Lilith scoffed, folding her arms. "You couldn't help but cause trouble the moment you were free, could you?"

Eris merely smiled, unbothered by the accusation. "Trouble? I call it living. Besides, isn't it more interesting this way?" Her gaze slid to Adrian, a glimmer of mischief in her eyes. "Wouldn't you agree, darling?"

Adrian held up a hand, his patience fraying. "Enough. I didn't come here to mediate your grudges. We are all adults, so let's all act like one."

A tense silence followed his words, broken only by the soft rustling of leaves and the distant cry of a bird.

Finally, Selene spoke, her voice calm and measured. "He's right. You've each made our bargains. Whatever resentments you hold, let them lie for now."

The goddesses exchanged glances, their expressions shifting from anger to reluctant acceptance. Lilith, with a final roll of her eyes, gave a dismissive wave. "Fine. I'll behave… for now."

Ava nodded, though her jaw remained tight. "For the sake of the mission."

Adrian exhaled, steadying himself.

He felt the weight of the goddesses' stares down on him, but he kept his cool and met their gazes head-on. He turned back to Eris, who was still wearing that coy smile, a glint of challenge sparking in her emerald eyes.

"So," he began in a carefu, yet firm tone, "I'm ready to sign your contract. Let's get this over with."

Eris raised a brow, her lips quirking with amusement. "Very well, but first… I have a question for my dear sisters." She turned toward the other goddesses, her gaze sweeping over them with a blend of mischief and calculation. "What did each of you collect as a signature for your contracts?"

Medea's expression shifted, suspicion flickering across her features. "And why," she asked coldly, "do you want to know that?"

Lilith, standing just beside Medea, let out a low, amused chuckle. "Oh, don't act so surprised, Medea. You know exactly why she's asking. She doesn't want to set her price too low, is all. She's trying to make sure she stands out by knowing what the rest of us demanded before naming her terms."

Eris rolled her eyes, feigning a look of innocence. "Is it such a crime to be thorough?" she asked in a honeyed tone that had a hint of sarcasm. "We're discussing something as serious as a contract signature, after all. A goddess ought to be thorough, no?"

Ava scoffed, crossing her arms over her chest. "Typical of you, Eris, always wanting to make a scene. Just choose your terms and let the poor man sign. Must everything be an ordeal?"

Eris ignored Ava's barb, fixing her gaze on Adrian with an air of exaggerated patience, as though she were awaiting a grand revelation.

Adrian sighed inwardly, realizing he was becoming a pawn in yet another one of the goddesses' power plays. He needed to navigate this carefully.

"I'm ready to sign whatever's necessary," Adrian said firmly as he tried to refocus the conversation. "No games, no theatrics. Let's just get on with it."

Eris let out a dramatic sigh, placing a hand over her heart. "Oh, where's the fun in that? But fine, if you insist." She stepped closer to him, so close he could feel the cool, ancient energy radiating from her. She tilted her head thoughtfully, studying him like a puzzle she wanted to solve. "Since you're so eager, I won't delay… too much."

Before he could respond, Lilith cut in. "For the record, I asked for something simple." Her voice was smooth, almost lazy, her amber eyes glinting with amusement. "Just his seed to seal the deal. Well, after a very enjoyable sex. Though I'd be open to… renegotiating if Adrian feels generous." She flashed him a sultry smile, and Adrian felt a flicker of annoyance mixed with unease.

"Lilith…" he began, but she interrupted with a dismissive wave of her hand.

"Oh, relax, Adrian. I'm only teasing," she purred, though her gaze lingered on him a moment too long. Her smile was anything but innocent, but she finally turned her attention back to Eris with a smirk. "And what about you, darling sister? Are you planning to be as bold as I was?"

Eris's smile widened, and for a moment, her playful expression turned contemplative, as though truly considering her options. "You do set a high bar, Lilith," she replied, her tone laced with amusement. "But I suppose I could be… creative."

Abyss, who had been silently observing the exchange, finally spoke, her voice a low rumble that carried an edge of disdain. "Enough of this nonsense. If you want him to sign, just name your terms. Or are you so desperate for attention that you'll keep stalling?"

