Then came the ascension of the three remaining maids, each one emerging from their trials with a presence so divine, so distinct, that it was as if the heavens themselves had sculpted them anew.
Khaelia – The Goddess of Alchemy
From the moment she descended into her new form, Khaelia exuded an aura of wisdom and refinement, the essence of a true divine scholar. Her beauty was a balance of intellect and allure—graceful yet enigmatic, soft yet commanding. Long, cascading locks of molten gold framed her delicate yet sharp features, her skin flawless like the finest porcelain, glowing faintly with a warmth akin to sunlight captured in crystal.
But it was her eyes—light orange, shimmering with an alchemical brilliance—that captivated all who gazed upon her. They were like liquid amber infused with fire, swirling with endless knowledge, secrets, and mysteries beyond mortal comprehension. A single glance felt like an invitation into the boundless depths of discovery, where science and magic intertwined seamlessly.
Her robes, woven from the purest silk, shimmered with the ever-shifting hues of alchemical potions, constantly shifting between gold, crimson, and deep violet. Every movement she made carried an elegance befitting a goddess who held dominion over the transformation of matter itself.
Thalia – The Goddess of Trickery
Thalia's transformation was nothing short of breathtaking. Where others carried the grace of deities, she bore the untamed allure of a demon queen, a temptress born of shadow and fire. Her presence was intoxicating, her every movement a perfect blend of mischief and seduction.
Her obsidian black eyes, sharp and fox-like, gleamed with a cunning light—an eternal game played within their depths, where no one could truly discern her intent. They held the promise of danger wrapped in the illusion of charm, a gaze that could ensnare even the most resolute of minds.
Her raven-black hair, long and sleek, cascaded down her back like the night sky itself, absorbing light rather than reflecting it. Twin horns, subtle yet undeniable, curved elegantly from her head, a symbol of her demonic beauty. Her lips, full and painted a deep shade of crimson, curled ever so slightly in an eternal smirk, as if she were always on the verge of revealing a secret.
Her attire was bold, formed of dark silks and ethereal shadows that clung to her like a second skin, accentuating every curve, every step she took exuding an effortless sensuality. A beauty not of innocence, but of temptation and deception—a goddess who reveled in the chaos of trickery and illusion.
Lyraea – The Goddess of Nature
Aisha's Rival
If Thalia was the embodiment of darkness and mischief, Lyraea was the very essence of life itself, an ethereal vision of natural splendor. Unlike the others, her beauty was not sculpted from divinity alone, but from the heart of the earth, as if the world itself had crafted her with love and reverence.
Her emerald-green eyes gleamed with the light of flourishing forests, deep and eternal, as if they held the very soul of nature within them. They were alive—vibrant and untamed, shifting between hues of jade and verdant green like the leaves in sunlight.
Her skin had the softness of untouched petals, kissed by morning dew, its tone a perfect harmony between golden warmth and earthly richness. Long tendrils of silken hair, the color of ancient oak and wild ivy, cascaded down her back, some strands intertwining like vines with blossoms woven into their length.
But what truly set her apart was the way nature seemed to embrace her—delicate flowers blooming at her feet with every step, a faint, sweet fragrance lingering in the air around her. She was not just a goddess of nature; she was nature itself, made flesh, a dryad of unparalleled beauty, surpassing even the myths of old.
Together, they stood before Dervin, each kneeling in reverence, each transformed into beings beyond mortality. Different in essence, yet equally captivating, they were no longer simply his maids—they were his Retinue of Godddesses.
Emily's lips curled into a knowing smirk as she parted them to speak.
"Quite the fascinating scene, wouldn't you say, Aisha? Who would have thought goddesses—true divine beings—would kneel so willingly before a mere mortal? Especially one who has yet to prove if he can even ascend."
Her voice was laced with amusement, yet beneath the playful mockery, a subtle curiosity lingered.
Aisha blinked, as if pulled from a trance, her gaze lingering a moment too long on the kneeling figures before shifting to her sister.
"Yes, quite interesting indeed," she mused, though her words carried a different weight. Her eyes flickered to Lyraea—another Goddess of Nature, willingly bowing to a man. "She brings shame to all Goddesses of Nature, submitting so easily. A disgrace, truly."
Yet, even as she spoke, Aisha knew the truth—her words were empty. She didn't truly care about the implications or how other goddesses might perceive this act.
No, what truly occupied her mind was the way Lyraea knelt, the way she looked up at Dervin with unwavering devotion. And most of all, how easy it was to imagine herself in that very position.
The kneeling goddesses, however, paid no mind to their words, their focus entirely on one being—Dervin.
He finally spoke, his deep voice carrying the same dominance as ever.
"Now… it is my turn."
The kneeling goddesses remained as they were, unmoving, awaiting his command. Their reverence was unwavering.
Emily's smirk widened as she began her chanting. As the incantation flowed from her lips, Dervin felt it—an energy unlike anything before. It surged through him, not as an overwhelming force, but as something deeper, something more intrinsic. It was as if a vast lake had suddenly formed within his soul, foreign yet familiar, a power borrowed from Emily herself.
Yet, beside this lake lay something far greater—his own ocean. A boundless abyss of potential, untamed and infinite. The two bodies of energy, so close yet unconnected, needed a bridge.
A river.
Without hesitation, Dervin willed it into existence, forging the link between the lake and the ocean. The moment the connection was complete, reality itself seemed to warp around him. The world was stripped away, and in the blink of an eye, he found himself elsewhere.
A familiar room.
Standing before him, Emily was on her knees. But unlike before, her usual arrogance was missing. Her face was flushed, the deep cherry-red color standing stark against her porcelain skin. Her lips parted slightly, her breath unsteady, as though she had experienced something she could not explain.
Yet, as soon as she realized their positions, she stiffened.
With practiced ease, she shot to her feet, regaining her composure, her smirk returning—but it was not the same. It wavered, as if struggling against something unknown even to her.
Beside her, Aisha stood as well. But her reaction was no different. Her posture was perfect, her expression indifferent, yet the telltale heat dusting her cheeks betrayed her.
They were both blushing.
But why?
Dervin's gaze flickered between the two, his mind already piecing together the implications. Whatever had just occurred within that moment of ascension—it had affected them both. And if the way they avoided his gaze was any indication…
They were shaken.
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Edit:
Dear Readers,
I sincerely apologize for not being able to write today. Unfortunately, an unexpected illness has left me needing some rest. I truly appreciate your patience and understanding, and I'll make sure to try and compensate for this, tomorrow.
Thank you for your support!