Hestia yawned again, covering her mouth delicately. "I can't imagine why I'd want to leave," she murmured. Her gaze shifted to Adrian, a faint smirk tugging at her lips. "Unless, of course, you're offering to carry me."
Adrian glared at her, his patience wearing thin. "Hestia, I didn't come all this way to drag you out of here like a sack of grain."
"Then don't," she replied with a shrug, her expression serene. "Stay a while. Rest. It wouldn't kill you."
Adrian's jaw tightened, and he stepped closer, his fiery chains flaring with frustration. "Hestia, if you don't form the contract and leave this place, the Shadow Court will eventually find us. Is that what you want?"
Her blue eyes flickered with faint amusement, though her tone remained unhurried. "I doubt they'd bother me here. But fine," she relented, letting out another sigh. "If it means that much to you, I'll think about the contract. Later."
Adrian groaned, running a hand through his hair. "We don't have later. Do you understand what's at stake?"
Hestia's gaze softened slightly, though her posture didn't change. "I know," she said quietly. "But you need to understand, Adrian… I'm not like my sisters. I can't force myself to care about every little thing. It's exhausting."
Adrian stared at her, torn between exasperation and sympathy. He could see the burden she carried, the weight of her nature. But there was no room for delay. Not anymore.
"Hestia," he said firmly, "if you don't get yourself together, all of this—all of your sisters' efforts to be here—will be for nothing."
She studied him for a moment, her marine blue eyes unreadable.
Then, with an exaggerated sigh, she sat up straighter, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Fine," she said in a resigned tone. "Not that I have a choice anyway."
Hestia extended her hand toward Adrian with a dramatic sigh, her voice as languid as her movements. "Help me out," she said, her marine blue eyes meeting his with faint amusement.
Adrian reached down and grasped her hand, helping her out of the sarcophagus. Her skin was warm now, the faint glow of her divine energy slowly returning.
As she stood, Adrian couldn't help but notice her boobs were firm and standing upright even without bra supports.
"If staring at them all day is what will keep us from stressing ourselves out of here, then you're free to," Hestia quipped, catching his wandering gaze.
"Nice try," Adrian replied dryly, shaking his head as he took a step back. "You're going to have to do more than that to distract me."
With another exaggerated sigh, Hestia raised her hand.
A soft, blue energy formed around her fingertips, swirling and shifting until it warped into the shape of a scroll. It hovered momentarily before solidifying, the glowing light dimming.
She handed it to Adrian with a flick of her wrist.
"Here," she said lazily. "Go ahead. Read it. Try not to faint."
Adrian unrolled the scroll, his eyes scanning the intricate writing that seemed to shimmer faintly on the parchment.
****************
CONTRACT OF TRANQUILITY AND ENDURANCE
By entering this contract, Adrian agrees to become the champion of Hestia, Goddess of Sloth.
In return for her power and guidance in mastering the art of balance and efficiency, Adrian will dedicate himself to upholding her ideals and serving her interests.
Terms:
- Adrian will gain the gifts bestowed by Hestia, including unparalleled recovery, enhanced endurance, and the ability to optimize his efforts for maximum efficiency.
- Adrian will be granted the Fire of the Hearth, a flame that never extinguishes, providing warmth, protection, and light in his darkest moments.
- Adrian will represent Hestia's ideals, ensuring her influence is respected and upheld.
- Adrian will offer moments of tranquility and stillness in her honor, creating sanctuaries of peace amid chaos.
- Hestia will guide Adrian in battles by teaching him the strength of calculated actions and precise timing.
Consequences of Breach:
Failure to fulfill the terms will result in:
- Chronic exhaustion, rendering Adrian incapable of physical or mental recovery.
- The loss of Hestia's Fire of the Hearth, leaving him vulnerable in his darkest hours.
- The inability to access Hestia's energy, resulting in inefficiency and loss of strength.
Benefits:
By honoring this contract, Adrian will:
- Gain mastery over the Fire of the Hearth, a source of infinite energy, protection, and warmth.
- Achieve extraordinary recovery, maintaining peak physical and mental condition in any situation.
- Harness the power of stillness and efficiency, enabling him to outlast and overcome any opponent.
- Receive Hestia's protection and guidance, ensuring balance even in the most chaotic of times.
Adrian raised an eyebrow as he finished reading. "Tranquiltiy and Endurance?" he asked, glancing at Hestia. "Doesn't exactly sound like you're pushing me to be a warrior."
Hestia leaned against the sarcophagus, her posture as relaxed as ever. "And yet, I'll make you unbeatable. The strongest warriors know the value of rest, Adrian. You think charging into every fight head-on is the answer? No. It's knowing when to conserve your strength, when to wait, when to strike."
Her blue eyes glimmered with amusement as she smirked lazily. "And I'll make sure you know exactly how to do all of that without exhausting yourself like a fool. Now, are you going to sign, or do I have to nap here another century while you decide?"
Adrian folded the scroll neatly, his fiery chains dimming to a faint glow as he eyed Hestia with cautious curiosity. "Well, I agree to the terms," he began, holding up the scroll, "but the contract doesn't specify the signature required."
Hestia yawned softly, brushing a strand of her chestnut hair away from her face. "You don't have a pen?" she asked, her voice carrying an air of detached innocence. "I didn't exactly bring one with me from the Underworld."
Adrian raised an eyebrow, genuinely taken aback by her suggestion. "What do I need a pen for?" he asked warily.
Hestia blinked at him, her marine blue eyes widening slightly as if the answer were obvious. "To sign the contract?" she replied, as though explaining to a child.
Adrian sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Ohhh," he said slowly, a faint note of sarcasm creeping into his voice. "Definitely wasn't expecting something this easy."
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