Eris glanced over at her dark-clad sister, her smile turning wicked. "Oh, Persephone, always so serious. I'm merely savoring the moment. You, of all people, should appreciate a little suspense."

Abyss's purple eyes narrowed, her gaze filled with irritation. But she didn't respond, merely folding her arms and watching Eris with a tense, unreadable expression.

Taking advantage of the silence, Medea spoke up. Her voice was calm, but there was a hint of impatience. "Let's be clear, Eris. Whatever you ask for, make sure it's something you can enforce. We all know you have a tendency to… overreach."

Eris feigned a gasp, pressing a hand to her chest. "Why, Medea, I'm hurt. Do you really think so little of my… negotiating skills?"

Medea's gaze hardened. "It's not about negotiation. It's about the terms of the alliance. We're here for a purpose. Don't let your ego get in the way."

A tense silence settled over the clearing, the goddesses exchanging glances, each lost in their own thoughts. Finally, Eris broke the silence, her voice softened but still laced with mischief. "Fine. If I must make a decision… then I suppose I'll ask for something symbolic."

Eris's lips curved into a delighted smile as she extended her hand, green energy swirling around her fingertips. She closed her eyes, focusing her power, and the energy pooled into her palm, forming into a small, ornate scroll.

The scroll shimmered, its edges lined with ancient glyphs that pulsed with a strange, otherworldly light. With a slight flick of her wrist, the scroll floated from her hand, levitating through the air toward Adrian. It hovered just before him, daring him to take hold.

Adrian hesitated, but then his hand closed around the scroll, and he felt a surge of chaotic energy run through him—a wild, electric sensation that left his skin tingling.

Eris watched him with a gleam of satisfaction in her eyes, her expression that of a cat playing with its prey. As he unfurled the scroll, her voice flowed through the silence.

"Consider this an offer of liberation," Eris purred. "A gift of chaos, to break free from the constraints of order and structure that hold so many captive. This contract will make you more… flexible."

Adrian's eyes scanned the scroll's content, the words seeming to twist and shimmer as he read:

***************

CONTRACT OF DISCORD AND LIBERATION

By entering this contract, Adrian agrees to become the emissary of Eris, Goddess of Envy and Discord.

In return for her power and guidance, Eris grants Adrian the ability to incite discord and turmoil within the ranks of his enemies, causing them to turn upon one another.

Additionally, Adrian shall be endowed with the power of brief teleportation within any line of sight, allowing him to traverse short distances at will.

TERMS:

- Adrian will gain the skill to sow seeds of discord, twisting the perceptions and emotions of those who oppose him, filling them with mistrust, suspicion, and fury directed at one another.

- Adrian will acquire the gift of short-distance teleportation, enabling him to step through the folds of reality to any location within his sight.

- Eris will revel in the chaos Adrian causes in her name, and in return, she will bestow upon him protection against enchantments and compulsions that seek to control his mind or heart.

- Adrian shall fuel Eris's strength through acts of deliberate sabotage, deception, and by embracing moments of absolute freedom, where he answers only to his own will.

This contract is sealed with a unique signature: The Taste of Envy and Discord.

Signature Required: Taste of Envy and Discord.

***********

Adrian's gaze lingered on the peculiar requirement for his signature, his brow furrowing. "The… what? The Taste of Envy and Discord?" he asked, looking up at Eris with a mixture of intrigue and reluctance.

Eris chuckled, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "Yes, Adrian," she murmured in a low and seductive voice. "If you wish to bind yourself to me and wield my gifts, you must leave a mark—a personal, undeniable offering."

He swallowed, feeling a surge of anticipation mixed with trepidation. "What would you have me do, Eris?"

A wicked smile spread across her lips as she traced a delicate finger along his jaw. "I require a kiss, but not any kiss," she purred, her gaze dropping, heated and intense. "A taste, if you will, of devotion. You shall taste the source of my power, the essence of my chaos."

"Uhmmm… what or where is the source of your powers?"

"The source of her powers is in between her legs, Adrian. She's trying to say you'll eat her out while drinking of her love or should I say envious juice? That is the signature she require."

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.