The Only Son Amongst The Daughters Of Eros

Aeric stood before the fancy golden double doors of the temple, with a finger on his jaw as he thought on how to approach this.

As he did this, he kept looking down at the center of the doors, where that annoying grand picture of Eros — his father — was painted with his arms stretched over Erothyria.

In that moment, as he looked at it. It was like the face had suddenly grown a smug smirk, his chiseled jaw angled as though he were perpetually posing for a portrait. And mocking his son.

Aeric wrinkled his nose and muttered under his breath, "Stop looking at me with that ugly face of yours."

Angrily, he pushed the doors open. "Such a punchable face he has."
Stay tuned to empire

He was now inside the golden interior of the temple. Aeric was a bit fed up with seeing this place. With its shrine-like atmosphere and heavy scent of burning incense, and the intricate gold carvings along the walls.

His feet moved on the marble floor as he looked around, hearing a humming sound but not seeing anyone.

At the far end stood the circular door that led to the inner sanctum, one of his most hated places in the world. Both on Earth and Erothyria. Beyond that door was where he had stripped to perform the Awakened Test, and where he had caught the woman who was now a sexual partner of his sleeping with the Priest.

How could he not hate that place?

Aeric's footsteps echoed as he walked further. Who was humming that so—?!

'Oh, there he is.'

Just near the sanctum, covered by some golden curtains, was the Divine Priest bent over as he picked up an item while humming softly.

His back was turned as he was carefully arranging these ceremonial items on an altar, preparing for a morning prayer.

The man was clad in flowing white and gold robes, his long silver beard swaying slightly with his movements.

"Divine Priest," Aeric called out, his voice cutting through the sacred stillness like a knife.

The priest flinched, his shoulders jerking upward. He spun around, nearly dropping the golden chalice in his hands. His wide eyes locked onto Aeric, who stood there with a wide grin, arms spread out in mock reverence.

"Seventh day of the week, eh?" Aeric said casually, tilting his head. "You gave me a countdown, but it's your time that's up."

The priest's expression darkened and his old face hardened like stone.

~ ~ ~

They now stood facing each other near the altar, the Divine Priest's face a study in barely restrained irritation. Aeric, on the other hand, looked as relaxed as ever, leaning slightly on the golden railing surrounding the central dais.

"You seem tense, Priest. Must be a long day already, huh?" Aeric said with very clear sarcasm.

"You've no business here, Son Aeric," the priest replied curtly, trying to show authority through his voice. "This is a place of solemnity, not juvenile theatrics."

"Solemnity?" Aeric echoed, pretending to be shocked. "It wasn't very solemn when I found you banging the headmistress, was it, Divine Priest?"

The old man was dumbfounded, and his face lowered.

"Darn. Nothing to say, eh?" Aeric smirked. "Well I have something."

He held up a slim, leather-bound book with gold lettering across the front. "Do you recognize this book? The Law that Guides the Priests, Messengers, and Disciples. A real page-turner, I must say."

The priest's eyes narrowed. "What are you playing at, you pestering child?"

"Oh, nothing much," Aeric replied, flipping through the book casually. "Just happened to come across an interesting little rule in here. It says priests must remain chaste at all times."

"Priests must refrain from performing sexual acts as they shall forever remain chaste because the purity of their power doesn't come from lust and desire as others. To perform in these acts, means to insult the base of your power, means to insult God Eros himself, and the punishment for that is stripping of power, and severing of the man hood"

He paused, glancing up with a squeezed face that showed comical disgust. "Hells. That one is grim."

The priest's face grew red, his hands clenching into fists. "You've come with this now! What do you want? What is the aim of this?"

"Well, I'm getting there. I know you're old and you don't have much time left, but don't be in such a hurry to lose your balls," Aeric said, snapping the book shut.

"And I am serious about losing your balls, because you and I both read that breaking that rule comes with the punishment of ripping of divine power and severing of manhood."

The priest stepped forward, his voice low and dangerous. "I thought Lady Lysandra handled all of this."

Aeric instantly exploded into laughter. "Lady Lysa— You wanted a woman to save your ass? How ridiculous. No, she did not settle this. Not for you at least. In fact, she plans to put the whole blame on you, and we've agreed to make it seem like you were the one who came onto her..."

Aeric grinned as he leaned closer. "...With force."

The Priest's eyes flashed. "You won't dare."

"All I have to do is modify the recording on this Echo Locket?" He conjured the item and dangled it teasingly. "You have no choice here. I've caught you in 4K, Priest. And, just to be safe, I'm recording this conversation too. You know, for security purposes."

The priest's face turned ashen, his mouth opening and closing like a fish gasping for air.

Finally, he gave up.

"What do you want?" he finally growled.

Aeric's grin widened. "Glad you asked. First, I want my name removed from the list of 'Suspicious Tampering of the Divine Order.'"

The Divine Priest's eyes narrowed. "So you admit you're a hacker. This is proof!"

"Nope. I don't admit to anything" Aeric said with a shrug. "Just don't want the Disciples poking around in my business while I'm minding my own. So, do it."

"And if I refuse?" the priest asked, though his voice had lost its edge.

Aeric leaned in, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "If you refuse, this little recording goes straight to the Council of Priests. Think about your balls, old man. Then think about a nice, sharp pair of scissors."

The priest's eyes widened.

"Imagine it go... Snap!"

"Okay!" The Priest exclaimed as his shoulders sagged, and he covered his face in terror. "Okay. I'll remove your name."

"Atta boy," Aeric said, clapping him on the shoulder. "Oh, and one more thing. You're going to be my inside man amongst the other Priests. Keep me updated on any... developments concerning me. Deal?"

The priest glared at him but finally nodded, his jaw clenched tightly.

Aeric straightened, brushing imaginary dust from his sleeves. "Pleasure doing business with you, Priest. Don't worry, I'm a man of my word. I'll keep your secret safe."

The Son of Starlight turned to leave, a triumphant smirk played on his lips.

Slowly but surely, he was weaving his web of control over this entire world.