Chapter 8: Desires of the Emotionally Distressed

The women’s voice vanquished the threatening atmosphere. In its place a well lit bedroom emerged. It appeared as though he stood in the King’s chamber. Red, silk sheets lined the bed along with throw pillows of a shimmering-gold shade. Lavish furnishings gave the room a regal feel. A giant, oak dresser and a finely carved table surrounded by cushiony, crimson velvet chairs stood at the other end of the room. It seemed as though he was back in the game, just not in a place he had visited before.

“Is this more comfortable?” said the voice. It came from a women standing in the doorway. Luca’s cheeks flustered at the foreign sight: caring green eyes and delicate pink lips, curly, crimson hair falling in bundles above a tantalizing chest. A color that matched her hair drew his attention through the transparent, lace dress.

“Are you alright? Your cheeks look a little red.” Her words brought his eyes out of their trance. For the first time he looked at the rest of her. The women’s beauty reached a level his mother couldn’t touch. Her face wouldn’t compare to anything less than a goddess, and the dress she wore left nothing to the imagination, which, until now, was all the kid had ever had.

Even once he realized his eyes hadn’t shifted in several seconds, he couldn’t will them away. As he stared all he could muster was a single question. “Who are you?”

“I, my darling, am Teresa, one of the 12 artificial intelligences that preside over the kingdom of Alvarez. Most know me as the Goddess of child rearing and all that comes once life has taken root. I am the mother of all, the caretaker of every young soul in need, and the one you have impressed.” She flashed a breathtaking smile that made Luca’s heart skip a beat.

He wanted to ask what she meant, but his tongue knotted. Much less, he couldn’t look her in eyes without parting his gaze. Teresa seemed oblivious to his stare and calmly walked over. With a hand placed on his shoulder she motioned for him to sit on the bed. Taking a seat herself, she proceeded to whisper in his ear; her cleavage permitting Luca a direct line of sight to his desire.

“I was watching when you challenged that monster on the plains, such a valiant act. Like a story book, the handsome and strong knight fights to save the damsel from a vile beast. I imagine myself as that damsel, waiting for you to come and take me away. It broke my heart when my prince—the one I love—didn’t come to rescue me. Imagine all the inhumane things a demon like that would do to an innocent maiden such as myself,” she acted. Her performance of a needy princess wouldn’t have fooled anyone but the emotionally distressed child.

Luca’s heart continued to beat faster and faster. Feelings he never felt before came accompanied by guilt and shame. If only he had the strength to save her it wouldn’t feel so bad. And who is he, a man that can’t even save a girl who loves him, to feel these things?

Guilt of the vulgar language recently spoken to his mother welled up. This goddess reminded him of her. He felt connected to Teresa on an emotional level, and his guilt passed to her in the absence of his mother. He wanted to curl into a ball and die of shame and embarrassment having failed her twice.

Teresa continued with a disappointed tone. “If only he hadn’t cheated, you would’ve easily won the fight.”

“What do you mean he cheated?” said Luca. His shame nearly disappeared with the rekindling of rage.

“Grim, the malicious god of murder, granted the savage power so he could stop you from rescuing me. As he is the god of that which precedes death, and I am the goddess of that after birth, we are bitter rivals in destiny’s epic.” She tried her best to hook him with her distress; the kid took the bait ignorantly.

“That fucking peasant! I’m going to kill him,” Luca vowed. The confidence in his voice lacked any substance to back his claims.

“I can’t ask so much of you.”

“No! I want to. How am i supposed to be a man if I can’t protect the women I love.” Luca confused himself with the latter statement, but Teresa’s blushing cheeks tugged at his heart, resolving him to his word.

“Then here, let me give you something to help fight that monster,” she said in a heavenly voice.

In a quick, subtle movement the goddess leaned in and pressed her lips to Luca’s. The kiss danced as a fleeting sensation vanished before arriving. It was all too brief and left the boy dazed inbliss. Never before did he even think of a women in this manor and now all of these emotions were welling up.

He didn’t have time to ponder his first kiss before she continued the ruse. “Please hurry back after you’ve slain the beast... It gets lonely here by myself.” Her hand fell to Luca’s thigh—an obvious gesture lost on the child.

Her implications went aloof on Luca, yet he read the mood and understood the situation. His muddled mind descended into disarray as she leaned in again. The second kiss lasted long enough for him to savor the taste. As her hand grabbed his shoulder, his went for that which he desired most. His fingertips grazed the lace as she pulled away.

“Hurry,” the Goddess whispered as the setting changed once more. He reached out to touch his love but she wasn’t there, replaced by stale air that permeated the resurrection point. He blushed, embarrassed by the crowds of people in the market that saw him caressing thin air with an outstretched hand.

Before he could take a step, message windows appeared, and he understood what the Teresa’s’ gift had really been.

New title acquired: Teresa’s Puppet

Rarity: S+

Other players with this title: N/A, title is given once

Conditions: ???

Effects: The warmth of motherly love envelops you

Skill Name:Skill Rank:Skill Level:Skill Experience:Rapture (Active)BeginnerLvl.10%The Goddess Teresa has given you part of her power in the form of a skill. Rapture allows you to bring both players and NPCs closer to the goddess and in turn you gain a governing role over them. Players under the effect of this skill will obey within reason and express strong loyalty. When Rapture’s effects wear off, familiarity will rise. The skill’s effects disappear once the user’s mana depletes or the skill’s conditions are broken. The skill can only be used once on any individual. The duration is unlimited, and the number of players that can be effected is only restricted by the user’s mana pool.Conditions

-Only affects those in the goddess’ domain (children age 12 or younger)

-Must be less than half the user's level

-Can’t have strong ties to another faith

-Neutral or positive relationship

Cost5 Mana / Hour

“Only the best skills for the best player,” he thought. His glee from the new skill stole the fire from his flustered cheeks and placed it inside his eyes. This skill could easily be the end of that barbarian bastard. He drooled at the thought of the peasant bastard’s terrified gaze when he sets an army of players to bring the legend to slaughter.

House of WolvesTomorrow like always

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Author's Notes

Sorry I posted a little later than usual. I was on an early dinner date :)

Like I said this chapter would also stress the mature tag. I hope it was at least fitting for the plot and style of the story. For an author the image you have of your fiction is different from that of the reader, similar to how a person views themselves differently than others view them.

This fiction hasn’t been proofread, if you would like to you can Here.