now, her expression softening ever so slightly.
“I’ll make this clear to you, Kent,” she said, stepping closer, her eyes searching his face. “The War God may have plans for you, but don’t forget—the gods are just as fallible as mortals. They break promises, they manipulate, and they act out of self-interest.”
Her words lingered, sinking deep into Kent’s thoughts. He nodded slowly, understanding the weight of her warning. This war would not just be a test of strength; it would be a test of loyalty, trust, and survival in a world where even gods could not be trusted.
“Just remember, Kent, If the gods fail you, there are always others who will help. You only need to ask.” She said, her voice a whisper now, as if sharing a secret.
Kent nodded his head, sinking into his own thoughts.
A heavy silence settled between them, with only the flicker of the volcanic light from below casting dancing shadows on the ground.
The Lust Goddess stood still, her gaze locked on Kent. Her once radiant aura was tainted with the bitterness of her suffering, and Kent could feel the weight of her pain.
“My lady,” Kent finally broke the silence, his voice calm but edged with empathy. “You are so fierce today,” he added, trying to read the storm of emotions brewing in her eyes. But the moment his words reached her, he saw something unexpected—her eyes, burning with fury, turned moist. Kent saw rare sadness in her eyes.
“What else can I do?” Her voice cracked, trembling as she spoke. “I’m not just angry; I am broken. They took everything from me—my godhood, my home. They banished me like I was nothing. Not even a shred of mercy was shown,” she muttered, her voice laced with anguish, her gaze growing distant as if recalling the torturous memories of her downfall.
“I fought for my position among the gods. I bled, sacrificed everything to become the Goddess of Lust. And in one fell swoop, they stole it all away, like I was nothing more than a pawn on their celestial board.”
She paused, her breath shaky.
“Do you know what it’s like to be cast aside, Kent? To be tossed away and forgotten? No one came to my aid. Not one god or mortal stood by me. And now… Now, they play with promises, thinking I’ve faded into nothingness. The War God thinks he can toy with you, with me… That he can manipulate you with promises of things already owed to me.”
Kent’s heart clenched. He could see the torment etched deep into her face, the way her lips quivered, how her spirit trembled despite her cold demeanor. He stepped closer, feeling a deep, unfamiliar ache in his chest. For all the power and beauty the Lust Goddess once possessed, he saw before him a frail, weak woman, stripped of everything, aching for justice, for acknowledgment.
Without hesitation, Kent reached out, his palm gently cupping her cheek. Her spirit form felt warm against his skin, despite its immaterial nature. She stiffened at first, caught off guard by the intimacy of his gesture, but soon her eyes softened, the cold fury giving way to raw vulnerability.
“I promise you, my lady. I will not betray you. Not now, not ever. You’ve endured more than anyone should, and I won’t let them take advantage of you any longer. I will be there for you, through it all, whether it’s facing gods or wars. This is my vow.”
The Lust Goddess blinked, stunned, and for the first time, a tear escaped down her cheek. She hadn’t expected such words, nor had she expected such a genuine promise from a mortal. Her lips parted as if to speak, but no words came out. Instead, she leaned into his palm, closing her eyes as a fragile moment of peace washed over her.
For the first time in a long while, she felt seen, truly seen.
“You don’t need to do this. You have a chance to write your destiny. Now, war god needs your help. You can attain godhood even without my help. Also, the position of Pleasure God is not so respected. So, don’t spoil your path for the sake of this frail woman.” Her voice was nothing but a whisper, soft and vulnerable, and in that single moment, the anger that had been her heart began to crumble.
Kent just smirked at the mention of greater benefits. “I don’t care whatever the War God, or any other god, will promise… I will stand beside you. I’ll see this through, and I’ll make sure you’re restored to what was stolen from you.”
The Lust Goddess opened her eyes, gazing at him with a mixture of disbelief and gratitude. “No one has ever made such a promise to me… Not like this.” She stepped closer to him, her face inches from his. “I’ll hold you to that, Mortal. And if you break that vow… I will never forgive you.”
Kent smiled faintly after seeing her sulky threat and nodded.. “I won’t break it. I’ll fight for you, and for what’s right.” His eyes gleamed with determination, and for the first time, the Lust Goddess saw in him not just a mortal, but someone with the heart of a god.
In that shared silence, something shifted between them—a bond formed not out of power or desire or fate, but out of trust and affection.
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*The Second chapter will be little late. I’m working on future plots. Please-forgive-me. Thank you for the GIFTS.