“You failed to lodge a Withdrawal Notice within twenty-one hours as per the terms of the contract, so the case didn’t carry any priority, although the System is willing to hear your petition now as a courtesy.”

The voice tried to be natural and calming to comply with the System’s Directive. Over the eons, this simple change elicited constructive conversations and mutually beneficial outcomes. Also, it avoided statements from petitioners, which couldn’t be taken back resulting in elimination. Elimination required substantial resources, years upon years of interaction to conceal the termination of the recalcitrant and always proved detrimental to the business of world-building and immortality.

Immensely powerful beings always wanted more, aspiring to escape their Dominion of origin to rule their own usually one of their goals. Keeping them occupied within their newly assigned Dominion, non-cooperative with and separated from others the responsibility of the System. To eliminate them needed to be ‘seen’ as their failure, as separated didn’t mean isolated for immensely powerful beings.

“She is disruptive, she has created a new race!” The small yellow-green gelatinous blob bubbled and burbled, each time slime spittle flying free.

“Yes, I agree her presence has influenced the development of your contracted Dominion, which could be viewed as troubling.” Soothing lyre music permeated the dimly lit obsidian chamber the petitioner burbled in. The light source is unknown and irrelevant to those speaking.

A parchment “popped” into the chamber and floated featherlike to the polished black floor.

“I agreed to host her as a Living Construct, a stone statue, which could move with her consciousness trapped within, no transformation, no new races. My experiment is now in jeopardy.” The gelatinous blob bobs up and down, still agitated although its bubbling tone is more settled.

“Your dominion’s output is steadily declining and your immortality in jeopardy.” The words hang in the chamber and silence grew to sweep them away.

“There is conflict and growth on both continents enough to support me, I needed to calm the Beast Kin, they died faster than they learnt and developed, the others are my prize. One race, many cultures almost united, civilised core with substantial growth.” Somehow the gelatinous blob rose proudly in a formless shape of defiance.

“We accepted your proposal from the void given its uniqueness, without worship, without cultivation. Unfortunately, your experiment is now stagnant and one of the primary reasons we encouraged you to accept the proposal from Sol Entity Zeus and we thought you most pleased.”

The blob paused all slimy movement as realisation dawned.

“You opposed the proposal most ardently, threatened both with higher life and soul taxes!” Slime spittle splashed across the dead stone walls of the chamber.

“Yes, we were conflicted during a difficult negotiation, soul transfer between dominions is well known and … common. The transferred soul is constrained by the established system of the destination dominion. She transferred with a new body type and immature soul with growth pathways. Your argument convinced us to break certain established guidelines. We can’t call them rules anymore now, can we?”

The yellow-green mass bobbed up and down and launched pseudo pods left and right, a certain inner conflict being resolved or perhaps a prelude to meltdown. Time passed and neither of the immortal presences willed to proceed beyond their own pace.

“I was bewitched by the offer, the steady stream of life as the contribution from Sol would allow my existence to remain immortal and my experiment to continue.” The bubbly tone is well subdued and self-analysing.

“Sol is one of the few Dominions to duplicate worship, capture the sentient population no matter what their beliefs and survive, reaping the benefits. Zeus has many names, some forgotten, although now strong enough to be able to offer you, life to seal the contract. Perhaps worship, the tried-and-true method of life and soul harvest is your way forward?”

“True self-determination and growth are the cornerstones of my experiment. I can’t now appear before them and demand worship. The civilisations on both continents are so far apart in development …”

The slime flowed and spread out thin across the polished black stone floor resigned to an impossible choice.

“Returning to your protest, we can reveal Zeus and you were subject to external and unforeseen influence.”

The blob rose suddenly stopping with a squelch!

“Three of Zeus’ fellow immortals interfered, only in a limited way and unknowing of the consequences. One of those interferences allowed race creation another invited a dual personality into the creature. We are most amused!”

“So, the contract is broken, she will be obliterated!” A significant pseudo pod lurched forward in anticipation.

“Both parties didn’t break the terms of the contract and unfortunately her influence is now problematic if she disappeared instantly. Her race may, for example, worship her, which could lead to a bigger problem for you.”

“The contract and the System are both in agreement, her awareness as a Mother is out of sequence and premature so revert to a previous System Save at least?”

“What event would change the path she took? She would follow the same steps and end up with the same result, perhaps strengthened further due to retracing her steps.”

The slime flashed bright pulsating red briefly before resuming its former colour and posture.

“Break her Motherly association with the Lion Beast Kin, she can feed upon them she can’t recruit and influence them, they must see her as an enemy, a foe to be destroyed.”

