Chapter 2: I'm Hungry
Shaking off the lingering shock, I decided it was time to explore. "Food first," I murmured to myself, my stomach growling in agreement. "And maybe some... entertainment." A cheeky grin spread across my face as I pictured the voluptuous, scantily-clad goddesses that surely awaited me in this mystical realm.
The kitchens of the palace were vast, a gourmand's dream, stocked with every conceivable delicacy from the mortal world and beyond.
As I ventured further into the labyrinthine corridors, my stomach growled with the anticipation of a feast. Yet, the gleaming counters and cauldrons stood untouched, the air heavy with the scent of unused spices. "Looks like I'm gonna have to whip up something myself," I murmured, surveying the untouched bounty. But cooking wasn't exactly my strong suit. I could barely boil water without burning it back in my old life.
The thought of the villagers and their potential offerings brought a grin to my face. "Hot bitches and a decent meal," I chuckled, "sounds like a quest worth undertaking." I couldn't help but wonder what kind of people lived in the shadow of such a divine presence. Were they as enamored with Calla as I found myself? Did they know of the power that now lay dormant in me?
My stomach rumbled again, more insistently this time. I looked around the kitchen, taking in the untouched ingredients and gleaming appliances. Suddenly, as if struck by lightning, the memories of the palace's use flooded my mind. I knew how to cook here, how to harness the power of the storm to enhance the flavors of the food, how to conjure feasts that would make even the gods weep with envy. My fingers danced over the countertops, and ingredients leaped into the air, swirling in a chaotic dance before settling into place. The stove roared to life without my touch, the flames a deep blue, the color of Calla's eyes.
But amidst this newfound culinary knowledge, there was a glaring omission: no cooking guide. I had the power of the gods at my disposal, and yet I couldn't figure out how to cook a simple meal without burning it to a crisp. "Shit," I muttered, slapping my forehead with the palm of my hand. "What good is divine power if I can't even make toast?"
With a sigh, I grabbed a loaf of bread and held it up to the sky. "Calla," I called out, hoping she could hear me, "I need some help here!".
The silence that followed was filled only by the distant echoes of the palace's grandeur and the faint sound of snoring that grew louder with each passing second. It was then that I realized what had happened. Calla had given me the power of the heavens, but she had neglected to mention that cooking was an art form that even gods found challenging.
Her snores grew to a crescendo, a symphony of contentment that resonated through the marble halls. I couldn't help but feel a swell of pride at the thought of having exhausted a deity with my mortal prowess. Yet, the realization that she was indeed asleep brought with it a twinge of disappointment. I had hoped she would be there to guide me through this newfound power, to show me the ropes of being her champion.
But I had work to do. Looking down at my naked body, still sticky with the remnants of our union, I knew that my first task was to clean up and get dressed. The palace was vast, and I didn't want to traipse around in nothing but my dingy hoodie like some kind of divine hobo. With a flick of my wrist, I imagined the outfit she had bestowed upon me. The fabric of reality stretched and shimmered before my eyes, and suddenly, I was dressed. The black t-shirt clung to my body, tracing the contours of my abs and the tattoo that pulsed with the rhythm of a silent thunderclap. The armored waist-cape, a deep shade of midnight, hugged my waist, the gleaming blue belt cinching it into place. The shin and knee guards, matching the waist-cape in color, felt like a second skin, and the boots of living electricity crackled with each step I took.
I strode through the halls, the sound of my footsteps echoing through the emptiness. The palace was eerily quiet, save for Calla's snores, which seemed to be coming from the throne room. A thrill of excitement shot through me. It was time to explore, to understand the extent of my new life as a god's champion.
With a thought, I teleported into the nearby village, appearing in the middle of the bustling farmer's market. The cobblestone alley was lined with stalls of fresh produce and livestock, and the air was filled with the smells of roasting meats and baked bread. The villagers looked up from their wares, their eyes widening at the sudden appearance of an impossibly muscled man with electric-blue hair, but their expressions quickly returned to their previous mundane curiosity. Magic was clearly a common sight here, and the gods' whims were not to be questioned.
A wisp of smoke caught my attention, curling from the chimney of a quaint little shop. The aroma of something heavenly wafted through the air—spices and herbs that danced on my tongue before I even took a bite. I approached the shop, the wooden sign above the door swinging gently in the breeze. It read, "The Thunderbolt's Table," an ominous name that made my mouth water even more.
As I stepped through the door, the warm embrace of the kitchen enveloped me. The walls were lined with shelves of spices and exotic ingredients, and the floor was slick with the remnants of a thousand feasts.
In the center of the room, a woman with ashen grey skin and fiery purple hair was bent over a steaming cauldron, her eyes glowing with an intensity that matched the embers in the hearth. She looked up as I entered, and I felt a jolt of attraction run through me. Her eyes, a vivid purple with pupils that burned like coals, locked onto mine, and a knowing smile played across her lips.
"Welcome" she purred, her voice a seductive blend of heat and sweetness. "I am Coral Inferno, mistress of this humble abode." Her gestured to the kitchen with a flourish of her hand, the flames from her fingertips casting a warm glow over the room. "What brings the likes of you to our quiet corner of the world?"
The scent of the food was intoxicating, and my stomach growled in response. "I've come seeking sustenance," I replied, trying to sound more regal than ravenous. "And perhaps, if the gods are smiling upon me, a cook worthy of the divine banquets I am to host."
Coral's smile grew wider, and she wiped her hands on her apron before sauntering over to me. "Ah," she said, her eyes raking over my new form.Her gaze lingered on my chest, and I felt a blush creep up my neck. "I have a proposition for you," she continued, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "I've long grown weary of this village. The patrons here appreciate neither the finesse of my cooking nor the flames that fuel it. Perhaps you could offer me a way out, and in return, I would serve you in your palace, creating feasts that would make the gods themselves weep with envy."
Her offer was tempting. The thought of having someone who could actually cook in that cavernous kitchen was almost too good to be true. Plus, the way she moved, the fire that seemed to dance in her eyes, it was clear she was no ordinary mortal. "What's your price?" I asked, intrigued.
Her smile grew even more alluring. "Oh, I don't ask for much," she said, leaning closer. "Just a bit of...creative freedom, and the occasional taste of something other than food."
My mind raced with possibilities, but before I could respond, the ground trembled, and Calla's snores grew louder in my head.