“It is your dominion, you can will that without the System’s assistance, unless of course, you don’t wish to pay the price!” The voice narrowly avoided chuckling, cheeky slime, your fuck up, your fix-up.

“It will cost much lifeforce.” The slime whined.

“You, I believe underestimate the cost. There are some universal truths, a Mother’s instinct is second only to a Mother’s love and both to a different degree will defeat any forced change, be it by magic, another’s will or worship over time.”

“She isn’t his mother, it is absurd! She didn’t birth him! He is a Lion Beast Kin!”

“He awakened her Motherhood, sooner than designed so complications and confusion resulted, nevertheless she suckled him, he drew strength from her and enabled him to fulfil his dream, is that not Motherly? Where others will see Harpy, he sees only his Mother. The cost will be high.”

“Then, while isolated he must die and those around him. She as well!”

“I must caution you, don’t directly slay her, it will break your contract and all life force provided will be repaid seven times and your slow demise will quicken as you won’t be able to maintain your immortality.”

“I am aware of the contract. I will visit the various Beast kin in their dreams and motivate them by warning them of her.” A deep yellow smugness coloured the gulpy blob.

“She has defeated a powerful foe already and without worship, you have no agents to guide and strengthen so will the Beast kin be enough?”

“They are strong hunters they will prevail.”

Silence.

The chamber echoed with the System’s Voice.

“Invasion Claim rejected. Contract stands. Any corrective action, except direct interference, allowed within the capabilities of the Dominion’s Entity.”

Silence.

The slimy gelatinous blob’s goo trail glistened as the creature oozed out of the obsidian chamber. When it entered the antechamber the will of the System returned it to the Dominion it governed.

The System remembered when the slime presented as an Ancient Dragon for its initial Dominion Proposal Meeting, so haughty, so proud and brimming full of confidence. It showed good sense now reducing the complexity of one’s form to preserve one’s immortality, still, the action also spoke of desperation.

---

The tall muscular human, with curling white hair including the beard, stepped into the obsidian chamber, each footfall echoing around the hollowed cavern, stopping when dead centre.

“We are pleased to receive you Entity of Sol and … intrigued.” The System voice attempted to place the human notion of curiosity in its tone.

“I seek access to observe the Living Construct Aphrodite across Dominion.” Zeus knew the usual human banter and flattery typical of negotiation useless when bargaining with the System. The best tactic is to be direct using as few words as possible.

“Observe or interfere?”

“She is unique and intriguing, and I would gain great satisfaction in witnessing her progress, her triumphs and her defeats. Her soul enlightened with my breath and my connection now broken I am pained by the separation and wish only to ensure her journey is remembered by one who cares.”

“Observe or interfere?”

His advice to himself proven utterly correct he grimly replied.

“Observe,” replied Zeus.

A parchment floated into existence, easily grasped by Zeus’ outstretched hand. Drawing it to him he read the conditions searching for a specific exception. No paragraph excluded attempting ‘more’ and so he signed by willing his soul signature to infuse the document, which disappeared the instant after. Life price affordable, no soul price. The Trojan War underway provided plenty of both so either or both payment types were readily available and so Zeus struggled to keep his elation in check.

Zeus hurried to the antechamber to return to his Dominion and test the boundaries of the new contract, a cross Dominion Contract.

---

The System considered recent visitors and centred on the two with a shared subject. The System, a hive consciousness, without a Queen; or King for that matter, many making the one, unanimously agreeing on the contract interpretation and offer. No reflective period was required as the System’s awareness combined at the time of any decision making.

The consideration examined the possible outcomes and for once in a millennium many existed and required significant time to explore each one in turn and the System savoured the resultant joy. Amongst these deliberations included the possibility of Zeus usurping a Dominion’s Entity as he did on Sol when he overthrew Cronus who overthrew Uranus, a family inclination it seems!

---

Zeus nestled on his white marble throne content and reflective, ignoring, much, including the Trojan War to the relieving joy of two jealous Goddesses. Of all the plots, plans and adultery committed by him, why did a single basalt creation of Prometheus occupy his mind and distract him from his duty and his deeds? His first glimpse of her, feasting and feeding in her no longer of entirely human shape. The humanoid harpy form is interesting although an easy first evolution, given the level of Avine Essence from Aetos.

With her devouring of Feline Essence, several new forms would be available, although some require more than essence to unlock, and he wondered if she would evolve or wait. Between now and then he hoped to be able to observe her more directly.

Zeus’ bellowing laughter rang and raged throughout Mount Olympus, a rarity and therefore a warning. The remaining Gods and Goddesses on Mount Olympus cringed, not knowing the event they needed to prepare for!